Jumping Back In...

It’s hard to believe that we have been back in Kigoma for 10 days now, it seems like longer! Kigoma is an intense place. I had forgotten how the days here are so full. At sunrise, our days begin with the sound of the Muslim prayer call and the singing birds, and they end when we fall into bed each night exhausted from a full day! Although each day is full of many challenges, the Lord is with us and is a very present help in times of trouble.

Just as Isaac enjoyed jumping back into Lake Tanganyika at his favorite swimming spot, we too jumped right back into our various ministries the Lord has given us.

This isn’t the best picture, but it was a precious sight to see my little friends come to greet me in Ujiji just moments after my first visit back. Gerald continued to show them the King of Glory each afternoon while we were away. I pray these precious souls will one day turn to the Lord Jesus as their Savior.

Usually during one showing of the Gospel film, several children come and go, but some stay attentive until the end, like these boys below. So thankful for the clear explanation of the Gospel in “The King of Glory”.

I have reconnected with the street boys in town, but have not yet started back our weekly soccer and Gospel meetings. We are hoping to restart the outreach to these boys next week, but for now we are praying and preparing.

Instead of meeting with the street boys yesterday, I joined Luke and Gina Johnson and we took the youth group and youth leaders to the lake for a day of swimming at a place called “Pebble Beach”. This is something many do not get to do for various reasons, so this was a real treat for them. We brought food and drinks for everyone, and had a youth meeting on the beach. Luke organized everything, led the meeting, I gave the message, and he followed up with review questions. Gina and Jennifer did a great job with the food. We thank the Lord that everything went great and it was a fun day for all!

(above) Aloni is leading us in a few worship songs before the message.

(below) The girls are preparing “mishkaki”, by putting meat on a stick for roasting over a fire.

WATERMELON!!!! (Below)

(below) I gave a message on the miracle of the Lord Jesus calming the storm. It was a fitting message, not only with Lake Tanganyika as a background, but also an encouragement to trust the Lord in the stormy trials of our lives. The miracle today is when we experience that “Great Calm” even before our storm is over, showing those around us the power and faithfulness of God.

We enjoyed our fist Sunday back at the chapel in Kigoma. It was good to see everyone after being away for 5 months. I gave our travel testimony, as it is expected for anyone who goes on a safari to give an update or testimony when they return. It gave me a chance to brush up on my Swahili too!

It didn’t take long for Jennifer to be handed a baby by one of the mothers at the chapel. This little one was born on Jennifer’s birthday this year :)

School is back in session also as our good friend Paula, a retired teacher from the US we met at language school, returned to Kigoma on the same flight as us! She is teaching our 2 youngest and 3 boys from another missionary family in town. If she only knew how much of a blessing she is to us for serving the Lord in this way! Thank you Paula!

So Yes, we have jumped back into the work! Along with the blessings of reconnecting with various friends and acquaintances here, there have been many challenges.

Sam had malaria pretty bad last weekend, and had a fever off and on this week. Katie has malaria now, diagnosed yesterday, but responding to the medicine well. Jennifer has a sinus infection, Elaina has had asthma and stomach problems, Isaac lost a tooth yesterday, and because of all the vegetables I eat, I’m the healthy one!

hahaha :)

A few names to add to your prayer list:

James - No doubt this is not his Masai name, but James guards several shops in Ujiji at night, including the maktaba. I am praying for him to turn to the Lord Jesus.

Juma - he has been coming to the reading room since the first day we opened! He has seen “The King of Glory“ from beginning to end multiple times. We have had many good discussions about the Gospel. He is 80 years old, has had one mild stroke, and is a dear friend. I pray he turns to the Lord Jesus for salvation!

And there are several others I do not want to mention by name, but are reading Scripture or Gospel literature in their search for the truth. We covet your prayers for them all as the Lord draws the lost to His Son, the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ .

We thank you for the prayers and support as we serve our Lord here in Kigoma.

~~ The Kinlaw’s ~~