Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Tanzania looks a lot different than it does back home in North Carolina. We miss the Christmas season in NC, but have learned to enjoy the perpetual summer and scenery of Lake Tanganyika here in Kigoma. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to serve Him out here, even if Christmas looks a little different :)

Isaac, our oldest son, turned 16 in November while at school in Kenya at RVA. We didn't want to miss celebrating his 16th birthday together, so we took a road trip to visit him. It was a wonderful few days together, and we are glad we made the trip.

We have some great news to share! Jennifer's Tanzanian nursing license was granted! She is still waiting for a diploma certification document and work permit. Things are lining up for her and we are all excited. She hopes to begin shadowing a German nurse in a hospital near us this January once all of her remaining documents are granted. Praise the Lord!

About a week ago we had our kids' club Christmas party out in Kizenga. We had a great time with games and lots of songs. They played one game called Samson - Delila - Simba (Lion in Swahili). It was like Rock - Paper - Scissors but more fun!

Pagi gave a wonderful message about the TRUE meaning of Christmas and then the kids enjoyed a big meal

which consisted of rice, beans, cabbage salad, a banana & juice.

Life in the village is very different than in town. After getting to know these kids, we have learned that some of them eat one meal a day. Otherwise, they eat fruit from mango trees and any others they can find. Hunger is just a normal part of life here. Knowing their situation, this meal was a huge blessing to them.

Organizing the feeding of 100 kids was no easy task, but we persevered and figured it out.

The kids all waited patiently until everyone was seated and we gave thanks to the Lord for this blessing. Overall it was a great day :)

We recently had a day of outreach at a village called Kigalie. Kigalie is predominantly Muslim and is only accessible by boat. The youth group from the town church wanted to combine their Christmas party with ministry, and chose to go there on Harry Johnson's boat (Above). I was asked to give a challenge on evangelism, and joined them in the outreach as well.

As we arrived in the bay, lots of young boys (some dressed - some not so much) swam out to greet us and see who we were and why we had come. One of our guys started giving tracts to these boys, and they swam with one arm while holding the tract up out of the water with the other. It was a sight to see!

One by one they came for a tract titled, "Msamaha wa Dhambi", which means "Forgiveness of Sins". We pray they will read, understand, and find forgiveness in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Once on the beach, we were surrounded by children and youth who were curious to hear what we had to say. Also, some Muslim men came down to check things out. I'm very thankful for the Tanzanian culture, which is very hospitable. I shared with these men exactly why we had come, and that we would only be here a few hours sharing with everyone about Gods love for them. We were well received and free to share the Gospel with all.

As we walked up into the village, we passed by the main mosque as the prayer call was being heard throughout the village. It's hard to describe the feeling as you share the Gospel under the sound of the Muslim prayer call. It is an unforgettable experience for sure.

I had the opportunity to sit with about 15 young boys and share my testimony and why I trusted Christ as my Savior. Many others had great opportunities as well, and we even were able to encourage a few believers who lived there.

Back in Ujiji, the maktaba is continuing on as usual. School is out for the rest of the year and kids stop by to watch The King of Glory and other films. They also come by to color and draw. Gerald also grades each of their drawings with a smiley face 😊.

Muslim men continue to trickle in for reading glasses, and gladly take a free New Testament and tracts as they go. We thank the Lord for these reading glasses and how they give these men a reason to come into the maktaba!

Today in Kizenga, we prepared gifts for all the children in our Kids Club - Sunday School. Thanks to Western Wake Bible Chapel who sent out lots of toy cars, we included a toy car with a piece of clothing (shirt, dress, or pants) for each child. It was fun to see their smiles, but even more satisfying to know that we were meeting a need in their lives as many of them wear clothes with holes, tears, and stains.

In December there are lots of Christmas parties (which are more like church services) this time of year. I was invited to the boys and girls club Christmas party at the church in town to give the Gospel. It was a very lively party, full of games, songs, and food.

We are thankful for every opportunity the Lord gives us to share the Gospel and His love to any and all!