READY FOR RAIN
It was wonderful to have a team from the US come out to visit and serve with us for the last three weeks! The team consisted of eight people from various places in the US, and they were sent out by the Lord at just the right time! We are at the very end of dry season, and have not had any rain out here since the beginning of May!
As we get closer and closer to the beginning of the rainy season, we are in preparation mode here at Camp Nuru. Because of a new weather pattern, we are expecting heavier rains this year, so their help was right on time.
Above is a drone shot of the retaining wall project that we have been working on all summer. This used to be a small drainage ditch a few feet wide by a few feet deep, but today it is large enough to drive a bus through because of some very heavy and destructive rains at the end of rainy season in February and March! The ground out here is very sandy, so without this preparation, we would eventually lose our entire front wall.
The picture above shows the camp property outlined in blue. We have been working hard to protect the left side and front side of the camp, and still have about 30 meters to go on the front right. A friend came out and took some drone shots for us, which really gives a better perspective of the work!
The team divided up into two groups as one group worked on building the metal gates, while the other team filled sandbags and worked on the sections of the retaining wall. It is especially hot and humid this time of year as the humidity builds up for the rains to begin in the next few weeks. This slowed us down a little, but we are very thankful for all that we got done despite the heat!
The sandbag work on the retaining wall was especially difficult as there was no shade, and we really had to pace ourselves to not get dehydrated! We were thankful for the Tanzanian helpers who are used to working all day in this heat!
There were also lots of opportunity to serve the Lord in the local churches and the schools. The visit to the schools was a lot of fun, and the kids were so excited to have visitors from the US! Ali, one of the girls on the team, gave a message on “Blind Bartimeaus”. We asked the kids how many of them had ever heard of Bartimeaus, and about 30% of the class raised their hand. 😳 They all thoroughly enjoyed our visit and the good Bible lesson!
Many of the Muslim students sat in the class, or listened from the open windows out of curiosity as the Gospel was clearly given. They also hung around afterward to try out their English, and say goodbye 🤩!
All four men on the team shared from the Word at various times throughout their visit, and were both an encouragement to the missionary community, and the
Tanzanians.
I was thankful to have some translating help from one of our young men at the Kizenga chapel, although I did my fair share of translating at other meetings, and in the markets in town. 😅
We enjoyed lots of good fellowship together, and were so encouraged by their willingness to come so far to serve the Lord together with us.
We thank the Lord for safety in all of their travels to Tanzania and back, as all have arrived home safely.
It is a long trip consisting of multiple flights, and two solid days of travel. 😅
Before the team arrived, one of the young men (Pagi) that I have poured into over the years and enjoy working with, got married! Thankfully, I did not have to perform the ceremony, but I was given the opportunity and privilege of preaching the Gospel at the wedding.
Our family is doing well as we continue to juggle homeschool, Jennifer’s masters course in midwifery, a two year-old 😅, Camp Nuru construction, and multiple ministries. We are very thankful that Isaac seems to be doing well at Emmaus University, and hope to fly him out for Christmas for a visit.
One of my favorite things from the team being here was the Lord’s Supper in Kizenga. It’s hard to explain it in words, but it was a blessing to have the team join us in worship.
As things have settled down a bit with the team gone, we are settling back into our ministry and school routines, and we are READY for the RAIN!
We thank you all so much for keeping up with us, and for your prayers and support. We are in a very busy phase of life these days, and the Lord keeps enabling us with His daily mercies. Thank you for “holding the rope”!
~ The Kinlaws
Sam found a hedgehog tonight, so I thought I’d share this since these aren’t as common in the US.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Please pray for strength during this busy time.
Please pray for the Camp retaining wall to be completed before the rains.
Please pray with us that the rains would not be destructive this year, and that our efforts will work well to protect the camp property.
Please pray for help for the kids and Jennifer as they work through school each day.
Please pray for Isaac as he navigates life as a student at Emmaus.
Please pray for an upcoming trip to some villages to deliver Emmaus courses, for safety and encouragement.
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