God Cares For Individuals

Many times in church-planting we see the big picture. A village with no Gospel witness. Thousands of lost souls without an opportunity to hear the plan of salvation.

What we may lose sight of is the fact that these villages are made up of individuals who need Jesus Christ in their lives.

Pascali is one such individual who lives in the village of Kikano where we planted a church just last year. Previously, this village had no Gospel-preaching church. Through the witness of this new church Pascali received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.

Recently Pascali testified that before the church was started in Kikano he was a hopeless drunk. He was unable to provide for the needs of his family. As a matter of fact, he was a heavy burden to his wife and children because of his sinful lifestyle.

However, Pascali gave glory to God by testifying that Jesus has dramatically changed his life! He has stopped drinking. He is faithfully attending church and is now meeting the needs of his family.

Because of a new church plant in a remote village, just think of how this entire family will be changed by the power of the Gospel!

Powerful Display of God's Word To Change a Life

We witnessed a powerful display of God’s Word to change a life during our week-long revival meeting at the church in Fumagira the week before Christmas. There were a total of 47 adult salvation decisions during the meeting, however, the salvation of one lady demonstrated the mighty power of the Word of God to convict and convert even one held in bondage by Satan.

As we have mentioned many times before, the villages where we are planting churches are steeped in witchcraft. Before hearing the truth of the Gospel, the people in these villages live in constant fear of curses and under the heavy influence of witchdoctors.  They believe the spirits of their deceased ancestors control every aspect of their lives.  They build little wooden huts for these ancestral spirits to live in.  They cook extra food to place in these huts in order to feed their dead ancestors.  The witchdoctors claim that they can communicate with these spirits.  When people experience trouble or what they consider bad luck, they visit the witchdoctor.  He claims that he can appease your dead ancestors in order to change your luck.  In reality, these people are opening up their souls to Satan and his demons.

 
This particular lady who was converted at our revival meeting was invited to this meeting by one of our church members at Fumagira.   We discovered later that this was the first time that this lady had ever attended a church in her entire life.  Kitabo, a preacher from a church in Bariadi, preached on the topic of witchcraft that evening. Kitabo knows all about witchcraft since he was a witchdoctor before becoming a Christian. As his message was coming to a close this lady fell to the ground and began yelling and screaming for almost ten minutes. Pastor Pelegrino and some other leaders in the church calmly took her aside and opened the Word of God. As they did so a guttural animalistic voice uttered unintelligible words from her mouth.  She was obviously being harassed by the forces of evil. At one point her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she went unconscious for a short time. When she came to she couldn’t remember anything that had just happened. They spent the next hour giving this lady the message of the Gospel. She desperately wanted deliverance and received Jesus Christ as her Savior.

 

She instantly became a new creature in Christ! She came every night of these meetings. She attended the Christmas service. She helped the ladies who cooked the meal for the Christmas service. Even her countenance was transformed! She looked like a different person. During our baptismal service on Christmas Day, she publicly declared her faith in Christ and submitted to believer’s baptism.  We are thrilled to report that she continues to faithfully attend our church at Fumagira, and she is growing in grace.  God’s Word has not lost its power. It is still “quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).

Witchcraft in Tanzania: CNN Report

Click here to view an article/video by CNN 

concerning witchcraft in Tanzania. 

Over the years we have tried to express the spiritual environment that we face as we bring the Gospel message into villages steeped in witchcraft. We have tried to describe and explain the nature of the witchcraft practiced in Tanzanian villages.  We found this CNN "Inside Africa" report to be fair and accurate. There is one part in the report where an actual witchdoctor is interviewed, and  she performs a ceremony of spirit cleansing on camera. Listen to her as she talks about the spirits that control her. Satanism and witchcraft are real, and we fight real demons as we seek to bring the light of the Gospel into villages where Satan has held these people in bondage for hundreds of years.

By Errol Barnett, CNN

October 8, 2012 -- Updated 1655 GMT (0055 HKT)

Salvation and a charm bracelet

Witnessing in Tanzania is nothing like in America. When we arrive at someone's hut we are offered the best seat available - usually a roughly made wooden chair. We sit outside and neighbors begin to gather. Yesterday was no exception. As Pastor Musa and I opened God's Word to share the Good News of the Gospel about 15 people gathered around to listen. One man in particular was especially attentive. About an hour later this young man said he wanted to receive Christ as his Savior.  

PRAISE THE LORD!

The next thing that happened has never happened to me personally. This young man, without us even talking about it, pulled off his charm (arm bracelet) and threw it down. He said now he didn't need a charm to ward off evil spirits anymore. Shall we say it again...

PRAISE THE LORD!

Please pray for Simoni to grow in his faith.

To bargain, or not to bargain??

Earlier this week our teammate, Lisa Newland, and I had fun shopping at an African Expo. It was interesting to see the different wares they were selling. Some from different areas of Tanzania, and some as far away as Uganda.

We also spent some time talking to a lady who is from Mwanza. She spoke English fluently - something we rarely ever hear. She was quite interesting to talk to. She teaches people how to do handy crafts that can be sold to make a living. She proceeded to tell us that one item may take hours and hours to complete. Then when the person tries to sell their wares people dicker over the price and the person might be left with little or no profit. However, if they've used all their money to travel into town to sell their wares, they have to sell them - even if they are practically giving them away - in order to get home. So they sell their wares far less than they are worth, only to go home discouraged and not wanting to waste their time again.

There is a conflict here. For the most part we bargain over everything we buy except groceries and medicines. (In fact, we've been known to bargain even in America at stores and with dentists!) Typically people start high, even higher for we wazungu (white people). The "rule" is to go about half of what they ask and then go back and forth until you agree on a price. So what are we to do when we are trying to bargain for a handmade item? I guess what we try to do, and will worker harder on now, is to think of how much we think the item is worth before we start the process. Then be happy when we agree to that price.

Below are the items I purchased. Most all of them I didn't even try to bargain because the price sounded reasonable right off the bat.

dress for my granddaughter made of kikoi

$8.13

wall hanging (5 ft long)

$15.63

cow horn (2 ft long) from Uganda

$6.25

Harvesting Rice

Each morning as I go for a walk I pass by these rice fields that are just down from our house. At first I didn't know if they would make it due to the lack of rain. However, when the rains did come they began to flourish. As the stalks began to grow I would watch as old men, women, or even children would stand in the middle of the rice paddies for hours. They had rocks in their hand ready to throw at any bird trying to steal the grains. Then it was time to let the paddies dry out in anticipation of cutting the stalks and removing the rice. This went on for a couple weeks. (Other farmers were happy with the continued rain since it came late this season. However, those wanting to harvest rice were hoping for sun!)

The long awaited day came and as Bill and I went for a morning walk there they were cutting down the stalks. As we returned home they had stalks around their feet and were beating bundle after bundle on a rock to remove the rice. It was quite interesting to watch them as they worked hard with very primitive means of harvesting their rice. (Notice the rock they are using to beat the ends of the stalks to remove the rice.)

I've watched for months the process of planting the seedlings. The carrying buckets of water when the rain was late in coming. The steady growth of the stalks. The patience of the people as they stood hour after hour in the fields protecting the grain from birds. The arduous task of wading through muddy water - oftentimes with snakes in it - to cut the stalks. Then the final task of beating the rice off the stalks. A much worked for and anticipated harvest!

This reminds me of our ministry as missionaries. We plant the seed of the Gospel in the hearts of people. We water those seeds with the Truth of the Word. We then need to be patient and protect these new believers from the lies of the Enemy. We also wait with anticipation for the day when Jesus will return and the Great Harvest will take place. 

And another angel came out of the temple, crying 

with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in 

thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for 

the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Revelation 14:15

People Watching

Downtown Mwanza, Tanzania

Don't you just love people watching?! Maybe at the mall when you sit down for a few minutes before you continue shopping. At a ballgame in between watching the game. Or perhaps it's in an airport. Wherever you find yourself enjoying a bit of people watching, it's always interesting.

Here in Africa I have done my fair share of people watching. Really it can't be helped. Much time is spent waiting. (If you know a patient missionary it's probably because they've done a lot of practicing!) Well, today I wasn't waiting, but rather I was walking. Walking is another thing we do a lot of. It is easier - and safer - to just park the car and walk to all the stops we need to make in town. Today was no different. So since we have to walk, why not enjoy it more by people watching! What struck me today was...

• Two men holding hands. I remember when we made our survey trip to Kenya and I thought, "Wow, I had no idea there were so many g@y men here!" In actuality the custom is for men to hold hands in friendship. You won't catch them holding their wife's hand, but another man's - definitely.
• Neckties for sale. There are street vendors all over the place selling their wares. I saw one guy who had a nice array of neckties. The part that made me smile was the fact that they were already tied and ready to be slipped over the head of the new owner. I can think of a few guys in our sending church who would like one of those!
• Dressed for a wedding. Ladies here wear their nicest clothes when they go to town. I often feel way under dressed in my jean skirt and t-shirt. One lady today had on a bright pink dress with sequins.  
• Seasonal clothing. You would think we don't have seasonal clothing in Africa, but nope. I often see men wearing a tobogon and a winter coat...in 80 degree weather! But then I also break out the sweatshirts when it gets anywhere below 75.
• T-shirts with sayings. It's always interesting to read the sayings on people's shirts here. With the language here being Swahili, and most used shirts being sold in English, it can be quite hilarious to read what they say. One time I saw a man walking down the street with a shirt that had an arrow pointing down and the word BABY above it. 

People watching doesn't start, nor stop with this mzungu (white person). We are watched continuously. From the time I walk out of my gate I have people watching everything I do. I also know for a fact that they find our kizungu ways quite entertaining. 

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:"

Proverbs 17:22a

The gift of hearing

clapping...
scuffling rocks...
phone ringing...
door shutting...

These are just a few of the things James got to hear for the first time. James' mother Pendo contracted measles when she was pregnant. They aren't sure, but think his hearing was possibly affected. Then after a severe ear infection, topped off with poor medical care, he became almost deaf in both ears. For years the family tried to get help for their son. James' dad, Constantine, was even given the equivalent of $150.00 to buy a hearing aid. Sadly, the money was taken by a local hospital doctor without them ever getting the promised hearing aid.

Pendo came to work for us a few years ago. Recently I was given a contact for  AIC-CURE Internaltional Children's Hospital of Kenya. This hospital is just down the road from our daughter's boarding school - Rift Valley Academy. We made arrangements with the hospital to bring James and his mother while we picked up Abigail for her end-term break. I couldn't wait to tell Pendo!

Kijabe, Kenya is about 11 hours from Mwanza, Tanzania. This was an exciting adventure for Pendo and James. Both had only traveled as far as Musoma - a three hour drive from Mwanza. It was neat seeing their reactions as we got further away from home, and into another country. We've driven this route many times, but seeing it through their eyes was like seeing it for the first time!

Once we arrived at CURE they tested James to see how much he can hear out of each ear. We were then told that he was a good candidate for a hearing aid. PRAISE THE LORD! The nurse brought in a solar-powered hearing aid and began fitting James. I'll never forget when she turned it on and began talking to him - his face lit up! (Notice his mom's joy in the mirror.)

The nurse was explaining that families in America donate hearing aids (approximately $250.00) so people like James can hear the Word of God, and I was in turn translating for Pendo. It was at that point that it really hit her and she began to cry. What a gift  to give someone - the ability not only to hear, but to hear God's Word!!! 

We are now back home in Tanzania and James is doing GREAT! He is talking up a storm and already doing better in school.  His world has opened up and that can't help but make him smile...

Our God Of Miracles

I had the HUGE privilege of seeing God work a miracle! Some months back a pastor's wife, Justa, came to me for some advice. She and Pastor Delphinus have been married for going on eight years and she had never been able to conceive. She had gone to several doctors and was finally told that it would be next to impossible to conceive, and even if she did her uterus was off to the side and would burst about three months into the pregnancy. However, she continued to pray for a baby. Being childless is a major deal here with African women. Their total identity and security is wrapped up in their children. To not have a child is a great shame here. It was also a hindrance in her being accepted in her role as a pastor's wife. Then about a year ago her brother agreed for her to adopt his child since the mother had died in childbirth. Maria was 1 years old when she came to live with Justa and Delphinus. They took that as God's answer, although never stopped praying if it be His will to give them another child.

 

The day Justa arrived at our home for some counsel she was coming up on three months pregnant and was fearful that any day her uterus would burst and she would lose this baby and possibly die. She hadn't even allowed herself to experience the joy that she actually got pregnant after 7 years. She just kept thinking of the news that doctors had given her about a year prior. I had heard of a good clinic about 30 minutes away so we made plans to drive there the next day to see a doctor. When we arrived they took her in for an ultra-sound and the Tanzanian doctor reassured her that her uterus would NOT burst. That as the baby grew, her uterus would also grow. Justa and I got to see the baby's little heart beat. When we left the clinic and got into my car I asked her if I needed to further explain what the doctor had told her. She said yes and could hardly believe it was true. She was three months along and the baby was doing great. We sat in the car and praised the Lord! She just kept saying over and over again, Mungu ni ajabu!!! God is amazing!

I went to visit Justa one day to explain about what to expect in childbirth and how to know when she should go to the hospital. I wasn't quite sure the baby was head down and the local clinic she was going to hadn't said anything on her last visit. I felt the Lord urging me to take her back to the Nyakato Clinic so we made plans to go a few days later. When we arrived the place was packed! I hadn't realized there was going to be a team of doctors from the States there doing surgery. We waited, and waited, and waited. When we finally got to see the doctor he did another ultrasound and told us the baby was breech.  He told Justa that she needed to go to the hospital to have her baby and that they might have to do a c-section. Now I'm not a doctor, but as far as I understood most breech babies in the United States are taken by c-section. I was nervous about going back home so told Justa to wait for me and I would try and find the American nurse who helps run the clinic. As soon as I explained the situation she said she needed to be seen by the American doctor who was there, who "HAPPENED" to be an OB/GYN. So we waited some more and then the doctor checked her and found that the baby was presenting feet first. A c-section was in order and he and his team were willing to do it. So what was a visit turned into an overnight stay with the c-section scheduled for early the next morning. However, the Lord knew she needed to be in that clinic that very day because in the night her water broke and she went into labor. Bill and I picked up her husband and rushed to the clinic. We got there just in time for her to be taken into surgery. We waited (again), with her husband who could not stop smiling and praising God. A few minutes later we watched him hold his beautiful little girl, Rachel.

That night I stayed with Justa and Rachel and went over again and again in my mind about what a miracle this baby was. She was born to parents who never thought they would conceive. She was carried full-term when the doctors said it could not happen. She went to the clinic and when we found out the baby was breech there were American doctors there to do the c-section. We serve a GLORIOUS GOD!!!!!

Hit The Ground Running...

We arrived back in Tanzania on November 5th and hit the ground running! The national pastor we work closely with, Pelegrino, was getting married on December 3rd and we only had weeks to help him plan this big event in his life. We have been praying with Pastor Pelegrino for a godly wife for years. Now those years of praying were finally coming to fruition and we wanted the day to be as special as possible for this new couple.



Right after the wedding Bill taught a counseling class at Lake Victoria Baptist Bible College here in Mwanza. It is always a blessing to meet together with these men and women as they prepare for the ministry. I look forward to teaching a ladies class next term in June.



Next were the holidays and all the special church services in each of the six churches we work directly with. The day found us celebrating with our newest church plant in the village of Kitongo. We also enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner with fellow missionaries Greg and Paige Wagoner and Family.

The New Year has brought some new ministries the Lord has laid on our hearts. This past Wednesday Bill started Bible Institute classes at the Independent Baptist Church of Igekemaja. He is teaching the book of Matthew. We also look forward to the upcoming Family Seminars we'll be teaching at each of the churches in the Mwanza area. Our first being in T-X on January 22. Then on January 28th we will begin hosting a monthly Pastor's Fellowship at our house.

We are excited to see what plans God has for us in 2011!