It seems that violence has come to our peaceful country of Tanzania. The violence that has erupted in the countries of northern Africa have spilled over and is affecting Tanzania. The population of Tanzania is about a third Muslim; the Muslim population of Tanzania have been very peaceful and friendly towards Americans for the most part. There has always been a small number of more militant/radical Muslims on the eastern coast; mostly situated on the island of Zanzibar.
However, within the past several months Muslims set fire to 12 churches on Zanzibar. A couple of weeks ago, rioting broke out in the coastal city of Dar Es Salaam. Three of our A/G churches were set on fire; one was completely destroyed and the other two badly burned and ransacked. One woman was badly injured and since then another person has been injured and one killed as the rioting continues. The rioting Muslims seem to be angered by the "mishandling" of the Quran and are demanding the release of a local cleric.
Please pray for this situation; the Tanzania A/G leadership and pastors are praying and fasting and attempting to react with love towards the hatred coming against them during this time.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Buhangija improvements
We would like to thank the Springfield Southeast Rotary Club (Springfield MO) for their generous gift of $5000 to the Buhangija School for the Visually Impaired in Shinyanga Tanzania. There are about 250 Albino Children (CWA-Children with Albinism) who live at the school.
Tim and I visit the school often when we are there but have been in the states for furlough since April. However, Tim made a trip to Tanzania in August to host a building team of 32 people. While he was there, he presented the money to the school so they could build some toilets and shower facilites for the children. The children have all been sharing 2 outside toilets and have had no shower facilites at all. They wash using buckets standing around outside with the older children going behind some of the buildings to bathe.
We just received pictures today from the school Headmaster, Mr Ajali, showing that the toilets and showers have been completed. They children are excited about their new facilities; it will be very helpful in relieving the problems related to the severe over-crowding at the school.
Tim and I visit the school often when we are there but have been in the states for furlough since April. However, Tim made a trip to Tanzania in August to host a building team of 32 people. While he was there, he presented the money to the school so they could build some toilets and shower facilites for the children. The children have all been sharing 2 outside toilets and have had no shower facilites at all. They wash using buckets standing around outside with the older children going behind some of the buildings to bathe.
We just received pictures today from the school Headmaster, Mr Ajali, showing that the toilets and showers have been completed. They children are excited about their new facilities; it will be very helpful in relieving the problems related to the severe over-crowding at the school.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Clean water is a Blessing
Tim and the team are in Mwanza Tanzania working to finish the Mwanza District Church Planting School; part of the team is painting and helping with some work at the Mwanza Bible College. Last Saturday Tim traveled to the Buhangija School in Shinyanga TZ to deliver funds that were donated by the Springfield MO Rotary Club; the money will be used to build bathroom and shower facilites for the 200+ Albino children who live at the school.
Tim was also able to install some donated water filters at the school; thanks to missionary Gary Higgins for providing the water filters and finding donors to pay for them. The children and staff were excited at the prospect of having safe, clean water to drink. The filters were easy to install and very easy to maintain; clean water is a blessing that we take for granted in America. The children will be much healthier and happier now that they have plenty of clean water to drink.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Updates from Tanzania
We have been in the states itinerating since April, however, good things are continuing to happen in Tanzania and we want to update you on a few of those.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support.
- Buhangija School in Shinyanga was given a grant by the Springfield MO Lions Club in the amount of $5,000. The funds will be used to build toilets and shower facilities at the school.
- The work on the new Women's Dorm at the Mwanza Bible College continues to progress and we hope to have it finished by the end of this year
- We just received word that the "Under the Same Sun" organization has donated money so that all of the Albino children at the Buhangija School in Shinyanga (over 200 children) will be taking a trip to the Serengeti National Game Park. The majority of these children have never been off of the small fenced compound where the school is located. We are so excited that they are going to have this once-in-a-lifetime chance provided for them
- Tim left for Tanzania yesterday and will be hosting a team from Cornerstone Church in Tennessee that will be completing the Mwanza District Church Planting School. They will also visit the Kagera District to find a location for the next Church Planting School; part of the team will be working at the Bible School on the Women's Dorm.
- The Tanzania Assemblies of God General Council convened earlier this month and there were many changes that occurred during the elections. Five of our eight districts in our region of Tanzania have new Superintendents (Bishops); we are excited to return to Tanzania and work with this new leadership. We believe God is preparing to do great things in our part of Tanzania.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Breaking down Barriers
Yesterday (Sunday) we were with a church in Kansas City MO; it was a very moving service for us in that it represented one of our heart's desires for Tanzania.
The pastor and his family have been at this church for 36 years; they moved here from Guyana South America. The family is originally from India but have lived several generations in Guyana and practice the Hindu religion; this is very similar to the Indian population living in Tanzania. The church body was almost entirely made up of Black Americans and Africans.
In Mwanza, Tanzania where we live, the Indian Tanzanians and the Black Tanzanians are separated by a wall of prejudice and mistrust that has been in place for generations and even as Christians they rarely are seen worshipping together. In fact, there are few Christians among the thousands of Indians living in Mwanza.
We have had a burden to see the Indian population of Mwanza reached with the Gospel and to witness the Indian and Black Tanzanians worhiping together; one mind, one body, one spirit.
As we looked at the worship team at Grace A/G yesterday; it brought tears to our eyes as we saw a very large black American man standing at the microphone and a small elderly Indian man standing at the microphone beside him; a picture of what we hope to see in Tanzania some day.
The pastor and his family have been at this church for 36 years; they moved here from Guyana South America. The family is originally from India but have lived several generations in Guyana and practice the Hindu religion; this is very similar to the Indian population living in Tanzania. The church body was almost entirely made up of Black Americans and Africans.
In Mwanza, Tanzania where we live, the Indian Tanzanians and the Black Tanzanians are separated by a wall of prejudice and mistrust that has been in place for generations and even as Christians they rarely are seen worshipping together. In fact, there are few Christians among the thousands of Indians living in Mwanza.
We have had a burden to see the Indian population of Mwanza reached with the Gospel and to witness the Indian and Black Tanzanians worhiping together; one mind, one body, one spirit.
As we looked at the worship team at Grace A/G yesterday; it brought tears to our eyes as we saw a very large black American man standing at the microphone and a small elderly Indian man standing at the microphone beside him; a picture of what we hope to see in Tanzania some day.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Blessings...
We have been in the states since April 5 and have been in Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee and North Carolina visiting churches; looking for new ministry partners and saying "Thanks" to those who already partner with us to reach the lost of Tanzania.
We have recently received news that the Mwanza Bible College that the Dining Hall now has 15 new tables and 150 new chairs; we received the money for this project before we left Tanzania and the project has been completed. The Bible College students and staff are rejoicing; thanks to our friends at Africa's Hope for their generosity.
Also, we were awarded a check from the Springfield MO Rotary Club in the amount o $5,000 to provide toilet and shower facilities at the Buhangija School for the Visually Impaired in Shinyanga Tanzania; 225 Albino children live at this school. We want to thank the Rotary Club for their generosity; we hope to have the new toilets and showers installed when Tim takes a short trip back to Tanzania in late August.
We have recently received news that the Mwanza Bible College that the Dining Hall now has 15 new tables and 150 new chairs; we received the money for this project before we left Tanzania and the project has been completed. The Bible College students and staff are rejoicing; thanks to our friends at Africa's Hope for their generosity.
Also, we were awarded a check from the Springfield MO Rotary Club in the amount o $5,000 to provide toilet and shower facilities at the Buhangija School for the Visually Impaired in Shinyanga Tanzania; 225 Albino children live at this school. We want to thank the Rotary Club for their generosity; we hope to have the new toilets and showers installed when Tim takes a short trip back to Tanzania in late August.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Itineration
It's been awhile since we last posted; we've been in a whirlwind of activity the past two months. After our last team of 23 people left in March, we had a week to vacate our house so the renters could move in. We packed, took care of business, said our farewells to the Bible School Staff and a number of churches, paid one last visit to the Albino children at two different locations and trained 3 new outside workers.
Finally, ready or not, we departed Mwanza on March 30 and flew to Ireland for a five day tour. Ireland was incredible and a life time dream come true.
We arrived in the states on April 5 just in time for Easter; Jenn, Sarah and Janelle Thacker met us at the airport. It was great to see our daughters!
We have now been in the states for about a month; we've had four services and attended the Southern Missouri District Council. We have purchased a car (changed the title, took out insurance, got it inspected, etc), we both got new driver's licenses, new cell phones (it took three for me before I got one that worked), gathered items for a display table, visited family, moved twice, seen the eye doctor and Joyce had lab work done so she could get her meds. Oh yes, last but not least, bought new clothes!
We are ready for itineration; we leave for Michigan in two days and then on to North Carolina!
People should not refer to furlough as "vacation", it's just a different kind of work!
Finally, ready or not, we departed Mwanza on March 30 and flew to Ireland for a five day tour. Ireland was incredible and a life time dream come true.
We arrived in the states on April 5 just in time for Easter; Jenn, Sarah and Janelle Thacker met us at the airport. It was great to see our daughters!
We have now been in the states for about a month; we've had four services and attended the Southern Missouri District Council. We have purchased a car (changed the title, took out insurance, got it inspected, etc), we both got new driver's licenses, new cell phones (it took three for me before I got one that worked), gathered items for a display table, visited family, moved twice, seen the eye doctor and Joyce had lab work done so she could get her meds. Oh yes, last but not least, bought new clothes!
We are ready for itineration; we leave for Michigan in two days and then on to North Carolina!
People should not refer to furlough as "vacation", it's just a different kind of work!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Nebraska Team
 |
| Women's Dorm MBC |
 |
| Orientation time |
In a week's time they accomplished an impressive amount of work. They put in the footings and put the roof up for the new Women's dorm at Mwanza Bible College, painted the classrooms, teacher's offices, hallway and library, poured new cement flours in the classrooms, poured a sidewalk for the men's dorm, put up a wall to form a storage room and took down a wall to make two small classrooms into one large classroom.
In addition, they went out to the Mwanza District Church Planting School site and put up roof frames for two buildings.
WOW! What a blessing; thanks to each one of the team members for their sacrifice and hard work and thanks to everyone who prayed for them.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Pathfinders Team from Madison TN
 |
| Campsite at Nyambiti |
The Pathfinders team from Cornerstone Church in Madison TN arrived on February 20th to put up a church roof in the village of Nyambiti.
The truck that was to bring the building supplies did not arrive until Wednesday so the team went to the site for the Mwanza District Church Planting School and put in the foundations for the buildings on that property and put together some of the roof components.
 |
| Finished roof at Nyambiti village |
On Wednesday about noon the truck arrived with the building supplies and the team spent several hours off-loading the supplies to two different locations.
By staying up until about 1:00am Wednesday and working with lights and starting again Thursday morning about 5:00am, they were able to get the roof project completed for the Nyambiti church.
Although Satan seemed to try to hinder us on this project in multiple ways, the team persevered and finished the project for the glory of God. Thanks to the hundreds of our friends and supporters who were praying for this project. Satan and his demons were defeated by the power of prayer.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Flexibility
As missionaries, one of the factors that determines your success is your ability to be flexible and quickly learn how to come up with and implement a "Plan B, C, or even D".
For instance, we have a team coming from Cornerstone Church in Tennessee on Monday to put up a church roof and do some preliminary work on the Mwanza District Church Planting School.
Months ago, a container of building supplies and tools were sent from the states and arrived in Dar Es Salaam on December 3. Yesterday, with three days to go before the team arrives, we had the final word that the container was being held and would not be released for sometime while about $12,000 in storage fees were being haggled over.
With the help of our National Church leaders who are sending another container of building supplies that was designated for another site, and the help of our missionary colleagues who are gathering tools and supplies that would have come in the container in Dar and sending them out to us by bus and truck, and with the help of the team from TN who are also bringing items we will need with them, and with the help of some of the local churches to help with food...we are implementing Plan B. We have three days so we may end up creating some Plan C's or D's before we have everything we need on hand. However, we have many helpers here in TZ working to make it happen and many prayer partners all over the world who are doing their part as well.
God will build His Church, Bible College, Kingdom, etc, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. We are thankful for an all-powerful God and for many partners working together doing Kingdom work.
For instance, we have a team coming from Cornerstone Church in Tennessee on Monday to put up a church roof and do some preliminary work on the Mwanza District Church Planting School.
Months ago, a container of building supplies and tools were sent from the states and arrived in Dar Es Salaam on December 3. Yesterday, with three days to go before the team arrives, we had the final word that the container was being held and would not be released for sometime while about $12,000 in storage fees were being haggled over.
With the help of our National Church leaders who are sending another container of building supplies that was designated for another site, and the help of our missionary colleagues who are gathering tools and supplies that would have come in the container in Dar and sending them out to us by bus and truck, and with the help of the team from TN who are also bringing items we will need with them, and with the help of some of the local churches to help with food...we are implementing Plan B. We have three days so we may end up creating some Plan C's or D's before we have everything we need on hand. However, we have many helpers here in TZ working to make it happen and many prayer partners all over the world who are doing their part as well.
God will build His Church, Bible College, Kingdom, etc, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. We are thankful for an all-powerful God and for many partners working together doing Kingdom work.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Buhangija School
 |
| Tim opens some of the clothing bundles |
 |
| Children sitting at the new tables and chairs |
Two weeks ago we visited the Buhangija school for the visually impaired with some guests from the states. We bought five 50lb bundles of clothing and took to the school; one of the bundles was made up of sheets and towels which were also needed. We took a large supply of sunscreen and two new soccer balls which were the biggest hit of the day. Children in Tanzania LOVE to play soccer.
It was good to see the children; school was dismissed for a short time so we could visit briefly with all the children. The number of CWA (Children with Albinism) has increased at the school to about 200 now which makes for very crowded conditions when the dormitory space was built for less than 100 children. We are looking at estimates to have new beds made and to help them complete a new dorm that has been started but there are no funds to finish the project.
We had a chance to examine the 10 new tables and benches that we paid to have built for the dining hall as well as checked the well pump that was broken and we provided the funds to restore it to good working order. There are still many needs remaining. We will be making perhaps two more trips there before we leave on furlough at the end of March.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Computer Lab
 |
| New Computer Lab at Mwanza Bible College |
In January, we hosted a team of four men from Africa's Hope in Springfield MO. Their purpose here in Mwanza was to install the new computer lab at the Mwanza Bible College. Thanks to their many hours of labor for the week they were here, we now have a wonderful, well outfitted computer lab at the Mwanza Bible, the teachers all have computers, and all computers have been freed from viruses and upgraded.
We have a lab with 12 computers; it will be the first time that most of the students (pastors) have touched a computer. We will begin with the basics and work our way up from there. We thank the Lord for the gift of the computers and all the software, wiring, remodeling of the room, etc that was provided for this project.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Happy New Year
Heri ya Krismasi (Happy New Year)
The year 2010 was a very busy year for us and we are so thankful for the strength and wisdom God gave us so that we could do His work for the Kingdom of God here in Tanzania. I will give a quick summary of our Ministry activities for 2010:
Ministry trips (two or more days) - 19
Guests (at least one night's stay-groups count as one) - 15
Days with guests in our home (overnight) - 150
Days away from home for ministry (TIM) - 121
Tanzania Field Missions Meetings - 3
Tanzania Assemblies of God meetings - 6
National TAG conferences attended - 3
Planned meetings with local pastors/leaders - 9
*Numerous unscheduled and "drop-in" visits)
Seminars Taught: Joyce -1 Tim-5
Preaching services: Joyce-3 Tim-8
Albino Ministry-Visits to Schools: 19
Joyce: Mwanza Bible College Teaching- 3 terms (total of 54 days)
Five Week Evangelism outreach with outdoor meetings in five different locations.
As you can see it was a full year; we had successes for which we thank God and we had some failures and disappointments which we will learn from and keep working to move forward. We thank each of you for your prayers and financial support; we appreciate your partnership.
The year 2010 was a very busy year for us and we are so thankful for the strength and wisdom God gave us so that we could do His work for the Kingdom of God here in Tanzania. I will give a quick summary of our Ministry activities for 2010:
Ministry trips (two or more days) - 19
Guests (at least one night's stay-groups count as one) - 15
Days with guests in our home (overnight) - 150
Days away from home for ministry (TIM) - 121
Tanzania Field Missions Meetings - 3
Tanzania Assemblies of God meetings - 6
National TAG conferences attended - 3
Planned meetings with local pastors/leaders - 9
*Numerous unscheduled and "drop-in" visits)
Seminars Taught: Joyce -1 Tim-5
Preaching services: Joyce-3 Tim-8
Albino Ministry-Visits to Schools: 19
Joyce: Mwanza Bible College Teaching- 3 terms (total of 54 days)
Five Week Evangelism outreach with outdoor meetings in five different locations.
As you can see it was a full year; we had successes for which we thank God and we had some failures and disappointments which we will learn from and keep working to move forward. We thank each of you for your prayers and financial support; we appreciate your partnership.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)