Tanzania, AfricaJuly-August 1995
From Kenya to Tanzania
From Nairobi, Kenya our team flew to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. There we ministered at another school for handicapped children. The climate in Tanzania was far different than that of where we were in Kenya. The coast of Tanzania was more humid and tropical whereas Kenya was more dry and arid. The spiritual climate was different in Tanzania as well. Much of Tanzania was Muslim as opposed to Kenya being predominantly Christian. This gave us some good experience witnessing to those ingrained in Is-lam.
July 29, 1995, Saturday.
Got up and had a quiet time out on the front porch. Relaxed with Steve as we talked with Janelle [an Australian missionary] until lunch. After lunch we had a team meeting in a lovely meeting room. Played guitar and read the Bible until dinner Went to youth group after dinner as the team sang, "Yu Mwema" and "Lord I Lift Your Name on High." After that I hung out and played guitar with the vocational students. As the children went to bed, I talked with Brian, a missionary from New Zealand for a few hours. I had a great talk with him. We talked about laymen and missionary work and the church in general. Got pooped on by a bat.
July 30, 1995, Sunday.
Got up and went to Sunday School for the the children. Steve and I sat in and listened to a man teach Exodus 20 in Kiswahili...Went to the Sunday morning service at the local church. The team sang, "I Love You Lord" and "I Will Call Upon The Lord." After lunch I relaxed, read the Bible and played guitar. Talked to Brian again. Left for the open-air meeting at 3:30pm. One man gave his testimony about how he was a Muslim but gave his life to the Lord...After dinner we had a devotional with the team, Janelle, Brian and Amanda...We sang worship songs and fellowshipped. Afterwards, we hung out with Janelle and she told us a bit about the school. Obviously there have been some problems with class 6 recently and many, many problems with the vocational school students. I believe that Steve and I have found our mission field for the next couple of weeks...God, please let your will be done here in Tanzania and bring those kids into a relationship with You.
July 31, 1995, Monday.
Praise the Lord for a great day! Got up this morning and had breakfast with Tom [our team leader]. We talked about ministry things and our team's presence in the compound. Then I read the bible at the poolside and tried to get a little tan. Had lunch...then had a meeting with Tom and Janelle about the schedule. Steve and I played soccer with some of the boys and girls from the school. Then I tried to teach guitar to 5 of the older boys from the primary school. Then we went and had dinner. After dinner I played guitar for the younger kinds' Bible study. Helped Crystal and Janelle with a girl who fell. Then Steve and I went to the vocational school to hold Bible study. It was awesome! I gave my testimony and talked with them about the love of Jesus. Praise God! 4 of the older guys made the decision to give their lives to Jesus Christ. Their names are Boniface, Max, Patrick and Izengo. Izengo had a lot of questions and said when he reads the Bible, it's boring and he doesn't understand it. He now has the Holy Spirit to be his Helper in reading the Word. Bwana Asifiwe! [Praise the Lord!] I must pray that they continue to be serious about their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
August 1, 1995, Tuesday.
Woke up this morning and had a quiet time with God...Then I went to the pool, Steve and Crystal. I worked on the vocational kids' Bible study...After lunch I finished working on their Bible study. This morning, Tom and I had a bit of a disagreement concerning letting a Mus-lim boy named Kongwa translate for me during the Bible Study. Janelle told me that he might be one to change the whole thing around while translating...So I thought that I would be safe and know that the Word of God wasn't being twisted. Tom thought I was singling him out and not giving him a chance. I disagreed...It seemed like he left pretty upset or disappointed. I hope not.. God, forgive me if I was in the wrong. Help me be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit and not hold anything against the leader that You have appointed over me. Anyway, our soccer ball went flat, so the kids all went swimming today. After the kids' swimming time was over, Steve, Crystal and I started teaching two of the [local] staff how to swim. After that I continued to teach guitar. My group shrunk from 5 to 3. They're really improving...Our team ate dinner. Then I prepared the Bible study for the staff. Played guitar at the very end of the young kids' Bible study. Steve and I held Vocational School Bible study. Had good questions after. Then I gave the Bible study for the staff...I spoke on Hebrews how Jesus is our High Priest...Hope the [local] staff is being refreshed by our team's presence. I know they don't get much fellowship with "mzungus" [foreigners].
August 2, 1995, Wednesday.
Got up this morning and had a quiet time. Helped the physio-therapy kids during their swim time. Had lunch with the team. Had team devotionals. Watched kids play cards. Taught my 3 kids more guitar lessons. Ate dinner with the team. Played guitar for the younger kids' Bible study. We studied the word of God...Izengo had a lot of deep theological questions we tried to answer. I really think those guys are getting excited about their walk with the Lord. Praise God!
August 3, 1995, Thursday.
Got up this morning and had breakfast...Taught Nsabimana and Magaigwa drum lessons from 8am to 9am this morning. Then Steve and I visited the vocational students at work in the wood shop. Met one of the teachers there named Frank. Had devotions with the team and then ate lunch. Prepared the staff Bible study after lunch. Watched the kids swim...Went to dinner, then to the younger kids' Bible study. Gave the Bible study for my 4 vocational guys on Hebrews about how Jesus is our High Priest. Had some good questions from Izengo. Then I went to the prep room and gave the staff Bible study on Philippians 2 about being of one accord and having the mind of Christ. We stayed up until 11pm and had fellowship.
August 4, 1995, Friday.
Got up this morning and taught Magaigwa and Nsabimana how to play [American style] drums from 8:00am-9:00am. Had a demonic attack last night so I was really tired...Come to find out another team member had a demonic attack last night, too...Decided we would have a prayer meeting tonight. Taught my boys guitar lessons at 4:30pm, then at 6:00pm our team ate dinner. At 7:00pm I began the vocational guys' Bible study. We had a "question night: tonight.. At 8:30pm Steve and I headed over to the staff Bible study. Tom gave the study on team unity from Ephesians. After everyone left a group of us had an awesome time of worship and prayer. Steve actually said that he never felt the presence of the Holy Spirit that strong in his life [before]. We lifted Carly up in prayer, bound satanic forces and worshipped our Savior.
August 5, 1995, Saturday.
Slept in and relaxed. Got up and planned for Sunday's open-air meeting and for the devotional...Did the team devotional...Talked about endurance and overcoming. Ate lunch. Headed to the beach which was nice. Went on an adventure in the Indian Ocean with Steve. Steve gave kind of a rewarding devotional since we brought the kids from the school who had given their lives to Christ. Had the teenager's youth group as we talked about the Lord being our Good Shepherd. I'd say at least 50 decisions were made for the Lord. Hallelujah! Had a birthday party for Steve afterwards.
August 6, 1995, Sunday.
Woke up and went to the kids' Sunday School assembly. Then our team held the worship service as other local churches came and joined us. We wanted a change so Steve played acoustic guitar and I played drums on their Pearl Export drum kit. Crystal led the service as Rhonda gave the message. There was a decision time afterwards. After lunch we had a devotional. Then I came back and planned my message for the open-air meeting. Went tot he open-air meeting...Our team did a skit and Aimee did the children's program. I gave the message on choices. There was a decision time but no one came forward. We did talk to a few people individually. There were a few seekers. One of the local church leaders said that no one would come forward because it is a Muslim area and not many of them ever make a decision in front of everyone. I just pray that the seeds planted were in fertile soil and that they would take root.
August 7, 1995, Monday.
Prepared for staff and vocational Bible study.. Had group games with the kids. We played indoor volleyball. Gave guitar lessons at 4:30pm. My three students are learning quickly. Had dinner. Had vocational Bible study. We talked about what being a disciple is from John 15. They also had a lot of questions. Brian was the only staff that came for staff Bible study...so we turned it into a worship and prayer time. A group of us hung out and talked about missionary work and stuff. Lord, please guide us to where You want us to be.
August 8, 1995, Tuesday.
Woke up this morning and ate cakes. Steve cut my hair. Helped out with swimming [lessons] until lunch time...Had guitar lessons with my guys. Ate supper with the team. Had vocational Bible study with my guys. Izengo is not feeling too good. Lord, please heal him. Taught staff bible study tonight on Ephesians 4. Lord, please heal Nsabimana, too.
August 9, 1995, Wednesday.
Found out that Tuma got suspended from school for trying to smuggle something out of the compound. After devotions we had our regular schedule. No one showed up for group games. My guys came over for guitar lessons, though. After dinner I held vocational Bible study. I talked about being saved by grace through faith. I'm really going to miss Magaigwa and the others. I pray that the Bible study would continue. Izengo told me that he not only wants to become a member of the local church, but that he wants to start a ministry in the eastern province of Tanzania. Praise the Lord. I caught the tail end of staff Bible study. Brian and I talked for hours. He really opened my eyes to what has been going on in this compound. It's effecting the whole region of Tanzania. I thought it was just me who felt oppressed at bible study last night but Brian felt the same way. I know what to pray for now.
August 10, 1995, Thursday.
Didn't sleep too well last night. I think I was anxious about the great things God is doing in Tanzania. Got up and had a quiet time. My stomach hasn't been feeling too good today...My boys came over for guitar lessons. They are performing at the recital tomorrow...We had vocational Bible study about the great commission. It was my last Bible study with my 4 faithful guys. Then we had staff Bible study and I spoke on forgiveness. I really felt the presence of the Holy Spirit.
August 11, 1995, Friday.
Our last work day today.Got up and hung out with Samson, the tailor. After lunch, we did group games. We played net ball in the gymnasium and had a good turn out. After that I had my last guitar lesson my my guys. After dinner we had the recital with the kids. It went really well. We had timbrels, singing, ribbons, brass and guitar...Our "all night prayer vigil" began. We decided since it was our last night here that we would stay up and devote the night to prayer on behalf of the people of Tanzania...Had an awesome time of praise and worship and prayer.
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Christian Young
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