TANZANIA 1995 - Christian's Third Missions Trip

Tanzania, Africa
July-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

KENYA 1995 - Christian's Third Missions Trip

Kisumu, Kenya
June-July 1995

Christian's Third Missions Trip
I had been serving as the youth pastor in The Salvation Army church in Hayward, California for less than a year when I had an opportunity to go on a two month summer Service Corps trip to Kenya and Tanzania, Africa. We would join a team made up of other Salvation Army youth from the Western Territory in Rancho Palos Verdes, California (where we would attend Bible seminary the following year). After a time of preparation in southern California, our team left for Africa. We had almost a one day layover in Amsterdam, Netherlands where we saw some sights and ministered in the Red Light District. From Amsterdam we left for Nairobi, Kenya and from Nairobi we drove in a van to Kisumu, Kenya where would minister for 4 weeks at Joyland Primary School for the Physically Handicapped. [Most of the children there had legs that were shriveled up because of polio. Many of the children had been abandoned by their parents into the streets. The Salvation Army took them in, clothing them, feeding them and giving them an education.]
June 24, 1995, Saturday
I didn't get very much sleep last night because I have come down with a cold...Our team spent time with the children. Steve and I played guitar and sand worship songs, both in Swahili and English, as literally hundreds of handicapped children surrounded us and joined us. Then some of the boys taught me some Swahili words and phrases...Being sick has left me to solely depend on God for strength. I have learned to praise God in all situations. I believe God is speedily bringing me back to health so I may minister to these children. Yesu aponya (Jesus heals). Yese yu mwema (Jesus is good).
June 25, 1995, Sunday
Held Sunday School for the children this morning. Then joined an open-air meeting with the local church in Kisumu. Attended the church service after the open-air meeting. Attended afternoon Bible study for children.
June 26, 1995, Monday
Took a tour of the school. Spent time with children in the Petos class who are mentally [and physically] handicapped...Taught the children the song, "The Lord Is My Shepherd." Had a team meeting. Praise God for these wonderful children in Kisumu. Though they have physically little, they have Christ which is everything.

June 27, 1995, Tuesday

We went to the kids' music festival this morning as the boys competed in a choir competition and the girls competed in a poetry recital. The girls won 1st place and the boys won 5th place.

June 30, 1995, Friday

Steve and I helped repair crutches in the gymnasium/workshop. We met a missionary couple and their son. They are doctors with Africa Inland Missions. We are going fishing tomorrow morning.

July 1, 1995, Saturday

We went fishing with some of the older kids at Lake Victoria and caught a bunch of small telapia. Then, this afternoon, I held a Bible study on John 15. The kids said they enjoyed it and learned very much. I talked about being a disciple. There are three children that I especially feel close to: Nick, Joseph and Washington. There are also many others...I believe these kids are teaching me something about faith.

July 2, 1995, Sunday

The team held Sunday School for the children this morning...Then we went to the open-air meeting. Reuben asked me to pray in front of some 500 members of The Salvation Army church. I was kind of nervous...The message at church was about taking off our garments of unrighteousness and being clothed with the white garments of righteousness that God gives us...after lunch we came back to the school for the kids' afternoon service. It seems as though Joyland is glad that our team is here. At devotions tonight we "washed each other's hands." Then I joined a Bible study that our team leader was holding for some of the older kids. I pray for my brother, Simon, who joined in our small Bible study tonight. I pray that the Lord would draw these children into a closer walk with Him...as goes for myself. Also, that I would hear His voice and be sensitive to His Spirit.

July 3, 1995, Monday

Went to the morning assembly this morning. Had a good time of worship by myself. Read Matthew 6 where it says not to worry about what tomorrow holds. I'm trusting the Lord will guide us. Steve and I repaired crutches for about one hour today. We had a boy named Washington over for dinner tonight. He is a brother of one of the students at Joyland. Hung out with some of the older kids after devotions.

July 4, 1995, Tuesday

Worshipped with Steve and Crystal. Helped with crafts in the Petos class...Then worked on crutches for a while...Had a great devotion with the team as we talked about our anxieties of the future. I pray for all the children here at Joyland; that they would grow to be godly men and women, maybe even church leaders.

July 5, 1995, Wednesday

Went and helped out at the Petos class where we played ball and made designs with objects. I worked with Martin and Jacob....Steve and I worked on crutches a bit...Washington and I spent time looking at songs in the songbook. After dinner we held Bible study and split into 5 small groups. I had close to 20 kids in my group including Washington. We talked about significance in name changing in God's eyes and studied the prodigal son. It was awesome! Everyone of those kids prayed and asked God to change their names from "lost" to "found" and that they would become servants. I also talked with Nick, Joseph and Andrew after Bible study. They shared that they have been learning so much in the Bible studies and that they will be sad to see us leave.

July 6, 1995, Thursday

Taught two art class sessions in class six this morning. I taught the children shading techniques with two colors in tempera paint. Played [local, tribal] drums and recorded some Swahili songs...with Washington and some others. Held Bible study in the hall. Crystal and I attempted to teach the young children John 1.

July 7, 1995, Friday

Went to the Friday evening Bible study at the local church. We studied about the Holy Spirit in the book of Ephesians. Then we held Bible study for the students here at Joyland and studied Luke 5 where Jesus made His disciples "fishers of men." I got to give a few children money for their fund raising: Joseph, Washington, Andrew and George.

July 8, 1995, Saturday

Went into town...ate lunch at Wimpy's...Bought some drums. Came back for dinner and devotions. Had a great Bible study with a few of the children as we studied John 2. The kids were loaded with good questions...Feel that the enemy is trying to distract us from the things God has us here for, especially since I am giving the Bible study before the open-air [meeting] tomorrow...I know that we need to come against the enemy in the name of Jesus so that the furthering of the kingdom of God would not be hindered. Bless all that takes place tomorrow, oh Lord.

July 9, 1995, Sunday

Held the adult Bible study first thing this morning at the church. There was a turnout of close to 20 people. I taught on Romans 12:1-2 (Lord, help me to live it). Then our team held the open-air meeting. There we [led worship] songs with guitars. I gave my testimony and Rhonda gave the message...[Tom, our team leader] gave the message and as he spoke on keeping bitter feelings inside and faking it on the outside, I felt convicted to lay my short comings on the altar. Thank you, God, for humbling me. Please keep me humble....I recorded the kid's choir as they sang songs [they have beautiful voices and awesome rhythms on their local drums]...To finish off the night I joined in Tom's Bible study with a few of the older kids as we talked about anger and sin.

July 10, 1995, Monday

Today our team went to the church in Kisumu to help with the feeding program. We helped serve food, gave a short message and sang a few songs. After lunch, Steve and I helped repair crutches. Had Bible study tonight with the kids as we studied Matthew 18. We were visited by a bat. [A bat flew into the classroom we were meeting in. The children swung their crutches at it as it would fly by. They caught it and held it out by it's wings. They would touch it's stomach and watch it's nasty face grimace.]

July 11, 1995, Tuesday

Went to town today with Tom and Crystal. While we were in town we bought a few Bibles. I bought one for Washington...After lunch and devotions, we drove to Kibos School for the Visually Handicapped and took a tour of the campus. Then we ate dinner at Betty's, a lady from the church and teacher at Joyland. Bible study tonight was awesome!!! We studied John 3 and at the "altar call," 20 children gave their lives to the Lord. PRAISE GOD...I pray that each child that gave their life to Jesus would truly and sincerely understand [that] they are born again. I pray that the discipling process would continue after our departure.

July 12, 1995, Wednesday

Didn't sleep very much last night because of mosquitos and a sudden cold that has come upon me. This morning I had a [fever] of 100.4 degrees. [Fever] went up to 102.2 degrees even after taking Tylenol, so they took me to the hospital. [Funny story. As I was walking to the hospital on the road, Reuben, the school headmaster held my hand as we walked. I felt a little awkward as in the States this might mean something weird. But, when in Rome...Things are different in Kenya.] The blood test revealed that I don't have Malaria, but a viral throat infection which is causing the fever. I will be on anti-biotics for the next 3 days. While I was sick in bed, Washington came to visit me. I gave him the Bible that I bought him.

July 13, 1995, Thursday

Stayed in bed for the first half of the day as I'm recovering from being sick. Around noon I finally broke my fever. Our team had lunch in the dining hall with the children and staff since it is our last full day here at Joyland Primary School for the Physically Handicapped. The girls wrote a poem for our team but some couldn't finish because they were in tears that our team is leaving. A lot of our team was also in tears.

July 14, 1995, Friday

Said our goodbyes at Joyland this morning. It was so sad. So many children were crying because they were sad we were leaving. Had a long drive from Kisumu to Nairobi...Had a great time of prayer with God and felt a renewing of His Holy Spirit. I prayed for each member of our team and that God will use us in Thika. Also for Joyland, that the seeds planted will bear fruit.

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Thika, Kenya

July 1995

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July 17, 1995, Monday

Paul [the school headmaster] gave us a tour of [Thika Primary School for the Blind]. And we got to mix with some of the kids. Steve and I played guitars as they played their percussion instruments. Tom and I also interacted with kids this evening...Praise God for these lovely children at Thika...I pray that God will continue to fill and empower me with His Holy Spirit and that God will use our team to minister to these children.

July 18, 1995, Tuesday

Well, this is our second day here at Thika Primary School for the Blind. We...were introduced at the morning assembly. After that, the team was split up into different classes except Crystal and I. Crystal went to work in the dispensory and I went to the workshop. In the workshop they mainly work with wood but they don't have too many updated tools. I helped work on a chair, a stool and a giant cupboard for the dining hall. Praise the Lord that those three years of carpentry experience are being used to help others in need. After dinner we went and sang songs with the children and announced Bible study for tomorrow night. I pray that the Bible studies will be as successful as they were in Kisumu.

July 19, 1995, Wednesday

Had a good quiet time with God after the assembly. Worked in the workshop again, all day. Today I continued to work on the giant cupboard as I cut and installed some face beams. Also started to repair a broken table. Left around 4pm with the team for the Blue Post Hotel where we saw some really cool waterfalls. Tonight we held Bible study for the children...We studied Mark 1 and I taught my group of about 25 about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It seems as though they have all asked Jesus into their hearts, but I had a good show of hands when I asked how many needed to ask God to forgive them of the bad things they've done. So we prayed. It was awesome. After the actual Bible study, many kids stayed around and asked questions about certain Scriptures. There was one boy in standard 8 named Peter who knows a lot...I can already see it will be hard to leave some of these kids.

July 20, 1995, Thursday

Worked in the workshop for the first half of the day...Played soccer with the children for a while.. Then did the shotput and discuss with some of the children. After devotions and dinner out team held Bible study once again for the kids. Took the older kids from standard 4-8, a total of about 40 kids. We talked about 1 Thessalonians 5 and how God doesn't want us to fight but to love one another. After the Bible study we had questions about different passages in Scripture. Had a great response once again. Praise the Lord!

July 21, 1995, Friday

Worked in the workshop this morning...After devotions and dinner we went to the Christian Union, a Bible study for the children. There were songs and testimonies. Then I dressed up in the sheep suit and Carly interviewed me. Then Tom gave the message on the Good Shepherd. Close to 20 children raised their hands to receive Jesus Christ in their hearts for the first time. I, personally, got to lead 3 of them to the Lord; their names are Alfonse, Paul and Matthew Sylvester. Praise the Lord. The angels are rejoicing as new names have been written in the Lamb's Book of Life. I pray that God will fill me with His Holy Spirit and that rivers of living water would flow from me. I pray for strength [to work] in the workshop and everywhere. I pray that kids' lives will be touched.

July 22, 1995, Saturday

Helped hand out donations to all of the kids...Gave the devotion on Galations 5 and talked about God's grace...Gave a lesson to the Sunday School teachers on John 15 and taught on being a disciple. Talked with Peter a bit.

July 23, 1995, Sunday

After breakfast we attended the local church in Thika. We brought 5 of the boys from the blind school with us, We went to the open-air meeting first and sang, "I Love You, Lord."...Tom Gave the message on Mark 2 and when he asked how many children feel that they might have lost their love for Jesus and how many would like to pray to renew their relationship with Christ, almost everyone stood up. Praise the Lord for a great Bible study tonight...My group of about 15 studies Psalm 23. We studied how the Lord is our Good Shepherd and that He always walks with us as our Friend. At the end, I anointed each child's head with oil and prayed that the Lord would touch each one of them in a special way.

July 24, 1995, Monday

We gave the "Chania Victory" sign to the headmaster this morning. Had an interesting experience as the Mormons came to hand out donations...At least they didn't try to indoctrinate the children. Tom and I talked to some of the children about the Mormons and we also talked to Paul. Tonight we gave the Bible study to the older kids on Ephesians 2:8-9...I thought it was fitting to teach this after the visitation by the Mormons.

July 25, 1995, Tuesday

The team went to different classes to give examinations. I went to standard 3 where I caught a little cheater passing answers...Then took 6 of the younger kids and played "sock ball" with them...After dinner we held Bible study again. I talked to the boys more about grace from Galations 4 and 5.

July 26, 1995, Wednesday

Held examinations for standard 4. Played soccer with little Sammy and other kids. Took pictures of the kids playing "goal ball." Pet the cows. Ate dinner. Held Bible study for the boys and talked about the Word of God from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and other passages...I pray that these kids do well in their examinations.

July 27, 1995, Thursday

The team visited a reservoir...Played "goal ball" against the Chania team. Hung out with the kids until dinner. Had our last Bible study tonight. Did a skit and balloon games with the younger kids. We continued our study on the Word of God with the older kids. I went over Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12 and Psalm 119:9, 11. Established that Peter Apaa will continue the Bible studies after we leave.

July 28, 1995, Friday

Hung out with the children before and after lunch and then said our final goodbyes to the staff and children. Drove to Nairobi to find our plane flight was delayed a few hours...Flow to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

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Christian Young