Kwa Marifiki - June 2003

Hi again from Tz. We are blessed, we are blessed, we are blessed! Nothing specific brings this to my mind other than God has chosen to walk with us and watch over us J. Its quite amazing really when you think about it- all we have to do is turn to Him!

Lyndall and Esthers AIDS awareness ministry is going really well and you will see how it is bringing folks to know our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Stanleys teams go out every week to villages far and near. Pastor Warrili and Robert share how 30 widows were SO blessed getting blankets as the cold starts to come in at this time of year [our seasons are very similar to Perths seasons believe it or not- just milder]. 

And Gidori and yours truly are having a great time encouraging the pastors in the villages. We have had visitors Mike Fewson and team, Stephen Cullen, Peter Russell and team and about to have team of 16 led by Jim and Kathy Stewart from the US. Whew!! Hope you enjoy what you are about to read from the past 3 months!

Bless you,

Mike & Lyndall

Tyres and Evangelism.

Stanley says….

This month we had crusades in different villages and we met with many things. We went in one village called Mbuyu wa Mjerumani near Babati district. When we were going our car’s tyres got punctured three times and also in the crusade our instruments had electronic shock! We came back up to Arusha to have another instrument in order to continue with crusade. We succeed to preach the gospel. In that village many people are witches. But we thank God when the preacher started preaching many got saved and they are set free from their problems.

In May we went to Singida the place called Nkalakala. There were the guests from Australia who teach the seminar for all people, for pastors, also one of them [Travis] preached in the crusade. Through those people we saw God’s miracles, such as sick people were healed and others received Jesus as saviour. Pastor Mike from Australia taught that we are suppose to have unity in the church of God, by this way we will build the church of Christ. Kirsty taught the children. However, we thank God to give us power to sing until the people were blessed through those songs. When we finished we came back to Arusha safely. 

Joshua, Kenya and terrorists. 

It has been interesting having Josh up in Kenya these past months. A friend from overseas asked me yesterday if we were worried about him. The school sent this out recently “As many of you are probably aware, we had another scare this weekend. A rumor started circulating Friday morning that there was a terrorist threat against shopping malls in Nairobi. We contacted the US Embassy since they were reportedly the source of the rumor and they said it was absolutely not true. As the day progressed, things became more tense in Nairobi……”

We must admit it makes life a bit interesting. But generally we feel ok about Josh being there. The school is very watchful and in tune with the US embassies recommendations and we feel at peace about Josh being there. Pray with us as you think of us.

Widows and Blankets…. Robert

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and savior.

Recently we distributed about (30) blankets for the widows. Approximately 50% or more of the widows responded to Jesus, it was really a great blessing. Pastor started with sharing the word of God, and explained the importance of living in Christian life and depending upon God, it was an exciting moment for widows, to seek the face of God, for he has up lifted them.

Currently we are about to finish two (2) houses for the widows, we had also an old man about 65 years of age we built a temporary house for him. His house was really about to fall, this man was abandoned - all the family has rejected him. This time he was at least safe. He could have died during the rainy season, now he is testifying about the faithfulness of the Lord. [he is trying to look after 5 small grandchildren as well]

In general this project has inspired the community and created opportunities to stimulate and encourage the local people and community. Many lives has been touched and changed particularly in Karanse area. Through this project. I think we will reach many people, not only Karanse, but all over the region as well as in nation level. Many people really are so grateful and even express their thanksgiving to you in tears of joy! Robert Robinson

AIDS can be used for good…. Esther

We thank God for what He is doing here in Africa. Through your ministry God is working in special way, I didn’t know it before. This month we went to different areas to educate people about HIV/AIDS. I realized that we don’t only teach about HIV/AIDS, but we also introduce them to Jesus as savior. I am happy to see pastors agree with what we are doing in our churches. I can see how this ministry is going on, people now understands what are we doing. Now we are becoming busy and we can see that we are effective. We need more time for prayer, because as this ministry is growing, we may need more people and more time.

Here are two examples of the many places that Esther and Lyndall have been to……

KIMANDOLU-ARUSHA : We had a good time to educate church about HIV/AIDS and many people came to understand that, they didn’t know most of things concerning HIV/AIDS. They realized that it is good to be taught. We saw people in need spiritually. We prayed for one another. And after teaching some of them they asked for counseling and prayer.

We had a good time to visit one of the victims near the church and she welcomed us, she was HIV positive because her husband died 2 years ago with AIDS. I didn’t say much because she had all signs and symptoms of AIDS. We prayed for her and she accepted Jesus Christ as savior. She has 3 children, one boy (10years) and 2 girls (16 and 7years). They love God, they received Jesus Christ as savior, they used to pray, to encourage and to help their mother. I was very happy to see how these children did to their mother. A boy told me to pray for him because he wants to be a bishop! And girl 7 years old, she wanted to be an intercessor and gospel singer she need prayer. It is not easy to see children of that age speaking amazing things like they did.

Can you join me to pray for this family? Her name is mama Isima. If yes, God bless you.

  KIKATITI  - ARUSHA: We had a gathering of about 50 pastors organized by the WORLD VISION INTERNATIONAL. [Lyndall and Esther taught AIDS awareness while Mike and Lyimo shared on Unity] The meeting was highly impressive because this time we were speaking to leaders. They were quite receptive to the teachings on AIDS/HIV. Time could not allow us to deal with all the questions, which they were asking. Many pastors ended up inviting us to their churches to teach their members.

A frustrated Bishop…. Gidori

“I feel better when I attend this kind of Fellowship”, said Bishop One during the break time in Arusha Pastor’s Fellowship, which was held up last month. “Actually, I get frustration when I am in my area of work for I have a lot to do and sometime I do not accomplish it the way I am planning to do. When I attend this kind of Fellowship, I feel the presence of God and the burden seems to disappear, at the same time I get the new tactics for my churches.” Continues to say Bishop Mungure.

Nassari is a Bishop of TCC Church. He is a man of great influence to the congregation. It is bit difficult for him to write for he did not attend school but he really loves the Lord and his work.

  The Arusha Pastors Fellowship [APF] continues to be such a blessing to the pastors here… and also to others from outside that come to visit and then get vision for their own areas. Right now Stephen Cullen is over with Pastor Lyimo encouraging one such group I shared with you about another time at Mwanga near Kilimanjaro. I know the Lord is using us for the time being to help build these leaders together.

Peter Russell encouraged APF this last month and brought the fellowship some great teaching on intercession. It was more than teaching-there was a lot of repentance amongst some of the leaders as they realized the mistakes they had made in their relationships with other leaders. I for one was thrilled with what God did amongst us that day.

Prayer points

1.     Fares home for September for four of us. We think we have them but pray anyway.

2.     Person to help Mike as an all rounder but particularly in the organization area. He/she could be from Tanzania or overseas.

3.     Lyndall and Esther as the AIDS ministry grows rapidly. Wisdom how best to do things

4.     Incoming teams and ministry: We have a particularly busy time now until September with overseas visitors. Pray for everything to flow well for them, us and the people here in Tz. By His grace it always has in the past!

5.     Equipment provision: As the ministry has taken a huge leap this year it is stretching the equipment we have in all areas.

6.     Children: Kirsty returns to nursing in July. Sharon and Josh will come with us in September and study in Australia after that. Accommodation for them all in one place.

7.     Office and house. We need to get the office separate from the house because it is becoming exceedingly busy here these days. Also we want to try to get somewhere with a small flat/s for visiting short to medium term ministry to ease the pressure on the house.

8.     Our trip back in Australia come together as who and where we visit.