So here we are this month, walking into Moshi, Tanzania. The church we’re working with is without a pastor for the duration of our visit (he is in another city attending a 3-month Bible training program). Many of the hopes the elders had for our ministry this month have fallen through – visiting sister churches in the area, visiting the Catholic hospital, etc.. We arrived on Tuesday evening and by Thursday afternoon we were aware that our contacts were searching for things for us to do. As we sat outside the church, waiting to begin door-to-door evangelism I decided to speak up with something I had been feeling since we arrived. I turned to Janina (my new team leader) and I said, “I think we need to be praying Freedom in this place.”
The day before we had taken a ride around Moshi town in a van with our host, Kimati. About half-way through our ride I was able to put a word to something I was feeling. I felt like a captive. Ian was sitting in the front seat, talking with Kimati, doing his extroverted relational thing and the girls were getting to know each other behind me. Everyone else seemed to be in good spirits, but I felt trapped.
Eventually I connected the dots that maybe my emotions were being affected by the spiritual climate of our new home. I started watching people walking by on the streets. They were all moving with a purpose. But it wasn’t determination. It was as if each person had some directive to complete. There was no choice. I was starting to believe that our ministry this month might be about bringing Freedom.
As we started our door-to-door ministry on Thursday we learned that Moshi Agape Church had not done very much of that type of ministry in their history. All seven of my teammates and I finished our experience that day with a strong calling to the community where the church is located. As the elder summarized our experiences he said he was excited that our visit had provided them an impetus to get into the community. After hesitating shortly, he said the congregation had not been inserting themselves in the community out of fear. Fear is the opposite of Joy. It sets in when you do not feel free.
Friday morning was open. Our hosts had hoped that we would visit the hospital but those plans fell through. We told them we would spend time in the church, praying and worshipping and wait to see what the Lord had for us to do. The morning was very affirming. By the end we all felt as though we had found our month’s main ministry.
Now we are spending three hours each morning warring in prayer and worship. We are seeking the Lord in the church for ourselves and for the community, walking intentionally in Freedom so we can help bring more of the Lord’s Spirit in Freedom to the community. In the afternoons we do door-to-door ministry or go to the market and preach.
I came into this month wanting to operate more intentionally in the spiritual realm. I wanted to be more open to the leading of the Spirit and more aware of what he is doing around me. I think it helped to be shaken out of my comfort zone with a new team. I feel like I truly am beginning to walk in my giftings. I am starting to walk as more fully myself. It’s a whole new learning experience and I’m glad that in Christian community we have the Freedom to step out in obedience.
Good things are happening. We’re walking into some new places.
