Mombo Jombo, Rafikis (Hello, Friends)!
Month 5 Recap: Tanzania . . .
Believe it or not, my time in Tanzania is almost up. It’s been a shorter month, but one full of incredible, challenging, and growing moments.
Tanzania!
My team and I arrived in the capital city, Dar es Salaam a few weeks ago. It was gorgeous, though “extremely” warm. For this reason, I was excited to be headed to the mountains. Iringa Town, where my team was based was nothing but beautiful. There were surprisingly still some palm trees and the landscape looked very much like Colorado Springs . . . most particularly similar to Garden of the Gods or Manitou. One major difference is that it is the beginning of the rainy season here and everything is vibrantly green. I was in love on day one. On top of the landscape, Swahili is such an amusing language, there was reggae music just about everywhere I went, and 50% of the population wears soccer jerseys from Manchester and Barcelona. Dreamland, in my book, for sure! The people are also incredibly warm and friendly. I may have been a bit offended at the start whencalled Mizungu (white person) by countless folks, but it is something I have decided to come to terms with.
God Stories!
Ok, let me cut to the chase! Ministry has been awing yet again. This month, we partnered with a local Assemblies of God church of about 200 members. Our days consisted of house visits, preaching at various services, and evangelism. There was also one weekend in which we dispersed into a few villages to partner with small sister churches. There are countless stories of salvations, healings, and other accounts where people were simply inspired to live out their faith daily.
There was one particular day of ministry that I expect to remember forever. Three other girls and myself paired up with one of the church’s translators for morning street/door-to-door evangelism. I have learned that folks here aren’t as leery as we Americans who give an apprehensive eye to the Mormon and Jehovah’s Witness and therefore stray from this approach of forthright soul transformation. This is just one of the ways that worldview and culture differ between the East and West. The five of us only made two stops that morning, but those two stops were remarkable.
The first visit was made to an elderly woman’s home. She gladly invited us in and we quickly discovered that she was a believer. We chatted about faith for a few moments and encouraged her with some Scripture. Then, we cut to the chase and asked her if there was anything that we could pray with her about. Malaria. She had some prolonged symptoms of malaria including chest pain, headache, and other things. All of our voices resonated as we laid hands on her. After we prayed, one of us asked how she felt. Headache? Gone. Chest pain? Gone. Then, she exclaimed that she could hear clearly. We didn’t even know that she was suffering from hearing loss. Praise the Lord! I regrettably admit that I somewhat doubted healing for this woman at the very beginning. Why do I doubt?! Doubt creeps up at times, but the healing is never contingent upon my faith, I have found. God still does His work. I do what He has called me to and He takes care of the rest. Because of all this, I find myself doubting less and less.
Our second stop was to the home of a family who looked a little better off. Two girls, 17 and 18 invited us into a side room. No one else seemed to be home. Again, do you see the difference in society? My parents would have flipped if my sister and I allowed strange foreigners into our home when we were in high school. Anyway, we talked for a good while. One of us shared our testimony and the girls were inspired. They did not previously comprehend the idea of Jesus being our savior and friend. They only knew what they picked up from their weekly regiment church services . . . when they paid attention, I assume. I had the high privilege of leading them to Christ. I can’t wait to see them in heaven. We prayed with them about their studies and had a laugh over the enormous poster of Obama on their wall.
Folks are head over heels for our president on this continent . . .
Spiritual Growth!
I have grown a lot spiritually this past month. I have been compelled to spend more time with God everyday as well as more time in focused prayer. In addition, I have had the opportunity to preach on a few occasions. Prior to this month, I may not have considered it an opportunity. Its funny what the Lord will do through you if you only let Him. In the village, I had no notes, no power point, and no outline when I stood up to preach. Through the divine power of the Holy Spirit, I was able to preach for 40 minutes (which is really about 20 with translation). He brought Scriptures and stories to remembrance. He truly gives us everything we need for life and godliness!
Health!
I rarely get sick in the States. The last time I remember being ill was about two years ago when I had just started my new job at ChickfilA. On this trip, I have been sicker than I ever wish to be. Right before coming to Tanzania, I was in the hospital in Nairobi because of a skyrocketed fever. The doctors concluded that my WBC count was excessive and my fever was stemming from an infection in my throat. Just a week ago, I was taken to the hospital again because of extreme nausea and dizziness. Two teammates and myself were diagnosed with malaria. We spent 24 hours hooked up to IV’s while an entourage of gloveless (and dirty finger nailed) nurses came in to check on us at random intervals. I am doing better now, but desperately want your prayers. Both times I have been ill, I have desperately wanted to go home. I really don’t want to go home yet. Sickness is such a weapon that the enemy can use to take folks from kingdom work. I would love for you to join with me in praying that “no weapon formed against shall prosper.”
In a few days, my team and I will head to the breathtaking island of Zanzibar. For four straight days, I hope to lie on the beach, drink from a coconut, and ride a bike around the secluded southeast parts of the island. It will be great to be able to rejuvenate before the next two months in Rwanda and Uganda. This time will also be a much-needed reflection time upon this past month in Tanzania.
Be blessed my friends, and go make disciples in your part of the woods!!
