One thing I noticed while in Tanzania was the clarity of the night sky. Electricity in most of the country is either non existent or rationed. Only in the major cities is 24 hour electricity available. In Masasi, the electricity was normally on for 8 hours and off for 4 hours. However, the pattern was often changed to allow for electricity at different times of the days.
We were there in the dry season. It had only rained once in the last 60 days. After sunset the clouds would totally disappear and the sky was clear. In my current classes on science and religion we had discussed how the earth is located in the perfect spot of the universe for observation of the entire universe. One thing that was talked about was the ability to see the middle of the "Milky Way" galaxy at night. This appears as a cloud that seems to go through the middle of the night sky. This cloud is the densely packed area of stars that are so distant we cannot see the actual stars with the naked eye. However, when you are away from the artificial lights created by technology, this cloud like area is visible in the night sky.
It was amazing to look up and see this in the sky. It is almost impossible to see from populated areas of the U.S. However, in this area of Tanzania, during the electricity 'blackout' periods, you could clearly see the center of the "Milky Way". I could only stand in awe of creation when looking at the night sky. Unfortunately I did not have the ability to take a picture of this. I can only encourage people to take mission trips to areas like this. God reveals so much when you take the time to focus on Him and His creation. When you participate on trips like the one I recently finished, you come back with more than just the experience you intended on getting. God has a way of showing up in ways that you can never imagine.
Tim
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Last Day in Tanzania
While my plan was to blog much more often. There are things that prevented that. Namely electricity rationing (we never knew for sure when we would have it), and internet purchase is by the mb here so I did not want to continually use up the mb.
This week has truly been an eye opener. I have met the leaders of 7 different churches in "the bush". These leaders all face difficulties that our churches at home would think nothing of. When I asked for prayer requests so that people in the U.S. could pray for specific items there were two things that were common in all the churches.
First, each one of the churches is looking for leadership in the form of elders. Only two churches currently have elders with one of those only having one elder. The pastors really soaked up the discipleship and leadership training we provided and are going to apply it to their congregations. They really need Christians in their congregations to step up and be leaders.
The second was for the spiritual development of all of their congregation. There are many distractions here that we do not have in the U.S. Lack of food, water and electricity are only a few. But one church was particularly interesting. I knew that the Makuowa (indigenous) people were originally animistic. I also knew that Islam is prevalent in this country. One church is positioned across the street from the local "witch doctor". This person will walk people right by the church to his shrine which is located behind the church property. I could not get over the fact that this IS the front lines of spiritual warfare. These Christians are battling forces that we know very little about. Prayer is the answer.
I hope that everyone will join me in praying for the Christians in Masasi, Tanzania.
Tim
This week has truly been an eye opener. I have met the leaders of 7 different churches in "the bush". These leaders all face difficulties that our churches at home would think nothing of. When I asked for prayer requests so that people in the U.S. could pray for specific items there were two things that were common in all the churches.
First, each one of the churches is looking for leadership in the form of elders. Only two churches currently have elders with one of those only having one elder. The pastors really soaked up the discipleship and leadership training we provided and are going to apply it to their congregations. They really need Christians in their congregations to step up and be leaders.
The second was for the spiritual development of all of their congregation. There are many distractions here that we do not have in the U.S. Lack of food, water and electricity are only a few. But one church was particularly interesting. I knew that the Makuowa (indigenous) people were originally animistic. I also knew that Islam is prevalent in this country. One church is positioned across the street from the local "witch doctor". This person will walk people right by the church to his shrine which is located behind the church property. I could not get over the fact that this IS the front lines of spiritual warfare. These Christians are battling forces that we know very little about. Prayer is the answer.
I hope that everyone will join me in praying for the Christians in Masasi, Tanzania.
Tim
Monday, September 14, 2009
In Tanzania
Thanks to God and all my supporters I am safely in Masasi, Tanzania. 49 hours of flying and driving create a very tired person.
Today was the first day of the leadership conference. More than 20 leaders from the 9 different churches that the Team Expansion missionaries have planted showed up for classes. I originally thought we would be working with the Masaii people. I did not realize that here in Masasi the missionaries are working the the Makua and Yao tribes. It was such a blessing to see so many Christian leaders give up their time to come study and fellowship together. It is important for these young churches to understand that there are other churches in the area just like them. They have the support and prayers of not only those churches but people in the United States who pray for them daily.
I spoke about discipleship and training while Steve spoke on church leadership. There were many questions and both sessions ran over on time but nobody was complaining. I encouraged questions because it is important to understand exactly what difficulties the local leaders are facing.
God was very good and helped me answer all of their questions. At the end of the session I asked for them to write down the problems they face in evangelism. I am speaking on evangelism tomorrow and wanted to directly answer their questions. To my surprize there were 12 issues brought to my attention. Hopefully God will lead me to the answers that these Christians need to hear.
Thanks for all your prayers.
Tim
Today was the first day of the leadership conference. More than 20 leaders from the 9 different churches that the Team Expansion missionaries have planted showed up for classes. I originally thought we would be working with the Masaii people. I did not realize that here in Masasi the missionaries are working the the Makua and Yao tribes. It was such a blessing to see so many Christian leaders give up their time to come study and fellowship together. It is important for these young churches to understand that there are other churches in the area just like them. They have the support and prayers of not only those churches but people in the United States who pray for them daily.
I spoke about discipleship and training while Steve spoke on church leadership. There were many questions and both sessions ran over on time but nobody was complaining. I encouraged questions because it is important to understand exactly what difficulties the local leaders are facing.
God was very good and helped me answer all of their questions. At the end of the session I asked for them to write down the problems they face in evangelism. I am speaking on evangelism tomorrow and wanted to directly answer their questions. To my surprize there were 12 issues brought to my attention. Hopefully God will lead me to the answers that these Christians need to hear.
Thanks for all your prayers.
Tim
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tanzania - Day 1 First sign of God's assistance
It is so important to remember that God will help those who keep Him first. This morning while checking our bags in Steve Poston (on the trip with me) inadvertently only checked his bag to London Heathrow. Later as I explained to him that the bag could have been checked all the way to Tanzania, he decided to go back to the counter and re-check the bag. If you have ever had luggage problems you may know where this is going. The kind counter assistant told us he would personally take the new tag to the bag.
When we got to the security check point I had not picked up my boarding pass from the printer so I had to go back (a third time) to the kiosk. While I was there I overheard a conversation on the radio between the clerk and baggage supervisor. The clerk was telling him the name on the bag was "Poston". This caught my attention. Obviously, the baggage supervisor was having difficulty locating the bag. He asked what tag was on the bag and the clerk said "Birmingham". Now I had to speak up. So I spoke with the clerk about the bag and when he radioed back the information I gave him the baggage supervisor told him that he found the correct bag.
Sometimes when we feel we are being delayed, held back, or even when we feel we have made a mistake (like forgetting a boarding pass); God can show us that He is in control. He can make good come from many of the things we feel are frustrating.
Peter's denial is the one thing that comes to my mind. Peter said he would die before denying Christ. Then he went out and denied him not only once, but three times. Was denying Christ a mistake? Surely we would think so, but God used it to bring the most wonderful gift to us. The gift of eternal life through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Later the forgiven Peter became one of the initial church fathers.
Thanks to all who are praying for us on this trip. I will update as often as possible so keep watching.
Tim
When we got to the security check point I had not picked up my boarding pass from the printer so I had to go back (a third time) to the kiosk. While I was there I overheard a conversation on the radio between the clerk and baggage supervisor. The clerk was telling him the name on the bag was "Poston". This caught my attention. Obviously, the baggage supervisor was having difficulty locating the bag. He asked what tag was on the bag and the clerk said "Birmingham". Now I had to speak up. So I spoke with the clerk about the bag and when he radioed back the information I gave him the baggage supervisor told him that he found the correct bag.
Sometimes when we feel we are being delayed, held back, or even when we feel we have made a mistake (like forgetting a boarding pass); God can show us that He is in control. He can make good come from many of the things we feel are frustrating.
Peter's denial is the one thing that comes to my mind. Peter said he would die before denying Christ. Then he went out and denied him not only once, but three times. Was denying Christ a mistake? Surely we would think so, but God used it to bring the most wonderful gift to us. The gift of eternal life through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Later the forgiven Peter became one of the initial church fathers.
Thanks to all who are praying for us on this trip. I will update as often as possible so keep watching.
Tim
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