EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS IN KAHWIBIRI (June 18 - 21, 2015)

On Monday we had a committee planning meeting and then on Tuesday we bought the necessary provisions needed. Very early on Thursday morning we left for the village with a car fully loaded with people and film equipment and sleeping mats. Others travelled on local transportation. The trip was dusty and the road was rocky but we made it there by mid-day. The church had prepared a place outside with palm branches overhead for shade. We had our first open air meeting outside that afternoon. There were a few local choirs, and a choir that had traveled 2 days by bicycle to get there. There was not a big crowd as it was the first day, but the preaching went well. After the meeting was over we set up for the films. We showed “The Hope” and a testimony of a man from West Africa who converted to Christ from paganism.

On Friday morning we divided up into 5 groups (each group including a local believer) and we went door to door talking to people about the Lord, giving out tracts, and  inviting them to come to the afternoon meetings and films. This was very well received by the locals and many who promised to come to the meetings did in fact attend. The afternoon was much like the first day, except there were more local choirs 

and more in attendance. After the message 2 came forward to repent, a man and a woman, and were prayed for. Then we showed films: Noah, Pilgrim’s Progress, and a testimony from “More than Dreams.” After the films a drunk man came to talk to us and was led in a prayer of repentance.

Saturday was much like Friday, except that my group walked a ways up into the hills to the Tongwe people, who are a mostly unreached tribe in Tanzania. They are nominal Muslims, but very animistic in their beliefs. Many were not home but those we found at home listened to the gospel with interest. Please pray for one man who was especially interested in the gospel but was not ready to make a decision to follow Christ. His name is Rashidi. Meanwhile the other groups were continuing to visit people in the village. One group was harshly sent away by one Muslim family, but that was unusual. The others were well received wherever they went. After lunch the outdoor meetings continued with even more people. After the preaching the sick were prayed for. 

Going door-to-door where the Tongwe live.

Then, while we were setting up the film equipment a man walked straight up to me and said, “I want to become a Christian.” I led him over to the church leaders as I was busy getting ready for the films. Later I was told that the man was a witch doctor. After explaining to him the gospel he wanted to be saved, but he showed them some of his witchcraft items & charms. The church leaders told him he needed to burn those things. He claimed he would die if he did, but they reassured him that Jesus was more powerful than these items. He finally agreed to burn them and a fire was started right there and the items were destroyed by fire (A rope that would turn into a snake at night and terrorize people, human bones, nails to stick into idols and inflict pain on people, offerings to idols etc…) He prayed with the church leaders and trusted in Christ. Meanwhile we showed films: the Jesus film and another testimony from “More than Dreams.”

Peter preaching in the afternoon.

On Sunday we had a church service outside. During the testimony time the witch doctor who had repented the day before gave his testimony of how he has given his life to Jesus, and asked that we continue to pray for him. He told of how he had many “evil things” that were burned. His name is Andrea (Andrew). Please pray that Andrea would grow in grace and the knowledge of his Lord and Savior. And please pray for all who made professions of faith, that they would continue to meet with the believers and not turn back. Only the Lord knows their hearts. Before leaving we implored the believers at Kahwibiri, once more, to follow up with these people and continue to visit and encourage them. Please pray that they would be faithful to do this, so that there will be lasting fruit. Praise the Lord for all that was done and for the Christ centered preaching done by Peter Yamungu, who also helps with the discipleship program. Also, many Bibles were sold at a reduced price and New Testaments were given to some of those who made professions of faith.

Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray.