February and March Update

Dear praying friends,

We thank our God and Father for the many of you who were praying for Luke's ministry trip down south to visit 3 village churches. We were greatly encouraged by the many who responded and told us they were praying. We could sense the Spirit's presence and sustaining power as we ministered, and we believe this was due to the prayers of the saints.

On Wednesday, March 3 I (Luke) left Kigoma with one of the elders from the town church (Peter) and a young man (Charles). In spite of heavy rains on the way down we were able to reach the first village (Kahwibiri) in about 3.5 hours and teach a seminar on giving to the Lord and His work. As we were setting up for films another light rain began so we had to move the equipment inside the chapel. Due to a mishap during set up the speaker fell off it's stand and 2 pieces broke off of the plastic casing at the top. In spite of this the speaker continued to work and we finished without any more problems.

Seminar teaching at the chapel in Kahwibiri.

Lots of rain!

Spending time with the believers in Kahwibiri.

The next day (Thurs.) we drove on to the second village (Igalula). We took with us the elder from the church we had just visited. After about 1.5 hours we got to a place in the road where the bridge had been washed out from the rains the day before. The villagers were busy fixing it by hand with rocks and sand. After some time we began to help them to make it go faster. We were able to cross but soon we took a wrong turn and got lost. We had to turn around and find our way back to the wrong turn. After that we entered a plain with many muddy spots. Soon we got stuck in the black mud. We had to dig and push ourselves out. We continued to encounter many bad spots but we were able to make it through and get to the elder's house in our destination village. After being fed we went to the chapel for one late afternoon teaching session. Then we set up for gospel films. The next day (Fri.) Luke taught all day on "Church growth principles" taken from the book of Acts. In the evening we showed films again.

Bridge on the main road got washed out.

Then the temporary bridge was in need of repair.

Roadway covered in water in many sections.

Arriving at Igalula and meeting outside with the believers.

Seminar teaching on day 2 in Igalula.

The following day (Sat.) we left for the next village (Buhingu) with the elder from the church we had just visited. The road was really bad so we had to take it slowly. Eventually we got to a very deep, wide, muddy crossing. After hearing from the locals that a car (ambulance, actually) had gotten stuck there the day before and had to be pulled out we decided to leave our car at the local police station, take our belongings and walk the rest of the way. It was only a 30 minute walk before we reached the house of the elder in that village. We were received by the believers there and after a quick breakfast, Luke taught on "Church growth principles" again both in the morning and in the afternoon. The locals really wanted to have films so they sent a motorcycle to go get the film equipment in 3 trips. In the evening we set up for films but the projector kept on shutting off. After almost an hour of having trouble we were able to begin showing the Jesus film but after about 1 hour a storm that had been brewing brought some gusty wind which blew over our screen. We decided to pack up. The next day we met with the disciples again for our Sunday meeting. Peter preached.

That's as far as the car can go.

Walking into the village of Buhingu.

Buhingu and Igalula are on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Chapel building at Buhingu.

Believers gathered for seminar on Saturday afternoon.

Fellowship and food.

Peter preaching Sunday morning at Buhingu.

After the service we had a quick lunch before getting 5 motorcycles to take us and the film equipment back to the car. After loading up the car we headed all the way back to Kigoma. Many of the bad muddy spots had dried enough to pass and the temporary bridge was still intact. After that it started raining really hard again and we almost didn't make it up one steep hill because of the slick mud but the Lord helped us. We were able to make it back home safely at 8 PM.

Please continue to pray for the saints in these villages, and the leaders, that they would apply these principles of church growth and see the Lord's hand of blessing on their assemblies.

Japhet continues to teach our 9 faithful students at the Disciples of Jesus school. Then Peter teaches 1 more module before we wrap up our first term. Please pray that the students would grow in their faith and knowledge of the Word and be equipped for service.

On the home front, Gina continues to homeschool 4 of the 5 kids and is trying to finish the school year before our fast-approaching furlough. Please pray for Gina and the kids to finish the school year in time. Please pray for us as we make furlough plans and try to wrap up many things before our trip. 

Upcoming, we have a church business meeting on Sat (Mar. 13) at the local Gungu church here in town. Then at the beginning of April we will have our Annual General Meeting of missionaries. This year we will have a joint meeting in Dodoma with our German missionary colleagues who mostly work in the southern half of the country. Please pray for unity, peace and love during these meetings. After that we go from there to Dar to catch our flight to the US and, Lord willing, have our furlough. Please pray for negative Covid test results for all of us so that we will not be hindered from leaving.

As always, we praise our Lord and Savior for your faithful partnership with us in the gospel.

In Christ,

Luke, Gina and the kids.