Greetings again from Tanzania,

August 2005

Greetings again as we enter August 2005! I must be getting old... the years over half gone and 2006 will soon be upon us! [Maybe I am- turned 50 the other day] Since I wrote last we have had a LOT on that's been profitable for 'Strengthening the Church' here in Tanzania.

Lyndall and I were encouraged last week by Brian from Kevin Connors church in Melbourne, Australia. He was just passing through and knew nothing about us but he shared prophetically that we are on the right track. I guess we felt that already but its kind of nice to have it confirmed completely independently!

So, what have we been up to these last few weeks? This month my focus is on the leadership work ....

We had a small gathering of Pastors fellowship leaders on our verandah at Imara office recently... It is encouraging to see how many Pastors groups have been establishe from Arusha Pastors Prayer Fellowship [APPF]. They are meeting in their own locations now but the guys are organising to come together now and again.

Muheza was a wonderful time where 190 leaders came together. Daffa, Msuya, Lyndall and myself encouraged the pastors and womens leaders. Muheza is near the coast and so the people were very blessed by our coming.

After this Gidori went to Korogwe while Lyndall and I and Msuya continued up to Leshoto. Around 90 leaders came together at Korogwe and we invited Pastor Banga from Mbulu and Pastor Somi from Merurani to encourage the leaders. Their input was a step forward in our aim to release 'father' ministries to the part of the body of Christ we are working with- our dream is starting to come true! [We aim to call around 30 of these key leaders in December. Over time Imara will act as a catalyst to release many of them to a wider sphere than they may currently be used to]

Leshoto is a beautiful place with some interesting roads and incredible views. In Leshoto we joined up with Lou and team from Atlanta where we met with around 80-90 leaders and worked with them on practical discipleship. Jones is back up there now mentoring the new leaders who want to start discipleship groups.

Pray for the pastors fellowship in the area... one hassle we had is there is some 'warring' going on there and it prevented some leaders from receiving what God had for them. [You might remember the fellowship started well last year... but there has been some false talk around the place since. So be praying for the Lord to help them see as He sees and get vision for His church in Leshoto as He has vision for it.]

A few days later we were at Boma Ngombe for leaders seminar...... while some of Lous team joined Jerrys climbing team and went to climb a mere 19,000 plus foot mountain to raise funds for us!! And they ALL made it! [Congratulations and thanks to all of you!] Jerry led the team and here they are on the top! Great testimony to teamwork because few complete groups make it up there. [Let me know if you would like to raise funds for us this way... we have a tourist agency here who can help organise it for you]

Now Boma seminar [formerly at Sanya Juu] was a surprise! I was about to cancel for next year. Why? We asked the pastors to contribute a little this year at every place. Too often outsiders give everything and local folks give nothing.... are we going to strengthen Gods people by always working this way? We didn't ask for much but we felt folks needed to give a little as a sign of our hearts to the Lord. All places agreed except this area so I was about to pull out. We ended up with nearly three times as many people as we expected and 75% were new ..... but they were hungry and it was a wonderful time! So roll on 2006... we are back with the people of Boma Ngombe!

All our other work continues. Right now we have a large crusade with Tre Faulkner in Mbulu. Childrens work in Karanse [see Carolyn Stewart with the kids above], Likamba and Mwika continues. Mairoa is about to start very soon with all the 340 kids there sponsored by SBC. [Am I confusing you with all these names? Well one lady was so if you click on this map link it will help show you some of the project sites we are working in.]

NewsFlash! Sharon and Peter Bekker are getting married HERE in December. Sharon started a job here 2 weeks ago with a tourist company and Peter looks like he will be working with the same company soon as well.... so they decided to tie the knot here! We are really pleased for them and you can see Sharon is very happy.... its kind of nice for her to have come out the other side smiling after the hassles she had for several years with health. Pray for their them and that Peters visa for Australia will come through easily when they apply for it some months away.

I have left out so much other news in this update so please forgive me if you were looking for more. Thanks again for standing with us in prayer and support.....

Gods blessing on you,

Mike and Lyndall.

Blessings and thanks,

Mike & Lyndall

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