|
Bwana Yesu
asifiwe. [Praise the Lord] Greetings to everyone  from Tanzania in the wonderful name of Jesus.
Christian Worldview. These two words
have been on the lips of many in Imara in 2007. Why are we so passionate
about Christian Worldview? We believe that until the Animistic worldview is
dealt with in the minds of the people, poverty will continue to prevail
here. No matter how much help is brought into this country. Animism leads
people to feel there is not much they can do to better their lot. It leads
them to treat women as second rate people and believe in the power of the
witchdoctor. Christian worldview brings people to realise God has given us
great resources to use to give us blessing right now, in this world. It
helps us understand that education is a blessing from God and women are not
second class citizens. We are passionate that Imara be a vehicle to bring
this positive worldview change to the people of Tanzania in all we do.
Here are some fruit that came from
our seminar teaching of what a Christ centred way of thinking can do in
Tanzania:
• Pastor Marseli
from Katesh said "I have been wondering why
Africa is poor. Now I have the answer: Africa is not poor. The problem is
in our minds. Thanks God for revealing this secret to us. Soon and very
soon you will see how God is going to change my people!"
• "I have been hesitating to do business in my life. I thought
the business is not for Christians. Praise God for God confirming to me
that to do business is a good job!" Pastor Yona
from Katesh 
• Mererani KLPA Church said "We decided
to fill the potholes in the road going to the village from our church to
the nearby village. It was so wonderful how the community there responded
for what we did!"
• "We decided to take care of the girl who was pregnant and their
family rejected. The girl now has become a Christian and after one month
she might have her baby."
• Pastor Karoli went
home excited last year. "Just after the end of the teachings in
October 07, I went straight to plant trees in my Church compound. Now you
can see some of the fruits of that teachings I
feel to teach my congregations the importance of planting trees in their
fields. Let us see what will happen by the end of 2008!"
• "We decided to visit those who were affected by HIV/AIDS as one
of our discipline of love. It was so great to see how we were received and
hope arose from the houses we visited. Committed Church members," Matui Kondoa"
Nearly 200 HIV/AIDS volunteers now
In January the HIV/AIDS team conducted another 3 week training course for
16 volunteers from churches to enable them to do home based care and train
people in their own villages. We have wonderful testimonies coming back
from our past trainees of how Jesus' love has gone out to many sick giving
them hope. Pray with us as Tim Neet comes to help us with the next steps with
this ministry.
Pray
with us for Likamba school in Maasai land ... we are working on finding a
long-term solution for them. Right are some of the kids studying in
the storeroom.
Stop press! Karansi school topped their whole district AGAIN
out of around 22 schools. This is the second year in a row! It is such a
contrast to where only a handful of the poor kids passed into high school
back a few years ago. Thanks Bobby and Co for your invaluable input to
these children.
Teams from Overseas
We have had several teams visiting Imara in the last 2 months. Miriam
has been doing a great job organising transport and accommodation for these
teams.
 One team came from Perimeter church to continue the on
going discipleship training for the key pastors and women’s
leaders we are working with. They had a breakthrough on what 'life on life'
discipleship as Jesus did it really means.
The team from Scottsdale Bible Church came to visit Mairowa and
Kondoa. Part of the team climbed Mt Kilimanjaro to raise money for
two of our schools and Kondoa and Mairowa. They were all
successful even though one member had 2 artificial knees only 9 months ago
and another is still feeling the effects of shattering his leg in 2005!
Congratulations to Fred and Frank! This is now the third team that have
climbed Kili for the sake of the schools they are
helping us with.
Darren and Erin plumb came from
Bunbury, Western Australia to spy out the land. They saw that it was
good J Maybe they'll come back!
Tomorrow Jenny will be arriving from New South Wales. Mike is very thank ful to have someone coming to help him with all the
overseas communication. Ya Hoo!
 Gabby left us a changed young woman... She found Jesus
in a new and unexpected way. I think she might be back as well! Julia and
Meagan are doing a great job with us here. [icecream was good!]
Hey, but where are all the guys? We
have wonderful dedicated women come working with us.... a young guys
dream! [please excuse my dig]
Mike and Godsave went to USA for 2
weeks in February for an international partners conference and talks at
Perimeter and Scottsdale. This was a
very beneficial time but we are glad to have them back in Tanzania. It was
wonderful for them to be able share with Godly men and women from all over
the world and hear how God is moving over ALL the earth [though the
newspapers tell us little of it!]
Fruit of Unity:
I want to share with you the excitement
and fulfilment that I feel from our first western zonal
meeting of some of our unity groups. Nine different groups sent 1-2
representatives to Dareda where Gidori, Paul, John and I met with them.
Unity: It was so encouraging to hear how
most of the groups have overcome ups and downs to still continue on working
together – with a big part due to Imaras mentoring, encouragement and
teaching over the past years. Our Imara guys [Gidori, Paul, John and Jones]
deserve a huge thankyou for the work they have put into spending long hours
with the various groups from time to time helping the guys over hurdles in
the different places
More teaching was asked for on how to overcome the pitfalls that come
along.
The time together allowed, for the first time, the different unity group
leaders to hear from one another. A lot was learnt from each others
strengths and weaknesses. I know they all left challenged on how to lift
the way they were working together with the leaders in their areas.
I was surprised on how many [I guess 2/3rds] were meeting across ALL
denominations. Some, for sure, were just Pentecostal
and had little vision beyond that [yet!], but most had taken a greater step
and were actively inclusive of all churches in the area.
Discipleship: many testified how the TEAMS program had already given more
depth to their people in their churches. At the conclusion of this first 3
year program, we will see a lot of fruit come from the program.
Christian Worldview: We found that there were 7-8 seed projects started
that were initiated as a direct result of the Christian Worldview teachings
that Gidori and others have been doing in the different areas within the
zone. Finally we have a bit of a breakthrough and praise God that the seed
that has been sown is bearing some young fruit!
HIV/AIDS: Many shared how the volunteers trained by Imara had won favour in
the community and with the government because of the HIV/AIDS work that
their churches were now doing as a result of Imara's trainee program. Some,
who were not doing this work, were inspired to send representatives to be
trained from their own churches as they heard testimony from those that
were.
 About us:
On a personal note, we have been here now 14 years. Its
been a wonderful call. Lyndall has been happily using her new kitchen since
the beginning of February and enjoying the view of Mt Meru
from her kitchen window. All our children are now living in New
Zealand. Sharon and Peter have been living there since the end of
June 2006. They have both been promoted in their jobs. Kirsty
moved to New Zealand at the end of January and will commence work at the Rotorua Hospital as soon as her nursing registration
comes through from Australia. Joshua is also in NZ and looking for an
apprenticeship as an electrician. We hope he will get one soon.
Some have asked if the situation in
Kenya has influenced us here.... not really- Tanzania is a very different
country. We pray for peace next door and it looks like the Tz President Kikwete has just
helped them take a big step forward.
Thank you for all your prayers and
financial support. God is doing great things. On the other hand,
Margie, our Oz treasurer tells us our personal provision has been down for
some reason this last 3 months - sorry if we have not communicated enough
of what's going on. We'll try and do better. The work God is doing in this
country is a privilege to be a part of. Our prayer is that we will be led
by His Holy Spirit and that His name will be glorified in everything we do.
That we will guide Imara well based on a strong foundation of a close close relationship with Jesus. Pray with us and stand
with us as you are able.
Love and blessings from us both,
Mike and Lyndall
|
