We're moving to Tanzania

It is true. No, we haven't changed missions. But mid January we will leaving Lesotho and will be moving to Tanzania. After much prayer, spiritual counsel from our team, more prayer, trying alternative options for ministry here, huge budget cuts from government for flying, more prayer, meeting resistance to doing what we know we are called to do ('Preach and Heal'), more prayer... Sally and I have been given permission to transfer to work in the Kigoma/Ujiiji area of Western Tanzania. It is a big change. It is a long story of how God has taught us about patience, perseverance, trusting in His ways, and being faithful on a day-by-day basis.

We will spend the next 3-4 months in intensive Kiswahili language learning in Iringa, Tanzania. Swahili is the official national

language of Tanzania. Each people group has their own language as well, but we will begin with Swahili. Living in Iringa first will give us the opportunity to give our full attention to language learning. Our team leader wants to be sure that we have a good grasp of Swahili before we move to our mission home in Kigoma.

Once Sally and I reach level-3 in language learning we can move to our mission home in Kigoma. Kigoma is on the Eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the far Western region of Tanzania, south of the country of Burundi. We will be working together with the staff of the Kigoma Baptist Hospital.

Sally and I don't know the exact day-to-day details of how we will minister there, but we know that God continues to give us a calling to 'preach and heal' using the gifts, talents, and experience that he has graciously allowed us to have. That we have the privilege of being incarnate cross-cultural witnesses of the hope of Salvation through Jesus Christ is our joy.

We are excited about the ministry opportunities we will have in the Kigoma area. We are confident that having teams of volunteers join us will be an essential part of our strategy to get the Gospel to each person. Already one couple has shared their desire to come in the Fall and volunteer to help us with sharing the Gospel. The task is huge. One statistic I came across says that there are approximately 500,000 persons within a 5 mile radius of Kigoma. Our task is to 'Shatter the Silence" by working with others in getting the gospel proclaimed.

We will certainly miss our friends and 'family' in Lesotho. It has been a privilege to serve together with them. They have encouraged us, loved us, challenged us to grow in Christ, and made us laugh. We love them!

Stay tuned in 2011 as we share the great things that God will do as His kingdom expands in Tanzania. Daily by His grace...