Progress and Challenge

Stapling study materials in a hotel room
 in Mombasa Kenya

We are writing this from our “home base” in Nyabange/Musoma. It is very dry and many of the local gardens will fail, due to the lack of rain.

Our travel schedule the past several weeks has been lighter. With the exception of a one-day seminar in Kenya over Easter weekend, we have mostly been at home in Nyabange preparing more study materials. There are around 18-20 studies we would like to prepare, and so far we have done about 6, with a couple in process. Then they also need to be translated into Swahili.

We have not received invitations from all the Tanzania and Kenya Mennonite churches, but we have been to a significant number and the program provides training to 120 to 150 new church leaders. Some of the areas are doing well in gathering groups and leading through the study materials. Others struggle to gather their leaders even from their local area and have barely started. We are also aware of spiritual powers of evil that work to keep this program from becoming effective.

Studying "Discipleship in the Gospels" in Chepilat Kenya

Discussion in the training seminar in Mbeya Tanzania

As we look at the progress we have made and the challenges that remain, we have begun to think about how we can best use our time here. There is a need for more mentoring, along with writing or adapting study materials, and making other literature available in Swahili. One of the needs we see is developing spiritual depth, and what it means to follow Jesus in life.

We trust God’s grace to be faithful managers of the gifts we have been given as we deal with the challenges and opportunities. And we continue to be grateful for good physical and mental health. Thank you for your prayers, interest and support.