For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven……

Carrying water by bicycle from Lake Victoria.

We were reminded of these words in the last several weeks through the experiences we’ve had in a visit to Dar and Nairobi. Despite the sweltering heat and the severe dryness of the earth in most of East Africa, we hope in knowledge that there is a time when the refreshing rains will come. People, cattle, and the earth are suffering from the lack of rain. Every effort seems to be focused on surviving--getting water, finding food for cattle and for children and fending off disease. 

Churches too are struggling to survive, trying to find ways to build buildings and develop programs with the scarce funds that can be gathered from here and there. And yet, amidst the drought, new congregations are being formed, new vision is being developed for people outside the normal circle of Mennonites, and a new way of partnering together is being birthed.

Bishop Steven Mang'ana and Pastor Abner Mathube, pastor of
Upanga Mennonite Church, at the opening of the new Kisota
Mennonite Church

Bishop Steven Mang’ana and churches in Dar es Salaam are looking at ways to serve the people of the coastal areas. Bishop Albert Randa in Mwanza is making plans to bring services to rural villages. We recently heard of the growth of Mennonite churches in Uganda. And we are challenged by the spiritual vitality we are seeing among youth and young adults in Tanzania, even as some churches and leaders seem focused on programs and prestige, rather than true spirituality.

We believe God is doing a new thing among us. He has promised, “I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring. They will spring up like a green tamarisk, like willows by flowing streams.” Isa.44:3-4

"Clouds without rain, blown along  by the wind." (Jude 12)

Pray with us for refreshing rains for this dry land and for the rain of the spirit to wash and refresh the people of the church. We trust God knows the season we are in and in time will bring us into a fruitful, more abundant season.