Why Sumbawanga?

Looking down on the town of Sumbawanga.
(click on the picture to enlarge it)

That is the question some are asking – Why are we in Sumbawanga? It is not the center of Tanzania Mennonite Church, It is not well-known among Mennonites and few leaders have visited. It is located off to the side, only 60 miles from the Zambia border, about 3 days drive from the central church office in Musoma. Sumbawanga is only recently connected to the rest of Tanzania with a paved road, so access has been difficult, especially during the rains. There is a large lake, Lake Rukwa, and several mountains between Sumbawanga and the rest of Tanzania, so there are no direct roads, only around to the north or from the south. People who come here from outside the area do not usually come by their own choice; they are usually assigned by their employer, which is often the government. Yet, some who come for a visit or for work are pleasantly surprised by the area and decide to stay. It is an area with rolling hills, a cooler climate due to its nearly 6,000 foot elevation, good for agriculture, and friendly people.

Downtown Sumbawanga

There is also a small Mennonite church community in Sumbawanga and we saw the opportunity to walk with them to strengthen the leaders. Pastor Ibrahim Samuel arrived just over one year ago to replace the retired pastor and he has brought new energy and vision. His goal is to open 3 new churches this year, and he needs leaders for the new churches, so has been working to develop leaders. He said, “When I came last year, there was no one to share leadership at the church. But now, with the teaching through the TEE program and other training, I have people who can lead worship and preach.” He also started a choir that provides worship music each Sunday morning, singing mostly songs that he has written. Sunday attendance at the Sumbawanga church has doubled in the past year to around 40 adults.

Neighborhood children come to greet and talk with us.

Our activities include teaching Mennonite history and faith to the adult Sunday school class that is open to all. Sunday afternoons we meet with a group of 11 leaders for teaching on personal spirituality and ministry. Friday evenings is a TEE class focusing on leaders but open to all, and we have been discussing Character of the Christian Leader. And recently, we have started driving 120 kms each way every Wednesday to provide teaching to the local leaders of the newly opened church in the village of Kapozwa.

Children lining up for the church-sponsored nursery school.
Tanzanian school require children to attend nursery school
before they enter first grade.

Our first two and a half years we focused on developing the TEE (Theological Education by Extension) program which we introduced church-wide in both Tanzania and Kenya. So for the rest of our time, we felt drawn towards working in a local setting where there is vision, but isolated from the church centers and less opportunity for training and mentoring. We saw that in Sumbawanga. After several months here, we plan to move to another area and provide the same kind of mentoring. So that is why we came to Sumbawanga – to walk alongside and encourage their vision for ministry.