We planted, others watered, God gives the increase

After all, what is Apollos? What is Paul? We are simply God's agents in bringing you to faith. Each of us performed the task which the Lord allotted to us. We planted the seed, and (John and Ibrahim) watered it; but God made it grow. Thus it is not the gardeners with their planting and watering who count, but God who makes it grow. Whether they plant or water, they work as a team, though each will get his own pay for his own labor. We are God's fellow-workers, and you are God's garden. (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)

Seminar in Shinyanga, Tanzania

As we left Tanzania and Kenya four months ago, we emphasized to the church leaders that we had only planted the seed and given them tools for leadership training, now it was their work to carry on. In many ways it was a challenge to our faith to leave what we had spent four years in planning and producing, in the hands of local leaders. But over and over we told ourselves, this is not our work, but the work of God to carry on through local leaders. We prayed for just a few leaders to catch a vision and burden for further leadership training in our Mennonite churches. We as partners from the West want to continue to support deep spiritual growth in the leaders but also want to see it springing out of local

Participants at the seminar in Shinyanga, Tanzania

initiatives from within the churches.

Missionary Peter Sensenig with his translator

Recently we received Facebook messages that affirm our faith in God's working with the seeds we have planted. Bishop Joseph Nyakyema and Shinyanga Diocese held a seminar for church leaders of Shinyanga and Tabora KMT Dioceses. Pastor John Wambura taught "Leadership Strategies and Tools," Pastor George Nyaundi taught "Mission and Church Planting," and missionary Dr. Peter Sensenig taught "Conflict Resolution among Leaders" and "Christian-Muslim Relations."
Pastor John Wambura wrote to us, “You planted the SEED, I am just watering it! They said ‘We need more practical training for change.’ Your impact is proved by the attendance from Sumbawanga of six participants!!” Sumbawanga is a remote area in southwestern Tanzania where we had spent four months to provide more intensive training!

John emailed us further explaining that he met with the Sumbawanga participants to evaluate their progress and their needs in both spiritual and economic development. Their proposal for working at these areas include building five new churches, training leaders for these churches and helping them to establish financial stability. We praise God for the work he is doing among these leaders and watering the seeds we planted. We pray that it will "yield fruit in its season." Continue to remember the "team" working in the garden!!

Pastor Ibrahim Samwel with five leaders from his district.
Standing (left to right): Pastor Ibrahim Samwel, Elder Lidaness Kipeta, 
Pastor Jackob Tanganyika (Kalambo Nondo), Evangelist Judith 
Namwimanzi, Evangelist Emmanuel Silondwa (Kapozwa), and 
(seated) Evangelist Tabu Michael.