The Journey to the "Underworld"

The trip was not especially long or hard to arrive at our guest house.  The trip out to a new church was different.  This church was located 5 kilometers off a main road.  When the weather is dry, this trek is not a problem -- the usual "road" was more of a foot/cow/motorcycle path.  But when rain is thrown into the mix, it becomes a challenge of great proportions.  There are two types of soil here that you do not drive on when it rains.  The first is a dark brown/black soil that, when wet, is "slicker than snot" as some have said.  The other is an orange clay that is as slick or even slicker when wet.  Four wheel drive  does not help much.  It is like driving on solid ice.  You have almost zero control of your vehicle.  Both types of soil take days to dry out to make driving feasible again.  The latter orange soil "paved" our way to the church.

Then the rain started -- and continued.

The 5 kilometers to the church consisted of up and down traverses through semi-thick trees and small farm plots -- all plowed and planted -- making the soil even harder to drive through.  After sliding much and experiencing several near stoppages in holes, we made it to the church.

This is the history of the the church that was given to us:

"Emmanuel Laizer, another of our Maasai partners, attended school in Tanga.  He pastors a church in the Losimingori area.  Some of his members moved to the Tanga area near the town of Handeni outside a small village name Kwamatuku.  After they moved, they asked Emmanuel to come and help them begin a new church in their area as there were none.  This church started with one family.  They met under a tree for at least a year.  As they worked together over time, many came to know Christ.  Then the youth of the church decided to cut down some trees and fashion a building out of tree branches, mud, and grass so they could meet even when it rained.  Then they asked God to give them metal roofing and He answered with enough pieces to finish their roof.  In 2013 July, the building was completed".


In this worship time, there were 53 adults and 20 children.

We took Bibles which we traded for Maasai jewelry.
They enthusiastically asked us to bring more Bibles with us on our next trip.


Emmanuel sent us this history, via Gmail, and written in Kiswahili.
We read the Kiswahili and then saw that Gmail would translate it into English.
So, for fun, we chose this option.
To say the least, we got a few laughs out of their "translation".
Their translation of the area of the church location was "the underworld".

Here is an excerpt:

Dear Goto Timothy see in the picture I have just taken to the underworld Korogwe we go Sunday.

The history of this church is to be. When I was in college Tanga 2009, I can kuwaanzisha the church to re-open the Tanga region Handeni district village to the underworld. 

So we were able to go to a church in the "underworld" and deliver light (the Gospel and Bibles) to this most "desolate and unreached" place.

How many others have been able to start and/or attend a church in "the underworld"?

The Greater Work

"Boots on the Ground" uh "Maasai Sandals"

God is doing some amazing things among the Maasai in Tanzania. We are privileged that He has chosen to use us as the "boots on the ground" missionaries. However, we feel that there is a greater group of people out their who make it possible for us to be here. That group are those who pray for us. Without the prayers of the saints we could not be here doing what we are doing and being used by God. Without those of you who are doing the greater work we could not do the "boots on the ground" work.

With this idea in mind and being sensitive to the the fact that we are in a world that is filled with technology I have tried to take advantage of this very real means of increasing our prayer base and expanding the knowledge of what God is doing.

I want to take this opportunity to introduce those of you who view our blog to the various other places you can go to join us in praying for the Maasai of Tanzania and us as we minister with and to them.

Facebook TZ Maasai Connection Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/116586508383372/?bookmark_t=group

Pray!Network TZ Maasai Connection Group http://www.praynetwork.org/group/TZMaasaiConnection

http://www.baptist-volunteer-tz.net/baptist-volunteer-tz/Maasai_Team.html

Twitter @tzmaasaiconnect

Virtual Prayer Walks via Google Maps
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=217898757872739763022.0004887ccfff3c628e992&msa=0&ll=-3.916319,36.817932&spn=1.542671,2.460938
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=217898757872739763022.0004af9063f31a9f27dd6&msa=0&ll=-2.753761,36.03241&spn=1.544495,2.460937
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=217898757872739763022.0004e8371ad7bb72ee056&msa=0

CompassionNet http://www.imb.org/main/pray/searchby/PeopleGroupResults.asp?Hitdate2=Currentdatetime%28%29&PrayerCode=14907&Age=90&submit12=Find+Prayer+Items

To receive our monthly prayer calendar you can email me at prayerthatworks@gmail.com

Won't you join us in praying for the Maasai of Tanzania and enlist your friends to do so also?

What's on the Menu?

Recently, a volunteer team was camping in the Simanjiro district at a local milk processing factory outside the small town of Nabarera.

The camp was set up behind the factory.  There are 2 guards and 2 dogs who provide security.

Each night, we heard various animals "vocalizing" their discontent, wants, and generally broadcasting their messages abroad.

Late one evening, we heard loud barking, snarling, yelping, yelling, and sounds of pursuit.
We waited until morning to get the full story.

It seems that during the night, a hyena came into the camp, engaged the 2 guard dogs and the 2 guards.
When the dust settled and the noise ceased, the camp was short one dog.
The hyena fought with the 2 dogs, killed one, dragged it away and then finished off his "meal" in peace and quiet.

Many places have dogs available as security.

Our dogs are on the menu.

Elijah and Elisha - oops not Elisha but -- William

Two familiar Biblical names and one somewhat common name.
We will concentrate on the first familiar name and then the common name.

Their stories:

Elijah is a Maasai evangelist who was discovered by our recent Calvary Baptist Church team in the Simanjiro District of Tanzania.  As the team commented, "God just led us to him in another of our 'divine appointments'".

He started a church 3 years ago in an area were no churches existed.  He and his wife, Lea, built the first building out of the available materials - branches, grass, mud, and manure.  They have continued to this day and are now building a new building because they have outgrown their first structure.  The team left him a Chronological Bible Storying Cloth, an MP3 player with the stories and the NT in Kimaasai, and a Kimaasai Bible.  The team also gave Elijah some training in storying and follow-up.  We will be visiting him in the near future to see how he is progressing in his ministry.

William is an evangelist who showed up at one of our discipleship sessions.  He said that the spiritual leader of that area tried to contact him via phone and text message about our team leading this training but he never received the information.  Yet, he was there when we arrived for our second day of training at the area leader's boma.  The area leader was not there due to a situation he needed to take care of in the near-by local town.  When asked how he knew to show up at this boma, William simply replied, "God told me to come here on this day at this time and He would show me the rest".  He stayed through the entire training and then invited us to his boma.  We followed him in our vehicle as he piloted his motorcycle down the road to his small local kiosk. We then walked the rest of the way to his boma.  He informed us during our trek that his mother was a Baptist and that he received much teaching from her and her mother - his grandmother (sounds like a Timothy in the Bible).  Now he continues preaching, teaching, and discipling others.  We will invest time, training and materials in this young man who is faithfully serving God in the place He has put him.  Another "divine appointment".

God has placed leaders in different areas in Maasaini.
He is allowing us to meet them in many different ways so that we may get to know them, hear their stories, train them, and then partner with them in ministry.

Old and New Bibles

The discipleship teaching sessions had gone well.  Nairokoki (Nigh Row Ko Key) was proving to be an able and knowledgeable student of the Word.  As we were getting ready to leave, I noticed her Bible.  It had that "used" look that books acquire in the bush -- dirty on the outside, cover missing, re-bound several times with available materials (cardboard in this case) and pages missing.  As I went to the vehicle, Holy Spirit prompted me to action.  I asked Nairokoki if she would trade me her Bible for a new Bible and I would include a zip-up cover with it.  She thought for 2 seconds then gladly agreed.  So, she acquired a new Bible with cover (and all the pages intact), and I acquired a piece of Maasai spiritual history from this faithful disciple.

I am privileged and blessed to have this piece of nostalgia and also to have resources to buy Bibles to use in the Maasai areas of Tanzania.

Youth on Mission Part 2

 When many people hear of others going on a mission trip, many thoughts can run through their minds. However, after actually getting to go on a mission trip across the world only one word runs through my mind: undescribeable. (Im not sure that is a word, but still) 
After returning back to the states to my family, friends, and even classmates, everyone wants to hear about it and often ask, "tell me a story?". Many times I do not even know where to begin because there are SO many stories! I have one for from the time I arrived at the first airport that morning

to stories that make me yearn for the people I met. Usually, I just say okay and tell as many stories as I can untill I notice that they aren't listening anymore. I try to add so much passion that went into making the stories when telling them, yet sometimes it just doesn't sink in. I do know though that I absolutly want to go back, maybe for a little longer and get to know more about the profession of being a missionary and to experiance the people and life changing events again. I loved it there and I can honestly say, not a day goes by that I don't think about and connect my life here to what I learned there; no matter what I'm doing, or how busy I am, or what I want to do in the future, this trip will forever be in my mind. Savannah Reaves

Youth on Mission

This trip was beyond amazing! God works in many ways! Right before I found out about the trip to Tanzania I felt like God was calling me to youth ministry. I knew this would be a great opportunity for God to show me more of what He has planned, I just didn't know how great it really was going to be. I still do not have words to describe this trip. What stuck out the most was how eager the Maasai people were to learn and praise God! They are on fire for the Lord! All I could wonder about is why we, back in America, weren't as on fire as them? On Sundays we worship God, but the rest of the week what are we really doing? I am just thankful that as a 17 year old I had this opportunity and experience! Ethan Stalker

Who Says We Can't Do It?

Recently, we received a report concerning a week long meeting in an area of Maasaini.  Two speakers from Mbeya Tanzania and two from Kenya led the proceedings.  The final statistics were tabulated.



The average daily attendance was 5000 people.






There were 600
professions of faith recorded for the week.

One cow and 15 goats daily gave their lives to help feed this great number.  All churches in the area participated in this endeavor.  The new believers were encouraged to attend a church near them so that they can be discipled and participate in worship.  It seems like the Maasai in certain areas are most capable of serving the Lord.

Now to the areas that have no work!  Who says they can't do it?

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Mikaeli, Lazaro, and Mika, 3 Maasai pastors, made the journey to the new church at Engaresero.  They used 2 motorcycles as their mode of transport.  Two men rode on one bike, and the other man and supplies were on the 2nd bike.

Their journey took 9 hours.  On the way, they stopped beside the dirt road/path to look at "swala twiga" (deer like animals with long giraffe-type necks), regular twiga (giraffe), and other assorted wildlife.

As they were observing this local wildlife, they noticed that a truck was coming toward them at a fast clip.  As the truck approached their position, it swerved to the left, barely missing them and their bikes by inches.  The truck then continued on its way.  They thanked God that they were not hurt and continued on to Engaresero.  They had a great time of teaching and encouraging the new believers there over the next 2 days.

Later, they discovered that this same truck had traveled to Engaruka on its way to Engaresero and Gelai.  During the trip, 3 men on motorcycles with guns tried to stop them and steal their cargo, money, and cell phones.  The robbery attempt was unsuccessful as the truck sped past the culprits and did not give them the opportunity to steal or harm them.

When this same truck, driver, and companions saw Mikaeli and his fellow travelers by their bikes on the side of the road, the driver and passengers thought these were the same men who tried to rob them earlier.  They sped up with the intent of hitting the men and their bikes, possibly killing them in the process.  One of the passengers saw the men and recognized Lazaro as a Maasai pastor from Kitumbeini.  He yelled at the driver, who maneuvered the truck at the last instant to avoid a collision with the men and bikes.

Mikaeli related that all 3 of them thanked and praised God for protection and deliverance from this potentially lethal situation.

They also thanked Lazaro for his faithfulness in service to God.  If he had not been faithful, the passenger would not have known him and they would have been certainly severely injured if not killed.

Make sure people know who you are and Who you serve.
It could save your life one day.

Nationals Do Make A Difference

After the new church began in the Engaresero area, Maasai co-workers have been going periodically to this area for follow-up teaching, discipleship, leadership training, and encouraging the new believers.  These traveling servants reported that "there was difference among the people" when they went back without me or volunteers.  They said that the true believers who wanted to truly participate and grow in their faith attended the teaching sessions and worship.  Others who were simply "looking for some monetary or personal gain" did not come because the "white faces" were not present.  The "wazungu (white people) are the attraction.  The truth comes from God's Word delivered by God's servants.

 This reminds me of John 6:66 where Jesus began to explain true faith and discipleship.  The ones there for the food, miracles, and personal benefit left because Jesus' words were "hard to abide by" and demanded commitment and faithfulness without a promise of an immediately "reward".  People are people where ever you go -- the same sin nature abides in us all.  The is why the miracle of redemption and reconciliation applies to all people - we are the same in our nature.

So, nationals do make a difference because they can "winnow out" the true believers from the opportunists.

Please pray for these faithful nationals!!

You Can Read - How ?

There are ongoing debates regarding orality and literacy -- whether teaching should be solely oral or should it be coupled with the written word.  It is the assumption is that many Maasai are illiterate but that picture is changing as Maasai go to school and learn to read.  The printed media then becomes very important.  The following account was related to me during a recent trip to Longido by a Maasai friend and co-worker concerning the Maasai and Bibles.

Obedi is the one on the right

Obedi traveled to and stayed in the town of Kitumbeine for several days to participate in a seminar and discussions concerning different issues related to ministry.
I was able to give him some Maasai Bibles to take and distribute to some pastors in that area.
I saw him several days later.
He said that the pastors were overjoyed to receive the Bibles and wanted to know if they could get more.
Obedi then related that many people wanted Bibles so that they could read God's Word for themselves.
I asked him if they could really read with understanding.
He relayed that many Maasai, even women who had no formal education, were able to read and understand the Bible in Kimaasai.
Obedi talked to them personally, listened to their readings, asked questions about what they read, and they responded according and correctly.
He does not know how they were able to do this until he asked them about it.
They said they were not able to go to school.
So they prayed and asked God for understanding and for the ability to read and understand His written Word.
Then they were able to obtain a Maasai language Bible.
They began practicing and were able to read and understand it in just a few days.
No instruction, no formal education, no teacher.
They said that God gave them the ability to do this.
Obedi said it must have been the Holy Spirit Who enabled them to read and understand God's Word.
He could not explain it any other way.
I accept this explanation and view it as a modern day enablement from God for these Maasai to read and understand His Word through the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2 comes to mind after his story was finished.
But it is still continuing in many places in Maasaini where Maasai desire to know God and His Word.
Will miracles ever cease?
No.
Not as long as God is working them.

Maasai Mall

The Black Forest Academy group, working at the Longido primary school, had just finished a long day of teaching, working, and interacting with the students and teachers.  As they headed back to their accommodations via a dirt road, they saw 20 Maasai ladies lining both sides of the road with their wares ready to sell.  The women had been waiting for several hours for the guests to pass by in hopes of selling some of their handiwork.  Some team members stopped and looked, a few bought some of their hand-made items, and the others just kept moving.

This reminds me of Jesus, riding into Jerusalem, with the crowds cheering for him.  How long had that crowd been waiting, anticipating his entrance into that city?  What were they waiting for?  To get a glimpse of Him? To sell Him something? To be healed by Him? To see a miracle or two on the way in? To get a free handout?  Many people with many expectations or just passing curiosity saw Him go by that day.  How many of this same cheering crowd shouting "Hosannah!" on this day cried out "Crucify him!" just a few days later?

Where are you in this crowd of curious onlookers?

Of Nets and Shelves

The recent Black Forest Academy team constructed soccer goals and library shelving for the Longido primary school.

The goals consisted of galvanized pipe, threaded and connected, and sunk into the ground 2 feet and anchored in with concrete.  The assembly, digging, and concrete mixing were all done by hand.  The goals were braced and left alone for two days so that the cement could set well.  Water was poured on the concrete each day so that it would not dry out too fast and crack.  On the 2nd day, the braces were removed and the nets installed on the frame.  Then the first inaugural soccer match was played between the Longido primary school "warriors" and the Black Forest Academy "wafas".  It was a tough match but BFA came out on top 3 -1.

The second project was to construct additional shelves for the school library.  The available tools consisted of 4 handsaws, 4 hammers, and a cordless drill.  The "fun" began when several boards had to be "ripped" in sections.  Make-shift saw horses (school desks) were used for this procedure.  Other boards were also cut to size, holes drilled for wall-mounting, and then the hammering marathon began!

The shelves were eventually completed and all were glad to see the last nail be driven into their "almost perfect and straight" project.  Many claim that the shelves are not slanted or crooked, but that the building and the boards are not straight.  The jury is still "out " on this ruling

The school was most grateful for these two facility additions and the team was glad that the "hand-made" projects were finished.

Several hurt in places they had never experienced pain before.

Ah, the joys of new experiences!

Thanks, BFA, for jobs well done!!

Life Expectancy

I am Mobile Proclaimer Unit 3 ( MP3) or Moe for short.

My creator is MegaVoice (www.megavoice.com).

I am assembled in Israel and shipped to various world-wide destinations.

I am a small, portable voice projecting unit who is programed by my creators.

The only communication limits we have are determined by our creators/programmers, who install the appropriate language modules.

When my language memory module is inserted, I am able to communicate one-way with the designated life forms who understand the programmed language memory module.

My power system consists of a small solar recharging panel and a DC charging portal.

My recharging panel is the most utilized section of my power system charging center.

The central control panel, located on the front console, is multi-functional and simple to operate.

One can navigate to the designated files using this central control panel.

File selections consist of Chronological Bible stories and the entire New Testament.

Other MP3 units in my collective are sent to various parts of the world to communicate with many of the life forms on this planet.

In Tanzania, my life expectancy is approximately 2 years.

MP3s in the Tanzania collective have experienced internal displacement as well as system malfunctions.

One unit was being recharged via the solar panel.

It was placed at the solar recharging station on the top of one of the humanoids' dwellings.

Another humanoid removed it from it's recharging zone.

The humanoid utilized the central control panel and accessed the files.

The files were accessed for 7 hours.

During this process, the power supply was depleted.

The humanoid returned the unit to its original recharging station.

The humanoid interfaced with the recharging station humanoid.

It related that it had never heard anything like that before.

It reported that there was a change/reprogramming in its internal components.

The recharging station humanoid had an emotional reaction.

My data banks referenced it as "joy".

Another unit was left at its recharging station overnight.

During that time, heavy moisture from the atmosphere entered its internal components.

The humanoid followed logical protocol and placed it by a drying unit (designated "fire") to evaporate the moisture in its internal components.

Its external and internal components melded as one.

The unit did not survive.

Various units report that they have traveled to places of human interaction such as "markets", "schools", "large meeting areas", and "under trees".

Some have been transported to various locations via "cars", "buses", and "donkeys".

All units are programmed to function at peak capacity.

Training, proper maintenance, and care are to be utilized to prolong the working life expectancy of the MP3 units.

All humaniods receiving the units are given these specific instructions.

All units are limited in their functions and life expectancy only by the humanoids who utilize them.

Be nice to us.

This transmission is ended.

Where There Are No Trained Leaders (and churches)

A team from Calvary Baptist Church came 05 - 12 Feburary 2013 to revisit some previous work that was done in an area of the Maasai Steppe.  The main area is in and around the village of Naberera.

Chronological Bible Storying was done during that first trip at many bomas, many Maasai made decisions, and relationships were established.

The purpose of this trip was to follow-up on the prior work and see who God was raising up as potential leaders in the different sections of this area.

As we traveled and talked with various Maasai, we found out that several had been using the CBS cloth and MP3 players that had been left.  We also found out that the life expectancy of an MP3 player is about 2 years, depending on the people using them.  One interesting fact is that one Maasai had left his MP3 on top of his boma to charge and sometime during the day "it left the boma without permission".

So, we were able to replace non-functioning MP3 players, leave some new CBS cloths at previous locations, and leave CBS cloths and MP3 players (in Kiswahili) at 2 primary schools and a high school.

We also were able to establish some training points with new leaders where leadership training will occur at various times during the year.


The names of the trainees are:  Julius, Moi, Gideon, Nairokoki, Elias Olemoona and Elias Lengiteng.

These people have shone promise and faithfulness in continuing with the stories and worship while we are not there.

Please pray for these leaders as we invest time, training, and our lives to equip them to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in the Naberera area where there are no trained leaders and churches.

Our First Annual Oldonyo Lengai WorldView Olympic Games (or white boys can jump, run, and throw).

The question was raised on a prior team trip: How can the Maasai men be reached?

The idea occurred in the next few moments of that trip: Why not have a time of competition that would interest men, make it relevant, and also offer prizes that would spark their interest and competition.

So, after months of discussions, planning, and PR work, The First Annual Oldonyo Lengai WorldView Games were held in Engaresero.

The events scheduled were:
1)  Throwing a spear for distance
                                           
2)  Throwing a spear for accuracy
                                           
3)  Throwing a rungu (roon goo) for accuracy
                                           
 4)  The high jump
                                           
 5)  100 meter dash
                                           
 6)  400 meter run
                                           
7)  5K run

There were 65+ participants in the games.  Prizes were given for 1st and 2nd place in each event.  These prizes included Buck knives, solar lamps which can charge cell phones, watches, solar flashlights, a jungle survival knife, and cash.

Some of the highlights:

Maasai can throw a spear a long way.
They can also hit an 8 inch diameter log standing 3 feet high from a distance of 40 yards.
A rungu shatters when directly hitting the same log.
White boys can jump with the Maasai and give them competition.
Maasai can run 100 meters really fast when they need to and with no shoes.
400 meters is shorter than you think when other people run with you.
A 5K run is great until the last 2K are uphill on a rocky road.
Men who liked the prizes but did not compete wanted to take away the prizes from the winners (but not one succeeded in doing this).
They want to do this again!

Plans are being made for the 2nd Annual Oldonyo Lengai WorldView Games in 2014.
We may even have T-shirts for the runners!

More details later.

Of Storiers and Teachers

Recently, our partnership church, Old Fort Baptist, in Summerville SC, sent a team to work with us in the Engaresero area.  The plan was for the team to tell some Bible stories interwoven into discipleship teaching times that some of our Maasai team members would teach.  The stories would be interpreted from English into KiMaa but the teaching was in KiMaa only.

Three days of teaching were planned and proceeded well.  The Bible stories included tales of Samson, David, and some of David's mighty men such as Joseb, Eleazer, Abishai, and Beniah.  All these stories emphasized that these men could not have done any of their feats without God's power and enabling.

These Bible stories were interspersed with the discipleship teaching times.  The subjects presented were salvation, prayer, God's Word, victory over temptation, having a great testimony, working together with other Christians, loving other people of faith, living in peace, and obedience.   The teaching times were from 11 am to 2 pm and were well attended.  There were several question and answer times along with extended discussions of each subject.  Several people made professions of faith and a teaching time concerning baptism was presented.

After 3 days of teaching and 2 days of the Maasai Olympics, people met together for worship and then a time of worship and baptism was held at the local water source, a mountain river.  Our Maasai leaders baptized 25 new believers.  A few people located themselves downriver in case the baptism candidates lost their footing and proceeded on a small journey downstream.  Fortunately, this did not occur.

There is now a new church in Engaresero.

Our Maasai team members are going back there on a regular basis for more training and discipling new leaders.

So, Jesus' mighty Maasai men continue to work with their people to bring them into the kingdom.