Bush Dreams and Visions

2015 January

A team from Old Fort Baptist Church (OFBC) in Summerville SC came to work with us in the Ngaresero area of Tanzania near Oldoinyo Lengai (The Mountain of God).  Their travel was delayed one day in the USA so we had to adjust our trip schedule accordingly.

We arrived at our campsite on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.

On Friday morning, one of our Maasai partners serving as an interpreter, told us that he had a dream during the night concerning Pam and I and that something bad was going to happen.  He woke the other interpreter and told him about his dream.  The other interpreter said he had a similar dream concerning us.  They both prayed for some time concerning this dream/vision and then went back to sleep.

We continued with our work on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

On Sunday evening, the pastor called the church to check in and get any updates.

Pam and I went to shower.

When we returned, the pastor and his wife were waiting for us.

They relayed the news that my dad had had a massive stroke, he was in the hospital, that the situation was not good, and that we needed to contact my mom.

We called on our satellite phone and talked to my mom to get the latest news concerning my dad.

We asked when this initial stroke occurred.

She said that it happened at home on the previous Thursday at about 5 pm EST.
Then medical transport was secured and the events following continued until about 2 am Friday EST.

Then we pieced the interpreter's dream story together with the time frame concerning my dad's incident.

Their dreams/visions occurred when the stroke happened and their prayers continued during the worst part of the initial event and first treatments.

Dreams and visions -- they still occur today.

And God uses those who listen to pray and join Him in His work!

His avenues are unlimited even when we doubt the methods.

Acts 12 is a story from the first church concerning God, His ways, and doubting believers.
But God is always working.
Join Him.

P.S. We did make it to the USA to assist my dad and mom for a month.

 My dad is working through rehabilitation and is scheduled to go home on 03 March 2015.

We will be in the USA 15 June 2015 - 15 June 2016 to assist them in every way that we can.

Please pray for us to secure a home in the Charleston area during that time so that we may be near them to help out.

God sends dreams and visions and hears prayers from the bush to the cities!

Isaiah 65:24  NASV "It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer: and while they are still speaking I will hear".

Family Reunion

It was day 2 of our four days of teaching discipleship and VBS. There were over 80 women and children present and over 30 men. And, we had already welcomed over 20 new believers into the family of God.

We were taking a break between teaching and storying sessions. I looked around and realized it looked, sounded, and felt exactly like a family reunion.
The women were laughing and talking in a large group. The older men were in a group talking and playing a game of catch. The younger women and children were playing jump rope and tossing balls.

The Young men were playing a game of futball (soccer).
Who knows if all these Maasai are actually related or just live in close proximity of one another. But, regardless, a great time was being had by all in attendance.


As the family of God, even if we never see these Maasai brothers and sisters in Christ again on earth we will have a family reunion in heaven one day.

The Song and the Bracelet

There is an old hymn entitled "One Day" with words by J. Wilbur Chapman (1859 -1918) and music by Charles H. Marsh (1886 - 1956).  The first verse and chorus is:

1. 
   
2. One day when Heaven was filled with His praises,
   One day when sin was as black as could be,
   Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
   Dwelt among men, my example is He!
   • Refrain:
     Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
     Buried, He carried my sins far away;
     Rising, He justified freely forever;
     One day He’s coming—oh, glorious day!
     
     
     More recently, the group Casting Crowns, has recorded their version of this beloved song.
     
     
     This song came to mind while we were explaining the King's Witness Wear2Share bracelets put out by King's Witness.com. at 2 bomas in Maasaini.
     

     
     
     
     The bracelets utilize simple symbols as "triggers" for the wearer to explain the life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and return of Jesus to Earth one day.
     
     
     The bracelets are very colorful, easy to wear, and easy to use, especially for the Maasai who live in the bush.
     
     
     

     Many were taught how to use the bracelet to witness to others.
     
     
     After we finished 2 days at one boma, we traveled to our second boma location. 
     
     
     In this particular area, there is a main market day on the 10th day of each month.  
     
     
     We stopped there to give our volunteers a taste of a real Maasai market.
     
     
     While there, I waited at the vehicles while the others toured the market and made some purchases.
     

     
     
     
     Suddenly, a lady who had been at the first boma, approached me, saw my bracelet, grabbed my arm, and then explained the symbols on the bracelet to me to show she had certainly listened and remembered that particular teaching!
     
     
     She then went on her way to tell whoever she could about what she had learned in the last few days.
     
     
     Such a simple item, yet it has eternal potential in affecting the lives of people when shared at every opportunity.
     
     
     One day, He IS coming, Oh, Glorious Day!!
     
     
     Are you ready?
     
     
     Are you helping others prepare for that day?
     
     
     
     
     
     

Craaaaaack that Whip!

No, this is not about an ice skating maneuver, especially in Tanzania, where the only known snow is on Mount Kilimajaro and sometimes Mount Meru.

This is about cracking a real bullwhip!

Images of a lion tamer, Zorro, and of course, Indiana Jones come to mind.

I had an idea to get a bullwhip since the Maasai work with cattle and have to drive them at times.
They fashion their own whips (I am supposed to get one eventually -- promised) but I wanted to get one made by a professional.

I scoured the internet and found a man named Einar, who hand makes whips out of his home in Florida.  I sent him an introductory email, explained why I wanted a whip (mainly to attract the attention of the Maasai men to gather them for teaching), and inquired about placing an order for a whip.

He replied that my order had been received and "It is a pleasure to hear of your work in Tanzania I'm sure the Lord will bless your efforts... I would be more than happy to construct a whip as described in your e-mail for you at no cost. If it will be of assistance to you in leading someone to the Lord that is more than payment enough."

So, the whip was made, sent to my parents, and then taken to Tanzania.

We have had fun with it, have attracted men to our teaching time, and even use it to keep wayward volunteers in line {:-}.

Because of the attraction, people come to Christ and follow Him!

Who knew that a bullwhip could be used as a tool to bring people to Christ and disciple them?!

A Reality Awakening

As we stopped in the area next to the pre-school where we were teaching and facilitating activities, the children and leaders greeted us and then directed our attention to their "trophy" hanging from a tree branch -- a 6 foot cobra. It had been stoned to death by some of the children the evening before right where we were doing our activities that very same day.

That is a reality awakening  to think that creatures and others like it (scorpions, etc) are alive and well in many areas.

T.I.A. (This IS Africa)

The Thrill of Victory, the Agony of Dee Feet

The final day of our work at Nanja Secondary (High) School was one of sharing Chronological Bible Stories and facilitating sports competition for the students.

The events were the 100 meter sprint for guys and girls,  soccer placement goal kicks from designated locations, and a frisbee toss for distance and accuracy.

The Bible stories were well received and 1 student made a decision to accept Christ.

Then the "fun" begins!

The guys thought they knew all about "futbol" but soon discovered that soccer placement goal kicks are not that easy especially when done from severe angles into a practice goal that is 5 feet wide and 4 feet high.

The girls were equally challenged but seemed to take a more controlled approach and did well.

The elimination rounds continued until the winners emerged.
The pre-supposed winners did not fair well and we had some surprise athletes who took home the first prices.

The 100 meter races had less involvement from the girls but a winner did emerge.

The guys really got into the race and several of the heats were very close.

Some guys even ran without shoes - only socks - or completely barefoot.
This was on terrain that had rocks, stickers, holes, and not so skin-friendly grass.

Again, the elimination heats went well and a final guy winner emerged.

The frisbee toss was a whole new event and learning experience for all but we had fast learners and the competition became fierce from both girls and guys until winners were declared.

It was a great time of teaching, fun, competition, and awards.

The candy went over well - and fast - as the 1st and 2nd place finishers "shared" their rewards (graciously and reluctantly at times) with the rest of the competitors.

The best result is that we have an open invitation to return to the Nanja Secondary school anytime -- and we will!

A Grave Baptism

The team from Calvary Baptist Church had finished their teaching in evangelism and discipleship at Kiti Ngarne.  The time now was to baptize some new believers.  Water is a huge issue in the Maasai areas so one has to be creative when baptism.

So, for this day, the steps involved were:

1)  Get a large tarp (purchased in Moshi)
2)  Dig a hole large enough and deep enough for a person to lay down in.  This hole resembles a
     grave.
3)  Put the tarp in the hole.





4)  Bring water in on donkeys to fill the hole up with water about 2 feet deep.
5)  Invite everyone to watch as the new believers demonstrated their faith by being baptized.

The new pastor in the area, Elia, watched as one of our Maasai leaders, Emanuel M., baptized the first 2 believers.
Then the pastor finished the rest of the baptisms, a very new experience for him.

I had the new pastor do this so that the body of believers and himself could "own" this situation and the ability to baptize new believers without an "official or missionary" being present.

This is essential for the church to have this foundation so that they can move ahead.
They have the experience -- now comes their part in forging ahead in growing their church!