God Got Their Attention

These two stories come from one church in our area that has a mix of Maasai and some other people groups.  The pastor related these 2 separate incidents that occurred within the last month.

Story # 1

A man riding his bicycle passed by this particular church every Sunday.  The pastor and members invited him to the worship time consistently.  His response was always "I have to go work in my shamba - shahm baa (garden) and work on the fereji - feh reh gee (irrigation ditch) which brings water into my shamba. I am expecting a large crop and need to work instead of coming to church".

This scenario was repeated for several months.  Then one day, the pastor received a cell phone call from this gentleman.  He was in a panic.   Some other Tanzanians had bought the property adjoining his shamba.  One planted a large crop and the other built a house.  Both of these men had diverted the fereji so that the water could be used only by them.

His anticipated "large yield" from his four acre shamba would now only produce about 1 bushel of corn.

The pastor prayed for him and invited him to the worship service the next Sunday.

The hard working farmer who had put his work, shamba, and fereji before God was there Sunday morning.


Story # 2

This same pastor and church members had been inviting a woman to attended their worship time for serveral months.  She refused their invitations saying that "she had to tend to her goats and no one could tend them like she could so she could not leave them".

This continued for several weeks.

Then one Sunday morning, this lady came to the worship time.  When a time for testimonies was opened up for the members to share, this goat herder was the first to speak.  She related her story that one day as she was watching her goats, one of them stood straight up from grazing, stopped eating, and then fell over dead.  This scene was repeated several times in the next few minutes.  None of the animals were sick or had eaten anything toxic.   She then cried out to God, asking her to forgive her for neglecting Him and His church and promised to be at worship the next Sunday.  She followed through on her promise and was there to share her story.  She said that she would not miss another Sunday barring any unforeseen circumstances.

God works in unique ways and in unique circumstances to get our attention and show us what is really important in life -- a relationship with Him in worship and service.

What is God doing in your life?
Any of your "ferejis" been diverted or blocked off lately?
Any of your "goats" mysteriously died in recent days?

Dirty Feet

During devotions while the Black Forest Academy (BFA) team from Kandern Germany was working in Longido, the focus that night was serving.  This theme was visually demonstrated by the leaders of the group washing the feet of the students who were participating on this trip.  Then they encouraged the students to follow the example of serving in their everyday lives.  As the students were planning the activities for the Abernathy Primary School the next day, one of the students suggested that they wash the feet of the teachers at the school in front of the entire student body during the daily worship time.  The rationale was that they could demonstrate serving to the teachers and students symbolically and then admonish them to go and serve their fellow students, their homes and the surrounding community in various ways.  The idea was embraced and plans were made to do this the next day.

On the following day, the head master was presented this idea and consulted with on whether or not this would be appropriate culturally as well as within the school setting and also to get permission from the teachers for their participation.

All was authorized and the day's activities began in earnest.

The worship time came, the BFA group led out in singing.
The announcements were completed.
Then the all the elementary teachers were asked to come to the front of the assembly, which met under a very large acacia tree in the school yard.
The teachers were seated on benches.

The the BFA group leader told the story of Jesus washing the disciple's feet and how this was an example of serving others.  He then explained that the BFA students would wash the teacher's feet as an example of how Jesus showed us serve others.
The BFA group removed the teacher's shoes (and socks if any), washed the teacher's feet, prayed individually for them.

The students watched in awe and speechlessness (which is rare) as these "white visitors" performed this service for their teachers.







The service concluded with a song and an admonishment from the BFA leader that the  elementary school students should follow example and be servants in their school, homes and community through their words, actions and work.
Silence prevailed as the students were dismissed to their remaining classes

Later, the BFA students related that they were able listen to and answer many questions that the students asked concerning this most "unusual event" which occurred at their school.

Needless to say, this was the topic of conversation in many bomas (bow mahs -- homes) that night and on into the following days.
The community impact will be realized in the days and weeks to follow.
Let us pray for these students as they serve in their school, homes, and community

Loaves, Fish, and Crayons (a modern update of the original Bible story)

A recent volunteer group from Black Forest Academy (BFA) in Kandern, Germany came to work with us at the Abernathy Primary School in Longido Tanzania.  Their main work was assisting the students in various subjects and activities.  One of the classes involved art and drawing.  The BFA students brought materials for the students to use, including pencils, paper, crayons, soccer balls, books, and other educational supplies.

One day in the art class, the students were assigned to draw pictures.  One of the BFA volunteers began to pass out crayons. Knowing the number of students and the number of crayons, she gave 6 crayons apiece to each of the 40 students.  Since crayons are at a premium in Tanzania, the students wanted all they could get to use on their "masterpieces".  As the BFA student continued around the class, the number of crayons began to decrease rapidly.  She thought that she would run out of crayons before she gave some to every student.  As she continued her distribution to the students, she noticed that there seem to be more crayons in the bag than when she started.  She reached the last student and still had crayons left in her bag.  So she went around again and gave each student an additional 2 crayons making a total of 8 crayons for each student.  When she finished the "extra" distribution, she was amazed to discover that there were more crayons in the bag!!  So she gave out more.  She said that she never ran out of crayons even though some "walked out of class".  Her only and final explanation was that God increased the number of crayons until all the students had enough to draw with and then had extras left over for other art projects!  This BFA student saw God work first hand in her classroom and life!

God still works miracles in different places and different ways when the situations call for them -- loaves, fish, crayons, money... God is not limited in any to complete His Ways and Purposes!

Critters in the Church

We have attended church in a variety of settings in Tanzania - buildings, under trees, roof shelters with no walls, tents, etc.  The variety of these worship settings is enhanced by the variety of "creatures" who attend also.  We have had dog fights break out, cows, goats and sheep "wander" through our gatherings, chickens, monkeys, baboons, and cats "add their input" to our services.  


 Once we were attending a worship time at our church at KIA (near Kilimanjaro International Airport hence KIA) and noticed that we had had an early visitor before we started.  There on the dusty dirt floor was a perfect "S" pattern in the dirt that started at one wall and went across the structure to the opposite wall.  A small bit of skin was still clinging to the bottom of the metal roof sheet that formed one of the walls.  Needless to say, all were very "alert" during our service as everyone kept an eye on the wall and floor to see if our visitor would return during our time together.  Fortunately, it never showed up, and we continued using our "object lesson" as we talked about the fall of man with Adam and Eve and how Satan took the form of a snake to make the fall complete.  Several wondered if Satan had not returned to our service to "check out his ongoing work".  

Another interesting day at church: While worshipping at Emunge Baptist Church one Sunday it was the first time one of the young Maasai herders actually brought his herd of goats to the service. There were around 20-25 goats climbing all over the huge rock hill that forms part of Emunge's tree church. They were so close that I could reach out and pet them. They stayed around for the singing then meandered off to the area right below the church. One never knows what you will encounter when you meet under a tree.


Never a dull moment here!  Karibuni Tanzania worship services!!

Rungu Stick on Parade

One of the implements that the Maasai carry is called a rungu (roon goo).  This weapon is made of ebony, has a slender handle and a ball or knob at the end which is fashioned with a point of sorts.  This tool is used for self-protection, herding cows by throwing it at them to scare/stop them from going in the wrong direction (gets their attention), and for killing small game.


I take several of these to the USA when we visit and give them to various individuals such as pastors, deacons, people who host us in their homes,  and others who help us/perform services for us in various settings (Doctors, dentists, dermatologists, cable/satellite TV employees, etc.   Recently, we rented 2 storage units in Mt. Pleasant SC to store some of Tim and Katelyn's things as Tim was moving out of SC and they would no longer have an apartment to call home or "their storage area".  The manager of this storage unit complex received one of our rungus as a "thank you" for her great service.  This is a part of the email that she sent us recently:

"Glad all is well.  Thanks again for the “roongoon”???

I get a lot of folks asking what it is and where it is from.

It gives me a chance to tell about your family’s missionary work

And bring up Jesus.  That stick is carrying on your work just a little-even here!

It has its home on top of the filing cabinet directly behind me so everyone sees it."

So, you never how God will use you or even a rungu to proclaim His message and glory!!

Stories from the Crater

There is a natural phenomenon in one of our ministry areas.  It is a crater - a volcano that collapsed on itself -- that is a stop-over point for tourists on their way to Oldonyo Lengai (Ole Dohn Yo   Len Gai) which is the "mountain of God" in Maasai land.  Many Maasai offer animal sacrifices on this mountain to God (Engai or Enkai).  Maasai ladies who make jewelry wait for the tourists to stop and look at the crater and then offer their wares for sale.

We had shared Bible stories with these ladies from the Maasai Bible story cloth that we use a few months ago.  As I passed their again,  I stopped to see how they were doing because several families had moved from their bomas (bow mahs - homesteads) due to the drought.  The ladies told me that these families had returned.  I asked them if I could visit those bomas the following week and share some of the Bible stories with them.  They said that they would have ALL those people from those bomas at the crater where they sell their goods the following week to hear the Bible stories because "the stories are important and everyone needs to hear them".

So, we returned the next week with some volunteers from Old Fort Baptist Church in Summerville SC.  True to their word, they had ALL the Maasai from those distant bomas there and the volunteers were able to share the Bible stories with this eager, and larger group, of listeners.   Several reaffirmed us of their faith in Christ and we also welcomed several more into the "family" as new brothers and sisters in Christ.

This was an encouragement to all of us as these Maasai ladies were willing to invite AND bring new people to hear the Bible stories and share in the opportunity to enter into a new relationship with Jesus Christ!  

So how is your inviting and bringing these days?

A Marriage of Circumstance

Recently, I received a call from a Maasai pastor who is also attending the seminary branch in Arusha.  It was early on a Friday morning that he exclaimed through the phone, "I am getting married tomorrow - can you come?"  "Of course", I replied, " what time and where?".  He told me the details and I started making plans.  This was a very unexpected announcement and I began to think of situations that demanded a "quick wedding".

The next day, we went to the church where the ceremony was to be held. I had been informed that the event would begin at 11 am.  We arrived at 10:45 am expecting to be one of the last to show.  But true to form, we were actually early!  Neither the bride nor the groom were there yet and I was expecting to be asked to go and pick up the bride and groom from their respective bomas and bring them to the church but there was a Tanzanian pastor who had a Land Rover and was the designated "chauffeur" to perform this duty as well as preside over the entire ceremony!

Everyone arrived and the ceremony went well.  I was asked to be a photographer for one of the guests because "I knew how to take good pictures".   I dutifully fulfilled my photographer role.  After we exited the church, we headed for the reception, which was about a 30 minute drive away.  My next role was as a "taxi driver" for all the guests who were at the ceremony, invited to the reception, and needed a ride - all 12 of them.




So off we went to the boma which had a temporary shelter erected, along with a rented sound system and generator, recorded music and
2 hand-held mics.  We were seated in the formal plastic chairs along with other "honored guests".  Then the reception began with greetings, welcomes, recognitions, and a short "message" by the presiding pastor.  After he finished, the bride and groom were escorted to a prominent area in front of the guests and were going to "serve keki (cake ee) to the guests.  A large covered pot was brought out and uncovered.  Then guests were called individually to come and get their "keki" from the bride and groom.  When my named was called, I proceeded to the front to receive my "treat".  The bride and groom together picked up a toothpick, put it into the pot and brought out...... a piece of boiled meat - the keki.  What a surprise!  But they are Maasai and meat is the most important part of their diet - and a treat to get even at a wedding!  Others were called to receive their keki and Pam even was able to have this experience.


As were talked with family members, we learned of the reason for this "sudden ceremony".  The bride had been promised to the groom for some time.  The bride price had been paid.  But due to the severe draught conditions, the family wanted the bride to get married immediately so that they would not have another mouth to feed under these dire circumstances and that the cows paid for the bride would help sustain the family through these hard times.

So it was not a "shotgun wedding" but a "marriage of circumstance" which could mean the difference between survival or starving in this part of Tanzania that is drastically affected by the abnormal weather conditions and lack of rain.

Welcome to Tanzania and to the Maasai!