Dear Cherished Interested’s,                                                                                           January 16, 2023

Given the limited reach of this blog, I can trust to share somewhat specifically about what and where here.  Kilala, a big church down low and very nearly on the big road has been assigned to other Mchungaji. 

Kilinga,  Moolala, and one other Parish are now under the shepherding of Mchungaji Ombeni.  These are more remote and rural parishes, closer to Ombeni’s home and I think even his huge heart.  The sun was coming up while waiting for him at the end of the road down the hill to his home.  This is a road I will try to avoid until I get the 4 wheel drive working.  He drove up and out with his sick but working 4 wheel drive then jumped in with us. 

I preached for him at Kilinga for the 7:30 Sawhili service and then we preached again at the Meru service following soon after which ran until about 12:30.  Mchungaji Ombeni translating my English, and then at the Meru service, Hilda’s English too into the language necessary for each service.  In between we had time with the Sunday School and were fed. 

Swahili service was full to about two thirds the church and went well.  Meru service was full.  Meru service Ombeni was hearing and translating the message for the second time inserting moments of direction and inquiry for the congregation to verify that they were following the message that together we were sharing with them from the mornings scheduled scriptures. 

I finished my part.  Ombeni called Hilda forward, walking down and back to meet her and then translated for Hilda as she turned the message already shared twice to adults and once to the Sunday School, by her, into a Sunday School lesson for the whole Meru service. 

I had their earnest attention.  Hilda had their love.  As Hilda moved and comfortably expounded through Ombeni I got to watch the women light up and bob and swing and beam and laugh in reflection to Hilda.  The men did too.  I can be overwhelming.  Hilda compelling. 

Ombeni said later that I built a foundation that Hilda nailed the message to by focusing on application of the message by everyone there.  It was a message of empowerment.  When Hilda was done, they wanted to believe it.

Near the end of service Ombeni called anyone wanting prayer to come forward, anyone for anything.  Of about 120 nearly 100 came forward.  I was directed to speak and pray for them.  My way is slow, demanding eye contact and where heartlessness, shame, fear, or disbelief that they could even be seen by an old white guy, an instant of prayer for each downturned face or side-shifted eye in the moments of quiet between spoken phrases.  The phrases were answering the spontaneous question posed first to these precious people of how can we know that the child of Bethlehem was given to them. 

The phrases given for up-river mountain-people who care for living things in order to live themselves, rang true tying them into the hilltop shepherds hearing Jesus’s birth announcement from Angels.  Not the wealthy, nor the powerful, nor the religiously approved.  Just people made by God.  God, who makes no mistakes, and still makes people to this very moment. 

Then Ombeni went full Swahili preacher for them.  He was Joyfully and intensely on fire.  This is someone they have known, many for their entire lives.  That rapid fire, almost auctioneer style of prayer for his people had nearly all eyes closed, many faces up-turned with loosening lines of stress as they rocked with each phrase he gave repeating it inside themselves.  There was hope, where it was worn thin.  There was Joy where pain and duty only had brought feet the long walk to worship.

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Me, and college stuff.  Each time another document is demanded by the local national governmental process, one my ignorance has not prepared me to expect, it costs time and over $200.00 to get it here by DHL.  DHL has been able to get documents here and in such a way as to provide a chain of custody of sorts that so far has been acceptable to those in government here evaluating my ancient background for acceptance for matriculation into a University program here.  My fixer, who knows those serving in the national government, needs resources to travel and work the process too.  Time will tell.  

As I seem to be the first to even try, those in the know of this discovery of process are few but dogged and definite in their assurance that we will win through.  I am ever deeply saddened for our shrinking North American church, so affirmational of my call yet, did not want to share in hearing a voice from where The Church, however imperfect, is still living and growing. 

Renewal, revival, reformation are required of living things when interacting with each new day, informed by yet irrespective of the days past.  Lives here can see benefit through healthy relationship with North America.  Eternal lives on the continent of my ancestors and children can see benefit through healthy relationship with where we are now as well.  Why is it difficult to walk with those who try? 

You are walking with us.  You are praying our steps before us.  Steps we still do not see even as some around us seem to. 

We’ve been requested to be with the Silverleaf children for Sunday morning worship time again.  This request by Tanzanians and not wealthier predominantly foreign nationals orchestrating the best they can, as best they can see, through NGO structures.  We will see.  We do currently plan to be with them next Sunday at 10:am.  Just as we plan to be with the littles and Mama’s at The Children’s Village each Sunday too.  Our feet are outstretched and coming down.  We’ll see what they find firm on.

 

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WE don’t fit the expected boxes..  The local folks have decided to either love us or hate us for that.  The ones who love us seem to be winning..  I think your praying has been a huge part in that.  God is listening, watching..  laughing some too?? 

Thank You for that.

Also please Pray for:

Visa situation..  Due soon..  two weeks until we are illegal..  May we be able to learn and be lead into what is best for the benefit of what God would have us do, how God would have us do those things and stewardship of the resources God has put into us for God’s purposes -

Gratitude..

Gratitude for our time in the Pacific Northwest and over to Colorado for those dear children and grandchildren who miss us and whom we are overjoyed to have had our precious time with.

Makumira Secondary School, my brilliant helper Elisha’s school, is looking to share stories and partner in some way with a foreign school, Great leaders, teachers, students, programs, strong backs, minds, and hearts –

Imbasenny school is one of two schools run by a Mchungaji here.  He requests prayer for Imbasenny school as that school has no external support and parents school fees fall short of what the job takes.

Hilda’s continued invisibility to those who can only see their own authority –

Our armed forces families, our leadership, our people, whole world round, all of God’s kids -

All the tough and blessing expressed above –

The love of folks –

Whatever is on your hearts and minds for us –

I continue to be under much harsh spiritual attack concerning my sense of self-worth and those many things I have yet to get to, please, only as you are comfortable, remember me, indeed us.. the world doesn’t like what we are doing out of love we don’t own.. yet have none the less -

For our health to stay ahead of whatever is before us, for us to let our health fail so others can shine –

For a way for us to invest with our experience and even financially in support of local industrious people so we can afford to stay and continue to make a difference one face at a time –

For those who have braved the donate button to discover Kajun Crofton, our daughter who helps getting each one of your donations to us and every blogpost to where you can read it –

For you who find other ways to uplift and support us -

For each and every one of you –

Each and every one of your prayers, your precious conversations with God –

Prayers, Your Prayer, skipping stone and even groaning prayers make all the difference..

If we should ever cross your mind, even if we are strange and confusing, just grunt, crumple us up and throw us at God.  That is where we need to be.. 

Vern W

May life be as Music to your Heart – May Music be as Heart to your Life – May Heart be as Life to your Music