Safari for Souls 2008 - Moshi, TZ

We are now in the middle of the Moshi campaign, and our days are full. Here is an overview of happenings for the last few days:

May 28th: Our first group of visitors arrived. One headed to Arusha, and seven came our way to Moshi, two of which are staying in our home - Ken Upchurch and Lydia Purdom.


June 2: Everyone met at the church building at 9 a.m. for an orientation session, and later that evening, everyone met at our house for supper.

June 3: This was our first day to hit the streets. We met at 9:00 a.m., and after being served chai, teams divided up and got busy. This year we are working first in areas closer to the church building, and almost everyone was within walking distance from the building. The exception to that was a team which consisted of Christopher Mwakabanje, George, Luke, and I. Our focus for the day was to make some visits to members who have fallen away. First, though, we visited a lady with whom Christopher and his wife, Julia, have been studying. They've also been studying with the lady's husband and mother-in-law. We just stopped by to greet whoever was home, and let them know about the tent meeting, which is very near their house. We made a couple of other visits, and were received well. One visit involved two sisters, both grown and have their own families. Sadly, the husband of one of the sisters does not want her to attend. He is a Muslim. The other sister has simply lacked the dedication. We also visited a man who was converted, but his wife, who is a member of the Pentecostal church, has made his life very difficult, including refusing to fix meals for him, because he dared to do something different. He needs a great deal of encouragement.

After these visits, George drove Christopher back to the building, and then we went home, so that George could get a little rest before preaching that evening. We headed back to the grounds where the tent meeting would be held during the week. In typical African style, the PA system was not working properly. George helped get it up and running, and about an hour later, the service began. George preached a lesson on "Proper Attitude - God First." It was interesting to watch people in the distance. For instance, a group of Muslim men sat in a group off in the shadows, some people sat on the porches of their homes, hiding, but listening. Others would wander over and take a seat with the group. We never know what seed might be planted, and who will be receptive to the gospel. We do know that many are listening.

After the evening service, we all made our way to the Richardson's house, where we enjoyed supper together. George and Ken had to leave rather quickly, since they had to make a trip to the airport to pick up a couple more visitors.

June 4: Back to the building at 9:00, and after chai, George made a few remarks, then the teams headed out for another day of evangelism. Lindsey had quite an experience. Her team was working in the clothes market, which we have been to on many occasions. While a couple in her team were having a Bible study, Lindsey and another person were passing out tracts. Suddenly, a mob of people ran by, and in the lead was a young man being chased by another man. The man being chased was being beaten with a hefty-sized stick. Finally the stick broke, when the beaten man was struck on the shoulder. He stumbled, but got back up, and kept running through the market, with the mob following him. It turns out that the man being beaten stole a pair of shoes. Ought to make a person think twice being stealing something.

We were back at the tent meeting site at 4:00 pm. George's lesson this evening was on "Proper Authority - the New Testament". The scenery is definitely one of contrast. If one looks down, there is refuse everywhere, and the aroma of rotting garbage in the air, sometimes mingled with smoke. But all we have to do is look up, and we see majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro as the backdrop. Looking up is much more preferable. We never tire of looking at this sample of God's magnificent creation.

There are so many individuals who make this annual event possible, and we are very appreciative for everyone who has played a part in making it a reality. We pray that through these efforts, many will come to know Christ.

In Christian Love,
Joy

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