Back in the Groove

Now that campaign time is over, we have been trying to get back to our usual schedules. George has resumed his study in the village of Himo, where he has been studying with a small group of men. Plans are in the works for a two day seminar in Himo next month. This is a wonderful opportunity to preach the gospel in a place where, as far as we know, people have not heard the pure gospel preached. Luke and Lindsey are back to full days of school work. During the month of July, Julia and Lindsey, as well as Lydia while she was here, are teaching the children's Sunday Bible class here in Moshi. They have been teaching the story of Esther.

Last Saturday the ladies in Moshi resumed the once-a-month get-together. We usually have a short lesson, and then work on a new bulletin board, using the thoughts from the lesson as a springboard for the bulletin board theme. Julia taught the lesson Saturday, and the topic she chose was “Redeeming the Time.” We all need this reminder to use our time wisely. It is so easy to get caught up in busy work, and yet, at the end of the day, we see that we have not accomplished anything important. After decorating the bulletin board, the ladies sifted through a big bag of clothing that I brought. The girls and I had cleaned out our closets. Also, we still had some shoes left from donations sent by the Kensington Woods congregation, which we had brought over on our container. It was fun to watch the ladies pick and choose, and try on different things. They were very happy to get some new clothes.

Monday evening we said our goodbyes to Lydia Purdom, who has been with us since May 28. Lydia is a close friend of Julia’s, and they’ve enjoyed their time together very much. Lydia is a hard worker, and she “rolled up her sleeves” and went to work as soon as she got here. In addition to the campaign work, she has been a great help with the household chores - laundry, ironing, cooking, cleaning, etc. Thank you, Lydia!

Learning Lessons from Miriam

Yesterday the ladies resumed their Wednesday visitation program. Though we were few in number, we enjoyed a brief time of singing and studying God’s Word, and hopefully encouraging a weak sister. Julia Mwakabanje gave a good lesson on the character of Miriam. She pointed out both the strengths and weaknesses of Miriam. We were reminded of the event in Numbers 12, when Miriam and Aaron launched complaints against Moses. They were not happy with Moses’ choice of a Cushite woman to be his wife, and they used this complaint as a springboard for further criticism of him. They were jealous because of the high position of authority that God bestowed to Moses, and they wished to have this position. Did they consider the fact that it was God who set Moses in this position? In criticizing Moses, they were criticizing God.

It is no coincidence that Miriam was the one struck with leprosy. Just why did God deal more severely with Miriam? The first, most obvious reason is that Miriam initiated the rebellion against Moses. Another additional reason could be that Miriam’s leadership was limited to the women of Israel, but she was not content to stay there. There are numerous lessons to be learned from this event. 1) We need to think very carefully before launching criticism against a servant of God. Yes, there is a time and a place when it is appropriate, and even our duty to note those who are teaching error, but we better have our facts straight first. 2) Women need to be content in the role that God has given them. Women have a great role to play in the plan of God, but must remain within the perimeters God has defined. It is not a new problem, but it is a growing one - that is, women not being content in the role that God has especially designed for them, and taking on positions which God intended men to have. Sadly, this problem is not confined to the states, but is a problem that we must deal with in places such as Tanzania.

Furlough Plans

We are counting down the weeks until we will get to see many of you! Our date of departure is August 26, and our calendar is full until then. We will also have a packed schedule during our time in the states, but we are looking forward to reuniting with our family and friends very much. Here is our most up-to-date itinerary:



8/27: ARRIVE IN

The Line Up
...lining up spices in preparation for making sausage...if we want breakfast sausage, we make it from scratch

CA
8/31: Stockton, CA
9/7: South San Francisco, CA
9/11-14: Angel's Camp
9/18: Fly to Oklahoma
9/21: Oklahoma City, OK
9/22-24: Dyer, AR
9/26: East Tennessee School of Preaching
9/28: Knoxville, TN
9/28-10/3: Round House Camp, NC
10/5: North Charleston, SC
10/12: Vincent, AL
10/15: Hattiesburg, MS
10/19: White Bluff, TN
10/22: Liberty, MO
10/26: Higginsville, MO and Lee’s Summit, MO
10/29-10/31 Menlo, IA
11/2: Dyer, AR
11/6: Fly to CA
11/9: Brentwood, CA
11/16: Stockton, CA
11/19: Pacifica, CA
11/20: FLY BACK TO TANZANIA

Please continue to pray for our family, and for the work here.
Love,
The Jensens

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