May 2009 Update

Kigoma, Tanzania. I (J0n) was asked to teach the Sunday morning message for Pasaka (that’s Swahili for Passover, which I call Resurrection day and many Americans call Easter). Pasaka is the biggest day here in Tanzania, even more so than Christmas. When I was first asked to share “this coming Sunday”, and I agreed, I didn’t realize the date, but I agreed to teach thinking that I could possibly share something from my personal devotion time, or a teaching that I’ve prepared and given at a different location before. When I realized that it was Pasaka, and that I needed to prepare an appropriate teaching for the day, it was already Thursday night. But because of previous commitments I was unable to begin preparing until Saturday evening, about 7 p.m. It made me think of a joke that a Pentecostal Missionary here once told me. He said that there were four pastors having lunch together and discussing sermon preparation. One was a Methodist, the other a Baptist, the other an Independent, and the last a Pentecostal. The Methodist said, “Our topics are all planned out a year in advance, so I’m always prepared ahead of time for Sunday.” The Baptist said, “I usually begin my preparation for Sunday’s sermon on Tuesdays.” The Independent Pastor said, “Well, I normally try to begin on Wednesday, but no later than Thursday.” The Pentecostal Pastor had a confused look on his face. He finally said, “I don’t get it. So what do you all do during worship?” It wasn’t quite so late an hour for me, but nearly so. But God be praised that He guided my mind to the particular passage and message for the morning, and I was able to get my notes finished and ready. As it turned out, it rained so much that morning that half of the people didn’t even make it to church until the teaching was nearly over. So my worries about teaching on this day that they esteem higher than all other days turned out to be unnecessary. As usual, the message probably blessed and instructed me more than anyone else. I think that’s one of the reasons I enjoy teaching: because in studying, preparing, and sharing the Word of God, I myself become encouraged and strengthened by it.

Jon teaching with Gabriel translating

At this same meeting place - which is nothing more than the 10’ x 15’ would-be sitting room of an unfinished house with no roof - I am continuing to teach a weekly “foundations” class. Each week is interesting as I get to learn what areas of basic Bible doctrine they already know or do not know, and how well. It’s also interesting to see each week where the attendees will sit depending on where the tarps that cover the room are leaking that day. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out the drips shift positions! It’s such a blessing though, as nobody complains or is distracted by it. Occasionally the elder of the church will pick up half of an old, plastic bottle and scoop away the puddle that is approaching me as it grows with each drip. All the while I just continue teaching and interacting with those who have come to learn. It’s amazing how effective and efficient ministry can be when you, as a pastor or leader, aren’t always having to concern yourself with whether or not the people listening are distracted or unhappy because the air conditioner isn’t working right, or the furnace isn’t hot enough, or the chairs aren’t nice enough. It’s nice to share God’s Word with a group of people who want to listen and learn, even if their shoes are muddy from the wet dirt floor, the seat is a six inch wide hard and uneven plank that digs into their backside, and the tarp above them sometimes leaks water onto their heads or clothes. They won’t go away upset or complaining about the church meeting or looking for a “better church”. It is truly refreshing.

Carrie will be teaching the women’s study at this church this month. They are extremely excited about it, as she is normally much too busy with the homeschooling, the raising of the kids, and the managing of the household to be able to teach. But she has made the time to prepare and teach and all of the ladies are so excited and are inviting their friends to come to the Thursday afternoon Bible study. I don’t know where they will all sit! Though every time I have that thought I am sincerely surprised at how many do fit into such a tiny space.

I have finished teaching Daniel at the Bible College and have now moved on to Revelation. The students are so eager and hungry. They complain that I go too fast, but it’s because they are literally trying to write down every word I say. I used to not understand this, but have now come to realize that because audio cassettes, video cassettes, CDs, DVDs, and MP3s of good teachings are not commonplace, nor is access to a good Biblical library in the Swahili language, when they are able to get the Word, they have to record it for future reference. This thought is both humbling and scary. When you are teaching with the realization that every word you say is being listened to and written down; every truth you share is being recorded for future recollection and re-use by another, you are driven by a sense of carefulness and concern for accuracy that you otherwise might have let slip away. You just might visit a church in the village one day in the future and find someone teaching a version of something you taught previously, which they heard from someone else, who heard it from one of your students. As James 3:1 says, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.”

Congo. We continue to pray and wait on the Lord to see what He will provide for in Congo. There are some who have contacted us desiring to see the work there progress, but at this time we are still lacking some of the basic things required, one of which is teachers. Please continue to pray that God will provide qualified pastors and teachers to come and spend two weeks of there time teaching these men and women who so desire to learn more of His Word.

In June we will be having a one-week seminar in Congo, teaching some foundational truths. We are expecting about 200 to attend. We will be working with Dave Gonzalez and Arie Ramirez, our friends and family in Christ from Calvary Chapel Nairobi. Please pray for the continued preparation for this outreach: for the hearts of those who will be in attendance to be prepared to receive from the Lord, for the many difficult logistics involved, and for the safety of all who will be traveling.

Family. As you can see from the pictures, the kids are all doing well. We truly thank God for their good health and attitudes. They are a tremendous blessing. They are taking Swahili lessons three times per week. They seem to be picking it up and sometimes even try saying things to us in Swahili.

The kids at their Swahili lessons

Kevan had his 11th birthday in February, then Carrie had one in March, followed by Jada’s 3rd birthday on April 4th, and then our 14th wedding anniversary on April 8th. This month is Caleb’s 7th birthday! For Carrie’s birthday, a few other missionary ladies from the area surprised her with lunch. I didn’t even know about it! She was very blessed.

Kevan jumping into the lake

Carrie's birthday lunch


Jasmine is now starting to sit up on her own. I was helping her the other day and called Carrie in to show her. When Jazz saw Carrie walk into the room she got excited and stiffened up her legs which sent her flying backwards onto one of the pillows I put all around her. It was hilarious.

Jada wearing her birthday shoes

Jada helping with the laundry

Jada playing with Joshua

Baba's little girls

Kevan and his friend TJ

Keenan and Caleb acting like themselves

Kevan and Jada sharing a glass of juice

You may have noticed that Caleb still doesn’t want his hair cut. He is convinced that if it grows long enough he will look like Chewbacca from Star Wars! And if you also hadn’t noticed from the photos... the boy likes chocolate!