Can you believe how fast the year is going? Many kids are starting back to school already. Wow! It seems like we were just hearing that school was out. We pray that you all enjoyed summer together and made many awesome memories. We are doing well here in Morogoro, Tanzania. “Winter” here, at 65 degrees, is continuing; the cooler mornings here are refreshing. In the mornings you feel much more motivated to get stuff done before the sun comes out and drains all your energy.
We want to thank you all for the encouraging cards that we received, simple notes stating that you all are praying for us or thinking of us. We appreciate the remembrance and don’t take it lightly. Our folks at Grace Baptist Church appreciate the prayers as well. There are many times I remind the folks here that we have a great team of investors in America, and part of the reason that God can bless and give the increase is because many people prayed or are praying while we have services. We know we would not be here if not for your prayers and financial support. Please know that we pray for you all as well. We pray for God’s blessings, that the Devil will not have his way, and that fruit may abound in your churches and ministries. It’s exciting to hear what God is doing through you all as well.
We had a ladies’ meeting back in mid-July. My wife and my assistant pastor’s wife spoke. It was just a fun time for the ladies to come together and relax, play games, have prize drawings, talk, learn, and, of course, eat. You never know how many people will show up; we just prayed that whomever God wanted us to minister to would come. We had 110 ladies, with 8 trusting in Christ.
I wanted to start more Saturday Bible Clubs. I had been praying about it for a while, and I wanted folks who had a heart for it and were willing to do it. I didn’t say anything to anyone; I just prayed that at the right time, folks who wanted to start one would let me know. Praise the Lord! We were able to start three new Bible Clubs. Three families came to me and said that they felt it was time for them to start a Bible Club at their house. They had been getting “taught,” and now it was time for them to step out. It’s encouraging to see growth.
Speaking of growth, we started another new bus route in the area called Mikese. It’s quite a distance away from our church for sure; however, the people were interested, so we sent a van out there. The first Sunday we had 15 riders.
As the ministry is growing, please pray for these needs: more chairs, more songbooks, and a bathroom extension. We know that this is God’s ministry and God’s people, and we are just excited that we get to work for Him.
Lastly, we just celebrated our Three-Year Anniversary. We had 580 people, over 50 first-time visitors, and 45 trusting Christ. We had a great day with singing, preaching, baptisms, two weddings, and more food. Thank you to all who prayed for our big day. What a great God we serve. “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles . . . .“ (Malachi 1:11)
Mshama, Martha, & Esther Kinyonga