Pray for the Swift Word

Paula Naumann keeps a personal Tanzania Journal;
her entry for April is HERE.

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Classes at Wittenberg Seminary continue, as I am preparing for a "swift" journey to Uganda in early May. Paula will leave for the USA on May 2. While I am in East Africa by myself for a month I will be visiting our churches and contacts in Uganda. This means a flight from Arusha to Kampala, and then long bus rides to two main destinations. Here is the map:

The first leg will be a visit to the "Confessional Lutheran Church in Uganda." This will be an introductory visit to this group of 17 independent congregations, which are served by 8 pastors. They are located near Ibanda and Buhweju, in the western part of the country. There has been encouraging correspondence with this group. We will need to find out whether we share the same scriptural teachings, with a view to possible future fellowship. Here is a photo of the group in Ibanda, whom we have not yet met (click to enlarge):

The second leg of the trip will be by bus to eastern Uganda, where we will have a pastoral conference of the Ugandan Church of the Lutheran Confession - UCLC. We have been working with Pastor Daniel Mugeni in Uganda for a number of years, and he has successfully completed his colloquy (doctrinal examination). This summer our CLC Convention in Eau Claire will, God willing, confirm our President's declaration of fellowship with the UCLC. At this meeting we will be working on a UCLC Constitution, with special attention given to the statement of faith, which is the same confession as the CLC. Here are a few photos from our previous trip to Iganga this past February:

Pastoral Conference in Iganga, Uganda, February 2024

Pastor Daniel and Ida Mugeni, at their home and orphanage in Iganga

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In other news: Paula and I recently hosted the students and faculty of Wittenberg Seminary to our home for dinner. It was a wonderful time of food and Christian fellowship. Here are a few photos of the event, along with other recent seminary activities:

Our hostess and some guests on our front porch

Seminary faculty, students, and "Mama Nuele," the seminary mom

We "charged" the students for the dinner by having them sing us a song. Click for the video HERE. 

Student Jasper Musacali, preaching a practice sermon to the other students. 

Student Elinajah Bayo, preaching for Sunday worship at Ambureni Parish. 

(Easter banner by Paula)

Mrs. Loskira (mother of teacher Robert) has been in poor health. We went next door to Robert's home one morning for a devotion, hymn and prayer in her native Maasai language.

Our students put in a lot of effort at Wittenberg Seminary, but just to show that it's not ALL hard work, see the video clip HERE.

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Once I've returned from Uganda, it will be a short time until my flight to the U.S., where we'll see family and friends, and I'll be attending the CLC Convention in Eau Claire. 

We appreciate very much the support and prayers of our fellow believers in the U.S., so that, as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, "the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you."

"He shall give His angels charge over you...

...to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone." Psalm 91:11

Paula Naumann keeps a personal Tanzania Journal - her entry for March is HERE.

On a two-lane Tanzanian road north of Dar es Salaam we patiently crawled along behind a ponderous 18-wheeler. I waited for a nice clear stretch of road before I punched the gas on the Rav4 to pass. Out of nowhere, a smaller truck shot out into our passing lane from a side road. A jerk of the wheel pulled us in front of the big rig, with only centimeters to spare. Whew! This type of incident on the roads is all too common, and I'm certain the LORD’s angels kept us safe throughout our travels! 

No doubt God's angels were also helping us to have a fruitful journey. During our 2-week Easter break from seminary classes, Pastor Jeremia, Paula and I travelled to Tanga and Zanzibar to visit TCLC pastors and churches. It was about 900 miles round trip, and my first experience with driving that kind of distance and terrain in Tanzania. We met with pastors and members in Tanga, Korogwe, and Zanibar:

One feature of the trip was an outreach event at Pastor Kimemele's church in Korogwe. We had an outdoor viewing of the "Jesus Film," based on Luke's Gospel, and in the Swahili language. We had about 30 attending at the start, and more than 100 by the end. Pastor Kimemele preached a devotion after the film. He was also provided with a Teacher's Guide for a Bible study on Luke, for a follow-up class. Here are some photos from the trip (click to enlarge):

With Pastor Julius (left), inspecting site for proposed church.

We paid a visit to the widow of a TCLC pastor who recently died; this is the church where he served.

In Tanga, LtoR: church member, myself, Samuel (a seminary candidate for next year), Pastor Jeremia, Pastor Kimemele.

Setting up for the "Jesus Film" in Korogwe

More than 100 church and community members were present for the film.

Jeremia, Paula and me on the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar

With Pastor Peter Msifune on Zanzibar

We met with some of Pastor Msifune's members, including these Maasai men.

We had very little time for sightseeing on Zanzibar, but we did walk down to the Indian Ocean early one morning.

Don't pass yet! (though lots of reckless people were blindly passing up 4-5 vehicles at a time)

A beautiful reminder of God's covenant of peace on the way home! 

It is by God's grace, with the help of his protecting angels, that we returned to Arusha safely after our 5-day journey. Classes at Wittenberg Seminary resume this week, following our 2-week Easter break. We thank God for these opportunities to bear witness to the crucified and risen Lord Jesus, and to train a future generation to proclaim His saving Gospel!

All Aboard!

For some personal insights into missionary life in Tanzania, see the latest installment of Paula Naumann's journal HERE.

February 28 marks the first day that all of our 10 students are present together at Wittenberg Lutheran Seminary in Arusha, Tanzania. We have four Evangelism students (1-year program) and six seminary students (3-year program). One of our evangelism students began classes quite late, and is working overtime to get caught up. Also, sometimes our other students have been absent for a time, for a family funeral or other necessary responsibilities at home. Here is the entire group; we are thankful to our LORD that our students are finally "All aboard"! 

L-R: Pastor Jeremia Issangya, Pastor Robert Loskira, Emanuel Boniphace, Dennis Musakali, Eubank Elijah, Marko Sapuro, Jacob Masya, Elinaja Bayo, Godfrey Mzoo, Jasper Musakali, Raphael Kinyaga, Missionary Bruce Naumann, Brian Mtika

The purpose of our seminary is to train men to call out "All aboard!" with the Gospel of Christ crucified for sinners. We are also developing an evangelism tool for that purpose with the "Jesus Film" outreach project. This is a 2-hour movie about the life of Jesus, with the script taken entirely from the Gospel of Luke. Versions are available in more than 2,000 languages, including Swahili and Maasai. 

On Saturday evening, February 24, we used a battery-powered projector and outdoor screen to present the "Jesus Film" to about 100 people in the Maasai village of Mbuyuni, some of whom were Muslims. This provided a good welcome to the community, with a Gospel sermon by Pastor Robert Loskira after the film and an invitation to find out more about Jesus through our sister church there. We hope to offer this same program to many congregations in the TCLC, and also perhaps in Kenya and Uganda. We are developing a follow-up Bible study on the Gospel of Luke in both English and Swahili. This would be an aid for local pastors to begin a weekly Bible study after showing the film. Paula and I spent the night in the village, in the guest room of one of Pastor Loskira's neighbors. The next morning I was the guest speaker for the worship service in Mbuyuni. Here are some photos (click to enlarge), and links to some video clips:

Arrival - Pastor Loskira and daughter Angel outside the partially-completed church.

Waiting for sundown - Paula and some local children

Learning about the life of Christ during the "Jesus Film"

Sunday worship, with a sermon on "The Poor Man and RICH Lazarus"

Video Clips:

• Pastor Robert leading the Saturday gathering in song following the Jesus film, click HERE
• The Mbuyuni ladies' choir at Sunday worship, click HERE
• The Mbuyuni children's choir at Sunday worship, click HERE
• Close of the Sunday sermon - TLH #429 vs 3 with Swahili translation, click HERE
• Mrs. Rachel Loskira demonstrates how Africans carry water, click HERE
• Pastor Robert's son Onesimus, our junior seminary student, singing "Listen! God is Calling" in Swahili, click HERE

It's a great blessing from our LORD to be able to train men for a lifetime of service in proclaiming all of God's true Word. It's also very exciting to be able to assist the pastors in our fellowship, with creative outreach tools, in their work of calling out "All aboard!" to the people in their communities. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to effectively call many hearts to Christ through these efforts!

 "I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." Isaiah 49:6

One Door Closes, Another Opens

Acts 16:6-10 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

It may well have been perplexing for Paul and his companions to make plans for spreading the Gospel in Asia and Bithynia, only to be overruled by God's Holy Spirit. But when these doors were closed to them, they later saw that God had opened an important door to Macedonia instead. It was an open door that proved to be very fruitful for Jesus' kingdom! 

Our recent trip to Kenya and Uganda, January 26 to February 5, was met with many doors that seemed closed to us. Todd Ohlmann and Joel Krafft had to cancel portions of their trip due to visa holdups at the Liberian embassy. Teacher Ted Quade couldn't make the trip at all due to a very bad knee. Pastor Jeremia Issangya had to cancel because he was recovering from an illness. Even our driver had to leave us because his mother was hospitalized (though he provided an excellent substitute). Mission Board Chairman Joel Krafft injured his knee and hobbled through the week.  But God also opened many great doors during our visits, in spite of numerous setbacks. 

The two travelers

After meeting up in Nairobi, our travels first took us to Moi's Bridge, Kenya. There we were met by the headmistress of Emmaus School, Mary Sagala. On Sunday we joined in worship with Holy Cross Lutheran Church, which is on the campus of Emmaus School. [click to enlarge photos]:

Worship at Holy Cross in Moi's Bridge, Kenya

Joel Krafft addresses the children at Holy Cross

A video clip of a service hymn is HERE.

On Monday we were able to meet with Mary and the school staff, and we enjoyed presentations by the school children. We discussed a number of items of interest to the CLC Kinship Committee, which coordinates support for the school.

The children of Emmaus School in Moi's Bridge, Kenya

You may see video clips from their presentation HERE and HERE.

The staff of Emmaus School in Moi's Bridge, Kenya

Also on Monday we were the guests of Pastor Calvin Luvisha at his home in nearby Kitale. A number of the members of his church, St. Peter's Lutheran, were also present. We made plans for St. Peter's future cooperation with the leadership of the CLCK in Etago.

Pastor Calvin Luvisha (center) and some members of St. Peter's in Kitale

Tuesday was a travel day to Iganga, Uganda. We were met by Pastor Daniel Mugeni. We had a day-long pastoral conference at Pastor Mugeni's church on Wednesday, with eight in attendance including Joel Krafft and myself. This was in important gathering, since the formation of the Church of the Lutheran Confession in Uganda is still in its early stages. There was lively discussion, and all agreed that the next conference should be longer than a single day.

L to R: Absolom, Norman, J. Krafft, Milton, Wilberforce, Tanas, B. Naumann, Daniel Mugeni

Our day-long conference at Pastor Mugeni's church in Iganga, Uganda

We were given a tour of the Mugeni home, which is also the location of the "Hope Centre Uganda" orphanage which they operate. Besides the children of Pastor Daniel and his wife, Ida, they feed and house 20 orphaned children, while also raising them in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. 

The children of the "Hope Centre" Orphanage at the Mugeni home in Iganga

You may see a clip of the children singing HERE.
Pastor and Mrs. Mugeni with a message of thanks is HERE.

After another travel day on Thursday, we arrived in Kisii, Kenya which is near the small village of Etago. Friday found us at St. David's academy in Etago, which has an enrollment of 147 students in PreK though grade 6. We conferred with the headmaster and teachers about the operation of the school, and its religious curriculum in particular. 

The children of St. David's Academy - see a video clip HERE.

The teaching staff of St. David's Academy

Elder Pius, Pastor Fred, Pastor Enosh, B.N. and J.K.

On Saturday we met again with the CLCK leadership, Pastors Fred and Enosh, and Elder Joshua. Our focus was on the current activities and future opportunities for the churches of the CLCK. We also met with a new contact, Pastor Peter Ombogo, who leads an independent Lutheran church in Kisii. It was good for him to meet the pastors of the CLCK.

We traveled about an hour to reach the countryside CLCK church in Chotororo and to join them for worship. After a lunch at the home of Pastor Fred, we got back on the road for the long ride to Nairobi.

Worship at the Chotororo church - about 20 were present

Pastor Francis was the liturgist, and I preached on "The Poor Man and Rich Lazarus"

Pastor Fred, his wife Eunice, and their daughter. Their son Eubank (not pictured) is
a student at Wittenberg Seminary in Arusha, Tanzania. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know our Kenyan and Ugandan brothers and sisters better, and to encourage them in their work for our Lord's kingdom. It was also very beneficial to have Pastor Paul Nolting of Valentine, NE in Arusha during my absence. He taught at the seminary, which was much appreciated by the students. See their brief note of thanks in the video clip HERE.

In short, there were many things about this trip that did NOT go as planned, that is, according to OUR plans. We are confident that everything did, in fact, go according to the plans of our gracious God, and we pray for His continued guidance and blessing for all our endeavors!

"A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

2024, "The Year of the Lord's Favor" in East Africa

Greetings from Moi's Bridge, Kenya,

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives  and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” Luke 4:18-19

We have entered another "year of the Lord's favor" here in East Africa. Wherever Jesus is blessing His people with the truth of His Word, especially the Gospel of His forgiving grace, we are blessed beyond measure. This remains true despite any material lack we may face, or crosses we may be called upon to bear. It has been a very active and productive few weeks since my return to Tanzania! A few highlights:

• January 8 - I arrived back in Arusha.
  
  
• January 15 - First day of the new school year at Wittenberg Seminary. We have 6 students in the 3-year seminary program and 3 new students in the first-year evangelism program.
  
  
• January 23-25 - TCLC pastoral conference in Moshi, about 60 miles east of Arusha. We had 35 in attendance (including a few pastors' wives and laymen). Studies included Pastoral Responsibilities by Robert Loskira, Questions and Bible Answers about Baptizing Children by Bruce Naumann (view/download HERE), and a Scriptural Study of the Lord's Supper by Pastor Paul Nolting (view/download HERE). We also had regular devotions, brief reports from the attending pastors, and a closing Communion service. This was a rare and very beneficial occasion for this small, conservative Lutheran fellowship, for which we thank God!
  
  
• Pastor Paul Nolting arrived on Wednesday the 24th to come to the conference, and is teaching at Wittenberg Seminary while I am traveling with Mission Board Chairman Joel Krafft to visit our churches in Kenya and Uganda. 
  
  
• January 26 to February 5 - the visitation to the CLC-Kenya and to our Ugandan contacts had been planned for four of us. However, Ted Quade has a very painful knee condition and Pastor Jeremia of Arusha is recovering from an illness, so it's Joel Krafft and I on this trip. We arrived today in Moi's Bridge and will visit here tomorrow and Monday. Then it's on to Uganda, then back to Kisii in Kenya, and finally home. I hope to send a summary and some photos once we've seen all our fellow Christians here. 

Some photos follow; click to enlarge. Your support and prayers are appreciated, for the growth of God's kingdom here in East Africa, and for faithfulness to all the teachings of Scripture in our fellowship here!

Our student body (except for 1) and teachers for 2024

Our 3 new Evangelism students (left to right) Dennis, Jacob, and Brian (and teacher R. Loskira)

Conference photo, with seminary students

Pastor Robert Loskira addresses the TCLC Pastoral Conference in Moshi

A view of Mt. Kilimanjaro graced our conference from time to time

Pastor Nolting, presenting on the Lord's Supper
You may see a short video clip of his presentation HERE.

Pastor Jeremia greeting the conference

Joel Krafft and I, traveling in Kenya