In this blog I write mostly about the work we do. If you'd like to get some insights about our daily life here in Tanzania, see Paula's journal entry for April HERE.
"For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God." 1 Timothy 4:10
Here in East Africa we are still basking in the glow of Easter resurrection joy. The children of Ambureni church, Arusha, sang:
Siku ya furaha, siku ya uzima, Yesu Kristo afufuka!
Watu kifungoni, wamefunguliwa, Furahini, furahini Wakristo!
[A day of joy, a day of life, Jesus Christ is risen!
People in prison, they have been released. Rejoice, rejoice Christians!]
As Paul writes in 1 Timothy, "we have set our hope on the LIVING God." The certainty of Jesus' victory over sin and death for us, and the fact that He is truly living as our King today, makes our work here a joy. This is not to say that every part is enjoyable, but the final outcome of our efforts is assured in the risen Christ.
A few weeks ago we took advantage of time off of seminary classes to visit the men of the Karatu district of the TCLC, about 3 hours west of Arusha. We had presentations on the book of Acts, a Catechism instruction workshop, and preaching on the resurrection of Christ.
Robert Loskira, Jeremia Issangya, and me at the conference lunch
Paula and I sang "A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth," in Swahili, for Good Friday services
Classes have resumed at Wittenberg Seminary following Spring break
Visiting Missionary Todd Ohlman, Pastor Jeremia and I are looking forward to visiting the pastors and churches of the Kenya Church of the Lutheran Confession (KCLC), May 16-21. Please ask our Lord to give us safe travel, and to prosper our work of strengthening our brothers and sisters in Christ in Kenya!Paula leaves for the U.S. on May 14, and I will follow on June 1. Our stay in the U.S. will feature family visits, a new grandson, the wedding of our son Grant and his fiancé Shaina, the CLC General Pastoral Conference, and visits to several CLC congregations for preaching and missions presentations.
FOR MORE CLC Foreign Missions News,
See Missionary Todd Ohlmann's blog HERE.