Unless the LORD Builds the House...

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 September HERE.

During the September Wittenberg Seminary break we took advantage of the time off to visit a number of TCLC outlying congregations. The first visit was a flight to Zanzibar Island, where Pastor Peter Msifune leads a congregation made up mostly of migrant construction workers. Later in September we drove, with Pastor Jeremia, to visit pastors and churches in mainland Tanzania. To give you an idea of where these places are:

Our main purposes were to strengthen our brothers and sisters in faith, and to conduct local outreach by projecting the "Jesus Film," twice in the Swahili language and once with the Maasai version. The script for this film is entirely from the Gospel of Luke. The pastors then have the opportunity to conduct an ongoing Bible study on Luke's Gospel, with a study guide which I provide for them.

In this way we hope to assist the churches in our fellowship with building God's house, in the sense of 1 Peter 2:5 "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 

In many of these places the people are in need of a literal house of worship. They may be in homes, or in rented buildings, or in simple structures of stick-and-mud walls with bare floors. Part of the work of our CLC Mission Development Fund (MDF) is to assist these people with church building. In every case the congregations themselves are to provide the majority of the resources, such as donated land, blocks for building, volunteer labor, etc. The MDF then may assist with finishing materials, like the metal sheeting for the roof. Sometimes there is a long wait for these funds, because of MDF places priority on funding seminaries, on-going pastoral training, Bibles and Christian literature, and the like. Patience is often needed, but bit by bit God's house grows, both in a physical and, more importantly, spiritual sense.

In all of our efforts it is important to keep in mind that real growth in God's kingdom depends on His gracious will and the power of His Word: "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain," Psalm 127:1. We look to Him for His gracious will and blessing on our work!

Photos from the trips follow; click to enlarge. First, from the flight to Zanzibar Island:

Pastor Peter Msifune of Zanzibar (left) and some church members

Pastor Msifune and congregation, following the "Jesus Film"

We enjoyed the sights of Zanzibar Island during some free time

Next, our trip in the trusty Toyota Rav4 to Moshi, the Maasai Ruvu District, and Korogwe:

Meeting in Moshi with some TCLC Himo area pastors and elders

Overland across the dusty tracks in Maasai land, to Pastor Israel's church

Pastor Israel, his wife and children, and some nieces and nephews

Permanent church under construction

At 10 pm the church gathered for the start of the "Jesus Film" at Pastor Israel's church

Next morning - inspecting the Maasai cattle

Pastor Israel, seminary student Lazaro, Pastor Jeremia, and me in my Maasai "shuka"

Setting up for the "Jesus Film" in Korogwe

The crowd grew considerably as the film progressed

After Sunday church in Korogwe (Pastor Kimemele on my right)

With the September break now over, classes have resumed for the six students at Wittenberg Seminary here in Arusha. By God's grace we'll finish the school year with graduation on November 30.

FOR MORE CLC Foreign Missions News,

See Missionary Todd Ohlmann's blog HERE

"Making Do"

  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 July HERE, and her journal for August HERE.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12

One of the striking features about life here in Tanzania is the way most people get by on very little compared to the prosperity we enjoy in the U.S.A. For example, many American children have shelves and closets full of toys. Here it's common to see the neighborhood children enjoying themselves immensely with playthings made from discarded items, such as this homemade top, tire and stick, rag-ball, and homemade pull toys:

Few of our neighbors have a refrigerator. Even if someone gave them one, they wouldn't have much use for it, because they lack enough income to buy food for more than a day or two in advance. In addition, the electricity to run such an appliance would be an added financial burden. 

Yet, both children and adults generally seem to have a bright outlook on life, as they "make do" with what they have in terms of earthly wealth.

Wittenberg Seminary and our sister churches here in East Africa also get a lot practice in "making do." Many of the churches have no building of their own, and those that do often have to get by with a stick-and-mud structure like Pastor Bayo's church in Karatu:

Our seminary students have nothing like the extensive modern campus enjoyed at most American universities, or even facilities like our modest ILC accommodations in Eau Claire. They "make do" with small, simple dormitory rooms and classrooms:

"Making do" is what Paul wrote about in the Philippians verse quoted above. He had learned the secret of contentment, regardless of material abundance or lack thereof. He was content because of the overabundant riches of God's grace in Christ, which are also ours through faith in Jesus. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9

People sometimes like to jokingly say, "No money – no money problems!" There is some truth in this on a certain level, but we often meet people here in East Africa who have severe problems because of lack of resources. We Americans are fabulously wealthy in comparison to most of the people in less privileged parts of the world. This can present us with challenges as we seek the best way to impart God's true riches to them. While we dare not shut our hearts to those in obvious need with nowhere else to turn, we know that constant small and temporary fixes are not truly helpful to the people around us. 

Paul was content, no matter the outward circumstances, because of the true riches of God's grace in Christ. We aim to encourage the same kind of contentment that places its trust firmly in God's providence, in whatever station he has placed us. "Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." (1 Timothy 6:6-8) Yes, we do respond to dire outward needs as we have opportunity. Sometimes we recommend and channel help through our CLC Board of Missions; sometimes it is with our own modest offerings. The most important thing, though, is to hold forth the riches of the Gospel and to train others to do the same. In this way, the real treasures of forgiveness and life in Christ Jesus are imparted to many. This is the permanent wealth that gives true contentment. This goes beyond the grave, to life eternal!

Extras: Video of the Wittenberg Seminary Choir, August 3, 2025 at Ambureni Worship:

At the home of Pastor Jeremia, with his daughter Maggie and granddaughter Malaika:

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FOR MORE CLC Foreign Missions News,

See Missionary Todd Ohlmann's blog HERE

"In Spirit and in Truth"

 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 June HERE.

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

At Jacob's well, a Samaritan woman was greatly surprised that Jesus, a Jewish man, had asked her for a drink of water. After offering her something far greater, "living water," Jesus then made her thirsty in a spiritual sense. He pointed out her sin with his miraculous knowledge that she had been married five times previously and was living with a man who was not her husband. Recognizing Jesus as a prophet, she asked him a pressing question - which was the correct place to worship? Was it there in Samaria, on Mount Gerazim, or in Jerusalem? Jesus' answer was that the place no longer mattered -- "The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." (John 4:23)

The same is true today. The place no longer matters; neither does language of worship or the outward culture of the worshipers. What matters is, first of all, that the people worship in "spirit." Because of the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart, God is pleased by worship that comes from hearts that truly trust in his Son Jesus, the only Savior of sinners. The short video here shows highlights from a recent church service here near Arusha where believers gather together to worship in spirit:

(After play starts, click on the box next to "YouTube" to see full screen)

Before the service: "Mama Paula" and the children of Pastor Robert and Rachel Loskira.

The other essential for God-pleasing worship has to do with truth. Our only source of truth is found in the verbally inspired Word of God. Here at Wittenberg Lutheran Seminary we ask God to bless our efforts to instruct our future pastors with the complete truth of the Bible. The students are trained to carefully study God's Word to prepare for preaching and teaching. They practice sermons and instruction classes among their fellow students, and then present them "live" at Ambureni parish. Here are a few photos of our work in action (click to enlarge):

Wittenberg students prior to class, trying to stay warm in July (Tanzania's winter)

Pastor Loskira leading opening devotions.

Each Thursday the students enjoy baked treats from "Mama Paula"

Wittenberg Seminary faculty - B. Naumann, Jeremia Issangya, new professor Tobias Mbise (filling the vacancy left when Nathan Lengutai retired), and Robert Loskira.

Pastor Andrew Bayo from the Karatu District, on his much-needed motorcycle for circuit riding. This was made possible through contributions to the CLC MDF.

In many ways, things are much different here in Tanzania when compared to our CLC-USA churches. Your Christian brothers and sisters here worship in a very different place, in a different language, and in the context of a different culture. Yet we are all one in Christ, for we worship together "in spirit and truth"!

FOR MORE CLC Foreign Missions News,

See Missionary Todd Ohlmann's blog HERE.

The Tie That Binds

 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 May HERE.

"Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34

The "Tie That Binds" is our mutual love for the LORD and his Word. This love for the Lord Jesus and for one another was on full display during our recent visitation to the churches of the Kenyan Church of the Lutheran Confession (KCLC). Pastor Jeremia and I, along with visiting missionary Todd Ohlmann, met in Nairobi to travel by Land Rover to Etago, Kenya. There we visited with the leaders and members. Our Sunday worship service at St. David's Academy was uplifting for all. Missionary Ohlmann was the preacher, and the children sang several songs.

Along with a number of pastors from Etago our Land Rover was full for the 5-hour trip to the Moi's Bridge area. There we had a 2-day pastoral conference and convention. I presented on the distinctive teachings of a confessional Lutheran church, and Todd Ohlmann presented on the interpretation of parables and the meaning of the "Kingdom of God." We also heard reports from KCLC officers, and made progress in updating the KCLC Constitution. These KCLC members rarely have the opportunity for fellowship, and this event was a great benefit for all, to gain wisdom from God's Word and to firm up the "Tie that Binds." 

[Click to enlarge]

Our route

Missionary Todd Ohlmann preaching in Etago, Kenya

A video clip of Missionary Ohlmann's message is HERE.

KCLC President Enosh Anyona delivering his report

Pastor Calvin Luvisha of Kitale, Kenya, preaching for the KCLC conference Communion service

KCLC Conference delegates and guests

Following the trip, we are now finishing up the final two weeks of Wittenberg Seminary classes here in Arusha, prior to the June break. I will be visiting with family, preaching and presenting at several congregations, and attending the CLC General Pastoral Conference, June 17-19. Both Paula and I return to Tanzania, God willing, on July 1.

Wittenberg Seminary students and dorm mother, May of 2025

Class in progress with teacher Robert Loskira

Wittenberg Seminary Dean in his office

We are thankful for the "Tie That Binds" us with our fellow Christians here in East Africa, as well as elsewhere overseas, and of course with all of you in the CLC-USA. The more that we love one another as Christ has loved us, the stronger these ties will become, and in this way the light of our Gospel message will shine ever more brightly!

FOR MORE CLC Foreign Missions News,
See Missionary Todd Ohlmann's blog HERE.

Eyes on the Prize

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. 

Conference of Pastors and inquirers near Karatu, April 14-15

"Teaching Martin Luther's Small Catechism" workshop

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.