"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

Pray for Those in Need this Christmastime

Advent blessings to you and yours! 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, (1 Timothy 2:1)

Please remember our brothers and sisters in Christ in the area of Mbulu, Tanzania. The north part of the country has been inundated with torrential rains, flooding, and mudslides. This has caused many deaths (see the news story HERE). We are thankful that none of our church members there have died. There are some, however, who have lost property and are in temporary shelters. Pastor Jeremia will be going there soon to help distribute relief to our affected TCLC members. 

This comes at a time when other natural disasters and emergencies are challenging our fellow Christians in a number of our foreign mission fields. The recent earthquake in Nepal, political unrest and persecution in Myanmar, and the severe typhoon in India are all heavy burdens for the people in our sister churches. Please look for announcements from our Board of Missions about how to help, and pray for our LORD's care in their time of need.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:16)

Paula and I are in the U.S. for Christmas. I'll be returning to Tanzania in early January for the start of the next school year, and Paula will follow in early February. Paula's Tanzania Journal entry, with all the latest news and photos for November, is HERE. I preached an Advent/missions sermon at Messiah, Hales Corners on December 3; the video is HERE. 

Meanwhile, please ask our LORD for His blessings on upcoming events:

• Pray that He will grant safe and uneventful travel back to Arusha for Paula and me.
• Pray that He will grant the safe arrival of the students for the start of the next school year at Wittenberg Seminary, starting on January 15.
• Pray that He will grant a successful TCLC pastoral conference, involving about 35 clergy and students, from January 23-25 in Moshi (about 50 miles east of Arusha).
• Pray that He will grant mutual growth and encouragement as Pastor Jeremia, Teacher Ted Quade, and I visit our brothers and sisters in Kenya and Uganda during our travels to Etago, Iganga, and Moi's Bridge from January 26 to February 4.
• Pray that He will grant safe travel and rewarding work for Pastor Paul Nolting, who will be teaching at Wittenberg Seminary while I am away in Kenya and Uganda.

May our LORD richly bless you and yours as we prepare to welcome, once again, our newborn Savior this Christmas!

Celebrating Grace!

"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior..." Titus 3:5-6

In the previous post I linked to portions of Paula's Tanzania journal, which she writes for our family. It has additional "newsy" items that are of interest. You can read Paula's journal summary for October HERE.

It has been an eventful couple of weeks here in Tanzania, with many blessings from our LORD! On November 5, Paula and I traveled to the Maasai village of Mbyuni where my fellow seminary teacher, Robert Loskira, serves as pastor. A little background: less than two years ago Pastor Robert started this church with only five members - himself, his wife, and their three children. They had left the Pentecostal church after Robert came into contact with the truth about God's grace and his Means of Grace. The congregation now numbers about 50. Pastor Robert has been preparing them for some time to welcome God's grace in Holy Baptism for their children. He invited me to participate in the service, during which 11 children received this washing of regeneration! Here are a few pictures (click to enlarge):

Before the service, at the Loskira home. Rachel presented Paula with a Maasai necklace.

The 11 children and their parents, at the front of the church

Calling each child by name, I baptized them saying "Nakubatiza wewe [name], katika jina la Baba, na la Mwana, na la Roho Mtakatifu, Amen." The members cried out for joy each time, and I'm sure the angels sang, too! Video clips of the baptisms are HERE, HERE, and HERE. 

The congregation sang its closing song outside the church door - video HERE. 

Just yesterday (Nov. 12) there was another baptism, as well as a confirmation, here at Pastor Jeremia's church. Miriam was baptized into the name of the Triune God, and also confessed her faith and promised to be faithful to God's Word in the rite of confirmation.

Miriam's confirmation

Outside the church with Pastor Robert, Pastor Jeremia, Miriam, myself, and Miriam's friend who served as her attendant

Gathering outside the church after the baptism and confirmation worship service

That afternoon Miriam's family hosted a large gathering of family and friends to celebrate the occasion. Yes, that's a whole roasted goat!

Meanwhile, the Wittenberg Seminary students are taking their final exams this week. On Sunday our three students in the first-year Evangelism program will graduate. Paula and I return to the U.S. on November 26 and will be back in Tanzania for the next school year, which begins in January. A few more photos:

Between classes at the seminary

Paula painted a New Testament Bible map on the back wall of the seminary classroom

There's a Pizza Hut in Arusha!

We feel incredibly blessed to be witnesses of, and participants in, God's outpouring of Grace through his Word and Sacrament here! We're very much looking forward to seeing family and friends the U.S. during December. God be with you all.