In this blog I write mostly about the work we do. If you'd like to get some insights about our life here in Tanzania, see Paula's journal entry for January HERE.
"We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4)
During our recent student orientation for the new school year, I asked Eubank, a 2nd-year seminary student, what my favorite Swahili word is. He knew right away that it was "Kazi," which means WORK. From time to time I remind my students that a lot of Gospel-motivated people in the CLC-USA support the seminary so that our students can study full time, with room and board provided. Whenever they groan a little about class schedules or homework I smile, pound my fist in my palm, and say "Kazi! Kazi! Kazi!" Paula made me a custom coffee mug which we keep in the classroom to remind us of this very thing. We need to make the best use of our time together so that the students will know God's Word well, and how to serve their people with that saving Word of God in the future.
There have been many blessings as a result of the "kazi" that the CLC supports here. The Word is being studied and preached, Bibles and Luther's Catechism are being provided to people in their own language, and God's grace is being poured out in Holy Baptism. See the photos below (click to enlarge):
In Iganga, Uganda, church members have the Bible in their native Luganda language for the first time!
More church members, in Kampala, Uganda with their own Luganda Bibles
Pastor Jasper graduated from Wittenberg seminary last November. Now at home in Moi's Bridge, Kenya, he is preaching and conducting Catechism classes.
February 2 worship service in Mbuyuni, Tanzania - a Maasai village where Robert Loskira is pastor
I was privileged to baptize four children at the service in Mbuyuni.
Mothers and babies, happy for God's outpouring of grace in Baptism
Some of this year's students at Wittenberg Seminary, Arusha, enjoying "Mama Paula's" baking
Please pray for the upcoming trip Paula and I will make to Uganda, Feb. 12-19. Pastor Andrew Schaller, who serves on the CLC Board of Doctrine, will join me for doctrinal visits with the independent Confessional Lutheran Synod of Uganda (CLSU) in Ibanda. We will also have a pastoral conference with the clergy of the Confessional Church of the Reformation of Uganda (CCRU), with whom we are already in fellowship.
It's not all work all the time, of course. For an example of the lighter side of Tanzanian seminary life, see the video clip
HERE.
