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A few months have already passed since we returned to Switzerland - high time to give you a little insight into what happened in the six months in Tanzania before we leave again.

Our next departure to Tanzania is already fixed: we will leave on January 27, 2025, and if everything goes according to plan, we will land safely back in Kloten (ZH) on July 4, 2025. It is a great gift for us that the Bodenhöfer family will accompany and support us throughout our stay.

Our vision remains unchanged: To make disciples following the example of Jesus, to train local people and to enable them to live and pass on their faith independently.

For us, this means:
1. Investing in people of peace
2. Evangelism - finding people of peace
3. Social help - but not without evangelism

In this newsletter, we are focusing on investing in people of peace, but will follow up with the other points:

You can read here what that actually looked like:

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Investing in people of peace

1st Bishop Dr. Daniel A. Ouma:

Daniel is our most important contact personin Musoma, Tanzania. God has used him in an impressive way to reach many people in Tanzania and beyond. He and his team have planted numerous churches, and through his work many doors are being opened wide for the saving gospel - not only in Tanzania, but also in the surrounding countries.

Of course, the enemy is also aware of this. The devil tries by all means to strain relationships by sowing mistrust between us and the employees. His aim is to bring the work to a standstill. But we know what the Bible teaches us:

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)

It is therefore crucial to remain vigilant and not allow ourselves to be distracted by cultural or external circumstances - even if this is not always easy. It is particularly important to actively maintain and strengthen the relationship with Daniel and his family.

After moving into the Mission House, we started inviting the Ouma family to stay with us - whether it be for meals together, relaxed conversations or times of fun and games. Such moments help us to deepen our relationship and grow in the unity we so desperately need to spread the Gospel.

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2. go to the "synagogues" (congregations)

Just as Paul first visited the synagogues back then, we have also visited various churches on Sundays that are part of the church network that Daniel founded. Our main focus is on the gospel, the mission of making disciples and leading people into a deep, personal relationship with God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Our desire is for them to leave their old life completely behind.

The men were usually invited to preach, and afterwards we often had the opportunity to pray for the people. Many decided to live with Jesus, experienced healing, deliverance or a personal touch from God.

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3. discipleship schools in Nyabange

The "Discipleship School - Nyabange" project is still under construction. Unfortunately, the construction work on the mission house has taken up more financial resources than originally planned. Our focus is now on starting the construction of the discipleship house. This house will enable us to provide accommodation for people we are discipling locally and at the same time welcome volunteers.

We are receiving more and more requests from people who would like to come to us for a short assignment. We are happy to fulfill such requests wherever possible. After all, it is part of our mission to strengthen the body of Christ and provide others with valuable experiences for their spiritual growth. At the same time, we are still in a pioneering phase in which we are particularly reliant on experienced and energetic staff. The construction of the Discipleship House is an important milestone in advancing our work sustainably and supporting people in the best possible way - whether locally or in sharing the gospel.

3.1 Train existing disciples in the Word and in evangelism

In the last newsletter, we reported on the Bible study that we had started. We continued this throughout the entire time. Edward, who we wrote about in the newsletter of 3.10.2023 told you about.

It became clear how important it is to guide the disciples to read and understand the Bible themselves instead of relying solely on teachings they have heard. Together with them, we regularly went to the villages to visit new believers, preach the gospel and help with the healing plan. As already mentioned in the newsletter of 9.9.2023 people come to the church from all directions to receive prayer for a wide variety of concerns. So we were always able to put what we had learned into practice.

3.2 New converts - Consolidate, train, send out ...

We regularly visited two villages in particular: Majengo and Bisumwa.

In Bisumwa, it was particularly encouraging to see a new community emerge. The impetus for this came from a woman who we had trained in preaching the gospel the year before.

On her business trips, she explained the gospel everywhere and met people in Bisumwa who were hungry for God's Word. She asked us for support, so we went to Bisumwa several times to preach the gospel from house to house. We also prayed for the people, and God healed and delivered many. The openness was great and several people decided to be baptized.

Before the baptism, we taught in detail about what baptism means and what it means to follow Jesus. There were individual discussions with the baptized - always with translation, of course.

After baptism, we met regularly twice a week with the small group for Bible study and fellowship. The meetings took place outside under a mango tree. Joel brought his guitar and everyone had their Bible with them. It was usually very interactive and personal. We were always joined by other people who had heard or seen us - including some alcoholics from a nearby bar. In this way, the newly baptized believers experienced how God immediately used them to serve others and share the good news .

Nevertheless, we noticed time and again how deeply the traditional understanding of the church is anchored in people's minds. In the past, we as "whites" have unfortunately not only done the Africans a good turn with our idea of church. Today, many are dominated by clear ideas of what a church should "look like": with a building, lectern, large jukeboxes and a hierarchical structure of so-called "services" and "men of God".

Tithing in particular is often preached very legally, which puts many people under pressure. It is not uncommon for them to stay away from church services if they cannot give money. It always requires a lot of wisdom and sensitivity to address such issues - especially when they hinder growth and biblical discipleship.

Our heartbeat is to encourage people to orient themselves to the Word of God and to live the values of the Kingdom of God. Instead of clinging to traditions and cultural patterns that block spiritual life and growth, they should find freedom and new perspectives in the Gospel.

3.3 Train leaders such as bishops, pastors, translators, youth & children's leaders ...

In the last newsletter, we asked for prayers for translators - a request that remains topical. But God answered our prayers and gave us Maria, who we knew from our first stay in Tanzania. She speaks very good English and was available at the time, so she accompanied us everywhere and translated for us. This time also became valuable discipleship training for her.
Edward, whom we mentioned earlier, was also with us during his university summer break. He not only supported us as a translator, but also experienced a formative time that gave him valuable impulses for his personal faith and ministry.

We were able to hold a total of three camps: a pastors' seminar, a kids' camp and a youth leaders' camp. All three events were very different, but incredibly valuable in their own way.

Pastors & Leaders - Camp

We are so grateful for how open the pastors are to the full, saving gospel. At the same time, we see how strongly they are still influenced by traditions that American or European missionaries brought to Africa in the past. This affects areas such as the understanding of the church as a living body and family, lived discipleship, questions of leadership and the handling of finances.
However, it is encouraging to see how Daniel is prepared to question such things. Our great desire is to engage in even more intensive exchange on the basis of the Word of God, so that it is not human cultures but the kingdom of God that becomes the standard for our actions.

Kids - Camp

The camp was a very special experience for the children - for many it was the first time in their lives. Despite challenges such as power and water cuts or the cold nights, we once again realized how little most of the children had. Some only had a single item of clothing with them. At the same time, we were impressed by the uncomplicated nature of the African children, who squeezed themselves into a tent without any problems and simply made the best of the situation.

It was our heartfelt wish that the children could experience God personally during this time. And that is exactly what happened: God touched the children's hearts, especially during the devotional times. After an input from Daniel, the Holy Spirit began to move the children. One by one, they came forward and confessed things that were bothering them to God and the other children. Their honesty was deeply moving: "Jesus, forgive me for killing a turtle for no reason" or "Forgive me for throwing stones at dogs even though they didn't hurt me." In childlike simplicity, these moments led to deep, sincere repentance. They were precious and moving moments for all of us.

Youth - Leaders Camp

At the youth leadership camp, our focus was on familiarizing the leaders with the healthy gospel and giving them practical tools to strengthen others in their faith. One of the highlights was witnessing an atmosphere of deep repentance through the translation of a tongues message. The participants were deeply moved, began to weep and openly confessed their sins. Some were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in new tongues themselves. Others experienced deliverance or healing. God's presence was palpable and tangible during this time - for everyone personally.

Of course, there is much more to report. We are still very much in need of your prayer support. We are grateful to be part of the body of Christ and to fulfill the ministry God has called us to. We also want to encourage you to do "the ministry" or "the task" to which God has called you.

As one who is in prison for his confession to the Lord, I ask you now: Remember that God has called you to faith, and live a life worthy of that calling! (Ephesians 4:1)

Best wishes and God's rich blessing
Joël & Anita with Isea, Janis, Lionel, Amélie

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