| TANZANIA |
Pastors'
conference |
 art
of our mission aim was to give support and encouragement to
a group of pastors working under Hezron's leadership from
all over Tanzania.
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The
Tanzanian pastors at the conference
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The conference hit difficulties even before we arrived; 20
pastors had been invited - nearly 50 turned up! The increased
numbers caused poor Hezron a huge logistical and financial
headache, but it did all get sorted out in the end.
The pastors were a group of some of the most humble people
we've been privileged to meet. Many work in difficult areas,
ranging from work with very poor communities to ministries
in Tanzania's high-security prison in Mwanza.
Some had travelled hundreds of miles at their own expense
to attend the conference. In Tanzania, coach travel is prohibited
at night. On poor roads a journey of five hundred miles can
take two or three days.
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David
teaching, John Bosco interpreting at the pastor's conference
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Over two days, David, Sadiki and John Bosco led teaching
on a variety of subjects, from what it means to be the Good
Shepherd, to how to encourage and inspire members of your
congregation to become leaders in the church.
The pastors greatly appreciated the time at the conference
- many have contacted Bishop Hezron since to express their
thanks at how useful the teaching has been to their work.
From our point of view, it was as much a blessing for us to
spend time with them. Many of them work in circumstances that
we would find difficult, if not unbearable. Despite the pressures,
they showed us a patient grateful acceptance, and a delight
in the Lord (their worship was an utter joy) that was quite
humbling to witness.
| PLEASE PRAY - |
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that the Holy Spirit will continue to strengthen
and encourage these pastors |
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that physical as well as spiritual resources
and support will be made available for their ministries |
| PLEASE GIVE - |
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your time and skills - learning medical,
administrative, teaching, construction and many other
skills is so important for many of these people. |
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financially - a gift to Great Lakes (Africa)
Mission will support needy people in Central and East
Africa. |
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Rev.
Triphone and his Congolese wife Nehema
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And finally....
The conference took place at a bungalow that holds a church
led by Reverend Triphone, an friend of Hezron, with his wife
Nehema (see photo left).
David preached at the church/bungalow on the Sunday morning.
Every room was packed, which made preaching quite an achievement
- David had to go from room to room (with his interpreter)
to make sure everyone had understood what he had said! Ken
had a far easier ride preaching at a church on the edge of
Arusha - he had the luxury of a stage and John Bosco's
wonderful translation skills (although he did say the church
was rather dark).
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