The Serengeti with the Freedluns

During our ten-day vacation to Mwanza we consulted Scott and July on tourist activities and Scott mentioned Serengeti.

It hadn’t occurred to me that, though Arusha is the starting point for most of the Serengeti safaris, Mwanza is far closer (to the opposite end of the massive nature reserve.) Since the Freedluns have their own 4x4 and since we figured we could easily do a safari in a single day we decided that we couldn’t miss this opportunity. Serengeti safaris from Arusha are costly because they last at least three days on account of the long round trip to reach the park. Finally we’ve been to all five parks in the north of Tanzania and taken in another of its ‘must-see’ attractions.

So after doing a little asking around and buying a little map, off we headed on the 90-minute drive to Serengeti. Our enquiries revealed that we were fortunate on another count: that the famous animal migration would be passing through that western end of the park during July.

We’ve all seen these animals in captivity, but it’s really a different, more intense experience to see the real wild animals in their own habitats, doing what they do.

Here are a few of the photos we took.

Wildebeest – walking lumps of silverside, the reason for the great Serengeti migration.

Teeth still bloody from a recent kill.

This image gives the impression of the migration – we’re surrounded by wildebeest on all sides.

Vultures pick the bones of an unfortunate wildebeest clean, after the lion’s share has been taken.

I’ve never had such a clear view of a hippo before. Just look at the scratchmarks on his hide.

Nile crocs like this one grow up to six metres (18 feet) in length. This was some way off that, but impressive all the same.

Mike & Cath’s Tanzania Project

Following Mum’s sudden death in November Avril and I were home and staying with my dear elder brother Michael and his wife Cath.

A couple of years earlier the two of them had considered coming out to Tanzania to set up shop here for a while, and finally moved to Dunoon. As well they did, since shortly after Dad suddenly died and Mike and Cath were able to look after Mum, who needed their support.

When Mum died Mike and Cath could no longer see any reason to stay and they came to check things out early in the month of January. They stayed for three months, by which time they had made some new friends here and had a taste of the ministry here too. By the end of their visit they had made up their minds to come to Tanzania for at least a year and booked their tickets to return for June.

So they’ve been with us for several weeks now and have settled into their own place up on the hill less than a mile from our place. For the time being it is their intention to remain with the Central (English language) congregation, but meanwhile they are making efforts to learn Swahili.

We’re thrilled to have them here with us, preaching with them each week. In July and August they’re both auxiliary pioneers, and starting in September Mike will go regular. Congratulations to you both!

Ministry Update

After reporting Joffrey’s baptism in January, I neglected to mention that Luka’s baptism followed in April. If you don’t remember too much about him, read the blog dated December 22 of last year.

These few months later he has enrolled as a regular auxiliary pioneer. Since he’s still pretty young, probably 21 now, I have high hopes for this student who started his study with Scott less than one year before.

Moussa Kileopa, the subject of a blog at around the same time, was also baptised on the same day. Moussa’s wife Elizabeth is now a publisher and his two adorable little daughters accompany them both regularly to the meetings.

In line with society direction, both studies continue in Remain in God’s Love.

Graham White’s visit

(CONTRIBUTED)

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says: ‘Now there are varieties of gifts, but there is the same spirit; and there are varieties of ministries, and yet there is the same Lord; and there are varieties of operations, and yet it is the same God who performs all the operations in all persons.

Later in that same chapter it talks about the body with its many different members, it refers to the many different people that make up God’s organisation.

My experiences in Tanzania really helped me appreciate the trueness of the above words, I met so many people who do so many things in Jehovah’s service, the literal fulfilment of a scripture is not what I expected to be taking from Tanzania but I am more than happy that I did and for this one reason alone I would say to anyone to go and have the same wonderful experiences that I did.

Steve and Avril really looked after me and made me feel safe which was greatly appreciated but they also helped me go places and meet the brothers and sisters of Tanzania which made my time with them so special.

Whilst I was with Steve and Avril we attended the Kusini congregation, I went to both English and Swahili meetings and at that time next to the kingdom hall a new missionary home was being built and I expect that this is now finished and serving the needs of the missionaries very well.

Yes within those first few days of arriving I had met, Need Greaters, Pioneers, International Construction Volunteers and a Circuit Overseer who hugged me so tight that I think this is how Jehovah God would hug us if he could and of course I met those that make up the congregations of Kusini, its not an easy life in Tanzania and the brothers and sisters are poor and have many problems with health and generally just living but they serve Jehovah very faithfully and despite hardship love the truth.

I went on field service whilst there and it was amazing, so much respect for God’s word and such respectful people in general whilst working from door to door, I also went with Steve and Avril on their studies and that was for me an eye opener to the conditions that some people live and work in, yet they took time out of their day to sit and learn about Jehovah God, it was a real humbling experience, I shall never complain again about my life or anything trivial in it.

On one of the weekends we travelled to a small neighbouring congregation and stayed with Musa and Sarah and their two children Samwali and Gracie they have a small farm which they share with their close family, we pitched our tents behind their home and Musa and his wife looked after us with there meagre means but still they treat us with such kindness, again we went on service and on the Sunday Steve gave the talk in Swahili, we had 26 in attendance at the Kingdom Hall which consisted of a mud floor and walls made from wooden poles, polythene and vine arrangement we sat on small benches and I can honestly say it was the best meeting I have been too, I met some lovely people and those memories will stay close to me heart, our Sunday dinner after the meeting was a freshly killed chicken prepared with herbs and vegetables and the ugali bread, perfect.

Of course I did some touristy things also, a safari which included a lion killing a wilder beast and some days out swimming in some of the more upmarket hotel swimming pools relaxing and enjoying the sun.

But the things I enjoyed the most, the things I will always remember are those that showed me Jehovah’s wonderful organisation with its many avenues of service.

So, will I go back, I hope so with all my heart, would I recommend that you go, of course I will.

Thanks Steve and Avril for such a wonderful life experience.

Graham White

Comings and Goings

Being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is extraordinary for many reasons. One of them is that those of us who travel can find a welcome practically wherever they go, regardless of whether they personally know anyone at their destination. On many occasions I have benefited from such unselfish hospitality – a Bible word that really means ‘a love of strangers.’

Yesterday Avril and I said goodbye to a guest who has been with us for five months here in Arusha. Her name is Jennifer Oaks, and at the relatively tender age of 19 is already a zealous full time preacher. She’s from Forest Hill, California. Avril and I became quite fond of her!

Yes, it is one of the hardest things in this life to cope with that we get to know people with whom we share much common ground, rapidly become friends, sharing practical support, and then inevitably they leave to return to families and congregations that miss them. It is emotionally quite taxing. Better to have loved, though, and lost, than never to have loved at all.

On a more positive note, we have been able to welcome my elder brother Michael and his wife Cathy. They are here for three months for now. It is a real pleasure to see them enjoying the environment and getting to know friends we’ve made over the past three years. We are able to set aside a little time each day to help them in their study of the Swahili language. Avril and I are sharing the lessons between us, ‘good cop / bad cop.’

Also, on January 28, Avril’s parents arrived for a two-week visit. We’ve been looking forward to their trip here for a long time! This is their second visit to Tanzania – they also came back in December 2006, after we’d been here only three months. We’ve carved our little niche a bit more nicely since then – we’re quite a lot more comfortable, having moved house a couple of years ago. So it’s a real pleasure to share our lives and our daily experiences with them.

We have more to look forward to. Jean David Lerouge is a single MTS graduate assigned to Paris English. We knew him in Middlesbrough when we served in with the French groups there from 2003 to 2006. We’re looking forward to welcoming him here starting on March 1 for a couple of weeks.

Joffrey Joshua: Update!

I’m thrilled to write that on December 26, Joffrey was indeed baptised. Welcome to the congregation Joffrey!

Kimira Kingdom Hall Dedication

A couple of weeks ago I received a surprise envelope containing our invitation to the dedication of Kimira’s kingdom hall.

Regular readers will remember several posts to our blog about the travails of our dear brothers and sisters over there – they’ve been battling to finish their kingdom hall project for 5 years.

Following the involvement of one of Tanzania’s KH build teams, the hall was completed, making use of society funds.

The hall can hold about 60 to 70 people on plain wooden benches. It’s not fancy, but the high standards of construction certainly bring glory to Jehovah, and show doubting neighbours that Jehovah’s Witnesses is indeed a credible world religion. (When congregations here meet in the homes of our brothers they are often mocked. People assume that they don’t have God’s blessing if they don’t have a proper church building.)

The brothers in Kimira congregation were so happy when we went to see them on December 19. A short history of the kingdom work in the Kimira area was followed by a dedication talk by Rick Stringer our circuit overseer.

After that, the local brothers and sisters had gone to considerable effort and expense to feed their visitors, providing fizzy drinks and hot food to everyone present. There was quite a party atmosphere.

Congratulations, Kimira congregation!

Lucas Fabian

Lucas has been studying since Scott Freedlun contacted him during one of Lucas’ brief visits to Arusha between travels around the country. Scott met him at the kingdom hall the first time and they had a conversation about spiritual things. Lucas accepted a What does the Bible really teach? book and then disappeared for two months.

When he returned in January this year, all he wanted was the truth, and he began attending meetings regularly right away. That was back in January. It was obvious to everyone despite the fact that his formal study had barely started that Lucas was unusual.

By the time he reached chapter five of his formal study in March, he was already a kingdom publisher. Scott passed the study over to me and Now we’ve reached chapter 16. I’m hoping, as is Lucas, that he’ll be baptised in a forthcoming assembly.

In the meantime Lucas was looking for work and was struggling. You see, he’d given up his travelling job that he’d had before working for his brother so that he could get to all the meetings. The work had been fairly lucrative. But now he’s been able to get a job on the missionary home site as a construction labourer – they are paying salaries to brothers in order to secure their services day in, day out.

Spending all day with dedicated witnesses from Tanzania and from abroad has brought Lucas on a great deal. Now he’s looking for something to do after he gets baptised. Perhaps he’ll preach full time, serve at the branch office, or join the construction team full time. He’s been a great source of encouragement to the brothers and sisters because of his earnest desire to help others.

Joshua ‘Nusugari’ Shinga

Joshua Shinga and I

You might remember, some time back, that I mentioned this fine African gentlemen, who was studying with me during 2007. In fact, he studied from March 2007 until October 2008 with me, and also began attending many meetings. He was well known to the brothers, and regularly gave heartfelt comments at the watchtower study. Our coordinator came to me and asked me why Joshua was not yet a publisher.

However, there was a reason why. Many people here who consider themselves married are only married by common-law, in many cases co=habiting for decades and bearing several children together. This is the case with Joshua. His wife, unlike the Shauris (who are both reaching out for more privileges since their baptism last spring) is uncooperative and undermines Joshua’s efforts to train his large family spiritually. Last October Joshua seemed to have given up on the truth, and we didn’t see much of him for about a year. We went to speak with him now and then at his little bike repair shop, but he didn’t share much with us during those occasions.

Joffrey

During that period, his 18-year-old son Joffrey began studying. He didn’t have the obstacles that his father has, and he was quite zealous. He’s been a publisher since June, and he’s working towards baptism. I’ve recently done a story about Joffrey, and I’ll provide a fuller update soon. Joffrey’s younger brother Samwele is also studying with a brother in the congregation.

Since last month, though, Joshua has made a clear decision to take his stand. He is back at the meetings, and has made it his goal to become a publisher of the good news. He still doesn’t have his marriage certificate but he’s working towards it. (- Hebrews 13:4.)

How thrilled I was to see Joshua at a recent Sunday meeting with all five of his children!

The Shinga Family

His wife still is not interested in joining her family at Christian meetings, but we keep going to meet her and to reassure her of our love for her and the warm welcome she’ll receive.

Star Cup Lamech

The ministry has been going very nicely indeed lately for both Avril and I, as you’ll perhaps have noticed from recent blog entries.

The first call work is a delight. Once a publisher masters the language and spends a sufficiently long time greeting before coming to the task of preaching, he can enjoy excellent results. One challenge is distinguishing real interest from material greed, especially if you’re obviously from abroad.

Recently I had a excellent experience. Pete Jennings and I were doing some return visit work not far from our place when one householder explained that he would be available after half an hour or so, and that then we could have a conversation at leisure. We didn’t have any back up plan, so we headed for a fancy open-air coffee bar called Star-Cup to wet our whistles.

I struck up a conversation with the manager about absolute truth. Many people here feel that all religions lead to God, whether they teach what the bible says or not. But most are surprised at just how much of church teachings have no basis in scripture – on the contrary, they teach the opposite. I showed him a classic example from 1 John 5:19: that Satan rules. Almost all Christians and Muslims here are certain that God rules the world he created, but the bible asserts that ‘the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.’ (If, dear reader, you don’t know why, ask one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to give you a scriptural explanation.)

The manager, called Lamech, was quite surprised to read that. Then he began asking other questions, and since that short first conversation we’ve met four times, gradually building towards a formal bible study.

Each time Lamech sees for himself a new and unfamiliar bible truth there’s a twinkle of excitement in his eye and a big appreciative smile. I hope that my efforts will come to something, with God’s blessing. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Moussa Kileopa

I am often reluctant to accept new students because of my busy roster. Our local pioneer sister Anna Natai saw fit, as a result, to resort to underhanded means to convince me to take care of one man she’d met, back in April this year.

She agreed to take some of my lady calls from me in the same neighbourhood, and begged me until I couldn’t refuse. I learned a big lesson though!

Avril contacted Moussa the first time at his shoe repair shop by the roadside, where she gave him a tract or a magazine some time ago. The publication was enough to raise Moussa’s curiosity. He had been raised a nominal Muslim but soon became dissatisfied, exploring Christendom for a while with the local Assemblies of God. But he quickly recognised the ring of truth. Anna contacted Moussa next, and answered a few of his questions. Then she began studying with Moussa’s wife.

It was at this time that she asked me to begin conducting Moussa’s bible study. I did agree, and when I met Moussa, I was immediately impressed by his level of interest. He had already learned a good deal about the truth from Anna and from the publications he’d been able to read. Despite not having a good education, he had been able to study quite a bit on his own.

We started the study at chapter one of the What does the Bible really teach? book and rapidly made progress, assisted by Moussa’s zealous preparation for our little lessons.

In July he began asking how he could qualify to preach with the congregation, and the elders suggested he be given a little more time. This month Moussa qualified as a kingdom publisher, and I had the great joy of taking him out on his first house call.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are known as such because they give a witness – it is essential for each one to make a ‘public declaration for salvation.’ (Matthew 24:14; Romans 10:10-14; Isaiah 43:10-12)

Prison Preaching

Here’s me preaching in a low security prison to a local man who lives on site. He’s not actually a prisoner, but lives with a family member who works as a guard. His name’s Robert.

The prison is intended as a demonstration of how prisoners can be used to do productive work. The small population of the prison consists of offenders who are already near the end of a longer sentence, so there’s little reason to attempt an escape.

They keep ducks and hens and plant crops and, to some extent, pay for their keep by means of the work.