A-Town
Gazette
March 23, 2010
Hi Friends,
More than several times per year, I get to have ministry “adventures.”
This weekend was one of those times. I left this past Thursday 3/18, from
the blissful climate of Arusha to drive almost 9 hours south to the
oppressive heat of Dar Es Salaam. Thankfully, the old 300,000km Nissan
Patrol still has a good AC. As well, Mitch and Beth Calmes have a comfy
AC’d guest room. (Thanks Mitch and Beth). Friday morning, after a good
breakfast in Dar, and an office stop in town for some mission business, I
then headed west to Morogoro (3 hours) and then another hour past Morogoro
to Dumila where a happy couple was awaiting the rehearsal of their wedding
to follow on Saturday. Hadadi and Esta are two Bible institute students
who have been planning this for about 6 months now. Hadadi is 30 yrs old
and Esta is 20 years old. Not an uncommon spread here in East Africa.
Saturday morning found me at the church early enough to taste the lunch
beforehand (the preacher’s privilege), and then to await the start of the
service. Over 300 people crowded into this village church which could
normally seat a crowded 100. Add that to the oppressive heat, a voila, you
get a preacher who sweat through his entire suit. However, being a
resident of East Africa for 20 years, I always travel with plenty of cool
water. Such was the case on Saturday. In spite of the heat...the crowd was
electric with fun and excitement. African weddings tend to be pretty
joyful from the crowds perspective, not solemn and quiet. Also, in African
weddings, the tradition is that the bride is not to show joy because she
is leaving her family. She is supposed to show remorse at leaving them
behind. However, I explained to the crowd that Hadadi was an example of
Jesus Christ today, as he is the bridegroom. I further explained that
Esta, the bride, is the example of the saved and cleansed church of God.
When she walked down the aisle to meet Hadadi at the front, it was a
picture of the coming of Christ, and the rapture of the church to go and
“meet” the Lord in the air, and to forever be together with the Lord. I
asked, “do you think we will frown and be sad on the day we meet the Lord?
I don’t think so. Rather we will be joyful! Therefore, Hadadi and Esta, as
representatives of Christ and His church, I give you permission to smile
today!” You know what? They did! And, so did we, especially after the
wonderful lunch that was prepared including plenty of Pilau rice, meat,
vegetables and fruit. Praise the Lord!
Sunday I preached at the Bible Baptist Church of Kwambe, the church we
dedicated last October with Pastor Ron Williams of Palmetto Ave in Sanford
Florida. I had not been there since last October. The service was
excellent, and I was especially encouraged at the number of young men and
grown men. They are exceptionally gifted singers in this church. In the 18
voice choir, 12 of them were male, and 6 of them were bass! Outstanding.
(about 40 in attendance)
Sunday afternoon I drove two hours north to the village church of
Madizini, and preached there to over 70 people for the evening service
where Patrick Mgaya pastors. Again, they stuffed me with rice and meat at
a deacons house after the service. I stayed in a local guest house(kind of
like a motel), no AC, oppressive heat. At 5:00 am, I’d had enough. I got
dressed, packed my car, turned on the AC full blast, and headed north
through the “hinterland” and enjoyed thoroughly the back woods of
Tanzania. It took four hours before I found pavement, and another 5 hours
to finally arrive home safely. What a super weekend! Thanks so much for
your prayers for us and the ministry here. I absolutely LOVE getting out
to the villages like this. Have a super week.
Yours in Arusha,
Vernon and
Mary