EAST AFRICA MISSION: LUHINDO

GOD IS WORKING IN THE MIDST OF DIFFICULTIES! MOROGORO REGION.

I had noted in a previous update that there had been conflict between the Maasai pastoralists and the Tanzanian farmers. Due to the shortage of grazing land, the Maasai had let their cattle feed on the farmers’ crops. This conflict has resulted in a number of deaths among both the Maasai and the ‘Tanzanians’. When the troubles began, pastor Gondwe managed to avoid the spears thrown at him by the local Maasai as he journeyed back home on his motorbike after preaching at the Maasai church that he looked after. However, his motorbike was damaged when one of the Maasai was able to hit his motorbike with a club. He hadn’t been able to go back for about a year and a half, and only now is it relatively safe for him to visit the church again. During that period a Maasai pastor from Bishop Francis’ church tended the Maasai church.

Bishop Francis is respected both locally and regionally as an upright and peaceful man. He was invited to join a government reconciliation project between the Maasai and Tanzanians that involved him visiting remote Maasai communities. However, during such travels Francis also preached the Gospel to them! In a remote community called Luhindo, the Maasai began to respond to the Gospel, with a number turning to the Lord. Last Sunday week Bishop Francis was invited by those Maasai to come and preach again. He went with another pastor from his church (Mathayo) and they had a very blessed time!
The preaching is having such an impact that Bishop Francis was invited again to come last Sunday, and Pastor Gondwe went with him. This time there were many more people there from the surrounding area, which included not only Maasai, but also members of similar tribe but who tend to remain more isolated, called the Mang’ati, or the Tatoogo in their language. Astonishingly, there were also ‘Tanzanians’ present! Given the recent animosities, this is a highly unusual coming together! It was an extraordinary occasion. Both Francis and Gondwe said they had never witnessed anything like it – in terms of the response to the Gospel and the mixture of peoples that were present. People from all three groupings were responding to the message. People prayed for were also healed of various ailments. It was a wonderful time of blessing. There are photos from both Sundays and one of Gondwe praying for a pregnant woman who wanted to receive salvation.

There is a strong desire among the new converts to have a building to meet in. At the moment they meet under a tree, which is OK at the moment, but when the main rainy season starts in March (and lasts till June), gathering there is not really viable! One of the Maasai has gifted one acre of land for them to build a church on, and they have already started to clear the area (see photos). One man has already given two bags of cement and the new converts have collected about £140. This might not sound like much but many people have to live on half of that amount (or less) per month, and only twelve times that amount covers the cost of the building of the church.

Francis and Gondwe are now organising weekly visits to Luhindo to nurture this work, to give Bible teaching and to help them with organising the building of a church. They are also looking to the Lord for someone to be able to live locally and be a pastor to this church. It is very difficult to find faithful men to pastor a church, so please pray concerning this need! To get to Luhindo, Francis and Gondwe (who live in different locations) have to catch buses and then hire motorcyclists to take them deep into the bush, which they are more than willing to do but it is not a long-term solution. Generally, it is safe to travel there but Francis says two going is still better than one person on their own! Please do pray for these matters and for this infant work, which God seems to be blessing in an extraordinary way. Pray that God will keep them and continue his blessing that the work may grow, for the safety of those who travel there and for wisdom for Francis and Gondwe in overseeing all these matters.

UPDATE: I have now been able to send funds for the church to build a water-proof structure. See photos below:

THE NEW CHURCH AT LUHINDO.