Dave and Bonnie Jones

Camp Connection Ministry

2011-12-19T23:06:00.000-08:00

We are grateful for another fruitful camp season. 1,605 campers and volunteers attended the three camps in December with over 400 youth making a life-changing decision to receive Christ as Savior. Pray for our local churches as we follow up each decision and seek to disciple those who are come to know the Savior.

Training Leaders for Today and Tomorrow

2011-11-20T22:40:00.000-08:00

Several times each year we bring together our national pastors and missionaries for teaching, training, and fellowship. It is always a joy to meet with these men and invest in their lives and ministries. Then we bring our Class Two Bible school students together for a concentrated weekend of teaching and accountability for their service and leadership in the local church. These are the leaders of today and tomorrow. These are the faithful men of 2 Timothy 2:2 in whom we are investing our time, energy and resources so that they may faithfully teach others.

I Surrender All

2011-09-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

We witnessed another great victory in our September missions conference at the Dar es Salaam city church. Along with a great Faith Promise Offering, we were blessed to see God working in the life of one of our long-time members. Peter Kitang'wa, with his wife Rachel and daughter Mary, answered the call to plant a church in the growing community of Kigamboni. Please pray for this young family as they step out in faith and follow God's leading in their life.

Special Guests From Our Sending Church

2011-08-07T07:12:00.001-07:00

Pastor Phil Housley and his wife Stephanie recently visited with a group of 12 from our sending church, Park Crest Baptist Church of Springfield, Missouri. We had a great time introducing them first-hand to the various ministries that we are involved in here in Tanzania.

A game viewing trip to the Selous

Repairing the roof of the church in Kwedigole

Pastor Phil and the group

A ladies meeting in the village

Dave and Pastor Phil praying for a sick child

Bonnie and the visitors holding a children's meeting

The visitors posing with the children of Huruma Home after a day of painting, varnishing and repairing.

Commissioning Of Our First Foreign Missionary

2011-08-07T06:53:00.000-07:00

It was a remarkable day in the history of our Team in Tanzania, as Daudi Likama was officially commissioned and sent out as our first Tanzanian foreign missionary. The Mbezi Chapel of the Bible Baptist Church in Dar es Salaam showered this servant of God with gifts, supplies and money as he left Tanzania for a foreign land. Pray for Daudi as he learns the Portuguese language and serves as part of a mission team with Missionary Rodger Schmidt in Maputo, preparing further to target the little reached Muslim area of northern Mozambique

Camp Connection News!

2011-07-07T00:44:00.001-07:00

Camp Connection just finished it's second season of camps. Three camps with 1,500 youth attending resulted in an amazing 563 salvation decisions. Thank you for praying for the camp ministry. We target Secondary school youth and bring them to the camp in Morogoro from all over Tanzania. Our next camp season is mid-December.

Now the challenging task of follow-up begins. Decision cards are given to each of our local churches to stay in contact with those who made decisions during camp. Already hundreds have attended our local churches with many expressing interest to follow Christ in baptism and spiritual growth.

To catch a glimps of the camp in action...

A Special Weekend

2011-04-04T01:08:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful weekend, bringing 10 of the older Huruma Home children to the camp in Morogoro. While we had lots of fun and games, the primary purpose was to spend time teaching about purity and leading the boys and girls to commit to staying pure until marriage.

Our missions intern, Daudi Likama, with 6 of the oldest Huruma Home boys. Getting their first experience on a motorized vehicle.

Bonnie with Mondi, showing her commitment ring

Cake at the commitment ceremony

Girls baking in the kitchen

The boys displaying their commitment rings

A friendly hockey match with the kids

Girls working in the kitchen

Dedication Day! A Toilet?

2011-03-10T00:54:00.000-08:00

The completion of the toilet facility of Mbezi Chapel of the Bible Baptist Church was a big deal. The celebration included dinner on the grounds, presentation of a special gift made by the young ladies class, and a ribbon cutting ceremony. The facility includes men's and women's shower rooms which will allow the church to host pastors meetings and Bible school meetings in Dar es Salaam.

What A Start!

2010-12-23T00:09:00.000-08:00

It was a fantastic beginning to the new evangelistic camp ministry launched in Morogoro. In three successive camps we hosted 1,200 campers and saw 200 youth make a salvation decision. The camp speakers, counselors, band, drama teams, recreation team and dorm and cafeteria servers were all trained youth from our various churches in Tanzania. What a thrill it was to see them run the camp, bringing Tanzanian youth to Christ in this exciting new ministry. Now that camps are finished, we begin the follow-up and discipleship work in our local churches and begin planning for two camp seasons in 2011.

Youth Camp Ministry Training

2010-09-14T01:34:00.000-07:00

120 faithful youth and youth leaders from our churches across Tanzania met for a week-long training seminar at the new camp facility in Morogoro. The launch of our evangelistic training camps is slated for mid-December. Please pray for God's blessing on these camps as a tool in the hands of our local churches to reach the swelling youth population of Tanzania.

praying at the altar for God's blessing on the camp

dining hall

designing group games to handle hundreds of youth

team building games to teach teamwork among our ministry teams

training sessions to prepare young ministers for Christ

youth camps rock!

theme for 2010 - R U Connected?

2010-05-14T07:27:00.001-07:00

It was a tremendous graduation service, held at the Bible Baptist Church of Olorieni, Arusha. Two more Level Two (Leadership Class) students graduated and received their diplomas. Each of these students has been in our Bible school system for over 12 years. It was a day of rejoicing for them!

Praying for the graduates

One Level One (Ministry Class) student also graduated and now qualifies to continue in our Leadership Class.

New Nursery School Ministry

2010-05-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

Dibogo is a member of our city church in Dar es Salaam. He has opened a nursery school on our orphanage property that has become quite a ministry. Children from the community are learning the fundamentals required to start primary school, and learning the Bible at the same time.

Missionary Men's Motorcycle Madness

2010-05-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

Look like fun? It's a blast!

Some of the Team Tanzania men chillin.

When the Team Tanzania men get together, we like to have fun. Each year we try to get together for a motorcycle safari, but this year we found a home-made dirt track and had some fun. This fun cost me a cracked rib and jammed thumb... but it was worth it!

To God Be The Glory!

2009-10-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

Wow. What a wonderful month of missions emphasis at the Mbezi Chapel of the Bible Baptist Church in Dar es Salaam. Take a minute to view these photos and thank God for a Tanzanian church with a heart to send and support missionaries in a big way! To God be the glory!

Ministry to Wives in the Ministry

2009-10-06T08:46:00.001-07:00

Recently Bonnie and several other missionary wives of Team Tanzania led a special fellowship meeting to minister to the wives of some of our national pastors and missionaries. It was a tremendous time of encouragement to these special ladies. They too pay a great price to serve God in the full time ministry in Tanzania. Thank you for praying for them.

Vision for New Camp Ministry

2009-10-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

The vision has been cast and constru cti on continues on the new Highlands Camp in Morogoro. This new youth camp ministry is slated to launch next year. Please pray for the construction, but especially pray for the spiritual groundwork that is being laid and the training being done as we ask God for great things in 2010!

Recent Happenings

2009-03-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

We recently returned from the Philippine Islands, where I preached in the World Missions Conference of Bethany Baptist Church in Manila. We also had the opportunity to view the Highlands youth camp in action as we develop our strategy for the youth camp under construction here in Tanzania.
Above: Bonnie, Shalimar and girls on public transport, a Tricycle

Above: Camp service at the Highlands in the Philippines
Below: The giant mud slide. Lots of fun!

Below: What a wonderful Global Missions Conference, held at the Bethany Baptist Church in Manila.

We had the joy of meeting up with our missionary Andrew Matunu, serving on the M.V. Doulos ministry ship. We couldn't be more proud of this man sent from our church in Dar es Salaam and ministering all over the Asian continent.

Above: Bonnie and I eating our "complimentary" chicken and rice Valentines dinner late at night in an airport in the Philippines, waiting for a delayed flight to another island.

Following: A recent wedding at the Mbezi Chapel of the Bible Baptist Church

Below: Some of the men and leadership of Mbezi Chapel of the Bible Baptist Church, Dar es Salaam

Below: We are so proud of this recent graduate, Maria. A wonderful student, mother, and wife of one of the elders of the city church.

Below: Bonnie with Mariam, one of the Huruma Home children

Move - In Day for Huruma Children !

2009-02-03T22:57:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a day! Monday, February 2nd was MOVE - IN DAY at Huruma Children's Home. The children were ecstatic. Now they have a place of their own, room to play, running water, and a bed for every child. Enjoy the photos below and thank you for your support and prayers to make this great day possible!

All finished except the front porch and some trimming. Lots of trees and room to run!

Posing for a photo before entering the home

Study area for children to do school work and read. Note the verse on the wall above, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." Mark 10:14

Singing and rejoicing!

Mama Janet and some of the girls using the new gas stove. Goodbye charcoal!

View of the living area with kitchen behind petition.

Plumbing issues? Yes, we have them!

Jessie working on beds and cabinets

Dave with two helpers, Joakim and Lazaro

Dave working on door handles and locks

Our thanksgiving service on move - in day

Ely, Ulwe, Gervis, and George building a pen for their adopted puppy Figo

Bonnie giving instructions on opening day

Orphans of Huruma Children's Home

2008-09-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

It's a joy and blessing to bring hope and love into the life of these precious children. Some have lost their parents to AIDS. Others have been abused or abandoned. Our growing family of orphans is now 12 in number. Once we complete the first phase of building, we will be able to accept more. Eventually we hope to have over 50 orphans in Huruma Children's Home. "Huruma" means "Mercy" in Swahili. Please pray for these great kids, as we have opportunity to raise them in a loving, Christian, family environment.
Yours for Kids in Tanzania,
Dave and Bonnie Jones & Jessie and Shalimar Tingson

ULWE RAJABU; 13 years old

Ulwe is from Kigoma Region. His parents separated when he was very young. Soon after, his mother died and he was raised by a family friend. A certain relative took Ulwe to Dar es Salaam and abandoned him upon arrival at the bus station. Ulwe spent weeks at the police station before taken into Huruma Home. He is now in 4th grade.

GERVAS ROMANI; 12 years old

Gervas is from Pwani Region. He was old enough to remember when his father died. His mother abandoned him just after the burial. He was brought up by his 76 year old grandmother, who has nothing but a small farm in the backyard. A relative heard about the opening of Huruma Home and brought him to us. Gervas is now in 4th grade.

WINFRIDA GAMA; 13 years old

Winnie is from Ruvuma Region and was born to a very poor family. Her father asked her younger brother to take of her. Then after a few weeks, both parents died of AIDS. The Uncle's wife began abusing her physically and verbally. The abuses became severe to the point that it was noticed by the community. She was brought to Huruma Home. She is in 6th grade.

JOAKIM (6) & JANETH (4) KATENDE
Joakim is Janeth Katende's older brother. They are from Dar es Salaam and were orphaned by both parents. Parents both died of AIDS. Their 85 year old grandfather become their caretaker. The old man asked us to care for his two precious grandchildren. Joakim is in pre-school and Janeth will start school next year.

JOAKIM (6) & JANETH (4) KATENDE
Janeth is Joakim Katende's younger sister. They are from Dar es Salaam and were orphaned by both parents. Parents both died of AIDS. Their 85 year old grandfather become their caretaker. The old man asked us to care for his two precious grandchildren. Joakim is in pre-school and Janeth will start school next year.

MARIAMU TESHA; 7 years old
Mariamu is from Dar es Salaam. Her Mother’s friend took care of Mariamu from infancy after her mother died. From a very early age she experienced abuses. A local official seeing the plight that young Mariamu went through decided to look for a foster home. Since coming to Huruma Home, Mariamu is experience healing. She is in 1st grade.

HELENA (9) & LAZARO (6) CHISONGELA
Helena is Lazaro's big sister. They come from Morogoro Region and were born to a family of 8 children. Their mother died last May, 2005. The father is a preacher in the village church but he is already 68 years old and a polio victim with both legs paralyzed. Helena is in 3rd grade and Lazaro is in pre-school.

HELENA (9) & LAZARO (6) CHISONGELA
Lazaro is Helena's little brother. They come from Morogoro Region and were born to a family of 8 children. Their mother died last May, 2005. The father is a preacher in the village church but he is already 68 years old and a polio victim with both legs paralyzed. Helena is in 3rd grade and Lazaro is in pre-school.

ELIEZAR MWANIKA; 12 years old
Ely is from Iringa Region. He came from a family of 5 children whose mother died in 2002. Their father become a chronic alcoholic and begun abusing his children. Ely's three younger siblings are in another orphanage here in Dar es Salaam. We are happy to have Ely in our center. He is currently in the 6th grade.

GEORGIE and GEORGIA MTANGWABA (twins 9)
They were born in Temeke Districk, Dar es Salaam. The 10th & 11th children to be accepted into Huruma Childrens Home. They were turned over to us by Mama Freska, a neighbor who sheltered them when the father died last March. They are in 3rd grade.

MONDI CHISONGELA; 12 years old
She joins her younger siblings, Helena ( 9 ) and Lazaro ( 6) in the center. Their father is a preacher in a village church but is 68 years old. Their mother died last year after years of struggling with sickness and paralysis. She had 8 children. The Chisongela family is from Morogoro Province about 250 km north of Dar es Salaam. Mondi, is in grade 4.

Caring, Compassionate Ministry

2008-07-28T06:33:00.000-07:00

Showing the love of Christ to those in need is an excellent tool for evangelism. Besides, it's what we as Christians ought to do! This past month we were blessed to have an excellent team of relatives, friends, and supporters come to Tanzania to do just that. Sponsored by Children's Medical Ministry and Hope Haven International, and joining hands with our national believers, this team of physical therapists, technicians, and volunteers were a huge blessing to us and the ministry here. Below are some random photos to give a glimpse of the wheelchair and children's ministry which took place this July.

Unloading the 40' container and trucking chairs to 4 distribution sites

Marty and Uncle Richard tooling a chair while mother and child wait with anticipation

Becky and church member George team up to assist a little girl in need

Children's Ministry under the big tent

Kyndal teaching health principles to the children

Children show off their Good Life health guides in Swahili

This girl is displaying her new bracelet after hearing the explanation of salvation

Shyann presenting school Headmaster Peter with pencils, erasures, and sharpeners donated from children in the U.S.

Our group with the believers in the village of Kwedigole

Children's Medical Ministry CEO, Bill Collins, giving a testimony in the Kwedigole church service

The group singing a special number, complete with actions

Posing in front of a huge Baobob tree in the Selous

In Bible School for 15 Years!

2008-05-22T04:38:00.000-07:00

Talk about tenacity! Pastor Paulo was our first convert when we moved to Tanzania 18 years ago. He was one of our first students when we opened our Bible Institute. This past weekend he graduated from our Level Two studies. Wow, can you imagine hanging with it for 15 years! We are proud of him, as well as Pastor Ernesti. It was a great celebration in Moshi.

Above: Handing of Diploma to Pastor Ernesti. Below: The two Level Two graduates!

Seeing Our "Kids" Grow Up

2008-05-22T04:28:00.001-07:00

Peter and Rachel came to know Christ as Savior in our church in Dar. That's also where they came to know each other. It was a thrill to join them together in marriage, even though it meant traveling a total of 2,765 kilometers and crossing 437 speed bumps (TWICE!) The wedding took place in Musoma, Tanzania, on the shores of Lake Victoria. Peter and Rachel are now back in Dar as faithful members of Mbezi Chapel of the Bible Baptist Church It's fun to watch our "kids" grow up.

Above: Leaving the church building in Musoma. Our deacon, Morris Kinyanjui, and his wife went along as the best man and matron of honor.
Below: After the wedding, at sunset on Lake Victoria

Team Tanzania Meeting 2008

2008-05-22T04:20:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic meeting of the Team end of March. This is one of our favorite weeks of the year, when we get together with our friends and teammates from all around Tanzania. We have lots of fun, but we get pretty serious when it comes to challenging one another from the Word, worship, and strategy planning. A huge thank you to those churches which sent a special offering to help subsidize this year's meeting. We appreciate it.

Tanzanian Missions!

2008-02-11T02:40:00.000-08:00

In January it was our thrill to commission Daudi Likama to be our Tanzanian missionary to the people of Mozambique. Daudi is the fourth missionary supported by Mbezi Chapel, and the third missionary sent out from the church.

Above and Below: Missionary Daudi receiving his first Portuguese Bible
and gifts from church members

Daudi is now participating in an innovative missionary intern program lasting one year in the city of Maputo. He will live together, learn together, and minister together with seven other mission interns, as they make an impact in their community.

Above: Team building game "Untie the Knot" at the retreat

We were invited by missionary Rodger Schmidt to come to Maputo and participate in the orientation and training of these mission interns. It was fun teaching these eager men as they embark on a new life together in ministry. We had time for teaching, team-building games, prayer, worship, and fellowship.

Daudi is completely supported by his sending church here in Dar es Salaam, the Mbezi Chapel of the Bible Baptist Church. This amazing church is now giving an average of Tsh. 340,000/= ($295.00) every month to missions, over and above it’s regular giving, with no contributions from us. Please pray for Daudi as he learns Portuguese, adapts to his new culture, and learns to live in community, ministering to Mozambicans. Please pray for Mbezi Chapel to continue to faithfully give, supporting and sending more missionaries to areas of need.

Above : A typical scene along the coast of Mozambique
Below: The national highway heading south from Tanzania

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS!
Imagine the language difficulty we had in our training sessions. Our interpreter was a French speaking Botswanan who fled the country during civil war and entered Tanzania, picking up Swahili. He now lives in Mozambique and speaks Portuguese, but studies in Swaziland using English. It was a challenge, but we eventually succeeded in communicating to all involved!

What a Week!

2007-11-19T23:38:00.000-08:00

Four times a year our national pastors and missionaries assemble together for instruction, preaching, and fellowship. The meeting this November was held at the Mbezi Chapel of Bible Baptist Church in Dar es Salaam. It was a tremendous time of spiritual encouragement and challenge.

Following the pastor's meeting, Bible school students from our six branches gathered for a special, three-day meeting of teaching, worship and fellowship. The culmination of the meeting was a grand celebration on Sunday. Three "Ministry" Class graduates, and two "Leadership" Class graduates received their diplomas.

ABOVE: Dave with three "Ministry" Class graduates
BELOW: One of the services at the church

What a week; Bible teaching, spiritual challenge, fellowship, and encouragement in the ministry. Please pray for these men and women in training to be effective ministers in their places of service all throughout Tanzania.

What a Month!

2007-11-19T05:07:00.001-08:00

Dr. Mick interviewing "Masai Dave" on Sunday morning

It was our privilege to spend the entire month of October in Bangor, Maine, at the invitation of one of our long-time supporting churches, Bangor Baptist Church. Dr. Jerry Mick, the staff, and the great people of Bangor Baptist welcomed us and honored us as their missionaries.

Some of the well-prepared missions decor throughout the church

Each Sunday, Wednesday, and throughout the week in home groups we had the opportunity to share with the church the great things that God is doing in Tanzania. The church missions committee did a super job of selecting a theme (“Can You Hear Me Now?”) and planning special events throughout the month to emphasize the need around the world and our responsibility to Christ’s command. We had a great time telling stories of God’s working in Tanzania and challenging the church to do more for missions in the year to come.

It was an awesome time to be in Maine, as the Fall leaves were in peak season and lobster was plentiful! More than anything, we enjoyed getting to know personally the great church members of Bangor Baptist who opened their hearts and homes to us all month.

A steamy lobster feast in the home of the Ramirez family

A delicious lobster lunch with one of the home groups

Thank you, Bangor Baptist, for being a faithful partner in ministry, and for loving us as your missionaries to Tanzania.

All Things ARE Possible With God

2007-09-03T21:19:00.000-07:00

The month of August was Missions Month at the Mbezi Chapel of the Baptist Bible Church. Each Sunday we emphasized the Great Commission and our responsibility to send forth laborers to the harvest field.

Two of our supported missionaries returned to the church to give a report on their ministries, and two more received special prayer as they prepare to leave for the mission field.

At the end of the month we received an offering of commitments. Each member of the church was challenged to pledge an amount each week for missions, trusting God that He would make it possible. We were astounded by the results. Over Tsh. 91,000/= per week was promised! That’s a total of over 4 million shillings for the year, to send and support Tanzanian men and women taking the Gospel to others. To God be the glory!

Orphanage Now Open in Dar es Salaam

2007-06-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 30th was the official opening of the Huruma Children’s Home in Kimara, Dar es Salaam. With official government registration promised and the rented home complete with beds, furniture and kitchen supplies, the Huruma Home is now ready to receive it’s first orphans.

Several local government officials were present for the opening, as well as church leaders and members from all four of our churches in Dar es Salaam. After the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony, special prayer was made for this new ministry of mercy. Pilau was then served and the cake was cut.

Jessie and Shalimar Tingson have been working hard to get the orphanage up and running. Steven and Loveness Mwalukasa, former members of our church in Mbezi Beach, are the caregivers for the orphans. They are assisted by Neema, a single lady in the Kimara church and a part time social worker.

Huruma is the Swahili word for “mercy.” Our prayer is that Huruma Children’s Home will be a place where mercy gives children a second chance, care for their physical needs, and a foundation for this life and the life to come. Thank you to those who have sent the needed contributions. Please pray for this new orphanage ministry.

Youth Camp 2007

2007-06-23T04:43:00.000-07:00

Youth Camp 2007 was super! Our Dar es Salaam area churches took 90 youth and 14 leaders to Bagamoyo, where we rented secondary school facilities for the week. “Maili ya Pili” was the theme, meaning “The Second Mile,” based on Matthew 5:38-42.

Games and competitions included Big Ball Volleyball, Digging for Treasure (with your head buried in flour) and the huge water slide into the Indian Ocean.

This year we brought in professional tradesmen from our churches to teach the youth the basics of electricity, masonry, sewing, cake baking and decorating, and more. Handcraft times were also a big hit.

But the highlight of camp was the great services morning and evening when the youth performed skits, choir numbers, and sermon preaching, followed by challenging teaching from the Word of God. Missionary Greg Wagoner was our camp speaker this year. He did a great job of challenging the youth to go the extra mile in every area of life.

By the end of the week five young people accepted Christ as Savior, nine professed a calling of God on their lives to be in the ministry, and many other decisions were made. We came back to Dar exhausted, but grateful for such a fruitful and blessed week of camp.

Training a Generation of Leaders

2007-05-17T02:09:00.000-07:00

One of the primary goals of our church planting Team in Tanzania is to train up a generation of leaders for the work of the ministry. Our national Bible school now has 100 men and women who are actively serving in their local churches, while at the same time working toward graduation requirements as students. Basic foundational doctrine courses are taught as well as practical ministry application courses.

This May, in a meeting of pastors and students in Moshi, eight students graduated from Level One of training. Missionary Jerry Daniels of Nanyuki, Kenya was our guest speaker. It was an outstanding week of fellowship, teaching and training.

Presenting diplomas to eight Level One graduates

Graduates with their sponsoring pastors / missionaries

God at work in the bush of Tanzania

2007-03-20T23:50:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a 4-day trip to Masai country to visit our missionary Daniel Lekunga. Taking 4 men from our city church with me, we drove deep into the bush, some 7 hours from Dar es Salaam.

Drinking soured milk mixed with cow fat from a gourd placed in the sun 3 days was a bit challenging for my stomach. The Masai love meat, however, and the roasted goat and beef was outstanding.

On Sunday we had a great service in which several made professions of faith in Christ. This was followed by a baptism service where 8 new believers were baptized. With the nearest water source a couple miles away we spent much of Saturday night hauling water for the baptism.

On Sunday afternoon we followed foot paths and made our own road into a remote area called Mgora. There we were received by a large group of Masai villagers whom had received Christ through Daniels ministry. After having a service under the trees, we ate something akin to soured mash of rice, and chased it down with warm goats milk. It was touching to visit with these people. They had two requests from us; to help them construct a church to worship in and to dig a well for water.

Our journey back to Dar es Salaam was tough. We had two flats and a bad spare, which left the truck crippled as we searched the village areas for anyone with a bicycle pump. Have you ever tried to pump up a 16 inch truck tire with a modified Chinese made bicycle pump? I don’t recommend it. We also had to make new roads around broken down trucks blocking the narrow dirt road. After 9 1/2 hours we reached home, tired, dirty, and sore, but with joy in our hearts knowing that God is at work in the bush of Tanzania. (Please click on the "More Photos at Picasaweb!" link on the right to see more pics.)

Kilimanjaro Climb

2007-01-28T03:50:00.000-08:00

In December 2001 our family built a memory together. After careful planning, preparation, and saving, we climbed together the highest mountain on the continent of Africa, Kilimanjaro. What a trip is was. On the final ascent, Bonnie had to turn back two hours into the night. Due to a stomach ulcer my effort to summit ended just one hour short of the peak. Jeremy and Kyndal completed the climb.

Since that day it has been one of my life’s goals to summit Kilimanjaro. Last week presented the opportunity. Accepting the invitation to speak at the 10 year Anniversary celebration of the Bible Baptist Church in Moshi, located at the base of the mountain, I planned to begin the climb on Monday. With a minimum of acclimatization, the climb could be made in 5 days, allowing me to come off the mountain on Friday evening, drive 7 hours back to Dar es Salaam on Saturday, and be in place for ministry on Sunday. To say the plan was “ambitious” would be generous. The word “stupid” now comes to mind.

The weather was perfect for the climb and the mountain was breathtaking. I felt great until the evening of the 3rd day, when the 15,520 ft. elevation of Kibo camp began to get to me.

I witnessed three climbers being carried off the mountain on stretchers suffering from edema. Nausea, severe headaches, dizziness, and loss of appetite had me questioning my ability to make the final ascent beginning at 11:30 p.m.

After 6 hours my guide and I reached Gilman’s Point (18,650 ft.). From there we inched our way around the crater rim, made treacherous by new snowfall on glacier ice. At 6:45 a.m. we reached the summit, Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft.), the highest point on the African continent.

The trek down the mountain was no fun. My legs locked up many times and left me incapacitated. At one point two boulders came bounding down the scree, nearly killing one climber who lunged out of the way, injuring his ribs. But, the exhilaration of reaching the summit was all the motivation needed for the two-day descent. It was a long drive back to Dar es Salaam on Saturday, with stops along the way to carefully stretch ailing leg muscles and nurse a sour stomach.

In 2001 we dedicated our family climb to my father, dying of cancer. This climb was dedicated to my children, Jeremy and Kyndal, and new addition to our family, Charissa. I’m proud of you guys, and your heart to serve God with your lives. Never quit and always aspire to new heights, as God directs your path!

P.S. While I highly recommend building family memories, I honestly cannot recommend mountain climbing. This was undoubtedly the most challenging and physically painful challenges of my life.... and the last of my mountain climbing endeavors!

Full Circle

2006-12-30T07:53:00.000-08:00

Every missionary's dream is to see the ministry come full circle. Believers won to Christ discipled and then called by God to reach others. This Christmas we celebrated a ministry come full circle.
On Christmas Eve, in our city church, we had a Christmas Missionary Offering to honor and bless our two Tanzanian missionary families. Sadiki Mwasakariro is sent out of our first church in Dodoma and doing church planting in a Dar es Salaam suburb. Daniel Lekunga is sent out of our current church in Dar and reaching the Masai in Tanga region. Both families were present in our service Christmas Eve and it was awesome.

The church presented each family with gifts ranging from Bibles to live ducks, and gave a Christmas offering of Tsh. 293,000/= shillings to bless them at Christmas. What a tremendous day it was.
Perhaps the greatest blessing was a young man who came forward at the invitation to publicly give his life to the ministry and ask the church's prayer as he follows God's leading in his life. Seeing Tanzanian men come to Christ, discipled, called and then reaching others as missionaries themselves is a dream come true!

Missionary Daniel Lekunga receiving a gift of a leather bound Bible with the signature and admonition from every man in the church written in the cover

Wise men at the live nativity scene on Christmas Day, with the theme "As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you"

Missionary Sadiki Mwasakariro and family honored with gifts during the Christmas Missionary offering

Joseph, Mary, baby and goats in the live nativity scene of Mbezi Chapel of the Bible Baptist Church (www.mbezichapel.com)

Mbezi Chapel Report

2006-11-02T00:03:00.000-08:00

The Mbezi Chapel of Bible Baptist Church is developing into a strong, vibrant church in the capital city of Dar Es Salaam. On our recent trip to the states, the church moved forward in our absence. (Nothing makes us more proud and thankful!) Attendance increased. New believers were baptized. New members were added to the church, and the offering remained strong. To see more of this church ministry you can view the church's website at: www.mbezichapel.com

Evangelism Among the Masai

2006-07-12T03:54:00.000-07:00

Daniel Lekunga is a missionary, sent from our church in Dar es Salaam to his people, the Masai. At Daniel's invitation, a team of men from Dar es Salaam and Arusha traveled to the remote village of Elerai last week. Daniel was honored by the tribe to host a special initiation ceremony for one of the young men of that village.

A cow was slaughtered and consumed in just a matter of hours. The ceremonial drinking of blood was one of the highlights of the festivities.
Men and women chanted and danced in a breathtaking display, seldom observed by outsiders. It was an awesome sight.

In the evening of the 2nd day of ceremony, the team was allowed to hang a white tarp from the trees, making an outdoor cinema theater. Using a small generator brought from the city, the Jesus film was shown in the language of Kimasai. At the invitation, many responded to salvation.
Please pray for Daniel, and the continuing evangelism and church planting work being done among his people in this remote region.
For more photos and news about this trip, watch for an update on Jeremy and Charissa's blog site, under "Links."

Ever seen a kebab skewer this size?

Youth Camp in Bagamoyo

2006-06-29T09:15:00.001-07:00

We just returned from Bagamoyo, where Youth Camp 2006 was held for the Dar es Salaam area churches. Sixty youth attended the camp with the theme: Life is a Journey, Live as Jesus Wants!" Morning and evening services were held with preaching and worship. Additional classes were taught, giving instruction to the campers on topics such as purity and sex, faithfulness in employment, and the importance of education. Jeremy, our son, taught rappelling, and each young person had the opportunity to try their courage from the top of a 40 foot water tower. Charissa, Jeremy's wife, taught first aid and health principles. Afternoons were filled with games, competitions, crafts, skits, and of course the giant water slide into the ocean. Many young people made spiritual decisions and committments. Four youth gave their lives to Christ. It was a super week and we thank God for another great camp.

SKIT: The Rich Man and Lazarus

Water Slide into the Indian Ocean

Rappelling off of a 40 foot water tower!