News From Tanzania

Greetings Everyone and God Bless You

Thank you all so much for making us so welcome when we were back last Christmas. We enjoyed our time with you. It now seems as if we have never been away!

We were again blessed with a MAF flight in a light aircraft from Dodoma to Singida.
This was indeed a blessing as we discovered that the roads were all washed away and we would not have been able to reach Singida any other way! You can imagine how pleased I was to step out of the plane and be greeted by all as looking so nice … because I was FAT!!! This is a super compliment here! Well I (fairly) graciously accepted it. (it was repeated wherever I went) I have, however, become a little weary of it as I have now lost the weight I put on in the UK, but the compliments continue!! I am also complemented with the title Bibi (grandmother!) So now I am a ‘fat grandmother’! Oh well. It keeps one humble!!

Whilst we were away God answered all the prayers for rain. It started in November and rained day and night without ceasing (so we are told) for 2 months. The lake (Same size as Grafham water) which had completely dried up, is now overflowing onto the path and is easily twice the size. Unfortunately, many communities were not prepared for this rainfall, although it used to be the normal pattern, and badly built houses collapsed, bridges and roads were washed away, Many are still impassable, and Singida is almost cut off. toilets broke up and seeds were washed away. There is now cholera in the Singida region but not so far in the town. However, many crops are thriving and February has followed the necessary pattern of hot sun and few showers. This will ripen the crops. Further heavy rains should follow in March and then die out in April.

Mama Rose, the team worker lent to us from Safina (Noah’s Ark) Street Children’s Network in Dar, has done an amazing job so far in establishing a team to go out on the streets. They actually now go to a school playing field where they provide games, medical care, the Gospel and hot food. I started joining them each time, but this has not proved a good idea as the boys become more demanding and difficult when white people are there. They think they will get more from us and so they try to play us off against the Tanzanian team, we have all agreed that I will support in the background and only attend occasionally. An American Christian called Lori, is also keen to help support this work and visits us occasionally.

Mama Rose, has also found a couple of additional houses to rent and so far has one family willing to live in with a few of the boys still, so far, on the streets. She has also, with Mama Sarah, been able to place a few boys with relatives or friends so that they can go to school. We have agreed to pay for their school requirements if the family will provide board and lodging.

The boys’ home building is still as we left it. The boys are doing well and all got good results at school. One boy came first in his year, with 100% in 2 of his exams. He wants to work in a bank. The boy, Mattayo, who caused so many problems, has spent 3 months sleeping on the streets, but coming to the house for food etc, and has continued school. He has now been reinstated in the home.

We expect to continue with fitting windows and doors of the house this week. (Revised…..: Next week……perhaps !!!!!!!)

Anthony and I are still involved with teaching. He has many Muslim students and uses Bible stories in simple English as part of his teaching. One student has just asked him for a Bible as he wants to read it for himself. We pray God will open his spirit to the truth. Anthony works together with the local pastor who is the official Head teacher. He is also my language teacher and teaches well.

Anthony is receiving more invitations to teach and preach in different villages. He never seeks these opportunities but God is opening them for him and He is faithfully touching the people who listen. I have received an invitation to take a children’s summer camp for a week in a village in the country region.

The Nursery School has opened with 20 new children. We only have 40 at the moment because so many went to Primary School this year. However, as 1 teacher has left the number is fine for the moment. We need to find and train 2 more teaching assistants. At the moment we have a problem with registering the school. The original documents were not processed because the local official was a Muslim and did not want a Christian school. (So pastor tells us)

This week I have given the school half-term. Apparently the parents don’t like it because their children will miss so much work! The teachers were worried about it too. I insisted that everyone needed the break (especially me!) and we sent a letter explaining the value of breaks for the children. It has turned out that the officials from the office came to pastor and declared the school closed this week until properly registered!! However, this should be completed before the school opens again after half-term, God is so gracious. I must admit I didn’t even pray about it.

We are enjoying the support of our friends here with us. They are going to language school for a month in April and they are going back to the UK for 3 months in the summer. We shall miss them. We have prayer, worship and Bible study 3 times a week now. This is becoming a vital part of our life together here and we thank God for it.

Musini, the disabled boy in the village is still thriving in many ways. Has been given a locally adapted wheelchair and the other children push him round the yard. I read Bible stories from a children’s Bible and play Christian songs on a cassette player. Some of the surrounding neighbours come to listen. We are allowed to pray for the children and others if they want it. We pray for the Bibi (grandmother) and for the blind aunt. I do believe God will heal Musini completely one day. He often heals his bouts of Malaria and fever etc. We will keep on praying. These Muslim families need to see the power of the name of Jesus.

We have just heard that the Muslim community has decided to build a Muslim college in this village to teach religions (including Christianity!) and English. This could mean that the Muslims Anthony is beginning to reach will leave and study in their own college instead. Up to now they have been so hungry to learn English that they have accepted a Christian teacher. Please pray that the spread of God’s word and truth will not be hindered.

It is now the 1st March and the rain has started again. The trees and flowers are blooming profusely and it is hard to imagine how dry and barren it will all become in a few months time.

Thanks for answered prayer

• For the visit home and the time with our families. 
• For our safe arrival and health. 
• For Mama Rose and her team and the way doors are opening for her here. Prayers have been answered so quickly and completely about so many things large and small. 
• For His care for our families. 
• For the solving of staff problems in the children’s house. 
• The member who was unsuitable chose to resign and has left amicably. We have two new part-time staff who have a real heart for the boys. 
• For the new children at the nursery school. 
• For continued, faithful provision for the work. 
• For the help of a retired primary school teacher who has offered to help train and support the staff of the nursery school. (Just the person we have been praying for.)
  

Prayer requests:

• That we shall begin to walk in the power and love of God and see His glory here. 
• That we shall walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. 
• That we shall ‘trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.’ 
•  We need so much wisdom to know what God wants to do and not to just try to answer the never-ending needs or do what ‘seems right’! 
•  That the boys on the streets will come to know the Lord and help to advance the Kingdom. 
• That those who disrupt will be prevented and changed by the love of God shown through the team. (Especially one boy, Juma, who is causing a lot of trouble and attacking and frightening the younger children. Please take him on as a special case for prayer.) 
• For two further teachers/ assistants. We need dedicated people with a heart for God and the children, and with very good English. Quite a tall order! 
• That the building really will get finished soon and there will be no problems over moving the boys in and taking in some more. 
• For all our relationships: Especially with church leaders. 
• For continuing protection and healing for our families at home.

Thank you all so much. We value your interest and support.

Have a great year. We shall try to keep in touch regularly.

Rejoice in the Lord always.

We bless you all for your prayers and support and look forward to hearing your news, too.

Love and blessings,

Anthony and Elisabeth. (I have decided to revert to my full name although I often forget to use it and still answer to Lis !)

Augustino celebrates his birthday for the first time

The street team and some local boys on the playing field

Sometimes it all just gets too much!!