GLOBAL MISSION SEMINA AND RADIO PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT

GLOBAL MISSION SEMINA AND RADIO PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT.
On 26-27th February was great empowering day. We had DVD seminar facilitated by Global Mission department for 6 Field/Conferences of Tanzania conducted in Morogoro. I am sending this to you just because you are interested in our work.

It happened this way: Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) team representatives about 5 or 6 from US and Australia led by their Vice President Catarama brought several DVD Decks and The New beginnings DVD disks. On the border to Tanzania they encountered a lot of problems and expenses to bring in the equipment. Though sent as donation it was not tax exempted and still more than proper was required. With a lot of prayers God opened the way. They discovered it was the Devil who fought against the work.

Finally they came. I remember God's promise is that His work will never be stopped but allows some challenges and delays for the purpose of bringing us closer to him in our earnest prayers and increase our faith and trust in Him that He is on the helm. But He will bring it to pass in His own time. When the Spirit moves us we are determined than ever.

May God bless our friends from USA and Australia for their spirit of sacrifice. Some of the team include members of Twing family which lost their flying doctor missionary in accident according to what I heard two of them died around 1970s and their graves are within the Eastern Tanzania Conference headquarters(like David Livingstone whose heart buried in Africa). The widow worked offering education assistance in connection with donors to several African children. Among the beneficiaries is elder Mitekaro who facilitated the DVD seminar as Africa global mission coordinator.

People were used to Fitz Henry, Mark Finley, Dwight Nelson, Doug Bachelor, etc preaching through satellite. Then Share Him programs facilitated by elder Folkenberg and his teams conducted several crusades. Now is turn for African laity empowerment. There were many lay and global mission evangelists and several church leaders present. The second day of seminar i.e. 27th, 275 of us heartily received the gift of DVD deck and its disk. There was a solemn commitment to use it as an instrument of soul winning for God’s glory. A young lady Tammy refreshed us with her sweet music. Each of the conference/field leadership representatives gave admonition on the quick use of the instrument. Let me paraphrase what Pastor Lucas Nzungu said, “Let us go like as lightning before the enemy invents some other instruments of destruction and distribute before us. When we reap many souls for Jesus Christ he will get disappointed at his schemes”.

However there is a need of projector, small generator, and public address system to make each participant somehow complete in delivering conspicuous and loud message. I you have all these in Tanzania, no need to invite people you just set the equipment in the evening in any village or town the whole multitude is yours to preach. You may make a leap.



PROGRESS OF MAASAI RADIO PROJECT

Another remarkable event is the development of Radio distribution project. Though there was a delay of the distribution it has became a community issue. The President of South Nyanza Conference took one radio with its supper power megaphone to display it to their churches so make promotion in their churches to go to Maasai land but it was deployed to the Maasai people western Ngorongoro. Is already one operating station so the Conference had to order another Megaphone and Radio for its display in churches. We expect South Nyanza to establish 18 stations each with radio and megaphone.

About South-West Tanzania field there are still obstacles but the communication director Pastor Msembele is working hard to make sure 16 stations are established for Maasai listeners on their territory. There was a government re allocation of those residing there. But Barri Mosier of Kibidula is training two Maasai young men for the work and already SDA church is established near the great Ruaha game reserve where many Maasai reside.

Our local Conference that is Eastern Tanzania Conference they changed the director of Communication four times due to the Adventist Movement (From Mwakalonge to Kazagata to Mnkeni finaly to the current Nyamajeje). This shifts made the work to go slower but we have assigned 80 Maasai listener stations to their broad territory. I am working closely with the conference to make it fruitful. It is good that they make their district leaders and communication secretaries accountable to bring the report and make follow-up of the project.

We come to North East Tanzania Conference with a big Maasai population. On 27th February 2007 we handled 86 Solar powered radios to Jeremia Izungo the president of the conference. Present were the Treasurer who is the custodian of the conference, the youth director and communication director. It their turn to magnify 3 angels message in the specified areas of nomadic Maasai. Their new communication director Pastor Elitabu Kajiru is very precise. Already he alerted all members in the local churches assigned to work in Maasai land so they are preparing for the program. By the grace of God they promised establish 86 listener stations.

I talked to the president of Mara Conference they have Maasai living on the side of Serengeti so they also will receive 10 radios for t10 stations. We are still looking the way we can carry 30 radios for Maasai Development Project (MDP) in Kenya
.
Sometimes I discovered because of the beauty and strength of the radios members want them for themselves. I had to explain that they are Adventists who always hear the message. Let those who are in rural un-reached areas whose needs are greater receive first priority. The radios themselves are not enough but can become catalyst to cause the big part of the work not yet done to start. As we go on in future will get more ideas on how to modify according to various lessons from working experience. May be each station may bring up ten stations. Let us attempt little successfully before we do big. We get inspiration from Daniel 12: 3 that the wise who lead others to do good will shine like stars forever. This means AWR and ASI supplied the equipment for evangelism the the great army is supplied means to go to minister to others who in turn go on to do the same until the work is finished.


Our radio distribution plan in summary:
1. North East Tanzania Conference – 86 stations
2. Eastern Tanzania Conference – 80 stations
3. South west Tanzania Field – 16 stations
4. South Nyanza Conference – 18 stations
5. Mara Conference 10 stations
6. Maasai Development project (Kenya) 30 radios (If they can buy Megaphones then can be stations)

The great challenge for especially 2 conferences is the breadth of the land. One member among the global mission evangelists who attended the seminar commented about the challenge. He stays at Makanya in Same district (North East Tanzania Conference), in order to go to nearby maasai land he travels for 7hours with his car to conduct Sabbath school and Divine service. He also has to travel with all necessities, which are food, water, some soap, toilet paper etc not only for his family but for fellowship with Maasai members and friends. That is just an example.

We must expect great to receive it. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Pessimism was a problem of 10 spies who made expedition to the land of Canaan along with the bright Joshua and power filed Caleb. All of them agree about the beauty of the land and the sweetness of its fruits. All agree about challenges of meeting iron chariots and bringing down thick strong walls of the cities of Canaan. Their difference is the 10’s weakness and pessimism versus the strength and courage of the two. Their difference is the way they trusted the Lord. It was about the personal relationship with the Lord. People in many times magnify the difficult situation and forget that the Lord is the author and finisher not only of our faith but our works (faith journey).

Some people will sit idle and wait until the Lord removes all obstacles to start working. We must work with what we already have in the way the Lord will supply our needs. To love the Lord with all your heart, mind and strength means we have to do all that God empowered us and leave that which we have not to God. Even if we fail temporarily we are destined to win in the long run. The Lord will bless the work the work of great sweating, sometimes agony, toil, suffering, distress, and even martyrdom, because they show how much we love him and value His sacrifice on the cross. So problems and challenges are there to drive us to our knees. But if we just sit back and criticize or project impossibilities (while our God is all-powerful, omniscient…), we become narrow minded and destined to fail. Let us rise and go to our duty in the name and power of Christ who strengthens us. Remember among ancient Israelites all doubted the lord never entered the land of promise. Today all Adventist who do not have living faith with God will not enter His rest in the kingdom of God.


MAASAI RESPONSE TO DONORS WHO SUPPORT MAASAI WORK

Dear Maasai sponsors,

RE: WORD OF APPRECIATION FOR SPONSORING MAASAI PEOPLE

I take this opportunity to send a word of appreciation to Maasai sponsors for the great job they are doing to Maasai people. It was not easy historically to reach out to our people. The reasons are clear. They were known to be fierce Nilo-Hamitic race. So both early pioneer missionaries and later fellow africans found very hard to work for this people. But God has oppened wide door for them. This is the best time to be reached. I am giving you one true story of how Maasai people used to be in the past to illustrate how aggressive were they.

One Maasai Worrior named Oloibormongi belonging to Laikipia Maasai in Kenya was chief commander leading Maasai raids arround middle of 19th Century. Laikipia formerly were known to be giants and mighty people in battle that few even of fellow Maasai could encounter them. Now arose the deliverer of the other sections of Maasai people by the name Endoros e Kapeen. He led Purko Maasai. He brought together his warriors and gave them battle plan against Laikipia. He said, "how can we sit like women when one Warrior conquers the country?" referring to Oloibormong'i. We must meet him in combat. Now Elders tried to calm morans and beseech them not to go to fight against Laikipia. Several days passed while Elders tried to persuade Endoros not to engage in combat with Oloibormong'i. One morning elders came to visit the comander Endoros and try again to beseech him not to engage in fight. In response Endoros e Kapeen pulled out his sword and cut off his own ear and handled to elders saying take this hearing which you request . He meant that now if you continue your persuasions you will be talking to a bull (commander) with no ear to hear. Now elders were aware of what he meant, that youngmen are bend on fighting with Laikipia. Few days was a march to Oloibormong'is territorry. Endoros chose four powerful warriors to visit Oloibormongi meanwhile others remain hiding in the forest eating meat. They met him at his home. After greetings they told him of their mission. Endoros asked Oloibormong'i to bring all his armour ie battle shield, spear etc and Endoros did break them in front of Oloibormong'i. " We have come" said Endoros. "We are prepared for battle. But we will not fight with you secretly or steal you unprepared. What I have done is to give you an opportunity to prepare new shield and spear that you may not say you met me unprepared having only old battle equipments. We will give you seven days of preparations and call all your warriors from all your land with a horn." After a short talk they left each other.

At that period given Oloibormong'i brought together all warriors at his place. Then Endoros apeared again with a small number of escot to meet with Oloibormong'i. They came to discuss on the battle plan. It seems strange! To discuss how to fight with your enemy? But it is true not a fable as I have interviewed several elders all coming to the same conclusion. The discussions of the warriors were as follows:
ENDOROS E KAPEEN: we are going to engage in battle with each other. This are deliberations and agreements which we had. No one of us should take advantage of the others misfortune. Therefore we must choose a good plain with no pits as environment to engage in combat. There are three kinds of morning: the black, red and white morning (Meaning at sunrise when everything is clear). Warriors meet in white morning when no one might say I did not see you when you confronted me or I was unprepared. We don't know the outcome of the battle. In case I die I give you an oath that you will inherit my family. You will care for my parents and you will be a protector of my family. I have finished.
OLOIBORMONG'I: We have come to terms. I agree all you have said. In addition I give you an oath that you will inherit my family. No one else will marry my wife except you in case I die. My father is with one eye and is old now. You have to care for him and all our family. And because we dont know how will the battle end when your warriors rout out my warriors and the youngmen run away please don't follow after them to their hiding or the assylum they escape to. Let the battle end in the plains alone.
ENDOROS E KAPEEN: okey. Let's meet tommorrow on the plain at white morning.

The next day the warriors engaged in conflict. But the leaders of factions were themselves engaged in fight with each other. But they were themselves referees of the conflict. They use their weight and stregth to push other with shields at the same time throwing spears and punching them. It was the matter of pining and punching. When it was noon Comander Endoros lifted up the white flag and shouted "it is over for today. Let warriors of each side go back for the sun is hot we cannot see each other properly". So each side withdrew. Next day the met again for fight until noon. The third day Endoros was successful to pierce his spear through the liver of his opponent Olibormong'i. He failed to puch it with his shield. "Indipa" meaning "You have made it" so fulfil your promise according to the oath we took. Endoros anounced "let the battle come to a stand still for the great warrior has died. First of all who will stand in the place of Oloibormong'i for I only fight with the bull" (Meaning the dominating male cow). Then the other warrior from Laikipia jumped and stood in front Endoros e Kapeen. He was also powerful and well proportioned in phisical structure like Oloibormong'i.Endoros asked him to call the other four powerful warrior from Laikipia. "Today there will be no fight untill the day after tommorrow" continued Endoros, "for the great warrior has passed away". Tommorrow is time of wailing. But call the father and all the family of Oloibormong'i". When the elder his family have come Endoros said father dont worry today you have begotten another son. I will care for you and the family of warrior Oloibormong'i. The next day was burrial time for among the great warriors ever lived" Endoros did send warriors who moved all Oloibormong'i's property to Endoros in accodance to the battle agreement. The next day again was engagement in fight between the factions. After two days again Endoros killed the other warrior. Instead of running another warrior from Laikipia jumped and stood infront of Endoros to fight with him. Finally when Laikipia warriors discovered that their third comander was killed by Endoros the warrior with one ear they escaped. When Endoros lifted up from a heavy job to look he saw that all opponents desappeared some killing others escaped. So he called all his warriors and commanded them not to follow to any of the fugitives who went to find shelter in the nearby forest and Kamba, Kikuyu, Nandi and other tribal communities. That was the end of the agressivenes of the fierce warlike Kwavi section of Maasai people. End of the story.

In fact I have many stories including missionary failures to reach out to maasai people especially because of their agressive and proud behavior. It was not easy for the full, satisfied people to accept Jesus. Then God allowed deseases to plunder their cattle and human power. When cattle became thin they also suffered with their cattle. After this their pride was lowered and became more humane and receptive to Christianity. When Europeans entered the scene they became causes of permanent peace among the fighting sections of Maasai people when they discovered they cannot fight with western complicated weapons.

To apply we are engaged in spiritual conflict. Through AWR we deliberately penetrate Maasai society with the kigdom messages of peace and joy. By using the trumpet of AWR we are making them aware that we are not taking them by suprise. They must understand that the strong spiritual offensive is following. Like the old Jericho, there is no courage left in them because of our trumpets. I know because I have been going through their homsteads and some even payed a visit to our place to see what is going on with what they heard from far. What is left for us is to bring the plunder of surrendered souls to Jesus who is the victorious commander of the Lords army. As Rahab was accepted into the Lords people and even married by one of the warriors so Maasai society along with others will be betrothed to Jesus and our land be called BEULA and HEFSIBA.

I believe the work you are doing for Maasai people will bring fruits and you will never regret for what you have done. May the Lord bless you abundantly and encourage your spirits till this noble work is finished. Thank you again for sponsoring air time for Maasai programs, and for the 250 radios.

Sincerely Yours,

Lemareka T. Ole Kibasisi,
Producer, AWR Maasai programs
Tanzania
--------------------------------------------------------

ENKARE NAIBOR MAASAI CRUSADE
Friends,October 13th-16th,2006, I attended the effort at Longido district, ArushaTanzania. Pastor Alfayo Laizer who was a preacher called me to come andsupport him. There were AWR Maasai language listeners at Engare naiborvillage so I was asked to come and strengthen them. I worshiped at NamangaSDA church on 14th Oct,2006. There I was touched by generous activities ofdoctor Kabati. He being a doctor had been attending a number of HIV/AIDSmaasai and other patients at Namanga. After confirming the death of eachpatient he had to adopt the orphaned children at his family apartment. Isaw that he was carying big burden without any contact of donors tosupport his orphanage. He and his wife had to make home nursary school andorphanage. I was interviewing some children and discovered few veryintelligent of maasai children who lost their parents. That evening Ijoined my friends at Karao, Enkare naibor for a crusade. I saw that Godblessed the mission of pastor Stephan Hoeschele at Longido because somemembers from Longido have sown the message at Karao.Mount Longido comes from original Maasai name Loonkiito, meaning a placewhere worriors used to shapen their weapons ready for raiding partiespatroling East Africa before colonial rule. It have changed to becameshapening site for gospel warriors to take the sword of the spirit toattack the unsuspecting with the word of God. Those hills of EngareNaibor(White springs water) were historically a mountain crossing of giantwarriors to and from Kenya. As I interviewed some elders I discovered thatthe legendary Ole Kopito was truly historic warrior and the remnant of hisfamily resides near the neighbour village of Muntarara. Why am explainingthis is because it has became a reality that warriors aided infacilitating the spread of the gospel. The team of evangelists some justretired from warriorhood. They can amount to 5 adults. The response amongthe youth made the safe environment. They gathered around the site atnight to protect gospel workers. The same shield, spears and swords wereused to make the gospel successful.Few monts earlier when the Youth director of the General Conference PrBaraka Muganda arrived at Longido one elder promised a land for school atEngare naibor. So pastor Elton Lusingu the education director from theTanzania Union had to camp with warriors at Engare naibor. The next day Imean 15th Oct,2006 we witnessed 37 souls joining the church throughbaptism. That evening we had a bus of students from Suji high schooljoined our team. They were led by the North East Tanzania Conferencepresident Jeremiah Izungo and director of PASUCHO Mr Mkitunda ( assistantto conference education director). The students came to aid at witnessingand inaugurating the project of building the primary School for Maasaichildren. I was happy to meeat my young sister Nailayon (the last born ofmy mom) whom am sponsoring to study at Suji high school and Parkuris mystep brother. One of my strategies is to advice my relatives to join ourschools. My young brother Shabala has just finished form four at Ndembelasecondary. The other is yet to finish next year and 3 at Suji high schooland 2 at Chome Secondary. Later when I left received news that the totalnumber baptized were 47. But the number is still to continue risingbecause just as the field is very fertile so is the spiritual land of theheart of people of the area. I believe that we are going to have apowerful institution at the area. The village donated 10 acres forconstruction. But the area allows future expansion. One of attractivesights I witnessed is the cohabitation of people with wildlife. In our cartwo times we barely missed kicking giraffes who were dazzled by eveninglight. At the gospel campsite we were surrounded by animals like antelops,which felt safe because Maasai people do not kill wildlife for food. TheOstrich were moving around us. Let us continue to pray for the work inMaasailand. God bless you.
LEMAREKA