Evangelism Tarime Style

On Saturday’s we usually go out to Gamasara with the kids. I blogged about this place earlier, the joy it brings to the kids, and the joy it brought me to be a part of it. This Saturday I did not go out with the kids and the rest of our team. I was sad that I was missing this time with them all, but God decided to place another, even more amazing opportunity before me. David, a Baptist missionary in town invited me to go out with him and a team to evangelize house to house in Tarime.

As we headed out we split up into different groups and each headed in opposite directions. My group consisted of me, Zach my translator, and a pastor from a local church. At the first house, the pastor did all of the speaking, and he did an amazing job. I remember thinking, how in the world am I going to be as effective as him sharing, when I have to witness through a translator? Yet at the next house, he introduced us, and then told me to go ahead and share, and so through the translator, I began to share Christ with these people. It was amazing to see God work, because no matter how much was lost through translation, or how much I felt like I messed up, He was right there making sure His message went through clearly to the people He loves so dearly. Sometime I forget that there are no barriers for God, and that he can do the impossible, and this day He reminded me of this.

We shared with a little over 20 people in our group alone, and it was amazing to see God work in their lives. Four people we shared with told us they were already Christians, so we stayed and talked with them about Witnessing to their neighbors who do not know Christ. They were very receptive, and seemed really interested in sharing their faith after we talked to them. There were about 6 people we talked with, and even though they did not accept Christ into their lives, they asked for reading material so they could look into it a little more. (We had some booklets with more information in them we handed out) Finally, the best for last, 12 of the people we shared with said they wanted to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, and prayed to receive Him in their hearts! That afternoon we held a bible study that we invited them all to, so that the leaders could follow up with the people, and they could come to learn more about Christ, and how they should live their lives.

Please be praying for all of those we shared with. Pray for the people who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Pray that their decision is a genuine one, and that they will continue to seek out Christ and become true Disciples of Christ. Pray that they share this new life and love they have received with all of those around them. Also, be praying for those who did not make that decision. Pray that God be working on their hearts, and that they come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. Finally pray for the Baptist church and missionary’s who are here (David, his wife Nicole, and their 3 kids), that God will continue to use them in amazing ways in their time here in Tarime.

I have to say that this day is the best day I have had thus far in my time here. I truly saw God do some amazing things in the lives of these people. I consider it an honor and privilege to be a part of God’s work here in Tarime, and to bring God’s love to the kids, and the people of Tarime. I want to say thank you to all of you for your part in helping to show these kids, and people Christ’s love as well. If it weren’t for your support through finances to bring me here, and your prayers for me and these people, they might not have experienced the love of Christ. So know that each and every one of you have had an impact for Christ in Tarime, Tanzania without ever stepping foot here. I just hope that one day you might have the opportunity to come here and meet the children here that have impacted my life in amazing ways.

In Christ with love,

Jordan