Elihuruma, John, Judith, and Joshua

Elly, Musa, & two ladies on his ministry team (one is his fiancé)

Elihuruma Muruma (Elly), John Athumani, Judith Msengi are wonderful people I've been Facebook friends with since last Spring, shortly after Musa's visit.  In fact, all of the folks shared about in this post are some of the many people Musa has interacted with as he travels throughout Tanzania preaching the Word.



Elly's the youth rally in Arusha

Elly is an inspirational young evangelist and teacher in Arusha, Tanzania.  Elly, at 25, has written three books, and holds youth (secondary and college age) rallies with amazing music, preaching, and teaching.  He is passionate about helping to shape the character of young women and men in Tanzania to love and serve our Lord, particularly students within the universities where they are often taught views conflicting with the Truth of the Word of God.  His ministry mission statement is to "live full and die empty".  Lay it all on the line for our Lord, there is nothing of more value.  On my first night in Tanzania I was privileged to attend "part" of an all nighter rally that Elly's ministry put together.  I was privileged to hear absolutely wonderful music (singing and instrumental), preaching and teaching my Elly, and Musa, and such energetic enthusiasm - it was an amazing evening.



with Judith at Joshua's Studio

with John at Joshua's studio

John & Judith are father and daughter.  John is much sought after Tanzanian evangelist, who knows Musa from sharing the podium at various crusades.  John was raised muslim (from his dad's side), and was hand selected to travel to Saudi Arabia for special training when his muslim mentor suddenly died (on the day they were to travel).  This caused him to step back and re-evaluate his life's path.  This, plus constant prayers from his mother led John to the cross of Jesus - where he has been serving faithfully for most of his adult life.  John has a particular gift or reaching out to the muslim population in Tanzania - sharing with them true hope which can only come through our Lord Jesus Christ.  His only daughter Judith (he has three son's and one daughter) has been trained in child care and desires to serve the Lord through an orphanage when God opens this door.  Judith also has a beautiful voice and sings at many of the crusades that John is involved with.  Judith decided to take her dad's Christian last name (Msengi) rather than the muslim name (Athumani) that he was raised with.  I had the honor of meeting John and Judith in Katish, Tanzania - where they served me a wonderful meal - and we strolled around their town enjoying our common fellowship in The Lord. John took time off from a crusade he was a speaker at in order to meet me - this was such an honor.



with Joshua at his studio

During our stroll through Katish we visited Ebenezer Recording Studio and I had the wonderful honor of meeting Joshua Sumari.  Joshua is a young father of two, who built a recording studio off of his house, and has recorded Musa, Judith, and the Good News Choir (more about them in another post) among many others.  Joshua is very humble, and is very professional, and created an excellent sound room using, in part, a ceiling covered with cardboard egg containers.  Joshua is in the building an addition to his home which he hopes to turn into a regional radio station where praises to our Lord can be broadcast throughout the countryside.

What an honor to meet such amazing extended family members in Arusha and Katish Tanzania.

 

What is a Salaman?

Paul, Daniel, Isaac, & yours truly

Well - perhaps rather than "what is a Salaman, I should ask, what are four Salaman's - and what do they have to do with Tanzania? Now - I may have some of the facts slightly off - but following is an explanation what a Salaman is: Paul & Christine Salaman, along with their two boys Daniel & Isaac are a British missionary couple who live in Dodoma, Tanzania; Paul is a physics professor at St. John's University, and Christine works with the local Anglican Church office.  Paul and Christine first came to Tanzania in 2000, a young couple with no children - seemed like it would be good to "try out" foreign mission work before starting a family.  They applied to a couple church mission agencies, and were accepted by the Anglican agency to serve a small parish in Killamintinde, near the archdiocese for central Tanzania.  While serving partly at the archdiocese - they met a young Musa Njagamba, who was assisting with youth outreach and music at the diocese, and became very close with this young man who had such a passion for preaching the gospel.  It is through Musa that I came to meet the Salaman's; I was even privileged to stay in their guest room which they call "the Musa room". 



Musa & Christine

Shortly after arriving, they became "hooked" on the people of Tanzania - but after about three years thought it would be good to head back to England to start their family. Shortly after the birth of their second son - they sought new opportunities to return and serve in Tanzania.  Paul noticed the need for a physics professor at St. John's in the city of Dodoma, and back they came in 2007.  coming up on six years, they figure to stay at least three more before returning to England for their son's to complete their secondary education there; and after that - who but God knows.  I suspect they will be back in Tanzania.



possible site for new dorm at St John's

St John's is a fairly old university, but as a Christian university is sort of the poor step sister to the much larger University of Dodoma (which is funded by the government, the muslim church, and has received large grants from the Gates Foundation).  St John's has a real need for new dormitories, but no funds.  Rentals in this city, due to having two universities, are very high, and it is often not safe for students to commute to off campus housing; in fact, last year a young lady was raped and murdered while commuting.  Paul, through the campus church, is seeking grants to help fund construction of a much needed dormitory.  In order to qualify for grants, they need drawings and construction estimates - and this is where God, through Musa, has connected the Salaman's with the Luebben's.  Please pray as we develop plans, that God will use these to help this dorm get built, and that more safe housing can be made available to the students of St. John's.



Snapshots from Freetown, Sierra Leone

I had the privilege to spend the last week of October, 2013, with Michael Turay and his beautiful family.  Michael is the head pastor of Grace Point Bible Church, in the Regents district of Freetown.  He is also the founder of Aletheia Ministries. I met Michael at a great study on the book of Romans offered in Spokane last January/February.  Michael was one of the teachers.  During a break, I noticed him studying and taking photos of the small church that we met at; asked him about it, shared what I do - and the next thing you know I find myself halfway around the world in Freetown. 



Michael & Georgiana Turay

 

Grace Point Bible Church

 



Michaels wife, children, and mother were wonderful to spend time with - they love our Lord, are sharp, fun, and humble.  They fed me too much, included me in their family for the week.  Michael took me to their church, and to the site where they will build their new church and ministry.  This is a VERY challenging site - to say the least. In addition, I was able to share in in their daily routine of loading up the car beyond capacity (I added to this "beyond" part); dropping of his wife at her work, picking up two or three of the Aletheia Ministry team, dropping off their 13 year old at his school, and then the 4 year old at his school (and sometimes the neighbor boy as well), before heading to the Aletheia Ministry office. Just driving around in Freetown is a faith building experience - I am grateful that Michael did the driving!



Nathan, Donald, & Samone Turay

Grace Point & Aletheia focus on teaching sound doctrine (Christ alone, by grace, through faith alone); on discipling men and women in to know the gospel, and share the gospel with others.  Many of the church leaders are also part of Aletheia - and they spend most every Wednesday evangelizing in the mornings, and teaching small group Bible studies in the afternoons.  They spend much of the rest of the week studying the Word and sharpening each other; often debating in a loving way.



Following are more photos to help capture the week. Please pray that the Lord blesses this ministry in a town where the true gospel is very hard to come by, and also please pray that the Lord helps me find time to complete the drawings for these wonderful ministries.

 

typical urban housing



church members clearing the site of rocks

view of city from highest point in Freetown area