Ezra Project Update

Last August I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to northern Guatemala to help the Ezra Project begin laying plans for an orphanage that someday will house up to 66 children, and provide training and skills for young, single moms within this struggling area.  Past posts depict and describe some about this visit, and this ministry.  When I left, a storage building (literally sketched out on a note pad) was about half way constructed. This building is now complete and secure.  Before leaving the property was being graded, and revised schematic plans were drawn for the future orphanage.  Detail drawings still need to be done, and funds are needed to further this project; but God is doing amazing things through the Ezra Project for the people of northern Guatemala - PRAISE OUR AWESOME GOD! Following are some photos of the shed construction, some significant road improvements (labor and material provided for free) by the local town, and also of some of the key local folks and from the Ezra team. 

Escuela Nazareno Update

Two years ago we began design on expanding a Christian school in the very poor burro of Calan, Honduras (near San Pedro Sula).  The remodel was to expand this K-2 school to be a K-6 school, with a computer lab, new restrooms, and an office.  Two years later, with aid from a few short term mission teams and local folks the additions that were drawn are, essentially complete.  However, the school is so popular within this small burro that they need two more classrooms, plus have an opportunity to remodel a vacated house on their property as a dining facility for the children.  Mark Miller (who first invited me to travel with him two years ago), and Brian Stark are leading a short term mission team to help with the new classrooms or house/dining hall remodel this summer.  Following are some photos of the remodel project over this past year.  Check out previous blogs for older progress photos.

Pastor Zak

Towards the end of my visit to Tanzania I had the privilege of meeting Zakayo Malekwa, his family, and some of the amazing young men and women who have been discipled by him.  Zakayo, or "Pastor Zak", as he is better known, competed in the men's
javelin throw for Tanzania at three consecutive Summer Olympic games in the 1980's. He was received scholarships and his university and Bible college education in Texas. 


I only had a brief visit with Pastor Zak, but spent a couple days with young men who were mentored, discipled, and part of his ministry team (Martin, Peter, Jeremiah) called Mashahidi.  His wife invited me to their humble home for dinner while staying at LEA school in Dongobesh. They brought out so much food, and I thought, there are only four guests - why so much food; and then the children and young adults that they are raising began coming into the room - all 17 of them.  We ate, sang songs, praised our wonderful Lord.  It was the following day, when we traveled to Arusha that I was finally able to meet Pastor Zak, who was speaking at a crusade.  Following is some information that Pastor Zak shared about he and his wife's heart and ministry.

"I am so pleased for God for making this bridge between you to Musa to Martin and to our family. My wife and I have call to help children, by giving the education they need so that they can handle their lives in the days to come.

We feel that to change their condition is best approach for to take. We see this can be done through education and re-education process and yet preaching the gospel to them. This is what really happen to Martine Tango. After he got his education to new page of history, breaking through for him to start school ministry (see blog on LEA). Please remembers us in your prayers and thank you for coming to our country. With this joy let also give you few lines of the Mashahidi team and see how you can pray for this.

 1. INTRODUCTION:

    Who are we?

We are the Mashahidi team of witnessing to God’s work in Jesus Christ to others.

 

The term “Mashahidi” mean “the witnesses of Jesus Christ team” which is incompatible to Jehovah witness church. What they believe and what we believe my have different understanding and yet we may cooperate in goals of witnessing God work in our world and salvation for human race.

 

1.VISION:

Our vision is to coordinate and organized the bunning callers of the Gospel to respond to great commission of Jesus Christ in their daily spiritual duties and responsibilities as instructed in (Math. 28:19-20). To bring spiritual intangibility into tangible and particles in results.

 

2.MISSION: What-

The burning callers such Mashahidi are called to curry on the great commission of Jesus Christ to the unreach communities.

 

3.OTHERS MEMBERS

Those who support the mission are also considered of part and parcel of the Mashahidi family team and are equality assigned the duties and responsibility of implementing the goal and success of the mission.

 

4. THE MINISTRY WITHIN THE GROUP.

   

The ministry within the group is aimed at strengthening and to encouraging their callings by first:

a.       providing them with seminars training and disciplining

and eventually to send them out to the specific areas after which they will bring back their report to the their centers.

 

This plans will help to identify the actual problems and challenges encountered in the areas, into which they have been assigned and also the solution for them.

 

b.      To equip members with the Bible knowledge by

Establishing special programs like trainer of trainees (TOT)

 Meaning that person who is given knowledge is

 encouraged to pass the same knowledge to others

 (God in us and through us to others).

5. SKILLS:

We also provide person skills for self reliance so that they can earn living and to support their families as well as to support the ministry. These skills will be taught through vocational training which includes: Basic computer programs, Sewing Machine, Needle work, Masonry, Music, Carpentry and etc.

Zakayo Malekwa
chairman for Mashahidi team."

LEA Ministry & Primary School

While in Tanzania, Musa introduced me to Martin Tango, and his friends Peter Lulu and Jeremiah.  Martin and his wife started an amazing ministry a few years ago, that by God's amazing grace has grown and is helping so many homeless and very poor children.  With God's help, I will be drawing plans for student housing, essentially an orphanage for about 200 children on land adjacent to the school.  Presently, LEA rents spaces for these children to live, but they are very small (requiring 4 persons per bunk bed), and costly.  Following is a photo of Martin, his wife, their four children, and four others living with them.  Below that is a description of LEA, with more photos at the bottom of the blog.

Martin Tango and his family - founder of LEA

LEA MINISTRY –TANZANIA- is a non Governmental Organization and non profit making associates with its head office in Mbulu, Manyara Region, Tanzania. LEA mission is to assist the disadvantageous pupils/communities to attain modern school education to bring about sustainable changes. This includes orphans who need the assistance from the community but they have been wrongly judged and ignored by the society.

LEA-Tanzania has experience with community development issues in empowering communities to improve their socially and economic livelihoods. In this process of supporting communities, LEA has implemented the Participatory Nursery and Primary School Construction and Management for Pupils under 3-6 in years in Nursery school up 7 -13 year to Primary school in Dongobesh Village, Mbulu District, and Manyara Region.

LEA has started conducting baseline survey on viability of Participatory Nursery and Primary School Construction Project in Dongobesh Village, Mbulu District. The early results obtained shows achievements as up to now LEA has started implement and rendering of Nursery  and Primary school services to few children on trial basis. There is an increase in demand for more parents wish to enroll their pupils. Now our number of children are 262 in school.  

In order to achieve the expected Programme goals LEA-Tanzania is requesting material and financial support from an individual persons,Government,Non Governmental institutions and Private Companies that has the interests to assist the disvantegeous communities so that these communities can adequately be able to improve their livelihoods. The mobilized funds will be used for implementing the Nursery and Primary school Construction and management.

LEA is call for Donors who will assist and make the Progamme run and if you are interested to support these concerted efforts just a small part of the proposed  Programme’s  budget you are welcomed and we thank you.

Your assistance in terms of materials and financial support is of very important in ensuring that pupils in Dongongobesh Village transformed and changed their ways of lives from where they are now to a more improved livelihoods. Send us your answers on contribution to Nursery and Primary School Construction through the above address.

LEA-Tanzania first is expressing its thankful to everyone who will volunteer to provide assistance in supporting this important Programme and God bless you.

God Bless Dongobesh,God Bless Tanzania,God bless Afrika

Director, Ev. Martin P. Tango

P.O. Box 208

Mbulu –Manyara, Tanzania, East-Africa

some of the kids - notice the "big gray haired" kid in the back!






there's that big gray haired kid again!

play time


the teachers & staff

Dinner?

Housing

Worship time was so amazing & humbling

 

 

 

 



 

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