Bro. Nathan Reports

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Geita Report #1

Sunrise over Geita.

Dear Friends,

Praise the Lord! I arrived safely in Geita, Tanzania on Sunday,

February 5^th.

It turned out to be an interesting journey for me. In New York

I was informed that my flights connecting through Instanbul

were not possible because of a huge snowstorm there.

A very kind agent worked diligently to find a flight through

London, England instead. I spent a day in central London

checking out some famous sights. Although I arrived in

Dar es Salaam much later than expected, God took care of me.

After getting through customs, money exchanged,

tickets confirmed, and into the waiting room --

I had not even sat down, when my flight to Mwanza

was called to begin boarding! God’s timing is perfect!

I was met in Mwanza by Pastor Damson, my interpreter

from last year. What a joy to be reunited with my dear

Christian brother! Saturday was a day for me to rest up

and to wander around the streets remembering sights

and sounds from last year’s trip. Sunday, I attended the

Anglican Cathedral and had a nice visit afterwards with

a missionary couple from Canada. Later that day,

Bishop Kwangu and Pastor Damson escorted me to Geita.

Along the way, we stopped off in Sengerama to visit

Capt. Nestor, a retired priest who has assisted our

teaching ministry for the past several years. The

highlight of this visit was meeting his 104 year old mother.

Monday was spent sitting under the shade trees

at church getting to know some students and discussing

plans. Tuesday I was asked to attend a regional pastor’s

meeting in Sengerama with Pastor Mathias of Christ

the King Anglican Church (my host church). While

there, I was given opportunity to speak to about

25 pastors for 30 – 40 minutes. I decided to share a

message of encouragement from Hebrews 13, which

I had read that morning for my daily Bible reading.

It was a very long day for me. I had gotten up for an

early morning walk to watch the sunrise, and we arrived

home long after dark.

I have twenty church leaders in my class, five of

whom are ladies. Some are from local churches and

others have come by bicycle from as far as 80 km away.

I have been able to complete the first course, “Introduction

to Preaching”, in just two long days because the students

have been very attentive and diligent.

The person I thought would be interpreting for me was

not able to come, so I have a young man, Reuben, assisting

me this week. He is a fine Christian man from a village

near Geita who has been a school teacher and is taking some

classes at a university in Mwanza. My host family lives on

the edge of Geita on the uphill side, giving me a fine view

of this city of 120,000 people. The red dirt roads, green fields,

bright flowers and sunlight make for an incredibly beautiful sight

to wake up to each morning. I often think, how come I am so

blessed be allowed to come here. God is so good to give

me the opportunity to experience the love of my beautiful

Christian brothers and sisters here in Tanzania. I have taken

a few photos, but it is no use trying to capture the warm

hospitality and incredible smiles. You would just have to

come experience it for yourself.

Until next week,

May the peace of Christ be with you,

Brother Nathan

Freezing in front of the Big Ben and Parliament building.

Getting to know the students

Pastor's meeting at St. John's Church.

Some students -- "Joshua, Meshack, Naftali"

This one has two ladies in it - "Godwin, Cresencia, Liberatha"

My host's house has the red roof.