Moshi - Tanzania

Ron & Maria Cunningham

We have just returned from a visit to the Manyara region where there are a number of assemblies. This visit was arranged just after we returned from a short leave. It was a return trip of some four-hundred miles. In the past, it took three days to cover this trip but now, after extensive road construction over the past two years, we are able to do it in seven hours and a lot more comfortable on new roads.

The weekend was full in various ways. There was a full day in teaching of elders and a few evangelists were present. This time we had two brethren present from N. Ireland to share in the ministry, Mr. R. McGowan & Mr. B. Carson. It was a challenging and a special time for the local elders and evangelists to share in. The elders could only spend one day for these special meetings, as they wanted to return to their own districts for the Lord's Day activities. Maria did not come with me on this occasion as it would be very demanding on her health. I am pleased to say there are many other ways in which she is able to cope with demands and enjoys doing what she can to help forward the work of the Lord in many regions.

The next day was a special meeting for the young people and I was invited to give the message. We brought five boxes containing two-thousand-four-hundred Gospel booklets to this special gathering of young people. When they had taken what they could manage, there was not much left in the boxes. The young people were eager to be on their way to distribute these in their own districts in the community around us here in Katesh.

On the Lord's Day, the meetings started at 10:30 a.m. and continued for almost five hours. It was a memorable occasion. Our two visiting brethren were fully engaged in sharing the word of God in the Gospel, and ministry at the Breaking of Bread meeting. What a gathering - some ninety-three believers. A day not to be forgotten.

In the afternoon we went with the local evangelist, Emmanuel Hangu, to some families, which is needful and important. In one family the young mother had a nasty fall the previous evening, which left her in a sad condition. By the time we came upon the scene and heard of the event, I was shocked. Noticing the injury, I saw a piece of stick and a flimsy piece of cloth and a pin. I was able to explain to the young couple that there was no time left to play. It required some serious talking but in a polite manner. The young mother was taken to the hospital and was seen by the duty doctor who assured them there was nothing broken inside and was able to apply a good crepe bandage, with a further appointment to return for another observation. We are glad that they were able to go to the hospital the next day. They are both in the local assembly in Katesh.

I was at the International Airport here in Kilimanjaro region. Whilst standing waiting for the visitors to come to the arrival hall, a young well dressed man came up to me. Wishing me a pleasant evening, suddenly he asked if I knew him? I had to confess I did not think that we have met. Then he told me, "In my school, you taught me in the word of God fourteen years ago. I am now a doctor in a district hospital. Thank you for teaching us."

Please continue to pray for the schools ministry. I was taken to a secondary school, five-thousand feet up the mountains, with about eight-hundred students and was introduced to the headmaster who gave me a warm welcome to his school. I was taken to a class of one-hundred-and-thirty 'A level' students and enjoyed speaking to them from the word of God. I was able to share one-hundred N.Ts with them. There is no-one to teach them so I will try to pay them monthly visits. Will you pray for them? We very much value the prayer fellowship of the Lord's people for His work.