On Tuesday we went to court in Moshi to testify in the court case regarding our seminary building in Himo, Tanzania. The seminary has not been operating since 2009 when a split occurred in the Tanzanian church body with which we were in fellowship. Since that time the ownership of the building has been being contested in court. This was the first time that representatives of the CLC have had the opportunity to present testimony for our ownership of the building and desire for the seminary to continue training pastors. While this has been a long and difficult time for many members in this area and for the congregation in Himo, which has been in the middle of the struggle, it has also strengthened the resolve of these members to stand firm on the Word of God in the face of such problems. May the Lord continue to give them strength during these final days!
After the hearing we sat down and visited with some of the pastors and members of this area who have been effected by this case to encourage them. In the afternoon Russ went out to Himo with Pastor Makundi to visit some of the members there while I made preparations for our trip to Arusha and our teaching at the seminary for the following day.
Pastor Makundi with a family from the Himo congregation.
On Wednesday we were up at 5:20am to catch a shuttle from Moshi to Arusha which was scheduled to leave at 6:30am. We speed walked the mile from our hotel to the station with our luggage in tow. It was nice to have deserted streets for our trek. It was still dark, but prayers had already begun at the Hindu temple we passed on the way. In that early morning hour the spiritual darkness of their worship was all too fitting and sad. Right next to the Hindu temple was a Muslim Mosque which would soon begin amplifying their own call to prayer, and one which is just as empty. May the true God lead those who are in darkness into the glorious light of His salvation through Jesus!
We arrived in Arusha and settled into our hotel in plenty of time before Pastor Jeremiah arrived to pick us up and take us to the seminary. The seminary is hosted in Pastor Jeremiah’s church in an area just outside of Arusha. It is a beautiful area with rich soil and many crops. We began at 10:00am and went until 4:00pm with a break for lunch in the middle.
Russ teaches on the Law and Gospel with Pastor Lengutai translating.
I have gotten to know the students who are there fairly well over the past few years, and they always seem eager to learn and ready to ask questions. We have two more days of teaching with them this week before we head to Tanga this weekend. May the Lord bless our time together in the study of His precious Word of Truth!
In Christ,
Nathanael
No comments:
Post a Comment