Tanzania, Africa
Chimala Newsletter – Jason, Madesha & Levan Stapleton – April, 2004
Again we hope this letter finds you well. Things here are going great; Madesha and Levan are both doing well. About three weeks ago, we finally received our belongings that we shipped from the United States last December. Everything arrived safely. As you can imagine Madesha was really, really excited and has been busy ever since. It certainly has made things feel much more like home.
The work here is beginning to pick up as we become more familiar with it. The Chimala School of Preaching classes are going well and the students are doing a good job. At our last Friendship Seminar we had over 100 in attendance, so needless to say we were overwhelmed by the turnout. The building was packed full and several of us gathered around the sides of the building, sitting on the ground so we could hear through the open windows. For the most part these people have a real longing to hear the word of God. How different that is from the States sometimes. Almost every week we get letters and messages from non-Christians pleading with us to come to their villages to study the word of God with them. It is requests like this that make our being here worth the sacrifice.
During the last part of March we had a Women’s Seminar here on the mission. We had a very good turnout, maybe one of the best we have ever had for a Women’s Seminar. There were more than 100 women in attendance. Many of these women and their children traveled a long distance to come and hear God’s Word taught over the course of two days. Madesha and the other missionary wives all took part in the teaching. Madesha spoke over the topic of Happiness and it was her first time to use a translator here. She felt that it went well and she looks forward to her next opportunity to teach other women. The missionary wives, Madesha, Tam and Carrie, don’t need to be overlooked, for each of them plays a big part in the work that is done here and we are thankful for them.
The Mpolo work is continuing quite well. This last week they had 11 in attendance in both the morning and evening worship services. We will soon be looking for a permanent building for them to worship in. For the last couple of weeks we have been planning to start a new congregation in Mbeya, which is about 50 miles away. So we gathered the second year students Friday morning, just after chapel and headed to Mbeya. By lunch we had baptized three new Christians, and one more was added to the Church on Saturday. Again, we were overwhelmed that in just two days we already had a small congregation started. Truly the fields are white unto harvest. Our plans are to start three new congregations in Mbeya in the next few months or weeks if the Lord wills. I ask for your prayers on behalf of the work and on behalf of those students and teachers who are so involved in the work here.
Once again, I would like to express my thankfulness for your prayers and support on the behalf of the work here. It means a great deal to us, as well as to the people here. We realize, as do they, that none of this would be possible without your help, so may God bless you in all that you are doing for His cause.
Thank You,
Jason, Madesha and Levan