 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |
 |
 |
| On November 30th, 2007, a small team of ambassadors arrived at one of the villages of Hadzabe people. It was a difficult journey which required us to split the traveling into two days. On the first day we drove for about 9 hours to a small village called Haydom where we slept in a guest house. Then we were up early the next morning to drive the final few hours into the bush. The roads were rough, but God is faithful and protected us. We were safe and only suffered a cracked wheel rim on the way to the village. |
We observed some of God’s beautiful creation during the
time we were stopped to change the tire. The Word of God
says that all creation speaks of God’s glory. We saw this first
hand. I’m not sure if you can fully understand by this one
picture, so let me explain why I’m showing you this flower. You
see, there are no leaves on this plant. The only thing that
comes out of the ground is a flower. It doesn’t even really have
a stem. We were fascinated to see this plant surviving contrary
to my known botany, which I must confess is rather limited.
time we were stopped to change the tire. The Word of God
says that all creation speaks of God’s glory. We saw this first
hand. I’m not sure if you can fully understand by this one
picture, so let me explain why I’m showing you this flower. You
see, there are no leaves on this plant. The only thing that
comes out of the ground is a flower. It doesn’t even really have
a stem. We were fascinated to see this plant surviving contrary
to my known botany, which I must confess is rather limited.
This break also offered a time for me to do a little pregame warm up. God is so good. I remember just
being so floored by His love for me and for all of His creation during our final 2 hour drive to the
village. His love is amazing. I feel like the word amazing is so overused that it’s lost some of its
meaning, but I’m telling you that no one loves you like your Heavenly Father. He’s not waiting for you
to deserve His love. He’s already crazy about you. So much so that He sent His Son to SUFFER and
DIE for you. Isaiah 53:11 tells us that Jesus looks at the result of the suffering of His soul and is
satisfied. Jesus is happy that His suffering has brought reconciliation between God and man. Have
you accepted that reconciliation and forgiveness? If you haven’t, it is very easy. Just tell God what we
all know about ourselves, we’re human and we were born knowing how to sin. We are sinners by
nature and in need of the forgiveness that He offers. Ask Him to come into your life and show you how
to live in a way that pleases Him. You may say, “Why do I want to live a life that is pleasing to God?
That doesn’t sound like much fun. I’d rather please myself.” Well the Bible tells us that there is a way
that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death. Living a life pleasing to God leads to life,
eternal life.
being so floored by His love for me and for all of His creation during our final 2 hour drive to the
village. His love is amazing. I feel like the word amazing is so overused that it’s lost some of its
meaning, but I’m telling you that no one loves you like your Heavenly Father. He’s not waiting for you
to deserve His love. He’s already crazy about you. So much so that He sent His Son to SUFFER and
DIE for you. Isaiah 53:11 tells us that Jesus looks at the result of the suffering of His soul and is
satisfied. Jesus is happy that His suffering has brought reconciliation between God and man. Have
you accepted that reconciliation and forgiveness? If you haven’t, it is very easy. Just tell God what we
all know about ourselves, we’re human and we were born knowing how to sin. We are sinners by
nature and in need of the forgiveness that He offers. Ask Him to come into your life and show you how
to live in a way that pleases Him. You may say, “Why do I want to live a life that is pleasing to God?
That doesn’t sound like much fun. I’d rather please myself.” Well the Bible tells us that there is a way
that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death. Living a life pleasing to God leads to life,
eternal life.
We came bearing gifts including 4 of their children who attend Fountain of Hope Christian School, a
boarding school where the children live for 10 to 11 months of the year. It was so wonderful to see
the children’s eyes light up as we approached this small village deep in the bush of Tanzania. We
arrived at the first child’s, Amani’s, house. Amani lives with a relative in the home you see here. You
can also see me sitting on the bed of Amani’s aunt. The bed has a wooden frame with rapes to
support you as you sleep, much like a hammock but with fewer ropes.We came bearing gifts
including 4 of their children who attend Fountain of Hope Christian School, a boarding school where
the children live for 10 to 11 months of the year. It was so wonderful to see the children’s eyes light
up as we approached this small village deep in the bush of Tanzania. We arrived at the first child’s,
Amani’s, house. Amani lives with a relative in the home you see here. You can also see me sitting on
the bed of Amani’s aunt. The bed has a wooden frame with rapes to support you as you sleep, much
like a hammock but with fewer ropes.
boarding school where the children live for 10 to 11 months of the year. It was so wonderful to see
the children’s eyes light up as we approached this small village deep in the bush of Tanzania. We
arrived at the first child’s, Amani’s, house. Amani lives with a relative in the home you see here. You
can also see me sitting on the bed of Amani’s aunt. The bed has a wooden frame with rapes to
support you as you sleep, much like a hammock but with fewer ropes.We came bearing gifts
including 4 of their children who attend Fountain of Hope Christian School, a boarding school where
the children live for 10 to 11 months of the year. It was so wonderful to see the children’s eyes light
up as we approached this small village deep in the bush of Tanzania. We arrived at the first child’s,
Amani’s, house. Amani lives with a relative in the home you see here. You can also see me sitting on
the bed of Amani’s aunt. The bed has a wooden frame with rapes to support you as you sleep, much
like a hammock but with fewer ropes.
| Our next stop was the home of another orphaned child named Neema (Grace). She lives with an aunt in this mud and stick hut with it’s grass roof. |
| Here at Neema’s home we saw one of the ways that the Hadzabe people have devised to kill the birds that they eat. What you see in the picture is a strip of rubber from a tire that is stretched tight between two sticks. There is another small stick in the ground some distance away, but about in the middle of the length of the strip of rubber. The strip of rubber is stretched to the other stick like pulling back the string of a bow and arrow. A rope is tied to the strip of rubber and some seed or other bird food placed in the line of fire to attract the birds. Then the hunter sits some distance away holding the other end of the rope. When the birds are eating the bait, the rope is pulled to allow the strip of rubber to slip over the small stick and snap on the birds. You can see the feathers around one of the base sticks as evidence of the effectiveness of this trap. I must say that I was thoroughly impressed. |
| What you see here is a large stone used for grinding flour. There is no supermarket anywhere close to the village so everything must be done by hand. |
Our final stop for taking the children to their homes was the hoe of Miriam. Miriam is one of the
brightest of the children from the nursery. She is a leader in many ways. It was so wonderful to be
able to go and see where she comes from. She has a father but he’s often gone out in the deep
bush to hunt. So Miriam lives with her aunt and uncle. Word was out that the visitors had arrived
and while we were at the home of Neema, Miriam’s aunt came running from her home. She cried out
when she got close and could see Miriam. Miriam ran to embrace her aunt and was picked up by
her aunt in true Tanzanian motherly way was placed in a konga (fabric wrap used in many ways
from carrying children on one’s back or as a skirt or head dressing) to be carried back to where we
were. This was the only truly happy reunion I witnessed at all the homes of the children. It was
wonderfully refreshing to see that Miriam comes from a home full of love. I was able to capture this
picture of Miriam in some deep thought after leaving a life in which food and water were not
concerns to go home where food and water are not guarantees. I think it was a bitter sweet reunion
for the children and their families. It is our hope and prayer that receiving an education and growing
to know God will help these children to go back home and improve the lives of the people in their
village by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and teaching them more ways of getting food than just
hunting and gathering.
brightest of the children from the nursery. She is a leader in many ways. It was so wonderful to be
able to go and see where she comes from. She has a father but he’s often gone out in the deep
bush to hunt. So Miriam lives with her aunt and uncle. Word was out that the visitors had arrived
and while we were at the home of Neema, Miriam’s aunt came running from her home. She cried out
when she got close and could see Miriam. Miriam ran to embrace her aunt and was picked up by
her aunt in true Tanzanian motherly way was placed in a konga (fabric wrap used in many ways
from carrying children on one’s back or as a skirt or head dressing) to be carried back to where we
were. This was the only truly happy reunion I witnessed at all the homes of the children. It was
wonderfully refreshing to see that Miriam comes from a home full of love. I was able to capture this
picture of Miriam in some deep thought after leaving a life in which food and water were not
concerns to go home where food and water are not guarantees. I think it was a bitter sweet reunion
for the children and their families. It is our hope and prayer that receiving an education and growing
to know God will help these children to go back home and improve the lives of the people in their
village by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and teaching them more ways of getting food than just
hunting and gathering.
I mentioned that we have 4 of the children from this
Hadzabe village at our school. One of the children, Eliwaza,
is orphaned like most of the rest of them, but she has no
family to care for her. She was taken with us to visit the
village, but she has been taken in by a pastor from
Haydom. He is one of the men who have helped to serve as
a link between New Life Foundation and the people of
Hadzabe.
Hadzabe village at our school. One of the children, Eliwaza,
is orphaned like most of the rest of them, but she has no
family to care for her. She was taken with us to visit the
village, but she has been taken in by a pastor from
Haydom. He is one of the men who have helped to serve as
a link between New Life Foundation and the people of
Hadzabe.
After we had dropped the children off at their homes, word
was out that the visitors had arrived and wanted to meet with
everyone. So the people of the village came to the meeting
place, one of the biggest baobab trees I’ve ever seen. (It is
pictured at the opening of this update.) Many of the villagers
came out to hear what we had to say. I, with the help of
Princely Shoo who interpreted for me, shared the basics of
the gospel of Jesus Christ and the love of our Heavenly
Father with the adults. Baraka Njabili, one of the new staff
was out that the visitors had arrived and wanted to meet with
everyone. So the people of the village came to the meeting
place, one of the biggest baobab trees I’ve ever seen. (It is
pictured at the opening of this update.) Many of the villagers
came out to hear what we had to say. I, with the help of
Princely Shoo who interpreted for me, shared the basics of
the gospel of Jesus Christ and the love of our Heavenly
Father with the adults. Baraka Njabili, one of the new staff
members at NLF, also shared his testimony of how
God changed his life. At the same time, Esther
Msangi played games and shared the gospel with the
children. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the
good news of God’s love with the people. We saw
evidence of some strong faith in the people, and we
saw the need for much prayer. There is a Lutheren
evangelist and one Assembly of God pastor in the
village where our children live, but it seems that for
the most part the people still don’t understand the
concept of having a relationship with God. The word
of God will not return void, so I know that even
though we may not have seen amazing miracles or
conversions, we will see eternal fruit of this trip when
we get to Heaven.
God changed his life. At the same time, Esther
Msangi played games and shared the gospel with the
children. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the
good news of God’s love with the people. We saw
evidence of some strong faith in the people, and we
saw the need for much prayer. There is a Lutheren
evangelist and one Assembly of God pastor in the
village where our children live, but it seems that for
the most part the people still don’t understand the
concept of having a relationship with God. The word
of God will not return void, so I know that even
though we may not have seen amazing miracles or
conversions, we will see eternal fruit of this trip when
we get to Heaven.
| During the time of children’s ministry, the children who attend Fountain of Hope were used to help in the ministry. As you can see in the pictures, the children were open to worship God and receive the truth about Jesus Christ. This is even more rewarding than seeing the adults come to Christ because these children have the simple faith that Jesus tells us we are to have. It is faith like that of children that God responds to. So we praise the Lord for how He moved among the children while we were there. |
| The Hadzabe people are a beautiful part of God’s creation. You can see some of the beautiful children that we encountered while we were there in the following pictures. |
| We were asked by the regional church leadership to visit another village of Hadzabe people. It was an interesting drive from one village to the next. As you can see from the pictures, the Lord made an ocean out of the desert. We drove through one of the heaviest rains I’ve seen here in Tanzania. It turned the sandy dry graound into a large body of water. It was fun for me. Those of you who know me well, know how much I like the outdoors and riding 4 wheelers in the mud. God is good. He is faithful to reward us here on Earth, just as He will when we get to Heaven. So, we got to drive through some very slick mud which helped us to thank the Lord for our 4 wheel drive landcruiser. When we arrived at the village we had a short break during which we got to have a little fun in a baobab tree. |
| The story was rather sad in the second village that we visited. There had been a pastor there in the past, but because of the hardship of the life there, he left. The few believers are with out a shepherd and are actually asking to have the tin sheets that were covering the remains of the mud hut used as a church there. They said, “Why are you wasting these tin sheets? Why don’t you give them to us so that we can at least make use of them?” We prayed in the remains of that church and promised the people that they were not forgotten by God. We will continue praying and looking for a pastor who can go back to that village and shepherd those people. The plan for future ministry to the Hadzabe people includes inviting children from the 5 other villages we know about to attend our school. We are also working on a plan of supporting a pastor who will go shepherd the flock in the second village that we visited. We will also continue working with the local church leadership in that area in identifying local people who feel called to minister in the other villages. We will help do outreach into those other villages. If you would like to help support the continuing outreach to the Hadzabe people, please let me know. |
| Pictured here are the local church leadership and Pastor Glorious Shoo. They met together in the village to assess the current situation and come up with a plan of helping to share the gospel with these precious people. It was wonderful to see the concern and plan of the local church leadership for reaching out to their brothers and sisters in Christ. |
Please allow me to thank you on behalf of the people in Hadzabe
that we visited. It was because of your generosity to me and to the
Kingdom of God that we were able to do this outreach. We did not
just take the children and the Word of God. We also took with us a
sizeable clothing donation from the people of New Life Foundation
and El Shaddai Worship Center. But without your donations, we
wouldn’t have been able to get there. We are still without our own
landcruiser and must rent one each time for our outreach projects.
It was your donations that were used to pay for the landcruiser and
some of our food. So thank you for your faithfulness. May God
richly reward you both here on Earth and in the life to come.
that we visited. It was because of your generosity to me and to the
Kingdom of God that we were able to do this outreach. We did not
just take the children and the Word of God. We also took with us a
sizeable clothing donation from the people of New Life Foundation
and El Shaddai Worship Center. But without your donations, we
wouldn’t have been able to get there. We are still without our own
landcruiser and must rent one each time for our outreach projects.
It was your donations that were used to pay for the landcruiser and
some of our food. So thank you for your faithfulness. May God
richly reward you both here on Earth and in the life to come.
