Karibu, is what I felt as I
walked out of the arrival hall at the airport in Dar-es-Salaam. My first time
In Tanzania, the land known for its VAST wilderness areas, tropical offshore
islands, Mount Kilimanjaro and its cheerful people.
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| Zanzibar from my window |
My suitcase with lots of
materials and a few personal items such as clothes didn't arrive. It got stuck
in Kenya as my lay-over lasted only 30 minutes (at least I got some exercise!).
Karibu, said my Tanzanian
sister Neema, as she gave me a warm hug and took me by the hand to take me to
her new home...the small town of Bagamoyo about three hours driving from Dar.
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| Dar-es-Salaam |
Excitement filled my being; the people, the palm trees, the business, the
temperature, the smell, the whole atmosphere. New, yet so pleasantly
familiar!
Karibu, said the local
community in the bush of Bagamoyo region, to Bernard and Neema (Grace). Why,
they didn't even know them?
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| The best way to reach Word of Hope is by motorbike |
New doors open, KARIBU!
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| Joy, joy, joy to finally meet Word of Hope pupils in the Bagamoyo bush |
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| KARIBU |
Word of Hope
About 20 years ago, Neema (Tanzanian) and Bernard
(Malawian) met and got married. Neema was raised Muslim, Bernard traditional
mixed with Christianity. The Lord used a Christian aunt of Neema to share the
Gospel with her at the age of 12. From that day, Neema left her parents
religion and started to follow Jesus through reading the Bible and going to
church. Bernard was able to leave the traditional beliefs behind as he moved
away from his home at Nkhotakhota (Malawi) to Tanzania. Together they have been
growing spiritually. In 2011 they moved to Malawi. That is where I met Bernard
and Neema, founded, established and run Nyenyezi Ministry in the rural
community of Chinsapo. In 2018 Bernard and Neema moved back to Tanzania.
Leaving Nyenyezi Ministry in the capable hands of Efrida (Operational director)
and Santi (Financial director). Bernard and Neema had to start from zero again,
they were able to buy land. Soon enough the needs of the surrounding
communities started to capture their hearts and the desire to reach out to them
grew. Prayer for Gods guidance, showing His vision and communication between
us, resulted in the initiative to open the doors of WORD OF HOPE
Ministry, Tanzania.
The bush area is called Makurunge, with almost no
development. A small village / trading center is built along the dirt road, and
people living in that area have built their local homes, some cultivate some
raise cattle. The nomads (Mang’ati tribe) move around with their
cattle.
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| A Mang'ati mother with two of her 5 kids, the youngest is at Word of Hope school, the oldest must shepherd their cattle. |
As the community of Makurunge watched Bernard and Neema,
they must have seen something good. Neema was elected in the big local
meeting to be the representative of the community to the District level. This
is amazing!! Especially when you consider that most of the people are either
animist, Mang’ati or Muslim. Then, the community decided to give land for
the Word of Hope project. This is about 20 acres. KARIBU!
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| Teacher Helen leading a song |
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| Word of Hope pupils, it the background the bush-house (tent) of Bernard and Neema |
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| Neema's kitchen where porridge is cooked for the pupils everyday |
1000 $ needed, Karibu!
Official Registration with the government of Tanzania
requires papers to ensure the quality of the projects. The papers should be in
line of the project aims. Bernard has a Bachelor degree in accountancy (very
helpful of course!!) but neither him nor Neema have any Bible school diplomas.
Since Word of Hope is a Christian project, the leaders must have papers that
will prove Christian leadership. Therefore, Bernard and Neema have started
Bible school this week at Reach Tanzania. They offer a great program, including
Bible Study methods, Theology, Christian Leadership, Church Planting,
Worldview, Children and Youth Ministry, OT and NT survey, Counseling etc. They
offer twenty x 1-week courses in two years for a diploma. One thousand US
dollar (1000 US $) will cover ALL costs involved providing Bernard and Neema
this 2 year training. I am looking forward to see God provide through His
blessed people. Are you one of them? Karibu!
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| Bernard and Neema (Grace), an old picture....only the kids have aged! |
A Swahili (Tanzanians official language) proverb
says: HABA NA HABA HUJAZA KIBABA
(Meaning: Little by little
fills up the measure.) Great investments are borne out of small savings. A
great journey is begun by a single mile. I believe the safari (journey) of Word
of Hope, has begun, seemingly small, potentially big. God will do great things
here!
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| Bagamoyo at the ocean |
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| Colorful pottery for sale on the roadside |
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| One of the local leaders (89 years old!) who has cooperated in the tiresome registration process |
I feel privilaged to be able to continue to invest in lives in African countries through serving as a bridge between sponsors / organisations / foundations and the actual grass root projects on the african soil. I communicate, visit, advice, report, encourage and most of all ... AM BLESSED!
The community (in its diversity) is overjoyed with the initiative of Word of Hope.May the Lord bring many out of darkness to the LIGHT!
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| Word of Hope is officially opened |
A Sante
(Thank you!)
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| Sisters in Christ! |
