Mwanza, Tanzania: The Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Tanzania (ELCT) is well established
in urban centers but in the arid lands
around Lake Victoria, many—if not most—of the Sukuma
people have yet to hear the name of
Jesus Christ. The East of Lake Victoria Diocese (ELVD) of the
ELCT is intentionally reaching out to this large
people group and has invited friends and partners to walk
with them in this work.
In June the Trump Family traveled to Mwanza
where we met up with a small team led by Bob Allen of the LCMS’s Mid- South
District. An excellent partner in mission, Bob was open to serving
however the ELVD requested. When he first
came some years ago, they asked him to do door-to-door evangelism among the Sukuma.
While Krista and Josiah remained in Mwanza Town,
Shauen traveled with the team as they
broke into groups of two or three with local
guides, translators, and evangelists
and set out into the villages. Shauen shared the
Gospel Story with small gatherings, visited with people who had never been to
church or had fallen away, and prayed over an alcoholic in his home.
Shauen’s group even walk to the edge of the
village to try and witness to the witchdoctor! The witchdoctor wasn’t
home at the time (as is often the case when Christian Missionaries are
around) but
Shauen spoke to his household, emphasizing the
former clarity mankind had in speaking with God in the
Garden of Eden, how that was lost, how the
damage was repaired through one sacrifice for all time and all people, and how
God clearly speaks to us today through His Word. Those hearing the message were hesitant to act without their head of household
present but they requested an evangelist visit them again!
After door-to-door visits in the mornings, the
afternoons often featured a gathering at the church to share the message one
more time. In one village, even after 150 people had been baptized in their homes, Shauen was asked to preach
outside the church and following the message
dozens more came forward seeking baptism!
In one week of door-to-door evangelism
and open-air preaching, over 1,000 Sukuma
people were called to Christ and regenerated in the
waters of baptism! Praise the Lord for His
work among the Sukuma!
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join us in 2012
