The Baptismal Certificate

Sharon sharing the story of Jesus 

One village we went to,  we found a large majority Christians there.  We met those that were Lutheran, Roman Catholic, African Inland Church, African Anglican Church, and 7th Day Adventist.  When we got back to the trucks there was some disappointment since the baptism numbers were much lower and some were saying how this was a tough day. 

 Even though we didn’t baptize as many as previous days, it was wonderful to see an area that Christianity was thriving.  This is where one of my favorite stories happened.  We had baptized a lady and her family.  We continued walking and sharing Jesus with others in the area - meeting many already attending a local church, and those that already knew Jesus. Those that knew Jesus were astonished that we had come so far to teach others about Jesus and they just wanted to tell us thank you for coming.

 

After probably an hour or so, a lady came running up to us and she wanted to know if she was getting a Baptismal Certificate.  I was a little taken back and asked if I needed to write her out a certificate.  I then learned from the pastor with us that a Certificate of Baptism is written out for everyone that was baptized.  That is why a scribe is with each team to record the tribal  name of the person and the Christian name they take at baptism. The local pastors and workers have a certificate made for each person with their new Christian name,  date, and the  pastor that performed the baptism.   The evangelists in that area also invited those who were baptized back to the area church for worship.  If the area does not have a church yet, the evangelist  will return to the homes and give them their certificate.

 This was truly amazing to me.  Our mission trip baptized 1093 individuals during the week.  These certificates mean so much to those baptized.  I think about how I have my Bible from the day I was baptized and my certificate; I think about my daughter’s baptism certificate as well as her Confirmation Certificate.  These items, although only paper, are a reminder that God picked me to be one of his children.  Some people think their diploma or a work certificate is the most important piece of paper, but to a Christian the day you received Jesus into your heart is a true sign of faithfulness.  This lady that was so excited to receive a Baptism Certificate!  The pastors and area evangelists are truly hardworking and diligent to these duties.

 Sharon Hyde

Memphis, TN

Pray for Trouble...

Our team walked more miles then I probably have walked in a year combined; we endured the heat, dust, and we saw the will of God.  

That day we baptized others that had heard we were there the day before; some had bowls ready for us for baptisms.  One boy didn’t want to be baptized and our evangelist named him “trouble” as he sat in a tree and watched as his brothers and sisters were baptized.  We saw him the next day and he followed us door to door, but he was never baptized while we were there. 

 I thought to myself. .. It is all in His time and His will.   I will always wonder what happened to “trouble,” but I know that none of the baptisms were because of me; they were because the Holy Spirit worked through me and the others on our team.  

Hopefully, one day “trouble” will become a brother in Christ with us.

Sharon Hyde

Memphis, TN

You are needed over here....God's timing

 One village we returned to a second day.  The first thoughts I had while we walked the same path was we had already shared the Gospel with this area.  We were with a different evangelist and he didn’t know the homes we had already been to. 

 I obviously was trying to be in control instead of letting the Holy Spirit be in control.  We heard a voice call out saying “You are needed over here”.  

One of the homes we had gone to the day before had several children and an older girl keeping the children.  The prior day there was not an adult there and so we did not baptize any of the children.  The mother was there and wanted to hear the story of Jesus and after she was baptized along with all of her children.  This touched my heart and I prayed right then thanking God for him being in control and showing me the work of the Holy Spirit.  I wasn't patient and I didn't understand why we were back in the same area – God showed me that it is all in His timing.

Sharon Hyde

Memphis, TN

Karibu....2014 Mission Memories

“Karibu” means “welcome” in Swahili and is heard countless times by visitors to Tanzania, where local residents are very hospitable and treat visitors with tremendous respect. Most Tanzanians live in brick huts and have few possessions, but whenever we missionaries visit they are excited to see us and always make sure we sit on their best chair or stool and in a shady spot in front of their home. Unlike in the US, where we often assume that an unexpected visitor probably has come to sell us something we do not need, the people we visit in the villages of Tanzania always are interested in what we’ve come to say and realize that it must be important considering how far we have traveled to see them. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, most of these people believe the gospel message after hearing it, and want to be baptized.

While it is common to be warmly welcomed throughout Tanzania, every mission trip has a few special moments that are particularly memorable. One such moment from this year’s trip, which was my second visit to Tanzania with the Mid-South District of LCMS, happened on our last day of evangelism in villages near the town of Salawe. Our group’s first visit of the day was to a group of three families whose homes were close together. As we told the families about Jesus’ death and resurrection, I waved to a sweet little boy who looked to be about 5 years old and he immediately smiled and walked over to stand by me. After we finished telling the story, we baptized all of the children (their parents already had been baptized) and gave them hats that had been knit by members of our congregation. Our interpreter then took this photo of me with the children, and we went on our way.

After visiting several other homes, we headed back toward our meeting place to join the other missionary groups for lunch. On our way there, we walked near the first group of homes we had visited and my little buddy (who is sitting on my right in the photo) came running out to us and gave me a big hug. I’ve never seen a little boy move so fast! I wish I could remember his name, but maybe the fact that we made such a special bond without even having a conversation illustrates how much the people of all ages in Tanzania appreciate it when someone visits their country to share God’s love with them.

Chris Eggerman

Christ the King Lutheran Church

Memphis, TN

Tanzania 2014: Evangelist recieves motorbike for ministry travels...

The Evangelists , Deacons and Pastors of the South East of Lake Victoria Diocese (SELVD ) are dedicated men who work hard. Bishop Emmanuel Makala sent the pictures of the Evangelist Daniel   Tibajuka who was the evangelist that just received a motorbike.

Each Saturday night he got on a bus to take him closer to the congregations he served. He then walked 15 miles to the congregations due to the distance. The 2014 mission trip were told of this during a farewell dinner at the home of Bishop Makala.

The Mission team dug down deep in their pockets and was able to raise enough money to see that Evangelist Tibaijuka had a motorbike.

Enjoy the pictures....they are worth a thousand words.

We meet Gloria

Bob Allen and Baby Gloria

On our 2014 mission trip to Tanzania, we worshiped on Sunday in a church  in the Shinyanga district.

About five people came forward for baptisms including an pretty baby girl. I noticed that the person that brought her forward looked older than the typical mother. When she returned to her seat, I admired the baby so she handed me the infant to hold for the remainder of the service. The baby was just precious and sat staring at my hair and mazungo skin color and kept touching my straight hair. She was so sweet. And the best part is that she did not wet on me as babies do not wear diaper here and I am often christened.  I held her through the service and while we processed out behind the pastor.

We stood out in the yard after the church and participated in the auction of items placed in the offering that was not money. One of the church ladies came up to me and asked if I wanted to take the baby, whose name I was told,  was Gloria back to America  and raise her. If I could, I would I answered but I am too old and the government would never allow it.

While we sat around visiting under a tree waiting for the truck to come back for us, I continued to hold Gloria wondering where her mother was. A young girl came and sat next to me. She was a teenager. Are you the momma  I asked ?. No she was the aunt. The mother had died and the father was not in the picture. She was being cared for by the grandmother who was now gravely ill herself. Knowing that the babies are nursed, I asked who was nursing her. No one answered the aunt who I found out was 17. Gloria does not get milk as purchased milk was very expensive. They are feeding her porridge and water.

When Gloria finally got fussy, I handed her back to her aunt who pulled  out  a cup with a watery porridge in it. She slowly and with great care fed the baby from the  cup until Gloria consumed all of it. I was quite impressed with how she did this. Gloria was clean and looked well cared for.

Bob Allen heard the conversation and decided to take up an offering among the missionaries to purchase milk for Gloria. We were blessed to do it. Gloria will be cared for as best they can in the extended family which is the case when the parent (s) dies. 

Someone had the presence of mind to bring her to church for baptism. The pastor told us that the aunt, as young as she is, is an assistant evangelist. Later in the week, we showed the picture of Gloria to Lillian Makala, the wife of the bishop. She recognized her and said the grandmother had been her mid wife for delivering  one of her children. Small world.

God bless Gloria and her caregivers.

Can you read? Leads to wonderful results...

Patrick at ordination

Can you read? Then read this. These were the words of a pastor as he handed a Lutheran magazine  to Patrick Zengo, an employee of Mwadui Lutheran School in Tanzania. He found Patrick sleeping near the ovens at the school for warmth when the day was done and the sun went down.  Patrick had been hired as a janitor and yard worker at the secondary school. After reading the literature given to him by the pastor, he came back and asked for baptism.

The headmaster of the school then noticed that as Patrick labored outside, he stood near the open windows of the school and listened to the instructions. He inquired and found that Patrick had completed primary school but had no money for secondary education.  He told him to come inside and sit in the classroom, giving him the benefit of secondary education even though he was unable to pay the tuition.

Patrick eventually married and had one daughter named Angel and was assisting the church as an evangelist in 2010 when the mission group from the Mid South District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in the United States arrived. He accompanied Cindy and Mike Jurgensen of Memphis, TN on their evangelism visits into the village and acted as their translator.  They were impressed with his ambition and heart for the ministry and sponsored him to attend a two year pastoral training program at the seminary in Arusha.   He completed it in 2013 and became first pastor to be ordained by the newly ordained Bishop Emmanuel Makala .

Patrick now pastors 7 churches and 20 sub parishes in the South East of Lake Victoria District in Tanzania. He and his wife Lois recently welcomed their second daughter, Happiness into the family joining big sister, Angel. A warm reunion was possible in May of 2014 when Cindy and Mike Jurgensen returned for another mission trip.

 With the growth of the Church in this area, the need for trained pastors and deacons is critical to disciple the growing number of Christians in the area.  If you are interested in a mission trip or supporting the training of pastors to meet this critical need, please contact Bob Allen, Director of World Missions, Mid South District at rjallen@prodigy.net.

Mike and Cindy Jurgensen in 2010 visit to Africa

Mid south district short term missions.....2014

I am back from a two week mission trip to Tanzania led by my husband Bob Allen. This is his ninth trip to this country. There were 10 in this group ranging in age from 32 to 73. Six of the ten had been to Tanzania on mission trips before and the other four were newbies....a good combination as they all accepted the challenges in good spirits. We learned to laugh at the inconveniences faced each day that we take for granted at home, like water, hot water, electricity, bathrooms and how long it takes to receive your food after ordering.

 Our mission trip each year is focused on evangelism and church planting in Tanzania. Our denomination is Lutheran Church Missouri Synod but Christians of other denominations has joined us over the years.  Most people assume we are going to do a work project such as build a school, clinic, or dig a well. While we are also open to such things on other trips, our goal is focused on spreading the gospel to the area that is home to the Sukuma tribe, a largely   unchurched people group.  We currently have a partnership with the Southeast of Lake Victoria Lutheran Church of Tanzania. This partnership means that pastors, evangelists and deacons from Tanzania work side by side with some long term American missionaries in Tanzania. I heard a comment several years ago by one of the Tanzanian pastors that struck me. He said in ten years these people will be Muslim or Christian. If you think your faith is good, why not spread it?  Many Christians in America say they will go on a mission trip to perform a project but not to evangelize. In an area that still has many problems with witchcraft, why are we opposed to sharing the gospel? What better work is there?

To give you an example of the work; each day the group splits up into teams comprised of an American who has done this before with a newbie, a translator and someone who is familiar with the village and knows where everyone lives. We also have a local person who acts as a scribe. Sometimes we need two interpreters to take us from English, to Swahili to Sukuma.  It is often a long drive to get to the designated area each day.

We walk with our guides into the areas and as we enter the boma (small groups of huts) we say Hodie...which means can I come in. People sit in the common area outside their small huts for most activities and use the huts for sleeping. As they respond with Karibu (welcome) they are scurrying to find some place in the shadow (shade) for the guests to sit. We may sit on a tarp spread on the ground, small wooden handmade stools, overturned buckets etc. Tanzanians are known for their hospitality.  After a brief introduction, we use the EvangeCube to present the simple gospel message. Many have never heard the name of Jesus.  They listen with great interest as they receive the message and if they respond positively, they are asked if they would receive baptism. Water along with a bowl is brought for this. This is the point where a scribe comes in. They record the name of the person being baptized and the Christian name they select for their baptism. This is important for follow up by the local evangelist and the church planting team. We pray for their needs and a blessing over the boma as we leave. They may be invited to an evening service being held in that area.

The church planting people of that area often start holding services in whatever facility they can find or simply under a mango tree. They eventually purchase a plot of land, clear it and build the church using hand tools. This labor is done by men, women and children. The bricks are made by them and the only thing purchased is the tin roof.  This is truly their church built by their hands and they are very proud of it. They are led by trained pastors, deacons and evangelists assigned to that area. The challenge is getting enough trained to serve this fast growing population. It is not unusual for an ordained pastor have several sub congregations that he is overseeing. It is very encouraging to stop and visit areas evangelized in previous years and see the established churches and greet old friends.

The people that go on the short term mission trip come home reporting that they are the ones blessed by the experience and the relationships established.  They eagerly discuss the planning of the next trip. The team members return home with many stories that touched them and a fresh interest in the work of evangelism.  

Susie Allen

Mid South District Mission team to visit Tanzanian School for Albino Children

A team of 10 will be leaving the Mid-South District in May 2014 with plans to share the gospel message in the Shinyanga area of East of Victoria Diocese of the Lutheran church of Tanzania.

One of  our visits will be to a residential camp for children with albinism and other disabilities in Shinyanga Tanzania area.

In this compound there are 261 albinos,  as well as 80 deaf or blind children.

The condition of these children is not good, they live in very simple conditions and often lack food and rarely get visitors.

One reason that these children are in this situation  is  because  of the power of witchcraft  that is strong in those areas where the gospel has not been proclaimed. The gospel message is desperately needed in these areas to fight the superstition and prejudice   The danger these children face include dismemberment and even murder – officially 72 people with albinism have been brutally murdered in Tanzania over the last five years and many others have been mutilated. This practice is fuelled by witch doctors who say that body parts from people with albinism will bring wealth and prosperity.  During the last few years the government has established these special schools isolated from the population where the children can be protected from this evil

People with albinism are extremely vulnerable to skin cancer.   Lack of education and understanding, as well as lack of sunscreen, wide brimmed hats and proper clothing are resulting in skin cancer.  Deaconess Sandra Rhein from a team from Concordia Seminary Fort Wayne visited the compound last year and are planning on returning in march 2014 with a supply of sun glasses.

If you would like to help share the gospel message in this area

Contributions can be made to the Mid-South District LCMS      please note Tanzania on your check.