We are now finishing the fourth day of our first visit to the Chimala Mission for 2019. It began in a similar way to countless other trips to Tanzania that we have taken in the past. A short flight from Nashville to Washington, D.C; an 8-hour flight to Zurich, another 10-hour flight to Dar-es-Salaam; and finally a short trip to Mbeya followed by a 2 ½ hour drive to Chimala. Menard Swila, mission administrator picked us up for the drive. All our luggage made it, so we arrived at the mission around 5:30 pm. As hard as the trip is, this one was as uneventful and smooth as they come.
Richard and Carol Rogers arrived at Chimala a day earlier than us just coming off their furlough. Gage and Kelly Coldwater and their children, Aurora and Pike, have been here at the mission for about a month working with the new farm project. With all of us here we have been taking advantage of opportunities to eat together and get to know one another better.
The jet lag seems to be a little more annoying than I remember. After waking up the last two nights feeling like I’ve been asleep all night, and then to see the clock read 12:30, is a bit frustrating. But the good coffee that I know is coming a few hours later is worth the slight inconvenience. Speaking of inconvenience, the electricity has been going out more than I would have guessed since it is the rainy season, and the hydro-electric plants should have plenty of water in their rivers. But so far we’ve woken to only one gully-washer early Saturday morning. I’m sure more will come. The road up to the Ailsa mountain mission behind the Chimala Mission is impassable. Consequently I may not be able to visit that work on this trip.
Since our arrival to Chimala started on a Friday, I have not disturbed the Chimala staff too much due to the weekend. But at the same time I have been able to jump-start a few discussions with Menard Swila—the mission administrator, as well as with Richard concerning the Chimala School of Preaching, and Gage with the farm program.
This morning, we worshipped at Itamboleo, a little congregation a few kilometers west of the mission on the Great North Road. Although there were only around 15 in attendance, the voices of the Tanzanians rang loud and clear in that little brick building. A visiting preacher was prepared to speak there as part of a preaching rotation among some of the congregations. I was asked to say a few words to prepare the church to partake of the Lord’s Supper and to prepare them for the time of the collection. That afternoon, Menard, Mary and I traveled to one of our favorite village churches – Chosi A. And our going there was not so much for the few members to hear me, as it was for the group of small children that came from all directions to hear Mary teach Bible lessons using laminated sheets that she had made several years ago.
Just this evening before sitting down to write this report, we enjoyed a tradition started by Bill and Cyndi Stinson of eating pizza at one of the mission houses. Carol asked everyone to come to her house where we crowded around a small oval table enjoying great pizza.
Tomorrow (Monday) morning will start the beginning of a very busy week. Chapel at CSOP will begin at 7:30, as do all the chapel services around the mission. The preacher students are returning to begin orientation and the first day of school. On my computer I have already made a list of many things I need to do including many meetings with department heads and administrators. The entire mission will be buzzing with activity with the preaching school, the hospital, the primary and secondary schools as well as all the activities of the farm project and estate workers.
On a final note, Bill and Cyndi Stinson had to cancel their flight to Chimala due to Bill having a health issue. Because he is facing several tests, he is not sure when he will be able to come. Thankfully, he and I have been discussing many areas about the mission as I have become the new stateside coordinator beginning this year. So I ask that you pray for both Bill and Cyndi as they face this health concern.
On a personal note, I would appreciate your prayers as I just learned yesterday that my Mom was taken to the ER because her potassium and sodium levels were low. She was then taken to CCU until her levels were back to normal, and now she is doing much better.
I am grateful to God every day that He has entrusted His world-wide spiritual objectives to the hands of precious people like you who really care what happens to others. Your prayers, encouragement, and support are having a tremendous effect as the love and care for both the body and soul is demonstrated daily at the Chimala Mission.
Howell Ferguson
