Greetings Fellow Servants;
It is with joyful hearts we greet you. God continues to bless His work here in Tanzania in a very powerful way. We could never thank you enough for all you have and continue to do in the Kingdom.
As I reflect on this year’s Safari for Souls campaign efforts, I remembered the words of our Lord when he said; “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39). Have you ever asked yourself, “who is my neighbor?” When you consider Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:43; Lk. 10:29, it is very clear, our neighbors are all who we come in contact with in this life. Yes, the church family. Yes, those who live near us. Yes, those who live in our town, city, state, country. Also, all those who live on planet earth.
Often, while traveling and visiting the many congregations who support the Lord’s work here in Tanzania or those wanting to learn more about God’s work here in East Africa, I will hear comments along this line, “Why should we go halfway around the world, or spend all that time and money in other parts of the world when we have so many people here in our city, state, country, lost and in need of the Gospel?” I have struggled over the years to give a short, on the spot, response to such a question. In brief, it really is not an “ either/or ” matter, but both/and.
For our God so loved the “world” that He gave His only begotten Son.” His only begotten Son said, “Go ye into all the world.” Yes we are to go to our brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage and edify. Yes, we are to go to our neighbor, those next door in our home town, state, and country. Yes, we are to go into all the world as we see the first century doing. If we are the children of God we claim to be, we are to be “goers!” If we love God, as He loves us, we will be lovers of the lost of all this world. I am often tempted to reply to the statement, “Why go, spend, etc.” when we have a city, state, country here where “I” live, lost in sin, with “are you going to your neighbor with the saving message of the gospel? Again, it is not an “either-or”, but both-and, in “all” the world (Acts 1:8).
Over the past four weeks we have had no less than twenty-five of God’s finest, supported by a countless number of faithful servants who have prayed and supported these Christian warriors as they brought God’s truth to the lost of this community. God has and continues to give the increase. Thirty plus souls have been added to the Lord’s church, so many more still studying and getting closer to the Truth. Elders, preachers, teachers, grandfathers, fathers, sons, daughter, granddaughters, and more have come and given of their lives that others might live.
To all the godly grandfathers and fathers who “walk in the light” (1 Jn. 1), living a godly example, we say thank you and may our God continue to bless you all as you strive to do His good will. Let each of us look to these good examples as we strive to please our God through our lives in Him.
Thank you all for all you do making this work of God possible here in Tanzania, East Africa.
In Him,
Cy, Stephanie & Granny