Greetings friends and fellow workers in the kingdom.
The work in Tanzania continues to thrive and we offer gratitude to our Father for such growth. It is a real blessing to watch brethren carrying on the work, planning campaigns, and conducting regular seminars on their own.
Prayers answered concerning our dear brother Stafford.
Before I share with you a report by our brother Mngoma I wanted to let you know that our prayers for Cy Stafford are continually be answered. In speaking with Cy a few days ago we were encouraged that he is about to be discharged from the physical therapy clinic and will be returning on an outpatient basis until his strength returns. Early last week Cy was able to walk 100ft! An amazing distance considering his previous condition. Once his strength is built up the doctors will administer two more rounds of chemo and then proceed with the bone marrow transplant. Please continue praying for Cy and Stephanie. They still have much to endure to get through this.
We want to express our thanks for everyone who has been praying for Anita and her recent back procedure. The procedure went well and now we will have to wait to see if it will be successful. So far she has noticed that some of the tingling down her leg and arm has subsided, which we view as a real positive. The pain is still present and we are really hoping that will soon come to an end. Your prayers are most appreciated and we will keep you posted on her progress.
ACSOP students get practical training.
As mentioned at the beginning, it is great to see the brethren in Tanzania mature and grow to love our Lord and serve in His kingdom. Brother Godfrey Mngoma, the ACSOP Dean of Students, recently wrote the following and I wanted to share it with you. Keep in mind that Godfrey’s native tongue is KiSwahili.
Student outreach program begins this month at ACSOP
“…the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come,” Luke 10:1 (NASB). As I was studying and meditating on this verse I came to realize that soon after Jesus had trained these men He sends them out to preach the Gospel. This month about 40 students from ACSOP (28 from first year and 12 from second year) are going to be involved in an evangelism program in about 16 congregation around the area. This program has been started a few years ago by our Brother Cy Stafford who is a coordinator of the TZ2000 mission. As we all know Cy is still sick, but the Lord has been so very good to him. Our fasting and praying for him have encouraged his family and many others who love the Lord’s work here in Africa.
Because of him the faculty of ACSOP have seen a need to continue with this program for our current and new students. This is something he would love to see continue and move in the right direction. In the text we also learn that our Lord sends His disciple where He Himself was to go. Preachers have been asked to be part of this program. This quarter each student will be receiving a grade on this outreach program as part of his academic development. We have asked the preacher to work hand in hand with our student and they have agreed to do so. It our hope and prayer that this program will bring forth much fruit to the kingdom here in Arusha and beyond.
As I have been following reports from preachers and evangelists of congregations around the area, and found that 28 out of 42 men and women who have been converted through this program are still faithful to the Lord. I encourage you to keep on praying for the many good things that are happening here at ACSOP because the Lord has always been good to us. I will always keep you updated of this wonderful program of reaching out the lost soul with our students.
Thank you again for your support and prayers as we all continue working for Him and the Kingdom.
In Him
Godfrey Mngoma
Dean of Students, Andrew Connally School of Preaching
Conclusion
As we come to a close we again want you to know how grateful we are for your support of this great work. The number of faithful brethren, like yourselves, that it takes to make a work like this happen is staggering. While we may be scattered all over the globe, we are indeed a team working with a singular cause…reaching the lost. Thank you for your care and concern of souls everywhere.
Until next time, take care and God bless.
Yours in Christ,
Sean and Anita