News from the Porch

I’m sitting on our front porch – it’s 5 :30am; I’ve been up almost an hour. It’s still pitch black.
The only sound is that of nature – quite noisy really… weaver birds and crickets, distant roosters that have nothing better to do (they’ve been going for over three hours...in the dark! If a rooster did that in Switzerland, he’d be put in rehab).

I put on a mossie coil…reminder of the old days in Australia, where we used to burn them indoors all night. Perish the thought, considering what we now know about their toxidity. But, hey, this is Africa where toxic warnings don’t carry quite as much weight as in Canada, where these products are all but banned. (BTW - I just found an insect repellent in the cupboard called MAX-DEET. I looked at the ingredients – 98.5% … makes Agent Orange look like deodorant!)

Actually, malaria isn’t a big threat in this area seeing we’re 4500ft up. It’s still present but basic precautions are normally sufficient, with a little more care necessary after rain.
However, I’ve just returned from Korogwe, about 5 hours East of here toward the Coast, where it’s lower altitude and much more humid. It’s malaria country there. The windows of the guest house had bars but no glass; the ensuite (it was a higher class joint - see picture) had thick, clear plastic partially covering the window to provide a modicum of privacy from the loud disco/restaurant right next door. No shower curtain for refuge either, nor hot water (not that you’d really need it). There were indications that at some time there had been a toilet seat. Nevertheless, there was an adequate supply of toilet paper (somewhat of a luxury in these parts) and a very functional mosquito net and fan … so I was fine.

It was a great experience meeting with 20 or so pastors from four adjoining regions. They came from different denominations, which is almost unheard of in most of Africa, where there’s a great deal of suspicion and control, along with huge divides over minor issues of doctrine and practice. Lives have literally been lost over the two most controversial issues of baptism modes and use of alcohol.



In this case, after four years of faithful input by a fellow Australian missionary and his team, these men (representing everything from the Lutherans and Baptists, through to various Pentecostal groups), not only were talking with each other, but were engaging in serious and prayerful strategizing on how they could work more effectively together to reach their towns and villages for Christ.
It’s not easy for them. In some cases their denominational overseers are quite opposed. They need lots of teaching and equipping seeing they have little or no models or precedents. I’ve been asked to provide some of that, which is very exciting for me.

In many ways it feels like Canada/Australia are not so far away. However, I find the contrast quite amusing as I read the online discussions of Canadian Vineyard pastors, bravely wrestling through the finer points of the emerging church, while I’m meeting up with pastors that are surprised to find out that their local protestant colleagues might actually be born-again! (What’s going to happen when a Catholic priest is thrown into the mix???)

My work here at the Joshua Foundation, mentoring and teaching in the pastors’ school, works well with my role with African Enterprise, where I’ve begun liaising interdenominationaly with regional pastors, helping to bring them together to work on projects and evangelistic outreaches and discipleship.
The pastors themselves need discipling and are very keen on getting it. The harvest truly is huge and ready, but the workers and resources are few.

We need to have greater vision and be more strategic in raising support. We not only need solid vehicles to handle the roads, we need planes. We not only need schools, we need localised colleges and universities.
Tanzania borders on more countries in Africa than most (8 in all). It is presently experiencing an extended period of political stability and peace. As we look over the border, only a short drive from where I sit, Kenya is in turmoil. In the last couple of days I’ve tried to contact someone I met last March in Eldoret. His Yahoo address has been disconnected and though, at one time a prominent person in the area, I haven’t been able to track him down.
One can’t take anything for granted in this part of the world.
Today we have freedom and opportunity…

It’s such a privilege to work with the calibre of people we have here. These are people that, given some quality equipping and resourcing, will not only impact their own continent, but will be a force in Western Christendom. It’s only a matter of time before those we are leading will in turn be leading us! This is already happening, but we ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

A maverick mossie has made it through the fumes of the coil and is heading my way – I grab the big DEET and spray him in the eyes… he’s momentarily blinded as I grab my stuff and move inside for breakfast…