NEWS FROM MOSHI TANZANIAISSION

REPORT for OCTOBER, 2008

By Charles and Florence Ngoje

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On Monday 20th, we got back together again for leadership training courses. This weekwe are doing the book of Ephesians and Church planting, growth and evangelism. I am teaching the book of Ephesians while Ken is doing church planting, growth and evangelism. Five leaders out of ten attended.

Next course is scheduled for November 10th through 15th. We hope for total attendance in the coming courses.

Also I have an intensive Bible Study going for men every Tuesday beginning 6 to 8 pm. Traditionally; these are the hours that most Africa men take a stroll as food is prepared. The attendance has been very encouraging. With this Bible study, the goal is to empower men to be able to engage in feeding and in equipping the church in different areas as teaching small group Bible studies and in witnessing. We have been studying on ‘worship’ as a total way of life as opposed to what happens on Sunday morning at the church service. We concluded this topic on a very positive note with all of us re-dedicating ourselves to holiness and to glorifying Him in all that we are and do.

For three weeks now we have been studying about Jesus. We will study about his deity. His earthly life and His mission. The deity of Christ is being attacked in public everyday by our friends the Muslims and the Jehovah Witnesses. Muslims engaged in serious out reach and their numbers has grown so much in Tanzania. In 1993, Tanzania (mainland) was 35% Christian and 30% Muslim. But now it is 35% Muslim and 30% Christian. Onloud speakers they challenge the deity of Christ. And so our men wanted to study deeply about Christ so they can defend the orthodox faith in Christ and be able to teach it to others.

The attendance at the Church for Sunday services has started to assume an upwardattitude after several months of decline. Our spirit of worship on Sunday morning hasbeen revamped and we are thankful that God sustained us that we can come back together and worship Him.

The area that is still wanting is Sunday school. We lost 36 children and we are down to12 children only. And yet this is the most important part of the Church, a part that pointsus to the future. Ken and I will be working on a three level curriculum for teachingchildren so that they can be graduating from one level to another. We have not had thisstructure before. This structure will help us group the kids by age and school grade level. And with a sense of completion at the end of a period, they will be encouraged to make it to the finishing line. We will award them certificates and hold a ceremony to appreciate them for completing a given course of study. Why do we want to do this? There are several reasons that are obvious but the one that is unique to Moshi is that,Moshi is over 90% Catholic and Lutheran. They have a ceremony for children which is abig deal in Town (Confirmation). All the children look forward to this. Our kids get invited to attend confirmation of their neighbors, friends and school mates and theyare asking their parents and guardians for when theirs will be done… we don’t want to get into all the theological explanations instead we want to have our version which is in line with scripture.

We want to thank the body of Christ at Forest Home for their continued support andPrayers said in our favor. I know that a period of silence has been sustained for sometime now since you offered to partner with us. I am happy to announce that with all the problems now at the back, you will be receiving reports from me frequently. Thank you and may God strengthen you as you serve him both at home and abroad.