Morning Star Christian Fellowship

Between sessions at the annual Seminar

Hello, everyone in Morning Star Fellowship and beyond ~ James has been in Sakila, Tanzania for two weeks now. His computer time has been either in International Evangelism Centre’s busy office (IEC) or in Arusha town where “the clock is running.” Consequently, James has asked me to construct an update from his emails and our phone conversations.

The annual Seminar took place from Sunday, June 20 – June 27. Thousands of believers and Bible School graduates from the surrounding nations of Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi took buses, cars, and just plain walked to gather in Jesus’ Name for prayer, singing, and preaching of the Word of God. For most of those in attendance the Seminar is the highlight of their year. In the twenty-seven years since teh Bible School’s inception, the number of churches begun by IEC trained pastors has well topped the fourteen hundred mark. Although not all pastors and church leaders were able to travel to the conference, all churches were represented by the twenty-two regional leaders.

This is a good place to declare IEC’s banner scripture for the year 2010: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17  BTW, this happens to be the same scripture that Tiala Ao & family pray for their work in Mokokchung, Nagaland.

Eliudi Issangya and his son, Godwin Selembo, discussing request

The thousands who come to the Seminar spend the week in Sakila sleeping everywhere and anywhere. And, listen to this, Eliudi and staff feed everyone three times a day. I think the Lord’s miracle of the loaves and fishes happens there in Sakila on a daily basis! This is just not talk but action in trusting God to do the impossible.

James knows that the people come hungry for anointed preaching of God’s Word ~ the kind of preaching that will impart renewal of purpose and vision to “forcefully advance the Kingdom of God”. They know and James knows that MBELE! ~ moving forward ~ will probably demand perseverance despite challenges such as no food, no water, and no money. Encouraging these Christian kingdom-builders is a serious responsibility and James seriously asks the Lord for HIS guidance as he ministers to his beloved African brethren. I ask too.

Leaving Seminar Hall

With great interest I asked James this morning, “What did you preach at the Seminar?” Some of you will be very interested in hearing that James chose the Parable of the Good Shepherd  as recorded in John chapter ten. For his listeners, James applied Jesus’ teaching in four ways: 1) He protects us; 2) He leads us; 3) He feeds us; 4) He laid His life down for us. As a church we have prayed for the Lord’s blessing upon James and his times of preaching. Well, the Lord has answered our prayers! He deserves the glory and thanks.

Many tribes are represented at Seminar.

On Tuesday, June 29th James wrote, “We spent most of the afternoon with Helen’s family up in her village. Both of her parents are alive and there is quite an extended family. Her village is much more primitive than Sakila and very beautiful on the slopes of Mt. Meru.” On the previous day James wrote, “My Swahili is getting better each day; I can even do greetings in Meru (Eliudi & Mama Helen’s tribe) which makes me a big hit with Eliudi’s mom and the older ladies.”

Matthew and fallen tree limb

Before I end this update, one “life at home” story needs to be told to illustrate the Lord’s care for me as my Good Shepherd while James is so far away on another continent. On Thursday, June 24th, our youngest son, Matt, stopped by our home after work to visit and check in on me. Minutes after Matt’s arrival a sudden and violent storm brought a torrent of rain and strong winds upon our property. The fury ended just before we said our goodbye and as Matt headed out the back deck door. Seconds later I heard Matt yell, “Mom, come here!”  A thirty foot tree limb had been knocked down and was completely blocking the top of our driveway. If you click on this image you will see the enlarged version. Because of the size and weight I could not have moved it by myself. But ~ my Lord’s care was there for me through the timing of Matt’s visit. I praised God for His all-knowing and all-loving care for me that day and today and everyday that James will be gone.

People ask me. “How do I do it?” ~ that is, allow James to travel to Africa. First, I know the Lord has comissioned him to go to Africa. Second, I know the gift that he is to Africa ~ a gift from the Lord to them ~ a gift from Morning Star to them ~ and a gift from me and our family to them. How could I ever say “no”.

In His grace,

Sarah