Teleios Ministry: August 2014

Home to Iringa and Off to Kenya

Floyd left Kenny and Lynn Owen with Mpeli and Neema Mwaisumbe in Mbeya early this morning. Floyd turned left to the Mbeya airport and the Foursome turned right driving to Iringa. They are now back in Iringa and Kenny is already at work. I am in Dar Es Salaam shopping for power tools to send to Kenny and DBLCH. One of our friends is hand delivering them in Iringa tomorrow by risking his life riding the Dar to Iringa bus.

The pictures are from Dar Es Salaam. I just wanted to share a few of them with you. Of course the back of this bus caught my attention--Jesus with the little children. You will notice in the last pictures at a red light. A petroleum truck was stuck due to traffic in the middle of an intersection. The truck blocked all traffic turning right. The policeman looked and motioned for the buses and whatever else could make it to go around the back of the truck, across the pedestrian walkway, jump two curbs while dodging the back end of the petroleum truck. It was a sight even for me--had not seen a policeman direct traffic in such an innovative way.

I meet Bernard Kabaru Mwangi in Nairobi tonight in anticipation of our first Business Conference this weekend. Garry Freeman, Bill Kenny, and Kip Miller will be joining me this week. We are going to have a great time. Please join us prayer for their safe travel and for an effective and meaningful Business Conference.

Sunday with Real Man of Faith

Sunday we had the privilege to worship with a great church planter, James Mwaisumbe, Mpeli’s father. He planted many church’s in the Mbeya area and continues to pastor and develop churches today. There really needs to be book written about his adventures.

We enjoyed worshipping at Kanisala Baptist Church on the outskirts of Mbeya on the Tukuyu road. The work is eight years old and continues to grow. Yesterday they held a fundraiser to provide electricity for the church building. Mpeli had invited several of our friends to join with us. When the fund raising was over enough had been committed to provide electricity. Also, there will be a gathering in October as well—a goat and big bag of rice was donated for the celebration.

The picture with Neema in the front and ladies in the background tells a story. Three older women we sitting together during the worship. They seemed not to happy at first with the singing. Then the praise choir came out and started singing and dancing. Smiles broke across their faces and the oldest one of them stood up. She was clapping and moving as she praised God.

In the afternoon, we rested before going to James Mwaisumbe to visit and to share supper together. We a great African meal. In fact, rice, greens, chicken, and beef stew does not sound that unique to most of you. The very sweet bananas and great avocados added an African touch.

Two unretired Baptist pastors share together.
Kenny Owen and James Mwaisumbe

SAFARI NJEMA TO TUKUYU, MASOKO, KIBISI, MBEYA

Saturday morning we left at 6 AM for our safari to our tribal homeland-Tukuyu area. Along the way, we saw seven truck accidents and two vehicle accidents.

We stopped at the Mama Mkubwa Crown Lodgein Makambako for breakfast of sausage and eggs with coffee or tea. Also, we enjoyed some roasted bananas, a spicy meat hushpuppy (best way to describe it), and samosas.

The first stop in the Tukuyu area was for bananas, the best in the world. Then, we headed to walk some property near Masoko (Mpeli’s father’s home area). The dream is to have a working, income producing farm to support the work of DBL. The property already has bananas, mangos, cashew, rice and cassava planted or growing wild. We left our vehicle at a home of a friend. They were so kind to us. We tasted raw cocoa beans. When we returned from our walk, they gave us rice, cocoa pods, and cassava. The lady apologized because she did not have a chicken to give us to go with the rice. Now, we had not met them before.

As we began our walk we met the leader of the ten houses who was coming through the bush to go to a nearby town. Mpeli and Neema know him. He stopped his journey to town to walk with us. He kept saying about me, “Oh, I wish that I could go back to school so I could know English to talk with this white man.” We walked the area and them came to his house and met his family. There we saw how they “grind” their wheat and rice. Mpeli and Neema demonstrated this for us.

Our next stop was in Kibisi to see and have a very late lunch with Harry Mwasanjala, our chief and friend—well he has adopted us into his family. Being with Harry is always a great time. This was very special because we introduced Kenny and Lynn to Harry and our family. Our sister, Sara, the oldest of the Harry’s daughters (besides Bonnie) prepared dinner for us. The best chicken stew over rice, fresh beans, and bananas. I presented Harry with a long awaited suit. He loved it.

Then, we visited property and agreed to plant avocado trees and bananas on it to produce income for local ministry. Also, a section of the river that borders the property will be cleaned. The water was cold and clear coming out of the mountains. Kenny and Lynn really liked the property. We discovered wild blackberries on the property. The air is cool with a nice breeze. The family was so happy that the property is going to see some development.

We left Kibisi at dark and headed for our hotel in Mbeya. We also stay at the Beaco. If you are ever in Mbeya it is a good place to stay. It was along day but a great day. Tomorrow, Sunday, we will be with James Mwaisumbe worshipping at the church that he has planted. James is the father of Mpeli.

FRIDAY: KWAHERI TO DLBCH

Friday was spent getting ready for the trip to Tukuyu and Mbeya and finalizing things for Kenny and Lynn’s four month stay. I got the great treat of watching the DBLCH Nursery/Kindergarten students playing soccer. Also, I was surprised at worship with Lillian was leading the worship. Lillian joined DBLCH from the Asante Sana Children’s Home in Nzihi almost five years ago. Lillian had been diagnoised with a “mental/emotional” disorder. She did not communicate and was not in school. Neema brought her from Asante Sana to DBLCH. Remembering her from her first days at DLBCH and seeing her lead worship and singing is an awesome testimony to the transforming love of Jesus Christ given by the staff and children of DBLCH. She was leading in singing at only 12 years old. We serve an awesome God who allows us to be a part of what He is doing to transform lives.

Lynn Owen leads Women's Bible Study for ACTS
Fellowship and DBLCH Staff

The Pigs are Here!

Big news today, one of our sows gave birth to seven piglets. Everybody is excited. Even the goats could not wait to see what was going on.

The amazing thing is that three years ago we decided not to get too involved in pork production. A virus that killed pigs was very active in the area. One farmer lost 450 sows. We decided to not get too big into pig. Someone forgot to tell our sows and boar. Already this year we have had a litter of nine and another sow is pregnant expected to deliver soon. Piglets are big money. God is blessing through pigs. The children love pork.

BREAD OF LIFE SECONDARY SCHOOL

Floyd and Mpeli went by the school to check on dorm construction, review plans for the library, and see the staff and teachers. The students are performing well. Construction on the dorms is moving quickly but the builder is doing a good job.

Kenny Owen has his crew building beds faster than we can keep them in lumber. Tony (in the picture) told Mpeli that he was not missing this opportunity to learn carpentry from Kenny. Tony is working hard and is really putting his mind to the work.

DBLCH NEWS: THE DOWRY IS DONE! AND A ROSE

Wedding bells are ringing at DBLCH. Huruma is getting married at the end of September. Her dowry was settled on last Saturday. Mary is getting married in November. Her dowry was settled has Monday. They made the official announcement last night. Kenny and Floyd offered prayers of blessing for them.

Rose leads worship. It’s hard to believe that Rose, one of our twins, led worship tonight. When she and Ima arrived at DBLCH at two years of age they barely could sit up--No walking, eating for themselves. Now, here she is six years later, speaking great English and leading the worship. She is first in her class. This is what DBLCH is all about. We had so much to be thankful for tonight.

I was walking by and wanted you to see the Kindergarten room. I caught the DLBCH Hair Salon in action working on Agnes hair.

MASOKO TOURS IS LAUNCHED! And BUSINESS IS BOOMING

A new tour and travel company has been launched in Iringa. Maka, Mpeli, and Kathryn are leading the way in providing the best in safari tours, rental vehicles, and specialized trips. The next step is to be able to sell packages including airfare. The demand is high. This week, there has been at least trip every day. This is the second business whose purpose is to provide local support for Daily Bread Life Children’s Homes. Maka, Mpeli and Neema’s oldest son, is serving as the Manager of the company now. When he is helping at DBLCH, Kathryn (Neema’s niece), a student at Iringa University, handles the business. They have a Facebook page check them out, Masoko Tours and Travel Agency.

Home in Tanzania

Children Welcome Us to DBLCH

Kenny and Lynn Owen and I arrived on time in Dar. We were greeted upon arrival by our friend, Zuberi. He took us to our hotel for a short night’s sleep. Of course, Kenny and Lynn and I were serenated in the evening by loud music at a nearby bar and in the very early morning by the Muslim calls to prayer. Welcome to Tanzania.

Sadiki and Kenny Together Again

Our breakfast was to be at 5:45 am and as expected no one was at the restaurant or front desk. We waited on Zuberi and headed for the domestic airport for our flight to Iringa. Soon we were at DBLCH where we had our real breakfast.

We met the children and got settled in at Mpeli and Neema’s. Home again in Tanzania.

Bonnie and I spent our 39^th anniversary on separate continents. We did get to talk by phone.

Harvest Day Offering at Kidete

Sunday we worshipped at the Kidete Baptist Church, the mother church of all that Mpeli/Neema and Teleios Ministry has partnered in over the years. The first school was started here, the first church, the first orphans who became DLBCH, the farm, the first well, and, now, Bread of Life Secondary School. This morning was Harvest Offering Sunday. The people brought bags of corn from their farms to give to DBLCH. The corn will be ground and used for ugali (saltless, solid grits). A young boy and a older man made decisions for Christ.

We left for ACTS Fellowship worship. The congregation was down due to school holidays of local universities. Also, nine ACTS members left with graduation. The newest member was there, a doctor who lives near Nzihi, and teaches nursing at a local university. The worship was led mostly by the DBLCH young people. Those who know them, Ima and Rose also led part of the worship—amazing.

Boys of DBLCH praising God in worship

By the end of the day, we had all sat down and gone over what Kenny and Lynn would be doing over the next couple of weeks in specifics and over the next four months in general.

Since Sunday, the days have run together. Kenny and Lynn’s extended visa was approved (visa good for 90 days but they are staying 120 days.) Their “apartment” is being finished with a sink and stove. Great news is that Lynn received approval to “officially” teach at the secondary school. We are excited about this and she is the first. Kenny and Mpeli got materials to begin building beds for the secondary school dorms. To purchase the bed costs $150, Kenny and the boys of DBLCH with Maka and Sadiki joining can build them for $65 plus the boys learn carpentry skills.

Two dorms being constructed at
Bread of Life Secondary School

Monday, Kenny, Lynn, and I made an official visit to Bread of Life Secondary School. We met with the teachers, staff, and students. The students are improving in English and their confidence in expressing themselves. The teachers are looking forward to others from the USA coming and joining them in teaching the children. We took Kenny and Lynn on a tour of the secondary school. They were shocked to learn that the students have 13 subjects—yes 13 subjects. These are required by Tanzanian law.

Each day around 20+ workers are on site building

TEACHERS ARE NEEDED FOR SHORT TERM AND EXTENDED TERM TEACHING. CONTACT FLOYD OR BONNIE FOR MORE DETAILS.

A close up look at the construction. Kenny Owen, pastor
and builder, said they are doing a good job.

Prisca Greets Us with the History of BLSS in English

Quadrangle with landscaping at BLSS

Tuesday, Lynn began her teaching at BLSS. Kenny gathered his crew and construction began. Of course, the logistics of a workshop, power, tools and translation all came together for an eventful but fruitful first day. By the end of the day, Kenny was showing rather than doing. He “was proud of my boys.” In the afternoon, Mpeli, Neema, and I (Floyd) attended a funeral of the mother of our friend, Jessica. In the evening, Neema distributed clothes and undergarments that the FBC, Westminister, SC had gathered for the children. They were very excited by the clothes.