Jesus Film Shown to Large Crowds in Tanzania

We got started right away with our village ministry for this term the weekend of April 20-22. It was a wonderful weekend during which we were able to show the Jesus Film in two different villages and participate in 2 different Sunday services. Between the two showings, we estimate around twelve-hundred people were in attendance. Most of these were not a regular part of their local church. The showings were not without their challenges, however.. At the bigger of the two showings (attended by over 750 people), another religious group was having some sort of “special meetings” at the school which was right next to the church. Unfortunately, rather than being willing to peacefully co-exist, they seemed to be more interested in trying to compete. They not only aimed their speaker in our direction but turned it up as loud as they possibly could. They even had people at the back of our group trying to get people to come instead to their meeting. For as loud as they were being you would have thought they had an attendance of several hundred, too, but it was actually only about 50-60. There was really nothing we could do except pray…which we did more than we ever have before. We trust, despite the distraction, that God’s Word was heard and will have an impact. Please continue to pray for us each weekend. We have seen more struggles, complications, and technical difficulties in recent weeks than ever before.

In fact, this past weekend (April 27-29), we were in the village of Donya. During those days we estimate a total attendance of about 1300! Unfortunately, on Friday about 20 minutes into our first showing, our speaker started doing some scratching and cutting out. We were able to finish and then used some of the local church’s equipment the second night. However, now I am in Arusha getting our speaker fixed at the shop we purchased it from. We decided that Ben would stay back to teach the classes during these days and I would go get this taken care of. Fixing it as soon as possible was absolutely critical as we have many village film showings scheduled in the next couple weeks…the first two being this Friday/Saturday.

Plans continue to be laid for the Uganda Evangelistic campaign we will be participating in after Waama’s June 24^th graduation. Please continue to hold this time up in prayer. Pray not only for the preparations that Ben and I are making at this time but also for Nate and Rhoda who are heading up the work in Uganda as well as 5 others who will be coming from the States to help with the campaign (June 24-July 17).

Beyond these specific things, we praise God for His overall provision and protection which we experience on a daily basis. With the many kilometers we travel across poor roads, and the food we eat in these different villages, it really is a testimony to God’s faithfulness that we have never had any major incidences. A small reminder came last term during one of our showings. After setting up, our driver parked the car right next to an 8-foot hole (neither Ben or I knew it was there). I have no idea what it was for…there is a lot of random stuff like that around here (I’m mostly just glad it was not a hole for waste). Anyway, we had walked past it several times in the dark and during the showing Ben and I were resting in the truck. When it was nearing the end, we climbed out of the truck and were going to get ready for the closing. As I climbed out and stepped back to let Ben climb out, I fell right into this hole (!) and twisted my knee. Thankfully, over the past month and a half, it has almost completely healed and we praise God for that little reminder of His protection at times when we don’t even realize it! OK…well I don’t know why I thought to tell that story right now…sorry.

Keep the prayers coming! We need them every day. Thank you again for your part and I look forward to seeing many of you in July/August!

In Him,

Jesse Long