Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers especially on behalf of the dean of Waama, Pastor Zakaria Dallei. He is still in the hospital in his hometown of Haydom and, although I have not been able to visit him personally (it is about 90Km from Waama), those who are attending to him each day say that progress is very evident. Praise God!
Since my last update, I returned to Waama and have been so happy to be back teaching for this third and final semester. As I mentioned in my last email, the plan was for Ben to join me here after Adela flew back to the U.S. on the 17th. Due to the volcano in Iceland, however, her return was delayed one week so they both ended up coming back here to Waama for those in between days.
The weekend of April 23rd-25th was our first weekend of village ministry for this semester and, even though Ben was taking Adela to catch her re-scheduled flight during those days, I was able to go ahead as planned along with 9 of our students. It was a good weekend of ministry in a very spiritually needy area. I ended up showing a video called “Hope” in both of the villages we visited, teaching a seminar (with the help of our students) on Saturday, and preaching in one of the village churches on Sunday. It was a tiring but good weekend and Ben was able to see Adela off and return safely to Waama the same Sunday afternoon as I (April 25th).
Another specific praise to report is from this most recent weekend. As some may recall, we have planned since the end of last year to have 3 weekends of Jesus Film showings during this third semester. Well, the weekend that I did without Ben was the first. The second was supposed to be these past couple days (April 30-May 2). For some reason, however, despite trying to schedule a place to go, nothing seemed to be working out. Finally, we just decided that maybe God wanted us to have a weekend off. Then, about a week ago, we were approached by one of our evangelist friends who is now teaching at a local high school for adults who have not been able to previously finish their high school education. He explained that some of his students had asked if there was any way for them to be able to see the Jesus Film since they had just finished studying the book of Luke as part of a “religion” class!! So…to make a long story short, last night (Sunday, May 2nd) we went to this school and did a film showing to almost 1,000 students gathered in a very large hall that the school rents from the government. What a blessing to see all these people watching the Jesus Film in a government building at their own request as a “bonus” session in their secular education!
Another praise is with regards to our “Acclaimer Project”. For those that don’t remember, this is the project aimed at establishing local teams equipped with solar-powered video equipment who will be able to carry on the Jesus Film ministry even after we are gone. Well, the first unit has been entrusted to a pastor from a local district! Much of the funding for this project came from various people in the States but we felt it was important for the local people who would acquire the equipment to bear at least a portion of the expense. So, on April 19th this pastor came with $1200 (donated by 75 different people from his district) to pick up his set!! I’ve included a picture taken the day this pastor left with his set after receiving training on how to use it. I praise God not only for this pastor and his people but also for those of you who helped to cover the remaining cost of this set ($1700+). God bless you all!
I will end here for now. Thank you for your ongoing prayers on my behalf as I look to the future. May God guide us all in His perfect will. God bless you all!!
In Christ,
Jesse Long
Mbulu, Tanzania
