Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society
 

Tanzania - December 13-21, 2006

Purpose:

     The work in Tanzania officially began through correspondence with Mr. Henry Kamwela (1992-96) and then with Pastor Fares D. Ogillo (2001-04). After that time we began to correspond with Pastor Mlotwa Silwimba in Mbeya from (2005-06). Pastor Lucus Mboya, centered in Dar es Salaam, and Pastor Robango Ryakitimbo, centered in Arusha, also entered into the organization during 2005-07. Since then we corresponded through e-mail to help them get the churches organized and the leaders of those churches interested in forming a conference. That was when they requested a visit from us.

Observations:

     The country of Tanzania contains three centers of activity for SDBs. They are located in and around Dar es Salaam (Dar), Arusha, and Mbeya. Due to the time constraint we were allowed to visit only two of the three area centers. The Northern area is not yet identified with a center so they have a wide open field in which to work.

      The work in Tanzania has progressed to the point where the churches are beginning to reach out to others and form cells or fellowships in the surrounding communities. Each of the three core churches has at least two additional groups that they call cells. The visits to the two centers gave us an opportunity to visit some of the cells. It was interesting in that the groups had already gained a commitment from the members of each congregation. They already looked at themselves as Seventh Day Baptists.

      It was easy to see that the people in Tanzania have a plan. This plan dealt with the organization as well as the further development of the Tanzania Conference of Seventh Day Baptist Churches. A plan was delineated with goals and an emphasis on the needs of those in the communities around them. They spoke of plans to develop schools, clinics, and a program to help the orphans. They also recognized that they needed these types of programs to fulfill the requirements of the government for registration of their conference and churches. Registration is required for them to meet, work, and organize within communities. This will take about $3,000 US.

      I traveled much of the country and saw several things that I felt that the churches there could do if they had sufficient income. Orphans were abundant and were out on the streets at all times of the day. These resulted from deaths of both parents from war and diseases. HIV/AIDS is one of the major causes of death. Many orphans sat on the sidewalks begging for food and money for clothing. This is not just the older youth but so many of them were below the age of five. They live on the streets except where a church has taken them in and helped support them. The Seventh Day Baptist churches were very active in this area. Most of the church congregations have many orphans. The spokesmen for all three areas expressed the need for an orphanage or a plan to house the orphans. However, they were looking for an income of $10,000 per year for the expenses of feeding and housing the orphans.

      Education is recognized as one of the most important aspects to the future of the youth. They feel that it should be offered to the orphans as well as the children of the families attending the Seventh Day Baptist Churches. They have begun schools for the nursery and primary age students. Their desire is to develop the upper elementary grades as the students need them. Their needs are for the funds necessary to purchase books, supplies, desks, chairs, and supportive materials. Plus, they need a school building in each of the main church groups. The salary of the teachers is gained partially through the tuition that is paid by some of the students families. However, there are so many orphans that are allowed to attend the school that funds collected are not adequate. Each orphan is dependent upon the school to supply everything. It costs about $50 per year per orphan. This includes the uniform, food, housing, and educational materials. At the time of the visit there was an average of 50 orphans per school. Some had as many as 100 orphans while a couple dropped to about 25. The teachers are supposed to receive $50 per month per teacher. The teachers have not been paid for 2 years. It is exciting as well as frustrating to note the dedication of these teachers. They continue

to work with the children even though they receive no salary. The dedication is great but the lack of finances is frustrating.

      Another aspect of their educational development came in the program for nursing. The hospitals are very short on nurses and the need to train the young adults in this area is great. They have a school in Dar el Salaam, but the lack of funds is threatening to close the doors. They are expecting to spend $3,000 for five teachers plus the cost of books, supplies, and materials. Let us pray for the training centers as they struggle to continue the work and ministries.

      Church buildings are also in need. Most of them are able to make the bricks but they need funds for the sheets of zinc for the roof (approximately $2,000 per building) and the cement used for mortar and the floor. Most of them can get the chairs and benches that are needed for seating. However, some cannot even afford to purchase these items. They need study materials and Bibles for their Sabbath Schools. They need funds to help feed the street people.

      During the time I visited them meetings were held to discuss the beliefs, polity, and work of the conference in Tanzania. We began to look at their organization and discuss the direction they intend to take to improve the conditions. I spoke of the importance of looking at the options of worship styles and days of celebrations (baptisms, communion, weddings, and funerals). We even discussed Christmas and Easter. Anything that I could think of that could raise a problem and disorient the churches. It was during these meeting that they took the initiative to elect conference officers. It was exciting to see them work together for the betterment of the conference. They could have vied for things that would actuate their own area.

Conclusions:

      It was heart rendering to see so many really young orphans living as street people. And the desire for the welfare of these children by the people in the Seventh Day Baptist congregations was touching. I appreciate the work being done there by our Seventh Day Baptist brethren and pray that they will be richly rewarded. They are working beyond their ability and sacrifice a lot to make sure the churches and schools are running smoothly. The government recognizes the good influence provided by the church. They encourage them to increase their work and the number of schools that they open. We can only pray that we can reach out and help them as they surge forward to increase their influence.

      The conference is healthy and is moving along slowly but very sure. They could use a computer ($2,000 US) to help in translating and publishing their tracts and study materials. A photocopier ($5,000 US) would save them a lot of funds because the printing of the tracts and study materials is tremendous. The government realizes the fact that they are new and not yet on their feet, but they are expected to obtain a business office. They are expected to have this outside their home. Land has been donated for that purpose but they need to build a building ($30,000 US).  A vehicle is also needed because of the distances that must be traveled by the General Secretary and other officers.

      I look forward to hearing of the growth of the churches and conference in Tanzania and encourage everyone to pray for them.