The Brouwer Family

God continues to do a great work in the Mwanza region of Tanzania, and we are grateful to be His servants in the work here.
Our two new church plants are doing very well. The Kisesa Independent Baptist Church, started in August of 2006, continues to faithfully preach God's Word under the leadership of a national pastor named Petro. This congregation currently meets in a school building, and they are actively trying to reach their community with the Gospel message of Christ.
Our newest church plant in the village of Igekemaja continues to grow spiritually and numerically. About 35 enthusiastic new converts are diligently working through our sixteen foundational discipleship lessons. In their Sunday morning services, this two-month old church is averaging between 80-90 in total attendance. This new church does not yet have a pastor, however, three preachers from our church in Fumagira are currently leading the services there until God raises up a national pastor for this church. Please continue to earnestly pray for these new church plants to be strengthened and protected by the Lord.
The third full week of May found us at the Lake Victoria Baptist College here in Mwanza. It is always a joy and privilege to teach at this college started by fellow missionary Greg Wagoner. This term I again taught two courses: "How to do College Work," which is an introductory course for new students on how to do the work required at the college. I also taught, "Basic Bible Doctrines." As always, we had some interesting things happen during this week. On Wednesday afternoon right after lunch the students were full of food and rather drowsy in the warm classroom. I was wondering how I was going to keep their attention on the class material, however, God came to my rescue. He sent a big snake into the classroom! When the students heard someone outside of the classroom yell, "Nyoka, Nyoka" (Snake, Snake), they were all of a sudden wide awake! Several men chased the snake trying to kill it with stones. They actually chased the snake right into our classroom where the lady students were hiding. Amid the commotion of screaming ladies and men still trying to kill the snake, God had accomplished His purpose. The students were now very alert. Yes, the men finally did kill the snake in the classroom, and then we calmly (actually not so calmly) resumed class with now very attentive students.

Posted by Bill & Tammy Brouwer at 8:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With furlough fast approaching, Abby wanted to enjoy one last slumber party with her friends. The girls had a blast last night watching a movie, playing games, and the favorite - hide-n-seek in the dark! Of course with plenty of bug spray to keep the malaria carrying mosquitoes away. This morning they were up bright and early, dispite the late night fun. They enjoyed a nice breakfast and now mom is enjoying some quiet while everyone is out playing soccer.

Posted by Bill & Tammy Brouwer at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

During our upcoming furlough we will be available for meetings from the beginning of September until the end of May. Please let us know if you would like for us to report to your church during this time.

Posted by Bill & Tammy Brouwer at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We have had a couple of great weeks in the Lord's service, and we have much for which to praise the Lord for.
Our services today went very well. Ray Weekly preached at the church in Ibungilo this morning, and I translated for him. Ray and his family are from our home church in Greeneville, Tennessee, and are new missionaries here in Tanzania. Ray arrived here in Mwanza a little over one week ago, and his family will be arriving soon to join him. They will live in our home and fill in for us while we are on our furlough. Please pray for this dear family as they adjust to life in Africa. This afternoon we were in the village of Fumagira to teach the Bible Institute course there. The attendance at both of these services were good which is always an encouragement. We heard from one of our national pastors that there were two salvation decisions at our new church plant in Igekemaja. That church continues to move forward for which we give God all of the glory.
The week before last found us at the Lake Victoria Baptist College here in Mwanza. It is always a joy and privilege to teach at this college started by fellow missionary Greg Wagoner. This term I again taught two courses: "How to do College Work," which is an introductory course for new students on how to do the work required at the college. I also taught, "Basic Bible Doctrines." As always, we had some interesting things happen during the week. On Wednesday afternoon right after lunch the students were very full of food and rather drowsy in the warm classroom. I was wondering how I was going to keep their attention on the class material, however, God came to my rescue. He sent a big snake into the classroom! When the students heard someone outside of the classroom yell, "Nyoka, Nyoka" (Snake, Snake), they were all of a sudden wide awake! Several men chased the snake trying to kill it with rocks. They actually chased the snake right into the classroom where the lady students were hiding. Amid the commotion of screaming ladies and men still trying to kill the snake, God had accomplished His purpose. The students were now very alert and awake. Yes, the men finally did kill the snake in the classroom, and then we calmly (actually not so calmly) resumed class with now very attentive students.
During the basic doctrines class, it is always interesting to see what kinds of questions come up from the new students, many of whom are recent converts. One gentlemen asked me if pigs were demon-possessed today since Jesus sent demons into the herd of pigs in the Gospel account. I assured him that pigs are not demon-possessed, but that they are actually quite delicious. I have never seen a man more relieved to hear the news that it was fine to eat a pig. I think right after Bible College he was heading home to find him some pork to eat!

Posted by Bill & Tammy Brouwer at 9:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)