Lisa Newland

I'm thankful to have some fellow wazungu (white people) friends here in Mwanza (others have already come and gone). Beth, Jana, and I all got here about the same time last year. We're all busy, working in different areas. Beth (on the right) lives with Rob & Kara Howell and works at Tumaini Orphanage, and Jana (and her husband) are focusing on language and culture learning with the goal of planting churches. Though not often, it's a blessing to get together and share experiences. Thanks for having a Birthday, Beth, so we could get together over dinner! :-)

Posted by Lisa Newland at 9:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The last two weeks went well at TX. We had a good core of 20 some children, who came every week. I left some pictures for a Bonifas, a Bible college student, to use to continue teaching the children's class. We also left copies of Psalm 23 and a promise of a good gift if they memorize it. I'm hoping to be able to give out Bibles, because only 2 of the 15 kids (who can read) have them... but we'll see.

Here's a bit of a slideshow of random pictures...
Mariamu teaching

Me teaching

Learning a memory verse- Rom 6:23

Children's choir

Singing a duet with Mariamu

Posted by Lisa Newland at 9:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Because of the generous gift of some dear friends, we're starting another building project (the children's building at Igekamaja is completed)! This group of believers has been meeting in a small abandoned building on their property since 2004. Last summer they laid a foundation, and this summer they've made bricks, 8,000 to be exact!!

First they mix water with dirt to the right consistency, put it in a wood form, then lay them out to dry, part of the time covered with straw.

After a certain point they pile them into this big mound.

This week they'll be buying rice husks to stuff in the holes to fire the bricks. Lots of work and time! It's exciting to be able to help them with $ for the husks and a truck to haul it out to TX. Then, in awhile cement, wood tresses, and metal for the roof. (Forgive my poor explanation, I fully admit to being a girl and ignorant of construction terms and methods!)

Pastor Aliseni is a builder by profession, so I'm sure he'll make sure things are done right!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last night I had two "friends" come help me with my laundry. The first one I didn't mind because he stayed out all night and guarded my clothes on the line. :-)

The second one started flying around my room last night. I was too tired to "deal" with him, so I shut the door on him and slept in the guest bedroom. This morning though, he was nowhere to be found... until I reached for my laundry basket. Yuck, um, no thanks, I don't want your help!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If I speak with the tongue of a national, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.

If I wear the national dress and understand the culture and all forms of etiquette, and if I copy all mannerisms so that I could pass for a national, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor, and if I spend my energy without reserve, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love endures long hours of language study, and is kind to those who mock his accent; love does not envy those who stayed home; love does not exalt his home culture, is not proud of is national reputation,

Does not boast about the way we do it back home, does not seek his own ways, is not easily provoked into telling about the beauty of his home country, does not think evil about this culture;

Love bears criticism about his home culture, believes all good things about this new culture, confidently anticipates being at home in this place, endures all inconveniences.

Love never fails; but where there is cultural anthropology, it will fail; where there is contextualization, it will cease; where there is linguistics, it will vanish.

For we know only part of the culture and we minister to only part.

But when Christ is reproduced in this culture, then our inadequacies will be insignificant.

When I was in America I spoke as an American, I understood as an American, I thought as an American; but when I left America, I became a learner of a new culture!

Now we adapt to this culture awkwardly; but He will live in it intimately; now I speak with a strange accent, but He will speak to the heart.

And now these three remain; cultural adaptation, language study and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

(Author Unknown)

Posted by Lisa Newland at 2:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A wedding here is quite the study of just how much the western world/culture has been mixed into the East Africa world. There's so many outward similarities I sometimes wonder if I'm in Africa (doesn't take long to remember, don't worry).

One of our Bible college students, Elias got married this Sat! Woudn't you know, that very morning my car broke down, refused to get out of my own driveway (the best place to break down, thank you Lord!) I didn't make it to the wedding ceremony in Fumagira. (From what I heard, except for the bride being 1 or 2 hrs late getting her hair done at the saloon, there were no problems.) There were pastors and church members from almost all of our churches. Three choirs sang; Pastors Pele, John, and Petro preached; and all ate big plates of rice and beans and beef.

Many came back into town for a reception from 6-11pm. Again, things didn't get started til about 7:30pm.

Notice any similarities to our western weddings? (disclaimer- both bride and groom live in the city, this is not a typical village wedding) Notice the bride's fancy white dress, cutting the cake (and feeding it to each other).

Everyone "dinked' soda bottles together and said "cheers." But much more formally- we got up and filed by the bride and groom to "dink" bottles. :-)

This was a neat part of the reception... whoever wanted could get up and share advice to the new couple. Justa, pastor's wife of our city church, sang a song full of advice that she had written. Everyone loved it and several ladies even got up and handed her money out of appreciation! :-)

Lots of food!

Elias and Anna are from different tribes (Sukuma and Juruo). Their families sat on opposite sides of the front end of the room. At different times they were given a chance to introduce themselves, give words of wisdom to the new couple, and celebrate with their tribal songs and dance. It was fun to watch the different mamas shuffling about and trilling their tongue.

Posted by Lisa Newland at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well... I just have the most exciting news I'm about to burst! Baba Tito got saved!!

A bit of background...all the Tito family are saved and faithful church members, except their father. A few weeks ago at a Wed service, their eldest daughter, Eliza was rather distraught. Eliza is 22-yrs old and a Bible college student. A random man (unsaved) came and offered enough cows for a dowry, and both her parents were pressuring her to accept. She had already declined, but was afraid of being kicked out of the house. A few weeks later she came back with big smiles... no more pressure, things were going to be ok. Then last week...

We arrived at Igekamaja Wed afternoon. Mariamu saw him outside as we were driving by their hut and said we should go visit him. After an hour or so of sitting (at the church) and chatting and waiting for people to show up (if you're good at hangin' around and chattin' you'd fit in well here!) we set off toward the Titos' home. We stopped and witnessed at several houses first and by the time we got there it was already getting late.

Baba Tito was in the middle of building a small brick building, his hands and feet were covered in cement, but he immediately sat down for a good chat with the men in our group. After awhile of chattin' with the ladies, I moved over to the men's group and started talking to Baba Tito. I had met him before, so there was already a bit of a bridge built. I said we had come to share about God and salvation and asked if I may continue. He was very open and attentive, he made light-hearted comments once in awhile (I couldn't tell if he didn't really care or was just a bit nervous, so i continued). When I got to forgiveness through Jesus, he said, "Really? Being saved means to be forgiven? I've heard everyone saying, 'I'm saved', but never knew what it meant." We talked some more, then I led him in a prayer. Oh the joy of harvesting such ripe fruit!!!

Wow, has God ever worked in the Tito household! It's been less than a month... both parents have relented on the marriage issue and Baba Tito is saved!! Praise the Lord who hears and answers prayers!!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This Saturday I "lugged" a box of ingredients over to Justa's house (pastor's wife of our city church) along with a recipe for banana bread. We put it all together, with the help of Irene and Malone (Justa's niece and nephew), then attempted to bake it over a coal stove.

The experiment worked pretty well! We put sand in a large metal bowl, then placed a smaller bowl with the batter on the sand and then a lid over it all. Cooking over hot coals, it took about an hour. The bottom was a bit dark and the top was just barely cooked, (maybe more sand next time.) But it sure tasted good! :-)

Then Justa, who is from another town, Bukoba, taught me how to make a common meal from her tribe... cooked plantains (almost like mashed potatoes) mixed with beans and a side dish of beef and tomato-type sauce. She also made homemade lemonade. Yum!

Afterward I took Justa, Malone, and Sophie to Sterehe orphanage to visit Marianasetta. Baby Maria is Justa's niece and Malone's sister. Their mother died in child-birth and Sterehe agreed to take Baby Maria until she is weened. The nurse said Baby Maria is the happiest baby she's seen and growing so healthy and plump! :-) She definitely stole my heart! :-)

Posted by Lisa Newland at 5:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Rm 2:4

I've been reminded recently that fruits of witnessing are not produced by my efforts or well-laid arguments. We plant and water, but God gives the increase!

A few weeks ago, Ray Weekly and I went out with several Tanzanian believers to help Pastor Daudi witness in his village, Nyasaka. Mariamu and I joined one of these believers. Because he was the male of the group and older, he did most of the talking. ...but I was becoming increasingly more frustrated. He would spend no longer than 5 min explaining the gospel and then offer the listener a chance to respond. At one point, both Mariamu and I asked to add a few words. She explained more in Sukuma, then I asked some questions. I was shocked to discover this new believer clearly understood what he just did. He was a sinner and needed a Savior. I'm still not in favor of such a short-cut version of witnessing, but God reminded me that He can use anyone. It is by His power and grace that any one of us gets saved!!

I've also listened and asked several questions of one our pastors, Pele. He is very thorough when witnessing, usually taking 25-40 min; but I've also observed that he rarely ever leads anyone in a prayer to receive the Lord. Here is an African who understands his culture. He explained that so many are ready to comply with what you ask that it's very difficult to know when one is genuinely repentant. After a clear gospel presentation, he'll ask if they have any questions, or if they accept and believe what he's shared. If they do, he'll say, great, the Bible says if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart then you're already saved. Then he'll invite them to church. He shared later that if he sees them in church several times, then he'll consider them genuine fruit. If they respond with more questions or doubts at an invitation time, then he'll teach them further and lead them in a prayer of repentance. This method of evangelism is very different then the big crusades and 100's getting saved at a time that is so common in Africa. Although I know God will work whenever and wherever His Word is declared, there is something in Pele's words and actions that rings true in my spirit.

I'm so grateful to be apart of a group of believers that strongly believes in personal evangelism!

"One-by-one let us reach the lost for Jesus."

Posted by Lisa Newland at 4:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The month of July, Mariamu and I are teaching at the Independent Baptist Church of TX. This village church is pastored by a Bible college student Aliseni, and there's always tons of children! When I was here almost 3 years ago on my survey trip, the Brouwers and I visited TX. Ever since seeing all those children with no one to teach them I've been wanting to return to Tanzania and teach at TX! The month of July is a small dream come true. :-)

The first Sunday we had 43 children! The Friday or Sat before, the church members put up a temporary hut for us and the children!

They were finishing up on Sunday morning, so I tried my hand at tying bundles of straw and throwing it on the roof. :-)

The children sang several songs for us that we'd never heard. One about what we'll do when we get to heaven -clap hands, greet each other, salute the Lord. Great action song, I'm sure we'll be teaching it at our other churches! :-)

These first 2 weeks, we are laying a foundation- who is God? what is the Bible? where did the angels and Satan and the evil spirits come from? Next week we'll start with Creation, Genesis 1.

Posted by Lisa Newland at 4:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For our last Sunday teaching at Igoma, a few of the children (the brave ones!) sang in the adult church service one of the new songs Mariamu and I had taught them:

Baraka za Mungu Baba ni za ajabu.
Kwenda juu, kwenda chini
Kwenda mbele, rudi nyuma
Upande, upande kwa mataifa yote.

The blessings of the Father God are amazing.
To go above, to go below
To go in front, (or) return behind
All directions, to all nations.

Several of them then quoted John 3:16, one at a time. What a blessing to a teacher's heart! :-)

The pastor's wife, Anna Gervas, has agreed to continue teaching the children along with a teenage gal, Deborah. We left pictures of Esther and Jonah. Farewell Igoma believers (we probably won't return to teach until next Feb!)

Posted by Lisa Newland at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Westerlunds are here! What fun to see Craig and Rebekah and Caleb and Anna Grace! Such a blessing to hear all the news from my Ohio home over coffee by Lake Victoria!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)