Lisa Newland

I've heard plenty of stories of the wicked men and drunks that roam the streets here in Mwanza. It's not a safe city to be in at night, especially for a single girl. Most days, I spend at home (or at someone's else's house and then drive home quickly!)

Yesterday was the first I've heard that there's danger at night way out in the villages as well. One of our teen guys out at Igekamaja, Kesi, was walking home around 8 or 9pm. A motorcycle drove by him and for some reason Kesi sensed danger, so he tried to hide in the shadows. A car pulled up, guys jumped out and headed toward him. Kesi started running, the men chased him, caught him and pulled out their large knives (like a small machete). I didn't catch all the details, but he did escape though was cut several times in the head and chin. The same guys then caught another man, Wilson's father, probably in this late 60's. They tied his hands and feet and threw a rock on his back as he lay. Another man showed up, said he was too old, they untied him and drove off!

I'm told, (though it's still hard for me to believe!), that certain people (I don't know who) will pay big money for skin. These men were trying to catch Kesi, kill him, and skin him to earn big $. When they caught Wilson's father, he was rejected because his skin was too weathered and worn. Praise the Lord they both escaped!

Has anybody heard of such a thing!?!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 1:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday I went back out to Igekamaja to join the believers on visitation. Only one other guy showed up. Ngamba and I waited quite a while then walked to Mzee Wilson's house (about 3 "blocks" away) to see if he was going to join us.

We met up with a group of 6 teenagers walking home from school. One gal, Anita, remembered my name and "cozied on up" to me. "How is town? You arrived just now? Where are you going? When will you come to my house? May I have a gift? Please give me your sunglasses." I tried to be friendly, but the extra attention I get as a foreigner can get very tiring. White skin automatically registers as wealthy in their minds! I tried to steer the conversation to God. Ngamba and I gave them each a Romans booklet and a gospel tract.

When we arrived at Wilson's house we found him and Retisia and several others sitting under a tree with a table and notebook. They were finishing up a meeting. (Villagers will join a group to help each other financially. As far as I understand, they'll bring a certain amount of money each time they meet, and then they take turns getting to take the "pot" home each time.) Wilson apologized many times. It worked out just fine though. We ended up sitting around, chatting with the other members of their group. I got to witness to Wilson's father, and Ngamba with Josephu.

Josephu is probably in his late 20's, a father, and Ngamba's neighbor. Ana maneno mengi! He talks a lot and has a lot to say against religion. His children go to a church near their home (he wouldn't say what kind) and they come home very often asking for $ for some special offering. He didn't think this was right. Ngamba, then Retisia, Wilson, and I all shared. Trying to get him to see his need of a Savior. "Sure I love God, sure I'm going to heaven." But for some reason he kept going back to... why do churches always have offerings? Pray that the Holy Spirit would do His work in the Josephu's heart. Only He can convict of sin, and righteousness, and judgment to come!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The rest of this month is a bit of "likizo" (vacation). Mariamu is staying home in the village (and visiting tons of relatives!) I'm slowly getting things done around the house between naps and long hot baths! :-) Then next week a friend and i are heading to a hotel on a small island on Lake Victoria for a real get-away for 4 nights. Yee-haw!!!!!!!

Praise the Lord... Bill Brouwer is doing much better. The infection is still not completely gone though. Pray for wisdom as Bill and Tammy take one day at a time.

Also, pray for real spiritual renewal during my time off. The Lord is my shepherd and He restores souls. Oh how i need it!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 3:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I tried not to keep my parents too busy while they were here... but I also wanted to give them a good glimpse of my life here. So, I kept them rather busy I'm afraid...

*Visited 3 different churches in 3 Sundays- Igekamaja, Fumagira, and Igoma.
*Viewed the construction of the new church building in TX.
*Had about 15 friends over, Tanzanians and the Brouwers, for a big meal.
*Shopped in the big market. (Mom decided that "market" is much too calm a word for the experience!) and had an African dress made for Mom and a shirt for Dad.
*Went on a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria and ate at a Japanese steakhouse.
*Visited Mariamu's home in Fumagira. She showed them how they pound their flour to make ugali. We sat in the kitchen and watched her make ugali, and also stayed for lunch and ate ugali and rice and chicken. She also gave us a tour- where they keep cold drinking water inside, also the hen house and cow pen.
*Took tons of pictures on a 3 day safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater.

In the midst of all that there were also plenty of good chats and movies and naps. :-)

One thing Mom and Dad brought was a NEW computer!! yee-haw!! and when I get things set up better, I'll be able to add pictures again. :-)

Posted by Lisa Newland at 3:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)