What a Time
Wow... The Birthday Safari was great!
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September 30, 2008
September 29, 2008
Goin' 2 Tarangire on Joe's 10th
A combined "big gift" for Abigail and Joseph on their Birthday was a combined effort from Grandpa and Grandma Fry and us. The gift is a 24 hour safari at Tarangire National Park. Everyone is really excited and looking forward to pulling out in a few hours after a sausage gravy and biscuits breakfast.
September 28, 2008
WAGONER WEEKLY 080928
Romans 12 proved to be, as usual, a great preaching text this morning. However, the preaching time came after a class and a toss. The class, of course, was Sunday School. Brother BJ has reached lesson 40 of 100 Firm Foundations lessons that we use for a discipleship means which offers new converts basic Bible knowledge. Today's class covered God's immutability in the call and messages of prophets like Jonah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. The toss came as we were reassembling for the morning worship service. A lady from the community staggered in, wreaking of banana beer and acting more like it was still Saturday night than Sunday morning. I told her she was welcomed to sit in on the service if she could do so in an orderly fashion. Well... the liquor had definitely gotten the best of her, and she could not maintain order; so... I was obliged to escort her out of the building while some members were giving testimonies of God's goodness. I welcomed her back after she had slept off her high and could attend a service "dry." When she wouldn't leave the property Brother BJ had to lead her off the lot as I returned inside to continue with the service.
The worship hour was blessed. We talked about presenting ourselves as living sacrifices and utilizing the spiritual gift with which each of us has been uniquely endowed by the Holy Spirit. During the invitation Sister Sophia came forward and told me that she wanted to use her spiritual gift by coming to the church once a week to pray for lost people to be saved. I told her that would be WONDERFUL, and it sounded as if God had given her the gift of mercy, amen. Beginning this Saturday she will start her ministry of prayer. We have given her 2 names of unsaved individuals for whom to pray. If you would like to give us a name of someone you are burdened for, let us know, and we will give that name to her as well.
After the inviation Harry gave a testimony, and we took a group picture for his visit. From Kingereka it was time to get home and have a Birthday Party for Joseph (10 tomorrow) and Abigail (12 on the 4th). Cake and ice cream are a great way to top off every Sunday.
September 27, 2008
A-Day for Tennis & Friends
We went to Arusha this morning so Grandpa Harry could watch the girls in their tennis lessons and Tae-Kwan-Joe do his thing.
After the extracurricular activites, we had lunch with the Eric Bohman family. Then, we took Harry to meet Vernon Smith (Mary was @ choir practice). (Oh, yeah, if you don't click on Vernon's name you are going to miss a blessing!)
When we started the 1hr+ drive back to Moshi, the last thing Christine said before dozing off was - "Dad... Can we go to the Tanzania Coffee Lounge?" (She wanted a chocolate chip muffin.) I told her that I wasn't positive, as it depended on how the drive went. She was delighted to find us in a parking space in front of the coffee shop when we woke her up.
It was a Great Day... Now I am looking forward to church kesho. Romans 12, GLORY!
September 26, 2008
It's Paige-Day
HAVE A GREAT DAY PAIGEE!!
September 25, 2008
RUNDUGAI
Harry went with BJ and me for a day of ministry. We started in Kingereka, visiting church members and new babies ;-) Then, we were off with Nasson and Maiko (fathers to new babies) to Rundugai for literature distribution and a visit to Maiko's parents' house. We were praising the LORD for 7 people who received Christ after Nasson gave them the Gospel!
September 23, 2008
HARRY'S HERE!!
Paige's dad, much to her surprise, landed @ NBO last night. It was a great reunion at the airport. (I think I only had to tell 2 half-truths to pull off the surprise!)
You can see more pix on my Facebook.
September 22, 2008
VAN STUFF & VISAS
Nairobi is always a good place for us to get some things taken care of that make life a little smoother over here.
Thing #1 - I took our family van in for some work this morning. After the trip to Mwanza and back, then Mombasa - Nairobi... I wanted to make sure the suspension connections were tightened up and safe. I also found out we needed new brake pads. (Hmmm... no wonder stopping has been slower lately. lol!)
Thing #2 - While the van was being serviced, I was off to Nyayo House to acquire Multiple Entry Visas for Paige and the kids. I tried to do this last month, but found out it was compulsory for them to be IN KENYA to get the Visas endorsed in their Passports. (They were in TZ last month when I tried.)
September 21, 2008
WAGONER WEEKLY 080921
We drove into Nairobi from Mombasa yesterday and had services at 25B Baptist Church this morning. (We are at a Guest House in Nairobi.) We sang, and I preached to the family about the Potter and the Clay from Jeremiah 18:1-6. (1) God is in Control; (2) I am the work of His Hands; (3) His work is Perfect. We had a blessed service, and the children asked several questions.
September 19, 2008
5 STARS!!!!!
September 18, 2008
JUMA MARTIN part 2
By God's providence, I met Juma on the road yesterday as I was going to the village of Mtwapa to distribute some Romans booklets. He invited me to his house, and I was able to meet his wife and children.
It is quite possible that we may begin a ministry in this area in the future. Due to the distance, 5-6 hour drive, the capacity of our involvement is somewhat foggy right now. However, I asked Juma to look around and find out if there is a Baptist Church in his village. If there is, then he and his family may be able to start going there. If not, we will see what we can do to reach out in that community. Please pray with us. We are trying to schedule another trip in March.
September 17, 2008
2 CUTIES & GOD'S CREATION!
September 16, 2008
JUMA MARTIN
Juma Martin Tumbani is a security guard on the grounds where we are staying. When we were here back in May, Bro. BJ gave him a copy of the Romans booklet. He read the booklet and e-mailed us stating that he had received Christ. It was a blessing to talk to him today and explain the simplicity, assurance, and security of salvation in Christ.
September 15, 2008
Da Coast
We were happy to arrive in Mombasa last night after the trip to Mwanza and the mad dash to unload the container of Scripture!
The kids are enjoying the pool and the kids club.
September 14, 2008
WAGONER WEEKLY 080914
Special guests seem to always help the spirit of any church service, and today was no exception. We have been announcing Dr. Bragg's visit for several weeks and we were blessed with one of the best crowds we have ever had at Kingereka, including a first time visitor. PTL!
Bro. Bragg preached from Philippians 1 on God's plan for the life of a believer and the people were VERY encouraged by the message. Many came forward to pray.
At the end of the service Bro. B.J. baptized Anna, whom I had the privilege of leading to the Lord last month. You can see pictures on my Facebook.
Now... my family and I are heading out the door for a trip to Mombasa and Nairobi. God Bless!
September 13, 2008
Bro. Scott & Dr. Bragg
Dr. Ron Bragg and Brother Scott McDermott have been in East Africa for two weeks. They were with us at the BIMT conference in Mwanza and came to our place in Moshi today. We are looking forward to a great service with them tomorrow.
September 12, 2008
17 TONS OF SCRIPTURE
After leaving Beckley, WV on Friday, May 2nd and having an original estimated arrival time of June 15, the Romans Scripture Container got here today! Hallelujah! The long trip across the Atlantic, through the Mediterranean, and extended docking in Salalah, Oman, on the Arabian Peninsula, has finally reached its crescendo.
We worked from 3:30p until 8:30p with 8 helpers to unload (by hand and with a pull cart) 1,316 boxes of Scripture (dimensions of 14-3/4 x 7-1/4 x 9-1/2 and weighing approximately 25.5 lbs each), 13 bicycles, and all the components of 4 big top gospel tents.
We are so thankful for the churches and individuals who made such a project possible. A special thanks to Pastors Wayne Holder and Chuck Herrell as well as Bible Baptist Church, MacArthur, WV and Chilhowie Baptist Church, Chilhowie, VA.
If you would like to see MORE PICS click here!
September 11, 2008
Remember, Honor, Protect
If you said then that you would NEVER FORGET.
I sure hope you haven't.
September 10, 2008
The Longest Drive
We pulled out of the Ladson Lodge when the digital dashboard clock was reading 5:02 (a.m.) So, that is how I started the longest drive I have ever made. After 820 kilometers of... sometimes washboard dirt road with sharp rocks jutting onto the driving surface, speed bumps, bicycles, pedestrians, killer buses, and sometimes stingy trucks... we pulled into our driveway as the digital dashboard clock read 5:17 (p.m.). Whew!
This truck didn't make it to the destination point!
September 9, 2008
BIMT Meeting 2008
The Whole Gang (minus 1 or two ;-) Most were looking at a different camera :(
Christine was happy to receive the candy and gifts from Dr. & Mrs. Bragg.
Joseph seems to enjoy craft time. Much to the enjoyment of others. What a ham!
All of the Youth and Children with Dr. Bragg.
September 8, 2008
Pix from Aliseni's Church in T-X
From their offerings, the Church has been able to gather 3 loads of stones for their building program!
This is the house they are currently meeting in. (It's gettin' kinda cramped!) This will probably serve as a parsonage in the future.
Here I am giving Brother Aliseni enough money to buy 5 more trips of stones. We also purchased enough cement for them to finish the foundation for their building.
A BIG THANKS TO EVANGELIST BOB SANDERS!!
September 7, 2008
WAGONER WEEKLY 080907
It was very refreshing to be in Mwanza today. Paige, the kids, and I made it out past the Mwanza airport to the Independent Baptist Church of Mohonze - TX. Brother Aliseni Mashongole has been a faithful servant of the Lord in this location. He is entering his fourth year in this work, and God is really blessing. There was a good group of 30 teens and adults, along with 40 children packed into a very small house. Before the preaching time I gave some instruction to the seven ladies in the service who live with unsaved husbands. They asked me a couple of questions about how to witness to their unsaved mates. It was a great time and hopefully helpful for these dear ladies. After our brief discussion I preached from Romans 10 - Jesus Christ: The Champion of the Law. Several came forward to pray at the conclusion of the message. Then, the church was very excited when I was able to present a gift from a church to help them complete the foundation of their church building. Amen!
In the evening we were at Ibungilo and preached the same message to the folks there. However, this evening, rather than emphasis on salvation by grace, since the people in this service are more mature believers, the thrust of the message was that we are the living body of Christ.
September 3, 2008
Moshi 2 Katesh
We are heading out for Katesh, Hanang, Tanzania today. Katesh is about half way between Moshi and Mwanza, where we hope to arrive tomorrow. We will be spending the night with Steven and Natalie Burkholder. Right now,we are in McMoody's Restaurant in Arusha. A pretty nice place for a decent burger. We will appreciate your prayers as we travel today and tomorrow. The roads are the most dangerous aspect of life in East Africa.