Greg Wagoner & Family

These days we are being reminded that starting a church is quick & easy... Nurturing and building up believers is a long and laborious process. Attendance at the Kingereka church has been very sporatic lately. Nonetheless, we press forward knowing that God has promised His Word will not return void, and that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Body of Christ.
Today I preached from the traditional Baptist Church Covenant which we have translated into Kiswahili and use in all of our churches. The covenant provides the basis of an agreement of promise into which the membership of a local congregation enters. We are excited about chartering the church on Christmas Day by receiving official membership of those who desire to unite with this fellowship.
Mama John returned to the service today. I had a very good talk with her after the service. She professed her faith in Christ and wants to be baptized on Christmas Day. Glory!
We are also planning for Moses and Helena's official wedding on December 28th. Pray that all will go well for this momentous occassion for this couple.

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On our drive through Ngong Hills, along the Pipeline Road to Isinya, where we start to head south towards Arusha, I think we passed a church named for every single expired saint. We saw the Church of St. Joseph, Mary, Barnabbas, Matthew, Carmelita (I think) and many others I can't even remember. One school was only named after a Holy Father... I guess he isn't dead yet and cannot be "sainted". It is such a religious racket for these iconic establishments to make these pseudo credos. The power to claim sainthood does not rest in Rome. No, that power is from on High! It is God Almighty who separates the saints from sinners. (Ps. 37:28)
Furthermore, the Lord does not wait until after death to proclaim one a saint. (Though this is necessary for faltering fathers who cannot be sure of a fellow's future actions. That is... Once the candidate for sainthood is dead, well... he or she can do no wrong in the eyes of man.) God Almighty is very secure in His position and sure of His prediction. He calls the things that ARE NOT as though they ARE. Amen! Therefore, while still breathing and living within a lost world, God calls His children SAINTS! (That is... all of those who have placed faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.) (1Cor 1:2; 2Cor 13:13; Eph 1:1; Phil 4:22;)
Christians are not perfect in their daily practice, admittedly. We are all still tainted. Tainted as we operate within a wicked and perverse world. Tainted by religious dogmas that are biblically unfounded. But, praise be to God... for every person who has received Christ Jesus by faith; though he may be tainted, the Lord, by His grace, has declared him sainted!

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Before pulling out of the Mickeys' drive we were able to get some family snapshots. We came into East Africa at the same time as them back in January 1998. We studied Swahili together. Since that time we have shared good fellowship in our homes and churches.
Since we are leaving for home tomorrow, it was time for one last feast in Nairobi at the Fogo Guacho Churrascaria.

ANYONE FOR BEEF RIBS?

This rump steak was AWESOME!

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THIS BIRD WAS REAL EASY TO SLICE

THESE BOYS HAVE THE RIGHT IDEA (Josiah Taylor, Joseph, Stephen Mickey)

THE TEEN TABLE (Tim Mickey, Todd Hall, Charity Mickey, Tyler Hall, Abigail, Amanda Mickey)

AFTER THE MEAL THESE YOUNG'UNS FOUND A SOFT COUCH (Lydia & Abigail Taylor, Christine, Susanna w/Samuel Taylor, Elizabeth Mickey)

THE ADULTS SEEMED UNABLE TO AMBULATE TO A COUCH! lol (Lori & Scott Hall, Paige, Kenya & James Taylor, Robert Mickey)

Posted by Greg at 7:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I had really been looking forward to this Thanksgiving at the Mickey's. I knew that I was going to be seeing my friends. We got to their house a couple of hours before church, so we got to play together! At church we played hot potato in my class. After church we went out to eat with the Mickeys, and I got a Margherita Pizza. Then, we went back to their house. All of us girls shared a room together. I had fun.

Posted by Susanna at 9:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today, I woke up with a very bad tummy ache. I couldn’t move very well because every time I did, my stomach pretty much completely cramped. Well, we got ready to go to Java House for breakfast. Once we got there, we ate (I got a bagel) then we girls went to get our hair cut. I still wasn’t feeling great so I lay down on the couch in the waiting corner while my mom got her hair cut. After her, Susanna and Christine went. By that time I was feeling much better, so I got my hair re-layered. We then walked back to Hampton House, and that’s about the end of it. I got my hair cut and my stomach feels much better.

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I had a cavity. He brushed my teeth with his magic tooth brush, and he told me to look straight ahead and keep my mouth open…wide as I can.

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We finished up the messages on the B-A-P-T-I-S-T distinctives this morning. Attendance was very low as well. Several of our folks are going through some difficult times with newborn babies in the home, source of income, etc. These things, coupled with the fact that everyone in our church is a new convert, makes church attendance a lower priority. We will continue to stress the promise Christ gave in Matthew 6:33. We are biblically confident that those who seek God and His Kingdom FIRST… will have their physical needs met by the Lord as they implement a good work ethic.
We did have a first time visitor today, which was a blessing. Pray for Mama John. She has a plot of land that is very close to our church and will be building a house when she is able. Our Masai friend was also back today. Last week I told you his name was Siprian, however it is SIERRA. Sierra Kilimanjaro to be exact. He seems to enjoy our emphasis on the Bible.
After the service the family and I headed north of the border into Kenya. Outside of… seeing a donkey kick one of his counterparts in the chin with both hind feet (I mean he made CONTACT!), a man outside of his vehicle regathering a 5 kilo bag of red onions that were scattered all over the dirt road, as dump trucks and buses raced by him, and an ambulating elderly gentleman giving the “what for” to a man driving a Benzo (He almost hit the mzee.) …the trip was rather uneventful. lol

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Well, the first semester of the 2008-2009 school year is complete! The kids finished taking tests and projects yesterday. I was also able to get all the grades averaged and into the principal ;-) We are all looking forward to a week off. After church tomorrow we are heading to Kenya. Our time there will include dentist appointments, hair appointments for all the girls ;-), food, fun, and fellowship with some friends over Thanksgiving meal, and buying supplies for the next three months or so. It is always refreshing to get a short break after we push and push to get our school work done for a term. December 1st we will begin our third nine weeks.

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I was confronted with another long run today in my marathon training - 17 1/2 miles. Argh! At mile 16 I was handed some fluids by my mobile hydrant that travels by bicycle with me on these long run days. I knew I was only 1 1/2 miles from the house, the rehydration drink gave me an immediate boost, and I thought - "Yeah, this is enough to get me home!"
Then, I thought about how good it is of God to give us what we need to get us home, Amen! At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit baptized us into the Body of Christ and sealed us until the day of redemption... That's when we go home! (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13-14) No matter how tough the times get, or how ineffective and unworthy the world, the flesh, and the devil can make you feel, don't forget... GOD HAS GIVEN YOU ENOUGH TO GET YOU HOME!

Posted by Greg at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Praise God! After about six years of filing paper work, following up in government offices, and just major pains all along the way, BIMT is now an incorporated society in Tanzania! Brother BJ was presented with the official document yesterday as he made the final run to Dar Es Salaam. (Honestly, I could not do it again. These guys had already pushed me to the boiling point on this matter. lol So... thanks Beej!)
We have been a registered society since 1999, and that was a relatively easy process. I also know that other missions have gotten their incorporation status fairly easy. Why it took us so long, I dunno. TIA... Really it is. And, just when you think you are getting the upper hand, this place has a way of takin' you out at the knees! But, like all good defensive linemen who face an illegal cut-block, you just gotta get up and rush the QB again! Amen.
This paper is necessary as we seek to get our 99-year land lease in Boma Ng'ombe. The Kilimanjaro Region has a good reputation for handling things a bit more official than what we were accustomed to in Mwanza.

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Brother John Munisi, Sister Eliana (Mama Mzungu), and I got 12 boxes of Scripture into the hands of about 4,000 people today. GLORY! We pulled out of Kingereka around 11a, and our first stop was the market in Boma Ng'ombe. After finishing off 1 box there, we climbed a lower portion of Mount Kilimanjaro and entered Sanya Juu. This is Eliana's homeland, and today was market day. Market day is a big day in any town or village. People come from far and near to sell their wares. Others, of course, are at the market to spend money and get some stuff for the house. We were able to polish off 9 boxes of Romans in Sanya Juu.
When we left Sanya Juu, I took John and Eliana home. But I still had two boxes of Scripture in the van. Now, I try my best to stick to this policy - DON'T GO BACK HOME WITH THEM... THEY WILL DO NO GOOD IN STORAGE! So... I made my way to the main market in Moshi town, where I was able to complete the day of distribution in about 30 minutes. Kwani ni watu wengi mjini.
Pray that God would touch the hearts of people, and that they would receive Christ. Thanks!

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Christianity is a Singing Religion!

Let the Little Children Come!

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I can not believe that this is the 1000th BLOG entry we have posted since we started this cyber diary back on July 09, 2005. I don't have much to say but - THANKS! Your interest in our lives and ministry is greatly appreciated.
We do have some new info on the main page under PROJECTS. Check it out!
Oh yeah, to see that first published blog you can continue reading...

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At International Baptist Church we are going over the 7 distinctives presented by an acrostic of the word B-A-P-T-I-S-T. Having covered all seven points last week, today those in attendance were given an opportunity to ask questions. The bulk of our time involved a discussion about what happens when problems arise in an Autonomous, or self-governing, Church. Denominationalism has such a stronghold in the minds of people within Tanzania that it is sometimes difficult for them to understand that a single church can govern itself. It was a blessing to see eyes light up when biblical principles by which a self-governing church is to operate were presented. Especially, the manner in which to handle the church when discord and disobedience are prevailing. (Matt. 18; 1 Cor. 5)
It was nice to see a first time visitor in the service today. Siprian is a Massai man who told me that he received Christ in 1985 but has not been in church since '87. The reason he has not been attending the church in his village is because, he claims, they rarely, if ever, use the Bible in their services. (This is due to the over riding presence of denominationalism, which, tends to make leaders power-hungry, greedy, and domineering. Many times the churches here are governed by denominational headquarters rather than the Word of God.) We hope Siprian will become a permanent fixture in the church, but he lives quite a distance away.
On another note... this evening I received a great blessing by way of a cell phone text message. Brother Aliseni Mashongole, who started the church in T-X a few years ago, informed me that for the past three weeks they have launched an outreach service in a neighboring village, Igombe. They have passed out 700+ Romans booklets and over thirty people have come to Christ!

Posted by Greg at 7:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We went to go pass out Romans in Marangu. This is the crossroads for the entrance to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. There were a lot of people there. We passed out 1,000 booklets which equals 3 boxes. When we got there it had started to rain but it felt good. Me and Joe passed out booklets to butchers. We got to see the meat! They were BIG pieces. I had a fun time.

Posted by Susanna at 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A week into training for the Kilimanjaro Marathon I hit my first wall today. It happened as I started kilometer 17 in my 20k run. At this 17k point there is a steep incline to overcome. I honestly thought that I was going to stop jogging and start walking. It would have been so much easier; it would have felt so good! This wall provided me a very strong temptation to give in and start walking. But, I quickly remembered two things just as I was slowing to a stroll... (1) The gifts and calling of God are without repentance and (2) Jesus Christ endured all of His temptations to the end. (Now, I do realize that running is a physical exercise, and these two facts are spiritual truths. However, after some recent study on the composition of a human being, I think it is silly for us to discount that every facet of our lives affects every other area of our lives. That is to say... God created us with bodies, minds, emotions, spirits, etc. so that we live as whole people, not dissected disciples!)
Today's training wall, in a very strong way, caused me to reflect on God's call on my life and that of our family as missionaries in Tanzania. It would be spurious to say that we have never been tempted to "Jump ship!" or "Get outta Dodge!" in regards to life and ministry in Tanzania. Through the pain of today's wall I reminded myself that God's directive was for us to come to Tanzania, not leave. By God's grace we will stay until the work He has given us is done!
Another thought that helped me push through the pain had to do with the the fact that Jesus Christ was victorious over every temptation He ever faced. Because His divine nature could not succumb to sin (that is, He is impeccable) some have suggested that His temptations were not real. However, just yesterday (great timing!) I read this while at study - "Many theologians have pointed out that only he who successfully resists a temptation to the end most fully feels the force of that temptation. Just as a champion weightlifter who successfully lifts and holds over head the heaviest weight in the contest feels the force of it more fully than one who attempts to lift it and drops it, so any Christian who has successfully faced a temptation to the end knows that that is far more difficult than giving in to it at once. So it was with Jesus: every temptation he faced, he faced to the end, and triumphed over it. The temptations were real, even though he did not give in to them. In fact, they were most real because he did not give in to them." (Systematic Theology, Grudem, p. 539)
As I pushed through this first wall, which was almost forcing me to stop... I said a prayer of thanks to God... I thanked God for calling me to Tanzania, and asked Him for strength to not give in to the pressures of life here. I also thanked God for the power of Christ to conquer all temptation, and asked Him to help me not quickly give in to the allurements of the world. By the time these recollections and prayers were over I had reached the top of the incline and was glad to be able to finish the 20k without walking.

Posted by Greg at 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last night in devotion Daddy talked about bosses and names. He said that I was the boss of our dog Jenna and that he was the boss of me. And when God told Adam and Eve not to eat some fruit from a tree. Satan tricked 'em and they ate from it and they died. Always get a good woman and a good man, and let the man be the boss of the house. And, if you don't get a good woman she will probably boss the house. So... get a good woman.

Daddy here... Please don't judge my devotion based ENTIRELY upon this analysis! lol

Posted by Christine at 7:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday me and my dad went to town on a bike (me on the back). First, we went to the bank to send some money to a church in Shinyanga for a building. Then, we went to eat at a place called the Corner Cafe. I got a BLT that was very good and my dad got a garden salad. Right when we got done eating it started to rain! So we had to ride in the rain to the barber shop where we got hair cuts. When we got done there the rain stopped and we went home. When we got home we ate pigs in a blanket... YUM YUM!

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Today Dad and I went to town so I could get my mango shake. Dad had made a deal with me that if I made chocolate chip cookies, he would buy me a mango shake. So we went to the Tanzania Coffee Lounge (our African Starbucks), I got my shake, and Dad got a fruit salad. After we finished, we went to the market and bought pineapple, watermelon, and garlic. Then we went to the ATM. We parked on a "designated curb." :-) We wound up our little trip with stops at the grocery store and bakery. Then we came back home.

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B-A-P-T-I-S-T

What does that name represent? Are there distinct differences in Baptist Churches? Well, for those churches that would hold to the B-A-P-T-I-S-T distinctives, the answer is... YES!
As we continue to move International Baptist Church - Kingereka towards organization, today, we examined the distinctives of a Baptist Church.
B - Biblical Authority
A - Autonomy of the Local Church
P - Priesthood of Every Believer
T - Two Offices (Pastor & Deacon)
I - Individual Soul Liberty
S - Saved Church Membership (+ Security of the Believer)
T - Two Ordinances (Baptism & Lord's Supper)
All of these are clearly mentioned in Scripture as God's methods of church order. The people received the message with excitement and acceptance today. This is true since most have a background in denominational systems that suppress biblical truth and threaten people with religious traditions. Next week, we will repeat these distinctives and allow for a Q&A time.
Sister Fibi brought Janette, her sister-in-law, to the service today. During the invitation time Janette came forward and told me she wanted to receive Christ as her Savior. Amen! Bro. B.J. and his wife, Cathy, were able to share God's plan of salvation with Janette. Before leaving church we were informed that she had believed on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Later this afternoon, I received a text message from Pastor Joas Kibaba in Lamadi, Mwanza. During our recent session of LVBC, Pastor Joas informed us that the shelter, which Mercy Baptist Church - Lamadi has been meeting under, had fallen to the ground do to heavy rains. In an informal meeting, I was pleased that a number of the students gave funds to pay for the restructuring of the shelter. From our ministry fund, I committed to purchase the materials which would be needed. Praise God, Pastor Joas and the people got to work and put the roof back up! In his text message he told me that the people were very excited today and souls were saved in their meeting.
Thank you for your prayers and interest in this work. God Bless you!

Posted by Greg at 9:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have often heard the analogy that living life as a believer in Jesus Christ is a lot like running a marathon. This analogy is especially used when a sermon or lesson is brought from Hebrews 12:1-2. Having trusted Christ at the age of 18, eighteen years ago this week, I have now lived half of my life, and pretty much all of my adult life, as a believer. I fully concur that living for God is definitely not a sprint; it is a long journey and is sometimes painful.
For a while now I have desired to run in a real life marathon. My thinking is that though such a race is performed in the physical, while living for God is a spiritual exercise, the struggle to the finish, coupled with the agony along the way, may well afford some insights as to how to be better prepared to cross the finish line of life. So... the time is now.

Today was training day #1 as I anticipate entering the 2009 Kilimanjaro Marathon which is held right here in Moshi. This morning I ran 20 kilometers, which is about half of the total marathon distance. It is the longest I have ever run at one time in my life. (My previous longest distance was 14 kms.) It was tough, but not as difficult as I thought it might be. Then, 113 days from today, I am hoping to finish the 42.2 kms without injury and with a smile; much the same manner in which I want to enter into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Posted by Greg at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I was doing some writing for a theology class today and wanted to share this with you...

Within each person who possesses the most minute measure of mental aptitude is the knowledge of God. However, there are those among us who do not wish to deal with the idea that there is a Higher Power who is superintending the world’s affairs. These people have trained their minds into thinking that there is no God and, consequently, they are not accountable to God. It must be understood that they have had to work diligently to train their minds to reject the idea that God exists. Due to their persistent refusal of truth and delightful acceptance of all that is contrary to God, they have provided for themselves a false comfort that: God out of sight and out of mind is God out of touch and out of strength. Romans 1:18-32 gives a thorough treatment of this type of “reprobate” person.
Contrary to the reprobate, the redeemed have honed that initial inner awareness of God into a personal relationship with the Creator. Though He is out of sight to the believer, He is surely not out of mind, and definitely not out of heart. Having been propelled from recognition to regeneration, those who have accepted God’s person, plan, and power rest in the following facts: (1) They have an Eternal Heavenly Father who loves them; (2) They have a Mighty Savior in Jesus Christ who secures them; (3) They have a Comforting Holy Spirit who guides them.
The argument for the conscience of man as proof for God’s existence is a two way street. That is...
If you believe in God, He believes in you.
If you do not believe in God, well… He doesn’t believe in you either.

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13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

From 2 Chronicles 7

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After spending two weeks in Mwanza it was a treat to see the familiar faces of International Baptist Church in Kingereka. Even though some were out, most of the regulars were in church. Danieli Maiko was at his first service today! This was Paulina's first service since several weeks before his birth. We were finally able to present Paulina, Danieli's mom, with her baptismal certificate and Bible.

Before the worship service started, Brother John Munisi told me about a special offering he brought today...

You have heard of Holy Cow; how about Holy Goat? Yep, all tied up and bleating up a storm, this bearded, white fur ball could not be placed in an offering envelope, but looked as proud as a peacock as he stood before the altar as a sacrifice to God. Bro. BJ will be taking the goat to the livestock market on Tuesday. The holy goat will be sold and the proceeds placed into the church account.
In the preaching time we wrapped up the book of Romans by examining chapter 16. This final chapter presents us with news about Friends and Enemies of the Gospel. While looking at the names of the large team of supporters who assisted Paul in his ministry, the people were encouraged to find and use the gifts which God has given them. While in service it is important to realize that there are enemies of the cross from whom believers are to separate. It was somewhat humorous to see the looks on some of the faces when I read the following statement which was made by our Lord Jesus Christ... "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." (Matthew 10:33-35)

Posted by Greg at 7:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After being gone for two weeks it was time to be Dad again. Chocolate chip pancakes, Christine and Susanna's favorite, was on the agenda for breakfast today. Ab, Joe, and I spent some time goofin' off in the pool. Then, we played 10 Days in Africa while eating pizzas Mommy made. (They can tell you who won both games;-) This evening the little girls went to the PO Box and the supermarket with me. We had to get Ice Cream so we could cap off the day with peanut butter milkshakes! Awww Yeah!

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