Reflections on Africa

A Wonderful Investment!
11/26/08
Dear Friends and Family,
First, I want to give God thanks this morning. He continues to show his grace in the everyday events. Thank you for those that reply to my updates. Although I am limited in replying, it is still a refreshing moment to read your shorts notes of encouragement.
It is to my knowledge that Tanzania, in its heyday, was once a colonized country by Germany and England. It is a major part of history taught in school curriculums all across Tanzania, especially in the Form 5 and 6 levels. As I read some textbooks, I could not ignore the perspective angles it takes on colonialism. Overall, the bottom line is that colonialism might have done more negative effects than positive ones. One of the "negative" tools they used to exploit the African people was "religion." The textbook said that the colonizers considered the people's customs and culture pagan and so they initiated their own religion - "Christianity" into the society. Obviously, today, the "Christian" religion has become an integral part of Tanzania. In my village alone, there are about five Christian denominations. It did make me wonder, "What are the perceptions of various groups of people here about Village School Tanzania?" Then I asked myself, "What are my motivations for joining VST?"
This is what I reflected:
From the very first time I heard about VST, I felt the need of schools in Tanzania. I also believed that education should be a fundamental right given to all children and not just to the few on top. I then reflected on my own background as a boy, who being raised in a third world country was shown the importance of education - even if it meant struggling and sacrificing to find the money to pay the tuition fees. Then, I thought of James 1:27: Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
It made sense – I came to Tanzania with this religion!
I like the statement that VST makes about their organization. It says something about living (eating, celebrating, surviving, worshipping) with the students and villagers that sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ just becomes a natural result of loving them. It is true! You have to show you genuinely love and care before anyone could even consider your message worth listening to.
Two weeks ago, I went with Delitus to his uncle's village in Sadan, which was a three-hour walk from Lugoda Lutalli. As Delitus and I shared about VST-Imauluma, I sensed some doubts about the school's presence and its intentions. We even met a "religious" man who started sharing some negative things about Imauluma, and who directed the conversation to Delitus, my student, so of course, I was left out of the loop until later, when I asked Delitus what the man shared. Apparently, "religion" class is part of government schools - at least here in our Ward. Imauluma does not exactly follow the same format.
They gave me the task of filling in for the chapel service where we sing songs, pray, and I read from the Bible. So far, I think it is going well. I have been sharing a series on the life of Joseph. They seem to enjoy this one-hour period of time. I even have a teacher and some students like Tenim, Delitus, and Jonefredy who translate for me. Do pray for me with this given opportunity. Pray that God would give me the right words to say and that it would give God the ultimate glory. It is every Thursday at 11:00 AM.
It was rather sad that the man from Sadan did not give a good first impression. However, the trip was far more of a blessing than I could have thought. It was in Sadan where I met Vincent.
Vincent is a twenty-four year old young man who is fully blind. He, on the other hand, gave a wonderful first impression. He also encouraged me and inspired the rest of my stay in Sadan. I was delightfully surprised to listen to him and converse in English with him. Here is a young man, who despite his condition was able to get an education. Nothing was about to stop him from getting an education. He finished Form 6 this year and is already preparing to go to the university next year. One of the first questions he asked me was, "What is your view on the entity of the Holy Spirit in our lives?" Wow! I drew close to him at that point. He continued to encourage me as he took out a copy of the Psalms in Braille. He also brought out a copy of the Gospels. Delitus and I just sat there amazed at his ability to read in Braille. On Sunday, we sang in front of his church. The song was "Kombolewa!"-a Swahili translation of the hymn, "Redeemed, How I love to Proclaim It." He also translated the pastor's message in front of the church for me. Everyone in that church was just deeply encouraged by his ability. Even the pastor said, "Our village can be proud to know that we claim some of our own bright future here in Sadan."
Delitus and I seized the opportunity to share about Imauluma and its true intentions. I saw some of those doubts clear away that day...
I want to leave you with a final request. When I asked Vincent what he plans to study in the university he said, "Law." However, he requested for something quite profound. He held my hand and said, "I love reading from Psalms and the Gospels, but one of my greatest passion is to study Theology. Is there any possibility that you could help me get a theology book?" I told him that there are many of you praying and supporting me to be here in Tanzania and I will put forth this request to you. I want to challenge you with this request: Vincent desires a theology book in Braille before he pursues his dream of becoming a lawyer. I hope that you sense the magnitude of this investment. I do not come across a twenty-four year old young Tanzanian man, who is 100% blind and desires to read and own a theology book very often! It must be one of those God things.
If this challenge moves you, please email Vicki Bickel or Steve Vinton to know the best way of getting it here.
And if you are the one who read my October email and donated $500 to VST for bricks, I want to thank you . We have the bricks and we are almost done with our administration building.
To all of you praying and giving I want to thank you. Continue to pray especially with my relationship with fellow housemates. Right now, that seems to be the hardest thing here. Pray that I would be patient, kind, good, loving, joyful, peaceful, and longsuffering... They are the blossoming leaders of Tanzania and I am striving to work as part of the team.
To my loving mother and awesome brother, Timmy: I am beginning to miss you. Timmy, Belated Happy Birthday to you! Sorry I cannot call you, but know that I am thinking of you. Hope you have a wonderful 16th B-Day. Keep loving God, living life and do not give Mom a hard time, ok? Love you all.
Clinging to HIS Grace,
Anthony