Storm The Nations 2003 - East Africa

What is this blog about?

2005-04-03T19:15:00.000+12:00

Prophecies abound which casts New Zealand as a major missionary-sending country. Right now we are far from its fulfillment in full measure, but here is but a narrow and tiny glimpse -

"Storm the Nations" is a short-term missions trip organised by Global Task with an emphasis on covering remote villages that have never heard the Gospel before.

This is a story of ordinary people, young and young-at-heart, trusting an extraordinary God and moving in His love, grace, power and authority.

This is a story of changing perspectives.

This is a story of lives which will never be the same again.

"The harvest is ready, but the workers are few..."

2004-01-18T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Hunua Falls, New Zealand

Those chickens reminded the teams of the nations a little too much... at least they were NOT inside your room when they crowed :)

2004-01-17T00:00:00.000+13:00

Bevan is one of those "David-and-Johnathan" friends of mine. He didn't go in this mish but I could definitely expect him to show up at re-intro! :)

2004-01-16T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Hunua Falls, New Zealand

Beginning of the bonfire night. All the teams shared their testimonies.

2004-01-15T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Hunua Falls, New Zealand

Enjoying fine kiwi tucker during re-intro camp.

2004-01-14T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Joanna and Abby riding on African stools on the travelator, during our transit stop.

Looking back at the control tower and airport terminal when boarding.

2004-01-13T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

The team returned to Gerald's residence in Nairobi at about nine last evening.

Our last day in Africa involved ministering in a primary school, some shopping, then onwards to the airport.

At the school, the locals gave us sodas, chai, and copious amounts of bread (as shown here, about three "baskets" full!)

The team ministered to these children in this hall.

'In the Light' was back by popular demand, then Amy preached from the story of the one lost sheep :)

The name of the school is shown here.

Thom and Amy with their departing presents on their heads. After the rest of us went home, they had an extended stay in the continent, including helping out in an Iris Ministries base in Pemba, Mozambique.

2004-01-12T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Somewhere in Kenya

The team left Tarime early in the morning to the Tanzanian / Kenyan border in three Corolla stationwagons and left Tanzania without incident.

However the Kenyan customs authorities either were not totally awake, or were trying to make a few quick bucks off the team (hedging on the team not being totally awake). They claimed that we have no visas and wanted us to pay for them, until somebody spotted that our visas are multiple-entry and are therefore valid...

The team then boarded the bus to Nairobi, but four hours into the journey something in the rear axle broke, shredding the inner tyre. Smoking parts were taken out of the axle assembly, and they were unable to repair it due to parts requirements.

While the bus was stranded for five hours, some of the team decided to have a rooftop rave nearby...

Eventually the next bus came along and the team scrambled in to it.

2004-01-11T00:00:00.000+13:00

Date: 11 Jan 2004
Location: Musoma, Tanzania

The final rendition of 'In the Light' (or so we thought!) during the Sunday morning service in the large church in Musoma.

We managed to hook up with an Australian couple (Tim and Jill) whom just settled in for some longer term work amongst the language schools.

Full stomaches are the major cause of content faces after lunch at a restaurant in Musoma.

One amongst the inevitable frenzy of photos before the team leaves for Tarime.

Location: Tarime, Tanzania

The team toasting to God's fine work during the mission. This is the last dinner at Gaspar's house before the team leaves Tanzania.

2004-01-10T18:24:00.000+13:00

Location: Serengeti district, Tanzania

The 'quick' evening meeting at Mesaga started late (due to being rained out), and finished at about 2am the next day. An elderly lady gained some movement to her legs and God started a work on her back :)

At about 5 am, the team packed up and went to this place to watch the sunrise, and more importantly, to catch a bus to Musoma.

Location: Musoma, Tanzania

Back to the Anglican Hostel in Musoma, the guards spotted this cute hedgehog (complete with puppy dog eyes). Stereotypical roadkill material, but some people in the team would complain ;-)

2004-01-09T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Mesaga, Tanzania

Afternoon outreach at Mesaga. (Most of) the local choir is in action...

...spot the odd one out! :-p

Mansfield giving out his testimony.

Gaspar leading the altar call.

A view of the meeting from afar.

Kay, Dion, Mansfield, and Yvonne with the local pastors.

A walk through the Mesaga countryside. The road sign shows where we are :)

Joanna and Yvonne trying out (and excelling in) their water carrying skills.

2004-01-08T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Nyamakobiti, Tanzania

Once again the van had power problems in this fine morning. The locals are pushing it to the nearest generator shack.

Location: Majimoto, Tanzania

Majimoto literally means 'hot water', as there is a hot spring nearby. The bubbling spring is covered by the laundry that is being washed.

Mansfield near the hot springs.

Some of the team decided to try on the (some) staunch, "shady" look...

Fiery ants moving house. Two rows guard the middle convoy which were moving the eggs and food. The ants were just over 1cm long.

Road sign at the Majimoto intersection.

A second road sign, with some local traffic and a puncture repair sign to the left.

Afternoon outreach at Majimoto. The local choir currently in action.

The team doing 'In the Light'. The art of double exposure is rather difficult with the point-and-click camera being used. I was just as amazed as the doctors were when Mary had a little lamb ;-)

Amy speaking at the afternoon meeting.

Beginning the altar call after the message.

Mansfield with Gaspar and Naftali.

2004-01-07T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Isresre, Tanzania

The team departed from Isresre early morning.

Location: Nyamakobiti, Tanzania

Nyamakobiti and Majimoto are two villages within walking distance of each other. The team stayed in a house halfway between them.

Abby was preaching at the morning crusade.

The team doing 'Revive Us' during the afternoon meeting. Was supposedly for basic discipleship, but enough unsaved people gathered so that we improvised the gospel messages :)

Altar call after the afternoon meeting.

Before the evening meeting. Keryn with the local children.

Storm clouds gathering. Little did we know there was a storm brewing in the spirit as well...

After the evening crusade, there were a couple of deliverances which took about two hours to complete. Although things are really starting to heat up... Christ is already victorious. The difference in the people after they have been delivered is like night and day.

2004-01-06T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Isresre, Tanzania

Just arrived at Isresre. This is a view from the hilltop down to the farming community below.

The panorama of the Isresre area continues...

Also notice the clear blue skies (which did not last for long...)

The smaller huts are food silos.

Amy speaking at the afternoon outreach. We were engulfed in mud, however this was the only day with major rain in the entire mission.

David and Angela went for an email and banking run all the way to Musoma and back, and were delayed due to their transport getting stuck in the mud.

2004-01-05T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Maburi, Tanzania

Our transport finally arrived late last evening, but when it was time to leave, the van's battery would not come to the party. Here it is being towed to Maburi town center to a generator shop for a recharge.

Location: Borenga, Tanzania

The team avoided being marooned in the 'Maburi triangle' for another day and proceed to Borenga. This is a donkey which carried water for the team at around lunch time.

The team dispensed Living Water in the afternoon and night meetings. Starting from this village onwards, there were a lot more people delivered from demons during ministry time.

2004-01-04T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Maburi, Tanzania

The team was scheduled to head to Borenga straight after a Sunday morning service in Maburi - but alas. Our transport never turned up that day...

In the afternoon, some of the team decided to play with the local children.

Some of the children playing with the frisbee (the floppy looking thing on the right).

Another view of the soccer field in Maburi. I'm pretty sure there would not be goats running around inside Eden Park :)

You can see a silouette of the outhouse, along with the sunset

2004-01-03T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Serengeti district, Tanzania

The team on the way to Biasuma for the day's outreach. This 'van sandwich' is typical of the team's travelling conditions :)

Location: Biasuma, Tanzania

Preparing for the morning meeting at Biasuma.

Close-up of the tree in the previous photograph. The note is basically a notice with the team's arrival date on it, that has been placed by our local contact previously. A simple and elegant solution that works.

A choir from an independent church leads worship. Their drumming is distinct from the accapella choirs that we have so far met.

The team having lunch in a convertible mud hut. Two doors and an open roof...

Location: Maburi, Tanzania

A colourful sunset in Maburi, before the evening outreach.

2004-01-02T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Makicha, Tanzania

A view of some of the crowd during our morning crusade at Makicha. Behind the crowd the ground was used as the local soccer field.

Location: Nyankomogo, Tanzania

The team arrived at Nyankomogo for one night crusade. This is the plaque on the house in which we stayed.

2004-01-01T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Issenye, Tanzania

The team managed to arrive at Issenye fifteen minutes before the New Year started.

An open-bed truck full of fish eventually passed by, and for quite an amount of money they decided to take us. So the gear went in, and the team ended up with standing room on the edges of the cargo tray, holding on to the handle bars, fresh wind in our faces, as we bounced down the road under a dark blue evening sky.

Um, anyway, this is the lodge where we stayed for the day.

This is the official "day off" where the team did some much-needed laundry, and compulsory showers for the lads :)

The team also had a chance to take a walk around the surrounding area. Notice the morning mist still lifting off near the horizon.

This is as far as the walk went, with a signpost to another village

During evening mealtime, Ken-zinny decided to drink a cup of chai - complete with goat milk and much sugar.

Ken-zinny is our 14th team member, doesn't say much, and always acts as an encouragement to the team.

Ken-zinny rides the water bottle as if it is a rocket. Okay, so the stunt photography was just a little transparent, but at least there was no photochopping involved ;-)

2003-12-31T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Mununa, Tanzania

The team doing "In the Light" during the morning crusade at Mununa.

Walking past this collapsed mud hut while going to lunch.

Abby preaching up a storm during the afternoon meeting.

A happy Yvonne with the local Mununaans after the meeting.

The locals wave us goodbye as we leave Mununa late afternoon.

Location: Serengeti district, Tanzania

About 9 o'clock in the evening heading towards Issenye for New Year's. At this point in time we were not moving, however - as there is an oil trail...

...that leads to a broken sump in the engine. Florence bites the dust, again.

2003-12-30T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Serengeti district, Tanzania

The team made an unscheduled stop here on this junction, on their way to Nyamatoke.

At the same stop, looking down the road and the totally clear blue skies.

A view down another road. Yvonne can be seen wandering down it.

This is the reason for the stop on the way to Nyamatoke...

The fuel system in Florence the van had a problem so it kept stalling at inopportune times.

Having said that, it was a beautiful day for a one hour walk - which we did.

Location: Nyamatoke, Tanzania

This is just before the afternoon meeting with the resting team members...

A look down the road in Nyamatoke.

Joanna teaching at the early afternoon meeting.

And after that, Dion.

Late afternoon meeting just down the road. David hard-core preaching the gospel :)

The team walking back to the van after the two meetings were completed. Once again we had the privilege to enjoy the spectacular scenery in the countryside. This is the downhill direction, so we can literally see for miles.

2003-12-29T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Maburi, Tanzania

Keryn preaching at Maburi town center during the afternoon crusade.

Children of Maburi after the afternoon meeting. No, this is not a toothpaste ad...

Local children playing at the field near the Maburi school late afternoon.

Looking the other way from the previous photo. The building to the center-right is the Maburi church (where the team stayed).

Another look at Maburi.

Sunset time.

Part of the crowd at the night crusade.

2003-12-28T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Bunda, Tanzania

The first official ministry time in Tanzania started this day with a preach at a church in Bunda.

Afterwards we went to a missionary's house for lunch and home made icecream :) This is the courtyard of the missionary's house, with Naftali (our main translator) sitting in the foreground.

Close-up of the rock in the previous photograph. The length from the head to the hind legs (excluding tail) of that lizard would be about the length of a hand.

In other words - a big, fat, juicy lizard.

Location: Serengeti district, Tanzania

After some travel we managed to enter the Serengeti district. The team stopped at this village just inside Serengeti for a soda. Little did we know what lies ahead of us...

Within half an hour of the previous photo, the first of the many tribulations the team had with transportational infrastructure has begun.

To the left is Florence the van (albeit tidied up from last year) which decided to split the gearbox casing when attempting to traverse a rut in the road. During the unscheduled stop (and inevitable drawing in of the crowd), the team was able to speak to quite a few people. Eventually a new van was found (right), and the team's gear is being transferred...

Location: Maburi, Tanzania

Around 9 o'clock the team managed to arrive at Maburi. The team held a crusade style meeting after dinner.

The night meetings are made possible by the services of a generator. Notice how the wires are "secured" into the power board - with twigs. Every missionary should really try to setup this sometime...:)

2003-12-27T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Tarime, Tanzania

And we're off! After leaving Nairobi on Boxing Day and crossing the Kenyan / Tanzanian border, we eventually arrived at Tarime.

After crossing the border, the team needed to take a van to Tarime. A man (whom the team thought to be with the driver) helped to pack the team and their gear into two vans and demanded payment. He took the money and jumped off the moving van. Once the vans arrived at the destination, the drivers demanded payment - the situation was resolved only after the team paid more money.

After Gaspar (our Tanzanian contact) heard of this, he ensured that we travelled from Tarime to Musoma in style. This is the air-conditioned van from Africa...

The team arrived at the Anglican Hostel at Musoma where we spent the night.

On the other side of the hostel complex is a large church, as seen here.

This is a plaque near the foundation of the church building.

The team squeezes into one room to hear the "life story" of a team member.

2003-12-25T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Christmas service at the NCPC, including a lunch for the homeless.

Preparing for the Christmas message.

Team photo after the service.

"Secret Santa" time, with the obligatory inflatable Christmas tree, imported tinsel, and improvised wrapping :-)

The team at the gate of the apartment complex where we stayed.

The lads lookin' staunch while taking a one-handed photo.

Denis hooning around in a tricycle.

2003-12-24T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Graduation photo.

Amy face-painted the children for Thom's 22nd birthday. Shadrach on the left, and Denis in the middle.

Amy, Thom, the children, and Ezekiel in Thom's birthday.

2003-12-23T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Angela, Shadrach, Mansfield with Denis, Ezekiel, and William.

Ezekiel and William are visiting pastors from Uganda.

David with the same people as previous photo.

2003-12-22T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Children at the apartment.

2003-12-21T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Sunday service at the NCPC with the children's choir.

2003-12-20T00:00:00.005+13:00

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Denis, one of the host's children (he is not a baby), hiding besides a couch back in the apartment.

Denis with Angela.

The local Kenyan choir in action during a meeting.

There were also other guest speakers during the youth rally. William (the man to the right) is from Uganda.

Ugandan songs and dance courtesy of Ezekiel, William, and Edna.

The Ugandans in action.

An encore for those guys!

We thought they were leaving already...

...but not quite!

Thom sharing his testimony

The team's first run of "Revive Us".

Kay's testimony

Mealtime. The man standing is Gerald, our local contact in Nairobi.

2003-12-19T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Inside the New Covenant Prophetic Church where the team ministered in a youth rally and various church services. This is Dion speaking during a youth rally meeting.

Abby speaking in the NCPC.

2003-12-18T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

A view from the second story apartment of the surroundings in Kahawa West, the suburb in Nairobi where the team stayed.

2003-12-17T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Having just arrived in Kenya from a thirty hour flight, the team is loading the gear INSIDE the van, then somehow "squizz" all thirteen of us inside it as well.

2003-12-16T00:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Auckland Internation Airport

East African team photo, just before departure.

2003-12-15T21:00:00.001+13:00

Location: Higham Farm

Partial East African team photo.

From left: Dion, Mansfield, Yvonne, Abby, Keryn, Sharion, Joanna, Thom, Amy, David.

Absent: Angela, Kay, Solary.

2003-12-15T21:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Higham Farm

An action shot of all the guys across the teams. From left: Luke (India), Mike (Samoa), Jared (Philippines), Guy (India), Mark (India), Ollie (Philippines), David (East Africa), Dion (East Africa), Mansfield (East Africa), Thom (East Africa)

2003-12-13T21:00:00.001+13:00

Location: Higham Farm

Some of the other teams in the dining area.

2003-12-13T21:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Higham Farm

Prep Camp - Looking down towards the dining area, notice the makeshift volleyball net.

2003-12-12T21:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Higham Farm

A second view of Prep Camp showing the blue crew tents to the right.

2003-12-10T21:00:00.000+13:00

Location: Higham Farm

Beginning of Prep Camp. To the left (left of the van) are the leaders' tents, the large barn is for meetings, and the dining area is located to the far right.