Mahango Mission

By Dave Duris

Tallahassee, Florida, USA

I had the unique privilege to be a part of the latest mission trip to Tanzania, Africa, where the Weapons Of Our Warfare class was presented at two locations to the Maasai people. Rev. Evan Pyle, Rev. Steve Monahan, and David Mantock ministered in Mwanavala while Rev. Tim Sullivan, Daniel Bucher, Jay Pearson and myself were in Mahango. One of the many things that deeply impacted me during the trip was the wonderful unity of the spirit that existed among our group. Despite the various challenges and levels of flexibility required during this trip, all of us worked together and seemed relatively unshaken by the ever changing schedule of events and obstacles presented. I also saw how each of us had a unique function and ministered and contributed at an appointed time, so that all that was done flowed together wonderfully and glorified God.

It was truly a testimony to the promise of God, that those who hunger and seek after righteousness shall be filled. To have access to a group of people who had virtually kept themselves separate from most Western influences was strange enough. To see the deep love and reverence for the Lord in them, coupled with a level of humility and meekness that is seldom seen in our culture, was especially significant. God had not only given us a wonderful entrance to the Maasai people, but good favor and blessings from their leaders. This type of door of opportunity to present God’s Word was prepared before us by others. We were all deeply humbled to learn that many years prior to our arrival there was a faithful minister who laid the foundation by preaching the Words of Life to the Maasai people. Despite initial resistance and rejection, however, his faithfulness eventually opened up opportunities for the Word of God to take root in people’s lives and paved the way for our entrance. To see this type of divine preparation made in people’s hearts before the classes began truly was astounding. To be a witness of these events helped me understand that God is not only willing to orchestrate circumstances to bring people across several continents for a divine appointment, but that He is also active in preparing people’s hearts to receive what He desires to impart.

On one of our final days in Tanzania, we all took part in the ordination service of our wonderful brother in Christ, Rev. Ans Mwambepo. After spending time with Rev. Mwambepo, all my standards for a servant of the Lord were redefined. He touched all of our lives with his tireless efforts to oversee every aspect of our trip and serve us so humbly and graciously. The love relationship he had with the Maasai people was so evident that the ordination service almost felt like a wedding. It was a beautiful public declaration of the union of this loving minister to his congregation. Rev. Sullivan wonderfully orchestrated the event which also included the Blessing of the Lord over several members of the faithful believers who worked together with Rev. Mwambepo in that area in service to the Lord.

In all the events we took part in during our time in Tanzania, I was so deeply touched by the acts of sacrificial giving demonstrated by the Maasai people. It reminded me of the account in the scriptures where Jesus praised the widow woman for the sacrificial giving of her two mites into the treasury because it was all she had. It was evident that the resources available to these people were limited, yet all their gifts and expressions of love were extravagant.

I am so thankful to God for the life changing opportunity to be a part of this trip. I would also like to express thanks to the supporters of Workers Together With Him, whose prayers and giving made this opportunity available. May God continue to provide avenues where His Word can be proclaimed and embraced by people of such heart and meekness as the Maasai.

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From the December 2005 edition of the Vine & Branches