Read about Jonathan Rendall’s adventure in Tanzania. Jonathan is a member of St James Church where he leads the Prayer Ministry Team for the Parish. He is also the Schools’ Officer for the Diocese of Worcester. His reflections, posted during his visit, are shown in blue.
Sunday, 1st August:
Morogoro Cathedral ordination service: priests and deacons (30). Travel to Berega with teacher colleagues from schools in the Diocese of Worcester where Jonathan is School’s Officer.
Jonathan writes:
Jonathan with Maasai Warriors & Samuel
With the Maasai Boran (warriors) and Samuel (priest) at Kichengani. News of the watertank and watersacks greeted with joy thanks and praise to God.
We are standing on the site of the proposed new church. Faith, Love, Joy tangible!
Monday, 2nd August:
Visit schools: Berega, Mlingoti and Mgugu primary schools + Mgugu Secondary
Tuesday, 3rd August:
Return to Morogoro; visit Mafiga and Misufini Primary Schools
Meeting the District and Regional Education Officers (Morogoro)
Wednesday, 4th August:
Visit Dumila primary and secondary schools + Gairo primary school
Thursday, 5th August:
Meeting District and Regional Education Officers (Kilosa)
Friday, 6th August:
Meeting Bishop Godfrey and Diocesan staff re: Diocesan Partnerships + Archdeacon Roger Morris. Rooted in Jesus: conversations and preliminary planning for Rooted in Jesus conferences in May 2011. Travel to and stay overnight in Dar es Salaam.
Saturday 7th August:
09:20 flight from Dar es Salaam to Mtwara travel to Masasi (3 hours in a 4×4)
Update from Jonathan-2:
In Dar es Salaam. Good first week: schools work fruitful and positive + Diocesan link work constructive. Kitchengani + water: they were so appreciative and encouraged by love, prayers and support from St Peter’s and St James’. They are praying for us . Love to all. God’s blessing.
Sunday, 8th August:
Preaching at Mkuti Parish Church, Masasi; afternoon relaxation + preparation for Rooted in Jesus Junior – pilot.
Update from Jonathan-3:
Today (Sunday): what a privilege to preach. I am humbled. Wonderful scriptures: Deut. 7:6-14/Romans 8:13-39/Matt:14:13-21. God was with us. Interpreter was Major General Makunda (rtd). Great bloke.
Just completed revision and prep for training tomorrow ( ie today, Monday 9th)). Godly excitement and expectation/believing His blessing on these last 4 training days .
Last week was very demanding: tired man here; need rest and refreshment + Holy Spirit’s anointing to be effective. Appreciate prayer for tomorrow and this week.
Monday, 9th August:
Meeting Lucas Saidi (Rooted in Jesus coordinator Masasi Diocese); Rooted in Jesus Junior training 1 (Mkuti and Mkomaindo) for leaders.
Tuesday, 10th August:
Meeting Bishop Patrick (Masasi) re Rooted in Jesus conference in November
2010; and further develoment in school partnerships.
Rooted in Jesus Junior training 2 (Mkuti and Mkomaindo) for leaders in the afternoon.
Update 4:
Oh the greatness of our God! Rooted in Jesus Junior: there was just such an anointing of God with us today. 20 people at the training, The power of the Holy Spirit was awesome. He was so in control, so creative as we worked together. There was great joy in worship, commitment to purpose as the training evolved, delight in the programme, receptive to the teaching, and great expectation for tomorrow and to see children engaging with Junior Routed in Jesus. Tomorrow 2 trainees leading us in lession 1a. God is truly glorified here at Mkuti and Mkomaindo today! I was so free to be me! What a privilege! Hallelujah! Do thank the prayer chain.
Please also give thanks for three good and constructive meeting with Bishops for Routed in Jesus Conferences (R in J) for Newala and Masasi in November 2010. Also for a very encouraging meeting with Bishop Godfrey of Morogoro concerning my visit in May 2011. Three Bishops recognising potential of R in J and clearly desiring to support the conferences and groups fully. All asked good questions and made commitments to support. Good news. Please continue to pray for R in J Junior trainees and training. The enemy will be prowling. Psalm 91 is the focus of my prayer just now
Wednesday 11th August:
Attending one or two locally based Rooted in Jesus groups – from last years
conferences? Rooted in Jesus Junior training 3 (Mkuti and Mkomaindo) for leaders in the afternoon.
Update 5:
‘Clearly the Lord is building His house here. Psalm 127. I am watching it happen! They are receiving the training with enthusiasm; adopting ‘the new things’ (leading children into learning rather than the traditional teacher model in Tanzania); in accepting corrections (difficult to receive in this culture but necessary) to change or modify practice when working with children. 30 people from the two parishes; two co-ordinators appointed today; clearly God’s people for Junior Rooted in Jesus: Edna and Sophia; both very capable practitioners.
Final training session tomorrow plus planning ahead with certificates and a simple commissioning. What a great privilege to be here. Friday: planning ahead for the Nov follow-up conferences. We serve a wonderful exuberant and faithful God doing far more than we can ever ask or even think. Eph. 3:20-21; to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus. ‘
Thursday, 12th August:
Meeting Bishop Oscar (Newala Diocese) to prepare for Newala’s Rooted in Jesus
conference in November 2010. Afternmoon Rooted in Jesus Junior Session 1 with children (Mkuti and Mkomaindo).
Friday 13th August:
Rooted in Jesus Junior evaluation meeting with Revs Marcus (Mkomaindo), James (Mkuti) plus ‘RinJ’ Junior group leaders and planning for the regular evaluations and feedback process as Junior takes shape in these two parishes. Planning ahead for the Nov follow-up conferences in the afternoon.
Saturday, 14th August:
Travel to Mtwara for the 10:50 flight to Dar es Salaam. Dinner with Gau John and possibly other teacher colleagues from link schools.
Sunday, 15th August:
08:45 hours flight to Heathrow from Dar es Salaam arriving 16:40 hours.
Update 6:
Thank you Prayer Chain for praying: God has truly blessed , led, inspired, built, taught, enthused and protected us all these 4 days. As I prayed this morning I sensed God give me a picture of children walking out from a building with Bible in hand; each child attached to a tree (one like the symbol of RinJ); the children were rooted in Jesus, and bearing fruit for him; each tree was bearing fruit.
I also read Isaiah 44:3-4 (what a promise at this moment!) this morning; so at the commissioning (30 commissioned and given certificates) we prayed to our covenant keeping God for the children of Mkuti and Mkomaindo parishes, using these verses; standing on the promises. Glory be to our God. Junior RinJ business and planning meeting tomorrow with priests and co-ordinators . Intercession work has been so vital this week; God bless and minister Grace to you all. Jonathan X