Madungulu Report

By Evan Pyle

The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the people see his glory. (Psalm 97:6)

Our November-December mission to Tanzania found Tim and me returning to Madungulu (Matabete) village at the end of the long dry season. In fact, the first of the seasonal rains was overdue and this normally arid region was especially dry. The dryness afforded us the most spectacular night skies I have ever witnessed. Our Maasai friends must have been puzzled with our persistent fascination with the heavens, but the sights were so awesome that we could not help to gaze in wonder at such a manifestation of God’s glory. The sky was so crowded with stars that ordinary constellations were difficult to distinguish and the Milky Way was impossible to pick out of the incredible mass of stars. Only with the rising of the moon on our parting morn could we discern the thick band we call the Milky Way. While we waited for our transport in the predawn hours of that final morning Tim and I found our eyes playing tricks on us and deceiving us into seeing a star bounce around the sky like a UFO. A bit of comparison with immovable objects helped to confirm that our eyes were deceiving us. You know, as people, we are easily deceived and do not see things as they really are. That is why we must seek wisdom from above and “with all our getting get understanding.”

A deceptive situation arose in Tanzania that has the potential to damage our relationships and the work we have been doing there. One of our two aims for this mission was to shine light on the situation and bring restoration to the people involved. For this we needed God’s wisdom since our own is so inadequate, especially when dealing with another culture and language. Seeing the Lord’s guiding hand gave me courage to forge ahead in uncomfortable waters. Please forgive me for being so vague but I must be vague out of consideration for the people involved. I tell you these things not only to inform, but to share my own struggle with the often difficult work of ministry. Although I cannot say that this problem has been resolved, I can say that new and greater doors have opened for our work among Tanzania’s Maasai. Please pray for us.

Upon our arrival we were blessed to learn that instead of being under the authority of the local church (as is normally the case), we were ministering under HIMWA, a service organization to the Maasai founded by two Norwegian missionaries and, among others, Pastor N’gekee and Elyakim Kurupasi. This left us free to minister to all the people of Madungulu and for them to participate freely. Our thanks go to “Baba” (“Father,” a term of respect) Elyakim for seeing the value of our ministry in his village and having the vision to make this important step. Without HIMWA, we have been at the mercy of local church authorities if we want to work in a place. Under HIMWA, we have an open door and can minister freely wherever we go without giving offense or needing to get permission for our work.

Speaking of Baba Elyakim, this great leader and man of God treated us to a brief history of the founding of Madungulu village. After securing a good place for a permanent settlement and beginning to replace the traditional bomas (Maasai mud-and-dung huts) with permanent houses, Baba Kurupasi invited churches into the village so his people could receive Christ. I am beginning to understand that Madungulu has been, and continues to be, an influential village among the Maasai of the southern highlands of Tanzania. It is my belief that our open door of ministry in this place will echo out to many other like places. Praise God.

The other purpose for this mission was teaching. I taught a series on The Church dealing with the problems experienced in congregations and offering biblical solutions. Rev. Tim followed by teaching his seminar, “If You Do These Things.” This was the first time I heard this teaching. I found it biblically powerful and personally confronting. (I would like to host a retreat weekend in our area featuring this seminar. Details of this event will be forthcoming.) Though the teachings are filled with faith and encouragement, they also could be considered a “hard word,” not the kind of thing you would expect to fill pews. The fact that so many attended faithfully bears testimony to their hunger for God and humbleness before Him.

We visited Pastor Yohana Ole N’gekee in his home on our last full day in the village as he was too weak to participate with us. Though sick and frail, Pastor N’gekee welcomed us warmly and spoke earnestly from his considerable spiritual depth. He remained focused on feeding his people the true Bread of Life. He granted us permission to take his many drawings (which he had used to teach his people), and produce quality copies so they could be preserved for future generations. Sadly, the good pastor will never see this work, as he passed away within a week of our visit. To be honest, I have struggled with my grief over losing such a mentor and friend, but I praise God for this faithful man and the great work he did among his people.

Finally, in view of several financial commitments for WTWH that will come to end later this year, Workers Together has offered to help the people of Madungulu build a village worship and cultural center, a place where the gospel can go forth independent of denominational affiliation and where Maasai culture can be preserved and propagated for future generations.

I thank God for allowing me to participate in such a great and important work. Thanks to my family and friends of WTWH for the many prayers and the support to make this work possible.

 

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From the January 2008 edition of the Vine & Branches