Kigoma, Tanzania : Arriving

When I left for Kigoma from Shanghai, my prayer for the trip was a simple one from the song "Hosanna" by Hillsong:

"I see the King of Glory
Coming down with clouds of fire
The whole earth shakes

I see His love and Mercy
Washing out all ou sins
The people sing

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Starting as we pray and seek
We're on our knees

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest Heal my heart and make it clean,
Open up my eyes to the things unseen,
Show me how to Love like YOU have Loved me.

Break my heart for what breaks Yours,
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause,
As I walk from earth into Eternity."

I would be working with an organization called "Joy in the Harvest" run by Lowell and Claudia Wertz (reletives of my China desk-mate Kendra). I didn't know what to expect, or what I would be doing–but my hope was that God would, as the song says, Open my eyes, show me how to love like Him, and break my heart for what breaks His. I feel like God granted this prayer. I was able to see the ministry that the Wertz's have, to help with some of their ministry areas, and to see what kinds of needs this part of Africa had, and glimps into God's heart for the future of Kigoma, Tanzania.

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ~ James 2:15-16

I love how the ministries of Joy in the Harvest really target the needs of the people of Kigoma and fulfill God's exhortation to us in James 2:15-16. While I was in Kigoma, I was blessed to be able to see many of these ministries at work. Over the next few weeks I will try to post stories and memories about the many ministries and my trip to Kigoma.