A Call to Nations; A travel through and among the People
of Tanzania.
In nations you see many things, people and
places that define their heritage. On the Kenya and Tanzania border you are checked
by the immigration and borders officials-the beauty and magnificent of the land
is irresistible Tanzanian culture is a delightful mix of influences with
over 120 tribes.
One of the things to keep in mind is that for
the past few weeks Kenya and Tanzania were treated to hilarious drama and stand
off for obvious diplomatic shows emerging from these countries that were and
has always been on the forefront for East Africa Community Integration.
To the students of history it’s a repeat of
similar or closely related events with different actors. In early 1970 first President Jomo
Kenyatta had pulled a trigger with the late President of Tanzania Mzee Julius
Nyerere-who is considered by the majority of Tanzanians as the father of
socialism or Ujamaa as it’s commonly referred. It was based on ideological
differences while Jomo Kenyatta favored capitalism, Nyerere adopted socialism
in Tanzania.
They
had sharp disagreements that almost led friendly these two neighboring nation
into a titanic battle- Nations have always worked hard and even sometimes
beyond their strength and ability so as to protect their sovereignty in the
midst of escalating potential for occurrence of conflicts.
In other world nations have erected walls
just to keep the enemy at bay. And with intervention of key leaders-standing
issues were addressed amicably and diplomatic relations restored between two
key players in the socio-economic transformation of East and Central Africa. However
much dreadful conflicts can look, they can be destructive but not always
destructive.
And in developing nations those conflicts can
spur socio-economic growth if resolved with a bipartisan approach. Through
those tense moments whether as nations or individually within the conflicts-its
actually when the progress emerges and thrives. Conflicting situations provides
opportunity for dialogue, reconciliation and emerging of new thoughts and
philosophies.
In our encounters with the local people and
our curiosity to learn why Tanzania is going slow as far as the unification and
integration of East Africa, they view the push by other East Africa countries
for the integration as not for their best interest as a nation-Time will tell
if indeed their feelings are facts or just desire to protect their way of life
which is characterized by a sense of brotherhood, vast land that is owned
communally amongst other endowed resources.
There is a general feeling within the local
people in Tanzania that maybe other citizens from Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda may
occupy freely occupy their vast land and unsettle their way of life that has
been preserved for many years. And hence a need for proper mechanism to be in
place so as to protect and aid the process successfully where all countries in
the East Africa Integration Community will mutually benefit.
And they as much as other countries that form
the East Africa Community desire and are fully committed to the integration
process. However the process must be based on transparency, honesty and sense
of nationalism.
This reminds of my upbringing in the northern
region of Kenya, where endless conflicts have tears the fabric of the society.
For decades the tribes in northern Kenya have fought over water points and
grazing field. The church can provide a platform to bridge these walls. And in
our commitment to conflict transformation as the people of God, we will be
proclaiming for the shalom experience in our communities and countries and at
continental.
On the northern side of this beautiful country
you will encounter Oldonyo Lenkai, it rises about 2100 meters above the East
African Rift Valley. According to the locals the name of the mountain is
derived from the Maasai community of East Africa, and it refers to the mountain
of God. The mountain is considered the only active volcano mountain in East
Africa. The nature around and beyond the mountain is intact and well conserved
for posterity.
I was surprised to hear that God has a
mountain in Tanzania, as a Maa speaking from Kenya- It was easy to understand
the concept though. Our God has mountains and his cattle are everywhere
grazing. In their movements through East Africa the Maasai as a community have
had a high respect for God who they believe not just as the source of life, but
as their main provider of cattle, goat and sheep. God is associated with the
most powerful or even attractive features of the land.
We had an opportunity to marvel at the
attraction and beauty of Arusha town, which is considered the highest tourist
centre for the northern region. It provides a passage for people who are keen
at savoring the heritage of Tanzania. In this northern region you have
accessibility to Ngorongoro plains, Arusha National Park, Loliondo game reserve
and Lake Manyara which is viewable at close range. Arusha is located in the lowland of Mount
Meru. This provide good climate which is favorable for farming and pastoralist
as a way of life.
In our safari we dropped down to Dodoma which
is not just the first capital city of the United Republic of Tanzania but also
the centre where Parliament is located. The elected representative travel from
all over to come and attend house business. According to the 2012 census the
total population of Dodoma is 2,083,588.
In our conversations with the local people-
the idea of having Dodoma was mooted by the first of President the republic,
the late President Nyerere. This was the most convenient town as it’s
considered the central of Tanzania and people either from north, west, east and
south would access it fairly. The locals in this town treat everyone with
respect and courtesy.
In the outskirts of the city- there is one of
the most modern and well built universities with the highest standard of
architecture that is only second to Egyptian pyramids. University of Dodoma is
located in these beautiful small hills that surround the historical city- that
host the country parliament. Its serene environment makes it a convenient place
to undertake studies. Actually there is a high probability that this university
is one of the largest in East and Central Africa.
Our host, Rev Alfred Ndaro and his beautiful
wife Happiness Ndaro are probably the most beautiful couple on earth provided
us with an opportunity to relax, retreat and reflect at their home which is
less than 10 minutes drive outside the town of Dodoma. In their home you find
happiness, joy and companion-and it’s incredibly a great time together every
evening as we worship God together in reading the scriptures as we narrate our
day experience.
There inspiring testimony of God’s lead and
the continuous tremendous impact they bring to the kingdom of God through their
personal decisions to follow and live a Christ centered life is modern day
perfect model of what it means to grew up in midst of life challenges and
opportunities.
Rev. Alfred has lived in Kenya where most of
his children grew up and studied until he returned to Tanzania where he was
appointed to oversee the AICT Kizota and provide oversight to the process of
creating Dodoma dioceses. They are people that God is using to build
transformational societies as the lead Africa Inland Church Tanzania. They have
amazing stories of how God called them through their mission experiences. We
continue working together in training and developing the next generation of
leaders together through seminars and conferences.
Before coming to Kenya for their studies-they
had committed over 13 years in mission work among the unreached people group in
Kondoa District, the southern part of the district with a people group known as
Sandawe. They are known for being hunterers and gatherers so as to meet there
basics needs. Originally they are closely related with indigenous group found
in Namibia and South Africa whose primary language is sound click. The sandawe language is atonal language with
clicks apparently related to the Khoe languages of Southern Africa.
The
Sandawe practice an insular and deeply spiritual culture with an emphasis on animism. Caves in the hills were believed
to harbor spirits and were respected and even feared. So as not to disturb
these spirits, the caves were avoided, no animals were herded there, and no
wood cut or twigs broken.
Once
a year as tonal and click people group
the Sandawe, whose the Ndaros as family reached out for many years as
missionaries would go to the caves to
perform traditional rituals of sacrifice in order to make sure the spirits
would not be spiteful and interfere with the community's general well-being.
It’s
this experience of working even with the modern indigenous people group such as
sandawe that Ndaros as family bring to the ministries in Dodoma. God has led
them through years of faithfulness and humility as they stretch amongst their
communities to disciple and train laymen for effective ministry in areas of
missions, theology and discipleship
Their remarkable testimony is a symbol of
hope and courage for those that want and desire to follow Jesus Christ even in
the remotest regions of Africa. In these conversations one could not miss the
joy and satisfaction shown in their faces as they narrate the faithfulness of
God in their missionary journey. They
weave poignant reflections on the true meaning of servant ship in their
missionary journey from their home in Mwanza and through there years in Kenya as
students at seminary and today as the led MAPANA and provides pastoral leadership
to AIC Kizota
Today the Ndaros as a family have settled in
Kizota which is in the outskirts of Dodoma where they are providing training
and creating mission awareness for the church and the community. They are
reaching out to high traditional and Muslim influenced communities of Dodoma.
This Sunday, 29th March 2015, we were
witnessing over 42 believers graduate after successfully completing mission
training that provides them with more Godly perspectives on missions and the
place of ordinary Christians called by an extraordinary God to ordinary places.
In fulfillment of Mapana vision which is
to create unique and high standard of mission training among Africa believer
through equipment and resourcing them with necessary tools to grow deep and
flourish, The Ndaro have poured there head, heart and hands wholeheartedly
I am committing myself to go back and teach
in the next intake as God leads and provides. God is working through indigenous
people to strengthen the church and prepare it to be the channel of societal
transformation. And in places with a Muslim influenced and strong attachment to
Africa Traditional Religion in the form of witchcraft, the church is evolving to
be a community of life giving, change and hope within a pluralistic society.
In reaching and equipping the Christian
community in the region, they have created MAPANA. This is basically an
initiative for Mission’s Awareness Program for Africa Nations Abandoned. Their
philosophy is seeing ordinary believers carrying out the mission work-the whole
church being fully committed to the whole work of God. Bishop Charles Salalah
graced the occasion while encouraging the growth and expansion of the MAPANA as
an effective mission’s strategy.
On the sidelines we held talks with him and
found a man of great wisdom and humility which makes him stand out as a true
example of servant leadership that the continent is in dire need. As a bishop
based in Dar salaam-the capital city of Tanzania, he provides oversight to a
wide region which stretches to northern Tanzania where the majority of the
Maasai are found.
It’s a commitment to make missions and
outreach as part of their daily life. Unfortunately the work of gospel
proclamation has been preservative of few ordained and trained clergy. The
Graduates from MAPANA highly regard it for its impact and immense knowledge
gained through integration of theory and its practicality.
The integration of MCPI manual and Mapana
gives broader perspective on pastors and the process of homiletics. This
partnership symbols new dawn of hope and transformation as the people of God in
there remotest and scattered villages come together to be sharpened. And there was
other better way for MCPI to be represented that committing to send us all the
way to Dodoma
As I reflect our stay among the Tanzania
community, doing ministry together, encountering stories of one’s struggle and
triumph with life challenges, obstacle and even sometimes surprises of God in
the form of kind and amazing brothers in faith- I can only say that truly when
God call he doesn’t only qualifies the called but also goes ahead as we follow
him in obedient and humility.
A decade earlier I had been a high school
student in Nakuru, those years are remarkable and bring good memories. And no
other way to bring them a new than to bump into Raphael and Gitemi who
relocated from Kenya to work in Tanzania. God can do what man can do and no man
can do what God can do. These two brothers came to receive the Lord as their
personal savior and God has blessed them with lovely families here in Tanzania.
As we rekindled the old stories as student and them as teachers-tears of joy
and appreciation for the immense impact they had in my life were noticeable.
While meeting Bishop Salalah, Ndaros amongst
other believers during our stay in Dodoma we have been extremely blessed,
enriched by friends and felt part of the body of Christ through networks and
collaboration. We have learned so much and continue growing as we interact with
the people of God called from different races, tribes, language, culture, clan,
social status and even educational levels.
MAPANA as a mission and outreach has dream
and future plans for equipiing the church. They see possibilities of
replicating it in the whole of Tanzania and beyond. Its our hope that we can do
whatever we can to be part of its growth and spread so that we actualize the
kingdom of God in East Africa and Beyond. They have enormous need and God has
seen the enoourmous potential in them. From trainers to resource centre-the
future looks bright for MAPANA.
And as we return back to Kenya through towns
such as Singida, Manyarra, Mijingu. Mbuyuni, Kisongo, Arusha and finally
Nairobi our hearts could not stop pondering what God is doing through his
servants in Tanzania. We have so much to learn from them as we network and
collaborate to proclaim the establishment of God’s kingdom
It’s our prayer and earnest desire that even
as we partner and walk alongside these faithful believers into the world to
carry out the great commission mandate-that they will look up to God for
strength, look around for fellowship from other Christians and look deep within
for ways to grow .
May these stories of ordinary people called
to serve God, inspire, challenge and even remind us that in every nation
amongst peoples and cultures God has chosen and sanctified people to lift up
his name and draw people to the kingdom of God. In the words of Isaiah the prophet,
God of Israel has said "I am the LORD,
I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch
over you, And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, As a light to the
nations” And in obedience the Ndaros have heeded to the calling.
Pray for the Diocese of Pwani under the able
leadership of Bishop Salalah, it’s probably one of the widest and vast
dioceses. In the month of November this
year, they will be commemorating 20 years of God’s faithfulness and providence
as a diocese. Rev Ndaro too has some commitment as he works and provides
leadership not only to Mapana-but also to a process that is going on to create
Dodoma Diocese.
Pray for Happiness Ndaro as she works
alongside her husband in expanding the vision and mission of Mapana, a
methodology that holds the promise for Tanzania and beyond. And in witnessing
the faithfulness of God to Mapana, AIC Tanzania, MCPI and the believers who are
considered to be 60% of the population in Tanzania, we can confidently proclaim
that indeed "Thus far the LORD has helped us." And even as we look
into the future of Mapana we can always trust God for the path.
To
God be the glory!
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