Swahili Coast Missions

God is always at work even though situations may seem silenced as if the devil’s attack has prevailed and rule, but still the seed of the one in high with great qualities and attributes…never dies.

HERE IS A BRIEF STORY OF HOW THE MAKAMBAKO CHURCH HAS NOW BEEN RESTARTED:

1.ANCIENT CHURCH EXISTED:

As I approached and heard from the old preachers men like Lenkos Mkwama, Lusekelo Lubange, Edson Mwalugamba, Alen Mbena and many other older than me say that “There was a church planted at Makambako some years ago may be 1990’s or before. It had many members, worshiped in a renting house for all years of it’s existence, had bought a land by mission, preachers were sent and supported by mission. But later changes came and a decree was made for preachers sent by mission to various towns and villages in Tanzania regions should return to their home…this caused much congregations to suffer and die for they were not prepared to have their own native/indigenous preachers. Also Makambako died.

2.LIGHT OF RESTORATION/RESTARTING AND MOVEMENTS TO SUCCEED:

It was 2014 when I had a vision in my mind tha ONE DAY in future, I will have to join the little group of GOD’S MEN living in Njombe region working full time with churches of Christ being few and little in number. It trouble me while working with mission also as full-time preacher at Chang’ombe (existed congregation by late Mwakyasima) for 10years and still survives and later  Ukwavila (I restored after many years of decline) but continues surviving. 

In 202p/2021the vision was put to test, plan and then implemented. I with my family decided to move to NJOMBE region and landed at ITULAHUMBA in Wanging’ombe district. We had evangelism efforts where we started a congregation in our rent house, baptized few and moved to small house belonging to a member called FRANK MAHALI  who is about to graduate his Diploma in Biblical Studies at CSOP by 14th, November, 2024. Then, we thank God when we bought a land and built a church building where the church assemble to this day.

As I work with church at itulahumba…I also had started a SEWING CENTER for youth but also having aim to preach the gospel for their souls saving. It started 2021 to this day. 

Now, one of our student when left for two weeks vacation from trainings she stoped at MAKAMBAKO where she claimed to have her aunt and spent all days (two weeks). As I was making followup to see if each child arrived their home (herself being a church member form MABADAGA CHURCH OF CHRIST), she said of being at Makambako where she missed worship services on Sundays something hurted me causing to ask of what belief was her aunt and why did she decide to stay at a lost house without serving God?  She responded of her aunt as being a BACKSLIDED member of the church of Christ for a long time (more than twelve years). She stayed without worship because there was no Church to assemble, she joined some denominations for sometimes then quilted. 

So, that became my STARTING POINT to entering MAKAMBAKO for research, discussion and restorations. It was April, is 2024 when I visited the student’s aunt, takes to her (is my relatime in some extent) of her Christia living, life movements, falling away and decisions to return to Christ. I thank God that she was very welcoming, attentive, cooperative and finally agreed to be RESTORED (only one the whole Makambako). I advised her to start travelling to SOLIWAYA CHURCH OF CHRIST for worship service. She was to have her family (three children) round trip using more than 6,000/=shillings every Sunday apart from giving and emergencies. I encouraged her to continue and even being willing to support her transport when she failed (she was open and communicating). This continued up to November 2024 when I took another step of searching for other brethren who moved and we’re in Makambako whose preachers called me and asked assistance for follow-up and help them. They shared me their contact and I worked on…I found about six adult in marriage and seemed to appreciate and come “but most didn’t show up later”, I think if was after fear of circumstances to a new smàller family in a big growing town…feel shame, lowly, no money, house renting costs etc. But God is good, the sister with me had a plan (way to help her out of travelling -transport cost for worship) to STARTING WORSHIP SERVICE IN TOWN. It was challenging but we had to decide. We agreed that – by no means we have to start worship in 15th, December 2024 having her house ready for assembling. 

For sure God is good and is incontrol of all circumstances, to provide when we think is impossible. I asked brother CHAD WAGNER to help us with COMMUNION TRAYS – with no delay it was provided. It real added to our confidence and We started worship service the very aimed Sunday in sister’s house with my wife, her family and one sister, we did it twice assembling in her house. Then God is good who helped us to have a house/room at a good location (easily reachable), enough space and ventration. It is a house (room) we pay 70,000 shillings per moth…where by we pay 210,000 for three months a time. We also thank brother CHAD WAGNER who has been a great motivation and inspiration additional to what we have in us (our heart of service) to God, has been supporting this work when he can/ possible. Up to this time we have paid to an end of this year.

3.EVANGELISM EFFORTS:

I with my wife have been travelling to MAKAMBAKO from ITULAHUMBA seem to be more than 50km using 12,000 to15,000 shillings apart from giving, food and emergencies every Sunday. So, we succeeded to distribute WBS lessons where by we enrolled about 18 students but only five finished and one is coming to worship ( about three months) but not baptized. We have succeeded to restore four other sisters…but to this time two are coming with us, also we had a report ot two christian students at Makambako Secondary – we went and asked for them permission for coming to worship…we were accepted. We also have one boy (christian) from Itulahumba moved to Makambako for garage/machanics …is worshiping with us. So, to this time the number of members assembling including me is 8 apart from children.

Thanks brother Chad for helping brother JOSEPH HAONGA to come and join me in this work. It real brings power and unity to succeed this work. Last week Sunday we were together and had great service than when I was man alone serving all sessions/periods without pause. We have more plans for MAKAMBAKO especially on evangelism work. We hope one year our GREAT WORKSHOP  get conducted at this town where we can have at list two hours door to door preaching after inside seminar.

4.MAKING MAKAMBAKO A LONG TERM WORK- IN TOWNS:

Brethren, as have said before concerning the area we now use for ASSEMBLING, it is a good place with few qualities mentioned. As we were exchanging ideas with brother JOSEPH HAONGA last Sunday, we understand that it is important if we PURCHASE A LAND, BUILD A CHURCH BUILDING, PREACHER’S HOUSE, HAVE A WATER WELL STRONG VISIONARY PREACHER  etc, the work will grow to maturity different to what happened in former days. 

The building we are using for assemble is only one room out of three big rooms in UNIT having offices and four rooms toilets. It is a big building designed as for starting an INSTITUTION in it. We can have BIBLE SCHOO TWO ROOMS, DORM, ONE ROOM, OFFICES FOR DEPARTMENTS, TOILETS ALREADY IN (FOUR HOLES/ROOMS different sides. Also outside the UNIT there is an OPEN YARD/GROUND. Where can be well planned and is enough for BIG CHURCH BUILDING, PREACHER’S HOUSE, ALSO PARKING.

We do not know if the man can sell and how much it may cost it all. But we can still find out other places.

5.REQUEST FOR THE BETTER  FUTURE MAKAMBAKO IN LORD’S WORK:

Bear brethren Chad with whoever can join you (US ALL) in this effort for Makambako, We are asking for A BID SUPPORT/FUND which can help implementing these. People with the heart to give by Lord’s help can make this possible for the benefits of SAVING THE LOST AND SERVING THE SAVED for eternity.

Here are some pictures shared.

Prepare and Presented by;

Remmy Joseph Mfaume 

Evangelist and Teacher – Now lives at Itulahumba in Njombe region.

Asante Sana!