HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

and all the best for 2006.


The Baraza family.

Meet My New Friend.

Hi

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was great! I just want to introduce you to my new friend. Her name is Rebecka Phelps-(Becka). She is a wonderful person. You can read more about her on her blog-http://www.xanga.com/beaker8205

Becka has a heart for the suffering children of Africa. She is trusting God to make a way for her to come and serve Him in Africa. Will you please join us in praying for this need. Let God's will be done in her life for His glory!

Ministering at Ihabuyaga.

Worshiping on Christmas day at Ihabuyaga, Kisesa, Mwanza.
Orphans from the Ihabuyaga church praising God.
The Nyakahanga choir praising God at Ihabuyaga.
The Baraza family being introduced to the congregation at Ihabuyaga on Christmas day.

Christmas holidays come with the excitement and expectations of a week long party!

21 Maasais gathered for worship in the Maaasai FMC on Christmas day.
The Ntama choir praising God on Christmas day.
After the worship service members of the Maasai FMC did what they know best-feasting on roasted goat meat with ugali!
The Nyasaka FMC choir was not left behind. They praised God in their new purple uniforms.

Christmas means a whole lot to different people!

When it was time for praising God, each one did it in his/her own way!
The Living Spring FMC choir stole the show with their new songs and dancing styles. The congregation could not help but ask for more!
Others made sure that the soup tasted just right!
On the other hand, each coin was counted to make sure that nothing was lost.

Character, Education & Budget-Keys to Success in 2006.

Character: “A quality of Christianity”. Character is defined - The pattern of behavior or personality found in an individual or group; moral constitution. How a Christian deals with the circumstances of their life speaks of their character.

Crisis doesn’t necessarily make character, but it does reveal it. Adversity in our lives is a crossroads where a person chooses one path – Character or Compromise.

Jesus was the ultimate example of character. Every time we choose character, we grow more into the image of Christ. Character is who you are when no one is looking.

Rom 5:1-4 “dokime” – Experience, Trustiness, Proof, integrity. Phil 2:19-22. Character is more than talk. Anyone can say they have integrity but action is the true indicator. Your character determines who you are. People that always seem to be at war with themselves have a problem in their character. James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

People Cannot Rise Above The Limitations Of Their Character. Have you ever seen highly talented people fall apart when they reach a certain level of success? The key to that phenomenon is character. Success without a good foundation of character is bound for failure. The 4 A’s – Arrogance, Aloneness, Adventure-seeking or Adultery.

Education: The field of education, covering ethics, religion, skills and general knowledge, is a very broad and very vital one. The importance of learning in enabling the individual to put his potentials to optimal use is self-evident. Without education, the training of the human minds is incomplete. No individual is a human being in the proper sense until he has been educated. Society has viewed education as an important part of life for many years. A few generations ago when a person received an education through the eighth grade level, they would be fine living their life and raising a family. The main reason for this was children were needed to help their parents around the house or on the farm. There was no desired need for an education past the eighth grade level. Parents wanted their children to know the basics of reading and arithmetic. Once the children were educated to that level, the parents would take care of the working aspect of their lives.

Budget: A basic budget plan is knowing how much income you will have, how much money you will spend, and how much money, if any, will be left over. Using the information available to you from your check register you only know how much money is available at that moment.

It is these three crucial things that we will be praying for in 2006 if we are to achieve our goals. It is these three things that will determine the amount of success or failure that we will have in 2006. Please pray that God may enable us to have a character worthy of His name and calling. Pray that we may grow in our knowledge of His Word so that we may feed on it and feed others as well. Pray that God may provide the needed budget for His will to be done here on earth as it is in heaven!

Have I ever told you about the Maasai FMC In Mwanza, Tanzania?

Today 18 adults worshipped in that church together with 4 children. Five of these Maasais have given their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ to be their personal savior.
When we meet every week we read the Word of God, sing praises to the Lord, testimonies are also given, we take an offering, then the Word of God is preached. We give an opportunity to people to repent their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior.
This coming Christmas is going to be a special event for the Maasai FMC. After the worship service we will slaughter 3 goats and eat roast meat with ugali! All of us are excited as we look forward to this special event!

FMBC 2006?

Dear Friends,

2006 is approaching fast and some of you may be wondering what we at the FMBC have in store for this coming year.Here are some of the courses that we expect to teach:

1.Worship-
Each student must develop a theology of worship. Then he must learn to live out that theology both personally and corporately. Lessons from this class may serve as his guide.

2.World Evangelization-
A study of the history of missions world wide. This course also studies the theology of Missions and our continuing imperative to reach the world. Some emphasis is given to discovering and reaching “hidden people groups.

3.Prayer, Meditation & Devotion.
A theology of prayer and a study of meditation and devotion as means of grace for developing spirituality is explored with the student. Spiritual maturity is not an option for the Christian. It is an imperative.
4.Christian Home & Marriage.
How to develop a Christian family lifestyle, family devotions, cooperation, mutual support, etc. What makes a home or marriage “Christian”?

Modules: Our modules are scheduled for the following months:

1.March 5th-31st.
2.July 2nd-28th
3.November 5th-December 1st.

APPEAL: If you know of anyone out there who is willing to come to Mwanza and teach (as a volunteer) a course in any of the modules, please tell him/her to contact me using this e-mail address: geraldbaraza2000@yahoo.com

THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH US IN 2005!

Beloved in Christ,

The Tanzania Free Methodist Bible College would like to thank all our friends, partners and supporters around the world for many successful collaborations throughout this year. We would not have had three wonderful, fruitful and successful modules without your prayers, material and financial support. We would not have visited our students in their places of ministry without your support. May the Lord bless you so much. We look forward to many new and exciting opportunities to work together in 2006.

And happy holidays from all of us, to all of you.....GOD BLESS YOU SO MUCH!

For and on behalf of the FMBC,
Bro. Gerald Baraza, Principal

Highlights in 2005

Beloved in Christ,

The Tanzania Free Methodist Bible College would like to thank all our friends, partners and supporters around the world for many successful collaborations throughout this year. We would not have had three wonderful, fruitful and successful modules without your prayers, material and financial support. We would not have visited our students in their places of ministry without your support. May the Lord bless you so much. We look forward to many new and exciting opportunities to work together in 2006.

And happy holidays from all of us, to all of you.....GOD BLESS YOU SO MUCH!

For and on behalf of the FMBC,
Bro. Gerald Baraza, Principal

Kenyan Politics!

Dear Kenyans,

I have been watching the developments in the Kenyan politics with a lot of interest. I think it will take a miracle for President Kibaki to survive the pressure that is facing him and continue to rule Kenya.

At first I thought he was genuine when he assummed the presidency after signing the MoU.But as things turned out, he was clouded by the greedy Mt. Kenya mafia and he could not feel with the other Kenyans or sense that he was loosing grip of the country's political leadership.

One of the arms of the government that I seriously blame for this failure is the Special Intelligence. These guys are suppossed to have the real feeling of the common mwananchi and they are suppossed to brief the head of state on the direction that events are heading. It looks like they totally failed to keep the head of state informed on what was transpiring on the ground. The other thought that comes to mind is that they may have played their part faithfully but they were ignored by the head of state who chose to listen to his political cronies. The result is a total disaster.

The only alternative that I see for him right now is to accept to go back to the drawing board with the Orange team and accept their terms or remain adamant and be voted out in the next election. In fact the remaining two years may be a nightmare for him if he does not sit down with the Orange team and agree on crucial issues such as a timetable for coming up with a new constitution, sharing of power through equal sharing of "important" ministerial positions with other coalition partners etc.

The President also faces the crucial task of phasing out his close political advisors and confidents who have already fallen out with the Orange team. Unfortunately, these same politicians do not command any following across the country so they cannot use the power of the vote to bring them back to positions of prominence.

But one thing is commendable about President Kibaki, he is a gentleman in many ways and he does not rush to act. That is a major plus for him and if he uses it well, he may bounce back to power but with the Orange team leaders as his teammates

May God bless Kenya.

Gerald Baraza
E-mail: geraldbaraza2000@yahoo.com

Nyabisaga Ministry Report

August 2005 was a busy and rewarding month for us.The Free Methodist Church of Tanzania National Superintendent Fabian Kikoko, his deputy, Pastor Josephat M. Ntampaka and I left Mwanza on the 17th of August and traveled to Nairobi, Kenya where we attended a leadership and evangelism seminar. From there we traveled back to Tanzania on 21st and headed straight to Nyabisaga in Tarime District where we facilitated in a Pastors seminar. 12 Pastors attended the seminar together with their spouses. The following topics were covered:

1. Maintaining unity in the local church. 2.Ministerial tips to avoid discouragement. 3.Tent-making in the ministry. 4.The role of the Pastor’s spouse in the ministry.

The response was very positive. The attendants gave very positive feedback after the seminar. They requested that we hold a similar seminar in February next year. Please pray for us that this may be possible especially as far as funds are concerned.

On Sunday I shared the Word of God from 2 Kings 23:25 and 1 Samuel 4:12-18. I called on all who were present to avoid the mistakes of Eli who had eyes but he chose not to see the sins of his sons. He had the opportunity to bring about transformation in Israel but he did not take advantage of it. Later own he suffered for his lack of vision, irresponsibility and cowardice. Instead we should be like Josiah who despite his young age worshipped his God with his heart, mind, soul and strength. He saw the depth of Israel’s sins against their God and he courageously acted to bring about spiritual transformation. God commends him for it. 8 people gave their lives to Christ after the message. Let us pray for them that God may be with them as they begin a new and special journey in their lives.

After the worship service, Supt. Kikoko and I tried to travel back to Mwanza but we got stranded at Bunda. We arrived there at 4.45 p.m and found that all the public transport vehicles going to Mwanza had already left. Bunda is two hours drive to Mwanza. We spent the night in Bunda and traveled to Mwanza on Monday morning. I was happy to find my family safe and sound. I really appreciate the prayers of all those who prayed for us. God bless you so much.

Well, let’s continue praying for Supt. Lucas Maisori as he leads the Mara Jimbo/district that God may give him wisdom and patience. He is facing many challenges as far as the building of the pastor’s passion and endurance in the midst of hardships is concerned.

Let us also continue praying for all those who gave their lives to Jesus Christ that they may be nurtured in the Word so that they may grow up to be part of God’s army in this part of the world.


I want to thank each of you for covering me with your prayers during my time in Nairobi and Tarime.It would be impossible to do these ministry evaluation and evangelistic mission trips without your encouragement and financial support!
I am humbled and blessed that you have chosen to do so.

Areas of need : Please pray for the following things, which would greatly enhance the provision of sound training of the FMBC students if they were available:
1. Property for building facilities such as classrooms, a library, dormitories, dinning hall, etc
2. Volunteer Teachers for the following courses: November 2005 onwards: Worship, Prayer, Meditation, and Devotion, Christian Home and Marriage,: Christian Education 2. Theology, Bookkeeping, The Christian Witness, Discipling, World Evangelization, Free Methodist Church History, African Church History, Helping to Good English. 3. Games equipment: soccer balls, volleyballs, soccer shoes, etc 4. A keyboard for worship in the FMBC worship services. 5.Funds for the construction of the Nyamaheheiya local church.

GOD IS MAKING MANY, MANY RICH!

GOD IS MAKING MANY, MANY RICH!
Pastor Fedhelina Mlongecha, the only female student that we have in the FMBC told me a story recently that has remained in my mind and made me think a lot about the relationship that children have with their parents here in Africa. This incident occurred in her village and it left many people surprised. A young man refused a goat- a wedding present from his father. The reason, “He does not love his father!” Hmmmm. I know you are already looking for a reason as to why this young man did this. The reason is, his father is a devout Christian and he wants his son to give his life to Jesus Christ. The young man is a Muslim and he hates Christians! 2 Corinthians 9:9-11, says, “ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God"

The Apostle Paul never stopped reminding the Corinthian Christians of the lavish kindness of God their father on them. He told them of what they had already received from their father despite the fact that they did not deserve it and what they could anticipate. God does not target one pew and one isolated good-living, man or woman. He bestows his gifts to all those who have nothing and deserve nothing. Mankind!

Surprisingly, like that ungrateful son in Kigoma, Tanzania, some of you are continuing to reject His gifts. He offers you His wonderful gifts and you continue, quite deliberately, to refuse them. Imagine how you would feel if you had saved up, and bought a fine wedding gift and when the time came for you to offer it to the bride and groom they refused to take your present. Wouldn't you be offended? Wouldn't you think, "So I'm not good enough for them am I?" Wouldn't it put a great strain on your relationship? Wouldn't you feel like having nothing to do with them ever again? But every Sunday God, our father, continues to meet with you here and he is making an offer to you of his dear Son Jesus Christ, to be the Lord of your life. To take total control of your whole life-everything!

GOD HAS SUPPLIED ALL OUR NEEDS!

See how the apostle Paul describes God here: "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food" (v.10). The farm laborer doesn't buy the seed that he sows in his master's field. The farmer supplies the seed to the sower. So too God supplies everything at the beginning of the process of cultivation to the time of harvesting. That father in Kigoma had supplied “life” to his son. He took care of him until he grew up. He played a big part in making him what he is today. Free of charge. It isn’t nature that made that young man.

It isn't 'nature' that does that, it is God. There is no such thing as 'nature'. 'Nature' is a classical concept. It is God who causes everything to flourish in his creation. God gives the sower the physical strength to work, to drive the tractor that ploughs the field and pulls the other implements, which will sow the wheat in the furrows. He causes the seed to germinate and to put down roots and grow. He causes the flowers to blossom and start the whole process of fertilization, sending the insects, the flies and the bees, this way and that continually - they too live and move and have their being in Him. He opens His hand and satisfies their desires too. Eventually fruit appears - a hundredfold greater than the bare seed sown. God supplies it all, and we are debtors to him for everything. That is why we say grace sincerely before we eat a meal. God has once again on yet another day met our need. We prayed "Give us this day our daily bread," and He did so. "He supplies seed to the sower and bread for food" (v.10). Hasn't God been good to you? When did you ever return home to empty cupboards and bare shelves? God has seen to it that your barn (here in Africa) or refrigerator has been always full, and that you have had health to enjoy his temporal mercies until today. Are you thankful to Him? Do you vow from your heart, "Every day will I bless Thee, and I will praise Thy name for ever and ever"?

But you are not mere bodies alone. You are also souls, and those souls have needs too. They need life, because they are dead - dead to the life of God, and dead to the influence of Jesus Christ.

God can make them alive, and the consequence of that is when you hear about the Lord you don't immediately switch off. Without God's life in you will turn away, but when He quickens there is a new openness and a spirit of inquiry. You will accept an invitation to come to a religious meeting and you will discuss the claims of Christianity. That is the beginning of religion for you. You have been freed from the chains of indifference to Christ. God has supplied that openness, but he gives more than life. He supplies justification. Then He empowers us then He gives us an opportunity to serve Him in small and big ways.

GOD WILL MAKE US RICH IN EVERY WAY
He "will supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way" (vv. 10&11). By African standards, the young man in Kigoma has been made “rich” by his father. He has been given education. He has inherited a piece of land from this same father that he hates and he is given a goat as a wedding present! This goat can make him “richer” if he takes it and takes good care of it.

As I have said, at the beginning, He supplies seed so that we have strength to take our first steps following him, but those are merely the first-fruits of His gifts to us. He promises much more, an "increase" and an "enlargement". As our days so shall our strength be, and on and on to heaven. Stores of food greater and greater. Larger and larger harvests. These are the promises our Father makes to us. Every Christian faces the prospect of receiving from an inexhaustible Supplier.

OUR RICHES WILL MAKE US GENEROUS TO OTHERS!
"So that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God" (v.11). Like any African father, the young man’s father in Kigoma would have expected his son to use all the blessings that he had received from him to bless his own household and the extended family. He would also take care of his old parents. Christians are people made rich by God's constant generosity in every way. How then can they cling to their possessions? How can we mortify this strange phenomenon of Christian niggardliness? It is a real problem teaching godly generosity in a culture where suspicion and self are growing or have ruled for centuries.

God has blessed us and He wants to make us generous so that we may participate in the great commission either by PRAYING, GIVING or GOING. He expects us to be His co-workers not in things that we love only but also in things that we do not love. As long as they are dear to His heart. He expects us to participate in evangelism, missions, discipleship, leadership development, community development etc. Refusing a goat from a loving dad is bad. But refusing the blessings of eternal life and the crowns from the Lord our father is unimaginable!

Areas of need : Please pray for the following things, which would greatly enhance the provision of sound training of the FMBC students if they were available:
1. Property for building facilities such as classrooms, a library, dormitories, dinning hall, etc
2. Volunteer Teachers for the following courses: November 2005 onwards: Worship, Prayer, Meditation, and Devotion, Christian Home and Marriage, : Christian Education 2. Theology, Bookkeeping, The Christian Witness, Discipling, World Evangelization, Free Methodist Church History, African Church History, Helping to Good English.
3. Games equipment: Soccer balls, volleyballs, games kits, soccer shoes, etc
4. A keyboard for worship in the FMBC worship services.