Friday Family Afternoon

We have three families with us for this session of Training here at the Center. The CMF Tanzania team is somewhat set a part from other mission organizations in town because we believe in training the whole family. The wife of the Church Planter is vital to the health of the ministry and great evangelistic opportunities blossom for her as well. It is important that together they both are equipped to partner together in taking the gospel to their people. I believe the children are also an important part of celebrating the joy that Christ gave us and spreading hope to the land of Tanzania. Empowering the family as a spiritual unit is a task that goes against the cultural grain. Like fish swimming up stream these families explore how to penetrate the darkness of the culture with the light of Christ. In many of the tribes segregation and human value is something to address. The family is segregated. The males are always gathered in one area, females doing most of the work, and children herding or assisting in the kitchen. Those tasks are not bad but gathering together as a family is not a common event.

Four tribes are represented within these three families and each have their customs and ways of doing things even as Africans. Nyature, Barbaig, Nyiramba, Masai/Rarush are the tribes that I have been a student of the students. Bringing the tribes together is similar to bringing the family together. Goes against the grain however, it has been a joy to watch these families blossom as they explore the freedom in Christ and the ways of scripture.

To encourage family togetherness and displaying the powerful key they have as parents unleashing spiritual blessing to their children we gathered together on a Friday afternoon. Sitting in the classroom on a simple sheet with three families and a few wagnei Olas began to help translate the story of Noah. I observed the positions of the families the dads were grouped in on section of the circle followed with the women on the opposite and the children gathered happily in the center. This is very common and didn't take me by surprise. As the story concluded I shared with the families that as Noah was building a boat they were building a family who were to be ambassadors for Christ. How important it was for the parents to share the stories and spiritual truths with their children. They eagerly agreed and we began singing in celebration to a God who keeps His promises and loves His children. Beautiful unified harmony rang in that little classroom with instruments and color ribbon sticks gleefully waving proudly. As I looked at that group the interesting thing that though they maybe segregated by seats the unified sound that rang brought tears to my eyes.

When Africans pray they stand proudly with arms open embracing the heavens typically and everyone prays at one time. Young and old began to pray openly and each one was heard by God who loves them. Who taught them this I don't know but how moving to enter the throne room together in confidence. I observed how much I have to learn from my new friends.

We moved outside for the activity which was finger painting! Thanks to our wagnei from the States the simple activity was a HUGE hit even with the dads who giggled like little kids. Colors filled the area as they enjoyed being together and working on their works of art. However, the work of art that submerged was this one dad who left the group to be with his family. As the afternoon went on they sat in the grass together. What they talked about I do not know but the tenderness displayed stopped the rains as the rainbow displayed itself across their faces.