Mission: Kilimanjaro 2018
Mountaintop experiences in Tanzania
Damson Samson has been to the mountaintop. He stood on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on Aug. 28, 2016. He was a rare African standing in rarefied air on the rooftop of Africa.
Damson descended off the mountain, but he has been back there many times as Climbing For Christ’s missionary to East Africa and he really hasn’t come down from that mountaintop. He has joyfully overseen the growth of C4C’s Kilimanjaro Chapter, an association of guides and porters that was organized in 2008 but didn’t really begin producing fruit until after mid-2014.
“God has done many things to this chapter,” Damson said. “We have had many training sessions just to keep these brothers hot in the Lord and develop them to the deeper understanding of the Bible.
“Many lives have been brought to Jesus Christ with the right understanding of what is happening. This development has changed the family members.”
Training sessions are held four times a year with two-to-three dozen Kilimanjaro Chapter members attending each time. Home Bible studies were started with Damson also paying visits to families involved with C4C.
While spiritual needs were addressed, a chicken project was initiated to also serve physical needs. “A smile has been brought back to these porters and guides around Moshi and Marangu,” Damson said. “Children are back to school for fees that are now available through this project.”
African lives are being impacted.
“I remember one member, John Mollel, who brought in the training a brother who was a drunkard and chain smoker,” Damson recalled. “The man came and his life has been changed.”
That man said the efforts of C4C are appreciated and he encouraged this work to continue. “I am happy seeing my children taking part in prayers and Bible studies,” the saved brother exclaimed.
Damson points to 1 Timothy 4:16, which says, “Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
Our prayer is that “those who hear” these trained-up Kilimanjaro Chapter members will include trekkers coming from all over the world to bag a peak. We hope they go home with more than a summit certificate; that they return changed by the experience with their Christian guide or porter. We pray that many will come to know Jesus on the mountaintop.
PRAY: For the work God is doing in and through the Kilimanjaro Chapter.
GIVE: To financially support this work, including the purchase of Swahili Bibles.
GO! We will return to Kilimanjaro for the 11th time since 2007 from Nov. 26-Dec. 9. This short-term mission will include teaching and encouraging guides and porters in the Kilimanjaro Chapter as well as an ascent of Africa’s tallest mountain. For C4C members only. Email info@ClimbingForChrist.org for a mission application and to stay updated.
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