Mission Moments: Tanzania

Go, tell it on the mountain Kilimanjaro (part 2)

Written by Gary Fallesen, Climbing For Christ president
Reports and photos provided by Damson Samson, Africa coordinator

Introduction

We were blessed with a $29,250 matching grant by the AHEAD Initiative for our 2025 disciple-making work in Tanzania (Kilimanjaro Chapter) and Malawi (Mulanje Massif Chapter). The January training of Kilimanjaro Chapter guides and porters was the first of 10 trainings scheduled between Tanzania and Malawi. Trainings have occurred in Malawi in February and March. Now, in April, Damson returns to Tanzania for the second quarterly training of the Kilimanjaro Chapter. The trainings will culminate with Mission: Kilimanjaro 2025 (Nov. 28-Dec. 12) and Mission: Malawi 2025 (Dec. 12-19). We are grateful to AHEAD (Accelerating Horn and East Africa DMMs) for this support. It is our second such grant for DMD work in Tanzania and Malawi.

Tuesday, April 1

Damson Samson, Climbing For Christ’s Africa coordinator, has begun his travels from southern Malawi to northeastern Tanzania. He flew from Blantyre, Malawi to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he has to overnight (as usual) before his flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Wednesday, April 2

Damson has arrived in Moshi, Tanzania. He met with Kingdom worker John Mollel, the coordinator of the Kilimanjaro Chapter, and discussed plans for this month’s training time.

Thursday, April 3

The quarterly leadership meeting was held. “Opening with a word of prayer, I started with learning how they are doing with their (Bible study) groups and to see whether they are ready to be visited,” Damson said. “From what was shared, I learned that some are doing pretty good and some they are still far behind and need to be strengthened.” Some of the small groups have been unable to meet because it is the “farming season.” Many of the guides and porters also farm during the low (or off) season for trekking. “Especially those in Moshi town,” Damson said. “When it is low season they have to stay away and do farming activities in far distant places.”

Damson encouraged them to find the time to gather for it is the harvest season – for souls. “I assured them to take this as serious business as this is the only way we can come to share the love of our Lord Jesus Christ to those who are lost.”

Once again, leaders expressed that the local churches feel threatened by these small groups, especially the vibrant ones, because church leaders feel the guides and porters are starting churches. As if this is some sort of competition. On the contrary, all are called to share the Gospel.

“So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” – 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)

Friday, April 4

Leaders meeting on Sango Mountain.

The leadership of Climbing For Christ’s Kilimanjaro Chapter did its usual pre-training prayer and fast on Sango Mountain. But this time it was anything but the usual thing. This time Africa coordinator Damson Samson divided the larger group into smaller groups and instructed them to “listen carefully and hear what God is telling them to share.”

They broke up and went into fervent prayer for themselves and each other.

“Each and every leader took them into something different as they had different Scripture to share,” Damson said. “I went around to see how they were doing in their groups and it was amazing.”

Elia Yona took his group to Revelation 21:6-8, which led one member in his group to “repent and confess every evil which might lead him to hell fire.” Jonas Minja went to 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 and Living Akyo talked about being healed from body pains that made climbing a mountain a problem.

Living Akyo on his knees crying for God’s help as Jonas Minja, above left, and others pray for Christ to use them in their weakness. Below, Daniel Nasari’s group praying from Romans 12:1-2 to be “living and holy sacrifices.”

Godlove Kowero led his group to Romans 8:31-32 and Daud Shayo saw a vision of himself “walking a very dark road leading to the deep pit when the wonder happened and there was light coming down.” Light shining in the darkness – the thing for which these guides and porters are being trained to do.

“Many shared their experiences and it was touching to learn how quick they came to adapt what we were sharing,” Damson said. “It was a blessed day.”

Saturday, April 5

Kilimanjaro Chapter class praying together for their families.

“For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?” – 1 Timothy 3:5

Damson Samson opened the Kilimanjaro Chapter’s classroom training in prayer and a word from Paul’s first letter to Timothy. “I told them sharing the Word of God starts at home,” he said. “It’s very important to think twice before you have called yourself a ‘man of God.’ Family is like a small church where every believer must be able to manage before thinking of the bigger church.”

He told them they are not to neglect their family – both the physical and spiritual needs – for work outside the home. The Spirit of God revealed where they are weak in this and the men confessed their failings – and then prayed together, hand in hand.

Eliakim Mwanyika sharing.

The men in this, a combination of our original class and the second class of disciple-making guides and porters then witnessed to things seen since the last quarterly training in January. From miraculous healings to conversions of salvation on Mount Kilimanjaro. They praised God for all He has done.

Damson then took the class through Chapter 2 of our current study on “Communicating the Bible.” The study addressed “Basic Questions on Communicating God’s Word.” Damson talked about what it means to communicate God’s Word, why it is important, when it should occur, the role of the Holy Spirit, and more.

Group discussion.

They broke up into groups and discussed Scripture verses found in Chapter 3 of their study from The Timothy Initiative, which addresses “Hearing God’s Word.”

“The idea was to make sure every member is able to hear God’s voice within the Scriptures and see how God uses believers to speak to others about His will,” Damson said.

Group photo after studying “Communicating the Bible.”

Sunday, April 6

A day of rest and a time to worship before Damson begins home visits to check on the small groups (Bible studies) each of the chapter’s guides and porters are leading.

Monday, April 7

Damson began his home visits to check on Kilimanjaro Chapter members’ growing small groups. He started at Gift Mbuya’s house where about 20 people gathered to hear the Word of God (Damson shared from Matthew 21) and Elia Yona had some words of encouragement for the group. Two people desired a relationship with Jesus and asked for prayer.

Jonas Minja, front, and Elia Yona, center, pray over new believers at Gift Mbuya’s house. Below, Damson prays for healing for a woman.

Damson and the chapter leaders accompanying him (John Mollel, Jonas Minja, and Elia) then prayed for the sick and witnessed the miracle of healing.

Tuesday, April 8

Eliya Yona sharing with members of John Mollel’s small group.

Damson and some of the Kilimanjaro Chapter leaders visited Kingdom worker John Mollel’s small group, which today numbered 26, and shared several stories from the Old Testament. They talked about being obedient to God’s calling, like Noah, and fearing the Lord. After this, three people in attendance asked to be prayed for as they desired to invite Jesus into their hearts and lives.

Joshua Murutu, right, leads three new believers in prayer.

There were also several people who asked for prayer for healing, including John’s aunt, who was delivered. A young woman plagued by evil spirits was prayed over and released from the attacks and possession of those demons.

We continue to pray for healing for John’s mother whose back requires surgery that would cost nearly $1,800 USD (four million Tanzanian shillings). The family does not have that sort of money. We are asking for a divine intervention.

Mount Kilimanjaro at sunset.

As Damson drove back from meeting John’s small group he was rewarded with a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro, which had been enveloped in clouds in recent days. Our Climbing For Christ team will return to the slopes of Kilimanjaro in December.

Wednesday, April 9

Jonas Minja prays for six new believers at Benison Mboya’s house.

Damson and the team set out to visit small groups at five houses with Damson going to two with Jonas Minja and Kilimanjaro Chapter coordinator John Mollel going to three other houses with Elia Yona and Daniel Nasari. At the first house, Damson talked about Zacchaeus and his great desire to see Jesus (Luke 19). Salvation came to Zacchaeus’ house that day, and this day salvation came to six of the 21 people at the house of Benison Mboya.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10).

At the next house, Hoseya Ngomuo’s small group of 10, two more were saved.

Daniel Nasari, second from right, praises God with Mcdonald Seka’s small group. (Photo by John Mollel)

Meanwhile, John visited the houses of Elia Yona, Mcdonald Seka, and Elirehema Minja. Elia had only two of his small group members present, while nine were at Mcdonald’s and a dozen at Elirehema’s. The Word of God was shared with each group and several were prayed over for health issues. “Asking God to bring them victory,” Damson said.

Thursday, April 10

Johnson Kimaro’s small group.

Damson and team members continued house visits today to check on the growth of small groups being organized and led by Kilimanjaro Chapter guides and porters. They started with Johnson Kimaro’s group, where Damson told them about Nicodemus and being a “religious” leader (John 3). Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Damson explained that we cannot rely on our human minds, but on the Spirit of God teaching and leading us.

Elinami Moshi’s small group joins hands in prayer after learning about forgiveness, above. Below, a grandmother tearfully asks for forgiveness for family issues. Damson prayed with her.

Damson taught Elinami Moshi’s small group about forgiveness from the Gospel of Matthew. “Many are the times that we ask to be forgiven,” he said, “when we are not willing to forgive others.” The Spirit stirred the hearts of those in the group and they prayed in earnest to be forgiven as they forgive others.

Many received prayer for family problems as well as healing from health issues.