Mission Moments: Kilimanjaro
Much joy in heaven over sinners who repented
By Gary Fallesen
President, Climbing For Christ
Damson Samson was “terrified” and humbled when our latest Kilimanjaro evangelism training conference kicked off with eight guides and porters accepting Jesus. “I wondered when could they get this marvelous gift if not for this conference,” Damson said on Nov. 30 after returning from Tanzania to his home in southern Malawi.
He also wondered how great the celebration in heaven must be for eight souls saved when the Bible tells us “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).
But there was even more joy to report.
Damson, right, standing with Kilimanjaro Chapter co-leader Dauson Chongo in front of some of the participants in the Nov. 24-26 evangelism training.
During the three-day November training, which was based on the Roman Way (or Road) to salvation, Damson divided those attending into groups of two. He led them through “The Climbing For Christ Evangelism Training Handbook” he had prepared and then “we let them practice individually to make sure they are conversant in the method” of sharing the Gospel with others. They could learn from each other’s mistakes and had a prayer partner.
“I prayed for the LORD to use this mightily as, like a reflection of the weather, it will have an impact on the Kilimanjaro clients to be coming next season,” Damson said.
This is the goal of the Kilimanjaro Chapter, which was started in 2008. Our desire has been to instruct guides and porters working on Africa’s biggest and most popular mountain to be ambassadors for Jesus who are willing to share Him with others (non-Christian guides and porters as well as trekkers from around the world). Damson became Climbing For Christ’s missionary to East Africa in March 2014 and has visited the Kilimanjaro area five times this year and seven times in 16 months.
On this visit, Pastor Winford Mosha spent time with the group, helping to strengthen and encourage them. Pastor Mosha has served as an advisor to our ministry since we met on the inaugural Mission: Kilimanjaro in 2007.
Godlisten Mosha, center, and David Mukoni, right, share Jesus with a woman, above. Below, Vitalis Mlaki, left, and Eliason Mosha witnessing to a shop owner.
As part of the latest training, these guides and porters were sent out two by two. Jesus sent out the “seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go” (Luke 10:1). The Kilimanjaro Chapter of Climbing For Christ sent out 28 of the conference participants two by two.
“To my amazement they went out to various places,” Damson reported. “Some visited the clinic, where they shared their faith to people. While others were in the market, shops, and houses around in the streets. All of the groups came back happy and excited for the wonderful work done.”
Jesus told the 72, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2). The 28 proved again that these words remain true: “We harvested 22 people, who came to Christ right at the spot and they were asking these brothers to visit them for their spiritual growth,” Damson said.
“The most interesting is that at least three Muslims surrendered their lives to Christ.”
It is our hope that these new believers will be absorbed into the home Bible studies that Damson started in Marangu and Moshi. When Damson arrived in the Kilimanjaro area – after four days of land travel – he was encouraged by one C4C member, Emmanuel Remeni in Moshi, who hosts Bible study twice a week. He had 16 neighbors attending.
In many cases, our members live in neighborhoods with Muslims, who are being invited and sometimes attending these house Bible studies.
“What a mighty God we serve,” Damson said, “and how much God can answer your prayer. We are just His [human] workers. Glory be to Him, He Who was and is and is to come. Forever and ever, amen.”
Helping Hands
PRAY for those new believers and our Kilimanjaro Chapter members who are learning more about evangelism. May they be bold in the Spirit.
GIVE to support the work by East Africa missionary Damson Samson and for the purchase of Bibles for guides and porters to carry on (and off) Mount Kilimanjaro.
Send contributions to Climbing For Christ, P.O. Box 16290, Rochester, NY 14616-0290 USA. Or CLICK HERE and give online via PayPal and then send a follow-up email to info@ClimbingForChrist.org to let us know where the donation is directed.
In Canada, donations also are tax-deductible. Make checks payable to The Great Commission Foundation, and on the memo line add Climbing For Christ CANADA. Also note that it’s to support Mission: Kilimanjaro. Mail your support to: The Great Commission Foundation, #3 – 1335 Trans Canada Way SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 1J1. Or give online at http://tgcfcanada.org/donate. Mark your contribution: “Climbing For Christ CANADA.”
GO on Mission: Kilimanjaro 2016 in March. There will be evangelism training with our chapter and an opportunity to climb Kili. Email info@ClimbingForChrist.org for more details on the trip and to request a mission application.
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