Tanzania Update & A New Opportunity

 

TANZANIA UPDATE   Since I wrote you a few weeks ago about the unrest in Tanzania much has happened. While businesses, schools and the airports have re-opened, and the internet has been restored, there is still much unrest and anxiety in the country. There was a small window where the airport opened, which allowed me to get to my meetings in Zimbabwe (more on that next month)! I returned to Mwanza this week to wrap up a few things but am heading to Canada tomorrow (a few weeks earlier than planned) as the tension is continuing to build. There is widespread rumors that people are planning for a huge protest on Dec 9th, Independence Day, and that the police and military are ready.  Reports of lives impacted are rampant. We are receiving text messages from the police warning us not to join groups or have pictures that may not favorable, as this could result in being detained.  In short, the situation still needs prayer. Pray for the people to be safe and for peace to be restored in the great country of Tanzania.  Now ... let's move on to something a little more uplifting ...  A couple of months ago, I mentioned that I had a new special project I was taking on this year. I've been wanting to talk about it before now, but there has been so much going on the last couple of months, I haven't had a chance. So here it is ... I'm teaching a course at Mwanza Christian College! ... you can call me "Professor J" if you like!  It's a course on Leadership for Year 2 Diploma students. I'm so excited to have this special opportunity, in addition to my work with VOH Africa.

Here in Tanzania, many pastors and young leaders don't have the opportunity for formal training, and sometimes their leadership styles seem to be based on authority by their position or rights, rather than the highest level of leadership, where people follow you willingly because of who you are and what you represent. And, sadly, the concept of servant leadership is not well-known to many of them. Leadership and mentoring is a passion of mine. It is my prayer that the 16 students in my class will see the unique person God made them, learn tools to become effective leaders and use their gifts and talents to become the next generation of  Servant Leaders. I finished my final lectures this week. All that's left is their final exam! We had alot of fun. You know me, I like to make things practical! My favourite is when they planned skits and did role playing on the difference between being an Authoritarian Leader vs a Democractic/Participatory one. We laughed as the one leader demanded his team to "Just do what I say because I'm the pastor" and celebrated as the other engaged his staff and cared about their opinions and insights. I think they got the point! Alot of concentration as the students write their mid-term exam! I can't wait to see how God will use the learnings to shape the lives of these pastors and soon-to-be leaders in ministry.  And in case you're wondering, don't worry - my full-time role is still with VOH Africa! The teaching is a voluntary addition to contribute in a different way to the lives of Tanzanians. I don't want to make this update too long, so that's enough for today. Keep praying for Tanzania, pray that the students in my class will become true Servant Leaders and pray for me as I head home for the holidays! Will send you one more update in a couple of weeks about the exciting things that happened in Zimbabwe last week! Stay tuned! Many blessings! Jeanette