God is doing some amazing things in Zanzibar. Keep praying for seeds to be planted and sown, for the churches in Zanzibar to be strengthened and encouraged, that they would be committed and passionate about sharing the Gospel now that they have been trained and equipped by Dan and his team, that they would faithfully disciple all believers, and that ultimately God would grow His church and be greatly glorified!!
The following is Dan's daily chronicle on his current short-term mission trip with e3 partners to Zanzibar. He posts to Facebook via Twitter (@daninreallife). I copied all his Tweets and pasted them into paragraph form for easier reading.
Last time I wore these pants I was leaving the USA. I wore them for the next 17-days. Yes, they're like a good friend. Boarding Group 1! Does this nullify my "mission" trip? Need to fly across USA then Atlantic then Europe then the Sahara then a little more. Still waiting to board. Need to go back to gym, bags are all too heavy. Going to Africa. Landed in Chicago waiting for connection at Manchu Wok, why? Tradition! On flight leaving USA, need to turn twitter "off". I can send, get DM's, get text, but can't afford to listen to all of you. Miss you guys! In Chicago & London, experiencing cross cultural dress. People carry large, bulky clothing. They call these items "coats". Strange. The American team has assembled. We are 3 strong. Zanzibar, here we come.
Made it to Nairobi. Best all around flights ever. Thank you, United Airlines & Kenya Airlines. 1 more flight to Zanzibar. Leaving Nairobi, home of the world's hottest airport. I'm sweating like a dog in Chinese restaurant. Arrived in Zanzibar w/ all our bags. Bags look a little looted. TSA took my can of Raid, but we're in business to plant churches. Staying at a hotel in Zanzibar that used to be the slave market. Carried 60-pounds of scripture tract & gospels to Zanzibar. I had booklets in suitcase, carryon, pockets. Pray Isaiah 55. Wow, a tourist bus full of white people pulled in front of hotel (old slave market). Hope they don't think I'm part of interactive show. Woke up from sound nap dazed & confused. Rushed to opening ceremony. I'm an hour early. Wished I'd brushed my teeth or ate a pack of gum.
Pastor's story: his sister converted to Jesus, as muslim it was his duty to kill her, thru a miracle & sister's testimony he comes to Jesus. The influence of 1% Christian population ended slavery in Zanzibar. I have a new love - Spice tea. In Zanzibar, 1st man prayed for Jesus as crowd made fun of him. Just shared my lunch (bag of peanuts) w/ children around church. Tanzanian children very well mannered unlike rest of Africa. Need prayer for health, not well in Zanzibar. Also, pray for new Christians & the muslims who mock them. 1st day in Zanzibar 168 heard the story of Jesus, 35 professed Jesus as Lord. Hard to do when all your neighbors are muslim.
Slept good last. Many crazy dark dreams. Best dream was of ice cream sundays & shakes. Rod this is a prophetic dream. See you at BR [Basking Robbins] in Dec. Zanzibar lunch yesterday: hand wash (village water) no towel, no tools just fingers, ate w/ wet hands, OOPS! & my 1st coconut (whole thing). Today In Zanzibar, shared Jesus w/ 79 people, all muslim. 1 man was an iman. None accepted Jesus. Muslims wanted proof Jesus is God or a miracle. Pray that God will speak to the people of Zanzibar in dreams & visions. Thank you for prayers. My health has improved! In Zanzibar, no new Christians attended Bible studies but 1-church new Christians came undercover of darkness. Spent night in prayer & study. Spoke in church using Pastor Jim's notes from last week: Eph 2:4-10, Acts 18:28, Gal 2:20. God is good & provided me a message. Praying for my USA church services in Phoenix: Harvest Bible Chapel & Christ Lutheran. Miss you guys. In Zanzibar church buildings are good construction, but churches are few & members very few. Most Christians came from outside Zanzibar. At 1-church only Pastor's family, 1-American + 3-Korian missionaries showed up. Why? Fear. Muslims burned pastor's house 3-days ago.
Spoke at 2nd church Zanzibar today, 7 people attended. We met in house, we prayed, sang, took an offering & preached. In Zanzibar we have worked w/ 9-churches, shared Jesus w/ 382 people & 107 have put faith in Jesus. Zanzibar: major rain this am. Hot, humid pm w/ major bug plague. We ate at tourist stop along sea wall. Fresh sea food all crawling w/ bugs. Confession: found Internet cafe near hotel during break Sunday, spent my 1st 30-min adjusting NFL fantasy team. Sorry. Got strange "green" drink for breakfast in Zanzibar. Hmm. What is it? Blah, blah, blah? Oh, it's avocado juice. Didn't know it was a drink.
Working at a house church in Zanzibar that muslums regularly stone during prayer - worship services. Someone just prayed to make Jesus Lord of their life in Zanzibar. God is good! Found a group of Christians. We gave them gospels of Matthew. They dug right in. I thought some finished book before we left. Prayers are being answered, people in Zanzibar are trusting in Jesus for salvation. Muslims called after us for prayer. God is glorified. Came across rare Christian family, they were born & baptized Catholic, sent kids to Lutheran school, learned that Jesus was the Way to God. In Zanzibar, my translator was busy, praying w/ convert. Woman came to us. I gave pastor e-cube. He started sharing Jesus. She prayed too. Zanzibar Pastor has not given me the evange-cube back. He keeps sharing Jesus.
