Saturday, August 1, 2009

Evangelism at Pasua: Wednesday, July 29


On Wednesday, we visited a town called, Pasua, just outside of Moshi (If you’re in Americus, the drive is similar to going from Americus to Plains; if you’re in Virginia Beach, it’s like traveling from Virginia Beach to Portsmouth) The leaders at Maskai Yake decided on this area because there are many Muslims there.

Though we though there would be many adults there to minister to, there were over a hundred kids that showed up. My friend, Georgia and I, danced and played with the kids the entire meeting. By the time the sun set, our feet were covered in dirt from jumping, running and dancing with the children. It was great!! Some of the other team members prayed with the adults who were standing in the distance. Overall, I think it was a successful first visit as we plan to go again next week. This time, we hope to bring goodies to the kids. One of our team members is a children’s pastor from New Jersey (by way of Egypt) and oversees ~600 kids. She was disheartened by the fact that we didn’t have anything to give the kids and so we may make goodie bags to give them next week. Prayerfully, more kids will come and we will be able to minister God’s love to even more children ☺… Napenda watoto sana (I love kids so much)..

Please pray that the parents of the children will attend the meeting and that God would grant us wisdom and strategy approach to reaching them.

Safari at the Tarangire Lodge: Monday and Tuesday, July 27 & 28


Safari at the Tarangire Lodge: Monday & Tuesday, July 27-28
On Monday morning, we left for our safari at the Tarangire Lodge about 2 hours away from Moshi where we are staying. It was absolutely beautiful! When we arrived, there were elephants behind our tents. I know I was only about 12-15 feet away from a “mama” elephant and her baby. I have the pics to prove it!! It was awesome. We also got to see lions when we first arrived and also before we left the next day. Check out the pics… ☺

Speaking at Maskani Yake (His Dwelling Place): Sunday, July 27, 2009

On Sunday, I was asked to give a “sermonette” ☺ (mini-sermon). I decided to speak on the topic, “Divine Appointments that Edify.” I spoke about the relationship of Paul and Peter in the New Testament and how God used their relationship with one another to bring about growth and maturity. I encouraged the congregation that there may be times in their lives when God will use their friends to correct their behavior, attitudes, motivations, etc. and there may be times when God will use them to correct their brothers or sisters, but the key to being used in such a manner is to do so love and humility.

After service, the pastor told me that he was very encouraged by the message as it really touched his heart. I was so blessed.

Women’s Conference: Saturday, July 26, 2009


Greetings to Everyone from Tanzania:

Though I arrived here last Wednesday and the rest of the team arrived Friday night, it seems that I have been here a month already. It’s not a bad thing at all. I am so excited to be here and attempting to savor each moment that I have being in Tanzania, doing ministry, and spending time with my team and the many friends that I made here in the years before.

Last Saturday at the Women’s Conference, the topic of my sermon was Serving God in Your Relationships. The message was very simple in that I didn’t give many points to follow but to simply learn to love those within the Body of Christ because we have been commanded to do so and because it is necessary in order to function within the Body of Christ. At the beginning of the sermon, my translator (friend and sister, Gaundencia) and sang a song that I had translated from English to Swahili. I think that it really blessed the women. The other women on the panel also blessed the women with encouraging messages to help them to develop closer, deeper, and more intimate relationships with God.

Throughout the day, there were many alter calls, many tears, many songs, and many testimonies. The Lord desired to do something in all of our hearts and that, He did. One of the women gave a testimony that there was a situation in her life that was very dry. She likened her situation to the vision that Ezekiel had in the Bible when God asked him to speak to the dry bones. She noted that it was weighing heavy on her, but after she received prayer that she felt the burden was lifted and the dry bones in her life were given flesh.

Though the morning started a bit slow, by the end of the day we were leaping for joy as we held on to the truth that the “joy of the Lord is our strength.” It was a wonderful day!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Made It Safely!

Hi Everyone,

I finally made it here safely to Tanzania after three flights, a couple of layovers, and 1 smooth drive from the airport to Moshi. I flew into Dubai, UAE on the 21st and missed my flight that was supposed to take me from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Kilimanjaro, Africa. I didn't know that I had missed the flight until I arrived to Dar es Salaam on July 22. Interestingly, I didn't freak out.. Within atleast 2 hours and 25,000 shillings ($25.00) later, I was waiting in line to get on the plane to come to Kilimanjaro. God worked it out completely!

Nonetheless, I made it in safely and I received a warm welcome from all of my family and friends here. They were so happy to see me as I was to see them too. It makes want to stay longer. When I first mentioned to my mom, a couple of months ago, that I was going to return to Tanzania she jokingly said, "No.. you can't go, because if you do someone might have to come and get you." She's so funny like that... But it's so true... I want to stay.. But, I know that I have much to do back in States and I will return home :0) Ma, don't worry hahaha I will come home.

We, the team leaders for the Women's Conference, met today for lunch to discuss the Women's Conference that will be coming up this Saturday. I plan to speak on the topic: Serving God in Your Relationships. I also plan to dance at the conference so please pray that there will be no hindrances to women coming to the conference. Some of them have to walk from miles and miles away to get here. Others have many obligations they must take care of. We know God wants to bless them and speak to them so please pray they are able to come.

Oh..I have to go quickly now but I hope to hear from you all. Even if its just a quick, "Hi, April." :) Please post a comment...

Love you all and thanks again for all your support!!

Sincerely,
April Nicole King

Monday, July 13, 2009

In Preparation

Hi Family and Friends,

I want to thank you for taking the time to keep in touch with me as I go to Tanzania again for the third time!! I had hoped to already be in Tanzania in language school at this point, but plans were changed early on. When I didn't have the money to attend language school, I had to change my plans and change them soon. Nonetheless, God has provided and I believe it is His will for me to go on July 21 and not July 1. His plans are fine with me :)

I am now preparing mentally and emotionally to return to Tanzania and I am sooo excited. I am anxious to see all those that embraced me and that I now refer to as my family. I am also excited to see what God is going to do this year through me, in me and around me. Thank you Lord!! I know He is going to do amazing things as my entire experience at Regent has been just that. I am nearing the end of a journey here and the beginning of another.

I actually did not come to Regent just to get an education. I actually came to deepen my relationship with the Lord. Well, He had other plans. Though my relationship has been strengthened, He wanted to prepare me for ministry and now He is sending me out to be used for His glory... I know this may sound rehearsed, but God I really mean it and I am so honored to be apart of His "Plan" though I have not been as patient as I could have been... Nonetheless, He is faithful when we are unfaithful.. Gotta love Him.

Keep me in your prayers as I will be traveling July 21 to Tanzania. I will not arrive until the 22nd, but I have three separate flights that I will take to get there. I will keep you posted and I truly look forward to hearing from you all and sharing this experience with you...

Sincerely,
April Nicole

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Tanzania Missions Trip 2009

Hello Family and Friends,


Last year, I went on my second trip to Tanzania and found myself even more in love with the people than I had become the year before. One of the greatest lessons that the Lord taught me in my 2008 trip was that fellowship and unity within the Body of Christ is one of the greatest precursors for successful evangelism (John 17:21). Through our collaborative work with the Tanzanian believers, many men, women, and children were saved and introduced to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.



The relationship that I have developed with those in Tanzania is one of unity and love. They are like family to me, and I am thankful that I have an opportunity to continue to work with and minister to those in Tanzania. We have laughed and cried together, prayed, and ministered together. All of which are very important components of Godly relationships that the Lord has used to further His Kingdom in Tanzania through our unified efforts.


As most of you know, I will be graduating from Regent University with a Master of Arts in Missiology this May. After graduation, I plan to partner with Strategic Global Impact (SGI) as a part-time missionary and later as a full-time missionary. As for now, I have one more leg to go in my journey to complete my studies. I will be returning to Tanzania for the third time for my final practicum (Regent Coursework) experience!


I would like to thank you for your contributions in the past that have helped me to get me to this point. I am now writing again to humbly ask for your prayers and financial support as I prepare for a third trip to Africa. This trip is going to consist of some very different things than my first two trips though there will be some similarities. My trip will start out with 3 intensive weeks at language school in Iringa (South central Tanzania). Directly after language school, I will be traveling to Moshi (North Tanzania) for a regional Women’s Conference on July 31st. I participated in the largest women’s conference in Moshi in 2007 and we will be hosting the next one in that region again. We may possibly be doing city-wide outdoor preaching and ministering in Moshi as well.

Sunday, August 1st, I will be joining a team of missionaries and we will fly to Mtwara (Southern Tanzania) for 2 weeks of Bible College where I will be teaching English as a Second Language to the pastors and students at the Antioch Missionary Bible College. While at the Bible College, we will be doing outreach, meeting with women within local churches, conducting bible studies and spending time with the bible college students.

The cost of the entire trip is approximately $5,500.


An estimated breakdown of expenses includes:


*$2,500 for all airfare, including
flight to Tanzania and internal
flights in Tanzania
*$100 Tanzanian Visa
*$950 for language school (3
weeks, plus room and board)
*$600 lodging in Mtwara and
Moshi
*$400 Food and transportation
*$300 Misc. ministry costs
(Women’s conference,
orphanage, bush ministry,
outdoor ministry and
evangelism)
*$75 Teaching materials for a
two-week intensive English
Course for the students at the
Bible College.
*$300 Misc. personal &
emergency funds

The approximate dates of the trip are July 1st - August 16, 2009.


There has been growing relationship, momentum and effective ministry through my life and my time in Tanzania. I love the people there and together we are seeing God do great and awesome things in the lives of those we are touching together. Will you partner with me again as I seek to make a lasting impact in Tanzania?