Thursday, March 22, 2012

Our latest update for missions:

Thank you Thank you Thank you for holding us up in your prayers over the last two weeks as Brian travelled to Mtwara, Tanzania.  Thank you for your prayers for his health and safety, along with your warfare prayers.  

Brian's trip was a mixture of intense spiritual warfare and attack while also walking (hobbling) in the favor, wisdom and supernatural grace of God.  Brian's foot ended up being a soft tissue issue which he must have injured during the run he took his first full day in Mtwara. It was not gout. Praise God!  He continued to hobble around most of the trip, but his foot progressively got better and better until the end of the second week the limp was hardly noticeable in his gait. He is doing much better now.  His voice cleared up after about 3 days- Praise God!  But, on the last day of teaching, Friday, he felt incredibly weak in his body and sick. He told the students, "I'm sorry, but I can't go on teaching. I have to sit down. Will you pray for me?" They told him that they've noticed that every time he visits he gets attacked physically.  The pastors/students prayed for him and within the 1/2 hour, he felt completely recovered and strong!  That's when you KNOW that you are dealing with intense warfare and spirits that are trying to sabotage the plans and purposes of our God. If we are discerning, we will fight with our spiritual tools and be victorious!  

During this trip, Brian and I needed a direct word from God/confirmation as to what our future involvement would be in Mtwara and Moshi.  With the Bible college graduating most of its students we were not sure if we should continue or close down shop.  The pastors in Moshi are standing strong, leading with authority and moving forward. We also wondered if there was any need for further partnership in their eyes.  We love them so much and are so proud but never want to suppose anything that they may not be desiring for the future.  God was good!  We had the "word from God" we needed for the future of our involvement in Mtwara, the Bible college, Moshi, and the Education project and Moshi. We had good reports on all and clear words from God to continue to pour into Tanzania. The pastors/board of the Bible College are determined to see the Bible college continue, saying that it was birthed by God and will continue in the power of God. 

The graduation was a breakthrough day for the Bible College. NEVER had there been a bible college graduation of any kind in the whole state of Mtwara! WOW! The Bishop of the Lutheran Church (who is the regional head of the unity of pastors) and the Head of the Pentecostal Church (assitant to the unity movement) attended and endorsed the school. That day, there were 3 people who asked to sign up for the next term of the Bible college! Graduation was such a celebration!  People said, "You have brought something to Mtwara that we have never seen before.  This is wonderful!"  Some of those pastors who graduated had never graduated from anything ever before in their entire lives --not high school, not college, nothing! Imagine being 30, 40, 50, 60 years old and wearing your first cap and gown, holding your own diploma! Awesome! The Bible College was birthed in a word from God in 2008 and will be continued in faith, knowing that there is a passionate group of fiery pastors in Mtwara who are determined to win the south of Tanzania and Northern Mozambique to Christ!  The Pastors in Moshi want us to continue in fellowship and partnership with them.  Our hearts rejoice! We are hoping to have a building team to Moshi in the next 12 months to build the church building and the Bible College board in Mtwara are seeking land to purchase and build a permanent facility for the school. We will be raising funds for this as we secure a good location at a great price.

And finally, we received an amazing report on the impact of the Elimu Education Initiative:
 The testing scores for the secondary schools in Mtwara came out for the first time ever HIGHER in their science track than their math track! The Regional Education Officer attributed it to the inovative teaching and empowerment of the Elimu Initiative on the teachers! How exciting and wonderful! What a testimony to the power of a short term mission trip and focused ministry to one sector of society I can't wait to tell the teachers who travelled over with us about their fruit!

There are many more stories to tell, but I wanted to keep this letter fairly short.  (well, its not that short. )

Thank you again for praying for us and standing with us.  Abigail and Nathaniel are doing well. We surprised my father John Cava by staying longer at my parent's house to see him return from an overseas mission trip to China and Thailand.  He was happy to play with some grandchildren!  The Weaver parents (Brian's parents) are making plans to reconnect in Tanzania this summer, re-reaching out to the two unreached tribes that they made inroads with for the gospel 7 years ago and teaching in Bible colleges.  Keep them in your prayers too. Both sets of parents are amazing men and women of God going to the nations and discipling people wherever they live! Pray for their health, finances and effective ministries.

We will give you an update on our Germany plans and upcoming itineration soon.  We will keep you informed.  

We appreciate your love and prayers. Thank you for standing with us in this exciting and transitionary time of our lives.  We can't do this without the Body of Christ doing warfare for us.  We know that.

Much love to you.  Giving Him our all for His glory,

Brian, Janine, Abigail and Nathaniel Weaver
Strategic Global Impact