Hope of the Nations – my experience
Putting into a few words how I have experienced Hope of the Nations here in Kigoma is a very hard job!! There’s too much good stuff going on for a few words… I came here with the sole aim of helping and relieving some of the administrative burdens for Coni and Harold (who do this work alongside their already over-packed full-time ministry jobs!!) I think I have helped – hoping that if I can be here doing the paperwork, they can be out doing the front line work that demands them at every turn! I came to bless, and it is I who have been blessed!
Coni and Harold, and the H of N staff are so gifted and dedicated! I love the staff and their families, whom I have come to regard as close friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. They have fun – working hard and enjoying joy and laughter while they’re at it! Every Sunday morning at 8:00am, Hope Chapel with Harold as the pastor, provides sound and engaging teaching in English. I was here for Easter and there was a baptism class for anyone interested in being baptized. Afterward, we all went down (the whole Church!!) to the beautiful Lake Tanganyika to baptize about 10 people between the service and the large Easter feast later that afternoon! What an experience to see the whole church break into spontaneous a capella worship in perfect harmony while their friends and loved ones left their old selves behind as they rose in Jesus to new life from the sparkling lake waters!! Song and dance, along with exuberant expression of joy is commonplace in worship, and inspiring!
Hope of the Nations wide range of ministries is a testament to God and His vision always outstretching our wildest imaginings! The College – whose gradates come away grounded solidly in the Word of God and expository teaching – is impacting all of Tanzania as graduates return to their communities, sharing the love and teaching the Word of God. I was so moved by the graduates’ testimonies as the June 2017 graduating class expressed how much they’d learned and grown in the Lord by attending the Hope of the Nations Bible College. The Primary School, were upwards of 170 children from Kindergarten to Grade 7 experience teaching in an environment of safety – no corporal punishment – always positive reinforcement and acclaimed education – top marks on the national exams!
The Primary School raises up a generation of leaders with Godly character and knowledge of the love and Word of God! I helped at the Primary School sometimes typing and preparing examinations and homework kits! I met the teachers and see the love they have as they mentor and shape the young teachable minds!! These children will go on to be the future leaders in Tanzania.
I participated in the village outreach when we visited Munyovu and Harold and Dismas taught a 4 day seminar while the College Students went door to door visiting and evangelizing in the village. The Seminar was held at the church of a College grad who had started a church in Munyovu. Participants were pastors or elders in Munyovu local churches (any denomination). I was blown away watching the “light go on” for many, as the Word of God was taught in truth, verse by verse, dispelling myths and false teaching prevalent in church leadership! Sound teaching is such a need here and Hope of the Nations is providing that through its College and outreach programs.
I could go on and on about the Youth ministries, and Kids Clubs, the Kamala Centre and Duka that creates income and economy for the mamas in the village, and Mercy House helping the poor and the sick, that are all part of the ministries here… but I think you get my drift! God is moving here for His glory and for the good of the Nation, and for the great joy of anyone involved! Praise Him and may He continue to be glorified, and to guide and bless His ministry here at Hope of the Nations.
Lynda Carson, Kigoma fall 2017.