Christmas Gifts

19 December, 2014

Merry Christmas!
    Recently I was thinking about "how Christmas doesn't happen" in Tanzania until the 24th of December.  There are no decorations, no different, "special" foods, no Christmas music, and likewise, the weather is the same as every other day.  I realize how much I miss the Western "glitz & glitter."  I know that isn't Christmas either, but it seems that "nothing happening" isn't Christmas as well.
   As I was reflecting on this, I started thinking about the student who came over the night before to share some good news. . . and an American missionary who stopped in to talk about some problems she was having raising her 3 young boys.  Then I thought about the real needs behind the frequent requests we receive for money--the student with his family  who struggle to live on $1 USD/day  (for all 5 of them). . . and  about the Tz faculty member who appreciated and validated our teaching here. . .and the student who came asking for prayers for his younger brother who had just been in a serious car accident .  My thoughts wandered back and forth---and then it hit me---THESE are the gifts, and exchanges, and "get-togethers" of Christmas.
   THESE are the shepherds and wise men coming--because in each one of these we see the face of Jesus.  These students and missionaries make up a different looking nativity scene---but it is just as valid--for they come needy--but each one with deep love in their hearts for the Christ child.
   THESE are the people in our "live nativity" here in Tz.
  I'm so glad we didn't "miss it"---because many missed what was taking place 2000 years ago in Bethlehem.
 
   On a different note, we wanted to share an experience that shows why we still shake our heads and are amazed at how God works in Tanzania.
   There are many large, and radically charismatic churches in this part of Tz.  They are often led by self-taught, self-proclaimed prophets or pastors.  The churches go by names like Miracle Gospel Church, Winner's Chapel, Glory Land Church, and The Christian Miracle Center.   Their services, usually, 4-6 hours long, include faith healing, demon exorcisms, miracle promising and some even promising to raise people from the dead.  There may be as many as 5 or 6 offerings during the service--each promising God's material or medical blessings.  And while the Lutheran Church in Tz. is experiencing tremendous growth there is the strong temptation for Lutheran members to leave the Lutheran Church and go to one of these miracle and success-promising churches.
   So one of the assignments Tim gives in Worship Class is for each student to attend a worship service of a church that is not Lutheran. Then each student writes a paper and gives an oral report to the class regarding specific questions/observations/reflections. (This assignment was given after the students had studied the history and biblical basis for Lutheran worship.)
   The following is a portion of one students visitation experiences:
  " When the great Prophet arrived to the church; every one stand up and almost all of the members run forward throwing money on the altar.  The great prophet entered to the church through the corner of an altar.  There were bodyguards with the black glasses.  I also saw the different countries flags on the side of an altar.  One flag was for the kingdom of God which the great prophet is representative. It stands back near his seat.
  There was no sign of cross on the altar.  But there were prophet's healing pictures with many crowds of people.  The glass pulpit was there at the altar.  There were many loud speakers all over the tent.  They all wore their suit.  No one have any kind of a robe.
   The great prophet Dr. GeorDavie did not preached but he stood and give us the word of prophecy that was from Isa. 43:26 says, "Put me in remembrance, let us argue together;set forth your case, that you may proved right." Then he invited Pastor Elizabeth for testimony.  Pastor Elizabeth went to the prophet first and kneeled under his feet saying now I am kneeling under my father feet so that I might come with his full spirit.
   She stood at the pulpit and glorifying the prophet in a lot of words she said, "...this is the University of the Prophets.  A university is for adults. Other denominations are like kid's schools. 
Whoever comes here must stay here learning from the great prophet. Do not go back to pastors.
Pastors are Sunday School teachers.  They have nothing.  But here we have a man of God.  He is God's representative.  He has power and he is able than pastors and apostles that you can found anywhere.  He is only great prophet. Like Elijah he is miracle prophet."
   These reports gave great opportunity to discuss Lutheran liturgy---why we do what we do.  The Lutheran service in Tz. is very similar to a traditional service in America.  One Bible verse that kept coming back to us was the story of the Last Super when Jesus washed his disciples feet
 (John 13:12-16).  That model for ministry is radically different than the way many churches and pastors operate in Tz.
 A very interesting outcome materialized from this church visitation assignment.  One of our class students is a newly elected Bishop from another area of Tz.  For his visitation he chose a congregation that had separated itself from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) because of a conflict.  The following is a portion of his report:
   "The congregants are local and from the neighborhood so  for them is very easy to recognize if there is new face.  Such thing happened to me since from the introduction of the Service they knew that I'm a guest. Even though I didn't want to get a special chance to greet them, still they asked that I could say even few words.  I did so by introducing who am I.  They were very happy that in the life of that church they have never been visited by leader of the Church. They prepared tea for me.
   After having heard this Church, I understand that conflict within the Church pushed this group of Christians to establish their own Church, but in the image of Mother Church.  I advise those two sides to find a solution by the grace of Almighty Father so that in the near future reconciliation would be found. This led myself to realize the situation of the unity of the Church is in a hard moment and we should remain praying that God protect the unity of the Church."
  After the service he met with the church leaders for tea and he talked to them about the importance for unity in the Church.  They indicated an openness to enter into conversation again with the ELCT. He then had a conversation with the local Bishop who also expressed an openness.  They have now scheduled a meeting for possible reconciliation.  It is amazing how God can use a simple classroom assignment to accomplish God's purpose.
   There is a richness for doing Christian teaching in the context of Tanzania culture.  We're never quite sure what the outcome will be.  But with the Holy Spirit's movement and the students' undoubting sense of call, amazing things happen.  We are truly blessed to be in this setting--sharing...as well as receiving..
   This has been a very long post, but we wanted to share the gifts we're receiving with you as well.
        Praying God's peace and blessings for each of you at Christmas and throughout 2015.
           Merry Christmas,
             Tim & Diane