Pastor Dick travelled 7.5 hours from Iringa to find out about the Gospel Partnerships. We sum up the ethos of the Partnerships by saying, ‘we gather to the gospel for the gospel.’ He’ll join us on our next visit.
Rest of the day spent teaching at the Africa International University (sounds grander than it is, but lovely!). 25 students (trainee pastors, elders and church workers) present in the lectures, 75 watching the livestream on YouTube, and 30 listening to audio feed. Martyn taught on the parables of the kingdom and their application to pastoral ministry. I expounded Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian elders from Acts 20, and committed the students to “God and the word of His grace.”

 Simon leads a church in Kyela Town. A real privilege to spend time with him today. It’s clear from our time here already just how stretched pastors are in leading their churches. They are all bi-vocational, so time to study, prepare sermons adequately and pastor the flock, is a challenge. He was encouraged to know that these and many other pressures are common to most pastors everywhere. Great to stand with him and encourage him in the word.

Tea — always good for relationship