Bwana asifiwe!!!! (Praise the Lord!!!! in Swahili),
I have just returned from a truly amazing mission trip to Tanzania with KidZ at Heart International! After many months of preparing, raising funds, and praying, our team of 6 spent two weeks ministering to the Swahili people of East Kilimanjaro. What I can say is that Tanzania has stolen my heart. The landscape, the beauty, the people, the way of life....my heart is full of joy from this experience of a life-time! I saw so many blessings. I saw the hearts of pastors, evangelists, and children's ministry workers change from the KidZ at Heart trainings in their area. I saw the love and importance of children change their thinking and their hearts. It was such an amazing thing to witness.
I joined up with an incredible team from the USA. Each team member had their own God-given gifting to contribute to the trip and they have become friends for life. We hit the ground running as we partnered up with the Northern Diocese of the Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Our focus for the two weeks was in the East Kilimanjaro district in a town called Himo. We were able to conduct a pastor's leadership day the Saturday before our week-long KidZ Ministry Equipping Conference (KMEC) and we saw close to 100 pastors in attendance! This was a huge step because if the importance of children within the church can be in the heart of pastors, that's when change can start to happen. We worked alongside two incredible pastors that truly love children and have caught the vision of KidZ at Heart. Pastor Rogers Mtui and Reverend Winford Mosha helped us tremendously and I can see God really blessing their ministry work. The week-long KMEC training was also a huge success! Throughout the week we had 80 Sunday school teachers, children's ministry workers, and evangelists attend. Their thinking was challenged and they learned many new ways to teach children for Christ. Throughout the week I saw eager hearts, laughter, praise and worship, and a deep love for Jesus and children. I believe that God has swung open the doors in this area of Tanzania for KidZ at Heart to do more trainings in upcoming years. I know that I plan to definitely be a part of it!
Also during our time in Tanzania we made life-long friends with the staff at Babylon Lodge where we stayed. We explored the lush and beautiful area of Marangu near Mt. Kilimanjaro. We visited some of the parish churches and saw their children's ministries. And we got to end our trip with a refreshing time as a team going on safari together. We visited Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater (the 8th Wonder of the World!), Haven Nature Safari Camp, and Lake Manyara. And one of the coolest things happened on my last day in Tanzania. For the whole two weeks our team was in the East Kilimanjaro area, the mountain was hidden by the clouds (the locals even say that the mountain is quite shy). I thought I would leave without seeing the mountain. But God had other plans. My flight was cancelled the day I was supposed to fly home to Uganda and wouldn't you know it.....on that day the clouds parted, the blue skies came out, and Mt. Kilimanjaro came out in all of her glory!! It was a tremendous gift to our team. I've learned that what may seem like inconveniences can actually be gifts from God.
So what is on the horizon for me? I have quite a bit coming up that I'd like to share with you:
- I will be traveling to an area in Eastern Uganda called Ngora July 19-23. Pastor Charles OPendi of KidZ at Heart Leadership Academy Launch team will travel with me to the village of Tilling to visit Gawa Church. We are hoping to bring KidZ training to this area in the future. (After our visit to Ngora we will travel to Tororo where Pastor Charles is from)
- I'm busy making preparations for KidZ trainings in the areas of Jinja and Kaliro that we hope to have the end of August.
- I'm also making preparations for a 2-day intensive KidZ training for our KAHLA East Africa launch team (KidZ at Heart Leadership Academy) in September.
- I will continue to mobilize our KidZ South Africa trip that is end of August.
- And I'm in the final stages of the processing of my Uganda work permit!! This is a HUGE blessing and I can't wait until I have the permit in my hands :)
As always, my thanks goes out to my awesome supporters and prayer warriors. I know that God has called me to do ministry in Africa and I know I wouldn't be here without any of you. We each have a part to play and no part is less significant than the other. I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for KidZ at Heart throughout Africa!
Please consider giving towards this amazing ministry. I'm currently in need of $500 ASAP to cover the costs of my work permit. It's going to be ready any day now and I need to be able to pay to get it.
Mungu akubariki! (God bless you!)
Asante. (Thank you)
-Shannon Routzahn
To Donate Online:
http://www.worldoutreach.org/donations Select my Name. The system can process USA and International cards. You can also set up Automatic Monthly Gifts if you choose the "monthly" option.
Or Mail Checks to:
World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 (Designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)
