May 2026 Update

Dear friends:

What follows is a brief summary of the status of the work of Transforming Tanzania. Robert Browning and I, our advisory board, Bishop Peter Pharles Kissena and the staff of the diocese, the hundreds of pastors and women leaders, and the thousands of Tanzanians who are the beneficiaries of this ministry join together to thank God and the many, many supporters who have made this possible. Bwana ni mwema wakati wote! (God is good all the time!)

WORD

In 2003 at the invitation of then Bishop Peter Kitula (Diocese of Mara-Ukerewe, Africa Inland Church-Tanzania) a team of four traveled to Tanzania to lead a teaching conference for his pastors. Every year since, with the exception of 2020, a conference has been conducted for these faithful pastors and wives. In July of the coming year 400 pastors and wives will, by God’s grace, gather for the 25^th time! The benefits of these conferences are far-reaching. We have testimony from three AIC-T bishops that the Diocese of Mara-Ukerewe is the healthiest spiritually and the most unified of the seven dioceses in the denomination. Each year we hear from pastors that the biblical and theological content received at the conferences shapes their preaching and teaching for the months ahead. We also hear that these conferences enable them to continue in their ministries. They tell us that without the conferences they would be tempted to give up.

In January 2018 a second conference for women leaders was begun. Some 150 women’s ministry, children’s ministry, and Bible study leaders gathered for teaching, spiritual encouragement, prayer, and worship. In January of this year the fifth conference for women was conducted with 400 in attendance. The benefits for these women are as significant for them as for the pastors and wives. Individual donors and two foundations have made these conferences possible. The conferences are the critical center of the ministry of Transforming Tanzania and we thank God for those who have made them possible!

WATER

Also in 2003 our team visited several villages, among them the village of Masinono. We met with village and church leaders to learn more about their community and its needs. Their greatest concern was access to safe, clean water. During dry seasons the women of the village walked at least 4-8 miles one way to secure unclean, disease-laden water for their families. The leaders of the village had initiated a voluntary program inviting villagers to contribute to a fund for the drilling of a deep-water well. After three years they had accumulated 1/3 of the cost. It would be at least six more years before sufficient funds would enable them to achieve their goal. They decided to use the funds to address other needs in their community.

Five years later a group of businessmen in Vero Beach, Florida contributed $9,000 for a deep-water well in Masinono. Today, nearly 18 years later, that well continues to produce. There are hundreds of children and young adults in Masinono who have no memory of their mothers walking those distances to secure water for them. This is true in numerous other villages in the diocese.

Since 2008 195 projects have been completed. Over 600,000 people benefit. All of these wells continue to produce. The success of this effort lies, ultimately, with a gracious and merciful God who sees the sufferings of the needy and acts (Psalm 9:18; 72:13). At the human level this remarkable and on-going effort has been guided by Mr. Peter Ngwili, Director of Community Development for the diocese. Each of these water wells is managed by a committee selected from a local church in the diocese. Peter and his team conduct multiple training sessions where these projects have been completed. His work and training have ensured the sustainability of these water wells.

In addition to overseeing the well projects, Peter and his team train church and village leaders in the Church and Community Mobilization Process. The CCMP is a 4-5 year course of instruction in relationship to God through Jesus Christ, and systematic training in community and economic development. The program has been completed in 50 villages and is currently under way in another 20. Those who have traveled to the diocese and have been in the villages where Peter’s team has conducted this training have heard the stories of personal and community transformation that results. One pastor describes Peter’s work as ‘discipling people out of poverty and into productivity’. Scores of people have come to faith in Jesus Christ and hundreds are rising from economic dependence to wholistic life renewal. Currently, fourteen churches provide the funding needed to keep Peter on the field doing what he loves! Without their help this work would not be possible. On behalf of Peter, his team, and the thousands of Tanzanians being served, thank you!

WELLNESS

In 2025 a very significant goal was reached which is having far-reaching benefit in the diocese. A two-theater surgical suite with furnishings was completed at the Health Center in Musoma. Over $250,000 was raised by generous donors to finish this facility. In July of last year, a surgeon from Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Mel Payne, traveled with our team to visit the facility. His purpose was to learn: what are the needs and opportunities that medical professionals from the US might help to address. While with the staff at the Health Center Dr. Payne participated in several surgical procedures. Dr. Payne and Dr. Martin Fleming (who also has visited the Health Center) are currently recruiting a team who hope to come to the diocese in July 2027. We are trusting God that this medical mission trip will be the first of many organized to serve the Health Center and the many men, women, and children of the region in need of various surgeries. Again, we thank God for donors who have contributed so generously to the health initiatives of the diocese.

HOPES FOR 2026-27

Please pray with us as we continue to partner with the diocese. God has done immeasurably more than we could possibly have imagined, and we look to Him for His faithfulness as we move forward.

Pray for funding that will enable us to conduct conferences for pastors and wives, and women leaders. We thank God that funding has been received for the 2026 Pastors’ Conference. Need: $90,000 for 2027 conferences.
Since 2008 our goal has been for each church in the diocese to have a deep-water well as a ministry to its wider community. There are currently 218 churches in the diocese with additional church plants envisioned. Please pray that the original goal can be met in the next 18 months. Need: 30 new water projects-$450,000.00
The addition of the surgical suite has enabled the Health Center to provide much needed services to surrounding region. The population of the area is approximately 300,000 people. There is one X-ray facility to serve that population. Please pray that the funds for an X-ray machine and the facility to house it could be raised. Total cost: approximately $100,000; $70,000 has been committed. Need: $30,000

It is abundantly clear to us that none of this would be possible without faithful friends like you! May God bless you as you pray for Transforming Tanzania, and as you consider how you might help us reach these goals! Thank you so much.

Neema na amani (grace and peace),

Robert and Mike