Category "Monthly Newsletters"

Last month’s Challenge of Africa newsletter experienced a minor technical issue. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and we’re happy to report that our dedicated team has resolved the problem. You should now be able to open and enjoy this March issue—and all other publications—without difficulty.

As our “winter” visit draws to a close, the work here continues without pause. We are deeply grateful to all of you who faithfully support the many facets of the Chimala Mission. Your encouragement and generosity make this work possible, and we are grateful to walk alongside you in this mission effort. Thank you for reading!

This month’s featured image reveals healthy green corn growing beside the CSOP dorm, with majestic mountains standing watch in the background. Beautiful scenes like these are not the only things seen regularly on any given day at Chimala Mission. Across the mission, good works, repairs, teaching, training, growing things–a host of activities define the purpose of this place. We hope you will enjoy reading this month’s issue of the Challenge of Africa!

Happy New Year 2026! We have been blessed with the start of a brand new year–a clear calendar year to worship and praise our God with opportunities to perform service and “to be ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1). In this new January issue of the Challenge of Africa, you are invited to consider both general and specific good works. Our investments help ensure the future of the growth of God’s kingdom in Tanzania for generations to come. Thanks for reading!

Highlighted in this December issue of the Challenge of Africa, are a number of areas that 1) give us reason to hope, rejoice and be thankful, 2) remind us to stay cautious and focused, 3) and motivate us to look for financial help and prayers for equipment to save infants. The work of the Chimala Mission has always been a mixed bag; but what a blessing it continues to be to the Lord’s church and the community it serves in Tanzania! Another year has nearly passed and already we are making plans for the future in 2026. Thank you for reading!

The regular practice of thanksgiving is a godly expression that calls for reflection and appreciation for the blessings we have received. Family, friends, health, and the basic necessities of life all come from the bountiful hand of God. At present, all of our Chimala missionaries are back in the U.S. for furlough. After spending two years at the Chimala Mission, Nathan, Kristi, Eden, Emmy, Rowan, and Ava are now home for a time of rest and renewal. Lee, Tara, Emily, and Brody are scheduled to return to Chimala soon; however, their plans are currently uncertain due to the unsettled political situation following a controversial Tanzania presidential election. Your prayers during this uncertain time are especially needed and deeply appreciated.

The Bible describes the Lord’s church as a “body” made up of many members. Each member is important and unique in it’s own way (cf. 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Rom. 12:4-5; Eph. 4:11-12). The same principle is true of the Chimala Mission and it’s long history of men and women who have served there. This month’s “featured image” is provided by courtesy of a dear sister in Christ who served in the 1990’s at Chimala alongside her husband. While this is quite a list, it only tells part of the story of all those who preached the gospel, taught children and ladies, constructed buildings, mended sick and broken bodies, spent lonely months and years away from dear ones at home, and did a thousand other things typical of those who only want the Lord’s church to thrive and outlive their efforts for another generation. Thank you for reading!

There are few things more enjoyable than to behold a classroom of small children greeting you in unison with a “Good morning!” The children in this month’s featured image know they are someplace special when they hear daily words from the Bible. Yes, mission work with schools, hospitals, and cultural differences is a messy business–and truly, there is still much to do. But few efforts are more rewarding. Thank you for reading this month’s issue of The Challenge of Africa!

The cool mornings and picture-perfect days of Chimala’s “winter” (which coincides with our summer) have quickly given way to a season of dry, hot days at the Chimala Mission. The seminars and Gospel Chariot campaigns are now behind us. While the number of new conversions was fewer than we had hoped, the gospel was faithfully preached in its pure and simple truth—and we know that God is pleased. In areas where we continue to face challenges, signs of hope and progress are beginning to emerge. Hope is in the air. We trust you’ll enjoy this month’s issue of The Challenge of Africa.

Like most issues of the Challenge of Africa, this month’s edition is a mixture of short articles and associated pictures of people, places and events within the work and influence of the Chimala Mission. The front page, however, may be somewhat of a surprise due to serious concerns about a possible closure of the hosptial. Difficult circumstances call for difficult decisions. Bernard Kulanga, in this month’s “featured image” seen speaking to a large group of preachers duing the preachers’ seminar, understands this difficulty as he had served as CMH director for 27 years. The trials of our faith – and our works – are designed to “try every man’s work of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:13). Yes, this is a trial of the Chimala Mission–for it’s leaders, it’s staff, and it’s supporters. Will we pass the test? Thanks for reading!

The importance of our missionaries to the overall success of the Chimala Mission cannot be overestimated. In this month’s featured image, Emily Wright celebrates her 16th birthday with family and friends at Chimala. Being available for “one another” helps make mission work, so far away from home, sucessful. We hope you’ll read in this month’s newsletter of ways YOU can help others who find themselves in need. Thanks for reading!

The “featured pic” for this month’s newsletter shows Rowan waiting in the truck ready to return home after a long Sunday where the Ferguson and Wright families worshipped at the Uyole church of Christ near Mbeya. The influence of our Chimala missionaries cannot be overestimated as they work hard not only with the various departments, but also serve as Christian examples before the local churches. Even in the modern age of computer media and AI, there’s still no substitute for just being there. Thanks for reading!

I haven’t put up an animal picture in quite a while, so I thought I’d include this pic of baboons taken along the road going up to the Ailsa farm. But putting all “monkey-business” aside, this month’s issue of the Challenge of Africa touches on several serious matters about the future of the Chimala Mission, as well as a little April Fool’s shinanigan. Thanks for reading!

Believe it or not, the world is growing smaller with the advancement of technology, air travel, and the ever-widening global marketplace. Even in a place as far away as Tanzania, what seemed impossible just 20 years ago is now commonplace. The abundant availability of school supplies, as seen in this month’s featured image—such as rulers, erasers, pencil sharpeners, pens, etc.—has made the necessity of sending expensive shipping containers a thing of the past. Such advancements are helping to make the Chimala Mission a much more efficient and effective mission effort. Thanks for reading!

Going back to Chimala is almost like going back in time. Things are a little bit slower and more down-to-earth. But there’s a trade off. The lack of efficiency and unreliable electricity can test your patience. Patience can be improved, but few electrical devices do well with anything short of premium electrical power. While Chimala is “in the bush”, our hospital equipment is not bush-proof. Damage can cost tens of thousands of dollars. And that’s exactly what we need to get our electrical power source up to par, and our equipment repaired. Please read how you can help. Thanks!

Greetings and Happy New Year! God has blessed the Chimala Mission with the completion of another year and all of the possibilities that await us in 2025. With the faith and prayers of our supporters, God is able to bring about great blessings in the future as He has in the past. It is exciting to contemplate. Thank you for reading the January 2025 issue of The Challenge of Africa!

Traditionally, the month of December is the season of giving; giving love, giving help, and giving thanks. But for the Chimala Mission, December has also been chosen as the season of giving HOPE. The Hope For Humanity Fund Drive offers our readers the opportunity to give a special boost financially to ensure the Chimala Mission remains a beacon of goodness and hope to the surrounding Chimala community. May God bless you and yours this Christmas season. Thanks for reading!

This month’s “featured image” is a stunning view high up above the boys’ dorm of the Herring Christian Secondary School situated nearby the meandering Chimala River, the western border of the mission. We hope you can appreciate the fact that the Chimala Mission estate is not only a large and busy place but also unique in its beauty. Thanks for reading!

Our “ever-changing” world will never outmaneuver the never-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. Each soul ultimately needs one thing: his/her soul’s salvation through the blood of Jesus. Fortunately for that reason, our job at the Chimala School of Preaching is fundamentally stable: teaching the doctrine of Christ to those who will learn and then teach others also (cf. 2 Timothy 2:2). We hope you will enjoy this month’s newsletter to get a peek at the various tools of seminars, campaigns, and week-end evangelism used at the CSOP. Thank you for reading!

The “featured image” captured at dusk betrays the real suffering taking place inside these wards. In the story of the Persistent Widow of Luke 18:1-8, Jesus said the judge finally responded to her plea not because he feared God nor man, but only because she kept “bothering” (ESV) him. Persistent prayer and action are the keys to genuine faith (James 2) and answered prayer. It is not a “bother” to God; but sometimes it is a bother to us. As you read this month’s newsletter, please forgive me for “bothering” you about the needs of the Chimala Mission. Only until you see inside these wards can you really understand why I keep asking. Thank you for reading.

Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one…And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Eccl. 4:9, 12). We are pleased to announce in this month’s newsletter the arrival of Lee, Tara, Emily and Brody Wright to the Chimala Mission family. It’s a perfect time to announce their arrival to join Nathan, Kristi, Eden, Emmy and Rowan as we highlight our missionaries in this month’s newsletter. Thank you for reading!

Cooler days are now at Chimala as “winter” time sets in the month of July. But the cooler days are as short as the Herring Christian Secondary School “summer break”. Students are now back in class and many of them have been preparing for the all-important national examinations. Spiritually-speaking, however, our desire is to help them prepare for the Great Examination Day when all mankind will stand before the Throne of God. Thank you for reading!

And “how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14). The Chimala Mission Primary School was originally designed to educate children to read and understand the Bible–and ultimately to learn of salvation through Jesus Christ. In this issue of the Challenge of Africa, the emphasis is upon the effectiveness and needs of the CMPS. The featured image is head teacher, Venance Mwangelile presiding over the morning devotional period. Thank you for reading!

Since the opening of the Chimala Mission Hospital (CMH) in 1965, an incredible amount of effort has been given over the years in helping with the medical needs of the people within the Mbarali District and beyond. In this month’s Challenge of Africa, hospital director, Exavery Ngullo has happily provided our readers with short stories and typical scenes around CMH. Thank you for reading!

With the world’s population of over 7 billion people, there is no end to the many opportunities to do good. The difference is in the methods, how those occasions present themselves to us, and in areas that require change. That’s what makes the Chimala Mission so versatile for Christians who are continually looking for ways and means to “do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). Surely abundant doors of opportunity are swinging on hinges as described in this month’s Challenge of Africa! Thanks for reading.

“Preach the word!” Educating people about God and salvation through Jesus Christ as described in the Bible, is the premium work of mission work anywhere in the world. The Bible students in this featured image are shown with their new homemade quilts donated from the States. This is just a small token of appreciation for the kingdom work they will do in the future, Lord willing. Thanks for reading!

This month’s featured image brings to mind the words from Robert Moffatt that stirred young David Livingston’s heart to leave Scotland and begin his legendary mission efforts in Africa: “I have seen, at different times, the smoke of a thousand villages—villages whose people are without Christ, without God, and without hope in the world.” Viewed from atop the Ailsa farm are the homes of the people living in and around Chimala that are daily influenced by the works you help support. Thank you for reading!

There’s nothing like beginning a brand new year with new conversions to Jesus Christ. In the featured image, Nathan is standing with a group of Masai children at the village of Matabete where six Masai young people obeyed the gospel. You can read about more successes and challenges to greater works in this month’s Challenge of Africa. Thanks for reading!

In behalf of the Chimala Mission, Mary and I would like to thank each one of you for your love, prayers, encouraging words, and financial support for this great evangelistic effort in Tanzania. As 2023 comes to an end, we would greatly appreciate congregations to consider taking a special collection for the “Hope for Humanity Fund Drive” effort. This is a yearly effort to help shore-up the mission’s financial house in preparation for the 2024 year. We are always asking that the Lord’s will be done for good in all things concerning Chimala; and we pray that you can be a part of helping make that hope come true. Thanks for reading!

November is typically the month that things slow down a bit at the Chimala Mission. The CSOP students have concluded their classes, graduated, and returned home to their families. The primary and secondary schools are wrapping up their examinations and preparing to return home. Even the Chimala Mission Hospital slows down as farmers return to their fields in time for planting season rather than taking the time for their health. It’s also a good time for returning missionaries as it gives them time to acclimate and fall back into the routine of living and working at Chimala. But busy times are right around the corner as January approaches. Thanks for reading!

The world is a big place but is getting smaller and smaller every day. What is the “best” way to get the gospel to all the world? Long-term or short-term mission work? Through radio, TV, preaching schools, internet? The list goes on. All of these are good and productive. But it is doubtful that there will ever be a better method to win souls than through the personal touch of one-to-one relationships. That method is the heart and soul of the Chimala Mission. Thanks for reading!

The gospel of Christ continues to be preached as a result of the work of the Chimala Mission. In this month’s “featured image”, a group of Christians at the newly formed church at Njombe are being spiritually fed from God’s word. The efforts at Chimala Mission are the results of dedicated and giving Christians like you who continue to provide prayers, encouragement and even physical assistance where it is most effective in changing people’s viewpoint towards the eternal. Thanks for reading!

The month of August has definitely been a month of travel. Travel from Mbeya, TZ to Nashville, TN, travel to give mission reports, and travel to Polishing the Pulpit in Sevierville, TN. Speaking of travel, we are pleased to announce the decision the Wrights have made to move and work at Chimala beginning in January 2024. Lord willing, Lee, Tara, Emily and Brody will be making the bold move to give a small part of their lives to working at the Chimala Mission. Please open and read more about Lee’s family and their hearts’ commitment to serve in East Africa.