I Came With My Answer

Over the past 3 months I have built a relationship with Joeli.  He's a young Tanzanian who works as a guard at the house where I currently live here in Dar. 

  Several years ago he represented Tanzania in the East African Power Lifting championship in Nairobi.  It's the only time he's ever been out of the country.  As you can imagine, he's rip- real rip!   I would almost go so far as to say that he's as rip as me- but it's good to remain modest about things like this :-) he he he....  

 He grew up Catholic, but hadn't attended church in years.  And had no intentions of changing. We have  had several conversations about God since I first met him. Each time,  I came away thinking that he was totally not interested.   About a month ago he suddenly asked me for a Bible.  He's been reading it on and off for several weeks.  One week ago we talked.  

"If you left work today where would you go?" I asked.  "Oh that's simple- I would head home."  

We chatted about his home for several minutes- the area of town he lives in, the part of the country he comes from etc... 

"What if you were to leave this life today Joeli, where would you go?" I continued.   "Err...I don't know...."   "but I think that's a very important question" he replied.  

As we talked I felt to challenge him.  "Jesus can give you assurance in your heart that you will go to heaven to be with him- are you ready to take that step?"  

"Hmmm....no. Not yet"  came his response.  "Give me one week to think about it and I will come with my answer next weekend when I'm back on duty". 

I thought he was just putting me off. 

This past weekend the rains came very heavy.  For four some hours it poured.  I didn't get outside to go to talk to Joeli during the rain.  And when I finally emerged I missed him- he had gone home. 

  The following day we met after a full week.   We chatted about the rain and the need for more.  Suddenly, he cut me short:  "I came with my answer Steve but you weren't around." The look in his eyes told me that he was hurt.    I apologized.  He continued: "I still have the same answer today though."   

I could see the hunger in his eyes.  "My answer, " said the former Tanzanian power-lifter "is that I want to give my life to Jesus".    We prayed together.    Jesus touched him as He always does anyone anywhere who comes with such a heart-felt answer.   

I learned a lesson:  often it's not asking the right questions as much as it is coming with the right answer.  "I want Jesus to do something for me!" What about you? 

It's who you know

The power went out late Friday afternoon.  Power rationing has started all over Dar so this was  somewhat expected.  After 12 hours, however, the normal time for power cuts the electricity did not come back on.  A full day went by.  Then 36 hours.  As I talked with people in the neighborhood, I heard the full story. 

 Thieves came to steal the oil inside the transformer supplying power to our area during the scheduled power rationing time.  They drilled a hole inside the side of the steel transformer 10 feet off the ground without anyone hearing anything despite the fact that the transformer is only 15 feet away from the neighbor's front gate.  

TANESCO, the Tanzanian power company came to investigate the problem.  Maximizing their service ethic to the fullest, they promptly refused to repair the problem and drove off.   The next day they returned to collect money from the inhabitants in our area to hire a night watchman to "protect" the transformer- 10 feet off the ground with visibility from any direction.   The whole situation seemed very fishy.  

We were told or maybe threatened would be a more adequate description of the communication that without money for a watchman and money for a new transformer there would be no more power. 

The house I currently rent belongs to a certain businessman known even to the president of Tanzania.  I called him on the phone.  "What do you think?" I asked him.  "Oh...this is a common scam that the TANESCO people try to earn some extra money" he replied.  "I will call the top manager and take care of it".  

3 hours later a TANESCO truck appeared with a brand new transformer.  After 80 some hours without power it was restored! Thank you to those who prayed.  God gave me great favor with this business man. He was able to accomplish in a few minutes what I couldn't get done in days. 

 It seems that the old saying is true: it's really who you know.  This businessman goes right to the top. He knows the most influential people in all of Tanzania.  He's on a first name basis with the power-brokers of Dar.  Yet, in Christ we have access to ONE way more influential and much more powerful than anyone in Dar or even in all of Tanzania for that matter! We know the Most High God.