Elders Sam Bryant & Paul Blair Arrive Safely in Tanzania

4/26/2009 Email from Elder Sam Bryant:
Beloved,
Elder Paul Blair and I arrived in Dar Es Salaam on Apr, 22nd at 9:40 PM. We had always been greeted at the airport by Elder Obey and Sister mary, their children, and 15 or 20 of the church members. There was always such a joy to see that tall thin African waving those long arms, and smiling from ear to ear, and shouting "Welcome to Tanzania", This time it was very sad. We were greeted by Sister Mary, she was weeping and asking "Pastor Sam, Where is Obey, Where is my Obey?" Sister Mary knows where brother Obey is. This question was her way of letting us know that her husband will not be coming back. He had been on many long trips, but always came back. She knows he will not be coming back this time. We were also greeted by a grieving church who have suffered a great loss. We had prayer, and brother Kenny drove us to our lodging.
We have been in four services and they have been richly blessed. Elder Obey's brother Rejoice has been with us most of the time and has been interpreting the sermons for us. He favors brother Obey. He is about 5'9" and a medium build. He is 2 years younger than Obey. He is well educated and speaks very good english. I liked him instantly. Today he was preaching at his home church. There is so much I hope to share about brother Rejoice when I return.
Elder Martin Morara Onyoni and Elder Charles Kenyanjui Makori have been with us the entire time. They preached on Friday Night. Brother Paul and I were deeply impressed and carried away with their ability to preach. Their knowledge of the truth is incredible. They are loved and highly respected by the church here. Elder Martin has agreed to preach 2 sundays a month for the church here. What a blessing.
Wednesday night we hope to hear three young gifts in the church preach. We do hope that God will richly bless them to continue the work that brother Obey has started. It would probably take three men to do all that he was doing. He was willing to spend and be spent in God's Service. There is so much more that \I would like to say but time is running out. Keep brother Paul and I in your prayers. Mary is OK, her faith is strong. We went to see Jenny at the school where she attends and whe was at church today.
God Bless,
Pastor Sam