FOURTH TRIP TO TANZANIA
The Journal of Elder Sam Bryant

Tuesday April 21, 2009

Elder Paul Blair and I left Birmingham, Alabama at 10:40 AM on April 21, 2009 for a sixteen-day trip to Tanzania in East Africa. I had not planned to make a trip this year. However, after Brother Obey’s untimely death on March 31st of this year, I felt a great desire and urgent need to visit his family and the church. When Elder Blair found out I was going he called and said he would like to go with me. I was delighted to have his company.

Wednesday 22, 2009

It takes 30 hours to make the trip. I grew weary along the way and thought about how hard the trip must have been for Brother Obey last November. Traveling this far is tiring when you are well and we know now he was far from well.

We arrived at the Dar Es Salaam Airport at 9:40 PM. It was sad to know Brother Obey would not be there waving and smiling from ear to ear and shouting, “Welcome to Tanzania.” Instead, we were met by Sister Mary who was weeping and asking, “Pastor Sam, where is Obey?” It is still hard to believe that Brother Obey is not with us any longer. Sister Ana from Kenya often says it just seems that Brother Obey is on a long trip and will be returning soon. Death is a gain for God’s children who depart this life but it can be an unspeakable loss to those who are left behind.

Brother Kenny, the deacon of the church, was with Sister Mary along with about 20 of the church members. We gathered in the parking lot and visited a few minutes and had prayer. Bro. Kenny drove us to a Swedish compound where we would spend the next two weeks. Sister Mary accompanied us. She and I had a long talk before they left us to go to their homes. She said Obey’s mother recently reminded her that he was very sickly as a child and had never been very healthy. However he never let that keep him from serving God.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Due to jet lag, I didn’t sleep much last night. I finally fell asleep about sun up. Early in the morning, Nelda called me on Brother Kenny’s phone. I was in a daze. I don’t think I made much sense on the phone but it was great to hear her voice. She was faithful to call almost every day.

Elders Charles Makori and Martin Onyon and his wife, Ana, and their son Vernon, who is eleven months old, had arrived from Kenya by bus. I had arranged for them to stay at the same compound with us for two weeks. They joined us for breakfast in the kitchen and we had the first of many good visits.

Obey’s brother Rejoice arrived around noon. It was so good to finally meet him. Brother Obey had told me so much about him. He is two years younger than Obey. I liked him instantly. He lived in the USA for seven years and speaks excellent English. He pastors a church in the Pentecostal denomination that he and Obey were raised in and is Vice Bishop of all the Pentecostal churches in Tanzania. He is a very busy man.

He told us about the funeral service at Mbeya. His father had been a pastor for many years and had gone through many trials in his life, but he had never seen his father weep until Obey’s funeral. He wept openly. Rejoice said that Obey had always lived such a humble life and was so loving and kind to everyone, even the pagans wept at the funeral. There were over one thousand people in attendance at the funeral including thirty pastors from different denominations. Elder Martin and others spoke. There was much weeping among the people; however as they gathered around the graveside, hundreds of people began singing hymns of praise.

At 4 PM today we left for the church service. The traffic was awful in Dar and we were late. I said I had learned that being late was a fine art in Africa. Rejoice said, “Time is our friend in Africa; in America, time is your enemy.” Bro. Paul said he asked Obey last July what he could bring to help the church members. Obey said, “wrist watches.” “How many,” Paul asked. Obey said, “Not to many, and not to few.” Rejoice said, “And what number is that?” We all laughed. Obey wanted his members to be at church on time but I don’t think the watches helped too much. Most of them have to walk wherever they go.

Many members had already gathered and were singing. Others came in later. They have learned some new songs and the singing was beautiful. Paul preached first. I followed and spoke on John 14:1-4. This was the last scripture Obey used in America in November of 2008. “Let not your heart be troubled.” Our hearts can be sad without being troubled as we remember that Christ is in the Father’s house and will be returning for us.

Rejoice asked to speak. A man named Elijah interpreted for Rejoice who spoke in English. He wanted to express his appreciation for the love we had for Obey. He also expressed appreciation for the money we sent to help pay for the funeral. He spoke good words. He made many statements that warmed my heart.

We drove back to our compound where the evening meal was ready. I was so thankful our brethren from Kenya were enjoying three good meals a day. They are very thin. We went to bed around 9:30PM and I slept until 1:30AM. I was wide-awake until about sun up. I went out on the porch and was soon joined by Paul. We discussed II Timothy chapter 2 for a long time. We discussed verse 10 and how much Obey had endured for the elect’s sake in east Africa. We also talked about the faithful men in verse 2 who would be able to teach others also. We prayed that God would bless the church in Tanzania with such men.

Friday, April 24, 2009

I finally fell asleep about 5AM and didn’t wake up until 10AM. I woke up to a beautiful morning. The ocean breeze was very pleasant. The temperature during the day would reach almost 100 and the humidity was very high. The ocean breezes were truly a blessing.

Kenny arrived at about 11:30AM with Brother Moses. We discussed many things about the church. We also talked to Brother Martin about the possibility of him coming to Dar to preach two Sundays a month. What a blessing it would be if Brother Martin could visit this church often until God raises up a new pastor in Tanzania.

After lunch we drove to the boarding school where Jenny is enrolled. She is Sister Mary’s oldest child. She is eighteen. We met with the head master first. Then he sent for Jenny. She wept as we talked about her dad. She seemed to really appreciate our visit and plans to be at church some.

We drove to the church and I had time to visit with Elijah, a pastor in the community who had become acquainted with Obey. He is well educated and speaks good English. He is a likeable person. I could see why Obey would have enjoyed his company. While Obey was in Kenya in the hospital, he had requested that Elijah perform the first wedding that was to be held in the Primitive Baptist Church in Dar. He is an ordained minister and had the necessary credentials to perform a wedding in Tanzania.

Elijah showed me his certificate from a bible college in Zambia. He said he and Obey had become friends a few weeks before Obey left for Kenya but they did not have much time to discuss doctrine. He expressed an interest in what we believe. I was thankful for that; however I told him anyone who desired to preach for the Primitive Baptist in Tanzania would have to study under Elder Martin and Elder Vernon Johnson for at least two years. He listened but did not comment.

The song service was a blessing to me. I had requested that the two ministers from Kenya preach this evening. Elder Charles went first. This dear brother wakes up at 5AM every Sunday morning and leaves his home at 5:30 walking to the church where he pastors. It takes him three hours. He rests from 8:30 to 9:00 and then conducts a worship service that lasts for two hours. Then he walks back home where he finally has some food! I felt honored to be in the presence of such a devoted servant of God.

He preached on Romans 8:2. He taught that the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sin and death. He went back to Genesis 3 and explained that sin and death came when Adam broke the law. He showed that all of Adam’s family was dead in sin. Eph. 2:1 He did a great job explaining that the first law freed us from the second law in verse two. Then he went to Ephesians 1:4 to show that the chosen of God were the ones who were set free by the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. It was a wonderful sermon.

Elder Martin greeted everyone in the name of Jesus Christ. He gave a brief description of the work in Kenya and how Elder Obey had been such a blessing to them. Obey had made 20-25 trips to Kenya. He stated that they now have five ordained elders and five churches due in large part to Elder Obey’s unselfish labors among them.

His text was from John 4. He explained that God seeks worship, but not just any kind. He said there are so many types of worship in the world but God desires to be worshiped in spirit and in truth. He said the word must does not leave us an option as to how God is to be worshiped. The question comes back to us, how are we worshiping God? The woman said we must worship in this mountain. Many say we must worship in Jerusalem, in Rome, in Mecca, etc. The location is not important but we must have the spirit and truth to worship acceptably, according to Jesus. God desires true worshipers. He also explained that one must be born of the spirit before they can worship in the spirit. It was a powerful sermon. Elders Johnson and Ivy have taught these brethren from Kenya well. They desire to talk about the Bible constantly and they are well versed in it.

These brethren preached in English and Rejoice translated their sermons in Swahili. I told Paul that Rejoice may not believe what Primitive Baptists believe but he sure preached it tonight! He even said, “Amen” at the end of Elder Martin’s sermon.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

I didn’t fall asleep until about 5AM this morning and I didn’t wake up until 10:40. I was supposed to meet Rejoice at 10:30 this morning to visit. I was hoping he was on African time! He was. He arrived around 11:00. We had another very good visit. He told me a lot about their childhood. During the eighteen years that Obey worked for the government in Tanzania, Obey helped support him in his early days in the ministry. He told me about thieves breaking into his house last year and robbing him and stabbing him. He still suffers from the injuries. We also discussed the big job Mary has in raising six children without a husband.

Paul spoke first tonight and brought a good message on the raising of Lazarus. I followed and spoke on baptism. At the end of this service, three came forward asking for baptism and were received. Brother Kenny’s wife was one of them. This was a great blessing to the church! We shook hands with them and enjoyed a good time of fellowship.

Sunday, April 26 2009

This morning I was asked to preach. After the preaching, Elders Charles and Martin baptized the new members. Bro. Martin acts like a seasoned pastor. I was able to provide a catered lunch for the church. There were over one hundred and twenty present but there was plenty of food. Potatoes, rice, greens, fruit, and chicken was served along with soft drinks.

Monday, April 27, 2009

I slept all night! Maybe the jetlag is over. Paul and I cooked some country ham that he had brought from west Tennessee and some fried eggs and toast. It was delicious.

Bro. Kenny had suggested that we visit in the homes of the members on Monday and Tuesday. We had never done this before. It was a joy to learn how the different members had come to believe our doctrine. Some live in a one or two room apartment. There are several couples with small children and it is crowded. By American standards, life is extremely hard for these people. But the joy of the Lord is in their hearts and they are committed to building on the foundation that Elder Obey laid.

One visit was in the home of Sister Josephine, a single 30-year-old schoolteacher. Her testimony was very special. She spoke with great respect about the late Pastor Obey, how he laid a foundation for her life and brought such peace and joy to her. She told us how much the truth had set her free from bondage. She said that Brother Obey would often pray for her and a certain health condition that she had struggled with was greatly improved. She offered us soft drinks and said that Pastor Obey had taught her to never let any guests come to her home without blessing them. She said if we didn’t receive what she offered, she would miss her blessing. She is highly respected by all the church. What a blessing it was to visit in her home.

This evening our vehicle broke down and we had to wait for someone to come get us. Dar is a city of five million people and we were surrounded by thousands of strangers as we waited. However, I never felt any fear. It might have helped to have Tall Paul with me. He’s 6’4” and weighs 280lbs! I stayed close to him.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

When I got to the veranda this morning, Paul was talking to two men from America. One was a physician’s assistant from New York State named Mark. They were looking for a good cup of coffee and I gave them a new bottle of Folgers instant coffee and two Folgers coffee bags. They were very thankful. I told Mark about some problems Brother Martin was having with his stomach. He examined him and said that he sees a lot of peptic ulcers in Africa. He gave him a round of antibiotics he had in his bag and some tablets. Later in the week Martin said he was feeling much better. This brother endures a lot to travel and preach in Kenya and Tanzania. Please keep him in your prayers.

We greatly enjoyed visiting more of the members in their homes today. We had so many good discussions on the scriptures. We would sing a few hymns and have prayer. We also got to visit in Sister Mary’s home. She has been sick with malaria this week.

My appreciation for Elder Obey’s work of faith and labor of love has increased dramatically on this trip. Visiting in the homes of the members and observing their steadfastness in the truth and their love for the simple ways of the Primitive Baptists has been wonderful to behold.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

This morning I got Brother Martin to tell us about Obey’s last days in Kenya. He has promised to share all of this with us in a written account. During the 2 months he was in the hospital in Kenya, Obey’s winning ways had won the love and respect of many people in Kenya who were not Primitive Baptists, including the doctors and nurses who cared for him.

All of a sudden, we started hearing loud explosions that shook the buildings where we were. At a distance, we could see great clouds of smoke. It scared everyone. We had no idea what was going on but later found out that there was an accident at a military armory about four miles from us. Twenty- nine people were killed and over two hundred were injured. What a tragedy!

I had requested that three young men be asked to preach for us tonight. Brother Obey had been using them in their Sunday evening services. Brother Kenny introduced them and said they had 10-15 minutes each! Brother Moses went first. He spoke on Psalm 121. He did well. His brother Anthony spoke on Isaiah Chapter 1:18. He is blessed with a powerful voice and strong delivery. Thaddeus spoke on Acts 3: 1-11 and compared their church to the lame man that lay at the gate after their late pastor Obey’s death. He said the brethren from Kenya and America were like the apostles that did not give silver and gold but such as they had, they gave unto the church and now the church was able to walk and leap and praise God again! Imagine how the only Primitive Baptist church in Tanzania felt after losing their pastor who was the only Primitive Baptist minister in their country. He said our visit was right on time. How encouraging those words were to me.

These three men are novices but I certainly felt good about their ability to speak in the Spirit and teach what was in their hearts. They will be studying with Elder Martin and also, by way of the internet, with Elder Vernon Johnson. They are bright young men who are eager to learn. After they finished, I admonished the church to love these gifts and not turn their efforts into a preaching contest. I quoted from 1Corinthians 1 to show how churches can become divided over gifts. I then quoted from 1Cor 12:12 to show how a church has many members but one body and how all the members are to work together for the good of the body. I got great response from the church. These three brethren are loved and respected.

Following the preaching service, four came forth for baptism, including Brother Elijah. He had to go back for some clothes. Elders Charles and Martin administered the baptisms. The church seemed happy to receive Elijah and he seemed very happy. I was surprised but thankful. He and I had enjoyed some long discussions about the doctrine. The other ministers were in on these discussions and we were pleased with his submission to the word of God. He is a talented man with a great singing voice. He would be a great blessing to the church if he is truly convicted in his heart that Primitive Baptist are the true church of Christ.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

This evening I spoke on the difference between eternal salvation and salvation in time. The first one is a gift and the second one is to a great extent conditional on our obedience. I explained that this is a major key in understanding and rightly dividing the word of God. Elijah endorsed it strongly. This was the primary point that persuaded Brother Obey to become a Primitive Baptist. Rejoice was listening. Then we had a long question and answer session. I felt very good about the service.

Friday, April 31, 2009

We are not having a service today. We had a restful morning and I got to visit a lot with Martin and Charles.
Around noon Kenny and Anthony drove us to Rejoice’s home where we had lunch. He lives in a very comfortable house. They had electric fans and Bill Gaither’s tape playing on the TV. However they do not have running water. His children told me how much they miss pizza and hamburgers in America. I shared my snicker bars with them and I think I made some friends! Before we left we sung some hymns and Rejoice asked me to offer prayer. I felt blessed as I prayed in this family’s home. Rejoice was weeping. He feels deeply the loss of his brother. He told me that if Obey had lived another ten years it would have been amazing to see what he could have accomplished.

We said good-bye and drove to the Indian Ocean for a little outing. The Kenyans really enjoyed this. It was a beautiful beach. Little Vernon played in the sand. We drove back to the compound where we enjoyed more good fellowship and bible conversations until bedtime.

Saturday May 1, 2009

Today, we met at 3:00PM for song service. Brother Paul preached on charity from I Cor. 13. I followed him and used the same subject. Then we had communion and feet washing service. It was such a joy to see Gift and Given, Brother Obey’s twin boys, washing each other’s feet. We enjoyed many blessings in this service.

Afterwards, the church went into a business meeting and asked me to serve as moderator. A motion was made and seconded to call Elder Martin as their pastor. The vote was unanimous. Elder Martin had visited this church a number of times and they had learned to love him and trust him. I suggested that he make one trip a month staying for two Sundays. This way he would only have to make one bus trip a month. It takes 25 to 30 hours one way on the bus. He agreed to this and so did the church. On the other two Sundays, the church will use the three young men who have been exercising their gifts. I also suggested that the church open a checking account with a local bank and have three members who are authorized to write checks. All three signatures would be required on each check. The church also voted to do this. At the end of the business meeting the church expressed their joy in having a pastor and 3 young gifts in their church. Here in America, we are half a world away from these brethren but we can support them with our prayers and words of encouragement. They have a lot of responsibility and they need to know we are not going to forget them.



Sunday, May 2, 2009

I woke up at 7AM and got Paul up. We cooked country ham, fried eggs, and toast. Anthony and Moses came to get us at 9:00. Singing started at 10AM. We sung until 11:00 and I was asked to preach. At 12:00 noon, we started a memorial service for Brother Obey. Rejoice and his family joined us for this service. Elders Charles, Paul, and Martin spoke. Then brother Kenny spoke. Rejoice spoke on behalf of the Mwakalonge family. This service lasted until 2:30. We had been in service for four and a half hours. I was asked to speak. They say in Africa, “The white man has the clock, Africans have the time.” The people were very patient. We had a closing prayer and dinner was served. It was another blessed day. I hope we can have the memorial service transcribed. People here in America would enjoy what these men said, especially the message brought by Brother Kenny.

This evening I got to visit with Moses for a while in the veranda. He told me that what Obey taught him had blessed his life so much. He felt he had been lifted him out of a hole. He said that he had wanted to die. He had a problem with his hand and it would not stop shaking. Obey taught him and prayed for him and told him to be faithful to God and the church, “This is where your blessing is” Obey said. He taught him to sing the hymns and think about them and hide their message in his heart. His hand had stopped shaking and his heart was filled with joy. He is now one of the main song leaders in the church. I turned to Psalm 40:2 and read this passage. “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. Many shall see it and fear and shall trust in the Lord.” Moses lifted his hands towards heaven and said, “This is my verse.” I sat there amazed.
I was visiting with a brother who had experienced the reality of Psalms 40: 2-3 in such a dramatic way. It was a high moment in my life as I thought about what the gospel can do for God’s children.

Monday, May 3, 2009

It was raining this morning. I felt refreshed and was looking forward to a good cup of coffee. I was the only one up. I sat in the veranda and thought about what a blessing this compound has been to us and how safe it is here. Swedes built it in the 1960’s. It has a wall all around it with guards at the gate. We get to meet so many interesting people from many different parts of the world who come here to spend a night or two on their way to some place in Tanzania. Some come for safaris. We have met doctors, nurses, builders, and people from many walks of life who have a love for Africa and want to help in some way. I have also enjoyed many good conversations in this place with missionaries who are trying to save Africans from hell. Needless to say, I have tried to save them from false doctrine!

I visited with one who has been in very remote places in Africa where the gospel had never been preached. I asked him if he had ever seen any evidence that the Holy Spirit had already worked in some of the people and made a change in them before he arrived. He told me he had seen that many times. We talked about the Spirit of God going where he pleases just like the wind does. He seemed interested in my views. I gave him my address. I hope someday to hear from him.

I enjoyed a visit with a 74year old businessman from Washington State. He spends 3 months a year in Tanzania building medical clinics in very remote areas. He does it without charge. He told me he had been in Africa on his last three wedding anniversaries. His wife told him if he was in Africa for their 50th anniversary, he could just stay in Africa. So he took her to Hawaii for 6 weeks to celebrate their 50th.

I’m so glad the Kenyans could stay with us. There are three houses in the compound for rent and also ten private rooms. We have hot water for showers and air conditioning that works ok. We are allowed to use one of the stoves in the kitchen and have one shelf in a refrigerator. The cost is very reasonable. They charge $20 per night for each person which is a lot of money in Tanzania but Brother Obey always wanted us to stay in a safe place.

Tuesday, May 4, 2009

I woke up at 5:30 this morning and started packing for the trip home. I wrote a letter to Barnabus, Obey’s oldest son. We left at about 2:00pm for Mary’s house. I had another good visit with her. She is very weak from the malaria. Barnabus read my letter and hugged me and thanked me for our visit. He is 15 and a very good boy. Mary showed me the lot Obey had bought to build a house on. He was able to finish the foundation. She told me she wanted to stay in Dar so her children could continue to hear the truth preached. Hopefully, she can.

As we said goodbye, I encouraged them to take care of their health. The average life span in Tanzania is 45. Kenny spoke and said two weeks had passed like two days. He talked about how timely our visit had been. Rejoice spoke. He said Obey had invited him many times to come to church when we were in Tanzania but he always thought he was too busy. How he wished he had come when Obey was alive. Many of us wept. Four of the brethren drove us to the airport where we caught a 10:50PM flight back to America.

Wednesday May 5, 2009

Nelda met us at the Birmingham Airport at 4:30 PM. We had been up for about 45 hours. It was good to be home with my dear wife. Bro. Paul took a shower at our house and drove five hours to his home. He had certainly been a blessing.

One night on this trip I had a sweet dream. In the dream, a wealthy man offered the use of his jet plane so I could travel to Tanzania any time I wanted to. I could be there in one hour and twenty minutes. I could spend the day in Tanzania and be back home by bedtime! What a dream.

I hope this journal will encourage many of you to pray for the Primitive Baptists in east Africa. They are young in the faith and there are wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is my prayer that God will keep them safe from anyone who does not love them and the truth they embrace. I also hope this will encourage other ministers to visit the Primitive Baptists in east Africa soon even though it takes 30 hours one way! And if anyone should desire to help Sister Mary and the church in Dar financially, it would be deeply appreciated.


In gospel labors,
Elder Sam Bryant

Elder Sam Bryant's Account of Tanzania Trip

5/1/2009 Email from Elder Sam Bryant:
Beloved,

I hope this finds all of you enjoying good health and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. I am thankful for the blessing of visiting the church here in Tanzania shortly after Brother Obey's departure to Heaven. My appreciation for his work of faith and labor of love is greater than ever. As Brother Paul and I have visited in the homes of the members who were converted to the truth by Brother Obey, we have been amazed at their understanding of the gospel of grace. Brother Kenny told me this morning how much he loves the doctrine of grace and how much joy and peace it has brought him and how he loves to share it with others. I was so encouraged Wednesday night to hear the 3 brethren preach. Brother Obey had been using them a lot in the evening service. All three have talents to speak and teach in the Spirit. What a great blessing! And Elder Martin has agreed to pastor them for a while and be with them 2 Sunday's a month.

Brother Rejoice has joined us for services twice this week. He is a very busy man. He is vice bishop of the Pentecostal church in all of Tanzania. He also pastors a church here in Dar. He has shared so much with me about their childhood and how much Obey was loved in their home town of Myeba. He has agreed to give a written account of the funeral service for me to send out to PBs in America. He said there were over a 1,000 people attending the service. Elder Martin from Kenya spoke at the service along with others. Brother Rejoice told me that Brother Obey was so kind and humble and loving to everyone, even the pagans wept. He told me he had never seen his father weep in all his life but when he received the news about Obey's death he wept. However, at the graveside, he and Elder Martin said over a thousand voices were singing the praise of God.

Last night, I spoke on the difference between conditional time salvation and eternal salvation which is all by grace. Several people told me they noticed Brother Rejoice listening very carefully. What a blessing if he could see this wonderful truth.

Brother Paul has been such a help on this trip. He has such a love for these people and they love him. If a person is blessed to see beyond the poverty of this country and the sad living conditions they are trapped in and just see the people and their wonderful personalities and their love for God and for one another and their deep gratitude for what little they have and their close family ties you find yourself thinking that they are rich in what really matters.

I believe the foundation Brother Obey laid here in Tanzania is firm and the converts to the truth will continue to build on this foundation. They needed a visit from someone in Ameirca and they will continue to need our fellowship and encouragement and prayers.

We will have a communion and feet washing service tomorrow and we will also help them conduct a business meeting. On Sunday we will have a regular worship service and then serve a meal for them as we did last Sunday. What a joy it is to be able to serve them a meal of riceand potatoes and chicken and salad anf fruit and soft drinks. There are usually about 100 who attend these meetings. On behalf of all the people here who enjoy these blessings, I would like to say thanks to all of you who have helped make it possible for me to provide a meal for them.

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Sam