“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
3 John 1:4
What JOY it is to send you greetings in this season of thanksgiving and Christmas cheer! The picture above was taken with our whole team when Peter’s sister Joy came to visit for her 60th birthday celebration. The joy of this special gathering of our growing family reminds me of the great gathering of the growing family of God that we all have to look forward to!
We are grateful to share with you a glimpse of the fruit of His faithful leading and providing as we go DEEP to go FAR.
Layer upon Layer: The Wild Hope Retreat and Training Center
We praise the Lord for the growing opportunities that we have to work, pray, and strategize together with like-minded organizations equipping Africans to rise up into their call to reach every tongue, tribe, and people for Christ.
Measuring the impact of a leader’s personal transformation and training is challenging. Yet, in the past 18 months alone, we have empowered 294 leaders from 20 organizations, representing ministries across Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These leaders directly influence over 6,000 people, and their reach extends indirectly to more than 100,000. This growth and ripple effect testify to the power of cultivating strong leaders who uplift entire organizations and communities.
We keep making strides toward the goal of becoming self-sustaining, and the growing number of people and organizations that come for spiritual retreats is part of this momentum.
Thank you for praying for the increase of staff, furnishings, and maintenance that are a part of a God-glorifying community serving with excellence. A camping place on the land is the next step toward hosting larger numbers of youth in particular.
Reaching the Unreached
Sarah and Solomon were trained as church planters in 2002 through CMF (Christian Missionary Fellowship) in Tanzania. The Kipi and Kukan young families began their church planting efforts in Emurtoto, Tanzania, along the Kenyan border.
Sarah and Solomon have continued to be a part of CMF’s church planters training team since it began in 2005. During those years, over 60 tribes have been represented in this training. Sarah has also been a part of a missionary wives’ ministry team, traveling to minister to the wives who are on the front lines of these church planting ventures, often in very difficult settings.
Pictured above are the most recent graduates of the CMF Tanzania church planting course on November 14, 2024. Thank you for praying for these precious pioneers for Christ, and for the faithful input the Kipis have in mentoring in the topics of personal relationship to God, godly relationships (marriage and parenting) in the family, spiritual warfare, and the love of the Father. While Sarah is healing the Lord continues to grant the Kipis fruitful ministry opportunities.
Sarah and Solomon appreciate so much your prayers and support. Over five months have passed since Sarah’s brain surgery and her follow-up appointments have shown good progress. Join us in praying for Sarah’s eyesight to be fully restored, particularly in her right eye, so that she will be able to read again. Sarah’s distance vision continues to improve. Pray also for a good balance of activity and rest as well as accurate medication levels.
Enduata Christian Pre-Primary English Medium School
The Enduata school is growing and expanding! We praise the Lord for the team of teachers and for Wild Hope partners who have given towards the land, two additional classrooms, and a bathroom block. We praise the Lord for these significant steps in the development of the school toward reaching all the government requirements.
Mission teams coming with English lessons, activities, and games have been an ideal way to enhance learning and we are grateful for the many ways they have served.
From Generation to Generation!
“Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4
In August, the handsome young man pictured with Peter above walked up to us at our campsite, and with his beautiful smile, in perfect English, asked if we knew who he was. “I am Jacob and my father is John Ole Ntuma,” he said. John was one of Peter’s key disciples across the border in Kenya in the 90’s. John had sent his son Jacob with this message:
“Tell Menye Sankale thank you for sharing the Gospel with me and my family; it has changed our lives and the lives of our community.”
And then Jacob said very intentionally, “And I want to tell you that I too have been changed by the Gospel, and I will take the Gospel to my generation.”
What a gift to hear those words! A lot has changed since the Ntuma family lived in a small mud and dung house in Torosei. Jacob now works in Nairobi, using his Master’s degree in social work. It made me smile, realizing that I was also looking at the fruit of his mother Mary’s excellent work as a lead artisan with our Wild Hope Artisan Project, earning money that helped pay for his education.
How powerful and encouraging it is to see leaders like Jacob who, with the benefits of education and modernization, are still humble, faithful followers of Jesus, serving others and dedicated to living unashamedly for Him.
We are so grateful how your partnership in the Gospel enables us to press on toward the goals that God has given us of seeing Africans raised up to reach other Africans with the life transforming message of Christ.
Over the next few weeks, we will be releasing a series of brief video vignettes highlighting other ways God is working through Wild Hope’s programs here in Tanzania. View them on Facebook or Instagram or on our website to see exciting updates on our water project, Wild Hope team, and our partnership with Samuel Senwa working to bring new animal husbandry practices to the Maasai.
Would you consider a special gift supporting Wild Hope as we empower African leaders to transform their communities? Use the Donate button below to donate online or send a check to Wild Hope International, P.O. Box 40576, Pasadena, CA 91114. Giving “Where needed most” helps us plan for the needs of the new year.
Thank you again for your faithful support, and may God’s blessings fill your hearts during this special season,
Tammy Russell (for Peter too)
Directors Wild Hope International