John Rowse – November Update
Dear Praying Friends,
Last week, we had two good seminars here in Iringa town, with pastors and evangelists from two different districts. The second was less well attended. Nevertheless, on each occasion, the questions came fast—which was good, since it meant they were not in awe of Barton, the big man from the diocese, who was clearly right with me and wonderfully so (He is the head of the Evangelism Department)—and in the end the bulk of them seemed thoroughly persuaded. Barton, very tall, and healthily solid, with a large, deep voice, makes an impressive sight in his dark suit and dog collar. He comes across as serious, but every now and then, his head goes down and he cracks up laughing, drawing people in—they love it and love him. He’s Lutheran, but went to Carlyle College in Kenya, run by “the Church Army” (Evangelical Anglican). That’s where he got the goods! But it seems he hadn’t discovered quite how one question—the question of a believer who dies with unconfessed sin—exposes an enormous gap in people’s understanding of the gospel.
The Sunday before, I was with a newish Anglican church on the outskirts of town—that was fun. The church’s General Secretary came up to me afterwards, full of thanks: he was utterly convinced. Last Sunday we travelled far, far out of town to Wasa, a small church meeting about 50 km east of the road heading south from Iringa. That afternoon, Moses, one of the evangelists from that district—one of a number we’d picked up on the way—suddenly pricked up his ears and began popping one question after another, until he was right with us. He was so happy, and he soon drew in many others. I just had a short time with them, because they’d needed a “kikau” to discuss the new church roof, which the wind had kindly removed (for the fourth time) the day before we arrived. But we did not need more time: Another Wind was blowing our way. Thank you for your patient praying.
Today, we were to teach at the theological college in Iringa, but the students won’t be back in class yet. Today, Wednesday, I went with Barton to the funeral of an evangelist about 100 km east of here—a very bad road, high up enormous hills, into the bush. We had some great opportunities to chat with the many passengers we picked up on the way. At the funeral, one pastor in particular, Gervas, received the message with absolute delight, and in no time, he was passing it on to others. Tomorrow, hopefully, I’m off again with Barton north-east to Ilula (on the tar road towards Morogoro) for two days with the pastors and evangelists of that “North-east” district. Next week, we have three one-day seminars with the South-east, East, and Pomerini Districts of the diocese. That will be a lot of travel, but today he commented on how much more everyone is understanding this time—even some pastors who were a little resistant last year.
Following that, the local Anglican bishop, Joseph, wants me to help his pastors get a clearer grasp of Justification by Faith Alone. And after that, I should be meeting with a new Baptist Bible school in Morogoro.
John – and Kay in Geelong greets you, too.
