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Transforming Lives Internationally - in
Tanzania, Africa 2002!
The team of six traveled over 10,000 miles in 48
hours to hold a conference July 8 - 12, 2002, in Moshi, Tanzania.
Every lesson that the team taught seemed to mean a lot to the
participants but the ones on the Father God relationship,
forgiveness and on the sexual relationship seemed to be especially
meaningful. There is very little talk or understanding of the
sexual relationship in marriage but they have the same sexual
struggles that exist in our part of the world. The team handed out
index cards for them to submit questions. About |
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| 75% of
the questions were about the sexual relationship or AIDS (15
people die of AIDS every minute in Africa, that is 21,6000/day,
almost 2 million/year). One of the
teachings was on Genesis 2:24 and the teacher had the participants
look at their spouse in the eyes and say, “You are God’s perfect
gift for me.” Their culture has very little concept of intimacy in
marriage. It was somewhat uncomfortable for them the first day.
The second day, the teacher had them holding hands. Some tried to
shake hands, so the team members demonstrated taking each other’s
hands and holding them. Then they had the participants, while
holding hands, say “You are God’s perfect gift for me and I will
love you forever.” They said this for four days in a row. By the
last day the participants actually seemed to enjoy it!
By the end of the marriage conference, the
pastors and their wives were encouraged, taught and trained on how
to deal with emotional and relationship issues in their own
families as well as with their congregations. We know that our
teaching and material will be taught and shared with thousands!
They were so eager and receptive to this practical Bible teaching.
What the team realized was this conference was the first teaching
on marriage that most of these participants had ever received.
We give God all the praise as we saw healing in
these marriages through forgiveness, understanding and applying
God’s Word. Many more will be taught these truths. May the
Christian marriages in Tanzania be strengthened through their new
knowledge of the oneness that God designed for each marriage.
VIEW PHOTOS
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