Christmas 2007 Newsletter

”Now THAT’S what I call Christmas!!”
This exclamation resounded through the house the other day. Acacia was thrilled to
finally have a Christmas tree that she and her sisters could start decorating. They had
been asking since December 1st, “when will we get the tree?”

24th or 25th?
Many people ask us whether we as a family celebrate Christmas Eve according to
Danish custom or Christmas Day in keeping with American tradition. The answer to
that is – YES! We do both. We take the best from both backgrounds and blend them
into a new Hall family Christmas symphony. Some years we emphasize the 24th Eve,
other years the 25th.

When it rains, it pours..
Literally, that is. This year the rainy season came late, really late, but I think in
volume we must be up to average already seeing as we have had some serious
downpours lately. Thus this letter was written mostly by receding battery power on
the laptop because of a power cut likely caused by lightning…

Merry Christmas
We just returned from an English Christmas Carol Service. The message was about
how we sometimes don’t want the baby Jesus to change, but that inevitably he will,
and that we must dare to meet him when he comes to us and dare change with him.
Tomorrow, Rachel and Acacia will be part of a Christmas play at the Danish School,
which emphasizes Simeon‘s longing for the Messiah and his excitement when he did
indeed get to see God’s Salvation in the Christ child before his death. May we long
for Jesus the same way he did!

We wish you a joyous Christmas and a blessed and exciting New Year!
With love from
Rachel, Acacia, Mikaela, Naomi,
Lyle and Jette

Massai Celebration pictures

November 07 Simba Ulanga Update

I again send greetings from Simba Ulanga, he continues to go on in his ministry despite the continual persecutions. Thank you again to those who have helped Simba (family and ministry) out financially in the past. I may have shared this before about something that is on my heart. If you are reading this, you have received our updates telling about Simba Ulanga and his testimony. Due to the impact of his testimony on those who have read it, the Lord has placed it on my heart to have all of his notes translated from Swahili into English and eventually French. I have asked him if I could take the several hundred pages of notes, and begin this project. I am looking for two translators right now actually, and have talked with several who are interested. I believe it will take about 6, maybe 8 months. I would like to pay those who are actually translating, a salary. This work takes time, and without paying them, we will go through many translators, and this is not such a good idea. Eighty dollars ($80) a month would be a good salary for each translator. We do need a new or newer computer as well as a printer and a simple photocopy machine. There will also be a need for some basic office supplies. All of these are more expensive here than in the US. If we can raise $2,500 for the office and $1,280 as salary for the two translators for 8 months, we can get the job done. We have a small, extra little house in the backyard of our home that can be used for the office space to house the work as it is being completed. Anyway, this is a project that is starting and will be ongoing for a while. Since you all know Simba and his story, I am asking you to help me get this powerful testimony into a format that people can read and share with others. If you wish to help with this project, send an email to our US office, uzimausa@ywamuzima.org and they will respond with an invitation email allowing you to give via credit card. Or, if you prefer, you can send a check to UZIMA, P.O. Box 1875, Silverdale, WA 98383. Be sure you put on the check that this is for the Simba translation project.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers

Much love from

Lyle and Jette, Rachel, Acacia, Mikaela, Naomi

a few pictures Aug. 07

September Update

Greetings from Tanzania.

We have recently returned from our time in Denmark & USA and are settling in, this time in the town of Iringa. This is the town where Jette and I first met. The second time I saw her, I just knew that this was going to be my wife! 12 years and 4 kids later we are back to our meeting place.

Jette is now teaching in a Danish school for missionary kids. There are 19 students and she teaches all of them depending on the day. Our girls love the school and don’t want to come home. A house was provided for us, in the nice part of town near the governor’s house which means 24-hour electricity and water – what a change! It is quite windy and cold here in the highlands this time of year. We were even able to get an internet connection right in our house; so no more internet cafés…

People here have found out about Lyle’s construction background and I have been asked for help already. I will be helping some of them; more as a consultant than a builder. Also, I will be teaching in various bible schools around Tanzania. As well as studying Swahili and trying to gather my handwritten notes from the past years and get them typed onto my laptop.
Most of you know that Uzima has been put on hold, but is not forgotten. Our time in Kigoma was not easy but we learned some valuable lessons through it all. We still carry Uzima in our hearts, and during this year we will continue to take our lives and future to the Lord for direction.

Masai Celebration Day.
I have just returned from a great day in a Masai village with Rachel. Today was a celebration day for about 20 young men (age 18-20) who were now entering into adulthood. We drove for an hour into the bush and in the middle of no-where we found a few small Masai huts.Everyone was wearing beautiful jewelry of all kinds. Ladies dressed in blue or purple wrap-around outfits and most of the men in red. What a sight! Nearly all day men were dancing, chanting and jumping.

During different times of the day different clans would arrive from neighboring homes. One thing we do in the west when we come to an event, often we let ourselves in and join the party; well, not here! There was protocol to be followed. I watched as one group of ladies came closer to the village, they stopped just outside and started to sing. They sang for five minutes until five ladies from the home clan came out to greet them in song. The visiting clan then offered gifts to the family. These gifts were brought back to the huts. A few minutes later some other ladies came out to join the visitors in song, implying that we accept your gifts and then led the guests onto the grounds of the home. Once they were all together these ladies continued to sing for two hours, dancing and sharing their jewelry, taking off some of their own and giving it to the visitors and vice versa.

After some time a group of young men (for whom this ceremony was held) came chanting. Several of them had put red color in their hair and on their face for decoration. Each carried a special branch from a far away tree. Others then came out to meet them. The young men presented these branches (which would be used in the house) to the older women. After they were received, the young men made their way to a tree in whose shade were about 15 teenage girls. Several young men began to leap high into the air while others would chant in deep voices. From time to time the girls would sing. Men chanted and the ladies sang.It occurred to me that the Masai people don’t use drums in their culture, unlike most African tribal groups. I‘d have liked to beat a drum and join in, but no drum was to be found! Instead, I tried to jump with them for a bit, and then figured it was time to join the real men who were sitting under another shade tree. These were older men who had moved from manhood into becoming an elder. This takes place around the age of 35-40.

In some Masai clans, once boys become men they do not cut their hair until they reach the eldership stage. You will often see Masai warriors with long beautiful hair all braided. It is on the other hand very common for the ladies of all ages to be bald. This is a sign of beauty. And many of them are very beautiful.

Anyway, back under the tree with the elders; we sat down and smiled and chatted enjoying the cool shade, escaping the mid-day sun. I did not sit too long; I discovered another clan making their customary way to the ceremony and wanted to go see this happen. This clan came in differently from the others; all walking in a straight line, one man then one woman. I’m not sure why, but everybody seemed to be in the right place and every step seemed to be in order. As the day went on the different clans joined together; the unmarried girls singing and the young men chanting and jumping.

All the married ladies sat in a different area under a tree singing and telling stories all through song. It was a fascinating time. Rachel had her eyes open, enjoyed herself very much and was full of questions.

Lunch was served around 3 pm. Goat meat, rice and sauce, along with a coke, (not cold, but good in the heat of a long day). We stayed for a few more hours as the ceremony went on. People continued to come. The afternoon sun made for some nice photo opportunities. The ceremony would go on into the night, a cow would be brought in later that night and blood would be drawn from a vein in the neck. Mix with warm milk and enjoy! We did not stay for this event, maybe next time!

It is hard to convey the life and warmth you feel from the people. Most of them can’t read or write, many have never been to one day of school, but the joy and love for life comes out, especially through song and dance. Personally, I just need to be among these types of people, it feeds my soul somehow. If only my spirit could understand these people, how much better could I in turn minister to them in spirit and in truth? These traditional cultures are spirit cultures whereas western cultures are truth/science (fact) cultures. This is a gap that has to be understood and bridged in order for “white” missionaries to see true transformation take place here. This can take a lifetime.

I am discovering that to understand the soul and spirit of a person or tribe will require your own soul and spirit. Not just giving them the truth (soul/mind) of the gospel but the Spirit of the Word itself; this they will identify with because of their own spiritual worldview. God, open my eyes to see and my ears to hear!

Blessing to all of you, Thank you for sticking with us; you are always welcome to come for a visit. Please keep praying with us as we continue to seek the Lord for our future steps.

Much love from Lyle and Jette, Rachel, Acacia, Mikaela, Naomi
P.O Box 1088, Iringa, Tanzania.

Simba Ulanga #5

It has been a long time since you have heard anything about Simba’s case due to many things, my apologies.

A late report on Simba Ulangas last appearance in court April 20th.After a three day trip by car, bus and train Simba arrived in Kigoma. The hearing did not take long; he was just informed that his court date has been postponed until June 29th.

There were many mixed feelings over this. What do we do with this man called Simba Ulanga, how do we control his influence?

When Simba was let out on bail his probations were stiff. “You are not allowed to hold any public debates, you are not allowed to even read the scriptures if you are preaching to any public gathering.”

I believe what is happening is that if they put him back in prison, this will cause a big stir among the Christians and they will for sure take actions. If they release him from their custody than he will continue to go on holding debates and preach in open air meetings, but if they continue to postpone his court dates than the court wins both ways and keep both the Christians and the Muslims content, this also keeps Simba off the streets. Sounds good, let’s do it. A smart move or not, this is what is happening.

The rest of his team continues to travel holding open debates and teaching seminars around the country of Tanzania. Simba has said that he will travel with them to different places but his involvement will be limited. Simba just mentioned to me the other day that Daniel, one of his team members was also now involved in prison time and now in court cases over the same issues.

One may argue if debates are really the way to go. Debating is arguing and ends up doing more harm than good. Well we all have our opinions, but culturally speaking holding debates is quite effective in an African context. In Kigoma after this whole thing with Simba at least three high ranking Muslim leaders (these are Simba’s targets) have given their lives to the Lord. It sounds similar to the ministry life of the Apostle Paul, he often went to the temple to debate scriptures with the religious leaders.

Now these three converted Muslims from Kigoma are on the run to keep from being killed. Different church members have taken these into hiding. But this is a different story. I have some stories how the Lord has truly intervened on their trail of death but there are some stories that end in murderous deaths of these new believers. Why some live and some not, only God knows.

What I long to see is a type of Safe House for new Muslim converts to find a place of refuge. Create a place of refuge where these new believers can get a bed, discipleship, a bit of support, and see that they get started out in a good way. For many new converts from many different religions not just Islam, the day they give their life to the Lord or when they are water baptized, they loose family, house, job, and friends. These new converts need someone there to help them through this time.

How many sermons end with the great promises of God’s abundant love, his blessings and his comforts when you give your life over to him? He will never leave you nor forsake you.
For many though, salvation costs them their whole life and literally life itself in many cases.It does not seem to cost westerners very much because we really do not have to give up anything. Many just go on living as they did before with some minor changes. God is added to there already busy schedule.

Many people marvel at the edge that Simba and his team live. The way God is using them in mighty ways. Many want to live on this edge as well but find it hard to bare the price of the cross. We all want the power of the resurrection, but first it is the cross we must go through.
Let us not loose faith in our calling. Many people have not necessarily lost their faith; they have just lost their need for it. For without faith, it is impossible to please God.Hebrews 11:6
I have just heard again from Simba about his last court the 29th of June, it was short and sweet. All charges have been dropped, you are a free man.

Simba again has asked that I say thank you for the different support that has come in. He is now looking for some good interpreters to begin with some of the translation work that needs to be done.

Simba did mention also that he was on his way to the city of Mwanza to work with his team mate Daniel to get him out of his prison and court situation.Keep them in your prayers.
Blessings to you all as we continue to do our part to see the Glory of God influence those around us.

Lyle

New pictures

Dear all, these PICTURES were taken in June, in DK and USA. Rachel is 8, Acacia 6, Mikaela 4 and Naomi is 7 months already. We are having a great time re-connecting with family and friends. We will return to Tanzania end of August, and be stationed in Iringa. Hope to hear from you.

Take care and God bless.
Lyle and Jette

Pictures at the Citykirken

If you would like to see some pictures of the family, here is a link: http://www.citykirken.dk/images/jettelyle2007apr/index.html
These were taken by a church member last Sunday when we visited our sending church in Copenhagen. We especially like number 23….

Bless you
Love you
Jette and family

Our beautiful girls

Celebration Sunday – Simba Ulanga

We are packed like sardines in the biggest church in town, seats about one thousand, (Africans that is it, would only seat about 600 Westerners). But today there are about 2,000 jammed in this church. There are about 4,000 outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the new Christian hero named Simba Ulanga.

I was ushered in by church leaders and given a seat right next to the drummer, the last square inch available. As I entered the building a thick wave of humid air hit me in the face and I was hoping this would be a short service but experience told me otherwise.
I am now seated in this massive African crowd and being the only white man strangely enough I do not feel out of place in the least. I belong here though I will never look the same. Simba Ulanga is just now making his way to the front stage as the crowd cheers and a choir is singing a celebration song and of course the drummer is slamming away next to my ear.

Simba was released this last Thursday (Feb.22nd) about noon after his 62-day prison time. He was transported to the court house in a big armored truck; as if he were a terrorist, but to know that he is just a common man. What makes him different, I thought, the difference is that this man loves his God and that he is willing to die for his God and for what he believes. He does not just sing about it, he lives it. He knows who he is in Christ and this is what makes him a threat. I asked myself (this good missionary that I am supposed to be), “Do I truly know who I am in Christ?” “Am I a threat in the Spirit?”

I arrived a bit late on his Thursday court day. The previous Friday was supposed to be his court date but it was denied him once again and the following Saturday the churches were to have a demonstration walk through town. The local government disapproved of this demonstration plan and shut it down immediately for fear of possible rioting. The churches were not happy with this, but what can you do? There is freedom here to hold demonstrations - at least according to the law. But what does the law mean? Several pastors I was talking with there at the court house were telling me that money and leaders have the final say, even above the law itself. A bribe or a pay-off will keep someone in prison or let someone out. If the offender can out-bribe the convicted then he wins. What a great justicesystem I thought, the law itself cannot even defend you!

In the first update I mentioned the Muslims who bribed the judge to keep Simba in prison. I found out that a Muslim business man in Ujiji (the other side of town) who is the one with all the money paying people off. Ujiji is the town where Charles Stanley met Dr. David Livingston back in 1870.

Back in the church, Simba has just made his way up to the pulpit and the crowd is cheering. Simba starts off by saying that he is not allowed to preach in any public setting while out on bail, “I am not here to preach,” he says, “I am simply among my friends giving my testimony of how God has been with me during my time in prison.” He says this several times because some government leaders have been appointed to be here in this service to make sure Simba does not preach lest he be taken to prison again. Simba shared for about an hour, even shared a few scriptures. I was saying to myself, “Simba, you better be careful! At least let someone else read; you just give the reference.”

Simba mentioned a Muslim man he had met soon after arriving in prison. This man admitted that he had been on a committee assigned to kill Simba. This man told Simba that he was very surprised to actually see him in prison, “We had arranged through “witchcraft” for an ambush on your transfer route, you were to be shot down, how did you get here?” Astonished, this Muslim man told Simba that “You better be careful here in prison or you will die before you leave this place.” In Bangle prison there was a small group of Christians and Simba became pastor of this church. Its membership grew. There were six Christians who had converted toIslam but after seeing Simba’s life, they rededicated their lives back to the Lord.He prayed for and discipled many. Many Muslims wanted to know about this Jesus and came to hear Simba whenever he spoke.

Simba spoke of the many in prison who were there because of false accusations. A policeman if paid off will make false accusation on another person; throw him in prison just to get his payoff.I invited Simba for dinner at our house a few days after he was released. Simba has 7 children plus two “adopted” orphaned relatives. He has spent 3 different times now in prisons; these were 10 days or more. Simba along with others of his team have often spent one or two nights in different jail houses around the country. Over our dinner time he told of once he was invited to come and minister at this prison, Bangwe, where he just spent 62 days. Because of circumstances he never did go, he even walked by this prison once and remembered the invitation. He went on to say “Now I am inside this prison and not by invitation, I had many opportunities to minister now.” He said he was shown favor in prison, from the guards and even the inmates.

Simba is only out on bail and he still has a long way to go. His next court date is now April some time; that is of course, if things go well. He left two days ago on the train to see his family who are 1000 miles away. There has been three train wrecks in the last three weeks with numerous casualties. There are also many bus accidents throughout the country, killing thousands. What else can you do, the system does not offer security in any way. Many times one has to choose between the lesser of the evils, there simply does not seem to be any “goods” to choose from.
It is not always easy to see God everywhere, but God is everywhere; it is our job to make Him visible. Many missionaries get frustrated working here where it seems that nothing ever changes, after all these years of Christianity here in Africa has we really made an impact? Yes there is change to some degree, but the spiritual strongholds is something that missionaries are now starting to understand in these spiritual cultures. Until we bind the strongman of the house, how can we ever go in to that house?

In short; over all Africa, 1 out of 4 children die before the age of 5. The average age is 49; about 20 African nations are either in war or have extreme unrest. Islam and Christianity continue to be at war throughout this continent. In specific rural areas the oldest person is only about 15 years old due to all adults dying of HIV/AIDS. The orphans of Africa left behind due to the death of parents from Malaria to Aids are uncountable. The majority of Africans live on less than 1 dollar a day. Witchcraft and slavery are still widely practiced throughout the continent. There are likely several thousand different languages/dialects spoken. In Tanzania alone are 23 “unreached” people groups. A common belief among Africans is that they are cursed from the days of Ham in the book of Genesis. I am not trying to make Africa out to be a terrible place, it is a beautiful place and it has beautiful people, there is a beauty and a simpleness here that will never be found in the West. But the soul of Africa is by and large still without transformation and it is here where my heart cries out, Oh God bring in your truth and spirit that we may all be set free!

As Simba was leaving my house he shook my hand and gave a big thanks to all for your prayers and for those who have sent support. He asked that we continue to pray for him and help him out as we can for the fight is far from over.

I also am grateful to you all for your interest, prayer and support for Simba Ulanga. He and I will continue to be in touch as the months go by. If you would like to continue supporting Simba and the ministry he is involved in you are welcome to use the account in the USA or Denmark. All funds will be passed on directly, no administrationcosts will be taken out.

Blessings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lyle Hall

Bank Information:
Payments within United States only:
Checks made out to “UZIMA” with a separate note designating it to Simba Ulanga.

If transferring funds electronically, please email uzimausa@ywamuzima.org specifying what the donation is for.

UZIMA

Attention: Gaylen Beardsley,

P.O. Box 1875, Silverdale, WA 98383-1875

Phone: +1-360-308-9756

Wire transfer: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. /

Washington State / East Bremerton Branch

Routing number 512006217

Account number 1482166871

Simba Ulanga Remains in Prison - Churches are making a Stand

Greeting to you all once again.

I once again went to see Simba in prison; he was of good cheer, a nice smile as he wore his slippers and his wrap around "skirt". These types of "skirts" are often worn by men in the coastal regions of East Africa which is where Simba is from.

I brought him some peanuts and about one hundred tracts to give out. I had to first eat some of the peanuts before handing them in through the rusty bars. Different people continue to try to poison him since he has been in prison so I was asked by the prison guard to eat some peanuts first, a precaution against any possible poison.

He received his peanuts with a smile, but had some concern for his wife and children back home. Simba’s wife has been very sick over the past weeks and his kids’ school fees are due and there is no dad at home to help out or supply an income. I assured him that we would help with the kids’ school fees.

I was only given seven minutes with him before I was asked to leave. We prayed together and off I went into my free world. Simba’s court date was held last week Friday. The judge did show up this time but it seemed the case went no further. His next court date is the 16th this month.
The head of security in the prison is a Muslim man. He says he likes Simba to be in this prison because the whole environment of the prison has changed for the better. There is a different spirit now that he is here. Simba has been busy preaching the kingdom to all the inmates who also enjoy him being there with them. 39 Muslim inmates have given their lives to the Lord due to Simba’s preaching.

Outside the prison walls various church leaders have written a serious letter to the President of Tanzania (who is himself Muslim) in protest of the religious freedom of this country not being respected. They are also planning a "peaceful" demonstration and will march through Kigoma town to end up at the front door of the regional governor’s office the 17th this month, the day after Simba’s court date the 16th. If there are any objections spoken or stones thrown by any Muslim onlookers this demonstration could very well become violent. Demonstrations here are generally very tense.

There are spiritual strongholds over the nations of Africa that go deep into the occult and these are not easily broken. It will take thousands of pure hearted Christians fasting and praying to break the authority of the demonic realm. A challenge that not many understand nor would they be willing to count the cost of such a spiritual battle.

My spirit is stirred and angered how the enemy has lied and deceived the people of these great nations for generations. I ask myself, where is the power of God, where is God’s presence? Africa is spotted with literally millions of churches, yet where is transforming presence of God? The people of these so-called "Christian Nations" like Liberia, Rwanda, Burundi and others will - given certain circumstances - turn and kill and even butcher their neighboring village though they are all church goers.

God, where have we gone wrong? We know how to "do" church and we continue to bring people to church rather than to bring them to God. We have our bible schools and great missionaries from the West that have been here for hundreds of years teaching truth, and this is all good but if the spirit and power of God is not present, will there ever really be a transformation taking place in Africa? The culture here is a power and spirit culture, this is where the real soul of the African lies and this is what I believe must be targeted and understood in order to see spiritual transformation. Biblical truths without a Spiritual revelation are only words, the mind hears but the soul and spirit do not perceive. We are to worship God in spirit and in truth.

I do not mean to preach but I weep when I read reports like I just read yesterday from Darfur and I quote, "They were raped, they tied them and put cotton in their mouths, then they lit the cotton and burned them to death." The Economist Dec 2nd-8th 2006. This is happening right now, today, even as I write

Thank you for the responses on behalf of Simba. Jette, my wife, has taken the scriptures and prayers sent by some of you, has printed them out and I will give them to Simba. Some of you have shown interest in financially supporting Simba. He sends a big thanks to all of you. God bless you! We continue to raise funds to ensure that all of Simba’s writings are translated into English and French. A big job.

Blessing to you all.
Lyle

Prayer Points:
- Simba’s family at home 1000 miles away, healing for his wife.
- Peaceful demonstration- Salvation for the head of security in prison.

Bank Information:
Payments within United States:
Checks made out to "UZIMA" with a separate note designating it to Simba Ulanga.
If transferring funds electronically, please email uzimausa@ywamuzima.org specifying what the donation is for.

UZIMA
Attention: Gaylen Beardsley,
P.O. Box 1875,
Silverdale, WA 98383-1875
Phone: +1-360-308-9756

Wire transfer: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Washington State / East Bremerton Branch
Routing number 512006217
Account number 1482166871