The Hall Family

Christmas 2011

2011-12-18T12:40:00.000-08:00

The Halls at the top of Table Mountain with Cape Townand the Atlantic ocean in the background.

“A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices,

O night divine, o night when Christ was born! ...”

Dearfriends,

This year we’ve asked each member of the family to sharewith you one or two highlight of this very eventful year, as well as somethingthey like about Christmas.

Rachel (13 yrs): “The beachholiday in South Africa was one of my highlights, especially seeing whales,dolphins and seals. And collecting hundreds of beautiful shells. As a birthday present I also got to pet somebaby cheetahs at a Wildlife Farm.”

“I love that we can be with family and friends at Christmasto celebrate the birth of Jesus. Thinking up and making gifts to give to myfamily and friends. Christmas carol cd’s that are on all the time, andChristmas movies.”

Acacia (10): “Something Ireally liked about this year is all my new friends at the school in Denmark,where we went for three months, and getting to have play-dates with most of thegirls in my class. And being in a really cool summer-house for 4 days with allour cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. There was a small pool outside, aJacuzzi and sauna inside, and we could walk down to the beach.”

“I love the Christmas music that you can worship with, andbaking Christmas cookies and making Christmas cards. And all the decorationsand the Christmas tree.”

Mikaela (8): “One of my favoritethings this year from America, was to go ice-skating with my grandma andgrandpa in Portland, because I had never tried that before. It was a bit hardin the beginning, but then I got quite good at it. And to go snow sledding inthe mountains in Idaho was so much fun too. Even though I was born in Denmarkon a snowy winter day, I could notremember ever seeing snow before.”

“My favorite part of Christmas is that we give gifts becauseJesus was a gift for us. I like the Christmas tree, how there is an angel or astar at the top. I got to decorate most of our tree this year. And I love thefull stockings on Christmas morning.”

Naomi: “My favorite thing is that I had my birthday.I’m 5 now! I had a butterfly cake, lots of presents, and ice cream, and all thekids got to swim in our pool – it’s not too deep, I can touch the bottom. And Ican swim now, all by myself!”

“I love Christmas!!! - Why? - Just because! … Because I liketo pull things out of the stocking, and I like the tree, and the beautifulmanger scene that daddy’s grandma made a long time ago.”

Jette: “I think that aside frombeing with family in USA and Denmark again after four years, one of myhighlights was how my family spoiled me on my birthday. We were at the beachflat in South Africa. They brought me tea in bed before fixing a nice pancakebreakfast. My husband took me out on a lunch-date, and I got to walk on thebeach at sunset with him too. Then the girls prepared a special bath for me,with candles, little lavender twigs, and lots of small white and pink flowersfloating in the tub… I should have many birthdays every year!!”

“Another highlight would be the one-week Alaska cruise that Lyleand I were blessed with together with about 16 relatives from Oregon. We had somuch fun with everyone, and what fantastic scenery; hour after hour, day afterday! Mountains, fiords, glaciers, icebergs.. “Then sings my soul, my Savior,God to Thee, How Great Thou art, How Great Thou art!”

“Christmas is a great time. Seeing the children’s excitementwith everything, and the challenge to stay focused on the Christmas message inthe midst of the fun and busyness. I love the candles and the Advent wreath aswell as all the fantastic Christmas Carols, new and old, Danish and English.The message of Emmanuel - “God with us”- just never ceases to amaze me!”

Lyle: “This is a hard task forthere were many highlights; all the friends we re-connected with, visiting my parentsin Japan, seeing family in the USA and Denmark, spending 36 hours inIstanbul,where this fun photo was taken…

One of the highlights for me was my travelling alone by carfrom Kabwe to Cape Town (2,200 miles), picking up a few hitchhikers and ministeringto them, days of self time and thought and seeing the millions of new flowersthat carpeted the vast plains of Southern Namibia and the northern part ofSouth Africa. In that part of Africa 3 out of 7 years there is basically norain but yet after years of drought the roots/seeds still blossom. Though the world seems to being dying in manyparts the earth still brings glory to its Creator. It was just a joy to my soulto see that part of God in that little part of his splendor.”

“My favorite part of Christmas is the rainy season herewhere everything becomes green and of course all the folks who come to ourhouse for coffee or dinner is always a pleasure.”

“Always remember that if you would like to come out for agreat ministry and adventurous time in Africa you are most welcome. Karibuni.”

Merry Christmas to you all and manyblessings in the New Year.

Much love from Rachel, Acacia, Mikaela, Naomi, Lyle andJette

Summer in Denmark

2011-07-15T01:28:00.000-07:00

We left the States on the 4th of July after a whirlwind couple of months with many wonderful hours with family, new friends and old friends. Thank you to all who made it such a special time for us!
We have been in Denmark now for 10 days, and Lyle will be leaving today to go to South Africa for a 3-months training course called International Sports Leadership School. The family will join him in South Africa end of September. Until then the children will be in school in Denmark and we will be connecting with family and friends.
Thank you for your continued prayers.

Photo news

2011-05-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

A few photos from our first month in the States, it is so great and refreshing to re-connect with friends and family and to see some of this beautiful country.

Easter Newsletter

2011-04-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone once again,
We would like to wish you all a Happy Easter. May we all take time to reflect on what the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means to us. Sharing communion in church the other Sunday and listening to ‘O Sacred Head Now Wounded’ was a good reminder of what God did as he ‘so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son...’

We have wrapped up in Kabwe, Zambia. Yesterday, we arrived in Seattle to begin our 6-month furlough.

We will be starting out in the Seattle area and will be making our way to Co. Springs to see family. This time is not necessarily a holiday as such, for it will be full of appointments and many miles on the road. But even this will be good for us, just to be out of the environment for a little while. The last four years in Africa have been tough in many ways for us.

We will be in the States for about two months, then on July 4th we are off to Denmark to see Jette’s side of the family. Jette and the girls will be there for almost three months, whereas I will be coming back to Zambia July 17th. I will drive our minibus to Cape Town in South Africa, where I will be attending a 3-month International Sports Coalition Leadership course. A course that teaches how to use sports; not only as a physical activity, but as a ministry tool. As we all know, the whole world likes sport, whether you play or not, nearly everyone roots for one team or another somehow.

I know from experience that if you walk through a village here with a bible tucked under your arm you can look over your shoulder and very few people will be following you. But you go through a village with a soccer ball tucked under your arm, look over your shoulder and you will have 20-30 young people following you. Here is your new church. So the idea is to use sports as a tool to train the youth in life skills, spiritual skills, environmental skills, social skills, etc.

What is my role in all of this? I have been selected out of many to go through this course so that this same course can be duplicated here in central Africa. So my purpose after completing this course is to come back here to Kabwe and begin this type course. There is a team already in place here and our first course will start hopefully in April next year. We have lots of people already very interested in coming, including several in the police force.

It is my desire to implement a strong aspect of the “disciplining of the mind.” This, I feel, is a huge key that has been missing in missions here in Africa, it is in the mind. Africans by the millions go to church and call themselves Christians but their minds are still un-renewed, therefore transformation never takes place. And we see the fruits of this through every area of life, still being influenced by their old mind-set.

Everything under the sun has been tried, from governments to the church, to help Africa out of poverty, but to a large degree nothing is changing. It is the world-view that must be changed, a mind-set that must be renewed.

This course will be physically and spiritually challenging. We intend to have some class time but mostly field experience in the bush, among the unreached, on Lake Tanganyika, in city dumps and so on.

Well, this is all from here for now, we will see many of you over the next few months. Please write, if you would like see us or maybe have a group that you would like for us to share with.

Once again, we wish you a Blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Love and blessings,
from Naomi, Mikaela, Acacia, Rachel, Jette and Lyle

March 21, 2011

2011-03-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

Please keep Lyle in your prayers, he and Mishack left today to visit several church plants in the Lukanga Swamp area. They will be away all week and have no phone coverage out there. Thanks for your prayers!

Family News March 2011

2011-03-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Greetings All

A short report from us here in Zambia. First of all want to say thank you to all of you who have asked about my parents who are living in Japan, 16 years now as pastors. They are fine for they live in the southern part of Japan. It has saddened my heart to see the tragedies that continue there in Japan, please remember to pray for this nation. They are in national struggles. And of course you have seen the news of all the other stuff happening here in Africa, in the north. This is what makes it hard to completely settle down in Africa, there is always a sense of risk and insecurity. We live all the time with an extra eye open, you have to and that in itself takes a lot of energy. Zambia is safe on a national level and this we are thankful for. Liberia was the most secure country in Africa for years, but most of you know the history there in the last 30 years.
All of this to say, let us continue to pray for nations around the world, study the atlas, love the world, for God did and he sent his only son..... what will I/you send?

January and February is rainy season here, so things are wet and green, and muddy. Our yard is most beautiful this time of year but we know that the rains are on their way out and until December things will be getting drier and dustier.

TTN (To the Nations), the group that we are working with, we take off these two months of rains and this is the time to spend planting the fields, fix up broken equipment, time with the family, and also take classes of some sort to build up self. Some of the guys are taking computer classes, others finishing up with their high school degrees at 34 years old. I am going through different leadership books with the guys two mornings a week.

Jette is getting more and more involved with the deaf group in the church that we attend. A lot of abuse happens to the deaf, it is true for any handicapped person out here really. The church has begun to set up a safe haven for some of the deaf, a place where they can learn life skills etc. I have been teaching in their cell group and most of them believe that they are cursed or punished, this is their mind set. How is that for a world view?

Mishack and I go into Lukanga Swamps Monday the 21st for a week to visit several church plants to encourage them in the Lord. There are several islands in the swamps and it is here that Mishack has planted churches. Several of these islands are floating islands. Years of reeds have been entangled together and small villages live on these grass islands year round. I look forward to this trip, I do not look forward to the mosquitoes, though; there are many...

Some good news, at least for us... we will be flying into Seattle WA. April 22nd so we are expecting a big party at the airport... It has been 4 years since we have been to the States and Denmark and we know that it is time to take a small break and visit churches, family and friends. Our time is only really two months then we are off to Denmark for a few months as well. We will be in the Seattle area, Portland OR area and Colorado Springs area, and hopefully Michigan, so if you are in these areas and would like to get together, let us plan ahead and we would love to see as many as possible, then we will rest when we get back to Zambia....

Ok this is all from us at this time.

Enjoy some photos

2011-01-31T05:23:00.000-08:00

Someone is taking a day off....

Is this what they call a Family Tree???

Some Masai Friends from Tanzania.

Bird's Eye View of the Rufiji River Delta, Tanzania

Drying fish in the sun to be sold in the big city.

Typical village house built on stilts in Rufiji Delta.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-21T02:02:00.000-08:00

Ministry News
TTN: This year 24 church plants, 2 big crusades, 7 ministry trips into the swamps , 3 outreach teams came, 3 clinics built, 4 containers of medical equipment distributed. Lots of training seminars. Many set free from spiritual oppression. Big outreach into Tanzania (Rufiji Delta & Masai land) which has opened big doors for the future.

Masai: Very successful trip to Masai Land. The first year 100 came to seminar,
last year about 250, this year just over 1000.

Rufiji Delta: Still about 100 thousand yet to hear the gospel. A massive area. Together with YWAM we will continue to prepare the way of the Lord into this area. A big task, we need you to get behind us in prayer, finances and your presence. Commitments to prayer and support are always needed. Pray for laborers, be one! God is moving all the time, come let us move with him.

The major least-reached group in Zambia:
The white farmers: Over decades they have been either forced out of their African home nations or killed. Many have come to Zambia to rebuild their lives and farms. They have no interest in God. Ministry is not only to the indigenous folks but also our own skin colour. Building trusting relationships can take years with hardened people and there are many. You and I are Jesus to many, let us live this role with honor…...

Times are changing - Are you?
Every part of life is influenced by change which leads us to question our self, future, government, church, God. With questions, compromise can come in. Millions claim to be Christians, but by looking who can tell? God and his kingdom is replaced by me and my kingdom. Rather “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Being righteous is to do things right according to God, not self. Giving up my rights, not proclaiming them. We are to change the world, not be changed by it. “Let us change with the times, but not be changed.”

Greetings also from Simba Ulanga. He is still going strong despite the persecution. He catches up on his sleep on his “days off” in prison. He is in need of support.

It has been 4 years. Hall family ‘planning’ a trip to Denmark (April-May) and USA (June-July). We would love to see you in your cell, home, youth groups, churches. Let us know.

FAMILY NEWS

The girls are all doing very well in school. We chose to start homeschooling them last year, and although we have up-and-down days, I know we have made the right decision, because not once have they wished they could go back to the local school they went to for a year.

Rachel is now 12 years old. She decided to donate 10 inches of her hair to ‘Locks of Love’, so had her hair cut short on her birth-day this year. She is very fond of reading, but friends and pets are even more important than books!

Acacia is 9½. She made her hair longer by having extensions braided in, as you can see in this picture. She had the braids for a month and then she and her friends spent a couple of afternoons un-braiding her hair again!

Mikaela will be 8 in January. She spends a lot of time playing with her three best friends right here in the neighbour-hood. Sadly, they will all three be leaving in January, so we are praying for some new great friends for her.

All three girls are learning to play both piano and recorder. They will be playing ‘Silent Night’ on their recorders at our Christmas Eve service this year as well as singing a Danish Carol.

Naomi just turned 4. She walks around the house singing, “We miss you a Merry Christmas, we miss you a Merry Christmas...” She still loves her preschool and is learning her numbers, colors, shapes etc. Her English vocabulary is really growing, but not so much her Danish. She understands everything we say in Danish, but seems to prefer speaking English at the moment.

Jette’s parents came out for a 3-week visit, we had a wonderful time with them. And the kids had someone beside their mom to speak to in Danish!
Right after they left we were able to go and hear Händel’s “Messiah” in a beautiful cathedral in Lusaka. What a masterpiece in music, and what a worshipful experience it was!

Jette: Although home school and family take most of my time, I also enjoy hosting a weekly Ladies Bible Study, as well as being part of a worship team at church. And having attended a week of sign language teaching, I am finding that God is giving me a burden for the deaf young people at the church, we attend. They have a great ministry to the deaf. I just hope I can learn to understand more of what they are saying….
It is so beautiful to see them sing with their hands on Sunday mornings. I especially love watching them when we sing “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know, He holds the future. And life is worth living just because He lives.” Yes, Jesus is truly ‘Immanuel’, God with us!
Merry Christmas everyone and a Blessed New Year. Hope to see many of you in 2011!

“Join our Village” The Hall family is looking for 50 committed partners to our life and ministry. Committed to prayer and $40-50 monthly support. Prayer keeps us spiritually, $ keeps us physically. We live on the front line and homeland support is crucial. An African proverb says, “It takes a whole village to wrap around a baobab tree.” Come join hands with us for the baobab is a big tree. Thank you & God Bless

Tanzania trip - part 1

2010-10-20T06:31:00.000-07:00

Tanzania Trip – September 2010

The time has come again for me to go north into Tanzania, this time not only to Masai land but also to the Rufiji Delta where the Rufiji River runs into the Indian Ocean. The Rufiji Delta is about 200km south of Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania. I have been into this delta on several different occasions. This time I go with a team from Australia.

Between Dar Es Salaam and the Mozambique border in the south, are at least 21 unreached people groups. Most of these groups live within the Rufiji Delta itself. In the delta there are hundreds of islands, many of these are occupied by small people groups, some groups are just a few hundred and other groups are up to 2000 in population.

I have been told that only one in ten thousand make it through high school. Life here is hard and all about fishing. This is the livelihood. They net, smoke and sell most of their catch. Fish, prawns and crabs are caught and put on ice, once a week a truck delivers ice and loads up their catch and is off to the big city to sell the fish to the local market. Crabs and prawns go to all the places where the wazungu (white people) go, the hotels and lodges. Most locals do not eat these creatures. They are considered dirty, I personally quite enjoy them. The team and I have ate four kilos of prawns while we were on the island called Simba Uranga, that was just for dinner and we paid about 4 bucks per kilo. On this particular island nearly all houses are built on stilts because the tide covers most of the island during the high tides of the full moon.

Very few fruit trees grow here because of the salt water that comes in from the Indian Ocean and mixes with the river water. The few doctors who pass through here say that the people living on these islands have high blood pressure due to the amount of salt water intake. I always thought high BP came from stress, at least in my case it does…

When we arrived to the island of Simba Uranga we were escorted to the chairman’s house, or the mayor of this island community. Over the hours he became quite friendly. He raked the sand clean from rubbish so we could set up our tents, he cooked rice for us, then he wanted to be our night watchman because he said the community was full of thieves and that we could trust no one. We thought it funny that he was so friendly but you know relationships are important out here so let’s build this relationship with the ‘chief’ because this relationship will possible benefit us in the future.

We showed the Jesus film and then got into our mosquito tents next to our now fearless watchman who by this time had a few drinks. After a great night of ‘sleep’ we awoke with the sun. It did not take long to notice that there was a box missing from among our things; the box that held all our fishing gear. Our fearless watchman said “I told you that you can trust no one here!”
Not long after the police showed up on the island making their rounds. Their small boat flipped just off the shore of our now homey little island so they had to swim in. This island was not on their scheduled route but flipping your boat makes you do things out of your routine.

We met the police and told them of our dilemma. They were ready for action, they took our fearless watchman aside and after about a half hour he was handcuffed along with another guy. Our friend reluctantly admitted that he was the guilty one. He was actually fearing for his life, the police could have just killed him right there and then. He set us up from the beginning, that “corker”. Anyway, as the sun lifted higher in the sky, the police said they were leaving. They told us to take the chief and his friend in our boat back to the mainland police station. So we loaded them up with the rest of our gear and we pushed off. While we were sailing our ‘friend’ wanted to make a deal with me, “Hey Simba” he said, “I will tell you where the box is if you let me go.” I was told once that one is only stupid if he makes the same mistake twice. Being a bit wiser we reached the mainland and dropped the two men off at the small police office. I was told the next day that he would go to prison for two months and maybe longer if he does not return the items. It is likely that he will pay his way out and we will never see that box again, but I do know where he lives and will likely be back to his little island in the middle of the delta. One thing that is true about Africa is that time is always coming, so here in this situation we sit and wait and time take its course. Stay tuned ‘For the rest of the Story’ in 2011, maybe 2012 or maybe even 2013….

By the way, the ‘Jesus’ film was a great success. It was the first time for many of the 70-or-so onlookers. Another great thing was that it was all done by batteries. The projector is about the size of a small book, tiny speakers and tiny DVD player, all of this fits into a small bag. Gone are the days of generators, PA systems etc, etc. Pack your little bag and away we go. Now one is free to set up just about anywhere, what a tool! I remember the days when I was in Haiti, we went to a small island off the Haitian coast to show the Jesus film, all the work carrying the generator and 16mm films etc. People have asked me where I got my muscles. Well, that trip gave me most of the few muscles I have…

While in the Delta we also stopped by other island communities. One of those islands is where they build the Dhow boats. This is a vessel that has been on the seas for hundreds of years. These smaller vessels continue to this day to travel the rough seas reaching as far as India. Now this little island community with a population of about 500 have mastered the skills of building these Dhow boats, this island has passed down the skills on for generations. It was a fascinating to sit and watch as a half a dozen men used their handmade tools and handmade spikes to build not just a boat but a piece of art. We watched as they ran their panel planks into a fire and with the right amount of pressure put a twist in the board to mold around the ribs of the dhow. No machines here just true skill. How fascinating it would be to stay with them for a few months to work with them from beginning to completion of a dhow. The smaller ones take 2-3 months while the bigger ones take up to 6 months to complete.

We also stopped to visit a school and a broken-down clinic. The nurse and some of the elders of this island were looking for help from the white man. ‘Because the white man has all the money you know’. I was looking around for the white man with all the money, because neither I nor my mates that were with me had any money.

One of my highlights was the chance I had to sit with most of the island leaders and talk with them about stewardship and serving their community. That if each family were to put 5-10 dollars a month into the community account then in about a year they could get books for their school or have a very nice clinic etc. Well, the excuses kept coming, “we do not have any money”, “ we do not trust the mayor here, he will steal the money”, “we are only fishermen”, “we are not educated”, etc etc etc.

This is the way it is in many places out here. There is no trust among anyone. But I challenged them to be investors in their community and not just consumers. It was good and they seemed to enjoy my little speech. They agreed with me, but to actually start living it out, this is another big issue. This is where you need a long-term missionary to continue coming back to these places to follow up, work with them and help them plan, setting goals together, someone to push them a bit and get them to believe in themselves. We as outsiders (both church and government) have come in for generations and have paid it all or built it all for them. Our view has been that we need to help the ‘poor’ Africans. That they can’t do it. They may not be able to do like we do but they can do with some guidance.

To a large degree Africans are not poor, in their mind they tell themselves that they are poor and this leads to poverty. People blame poverty on lack of education but I struggle with this as well. There are millions of well educated leaders, locals etc throughout Africa, having degrees on their walls, but this has had little effect because their minds are not changed. A good example is with the Masai, they also have a poverty mindset yet they are some of the wealthiest people in Africa. I have been going to Masai land now the past three years and I have continually sat with the church and community leaders as I did on this island in the Delta.
I think they just need someone to believe in them and not look at or treat them as poor people, but challenge them, give some guidance and getting them to believe in themselves to give them self worth and self respect. This has been an important key for me each time I go to Masai land. Salvation is truly important, but much of Africa has been saved a hundred times over it seems, but still they live in this mindset that keeps them under such a destructive curse. Money is not the answer for Africa; it is a change of their world view.

Back now to the Rufiji delta; We made our way back to the mainland and packed up the car in the tropical heat and made our way out of the delta, with our hearts full and our spirits high with the hopes that one day soon we will be able to have a more permanent presence here.
As far as TTN goes, we are communicating and wanting to work with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) who also has a desire to work in the Delta. Missions is too big and is becoming too logistical anymore to do things on your own. This again is another topic.

Packed up and on our way out of the Delta, Noah (our host and guide) took us to the outskirts of the Delta to see the Barabaig people. (I visited these people with Noah a few years ago). This is a nomadic group very much like the Masai. For generations they have been the number one enemy of the Masai. They have fought cattle wars right up into the 1990’s.

At this time many of the Masai have begun to settle down and become more stationary. Rather than moving with their cattle, families settle down but they send their cattle out for grazing and return after several weeks and even up to a year at a time.
Unlike the Barabaig people who still pack up their families and all their goods and with their herds move about in search for ‘greener pastures’.

The Barabaig are an unreached people group. Noah has been building relationships with this particular group that moved into the Delta area about three years ago and he is doing a fantastic job. They have accepted him into their community, thus we were able to visit. Just getting accepted into some of these communities can take years, yet often the first time we come visit we insist on preaching the gospel. I was once told that people will not ‘hear’ your story unless they see your heart. We are not much different in the West. We may appear to listen but the message is not truly heard.

Like the Masai, the Barabaig are still hunters and gatherers. The men hunting with spears and the women and the donkeys are the gatherers. Many still wear goat skin clothing and are decorated with red paint and metal rings around their necks and arms. Through the dedication of Noah one of the Barabaig men gave his heart to the Lord last year and now this little Barabaig community sits and watches to see what will happen. If this new convert is truly transformed and continues to walk a changed life, we will see that one day the whole family will come to Jesus, but it all takes time - this is why we stay…

Our visit would not have been welcome if Noah had not been there. The leader of the group who has six wives gave us permission to take a short walk-about to see his cattle. While we were in his little mud hut, he must have spit on the wall next to him a dozen times. Not sure why, I thought it was a bit gross but hey, I am a Westerner, what do I know? We took a few pictures but was soon rebuked by the ‘chief’ of the group and had to stop. We took some of the pictures after we left and got them developed in Dar and gave them to Noah so that he could take back to the people. I would guess that most of them have never seen a picture of themselves.

After an hour or so we were off to the big city of Dar es Salaam, full of people, traffic, business, a far cry from the seemingly peaceful Barabaig people.

We went off to sleep at a small hotel on the beach, spent some more time with Jeremiah (YWAM director) talking about the future of our work in the Rufiji Delta. The Delta is a vast area of hurting, searching people, a lot like us I suppose, just in a different location.

PS. Please feel free to comment and share your own views and experiences!

Lyle is in Masai Land

2010-09-21T13:30:00.001-07:00

Dear friends,

Please would you take some time to pray for Lyle and the team as they will be ministering to the Masai people in a small village in the north of Tanzania this week.

Lyle is there together with two missionaries from here, and a team from Australia, that include a family with two children. Pray for the team as they minister to the people, and pray also for the two kids that are there.

The team left from here about a week ago. They have spent a lot of time driving the long distances, but were able to take a boat into the Rufiji Delta for a couple of days. This is a remote and predominantly Muslim area, and what an exciting opportunity it was, that they could show the Jesus Movie in one of the villlages there, that has had no or very little exposure to the gospel.

I have received a few text messages over the phone and even connected via Facebook with Lyle. I am sure he has some great stories to share when he gets back near the end of the month.

The girls and I are doing well here at home, thanks for all you prayers, may the Lord bless you!

In His love,
Jette

Lyle is in Masai Land

2010-09-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

Newsletter August 2010

2010-08-18T02:05:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and it is that time once again to give a report on what the Hall family has been up to.

The girls: They are busy with school in two languages (Danish and English) and taking care of pets, 5 rabbits have just joined the dogs, guinea pigs and parrot. We also just cut off Rachel’s cast today from her broken ankle. Naomi enjoys going to her little preschool, has learnt a few songs in Bemba.

Jette: She is busy with home school, (a full time job) also a hosting ladies bible study most Thursdays mornings and also hosting the missionary bible study some Thursday evenings, as well as hosting after-church tea for about 40 kids and adult on most Sundays. Our house is an open house.

Lyle: He has been busy with different things in the last four months, two clinics have been built, and loads of medical equipment has been distributed to different medical facilities. Several more churches have been planted so this requires follow-up and discipleship to the new churches. As an average, TTN (To The Nations – whom we work with) plants about 20 churches a year so discipleship is continuous.

Alex (one of our local TTN staff) is the local hospital Chaplain, he has influence on about one thousand patients a month and I go for hospital prayer visits with our team from time to time.

The heart of TTN: has always been evangelism and evangelism comes in different forms. In the last months TTN has lead two city crusades; also we put up our big tent and hosted the world cup football matches. We showed the matches on a big screen and preached during half time. At the end of it all, just over 400 had responded and were followed up and also directed to different churches.

Zimbabwe: I was in Zimbabwe for a week with James (another local TTN guy)teaching 34 coaches on different principles of how to reach the youth through sports. Teaching about HIV/AIDS is always a part of these seminars because it all too real for the youth here as well as the adults. So we spend a bit of time on this subject and try to take out the taboo of it all. It is my heart to see the churches start talking about this subject but it is all taboo so most will not touch it.

Conference: We spent the past week in the local OM mission conference, then I went to another conference and did some preaching and teaching for three days. It is amazing how many African brothers and sisters can fit in a small church, around 400 is what I counted. I slept in my tent but it was so very cold for me, the temperature these last weeks have been about 6C (40F) at night. Not fun at three o’clock in the morning. We are in the Southern Hemisphere so it is our winter time here.

Story: In the last few months I was blessed to see God work a miracle in a lady who was cursed by her father, she was unable to walk for over 12 years, after breaking the curse in Jesus name she now walks. The story on our blog, www.lylejettehall.blogspot.org worth a read if you didn’t get the email about her.

YWAM: I spent a few weeks teaching classes on spiritual warfare in the DTS in Lusaka.

Australia: I spent the month of July by invitation in Australia to meet the TTN board, also was invited to speak at about 12 different church functions. We also loaded three more containers full of medical equipment. Two containers come to Zambia and one will be shipped to Tanzania. This makes 12 containers in all being shipped out of Australia full of medical equipment. This has opened so many doors for all kinds of ministry for us. There is a hospital there that is moving locations next year and they have offered to give us all their equipment, this is about 120 containers full. All the logistics in this is huge but it is being looked into. Operation Lift is the organization in Australia responsible for loading and shipping and TTN is then the partner here on the receiving end, we unload and make sure equipment goes to its location, a big job. I did spend half a day on a boat in the big blue sea and caught a nice 10lb fish.

Some not so good news: Three different churches have dropped their support to us due to church politics (missionaries are generally the first to go) so this is making things a bit of a challenge, so I am taking on some building jobs here to help make ends meet for us.

For those of you who have supported us over the years; a continuous big thanks from us. For those of you that are still praying about our financial support, pray about becoming the answer to that prayer. Do get in touch with us or check out our blog to get information on the support info. If you need tax receipts, they are available.. As a whole it is more expensive to live in Zambia than the US, just to give you an idea.

Pray with us: We often encounter spiritual warfare issues here as you may imagine, so thank you for keeping us in your prayers. Here is something to think about, Believe it or not:

During one of our past crusades a witch was flying over the meeting place on her broom stick for several nights in a row and the team did not see many miracles etc, so as a team they all gathered together after a night meeting and while they were praying guess who fell out of the sky with her broom. She came crashing down in front of the team. She looked up, screamed, and then ran off into the night. The victory was the Lord’s, and the very next night hundreds of people encountered God and miracles were present. This does not happen every time we go out, but it is not all that uncommon either. So this is why your prayers are appreciated.

Come for a visit: As I have said many times before, if there is anyone or a church team that would like to come out for a missions trip please let us know, you are most welcome, as you can see there is a lot going on.

A look ahead:
September: I will be in Tanzania with a team going into the Rufiji Delta and then on to Masai Land where I have been several times before. TTN is looking to open up these for ministry.
In October, up to Nsumbu at Lake Tanganyika to build another clinic for about two weeks.
In November we go on a very remote river area called Kafue for research and also to visit churches that were planted there several years ago.

This is all for now, the Lord bless you all and remember to drop us a line.

A quote from Mother Teresa that has helped me over the years, “God has not called us to be successful, rather, he has called us to be faithful.”

Jesus Reversed her Curse

2010-06-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,
Grab a cup of coffee, sit for minute or two, and join us as we visit a woman who through a curse was left crippled and childless, but whose life was radically changed by God.

If you recall the newsletter sent some months ago, I mentioned in there a lady whose father went to a witchdoctor to have a curse put on her for fear of her getting married. And being the only daughter, the father did not want her to marry, for there would then be only his wife in the home to take care of him. This curse was intended to make her unattractive so that no man would want to take her as his wife.
After the fathers visit to the witchdoctor and paying his fee, he went home with expectations.

Now I am not sure what you believe or what your theology is, but when this young lady woke up the following morning she was unable to move. From the waist down she was paralyzed. The father is now upset at the witchdoctor because his daughter could do virtually no work around the house due to her condition.

For the next twelve and half years this young lady remained in her paralyzed condition. Living in a remote area, she had no access to wheelchairs or any other kind of handicap facilities. She had to be carried everywhere and was placed under a tree to wait for the day to go by. She was of no use to her father or to any man that may have wanted to marry her. She remained crippled, single and childless. And in this society this is very shameful and disgraceful.

Well ,one day about five months ago, someone came to her village; his name was Jesus and what an awesome road to healing it has been for this young woman.

Now for the ‘Rest of the Story’. Should I make you wait?

It was about 4 months ago that Mishack, one of the TTN staff, went off in his really tiny truck to a village for a ministry weekend with the ‘Jesus Film’ on board off. Mishack after the film showing and a few minutes of preaching made an alter call. After some time this lady was brought up to the front and put on the ground. There she began to share her heart and told Mishack that she needed that Jesus that she saw on the film.

After the evening meeting and most people found their way home in the blackness of night, she began to tell Mishack of her difficult life, the same story I told you earlier. Mishack agreed with her that they would pray together and break this curse in Jesus’ Name. Together they prayed and that was that. The following morning Mishack got in his really tiny truck and came home.

Two weeks went by and Mishack invited me to come with him to this little village, so off we went this time in a not so tiny truck. On our way he told me this woman’s story. We both hoped to see this lady again. The night came and so did the rains. We slept in the little crude church where the grass roof only half covered the building, the floors and pews made of mud. Well, we all got wet, and the dry mud turned into wet mud, then we got even more wet. I tried to pray and tell the rain what I thought, but that did not make any difference. So what do you do other than to pack up your things and run into the nearest village hut? Which we all did about 2 o’clock in the morning. It is not fun to get drenched at 2 am trying to find a hut somewhere to get into. I barged into this little hut and the poor family all sit up on their mats that were on the floor, all shocked to see this wet mzungu (white guy) standing in there door way telling them, “ Scoot over I am going to sleep in your hut.” This is probably the first white man that has ever slept in their hut. “So just enjoy it and stop staring at me like that.”

Guess who showed up for the service next morning, it was our friend. She had just walked about 6 km to get to church, it took several hours but with the help of others she came slowly. God had already begun to restore her legs and she was able to walk albeit in a somewhat crippled state.
I drove her home after church and sat in her mother’s house for a visit and she also began to tell us of her daughter’s difficult life and all the extra work that she had to do as a mother. The mother said it was a curse and there was no doubt. “But after you guys have prayed, this Jesus has broken the curse.”

Soon the grandmother showed up, she looked as old as the hills and she probably was. Her toothless smile as she sat in silence, the mother was talking and showed us the blanket her daughter slept on these past many years.

Before leaving we prayed for continual healing into this woman’s legs and body. We said our goodbyes and off we drove in that not so tiny truck.

Four months passed and the pastor from this village asked for us to come back for a visit. Off we went once again to encourage the church and hopefully visit our friend.
We had a great time of ministry the night of our arrival, dealing mostly with spiritual warfare type things. The amount of witchcraft and child sacrifices that take place there was astonishing. The fear of the strongman was evident; but that is a whole other story.

The following morning we had another service then off we drove to a hut for a visit. Upon arrival I saw a lady busily going in and out of the house bringing little wooden stools for us to sit on under a small mango tree. We all took our stools and sat there for a while, no one else was there except us and this lady who had brought these stools for us. She quickly went inside and got her own stool and came and sat with us. After a few long moments I asked Mishack if he could ask our hostess if the lady who had been paralyzed was around, perhaps sleeping somewhere.

This is when I felt a bit foolish for Mishack looked at me and said, “Simba (my African name) this is our lady, she is the one.” In shock and disbelief I looked at this woman again, there was no way this could be the same lady! (Shows you where my faith was…) She had gained some weight, looked healthy and walked with only a slight limp. As I sat there now looking into this woman’s face I could not help but get emotional, the joy within to see this lady once so crippled by a curse but now delivered by a blessing.

In our closing moments with her we gathered around her and prayed for her once again, but this time my prayer was not just for continual healing but it was now for a man to come into her life, a man of God, to see this woman fully restored into her society. This woman has been a testimony to me and strengthened my own walk in the Lord. To know where this woman was and to now see what the Lord has done and continues to do in her life.

Through all this I am left with questions that truly disturbs my thoughts, and I hope that these questions disturb your thoughts as well.

What would be the condition of this woman today if Mishack had never gone to her village? Would she still be sitting under a tree with no real future, no hope, all because someone did not pray with her? Can such a curse be put upon another person and never be broken throughout the cursed ones’ life? How can a father even think about doing such a thing to his own daughter? Does God really wait for people like you and I to go before He moves? Does God really rely on us that much that one person should suffer her whole life all because we do not go into the world and preach the gospel, heal the sick and cast out demons?

Would God really allow others to suffer the curse due to my lack of commitment? I am afraid the answer is yes, God is waiting. He has limited himself to work through us as his creation, his servants. Either God has limited himself because of others, which doesn’t seem very smart , or, God has such a deep committed love for his people, to see us grow and move in the authority he has given us, that he chooses to wait even at the cost of life. I choose to believe the latter of the two. What a responsibility we have!

I continue to think just how many thousands of souls continue to sit under trees or live in their cursed state of life all because of our laziness and passivity, not going out do bring deliverance to the thousands. How much more does it hurt the heart of God? When will we go and reach out?

There are people all around us whether we live in Africa or America, who need deliverance. Delivered from bitterness, hatred, addictions, from fear, rejection; and this list could really go on and on. Jesus gave his disciples authority to do only four things really; preach the gospel, heal the sick, to cast out demons and raise the dead. But these days we all know how to preach our messages, fewer heal the sick, fewer still cast out demon and raising the dead, well… We have made God so complicated we drown in our programs. So busy living ‘for Christ’ we have forgotten how to live ‘In Christ’. This I believe is where we have missed the mark.

This story is meant to encourage and challenge us all, to begin to live out our faith. Many say that their faith is the highest value in their life but did you know that 85% of church going Christians have never shared their faith with anyone, much less pray for the sick? We may value our faith but it is often only in principle not in action. Lets’ take our faith outside of our church walls. There are aspects of God that one will never find in church or from any conference. They will only be found on the streets giving your self away, and believe it or not it is that fire that many are looking for in their life is out there on the streets. It is in the alleyways, in the dumps, in the desert, on the wrong side of the tracks, its there that God will meet you, not always on the mountain top where we all want to be.

When I ponder all the people who are in bondage it is staggering, often my tears flow, not only because of those in bondage but because my own lack of love for the lost.

Lord I/we have gone to many seminars and conferences, and God only knows how many church services I/we have been to, but God, my heart has grown cold, my life is so busy it is hard to find the time. I see the desperate souls around me but the fear of man is still within. Help me Lord to overcome this old man that still entangles so much of my life. Help the lost to burden my heart, to keep me up at night, may I love them enough to fall on my knees, then get up and go, to see their eternity when I drive to work, to see my community as you see it, that I may reach out and give away what you have given me what I have taken advantage of for my own good. Lord forgive me. Amen

Pray and doors will open, then all we have to do is walk through them. It is not our job to save anyone, all we are supposed to do is to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’ and he does the rest, simple really. May we become so consumed in our love for Christ then all the rest will fall into place.

Blessings from the whole family
Lyle

A Few Photos

2010-06-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

Easter holiday 2010

2010-04-12T06:12:00.000-07:00

Christmas newsletter

2009-12-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

Dear friends and family,

On a recent ministry trip I came across a young lady, her selfish father did not want her to marry but wanted her to stay home and work. Father went to the witch doctor and a curse was spoken, within the day this lady was unable to walk. Now she is un-attractive and also unable to work. 12 years in a lying position. She was carried to a ministry outreach put on by TTN. After the ‘Jesus’ film she called for prayer. My good friend Meshach prayed the prayer of salvation and for the curse to be broken. A week later, back in the same village teaching, guess who came to church, still weak but she was walking all on her own. A curse was broken both in spirit and in flesh, Amen. The devil is a liar.

Ministry
Working with TTN – (To The Nations, www.ttnministries.com ) missions team has been a great shift for us and gives us the freedom to work with other mission groups as well. TTN has been in Zambia since 1974. Their small team has planted 600+ churches; they have years of experience with lake and river ministries, mass crusades, equipping rural clinics with medical equipment, and ministering to 14,000 patients yearly in the local hospital. There are plans now to push north into Tanzania.
Hosting outreach teams is also a big part of what we do, you personally or church groups are most welcome. Come to be challenged, changed and go home with a broken heart and some souvenirs too… Let us know when to pick you up at the airport. Bring a willing heart and an open spirit and we’ll take care of the rest. Well, maybe you should bring a few things…

Family
Jette is busy home schooling the girls, which they love. Naomi goes to her little Zambian friend most days to play. We have a beautiful home and a great community of friends. My heart, however, continues to long to be out in the nations around the globe. One season at a time…

Furlough?
We will likely take a short furlough from May to September. Vacation, well, although we need one on a beach, the local fishing dam may have to do.

My Tid Bit –‘The Cross’
Our flesh despises the cross but allow it to embrace you. Our soul alone cannot embrace the cross, nothing in our flesh wants to die but all self must be crucified so that we may walk ‘In’ Christ and ‘In’ the power of His resurrection not of our own. Cling to the cross and stay within its shadow, there is only one, follow not our own. Jesus came to die, shouldn’t we?

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
A big thank you for all your prayers and support in the past year, it means so much! Keep it all coming.
Much love from
Rachel, Acacia, Mikaela, Naomi
Lyle and Jette

Website: www.lylejettehall.blogspot.com
E-mail: jettelylehall@yahoo.com

Two Address Changes
Support address:
Uzima, P.O.Box 982, Concordia, MO 64020, USA
(Make checks out to Uzima, attach note designating the money. Also for direct wiring check web site)

NEW mailing address:
Halls, TTN, P.O.Box 81157, Kabwe, Zambia

Dansk Julebrev

2009-12-26T06:44:00.000-08:00

Kære familie og venner.

Jeg har netop oversat Selma Lagerlöfs Kristus-legende “Flugten til Egypten” til engelsk for at bruge den til vores juleaftensgudstjeneste. Selv om det jo er en legende, var det alligevel en påmindelse om, hvor fantastisk julens budskab er. At Himmelens søn blev en af os, og fra første færd oplevede livets barske vilkår.

2009 har været et interessant år. Dog ingen flytninger eller retssager og (næsten) ingen brækkede knogler, hvilket jo er ting, der fyldte meget i 2008!

Besøg…

I februar fik vi besøg af mine forældre og fik bl.a set Victoriavandfaldet for første gang. Det var en kæmpeoplevelse.

Brændt…

Maj blev rigelig varm for os, forstået på den måde, at vi havde brand i vor garage og 2 containere. Der gik mange ting tabt; dog er det Lyle der mærker det mest, da stort set al hans værktøj gik op i røg. Vi har nu genopbygget værkstedet og den ene container er blevet indrettet til klasseværelse, da jeg nu underviser hjemme. Det går rigtig godt; vi lærer alle noget nyt hver dag. Yndlingsfag er natur/teknik og højtlæsning. Lige for tiden har vi kalenderlyset tændt og laver julepynt, når vi læser højt. Vi bruger et engelsk system, mens fredag er dansk-dag.

Naomi er lige fyldt 3 år og er bare skøn og sjov. Hun bliver passet hver dag i skoletiden hos sin lille zambianske veninde Sophie.

Kære julemand…

Pigernes ønskesedler reflekterer i år på en sjov måde deres personligheder. Rachel (11) ønsker sig flere kæledyr eller bøger om dyr. Acacia (8) ønsker sig en hulahopring eller højhælede sko, Mikaela (6) et skateboard eller en fjernstyret bil. Naomi vil være ballerina-prinsesse.

Udbrændt…

I oktober deltog vi i en workshop om stress og udbrændthed. Der blev vi for alvor klar over, hvor tæt Lyle har været på total udbrændthed, og det påvirkede naturligvis hele familien. Det går heldigvis den rette vej nu. Vi arbejder nu sammen med en missionsgruppe som hedder To The Nations (TTN, www.ttnministries.com ). Lyle har været på flere ture til nære og fjerne landsbyer, hvilket er, hvad han virkelig trives i.

Hus og have…

Vi har malet vores dejlige hus og nu, hvor det er regntid, forsøger vi os også med at få en have stablet på benene, eller hvad man nu gør med en have.. Vores husdyr tæller for tiden to hunde, en papegøje, fire marsvin, en vildand, en slange og en kameleon foruden fisk i akvariet. Ikke nok, synes Rachel!

Orlov…

Vi går og leger med tanken om at holde orlov til næste sommer og komme til USA og Danmark engang fra maj og de næste fire måneder. Så hvis nogen kender til et hus/sommerhus i Nordsjælland, som bliver ledigt i aug/sept, hører vi gerne fra jer!!

Juletanker igen…

Jeg er for tiden ved at øve sangen “Mary Did You Know?” sammen med en missionærkollega. Den har en fantastisk tekst, som igen minder om, hvor usædvanligt dette barn var, som vi fejrer. Forhåbentlig har du også noget i din hverdag, der kan minde dig om den egentlige grund til at vi holder julen.

Vi vil også sige en kæmpestor TAK for al jeres forbøn, opmuntring og støtte i årets løb!

RIGTIG GLÆDELIG JUL OG VELSIGNET NYTÅR!
Ønsker Rachel, Acacia, Mikaela og Naomi samt Lyle og Jette

Adresseforandring!
Halls, TTN, P.O.Box 81157, Kabwe, Zambia

Email: jettelylehall@yahoo.com

Fradragsberettigede gaver kan sendes til os via Missionsfonden. Giro 613-9450, mrk.5109 eller Netbank 3433-3332142437,mrk 5109

Desværre må Missionsfonden ikke oplyse givers navn til os, så vi kan ikke takke jer personligt for jeres gaver. Hermed en stor TAK!

New Address

2009-12-11T06:35:00.000-08:00

Please note our new mailing address:

Halls
TTN
P.O.Box 81157
Kabwe
Zambia

Our newest family photo.

2009-11-18T06:22:00.000-08:00

2009-11-04T06:04:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,
Sorry our blog has not been updated in such a long time. We don't have internet at our house at the moment, so trying to fix that. We are all doing well, Jette is now homeschooling our children, and it is going very well. The remodel of our house is nearly finished, so that is good news.
Hope to be able to do more frequent updates once we get better internet connection.
Love from the Halls

Lyle's Week With the Maasai - Part 3

2009-03-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

Day 5
Up at 6 and ready to go on a hunt with the fearless warriors. But in view of the fact that we did not go at 6, I can write a bit more in my journal. I guess 7 will have to do. I have been shown how to throw their spears; I need some practice I can assure you. These guys are good. They also use small little bows and even smaller arrows. Not sophisticated like my compound bow back at home. Their bows look like something little boys would make and they are about as accurate as it sounds. It is the poison that makes it lethal. They say the animal goes down within 2 minutes no matter where it is hit.
After the hunt-
Within the first few minutes in the bush we spotted our first prey but to no avail. As we walked we spotted lots of wildlife around but with my spear in hand and his tiny arrows, one must get within twenty yards at best to get a good chance.
As we walk on my Maasai friend tells me stories of different hunts that he has been on. “Just six months ago” he said, “We killed 4 elephants not far from here, I will take you to see one of the skulls.” “I was with a few others with only our spears and dogs brought them down”. He said, “The ‘tembo’ is a very dangerous animal for if they do catch you, you are finished. But we are Maasai, we fear nothing.”
I was not sure to be proud of him for his bravery or ashamed of him for poaching the elephants.

We returned home empty-handed, except for a tooth I broke out of the elephant’s to keep as a souvenir. Mark, our Maasai host, shared more of his personal story. “After I received Christ, I cut my hair. In this culture when a boy goes through his circumcision ceremony he does not cut his hair until he becomes an elder in the community around the age of 30. The long hair is not required but it one way that these young men, now warriors get some respect and where they get their identity. After the ceremony we all go to the bush and learn the ways of the Maasai. We are taught by the elders of the community. We learn the ways of the bush, we learn to hunt, make spears, survive, and we learn about women. We also learn of the superstitions and the does and don’ts of just about everything.”

Mark went on, “I was in the bush for three years but a number of my friends stayed in the bush for up to seven years. It is during these years that we are completely free to roam the world, no responsibilities. If we want to go to the big city, we can go. We are tough and people respect us and fear us.”

“After I became a Christian I cut my hair as a sign that I was not holding on to these traditions of our culture but that I was now a follower of Christ. No one could understand why I did this. I was no longer respected among my friends or even the elders of the community. My friends actually killed six of my cows in an attempt to get me to fight back. When this did not work I was asked to leave my boma. After a short time I was allowed back to help with shepherding responsibilities.”

“Some time later I was told that a girl had been selected for me to marry but I refused and told my dad that she was not a believer and I can not marry her.” “My father became angry and beat me; I ran away to the bush and lived mostly on my own for a year. I made my way into Kenya which is just a few mountains away.”

Mark was used to the bush; he can live for 7 days without water. He might be a Christian but he is still Maasai.
When he returned home he found that his younger brother had married the girl he was suppose to marry.

As the months went on, Mark met a mzungu (white) women who was working in the area. She saw his heart and his potential. She sent him to Arusha to do a Discipleship Training School with YWAM. Mark says it was during this time that he really saw a transformation in his life. When he returned home to the Serengeti plains he truly began to share his faith throughout the local bomas.

He started three home groups which are now small churches. They do not meet in a church building; just under the local Acacia tree. A good place to start. Too many church plants have started with buildings, and when you look at many of these churches they are just limping along depending on the wazungu (white man) for support. Over my time in Africa I have told many a pastor wanting a building “if you can’t worship God under a tree, you will not worship him under a roof.” The thinking is that if they have a building then they have arrived and are successful pastors.

Mark went on in YWAM for further training and this is when I, Lyle, met him. I was teaching in a DTS and he had been sitting outside the classroom hearing my teaching and this is when he approached me and said I must come to his village and teach his people. I was drawn to Mark, his big smile and the spark in his eyes. I could not help but love this guy. So here I am a year later sitting under an acacia tree teaching his people.

When I follow and watch Mark today, I see that he is now respected and honored in his community. Once an outcast but now a respected man. Most do not understand his behavior but they do agree with it. They are drawn to his sacrifice and servanthood. An example we all need to follow.

Mark shared his heart with me about wanting to build a clinic here as well as a school. There are no clinics for miles and miles. Most just die in their home or on the way to the nearest clinic, a full days walk away. “No one goes to school here”, he said, “very few can read much less write, so even reading the scripture is not possible.”
(I will say that they may not be able to read words but they are master readers of the bush and if you can not read the bush here you will truly not survive.)

Back under the acacia tree:

We are once again in the seminar, pastor Ezra is speaking on The Touch of God and prior to this I taught on Deuteronomy 28, which talks of the blessings and curses of God which are all based on our obedience or lack thereof. Not only the Maasai but many cultures across Africa are based on blessing and cursing.
If I were to talk in a western setting of God blessing your dog or cow or shamba (garden) we would probably agree with that, but it would not be relevant. However, here it is so understood and people listen. Find a key to the soul of a culture and bring redemption and freedom to it. So often we preach on things that are irrelevant to our audience. We may have their ears but we don’t reach their hearts.
People are hungry here for something that they can hold on to. Locked in by traditions, superstitions and witchcraft their spirits are as hard as the ground they are sitting on. We all need fresh rain from God.

Q&A
After the session and a meal consisting of rice and beans, I was asked to have a Q&A time. Sure I said. These times are my favorite. I learn so much during these times about who people are by the questions they ask.
Lots of questions of the white man’s world but then the questions of witchcraft come in and how do they deal with it. One question was asked “You as a missionary, what do you do if someone comes in to steal from you, do you just sit there and let them come in or do you fight back?” My answer was I would likely do exactly what they would do if someone came into their boma to steal one of their cows. They all laughed and gave a cheer.
After and hour or so, Mark closed the session and said, “lets go Simba and drink some chai at my mothers hut. Once again my eyes had to adjust to the smoke and the darkness.

I began to ask Mark’s mother about her life, “no one has ever done that” she said. I asked her “If there was anything you could do in your life what would you like to do?” I was expecting a different answer, but she simply said “I would like to build a new little house for myself.” Mark began to explain “In this culture it is the woman who builds the house. Once married, the bride builds her own house. Here she raises her own kids and even raises goat kids and calves. There is no room for her husband in this house for he stays in his own house. He will only come to his wife’s place for a few moments of romance now and then.
I asked about circumcision of both the boys and girls. For the boys circumcision happens between the ages of 8 -12. For the girls circumcision only happens when they are given away in marriage. Some girls are promised away in marriage at the age of eight but mostly girls are around the age of 12 before they are promised away to a Maasai warrior.

Circumcision – boys and girls

We talked further about girls’ circumcision, the why’s, the how’s, the if-not’s; and what if she refuses? In short, the girls don’t refuse because they do not know any other way. This is just the way it is here. She does not know to say no. Every girl is circumcised, it has been this way for generations, there is no other way.
We talked of the health issues around the girls’ circumcision. I asked of the attitude from the men if a girl is not circumcised, is she considered unclean? I learnt that a man will not accept a girl as his wife unless she is circumcised.

I asked Mark and he himself agree with girls’ circumcision. We talked a bit about it and in the end I put together that this was the first time he has ever heard there was a problem with it, and that there might be another way. He has not yet been shown or taught another view. So now Mark was full of questions wanting to do what is right. We turned to scripture and found nothing about women’s circumcision so we concluded that if it is not in scripture then maybe it is not good to practice it. We also concluded that though this practice may not be healthy or necessary, this does not make it a sin. It is just an unhealthy traditional action that has cost many young girls their very lives.

In the bigger cities this practice is looked down on, there is even a law against it though it is still practiced out here in the Serengeti plains of Maasai land, it is just the way it is.
I, as a total outsider, need to not condemn them for this practice but rather try to understand them though I may not agree with them. My job is to approach this from a constructive viewpoint. Not arguing from my western viewpoint. It is amazing how deep and personal one’s conversations can get over a cup of chai in mom’s mud hut. Bringing in a new idea or new way of thinking is not even easy in a western setting.

Just look at the church and all our different interpretations.

Some say baptize by sprinkling, others say only by submersion while yet others say baptism is not even necessary. This issue alone may be enough to raise a few hairs and split churches. Many are not open to change, even if they see the truth in the change but due to traditions and pressure from position and status we stay in our practices.

In this small, dark and smoky hut we talked of many things while we filled up on cups of very sweet tea. The bride price for girls here is the price of about 3-4 cows and/or 6-10 goats or sheep. Young men marry somewhere in the age of 18-24. You don’t see many teenage boys around, since most of them are in the bush during these years. Their diet consists of only meat and blood mixed with milk of the cow. They will only eat this for years and not get any vegetables at all. Hard to imagine really. When they return home after these years they will marry and within several years they will become an elder in their community.

After several hours of sitting on a smoked cow hide and smelling like smoke ourselves we left mom’s little mud hut. Pastor Ezra said later he was shocked about all the things he heard in that little hut. As darkness took over the skies Pastor Ezra and I continued to talk about worldviews. Just how does one bring change from this type of worldview into a biblical worldview without one’s own opinions getting mixed up in it all? Nearly impossible.

9pm
Off to our evening meeting under an almost full moon. It is a cold night and all were wrapped in their colorful ‘table cloths’. It was a time of celebration and dance. I joined from time to time in their ‘dance of the leap.’ They all laughed at this white man in his clumsiness; at least I stayed warm... That night I shared more about obedience living as a Christian.
About 11 pm we were off to our beds with the sounds of the howling hyenas. They did not seem very far from our little hut where we slept. Pastor Ezra felt a bit uncomfortable with the hyenas so close I thought it was quite nice as I fixed up some of my t-shirts to serve as my pillow. I do miss my big bed and soft pillow and nothing against Pastor Ezra but Jette makes for a lot better sleeping mate!!!

Day 6
Up early again to see my neighbors plowing their field dressed in the deep red wraps. Against the morning sun this made for some good pictures.

Back in mom’s hut for morning chai we talked about the value system of the Maasai. I was told of the five highest values, but this was from a man’s point of view. I was able to talk to a woman later on and we will see their 5 highest values as well.
But from the men’s side the number one value is: The cow and everything that surrounds the life of his cows. The blood, meat, milk, skin etc.
Number two value, the witchcraft that is so intertwined in the culture of the Maasai man. This is where all blessings and curses come from as well as their source of power and protection.
Number three value was their circumcision.
Number four, their traditions and number five was their chief.

In the eyes of the man, the family is important but does not really have too much value. The children are valued the least. More time and energy is spent on their sickly looking cows than on their own children. And it is noticeable. These kids are undernourished, full of worms and covered in flies. Many times in rural areas like this, the kids are curious and want to see the mzungu (white man), touch him, watch him, etc. This usually does not bother me so much, it was the same for me as I grew up in Liberia. But here these kids were dirty, covered in flies and basically, they were repulsive. It is not until these kids grow up and go through the rites of circumcision before they are considered of any worth by both the family and the community.

Back under the blue tarp and acacia
My spirit is troubled today, are they really understanding and receiving? Superstitions and traditions run so deep. After speaking again on Christian living, I challenge the 300 plus to bring their ‘jujus’, power beads etc, “bring them tomorrow and we will surrender them to the Lord first and then we shall burn them so all can see that you are turning your back on these things.” Everyone knows about witchcraft and how it works, it is real and it is powerful here and this is why people follow it. I just wish the power of the Holy Spirit would come down and overpower all this stuff; I wish I knew why this does not happen more often. If these folks could just see the power of the Holy Spirit. These cultures are power cultures and anything or anybody that has the most power they will follow. Do any of their prayers do anything for them as they wear their juju around their waist? If anything, it keeps them in bondage and continues to give authority to the evil one. We shall see here in a few days if anyone actually brings any of their jujus. It will be a big sacrifice to do this, if not for the juju itself but for the others who will be watching, the peer pressure even in this society is difficult.

Late afternoon once again I take the Mkuki (spear) and take a walk to the valley. The valley floor is covered in aged Acacia trees, reaching their long arms to the heavens. What a glory displayed, this rugged valley has so much beauty to behold, a pen cannot explain. I sit in a small opening, my eyes and ears alert to any wildlife that may show its beauty. The shadows are now as long as the day is old.

As I sit here I ask the Lord once again that I be granted a time in my life to live in such a place as this. Surrounded by wilderness, perhaps I am dreaming again. Sitting in the shadows of the setting sun, I am asking God what it is that would allow the presence of God to be a reality in these communities. Two things come to mind, one is that this land needs to be cleansed, generations of idolatry and witchcraft have cursed this land and its people and secondly, that this deliverance will come through true worship. We can preach and teach all week long but until the land is cleansed through the spirit of worship we will not witness the real presence of God and his lasting power.
The true and sad fact is that millions of Christians across these African nations still hold on to their witchcraft and juju beads. Often you will notice a bible in one hand and juju beads in the other.
I have prayed what seems like a thousand times for that wisdom and possibility to reach into these scattered people groups to bring in the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit that is so desperately needed.

Lyle's Week With the Maasai - Part 2

2009-02-11T23:30:00.001-08:00

Day 4
Up early to see my surroundings; a few men are guiding their yoke of oxen as they pull the plow behind, preparing for the upcoming rains. Mark soon joins me and off we went to his mother’s small cow-dung hut. Mark disappears inside and welcomes me. Easy for him to say, I can’t see a thing in here. Through this black doorway I go, head down (low ceiling) I bang along till I come to the central room of the small hut. I greet mom and get seated on the bed which is sticks of wood covered with cowhide, no mattresses here. Mom stocks up the fire and my eyes adjust to the dark and with the small fire I am able to make things out. There is only one small hole in the wall and this is it’s the single source of light. It lets the light in and lets the smoke out. After my eyes stop burning from the smoke, the place becomes quite cozy.

Some culture
Over a cup of chai (milk tea) I ask Mark to tell me his story. He was born to the second wife of his father who had passed away some years ago. He is one of 60 children. His father had 6 wives in all. It is common to have many wives in the rural Maasai communities. He told me of the chief a few hills over, ‘he has 32 wives’. So how many children does he have? “Somewhere around 200,’’ he said. “He is a powerful man; he has a thousand cows or more”.
Each of Marks ‘6 mothers’ has their own hut. When married, each wife builds her own hut. It is here where she lives and raises her children.
Where a particular family lives is called a boma. It is like a yard as we know it. There is the main common hut which all family member use. Then there are the small huts for each wife. The boma or yard is fenced in by thorn bushes and branches of acacia trees. These thorns are to keep the cows and goats in during the night and keep the lions and hyenas out. Every time there is a new ‘wife’, the boma increases in size.

The common hut is made of mud while the huts of the wives are made from cow dung. Not sure why, but there is no smell in the hut at all of dung, it is warm and well insulated. Once you are of a certain age for a young man, even before married, he will move out of his mother’s boma and build his own mud hut. Pastor Ezra and I are staying in Mark’s little mud hut just a stone’s throw from his mother place. When a young man marries, his wife too will build herself a little house and then they in turn will start their own little boma.

When boys are circumcised here, (I will talk of the girls also) somewhere between the age of 11-18, this is a very important stage in their life. There are 10 stages in one’s life and for each stage they are given a cow and/or a few goats. They keep these animals with the bigger herd until there are enough to start their own and then they will separate and put their own brand mark on their individual animals. I have seen a single herd up to 200-500 cows all belonging to one family.

It is quite common here that girls are married as early as 8 years old, but mostly by the age of 10. It is the responsibility of the girls and women to be cooking, to be at home taking care of younger kids and do most of the milking of the cows and goats. They are also responsible for bringing water to the boma. During the dry season getting water is not an easy job. Often they will go 10-20 miles for water. They bring it back on the backs of the “Maasai 4x4” which is called the donkey.

The men and boys are responsible for protecting the cows first, then the family. The cow is the highest value and it is believed by most Maasai that all the cattle of the earth belong to them. It was not that many years ago that the Maasai often had war against other nomadic groups claiming that they have stolen their cows a long time ago and now we want them back.
The men are responsible for hunting and carrying on the family line. I have seen young boys not much older than 4 years of age out all day with a small herd of goats. At the age of 6-8 these boys are taking young cows and up to a hundred goats and sheep for several days out in the bush or plains. With no food or water from home, they stay out with the herd. If they are out for several days generally a group of these young boys will travel together.

Amazing, I am still trying to get my 10 year-old to clean up after herself, and to think that if we were Maasai, she could be married by now or out in the bush for several days all by herself watching over a herd of cows. Am I missing something here……?? When the boys grow older and have entered the stage of manhood, this is after circumcision, they will be out with the cows for several years, not returning home at all. Moving throughout the plains with the herd. Living on meat alone.
Mark told me that when he was out there he was gone for 3 years, ate nothing but meat. He also said there are many times that they would be out of water for days, he said once he drank no water for 7 days. So much for the theory of dying after three days with no water. But then these are the Maasai, they can survive the bush.
It is often during these times where the boys will shoot a small arrow into the neck of a young cow and let the cow bleed into a bowl and they will then drink the blood. Often they will mix it with cows’ milk. This custom not only takes place when there is no water but at most celebrations the drinking of blood is part of the festivities. Mark said that he does not follow the drinking of blood tradition now that he is a Christian. Although he did ask me if I wanted to try it! No thanks, I’ll stick to Dr. Pepper…

12 noon.
Today is the first day of the seminar and people are beginning to make their way to under the tree and blue tarp. Most will be coming for the evening sessions once their cows’ are safely in their bomas. 12 noon is the official starting time but likely start at 2 pm. Concerning the subject of time, time is irrelevant here. One is really never late, if things don’t get done today, well tomorrow (or next week) is always coming. In our Western world time is of most importance. Time is more valued than even money in many cases.

In most cases in Africa people would rather spend the time than the money. So if I have to walk 3 hours to get home, well that is better than spending a few coins to take the local bus. Valuable time is always coming so what is the hurry? As outsiders the sooner we understand this cultural difference the less frustrated we become when people don’t arrive ‘on time’.

After our meeting and a goat-and-rice supper we make our way to a small boma to have our evening meeting. It was scheduled to start at 7, but it was just about 9 when we started. Overhead just outside the little hut was a nearly full moon, just about bright enough to read my bible.
The time started with singing and dancing. A time of celebration. Singing in the African context seems to generally always be a time of celebration or praise. Very little ‘worship’ songs as we know it. Seems to never be a time to settle the spirit down and worship, but everything is loud and busy right from the start.
I understand nothing of what they sing, their language is very different from Swahili, but I get in a dance with them and they all laugh at this mzungu. I shared this evening again, finishing up my story.
In the first session this afternoon I told the almost complete story from the beginning. Very often people only know about Christ and salvation but very little of the whole story before Jesus, the foundation of Jesus and the forefathers of the faith. And here in this culture knowing about the forefathers is a very important part of their social system. So today was trying to give a foundation of Jesus and salvation which gives him a place of honor and respect here in Maasai Land.

I am back in my little mud house under the light of a flickering candle. My goat skin covered bed is not the most comfortable, but not too bad except for this board that runs right across the middle of my back and there is nothing I can do about it because pastor Ezra shares the same bed with me, so not a lot I can do but whine and complain about it…

To be continued.....

Lyle's Week With the Maasai - Part 1

2009-01-07T23:32:00.000-08:00

Day-1, Saturday
The start of my week with the Maasai was to leave our new home in Kabwe, Zambia, first by bus then on a plane which in turn had several delays. Upon arriving in Arusha and meeting my hosts it was 1 am, and not 6 pm as expected. Coming back to Tanzania this time was with mixed feeling. The memories of trying to keep myself out of prison a few months ago as well and getting two of my friends out of prison were still too fresh in my memory. But that is another story.

For this particular week I was invited to be the guest speaker at an all Maasai seminar/conference. You may ask ‘just who are the Maasai’. The Maasai are nomadic herdsmen, a people all to their own. There have been many books written on these people. Known for their cattle, culture and courage they are likely one of the most popular and beautiful of the nomadic people groups. Tall, thin, sleek brown skinned figures. Although they are not always liked by other African people, they are respected by all. Their culture and traditions go back hundreds of years as they have roamed the central/southern African plains in search for grazing their livestock. In rural Maasai areas both boys and girls are still circumcised, and for a young man to enter into manhood he must prove his fearlessness by killing a lion alone with spear in hand. I am hoping that I will get a chance to go on a hunt during my visit to learn a few things. It is one thing to have a rifle in hand but a spear… A charging two-ton cape buffalo is enough to get you nervous at 200 meters much less 2 meters. I chased a hippo once, several years ago, with only a camera in hand, it all went well as long as I was the one doing the chasing, but soon the tides changed and he stopped and started chasing me. He was armed with 2 tons of body mass and two big tusks about the size of my left arm. This mzungu (white man) may not know how to jump as high as the Maasai, but I tell you I know how to run. I could have brought home the gold that day………….

Many Maasai have moved to bigger towns and cities and have done well in the business world, and due to the western influence some of the Maasai traditions have come to a stop but still the majority of the Maasai still live in bush country throughout Kenya and Tanzania.

I will spend Sunday here in Arusha town and then off on safari Monday morning to the bush which is about 8 hours north of here.

Day-2, Sunday
This morning in church I was asked to bring the message for the evening service, I spoke on ‘values’. Values is something I have been looking at in my own life in a deeper way. We say we hold this or that as a high value but when we take a closer, honest look at where most of our time, energy and money goes, it may be other things that in reality are our highest values.
Today I also met up with pastor Ezra who will be joining me on this trip. He and I worked together lots in Kigoma, he is an overseer of 118 churches, a dear man of God.
For dinner this evening we went out together with Gabriel our host here in Arusha. We went into a small hole-in-the-wall-place to eat meat, a favorite Maasai pastime. Gabriel himself is a Maasai, lives in the city of Arusha, he has taken over his father’s business and they have done well. They have built a beautiful home on the slopes of Mt. Meru which is about 12 thousand ft tall but seems quite small since it sits in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro at the height of almost 20 thousand ft.

Over our eating charred but quite good goat meat I asked Gabriel if he was coming with us to the bush to Maasai land. He was not too keen on the idea, he has found his place of comfort here in Arusha for he knows the hardships of the bush life that his kinsmen suffer out on the plains. He laughed and with a big smile he politely declined this mzungus invitation...

Day-3 Monday
Monday morning: here we sit and wait for our bus. Imagine that ‘wait’ in Africa. If one could only count the hours one sits and waits here it must add up to a quarter of one’s life. I guess it is not much different than my kin spending a quarter of their lifetime sitting in traffic. So I took this time to buy a few more supplies and observe the several thousand Muslims that have gathered to pray at a soccer field across the street, this happens to be the month of Ramadan.
This is likely where the driver of our bus is. Anyway what else can one do but sit and wait so why not write a little bit more about my week with the Maasai.

Noise - All the mosques are calling out with their calls to prayers, all those calls are mixed with the city noise of cars and people walking by, along with street vendors announcing their goods for sale. If I could just get my iPod to work I would listen to Don Moen, but I sit here in my impatient mood writing in my journal between these two black lines waiting on Mr. Bus Driver.

Our bus trip is now said to be 9 hours long, we head up to the Ngorongoro crater, which is a wildlife park, passing around the forest rim of the crater, we will head off down the slopes again into the Serengeti plains. The Maasai roam the plains with their cattle as they have for generations, long before the tourists ever showed up, the Maasai herds mingle with all the wildlife. The Maasai warrior herdsman follows his herd for days on end with spear in hand to ward off lions and hyenas.

I have travelled these main roads on several occasions but this time I will get off the main tourist route and head deep into the plains. Well, just in case Mr. Bus Driver shows up I had better go find a choo (toilet). No such thing as a toilet on these local buses. And you only get to stop when the driver needs to take a pit stop and that generally does not happen very often. One learns to just suck it up……….

Mr. Bus Driver being now 3 hours late, we were off to Maasai land in our dilapidated bus. Music just cranked up as we basically flew to make it to the town to Waso before the sun set. Upon arriving at the gate entrance of the Ngorongoro park I was by prior arrangements given permission to go into the national reserve for free, otherwise it is 60 bucks a day. Through the gate and up we climb to the crater rim. Looking below we can see the open grassland of the crater floor, the rim too high to see any wildlife on the valley floor but it is said that down there is the most concentrated numbers of wildlife in the world year round. We continue bouncing down the road towards the plains of the Serengeti.

I saw a small sign on the side of the road that announced a name of a small town that was 84 kilometers up a tiny trek off to the right. I looked at this road and thought how is it possible that road could be so long, the trail is hardly visible. Little did I know what lay ahead. We drove for another hour or so right to the entrance of the great Serengeti wildlife park. Now is was our turn to take a right and head not only 84 km down this hardly visible trek but we went nearly 184 km. Kilometer after kilometer we drove through open plains, nothing but grass as far as the eye could see.Not a tree or shrub in sight. Basically flying down this trek over the rolling hills dodging Thomson gazelles or zebras from time to time. For some reason these gazelles would try to get across the road before we passed, so they would dash off and race the bus and cut across this little trek, like they were going somewhere... There was nowhere to go, it was all the same as far as the eye could see. Maybe they thought it was their last chance to get to the other side. I am sure the driver would be more than happy to hit one so he could make some good soup that night.

During the migration season from February through April these plains are home to literally millions of wildebeests and zebras who give birth to their young during this time. They are all further north in Kenya at this time and will come south when the rains arrive.

We drive on, the bus comes to a halt and we all pile out and well, ladies on that side of the bus and boys on the other. No trees to hide behind so well you just forget about stage fright because who knows how long it will be before you get another chance. Back into our over-crowded bus we take off again. Note: if you ever take public buses in Africa do your best to get a window seat, trust me on this…

Not a town or hut in sight for hours but now and then you would see a Maasai or two walking somewhere. Their red garments can be spotted far off into the green hills. The Maasai (mostly men) walk for hours on end everyday. They can walk literally up to 40 miles each day. Our Maasai host Mark, whom we shall soon meet, walked to Arusha city once, it took him 8 days and it is at least 300 miles away. He took no food nor water, he just walked and survived as best he could.

The Maasai color is mostly red but there are many who also wear purple. Their cover is about the size of a table cloth, they wrap themselves up and use it as a head cover when needed. Their under garment is somewhat like a dress. Together with the beaded necklaces, earrings and spear and staff it seems to fit them perfectly in their exotic appearance.

After 4 hours of driving on this trek it widens and becomes an actual small road which takes us to the small outpost town of Waso. Here some of us pile off and the bus heads of again to another destination.
Here in Waso we are to meet our host Mark (his Christian name). He walked from his village today, only 15 miles away…. He said it just took him 2 hours. We met up with Mark with hugs and kisses and he said the land cruiser will soon be here to take us to the village. Well, after 4 hours the land cruiser did come to get us. Off into the night we drove, we could see the glowing eyes of wildlife dashing off into the night.

I was glad we left Waso town, I was hoping to go to the bush and not be in a small town, I like the bush. Although after a week in the bush this little town of Waso will be welcoming, where one can buy a warm coca-cola and get a tough chicken dinner with rice. But for now I am off to the bush to be with the real Maasai for a week and I look forward to it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

Greetings to all from the Hall family.
We are locked in the middle of the rainy season here in Zambia.
I, Lyle, just returned from a great time with the Maasai in Tanzania. I am now writing my journal on our blog so keep a look out for some new ‘stories’. Or come out for a visit, our house is always open. Merry Christmas.

Rachel, now 10 years old: “I love to sew, to rollerblade and I love my puppy Sasha. I am thankful that we are in Kabwe and have good friends here.”

Acacia is 7½: “I love to make Christmas decorations, I love the big rains and sometimes I wash my hair in the rain, and I am thankful that it is almost Christmas.”

Mikaela is almost 6: “I love to play freeze tag with my friends and to play in the rain. I love our big Christmas tree, and I’m thankful that daddy has made our house so nice.”

Naomi is 2. She loves to play outside and get muddy and is thankful when mommy and daddy take time to play.

Some Christmas reflections from Jette: We have been reading one chapter every day from the Gospel of Luke with the children . Luke has 24 chapters, which takes us all the way up to Christmas Eve. And it reminds us of the real reason Jesus was born, which was to live and die for us.
What a wonderful God! And what an incredible event it was; “The Messiah? Birthed in sheep manure??” This is a quote from a small book I have just read called “The Innkeeper’s Son“ by Ken Anderson. This was not at all how the Messiah was expected to come to earth. People were expecting him to come in glory and majesty, but he chose to come in poverty and humility. God’s gift of love to me, to you. Merry Christmas.

Brief update

2008-12-11T12:41:00.000-08:00

Please pray for Lyle
Lyle left on a trip four days ago and he will be back on the 17th. He is in Tanzania where he was invited to speak at a conference for Masai Christians. We would appreciate your prayers for him during this time, for wisdom as he ministers to the people and for protection as he travels.

The rest of us are doing fine. We moved into our house just before December 1st, and both the girls and I are having fun decoration it for Christmas..

November Birthdays

2008-12-11T12:32:00.000-08:00

Rachel turned 10 on the 3rd and Naomi was 2 on the 21st.

2008-11-17T01:20:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,
I (Jette) am wrapping up my two week visit to Denmark and flying back to Zambia this afternoon. I have been here with Naomi, while Lyle and the girls have been looking after one another back in Kabwe. I will be so happy to see them again.
I came here to surprise my mom for her birthday and it worked out perfectly! She had absolutely no idea that we were coming and both her and my dad were speechless when I walked in at the party last Wednesday, it was great!
It has been really nice to spend time with the family, to catch up with friends and to go shopping for Christmas presents for the girls. I even got to go to my high school reunion on Friday, that was fun.
Lyle has been busy working at our house and we plan to move in at the end of this month, can't wait to get into our own place! There are a few photos below, the outside photos are "before and after" we raised the walls on that side. Lyle's hands are doing much better, but he still doesn't have full strength - yet.
Also, here is a link for a bunch of pictures from the past year. http://hallfamilypictures2008.shutterfly.com/ I had put them all in chronological order, but alas, they came out all all shuffled... Hope you enjoy them anyway! Sorry, Think something is wrong here, will try to fix soon!
Got to go and finish packing my suitcase.
Till next time,
Love from Jette

Inside our house

2008-11-15T07:06:00.000-08:00

Our house

2008-11-15T06:43:00.001-08:00

Kidding?

2008-09-29T14:22:00.001-07:00

Yes, we are kidding. Only Acacia's cast is for real!

No, we are NOT kidding. Mikaela broke her leg two weeks ago!!

More photos

2008-09-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

Our new puppy, Sasha

Naomi loves spaghetti.

School uniforms

2008-09-29T09:46:00.001-07:00

Girls in their school uniforms in front of one of the much-talked-about containers. The other picture is their P.E. uniforms for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Lyle is Back!

2008-09-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

I’ll tell you very briefly about Lyle, I know that many of you are anxious to hear more. He came back on the bus from Tanzania on Sunday morning at 4.30 a.m., 3 weeks to the day after he left. It is so great to have him back safely. Our two friends were finally released from prison, a bit skinnier, but otherwise unharmed.

Thank you all for praying for us during these tough times!

We’ll post more about his trip very soon.
From Jette

Lyle Continues in the Fight

2008-09-11T23:56:00.000-07:00

Written by Lyle Tuesday Sept. 9th in Iringa

Hello everyone,
We are going on in this real life drama. There is so much to say. I still have two friends in prison and there is always delays. I was told that if I were not here fighting for them they could easily stay in for 6 months or even longer.

My heart is lighter these days but my mind keeps me up many hours of the night. After coming here I've been trying to put together the full story. My Arab friend got into a serious argument with our Tanzanian friend responsible for our containers and my Arab friend was wanting to show John just who has power. So he set this thing up to come against John not realizing the effect that it would have on Shilingi and myself. I have spent time with this Arab friend and he is sorry for what happened and will now as of today try to help clear all this mess up. He has said that he will return all our money of $7,000 and possible more to help pay for all the expenses that this whole thing has given me. This whole thing will cost me close to 8,000 by the time it is all done. This is not what this money was intended for.

This is just a short report, there will be time say more after this whole things is finished. I am right now on my way to go to see John and Shilingi in prison and try to get John to humble himself by writing a simple letter of apologies to Mr. Arab. He will then have the charges dropped and we can all go home. But John has been resisting this man and wants to fight. This only destroys everything we have been working towards.

Continue to pray with all of us here, by the way the containers have been released and are on their way to Zambia.
Thank you,
Lyle

Friday Sept.12.
Update

The same evening after Lyle wrote this, our containers arrived here in Kabwe. I am so glad we have friends here who helped with all the logistics. We could not get a crane to lift the containers off the trucks, just a forklift which could lift only an empty container. It took us from 8 am till 8 pm Wednesday with about 14 guys helping to get everything unloaded and re-packed! But we praise God for the miracle of finally being able to open the containers that many of you helped us pack back in June and July of 2005, many people will be blessed by what you contributed. Another praise is that the 1995 van we ordered from Japan has arrived at port in Dar Es Salaam and should get here in a couple of weeks. It will be nice to have our own means of transportation...

Girls are doing fine in school, I think they are adjusting very well.

Heard from Lyle this morning that he is still in Iringa, waiting for our guys to be released and waiting for the money the man owes us. He hopes to leave by bus Saturday morning, which may get him here as soon as Sunday morning. Pray that he makes it!

Thank you all for your love and prayers.
Jette

Brief Update on Lyle

2008-09-05T05:05:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,
A big THANK YOU to everyone who has kept us in prayer, especially these past 5 days.

It has been a week of emotional turmoil for our family, but the Lord has been good to us. All we can do is cling to him and rely on him to provide a solution. The girls have prayed faithfully for their daddy and were very happy to hear the news.

I just spoke to Lyle on the phone, and he gave me the wonderful news that case is closed, charges are dropped. There was a fine to pay, but that is minor compared to the prospects he was facing when he first got there. Praise the Lord !!!

Our two friends are still in prison, so pray that they will be released on Monday as we have been promised.

Pray also for the matter of our containers to go smooth and protection for Lyle as he travels back here to be with us again.

In His AMAZING love and grace,
Jette

2008-08-22T07:18:00.000-07:00

Arrival in Zambia

2008-08-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was exactly one month since Lyle’s motorbike accident. And it has been quite an eventful month; that is for sure! At the request of some of you, I will try to recap some of the events of these past weeks. I will begin with the happy ending (the current ending, that is) which is that neither Lyle nor the boy, Elia, will have any permanent damage, and there will be no court case – which for Africa is a big deal. God is so GOOD!!!
I am glad I can just sit and type this on the computer. I wouldn’t be able to tell anyone in person, because I have completely lost my voice due to a cold. It is funny how it affects the whole family, and it has been much quieter in our house. I don’t think I’m usually the one who makes all the noise, but whispering seems to be contagious. When I whisper to the kids, they automatically whisper back! Anyway, here we go:

Departure from Iringa
After the accident, we were able to postpone our move to Zambia 4 full days… Even so, the departure day ended up being no less than chaotic. Lyle went to the police station to let them know we were going and to tell them how they could get a hold of us if need arose. Well, they insisted on finding the boy and said the parents had to give permission for Lyle to leave. They went to his village for a futile search, since Elia was still in the hospital which is basically right next door to the police station! Eventually they found him and talked to his parents, who reluctantly allowed Lyle to travel. After writing up a letter back at the police station with the father, a witness and the police officer, Lyle jumped in a taxi and rushed to the bus stand.
Meanwhile “back at the ranch”, I was trying focus on the task at hand which was to get our things packed and the children ready to travel. Fortunately our dear friends came and helped get everything packed, otherwise I think I would have cracked at the seams from the stress and concern for Lyle. They brought us to the bus stand at 2 pm, where luckily, the bus was delayed. I have never been so glad to be delayed! When the bus did arrive, we tried to persuade them to wait a little bit longer, hoping that Lyle could make it there in time to travel with us. Our good friend Jameck Shilingi was traveling with us to help out with kids and luggage, since Lyle was incapacitated (of little use..) due to his injuries. Finally, at 3 o’clock the bus driver decided he could wait no longer, so we said our tearful good-byes to the Lloyd-Jones family and the bus drove out to the main road, where it was blocked by a crazy taxi driver who pulled in front of it. Out of the taxi came Lyle! So he made it.

Crossing over to Zambia
The 4 hour bus ride to Mbeya went fine, allowed us to kind of catch our breath. It was dark by the time we got to Mbeya, and we waited about half an hour on the side of the road before we were able to catch a taxi to the guest house we thought we had booked. Turned out there was no room at the inn, so by the time we found another place, got some food and put the kids to bed it was almost midnight. The train to Zambia was scheduled to leave the next day at noon. Well, another delay, so noon came and went without a train in sight; they said come back at 10 pm! We were kindly allowed to stay at the hotel to wait all day, then at 9.45 we clearly heard the train whistle several times. Not knowing if this might be a departure signal, we scrambled into the waiting taxi and hurried to the train station, and found the train just arriving! Phew! We eventually got our family settled into a 6 bunk compartment, with our friend in the very next compartment. The train departed around midnight and by 9 o’clock the next evening the train stopped at the final station. Our friends were there to pick us up along with all our bags and suitcases to bring us to our new home in Kabwe.

The very next day, a missions conference started at Pro Christo, our new place of work. It was a busy 4 days with 6 daily speakers plus workshops and missions presentations, but very rewarding to be part of it and to see the passion among these 5-700 people, mostly Africans, for reaching the world with the gospel. We did not see our kids much, they were busy making new friends in the children’s program at the conference. We were received with much love and care. These people have prayed a lot for us to be able to make it to Zambia.

Acacia’s arm and Lyle’s
A couple of days later, Acacia was rollerblading at some friends’ house. She fell and hurt her arm, which turned out to actually be broken, but just a small greenstick fracture, so her cast will come off in a couple of days. She was quite exited about getting a cast on just like Daddy’s!
Lyle’s healing is progressing but slowly it seems - at least to him it seems lengthy. That possibly has something to do with our house waiting to get worked on and the frustration he feels about not being able to do any work with either of his hands yet.

Life in Kabwe
We are renting a house from a missionary family who are on home leave. It is only two houses down from our house which is now in the process of being renovated. I think most of the tearing down is done, so the rebuilding can begin. Right now the office and master bedroom does not even have a roof because we need to make the walls higher. Luckily, it is still dry season here! We’ll make an effort to take some before-and-after pictures to show later.
We have signed Rachel, Acacia and Mikaela up to go to Jacaranda Trust School, which is located within walking distance from our house. It will of course all be in English, so we have made English school at home for a couple of hours a day just to get their minds prepared for the school term which starts in September. They will also have to get used to wearing uniforms, both for school and for sports classes! We’ll send pictures when the time comes. They like being here, but also miss their friends from Iringa. Even so, Mikaela recently said: “I never want to move back to Tanzania, just go there sometimes to visit my friends.”

Matters in Tanzania
While we have been trying to get settled in here in Kabwe, we have friends who are trying very hard to help us get things worked out back in Tanzania in regards to the accident and also concerning the relocation of our containers. For a while it seemed like the best thing was for Lyle to stay here, otherwise rumor had it he might be put in prison if he came back. Then we heard that if Lyle didn’t come back, then someone else might go to jail on his behalf until he showed up. It was very hard to know what would be the wisest thing to do. Just yesterday we got the news that the issue with Elia’s parents has been settled. We have tried to help them out with their medical expenses, bicycle repairs, etc. The other good news we got was that even the police file is now closed. As you can imagine, we are very relieved. All this could not have happened were it not for our dear friends in Iringa, to whom we are immensely grateful.

Containers
This is a never-ending-story all on its own, but we’ll spare you all the frustrating details. It has been far from easy to say the least, but the process of moving our containers, which we packed in Denmark and USA in 2005, now seems to be moving forward slowly.

Thanks for all your prayers, please don’t stop!

Love from Jette and the family

PS.
We do not have internet at the house so we are not able to check emails every day.

Lyle's accident, Twins and Simba Ulanga

2008-07-23T04:57:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you for standing with us in prayer, we really need it right now.

This first part is Lyle’s own words and then I will continue where he left off…

I write to you not in the best condition. Yesterday afternoon I was on a short trip on my motorcycle. I was doing about 60 km/h or 40mph when a young boy started crossing the road with his bicycle. It all happened so fast, I tried to go to one side but went right into his bike. I was thrown off my bike, and onto the tarmac I went with a big impact. I got up quickly wanting to get myself and my motorbike off this busy road. There was a big truck not far away speeding toward us. I tried to lift my 250 Honda but was unable. A local guy ran to help get the bike off the road just before this truck came flying by. This truck driver either had no breaks or no respect! The boy had been knocked off to the side of the road already so he was out of danger. A bit confused I sat down to gather my thoughts while many locals by this time had gathered to see. After sometime I was taken to the police. Not in any shape to be there, I had to give a report and had to get a paper from the police before they would allow me to go to hospital. Jette had joined me at the police station, I was in the state of shock and the body was not doing good.

At this point, Jette is writing again. Our good friends, the Lloyd-Jones’, left the twins in good hands at home and came immediately to be with us at the hospital, which was a great comfort, and our girls were taken well care of at the Danish school. After two and a half hours wait the doctor came. An Italian doctor, orthopedic surgeon at that, so very qualified. It was worth the wait, he checked Lyle thoroughly including an ultrasound of his abdomen to check for any internal injuries. Thankfully there were none, but the x-rays showed that Lyle has a bad fracture of his right arm, a finger broken on his left hand, possibly a broken rib as well as an injury to his neck. And unsurprisingly he is quite scraped and bruised. Thankfully, he was wearing his helmet and a sturdy leather jacket. Otherwise there is no saying how bad it could have been. The young boy miraculously only hurt his right knee and is being treated at the hospital. Lyle’s arm was put in a temporary cast and he was allowed to come home and sleep. This morning we returned for Doctor Mario to set the fracture (under full anesthetics) and then we got a nice new room to ourselves at the hospital to recover in. We came home in time for supper and lots of hugs and questions from the girls. Lyle needs to wear a neck brace for two weeks, a finger splint for 3-4 weeks and the cast for 5 weeks, so he won’t be jogging or playing volleyball for a while…

I sit here writing, not in a state of shock, but in a state of gratitude for what might have happened but didn’t.

So thank God with us for his protection and for the help and love we have felt from all our friends, Africans and non-Africans alike.

Please pray for rapid recovery for Lyle and that our move to Zambia the end of this week can go ahead as planned. We will be taking the train for 24 to 30 hours to get to our new home in Kabwe.

TWINS

A big praise for Yohana and Benjamin. Both are doing fine, happy and healthy little boys. They have both more than doubled their weight since their arrival, AND they have both tested negative for HIV! God is so good!! We’ll try get new pictures of them on our website soon. Pray that God will continue to provide for all their needs, he has been doing it in amazing and unexpected ways until now.

Simba

Please continue to lift up Simba Ulanga in prayer. He is being taken back to court in the same case he was in prison for. We don’t know a lot of details, but God does, so stand with us in the gap for this man of God!

May the peace of God that passes all understanding remain in and with us all!

Much love from Jette and family

The Fight for Life #3

2008-06-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the honored Milk Man.

Bwana Asifiwe is Swahili for Praise the Lord. And this is just what we ought to do for Benjamin and Yohana. Little Benja has been putting on weight. Both of them now weigh about 33% more than when they came to the Lloyd-Jones’ family. Jette mentioned that she was glad she doesn’t put on 33% extra weight in 4 weeks! I would have to agree with her…

Ben is still the smaller of the two but is really beginning to look like a baby now. You can no longer see his bones underneath his skin, his hair is shiny and his skin is a soft dark brown colour. He can even cry without too much effort now, whereas previously he was nearly unable to cry due to the lack of strength.

Yohana is now just over 2 kilos and Ben is just under 2 kilos. Both of them have settled into a relaxed routine which is good for them and for the Lloyd-Jones family. For three days now Ben has not gone into shock, where his eyes roll back and he stops breathing; and this alone has brought the stress level down immensely.

Photo: Yohana with Lyle, Benjamin with Jette

The doctor came by and said they are no longer in critical condition although they are still not strong enough to fight off infections or diseases that might come, so there could still be problems if this were to happen. Let us continue to pray.

The mother of the twins came some days ago to see her sons at the Lloyd-Jones home. She herself is not well and unable to care for the boys at this time, but she showed obvious emotions of gratitude that they are still alive, even though she wasn’t able to say much.

But is the story now over for these two boys? A good question. Now that they have been rescued from the hands of death, there are still hard questions to ask. Where do they go after they are fit and healthy in the months to come? Back to an unstable mom with a broken health and house, to an orphanage (many of which are in desperate conditions), should they be adopted out, if so to whom? These are life questions that need to be answered on their behalf. Who makes these decisions? Is it the white man, the unstable mom, the “corrupt” government? We have kept these two boys from the angel of death, but who is now going to be their angel of life? We have taken care of the need but now reality comes ever so quickly. Who is willing to sponsor these boys for the next eighteen years? Is it me, is it you? But for the moment there is no immediate need for them to move from the Lloyd-Jones family, where they are happy, content and under medical care. A big thanks again to the Lloyd-Jones family.

The more I ponder these questions the more I begin to understand the African view of life and death. Death may not be understood here but it is accepted. We westerners somehow understand it but don’t accept it. We do everything to prevent it, at all costs and measures. Here it happens to all and there is not much that can be done about it even if though the desire is there, so it is allowed to happen and with a few days of sorrow and grief they let it go and move on, few questions asked if any. If they don’t move on they themselves will be become a victim.

Photo: Yohana on the left, Benjamin on the right

Something that burdens my heart is that we have saved two boys this month but we have lost a thousand. Just last week another desperate baby, an orphaned girl in the same conditions of Yohana and Benjamin, died in the house next door to our friend’s home. Where were we for her? Where were we for the other thousand that died this month? Aren’t they just as important and don’t they have the right to live just like Ben and Yohana? My hearts-cry question is “Why can’t we save them all or at least most of them, where are we going wrong?”

Yes, we will save the few we can, but my heart continues to go out to the others. What can we do to save them all? Is it just too big, too many, not enough people and resources? What about the 274 billion dollars in aid that has come in over the past 40 years? “The Economist” magazine. July 2^nd-8^th 2005.

How does one change a world-view? The West has tried with billions of dollars but it all seems to no avail. We try to solve a spiritual issue with a physical one. We continue to do so and in the long run this will fail, as we have seen for generations not only in Africa but around the world. Only a Jesus Christ spiritual transformation will keep the future Benjamins and Yohanas alive. As a Christians do we just say it is sin and brush it off under our conscience or is there something that actually can be done?

Who carries an apostolic vision that can “save” them all, or have we become too institutionalized in our Christianity? We say that God can change nations but who is willing to take that risk? Even for those who do take the risk, everything has become so full of bureaucracy that we can’t really do it anyway.

Africa is a beautiful place with wonderful people but at the same time are things here in Africa getting better but worse? The infrastructure has come a long ways and many kids have the chance to go to school but according to another report in the “The Economist”, life expectancy is now lower than it was 50 years ago, despite the billions of dollars thrown into this continent. Has foreign aid hurt more than really helped, has it only created dependency? These are hot questions right now in politics surrounding Africa. It all looks good on TV back home but here in actual life the real truth is revealed. The rich get richer and the Benjamins and Yohanas die. Maybe I as the honored milk man write this report in a bit of frustration… When I see another little one die, where were we for her? And just last night we had yet another 4 week baby boy in our home coming out of a similar situation as the twins. So we do what we can, we save the ones we can and we let the hundreds go, a hard pill to swallow.

A huge thanks from all of us here for all of your prayers. We are all convinced that it has truly been the prayers of all you saints who have prayed for these twins that has made a difference. Together we have defeated the spirit of death. Prayer does work as we have all witnessed. If there are those that you have been praying for and there seems to be no breakthrough, persevere, don’t fall in the gap and stay strong. In faith get on your knees one more time and then again one more time, followed by another. It is he that perseveres till the end that shall be saved.

In closing I am supposed to tell this to someone: If you are in a desert, walk through your desert with your head high, let God make the way out. Don’t try to run from it, there are some deserts you must cross alone in trust. Make the desert your sacred place.

We will send another report in the weeks to come. Your comments are welcome.

God bless you all.

Four Blonds and a Monkey Too

2008-05-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

Looking Ahead: Zambia, here we come!

Phone calls and Emails

In January, while still unsure of our future direction, we received a phone call from Zambia from a missionary we did not know. He said he had heard of Uzima and asked me to come visit them. Since I have learned that sometimes one needs to go and try each door and not just sit and wait for one to open; off to Zambia I went to check this new opportunity.

The morning I left we received an email from a friend in Denmark who, while praying had been given a vision for us. He did not have any idea what it meant; nor did we when we first read it. However; after returning home I re-read this email and amazingly, this was exactly what had I met in Zambia; even down to the very words they used in the invitation for us to come and work with them!

Also, we had previously received an email from a friend in the USA who was praying for us and sensed that none of the different options we had at the time seemed right. He felt there would be something completely new and unexpected coming to us. - And here it was!

Pro Christo Global Mission

After returning home, talking and praying with the family we made the decision that we would move to Zambia to work with this mission. They are called Pro Christo Global Mission. Their main focus is to train and develop Africans themselves to be full time missionaries. This is something I have wanted to do all along. Pro Christo already has African missionaries in 10 African nations; eight families are actually on Lake Tanganyika.

They suggested that move to their main headquarters in Kabwe, Zambia. My main job description will be to work with their missionaries on Lake Tanganyika (the south end of the lake borders Zambia) and try to get a medical vessel going to support the work that is already begun on the lake. Sounds familiar? This is what we went to do in Kigoma…

They have also asked that I teach at their Missionary Training College as well as travel to the surrounding nations to teach and visit their missionaries to encourage them; which is something every missionary needs.

As I met several different mission groups in Kabwe; I noticed a remarkable sense of unity among them. Never have I seen it before to such an extent. They share ideas, ministries, money, vehicles, staff, even the pulpit. After meeting the leaders of these mission groups I noticed another extraordinary thing: they were all missionary kids just like Jette and I both are! I felt very much at home within minutes of being with them.

We Finally Bought Our Own House!!

I got a call shortly after returning home from one of these missionaries, “Houses very rarely come up for sale here in Kabwe and usually they are very expensive, but one has just come up for sale across the street from us. Hurry, other people have already made an offer.” We went to Google Earth and located the house, gathered the girls to pray, talked a bit and then I sent a text on the phone to say that we would buy the house. Sometimes things move fast, - even in Africa! So we now own our first house ever, for 35 thousand usd, and we are very excited. I took another trip to Zambia a few weeks ago to see the house and it does need some work but it is a nice place. 4 bed rooms, 3 bath rooms etc. It will require about 7 thousand to redo the electric and plumbing work as well as adding a dining room and rebuild the kitchen. A few years ago we were blessed with a 30 thousand dollar check for a house. Praise The Lord! So we need to add some to make it all happen. We will also sell our car here and purchase another in Zambia.

On The Road Again…

So, we will be on the road again but we sense this is a move that will be really good for the family. One of the top Zambian schools is located in Kabwe only five minutes walk from our house. Mostly local kids but a handful of white kids go there as well so we will try this option for our girls and see how it works out.

This move is a new country, new currency, new people, new mission, and new language although English is widely spoken. We will miss Tanzania; we have loved it here, and I have learned a good deal of Swahili. Jette has been here 17 years, I have been here for 7, Naomi was born here, lots of friends here etc. But we move on and follow the Lord’s calling.

The Family

Acacia just celebrated her 7th birthday. She had a bunch of friends over for a party and had a wonderful day. Her favorite present were a watch, a bracelet and some pretty clothes. Rachel is doing really well in school, and especially loves her Tuesdays with horseback riding in the afternoon. Mikaela enjoys her pre-school, but also wants to know how to read like her sisters. Naomi runs around and seems to learn new words every day. Her favorite time of day is late afternoon when our guard takes her to fetch milk from a nearby family who has cows.

Jette is still teaching at the Danish School and will be working right up till the end of June; she is very busy with that. This coming week they have a big workshop, putting together a musical production for the 18 children at the school aged 7 to 14.

I, Lyle, have been doing a lot of traveling and teaching in YWAM lately as well as overseeing a couple of building projects here in Iringa.

Simba Ulanga

Also greetings again from Simba Ulanga. I happened to meet him at a bus stop in Dar Es Salaam a few weeks ago. We shared a taxi, he had just been on the road for 9 weeks and several local pastors were thrown in prison this time. I took him home, said hello to his family, left him with some money and off I went to my own destination.

Thank you all so much for your love, support and prayers.

We do need you for all of those things.

God Bless you!

The Fight for Life #2

2008-05-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

The Fight for Life Continues #2

Written May 8th 2008

Yohana here. It is my turn to write. My brother Benjamin, he is too weak to let you know how we are doing. It has been a real struggle for Benja these last days. There seems to be a continual fight between life and death over his body. At times you can see this very fight take place as you look into his face. Death is more real than life. Our new mom is the best, she continues to give us everything, she never sleeps it seems. My brother often sleeps on her chest to receive life from her warmth and heart beat.

This last Sunday it looked like death was winning the fight over Benja but my new dad sent out texts to others by phone to pray for life. Dad said that as they prayed together as a family and spoke the word life over Benja that you could see life come back into his face.

Our doctor friend Claire comes to see us every few days and she says that I am doing very good considering the circumstances, she even said that I have put on weight 200 grams, yippee! But Benjamin is struggling to put on weight but he has not lost any so this she said is a good sign.

I have a new big brother and three new sisters, their home schooling has been a bit out of schedule since my brother and I showed up. But mom says they are learning more than school could teach them since they are working with us. They all take shifts throughout the day and night. My tall dad is my real hero; he keeps it all going somehow. Thank you for your prayers and I ask that you continue; death’s spirit still lingers around our room, we do not have the energy to say no to it, all we have is you and others who will stand in the gap for us.

Greetings once again from the author. As I continue to take milk over to the boys twice a day at times I sense the pressure on the Lloyd-Jones family. I try to not just bring the milk but also to bring a smile and a spark of joy to the family. Their long days and nights are not easy and when death seems to have the upper hand at times of course the stress and emotional levels are at their highest.

There have been a few families and individuals that have gathered around these twins to give a hand in what way they can. Jette is still giving milk a few times a day as I have become the honored milk man.

Here in Tanzania, statistically, infant mortality is 70.46 per 1000 live births, this is how many will die before 1 year of age. In the US it is 6.3 per 1000. Malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and AIDS are common causes of death. These complexities come from deep within cultural ideas, worldviews, values systems, and also the real fact that most people live on less than a dollar a day. They simply can’t afford medicine or hospital, so people just hope for the best. This for many is their only answer. Death is just accepted here, it is quite common place among families. The deceptions that are in their world-views have left its curse and scars on the whole society.

As a missionary, it is very difficult not only to understand the world-view here, but then how does one have a long lasting positive influence on this culture? How does one change a world-view? Truly it is only by “all” of Jesus, not just salvation.

Please continue to stand with us all in prayer for Benjamin and Yohana and also for the missionaries who are serving the African people.

Lyle

The Fight for Life #1

2008-05-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

The Fight for Life – Is it Easier Just to Die? #1

Written May 2nd 2008

My name is Benjamin. I have a twin brother and his name is Yohana or John in English. Those are our new names, traditionally we are just called Kulwa and Doto meaning First and Second for the first six months. Real names are not given for fear that one or both of us will not live. We were born just about 5 weeks ago. Our mother is quite sick and she has not been able to feed us or take care of us. Our father died in July last year so he is not around either.

Mother has no family here; we were born in a house that has basically completely collapsed. The day we were born we were left on the mud floor wrapped in rags for the first hours until morning because mother had no energy to help us or feed us and no one was there to help. My mother only has one arm, not sure how she lost it. Not only that; she only has one breast so she is unable to feed us both anyway.

Mother basically had to choose between my brother and I, she choose my brother because he seemed more likely to survive so he was always given first milk. Even at that, there was not enough for my brother so I rarely got any.

I remember the cold nights; we did not have enough clothes or blankets to keep us warm. I do not know how we are even alive. I have slipped in and out of death so many times it is hard to count. My eyes continually have this white film over them and they seem to roll back and close even when I try to keep them open.

Neither my brother nor I have much energy, so even to cry is difficult. How and why I keep holding on to life I do not know, it must be supernatural. Our hands look as though they are already 80 years old. Nothing but skin hanging loosely over our bones.

When we were only a month old some missionaries came to our collapsed house to see us. They talked about us and what they should do with us. The missionary lady is a nurse and she was quite concerned and something had to be done right now or death was sure to take us both that very night. In the end it was decided because our mother was not able to take care of us that they would take us to their house. The road was terrible and we were covered in blankets and even the heat was turned on to keep our frail 1.5 kilo (2lb) bodies warm.

Through a lot of stress and the fear of death lingering in the car we did arrive to their home. The spirit of death was everywhere that night and tried several times to take us both.

So we now have white parents, dad is really tall. They already have 4 kids and they are from New Zealand, whatever that means.

I learned a new word today, malnourished. A lady doctor said that we were both malnourished, but especially me, we’re like 6 levels below the death point of malnutrition. The doctor could not understand how we were even alive, a true miracle it must be.

Now we are all wrapped up in blankets to keep our body heat in, lights are turned on around our bed to keep heat around us. Our bodies have no heat, very little blood flow and we can hardly move. We are now fed every two hours and it seems to take an hour just to eat, which for me means to drink two or three teaspoons of milk, I hardly know how to swallow anymore. My body does not know what to do with real milk.

I could hear the doctor say that my brother Yohana is doing a lot better since he came here but for me Benjamin there is still a lot of concern that I will even live another day.

I also heard that even if things all go well it would take at least 6 months before we could be normal in weight.

There is another lady that comes from time to time; she gives us her milk twice a day, which she generally gives to her own baby Naomi. The doctor said I am the one who needs to get that milk. I hear my tall dad often say that “I am not out of the woods yet”. Not sure what that means but I wish that this feeling of death would leave me be. So many times a day I want to just let death have its way but something keeps me alive, it is not me - it must be those who are praying.

------------

Greetings, dear friends,

Even at this very moment as you read; Benjamin and also Yohana are on the verge of death. Together a group of people have rallied around these twins to fight for their very lives. A big thanks to the Lloyd-Jones family for their hours of day and night dedicated to these boys.

I have been taking milk over a couple times a day and hearing their report. There is not much that I can do physically but there is one thing that I can do and this is why I write this letter to you my readers, I ask that you become an intercessor for these twins.

Intercession is standing on behalf of another person(s) in prayer, standing in the gap. In this particular situation it is standing between life and death for these boys. It is very hard to communicate the emotions and the pressure of death surrounding these twins. I would ask that you and/or family intercede for these two boys.

The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in You and this is where we get our authority over death itself. You do not have to pray long but pray with boldness and faith, speaking life into these boys. We all know that the prayer of a righteous man avails much. Who will stand as an intercessor for these twins?

Thinking through this today how many thousands of babies through out the world that do not have an intercessor? The thousands of babies born on the heaps of garbage pits of the world, A hard question to ask but I ask myself sometimes if it is not better that they die, rather than growing up in utmost poverty, sickness and a life of hell. I have seen it all in different parts of the world. It is not possible to describe in words what conditions people live in.

It is very common in these parts of the world that the stronger one of a set of twins is chosen to live. How does a mother come to this decision? Also in these parts, one of the twins and even both of them are considered a curse and left to die in the fields just moments after birth. How deception has stolen life itself from millions.

Please stand with us now in intercession on behalf of Benjamin and Yohana. I will let you know of their condition in some days.

a few pictures from last year

2008-01-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2007 Newsletter

2007-12-26T17:17:00.000-08:00

”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

2007-11-05T15:26:00.000-08:00

November 07 Simba Ulanga Update

2007-11-05T15:00:00.000-08:00

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

2007-10-01T15:59:00.000-07:00

September Update

2007-10-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-08T16:05:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-08T16:08:00.000-08:00

Celebration Sunday – Simba Ulanga

2007-03-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-16T16:25:00.000-08:00

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

a few pictures

2006-12-27T16:46:00.000-08:00

A Baby Girl

2006-11-26T16:50:00.000-08:00

Early Tuesday morning the 21st, just after 3 am, a beautiful little baby girl joined the Hall family. 6 lbs 14 oz, and 19”. Mother and child are doing very well.Her name is Naomi, see her in the attached photo.She was born in our home with only Lyle acting as midwife (he did a wonderful job!), while our doctor and midwife were at the hospital getting a room ready for us!! They arrived shortly after to help.

The big sisters are very excited and want to hold her constantly. We look forward to Jette’s mom coming to visit from Denmark Thursday.
And happy thanksgiving!
With much love from the 6 Halls in Kigoma!

Prayer Update

2006-11-21T16:53:00.000-08:00

-Praise that the Doctor and his wife have arrived
-God’s wisdom in important meetings end of November and beginning of December
-Pray for safe delivery for Jette around Dec.1st

Summer Newsletter 2006 Hall’s Happenings

2006-07-19T16:58:00.000-07:00

Prayerwalk

If you remember I had gone on a prayer walk, the original prayer walk down south never happened due to some major problems so we went north to Burundi and walked down to Kigoma. The long report mixed with many cultural things is soon to be on our web site.

Ministry

There have been various ministry trips out on the lake in different villages with visiting teams. There will be about 11 teams this year from abroad. Sleeping in huts or tents. I have been asked to speak in many different churches and have been teaching in a bible college here, which I have truly enjoyed. I have never actually written an exam before, I have taken many; now I write the exams and score them, imagine that. We will start to minister in a special camp for those who are blind, crippled, leprosy etc. With no families, they are left here, so we will step in and bring a spark of joy and a smile to their lives. Different ministry opportunities with kids have opened up as well as working with a Muslim family that has become Christians and are now being persecuted for it. They lost their jobs. The wife even had her sewing machine taken away. So we are helping out where we can. I have been in 7 different debates with Muslim leaders by personal invitation. It has been challenging but I have truly presented the gospel starting from Gen. to Rev. Some of you may have heard of my time at this mosque some years ago. The crowds are at least 1000 people and even up to 2000. Pray for us, the battles here are spiritual, yes they mostly come in the form of man but spiritual they are. Life is spiritual here more than just truth, as we westerners think. We must reach them in spirit. We often just give them truth but the spirit is not there to reveal this truth so it mostly just becomes head knowledge. A hard bridge to cross.

Family Highlights

RACHEL: Rachel is in home school and always has her mind on having fun. She is growing lots. A great thinker, taking piano and wants to be tough like the boys.

ACACIA: She wants to be a girl, she’s also is in school, loves her life but finds it hard to be the middle kid. Some moments are hard, but there is always a smile behind her big beautiful eyes.

MIKAELA: Who she wants to be like is hard to say, she is all her own. Tough but likes to look pretty with mom’s lipstick generally smeared around the face. Loves all types of animals.

BABY: Ok yes, they say that real missionary families have 4 kids so we thought we would try to qualify.. Jette is 4 months now. Hope for a boy. I need a boy in this house.Animal life: So far 9 rabbits, 1 dog, 3 snakes, 2 chameleons, 1 cat, and 10 birds.

YWAM UZIMA

We are still on the look out for a ship, some good possibilities but. The hangar for the helicopter will be built starting next month so progress is coming. Another nurse plus the doctor and his wife will join us in two months or so. Look at the Uzima report soon to be sent out.

Family Prayer Points
- safe pregnancy for Jette
- for the three teams coming out soon

- pray for a person/teacher to come out and give a hand in home schooling
- Gods favor on the work here, there have been some tough times here for us

The Package

2006-02-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

Dear friends and family,

We are doing fine here in Kigoma, it is quite hot at the moment, right around 85 F most days, but no complaints. We just pray for rain to come soon. Many parts of Tanzania have had no rain at all and there are even reports of people dying from starvation in some places. In one area called Tabora people are said to be selling their cattle at only $4 a head compared to 200$ here in Kigoma, because they are unable to provide food and water for them. Please help pray.

We would like to share with you some things happened in the last few days.
Yesterday (Wednesday) we received a package from some good friends in Denmark. We received it the day after Mikaela’s birthday, so it was perfect timing. Lyle got it at the post office in the afternoon, so it was in the car still when we drove to the weekly missionary fellowship meeting that evening. We were so excited about receiving it that we opened it on the way over there. But we left the package in the car since there were other kids there who hadn’t been so lucky.

When we got in the car to go back home, the package was NOT there! The car had been locked, but the windows had been left with a little crack open because of the heat. We have no idea how anyone could get that package out. Everyone was asking around and searching under our car and the other cars, but the package was GONE!

Naturally, we were all very upset and sad and all three girls were crying, but we had to leave without the gifts. When we tucked the girls in their beds we thanked the Lord for the package and prayed that it would be recovered, and if it was not found that Jesus would comfort us some other way. We know that a number of the other missionaries also prayed that the gifts would be located. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t go back to sleep because I began thinking about theat incident. I was sad, also on behalf of our friends, for what should I write and tell them? “Thank you so much for the presents, so sorry to tell you they were stolen from us.” And I was upset. Upset at those who had stolen from my girls. Mad at myself for not leaving the package at home or brought it from the car, or I should have closed the windows all the way and triple checked that all doors were locket. (We have central locks so we know the doors were locked, but in the middle of the night you don’t reason that way) To escape all those thoughts, I decided to pray. Quite frankly I didn’t feel like it but I prayed a while for whoever did this. I prayed for my children that they wouldn’t be too sad and upset at the loss; and for myself that God would give me His love for people here in spite of this situation. And I prayed for our friends who sent the package. After that I slept well till morning.

This morning a young couple from the fellowship night came over with three little gifts for the girls to encourage them. Around noon we received a phone call from the bible school where we had been last night, that someone had come across the package under a tree in a corn field behind the campus and our neighbour would bring it back to us later. But obviously no one knew if everything was still in there. Rachel was so over the moon to hear that, but I was worried that she might be disappointed, so I tried to explain to her that there was a possibility that some of the things had disappeared.

This evening we were given the package. Imagine our joy when the only thing missing was one sheet of stickers, everything else was there! Socks, nightgowns, marshmallows as well as two sheets of stickers. We are all praising the Lord for an amazing answer to prayer! Why the package had been left out there in the field we don’t know. Whether the perpetrator put it there to return later and pick it up unseen or whether they realized that they couldn’t get away with it and left it there to be found without being found out themselves we will probably never know. But that really makes no difference; the main thing is that God heard our prayers! What a great God he is, to think that he cares for us in such practical and tangible ways!

Remember that he cares for you and your loved ones just the same!
With love and blessings from Rachel, Miriam Acacia, Mikaela, Lyle and Jette

Christmas Newsletter 2005

2005-12-25T17:05:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of December and most of you are probably already surrounded by various reminders that Christmas is near. Not so here in Kigoma. Except that the red flowers on the flame trees are blooming more and more each day and will continue to increase during this month. We have made a rope with 25 knots on it for the girls, and each day until Christmas they will untie a knot and receive a small surprise and each day we will read a chapter from the gospel of Luke as our Advent calendar. We look forward to spending Christmas here with Jette’s parents who live in Dar es Salaam.

Highlights
There is a Danish hymn; I cannot count them all, the signs of God’s goodness that I have received. I saw them fall as dew drops, before my wondering eyes. This very accurately expresses how we feel when we look back on this past year. God has been so good and faithful to us, through the good as well as the hard times.

It is definitely a highlight that we have now finally arrived in Kigoma and are in a house with a great view of Lake Tanganyika. A view that daily reminds us why we are here. There are many people out there along this lake who have yet to hear the good news that “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9)

Birthdays are always a highlight and this year we have celebrated in Florida, Montana, Denmark and here in Kigoma. Lyle cut a corner and Rachel is now a big 7 year-old. The girls are doing great, making new friends, picking up some Swahili every day and enjoy having a real home, as do we.

Life and Death
We just had a man at our door. He came to see us about a week ago received some help so he could take his wife to the hospital. Well, today he came to let us know that she had passed away and to thank us for helping him. A thing like that sure puts our own little problems into perspective. They have a little 4-year-old who is now left without a mother. Before leaving, he prayed a prayer of blessing on our family and of thanks for his wife and her life. Amazing, such inner strength God gives him at a time like this! But it is true; there is a bigger picture, a God who is always there for us.

Uzima
It has taken time getting set up as it always does here in Africa. Many important decisions to make every day about things in Uzima as we move forward. So many hurting people here in Kigoma that at times it can be overwhelming. We are planning a 260-mile prayer walk on a big portion of Lake Tanganyika visiting the villages on the way, introducing ourselves and doing a lot of research. This trip will be hard and long, about 25-30 days. But it will set a good stage for Uzima for the future. Lyle and a few others will take the journey and it will be on foot since there are no roads. Please keep this in prayer as we prepare to go in February. I encourage you to also step outside and take a walk, praying for your own communities.

Thank you, for praying for and with us throughout this year. Thank you for standing with us and dreaming with us to bring God’s heart for life, health and wholeness to people in need.
Have a Wonderful Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Rachel, Miriam Acacia, Mikaela, Jette & Lyle Hall

Earthquake Update - We are fine

2005-12-09T17:09:00.000-08:00

On Monday afternoon Dec 5th and earthquake hit Lake Tanganyika. The epicentre was approximately 80 miles south of Kigoma, but the effects were felt all over East Africa and as far as Angola to the Southwest. We first heard the rumble an then felt the shaking. Everything was moving, windows were rattling, a few things fell off the bookshelf. When it seemed to be getting more intense instead of letting up, we decided it might be safer to be outdoors, so we grabbed Mikaela out of her nap and ran outside. Even after we couldn’t feel the tremors anymore, we could see our hedge still shaking for several minutes. But we are all fine, we haven’t heard of great damage or casualties in our region, praise the Lord for that. Thank you to all who pray for our safety, God hears your prayers.

Rachel was very excited to experience a real earthquake, especially since we had just studied about the earth in school three days earlier, in particular we had studied earthquakes and tsunamis, so I couldn’t have given her a better hands-on lesson!!

We Have Arrived

2005-10-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

Kigoma. Our new home. Our new neighbors. Our new life.We have finally arrived and yet we are just beginning.

As we approached Kigoma last Monday, we stopped the car (check out the picture to see the car) on a hill that overlooks part of the city and thanked God for his faithfulness in getting us this far, in our physical as well as our spiritual journey. We are excited to see what God has in store for us and thrilled to be part of what He wants to do in Kigoma and beyond.

It was great to be received by our colleagues in Kigoma, Gabriel who is a Tanzanian and Harold and Coni in their new house. They had located a couple of houses that are for rent and we have just decided on one of those houses. (see the photo) There is a wonderful lake view, the house is secure, spacious and the big yard outside provides plenty of room for the girls to play. It needs some “tender love and care” so we probably won’t be able to move in for another two weeks. We have been busy today scraping paint off the floors and sweeping the walls and ceilings; not necessarily hard work - but in 104 degree heat (40°C) it was a bit draining. In themeantime, we are staying at a bible school’s guesthouse in town, where the girls are meeting some local kids.

What’s more, a couple of days ago I (Lyle) met with a landowner who has property for sale on the lake. It will be exciting to see what this may lead to.

Please Pray:
Please pray for us during the negotiations. We have no money to put down at the moment, but we have come this far so there is no reason to panic now. We are in no doubt that God will continue to be faithful. The rains are soon on their way and the ground is thirsty. It has not seen rain for many months. Everything will be green and lush again. The roads, however, will become a challenge, but for some reason I like this kind of stuff!!!

Please continue to pray for the safety of the two containers that are soon to be shipped out and for favor with the customs authorities when they arrive in the country. The containers that took the long grueling trip on the train have arrived safely, and some people from the UN brought a truck to take them to the house free of charge!! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Our new information has been placed on our website: www.lylejettehall.org, (A friend has offered to take care of the website starting next month which is wonderful news for us.)

God bless you all.
Love from Rachel, Miriam Acacia, Mikaela, Lyle and Jette