“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:
therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”
(Psalm 28:7)
This verse says it all about how we are feeling and about what God has been doing since our last prayer letter. I would like to start off by saying thank you all so much for the cards, texts, monies, and everything else that we have received on behalf of my wife and this cancer journey that we are taking. Every word of encouragement that we get, we cherish. Thank you for taking your time and reaching out to us; we so do appreciate that. As far as the cancer is going, my wife just finished Round 7 of her chemotherapy treatments. At the end of Round 6, she got another detailed scan. We are thanking God that the tumor has shrunk an inch, and the lymph nodes have reduced well. She will finish her chemotherapy on November 8. Then we will meet with the surgeon on September 11 to go through the details regarding surgery soon after finishing chemotherapy. We covet your prayers as we get information on the next step of getting rid of this cancer.
Esther and Benjamin started school at Badger State Baptist School on the 22nd of August. We are so excited that Esther gets to attend an actual school this year. Benjamin just enjoys learning so much, and he is over-the-moon excited as well. We are grateful for the opportunity that the Lord has allowed our kids to get involved and grow spiritually. We have been telling our kids, even though most of them are young, “Don’t miss this opportunity. You never know how God will use this to grow you. Make sure you listen on purpose.”
As many of you know, I returned back to Tanzania for six weeks, and it has been busy over here. I had the privilege of being present for our church’s 9-Year Anniversary, along with the first graduating class of our Bible institute. We had 11 graduates. It was so encouraging to see these people finish and have a good sense of pride. I am looking forward to seeing how God will use these people to further the Gospel. For the anniversary day, we had over 750 in attendance, along with salvations and baptisms. As is normal for these types of days, we had an afternoon lunch provided as well.
I was also able to see a potential church plant. There is a group of 7 believers out in a village that is 3½ hours away. They are looking for a pastor and some direction. For now, our first church plant in Giaro is sending a few preacher boys out there to help out. Please pray that maybe one of our graduates will be willing to go out there and build that work.
I will be heading back to the U.S. on September 6. Please pray that my flight and everything will go smoothly. Please keep in prayer the staff and ministry that stay behind. I know that the Lord is using Grace Baptist Church for His glory, and we are excited that He chooses to do so.
We love and appreciate each and every one of you.
For His glory,
Mshama, Martha, Esther, Benjamin, Rachel, & Sarah Kinyonga
