Burnside Family Church has responded to the new thing that God has been doing in Tanzania with Pastor Daniel and his work with the elderly Maasai in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as a result of a visit by me back in 2017. As a church we were very encouraged and blessed to be able to step out in faith last year. We raised enough money for a 4WD. This vehicle is proving to be of substantial help in transporting people to medical help as well as transporting water and firewood to the elderly. Through the development of a partnership with HealthServe Australia (of Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship origins) money was provided at Christmas time to assist with supplies of insecticide, some vehicle repairs and picnic outings for the elderly. The most recent donation has provided some funds to build one Boma or grass hut which will serve as a day gathering shelter for the elderly of one village.
The Vision
Due to distance, low supplies but high cost of medicines, and virtually no medical services specific to the elderly, Pastor Daniel’s vision is to build a medical centre which will service the community and provide appropriate treatment, medicines and resources for the elderly. He has been given a place to build just outside of the conservation area and offers of assistance with stocking and running the facility. The building plans put the cost at around $140,000 AUD
We respect Pastor Daniel’s integrity and vision and once again have set about in faith to raise finance for this facility. This year’s target is seven times greater than last year. As we pray, we don’t know how the Lord will provide this amount, but we can trust that our God, the Lord and maker of heaven and earth is up to the task!
“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:2
Fund Raiser 2024
The fundraising event at Burnside City Uniting Church on Saturday 21st September was a Christian Concert hosted by Burnside Family Church. A big thank you to our strong team of volunteers who helped with the myriad of tasks for the event. We are very grateful that due to the venue and the band being donated for our use, all the proceeds from the concert can go towards the fundraising goal. Thanks also to Ryan Reynolds for pulling together a team of Barista students to serve coffees and hot chocolates, helping to boost the proceeds. Besides the sales from the concert, many people who were invited but unable to attend have donated generously.
The Jesus Music Collective are a wonderfully talented band, who provided us with exquisite renditions of songs from the Jesus Music Pioneers era, sharing some of the personal stories of conversion of the song writers. Their music was both entertaining, uplifting and worshipful. My personal favourites were Put Your Hand in the Hand by Gene MacLellan, So you want to go back to Egypt by Keith and Melody Green, They’ll Know We are Christians by our Love by Fr. Peter Scholtes and Hear the Bells Ringing (the Easter Song) by 2nd Chapter of Acts. These songs transported me back to my teachers college years and an anointed Christian Fellowship I was part of.
At the concert, I shared with the audience the journey that we are on with Pastor Daniel and the Maasai people in Tanzania. I wore a Maasai blanket, given to me by Daniel and his wife. I was given permission and told, ‘You’re Maasai now’. (By the way it was really comfy and warm to wear!)
New Website
It was a fitting occasion to launch the brand-new website created by Oliver Stephenson. This will help spread the message near and far about Pastor Daniel’s work and keep us updated with news and stories. Please take a look at:
There are links for donations on the website where people can choose to donate through Burnside Family Church, or Healthserve Australia for tax deductible gifts.
Going forward
Please pray for the miraculous provision of the $140,000 we need for the building of this medical centre/pharmacy. Also pray about how you might be able to be involved in support prayerfully and practically.
There are many creative possibilities but unless the Lord directs it, our labours may be in vain. Psalm 127:1
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