Team Tanzania — Jeff Radichel: Learning Through Discipleship

Yesterday gave us two more opportunities to share the Gospel with children, first at Vision of East African Children School and later at Aston Vision Primary School.

The children in the morning were mostly around three or four years old. In the afternoon, they were closer to five or six. Both groups were wonderful. They were warm, joyful, and eager to participate.

One thing that has changed during the trip is how I present my part of the lesson. I began with more of a written script. Now I am increasingly telling the story directly and watching the children as I speak. That has helped me connect with them and respond more naturally in the moment.

Our program is divided among four presenters, but Eubank translates every part. By the time we completed both programs, he was understandably tired. His work has been a tremendous gift throughout these days. Translators must listen carefully, understand the thought, carry it into another language, and help the speaker connect with the people in front of them.

Thank your translator.

Discipleship has been on my heart for several months, and this trip keeps giving me new ways to see it. Discipleship is not only standing in front of a group and teaching. It is walking beside people, allowing them to practice, offering correction, encouraging growth, and helping them become ready to teach others.

That pattern appears throughout Scripture:

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2

Paul taught Timothy. Timothy was to teach faithful people. Those people would then teach others.

That is multiplication through discipleship.

A conversation with Bruce also helped me think differently about diligence and trust. Diligence does not automatically mean that we are failing to trust the Lord. Faithful stewardship requires effort and attention. The question is whether we work as though everything depends on us, or whether we work faithfully while trusting the Lord with the outcome.

Today we are heading east through Moshi and Himo before continuing to another remote village. For about the final hour, there are no roads. The location is best identified by GPS coordinates. We are looking forward to meeting the people there and seeing what the Lord has prepared.

Please pray with us:
• Thank the Lord for the children and teachers we met yesterday.
• Thank the Lord for Eubank and the faithful work of translators.
• Pray for safe travel through Moshi, Himo, and into the remote region today.
• Pray that the Gospel would be clearly spoken and gladly received.
• Pray that the Lord would continue teaching us how to disciple others faithfully.
• Pray that we would remain diligent while trusting Him with the outcome.

In Christ,
Jeff Radichel
Tanzania Mission Helper Trip