James Colton news

James first went to East Africa in February 2002 with his wife Anneli, to begin working with Pastor Robert Chidundo, who is SICM's National Representative for Tanzania.

Sadly, Anneli developed cancer and in spite of returning to England for treatment, went to be with the Lord just a year later.

James returned 'home' to Tanzania in July of the same year to continue the work they had both started. He is a wonderful blessing to us and we often describe him as a 'low maintenance missionary' which is a wonderful reflection of his character and commitment.

Prior to his work in Africa James was an Assemblies of God Pastor in Whitby, England. Below are a selection of James' updates from Tanzania.

After a period of time where we have sent e-mail updates on James' work in Tanzania, we have decided to switch to more regular snippets of news on the web site. The problem with mailing lists is that a lot of spam filters pick them up and they don't get delivered. So unless the individual sets their spam filter then they won't receive any mails. Hence, from now we will put everything on here, so it will be easier for people to check the information. If you are interested in James' work, why not bookmark the page?

We have an e-mail mailing list containing updates on James and his work in Africa. If you would like to receive that then let us know and we will glady add you to the list.

On Friday 2nd June Robert Chidundo and I went to the airport to meet Rev. Helen Drummand, the URC minister from Whitby, who was coming to get a taste of Africa and see what I was doing and to be involved in ministry. She was in for a few surprises, one of which was that as it is winter here it is cooler at night - or for us here COLD! So Helen arrived Friday night and Saturday was a rest day. But work began on Sunday morning with Helen preaching in our church - everyone was blessed by her ministry

Ministry is continuing very well, for which I thank God. I have started going to a group at Kibaha Secondary School again on Fridays to teach the Word of God.

Sunday I was with Silas at Pastor Ernest Mrindoko's church to minister the Word of God and pray for folk in both morning and evening services. It was our first time in his church and our ministry was well received. In fact many, including the pastor and elders said, 'Karibuni tena' (Welcome again).

I arrived safely and was met by a welcoming team from church, headed up by Silas - Robert had had to go to Dodoma. I had no problems coming through customs. But in the process I have lost my yellow fever certificate.
Arriving back I have found it to be very hot - even Robert and Silas are saying it is hot. On the Sunday morning I was a little sick - I think because of the heat. So I didn't go to church and rested.

I am feeling OK now but still find it hard to be out during the hottest time of day

James arrived at London Heathrow to begin a three month furlough, which will cover not only England but Wales and Finland too. Check out the diary section on the web site for further details or contact us direct.

After using the internet Thursday 16th I went home and began to feel unwell. On the Monday still not feeling good, Silas took me to the clinic. I was checked for malaria, also blood sugar and urine were checked. Everything OK.
Then the doctor checked my blood pressure and it was high. 190 over110 so I have had medicine and rest.

The following Friday (24th) I went back and it was 130 over 90. Much better but the doctor wants me to rest for another week and then go and have my blood pressure checked again.

Just returned from 16 days of seminars in Dodoma Region. First 4 days in Dodoma town, then out to the villages of Dodep and Gawaye. At Gawaye there was no electricity nor running tap water, but we got along justfine.

Silas was with me to translate and each evening there were seminars for believers.
We also used 2 mornings for 6 hours of seminars for pastors. The ministry was well received and we were invited back. The pastors commented that they had not had teaching like this and wanted more.

I was told that the seminars had become the main talking point in the villages, along with the coming of the muzungu (white man).

It was good to see people respond to the Word of God and as faith rose to receive prayer, as we were able to minister at the end of each session.
On our return home we were told that the 3 biggest pigs Silas had been rearing had been stolen , and killed by thieves. They would have fetched 100,000/= Tanzanian Shillings each (about 50 pounds sterling each) and were to have been his major contribution towards the costs of his forthcoming wedding. The remaining piglets are somewhat smaller.
Thanks for your prayer support, and what this latest trip has shown us is that it is important for us to have our transport now. Please join us in prayer that God will meet this need.
God Bless
James

All is well, ministry continues well. Now I am busy preparing for 16 days of seminars in 3 churches. As on Thursday 26th May Silas and I go to Dodoma. We have seminars for believers in the first two churches and then seminars for pastors and church leaders in the third.
We are still in the rainy season, which is just as well as we are having problems with the water supply. So it is good that we have been able to collect the rain water.

You may have heard that the Tanzanian Government has cancelled the contract it had with a joint British/German company which was meant to supply water - it was cancelled because of their failure to supply!
Some parts of Dar Es Salaam have been without water from the taps for about
a year.
James

Ministry continues to go well and over Easter I will be conducting a 3 day seminar at a neighbouring church. Speaking about the importance of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Then there will be more travelling in April and May as I go with Silas on teaching seminars and crusades. More details
later.

Again I have been having problems with trying to use the internet. All last week I was unable to use it for various reasons: no server, no network, no power (there are more power cuts once it starts raining and we are now in the season of heavy rains.)
Also do pray we have sufficient rain throughout the whole of Tanzania, that
the harvests will not fail for lack of rain.

Silas's wedding to Mariam.
I commented that my son Silas will marry, some have asked what would it cost. Well not as much as a wedding in England, but a lot for someone in Tanzania. Let me give you a breakdown of some of the costs involved:
Clothes: men .........70,000/= (Tanzanian shillings) = 35 pounds sterling
bride ........100,000/= =50 pounds sterling
children .... 20,000/= = 10 pounds sterling Reception: hall, food, drinks, cake .... 300,000/= = 150 pounds sterling
Transport: minibus and taxi ..... 70,000/= = 35 pounds sterling Video & Photographs ....... 50,000/= = 25 pounds sterling Rings ....... 150,000/= = 75 pounds sterling Honeymoon ...... 100,000/= = 50 pounds sterling

Well there you have it, and I ask you to pray that God will supply our
needs, that we may have a good celebration.

Continue to pray for us and our work, also as plans are made for my furlough
later in the year. Pray as well for Tanzania, as this year is the year of elections and a new president will be elected in October.
Greetings from Silas.
God bless
James

Hi. After problems with the bus from Tanzania to Kenya we arrived late in Nairobi and the connecting bus to Mbale, Uganda had gone!

We took the bus for Kampala and then in Uganda got dropped off and used local transport to get to Mbale.

We arrived at 11:30a.m. and by going to the Akamba Office found an anxious Levi, who had been trying to find us.

Been there since 6:30a.m. Travel problems, but now we are here and preparing for a great time of ministry. A well organised programme has been set up for us. Watch this space!!!

December 18 2004

Christmas Greetings and Happy New Year!
I have just been asked to 3 days seimnars, 23 to 25 december. Each evening and then Christmas Day morning. I have been asked to teach on the Holy Spirit.
Special Announcement: On Sunday 12th December my son(that is how he is refered to here), Silas, got engaged to Mariam Chidundo.
We would value your prayers, as the custom here is for the Bridegroom to pay for everything, assisted by his Father. We are trying to save and hope to have the wedding in 2005 before I return to England on furlough.
God Bless

All continues well. Am busy while Robert is away. Ministry has been timely - how good God is in that His Holy Spirit leads us to minister and teach upon what is needed at exactly the right time.
Also now busy making preparations for the 3 weeks in Arusha from 8th November, when Silas and I will be conducting open air meetings at 3 churches. Do pray for us both. About 10 members of the church choir will be with us to minister in song, lead praise and be available to pray and counsel individuals. They are busy practicing their songs ready for the meetings.

Having returned from 10 days of teaching seminars in 3 churches in Arusha with Silas translating for me, I am now "in charge" at our church as Pastor Robert Chidundo is away ministering in Kenya until the 26th October. So I have all the meetings to prepare for. Then on the 8th November Silas and I return to the same 3 churches in Arusha for 3 weeks of evangelistic meetings. Hopefully we will have members of our church choir with us for ministry - both in song and to help pray with and counsel new believers.

Tomorrow Silas and I travel to Arusha for seminars. But now I have been informed we not be there for 4 days but 7 or more! So busy getting all my notes together so that I have plenty of material to work from.

Sunday (19th) I was preaching at both services, as Robert was away in Arusha, and
Silas was translating for me - he did very well. So I have no worries for the coming seminars.

James' newsletter is now available with updates, plus 'In my own words'. If you would like to be added to the e-mail mailing list contact us

The water problem continues, in fact we have had even less water and so even more often we are sending someone to fetch water for us - so please keep praying!
Ministry continues to go well and on Sunday I received an invitation to preach at a specific local Church - I have been waiting for this church to invite me and so was good to be asked!!
In our own church I have set everyone the task of reading Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians, ready for a test at the end of the month. This encourages everyone to get into the Word of God and they enjoy doing the tests.
God Bless
James

It is hard to believe that I have been back here for over a year now - time has gone so quickly. I am very much at home and beginning to think and look at staying really long-term - more thoughts on this in the newsletter. (James' next newsletter will be August 2004 - if you would like to receive a copy, let us know)
Sunday I was ministering in Pastor Patrick's church and God richly blessed
everyone.
Still having problems with water and the lack of water is hindering the progress on the school project, for building the dormitories. Do pray about this problem.
This Sunday I will be ministering at both services at our church, as Pastor Robert will go to one of the church plants to minister.
Thank you for your prayers.
God Bless
James

Having completely regained my strength I have been put to the test. This last week Pastor Robert Chidundo has had a few days aside to pray and wait on God and also to be away ministering at a baptismal service in Dar Es Salaam.

This left me responsible for the Bible Study on Wednesday, Prayer Meeting on Friday and two services on Sunday. Then the youth also asked me to take the Youth Meeting Thursday and it was my turn to teach in the Childrens' Sunday School!!

But I am glad to say all went well and God met with us in a very special way. All the meetings were of great blessing.
This week coming sees the restart of the meetings on a Friday lunchtime at Kibaha Secondary School for the CASFETA Group - where I am teaching from the book of Revelations.

We have received an e-mail from James today informing us that his work permit has been issued - for two years.

I write to say I am well - having recovered from a severe bout of malaria. For the last 2 weeks I have been blessed with a visit from my friends, Ian & Margery Bramwell from New Zealand. They certainly helped through the long slow recovery process; also they took Silas and I to Mikumi National Park - where we saw lions, elephants, giraffes, zebra, impala, eland, wildebeast, jackals, vultures and hornbills - also a glimpse of the top of the hippos as they hid in their pool!

A truly wonderful experience. Very much appreciated as it really blessed me.
Now it is back into action and ministry! It is an exciting time for us in our church here as we seek to move forward in God, big changes have been made and there are great expectations.

'I am now back in circulation and ministry! The malaria was bad - I had a severe attack and needed to go into hospital to receive the drips so that I could build up an immunity to malaria.

The attack leaves you feeling very tired and weak but with special care and feeding I am getting stronger. It was good to minister and preach at the Bible Study at church on Wednesday!
It is good to have my friends from New Zealand visiting!'

'Thank you for your prayers concerning the malaria. Robert (Chidundo) has been very concerned about me - I appreciate him very much! But I am glad to say I am feeling much better, not completely strong yet but on the way.

It took a lot out of me and I still find at the later part of the day I am tired. But I am well looked after by Silas, Rose and Okolewa and so am sure of a complete recovery.'

To dispel the notion that serving the Lord on the mission field is glamorous, the following is part of an e-mail that we have received from James.

Although we insist on malaria tablets for those going on short-term trips, when one is in Africa longer-term, the overall effects on health have to be brought into the equation.

We have to be responsible in terms of tablet taking, using sprays, covering up and sleeping under nets etc, but ultimately, there is no 100% way to be sure of avoiding malaria.

'But then that night I was sick, had very bad headache and continued to feel nauseous. The next day I had a temperature and very bad headache and so stayed in bed, then on the Monday went for a Malaria test and yes I had
Malaria - a count of 169!

But with medication and rest with a lot of care and support from Silas, Rose and Oklewa I am now much - feeling tired and
washed out but better. The good from this is now I know how the others feel when they get Malaria.

In an e-mail received just today from James, he outlines some of the difficulties of working in a nation such as Tanzania.

A more detailed report from James will appear in the SICM June newsletter. If you would like to subscribe to it, e-mail us.

'It has been a very eventful time! Firstly I have had trouble with the internet - not so much the internet but the power cuts!! Especially just when I have written a long letter and before I can save or send GONE! - power cut and it lasts for hours!! On 3 occasions in one week we suffered with power cuts'

We had an e-mail at the SICM office from James informing us that a parcel we had sent out just last week had arrived safely. It is always a relief when important items get through.

James is doing well and continuing to enjoy God's richest blessings upon his life and ministry.

Please pray as his work permit expires in June and we would like the renewal to go through as smoothly as possible.

James' May newsletter is now out and has already been sent to all those on his mailing list. If you would like to receive the e-mail version, or would like paper copies for distribution in your Church, contact us and we will add you/send copies as appropriate.

Just arrived back yesterday evening (Monday 26th) from Crusade at Msolwa in Morogoro Region. Couple of days before crusade I had been suffering from headaches and feeling sick. Wednesday 21st we were to leave at 9a.m. having hired minibus to take us - that is me, choir (12members with 3 little children) and equipment (guitars, speakers, amplifier etc).

But there were problems with euipment so we did not leave until 12 noon. We travelled for 5 hours on main road then we had to turn off onto typical Tanzanian dirt road for about 50km to Msolwa - this should take about 1 hour. We arrived at Msolwa 11 hours later at 4a.m. - it is the rainy season and the road was very bad.

In fact we had to transfer from the minibus to a truck - I got to sit inside the cabin with the 3 children. It began to rain and yes we got stuck. We had to unload the truck and push. I say we but at this time I had been sick again so was left inside with the children. Eventually we got moving and completed the journey!!!!

The next morning woke still feeling sick and headachy but determined to do the crusade. Once on the platform no ill feelings!! Preached on the "fiery furnace" - how Jesus meets us in our need. That night 7 responded to receive Jesus, we also prayed for the sick. The next day more problems dicovered the zip broken in my trousers and a new pair if shoes I had just received(Not even worn) one shoe was missing!

Went ahead Friday morning with teaching seminar and then crusade in the evening - 3 received Jesus. Then Saturday morning another teaching seminar. Then Pastor Robert Chidundo arrived to speak at the Crusade, that night 1 responded to receive Jesus.

Then Sunday morning I taught childrens' Sunday School with Silas translating and helping, then I preached on the Holy Sprit of Power in the Morning Service. That evening Robert again preached and 9 received Jesus. So 20 responded and we believe others will come to the church later.

Do pray for the church as it had only 12 members - they needed our help. In fact the church is made of mud walls and is propped up! So we understood why we had all the problems - as we saw God work in a mighty way!

I think I have forgotten some of the problems and mishaps that occured - needless to say we did not let them deter us or cause us to be downcast. We battled through! And yes, they have asked us to go back!