| Mission Opportunities with SICM | |
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James And Anneli Colton |
 James & Anneli at the SICM Missions Centre prior to leaving for Tanzania |
| Jesus
never promised an easy life and certainly when one is on the cutting
edge of Christian service, there are dimensions of spiritual struggle
that can only be appreciated when one is in that situation. But
James and Anneli have coped admirably with all that has been thrown
against them - whether that be extreme (to them) weather, unreliable
water and electricity or just the general difficulty in working
and living in a different culture. At SICM, we are proud of them
and the work they are doing in Tanzania. When we send people from SICM, we don't leave them at the airport and then forget about them until it's time to return home! Each missionary has a Support Team that ensures all goes as smoothly as possible for them whilst out on the field. James and Anneli are being looked after by Martyn and Carol Ricketts. In addition to a weekly letter (and it's amazing how something as simple as that is appreciated when you're on the field) they monitor the needs of the Coltons and act accordingly. The Coltons are working with Pastor Robert Chidundo. Robert is also the SICM National Representative for Tanzania, and it has been a joy to see how they have all blended together and formed a very strong partnership. In fact, in recent correspondence to us, Robert described the Coltons as 'white Africans'. For those of us who know James, it will not come as a surprise to be told that the Tanzanians are 'soaking up' his teaching. Only eternity will tell the true story of the difference James is making in the lives of the Tanzanian people he is ministering to. But it must be said that Anneli is not there simply to support her husband in the work. She has very quickly established herself and gained the respect of the people in her own right. Her ministry with the children has become very well received and in a recent open air campaign, while James ministered to the adults, Anneli held her own meetings for the youngsters where 40 of them received Jesus. She's also been very busy establishing a ladies sewing class, which has gone down very well with the women in the community. For those who know Africa well, you will realise that specific meetings and events for children and women are the exception rather than the norm. As with James, only eternity will reveal the fullness of Anneli's ministry. Recently the Coltons have had a couple of visitors. Firstly, they hosted Levi Elonga from Uganda. He is also the SICM National Representative for that country. In fact their time together went so well, that as this is being written, they themselves are in Uganda on a ministry trip of their own! Secondly, Jim and June Brown from County Durham, made a two week visit to the Coltons. As well as taking over some vital supplies, it was a time of refreshing for James and Anneli; it's nice to receive visitors for your own culture. The Browns also ministered while over there; for those who receive the monthly newsletter, you will already have read the report of their visit. As their ministry grows and grows, the need for more finance also becomes an issue. If you would like to support regularly, contact us and we will let you have details for taking out a direct debit. (This is the most effective way to handle regular support). If you want to send a one-off gift, that can be done by simply sending a cheque to SICM. Make the cheque to us, not the Coltons, but indicate in your letter that the money is for them so that we can allocate it accordingly. Don't send money direct to them; by the time they cash the cheque - assuming it reaches them - a sizeable chunk is taken out in bank charges. When in Tanzania James and Anneli can be reached at : PO Box 30268, Kibaha, Pwani, Tanzania. e-mail : jamantan@hotmail.com In their own words..... By James Colton The report of three open air meetings that lasted for a total of eighteen days. On the first day we all met at the Church at 7.00 a.m. with all the equipment: amplifiers, cables, guitars, sketch-board and speakers. The hired mini-bus arrived and all was loaded on the roof and inside - then we all got in as well - all 16 of us, as the Church choir was coming too! It took about 7 hours to get to the first village; here the Church is small and in need of encouragement. We were there for four days and on arrival we just had time to freshen up before the meeting began. I spoke the first two nights, with Robert Chidundo translating, and then Robert spoke for the final two meetings. Each night the appeal was made to receive Jesus and though many listened, there were few responding. But I was told that in the following days that many people come secretly to the Pastor / Church, as they are afraid to put their hands up in public. (Remember that many people are Muslims in this area, and they will come in the same way as Nicodemus did! - SICM) Each night we prayed for the sick. After the campaign ended everything was packed and taken to the roadside, as we waited for a bus to take us to the next village. Here there was a stronger Church and as well as open air meetings there were seminars, both in the morning, and in the evening after the open air meeting had finished. There were now three of us involved in the teaching and preaching, as another Tanzanian brother joined with Robert and myself. Again, responses were few, but we know that many will come later, after we have departed. Before each open air meeting, Anneli, with the help of a translator, was taking a session for the children using pictures and flannel graph figures. Each day the number of children attending increased with more than a hundred being presented with the Gospel. The final campaign was held in a village where there is much witchcraft. Again, many gathered to hear what we had to say. The ministry to the children went very well and by the last day there were about 140 in attendance and listening to the Word of God. The 18 days were very tiring, but very rewarding - and we look forward to hearing reports from the three Pastors about what has happened since our visit to their respective Churches. |
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