Find Don, then you will see just how massive this tree is.
The tree in the photo, is from the ministry trip to Kishapu, Don just returned Tuesday. I am so happy that he is in Arusha!
Phillip Baker, was the guest speaker in Kishapu
Mary's not so Little Lambs graduation cake!
These young people mean so much to me. I had a small party with cake to celebrate their completion of form 4. They take the National exams in November, but I will be in the States, so I wanted to celebrate before I leave.
The last few weeks, I have been very busy training Lizzy. She is the one that will take care of the office while I am in the States. She has been learning very quickly. I am so thankful that she is willing to work hard. What an awesome answer to prayer!
Lizzy Fisher
This is just a short video compilation, that I thought you would enjoy.
Don snapped this beautiful shot on the way to Dongobesh
We thank God for partnering with us in prayer and support. Support in any amount is greatly appreciated. For tax credit, make checks payable to Victory Fellowship. Write a note with the check indicating that the donation is for Don and Mary Bryant. Mail checks to: Victory Fellowship 5708 Airline Dr., Metairie LA. 70003.
Don and the team have been in Kishapu, since Saturday. Kishapu is a dry place, with challenges to have water. they have to dig for water. Psalm 63:1, comes to mind: " O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; My soul thirst for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water."
Please pray for the ministry in Kishapu. Don and the team are already there getting everything ready for Wednesday. He said there are some really strong winds blowing. Pray that the winds do not cause problems. Pray for Dr. Egon and Hannah Falk as they travel tomorrow.
Water is a precious commodity in Tanzania
There is a lot of hard work that goes into us having water. The photo is just one of many of those steps. Don is climbing up to the 10,000 liter water tower, located where we live and work. He is checking to make sure the water is properly pumped up to the water tank.
There is a water well about a mile away. That is where we get our water. It is a lot of work. It has to be pumped into a smaller water tank, that is brought, by truck to our compound. Then, it is pumped to a lower storage tank. Finally, pumped to the large tank in the photo.
Unplanned trip to the USA
I received news, that has me making an unplanned trip to the States. I am busy making preparations at New Life Outreach. It is lots of work to train others to do the work I have been doing for 15 years. I am making accounting tutorials, and budgets to cover the time I am not going to be here.
This is not easy. I have to take care of some very important matters. I have planned to stay for a little over 3 months. Don needs to stay in Tanzania. This will be the first time that Don and I will be apart for this long of a period of time.
God is not surprised, even though I feel a bit unprepared. It will be a stretch on our finances during this time. Pray for supernatural provision to come in, during this three month period. We will need an extra $400 a month to cover expenses during this time.
It has been a challenge to stay at peace during the storms of this season, but He is FAITHFUL! I have been holding on to words that the Spirit has spoken to my heart. This is what I felt to share:
Hold on tight to every word that God has spoken to your heart. Don't be discouraged in the crucible of time. Time only brings maturity to possess the promise in a way that gives glory to God!
"For the vision is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late." (Habakkuk 2:3 NABRE)
I just celebrated my 51st birthday. Don brought me to Blue Heron.
I had birthday pancakes! It doesn't take much to make me happy.
We thank God for partnering with us in prayer and support. Support in any amount is greatly appreciated. For tax credit, make checks payable to Victory Fellowship. Write a note with the check indicating that the donation is for Don and Mary Bryant. Mail checks to: Victory Fellowship 5708 Airline Dr., Metairie LA. 70003.
Today started with the Ice Bucket Challenge. It is all for a good cause, to raise awareness to ALS. I should get extra points for this. It is still cold..... I sent the challenge out to other missionaries past and present of New Life Outreach. Feel free to laugh!
This week has been a week of challenges and memories. 5 years ago I had both of my knees replaced. It is amazing to see how much I can do without pain now. I still lead fitness classes, and was asked to train one person privately who has multiple challenges.
The day I had my surgery, was also the day that Don Bryant's dad passed away. He has a resemblance to the late Jefferson Parrish Sheriff Harry Lee. Harry Lee had refrigerator magnets that he gave away. We have a few, so I made a collage of Don's Dad and the magnet.
Maswa for Jesus!
Don and the team took off for Maswa Saturday. The last time New Life Outreach was in Maswa, there was a demonic storm that tore through the ministry site and destroyed multiple thousands of dollars worth of equipment. It is time to take back what the enemy took. We claim Maswa for the Kingdom of God!
Have a great week!
God bless,
Mary and Don
We thank God for partnering with us in prayer and support. Support in any amount is greatly appreciated. For tax credit, make checks payable to Victory Fellowship. Write a note with the check indicating that the donation is for Don and Mary Bryant. Mail checks to: Victory Fellowship 5708 Airline Dr., Metairie LA. 70003.
The news of the week in Arusha, was a bit unsettling. The report came Saturday, from The Daily News, that there are snipers loose in Arusha shooting, women. There have been 5 women shot in the last week. One killed, one in critical condition, and 3 others wounded. The shooters are targeting women, who are driving alone in cars. (This report was in the local paper. The local security company has dismissed the threat, calling it just a coincidence of shootings that took place over a short time.)
There are so many things happening in the world, that are so hard to understand, but I want to make it clear. We have a BIG GOD! He did not fall off of His throne.
Verse one of Psalm 91, talks about the secret place of the Most High. How awesome is that?! God has a place that we can go, that the enemy can't go. Our problems can't go. It is just me and Him! It is a place of true peace and joy. Everything can be going crazy, but it is safe and calm.
Jesus knew what that place was. Remember what He was doing when his disciples were freaking out on the boat, during the storm???? Jesus was asleep!!!! Exactly what He is asking us to do right now. Rest in His care.
We can trust Him! He holds us in every season of our life. Nothing happens, that He is not aware. Trust His leadership.
The news is loaded with reasons to fear. The enemy wants to cause us to be afraid. The moment we give into fear, is the moment we tie the hand of God. Fear and faith cannot work together, so it is important to take authority over every fearful thought. Fear cannot rule us.
Father God cares so much for us, that He commands His angels concerning us. Angels are powerful beings created by God. They are ministers of flame sent to help us, and sometimes even pass on messages from God.
Take a moment to focus on how powerful our God is. I heard someone say something a few weeks ago. It stuck with me. He said that if God has ever intervened in your life in the past, you have no grounds for panic during this present trial. Wow! What has God done for you? He is still faithful!!!! He didn't change His mind about you. He really does care!
Amani and Lilian Baptized!
It has been 4 years since I began to disciple Mary's Little Lambs. Lilian and Amani asked to be baptized in water. That is exactly what we did Friday last week. It was a holiday from school, so we turned it into a party! Such an honor!
Prayer Needs:
1. Don and the team leave for Maswa Saturday morning. Please pray for them. The ministry starts on August 19th.
2. Pray for peace to return to Arusha.
This photo was taken in Bariadi. Don said that he was stuck in the rock for 127 seconds and used his strong stomach muscles to move the rock to escape...he is a riot.
We thank God for partnering with us in prayer and support. Support in any amount is greatly appreciated. For tax credit, make checks payable to Victory Fellowship. Write a note with the check indicating that the donation is for Don and Mary Bryant. Mail checks to: Victory Fellowship 5708 Airline Dr., Metairie LA. 70003.
Joey Ipock, is a visitor from Tulsa Oklahoma. He worked really hard with Don to set up the platform for the ministry in Bariadi. He impressed everyone with his hard work, but also with his heart of love for the people. He is kneeling at the head of this very sick woman, who was carried from the hospital. We are praying he comes back.
The small shack, to the right of the house, is a grocery store in Bariadi. These stores only carry very basic items. Soap, salt, flour, sugar, oil...things like this. No Walmarts in Tanzania!
Don snapped a photo of this child, using wire as a jump rope. The children of Tanzania are very creative.
There is lots going on right now. The youth discipleship group had to switch days, after the school suddenly changed the class schedules.
Lilian asked for special prayer. She is having a very hard time at home. Her father is very abusive with her mom and is not taking care of the family. Don and I have stepped in as much as we can, to pay her school fees and other needs. Lilian's dream is to become a doctor. She is one of the top students in the government school, and hopes to place high enough on her test to get placed in a boarding school next year. Pray that her father gets saved! Pray for Lilian and her family. Thanks!
We thank God for partnering with us in prayer and support. Support in any amount is greatly appreciated. For tax credit, make checks payable to Victory Fellowship. Write a note with the check indicating that the donation is for Don and Mary Bryant. Mail checks to: Victory Fellowship 5708 Airline Dr., Metairie LA. 70003.
The word, "Grace", is translated to "Neema", in Swahili. Neema and her family have been a very special part of my life for many years. I was called to intervene for her 4 years ago. Her life had been turned upside down after being gang raped at a boarding school. She was expelled from school and then had to face the rejection of her own family. It may be hard for those outside of Africa to understand that what she went through is totally normal for this culture.
Neema was sent to another home and was in seclusion, by the time I came on the scene. It took a good deal of counseling in her life as well as her family. She had totally lost her faith and felt that she had no hope. I asked her if I could share a part of her testimony, because I am so excited about how far she has come. She is so different than she was 4 years ago. This interview does not include any of the details of what happened four years ago. It is just a very exciting update on where she is today. It is so uplifting.
Praise and Worship Class 2014
It has been two weeks since my last update. It has been a very full time of ministry for both of us. Praise and worship is one of the subjects that I teach at the Academy of leadership. It is so much fun for me to see the students come out of their shells as I teach them. The assignment I give every class, is to make a musical instrument and to participate in group competitions.
This is the students showing off their instruments.
This is one of the groups singing a song that they wrote, based on Revelation chapter 4.
New Life Outreach in Tarime
The reports from Tarime were amazing. 2700 people responded to the altar calls. So many were set free from demons and healed! God is so good!
15 Years Ago
15 years ago, I was selling my car and all of my possession to head to Tanzania and serve as a missionary for New Life Outreach. Here is a photo story to tell just a bit of the story of the past 15 years:
Getting ready to light up the grill for our Independence Day BBQ!!!!
Praying that you have a wonderful time celebrating our country's birthday!
God bless,
Mary and Don
We thank God for partnering with us in prayer and support. Support in any amount is greatly appreciated. For tax credit, make checks payable to Victory Fellowship. Write a note with the check indicating that the donation is for Don and Mary Bryant. Mail checks to: Victory Fellowship 5708 Airline Dr., Metairie LA. 70003.
This is a Maasai woman that Don met in Lake Natron.
Don joined a small team to do ministry in Loliondo. The people of Loliondo are farmers and shepherds. The majority are from the Maasai tribe. I can't wait to share more photos from the ministry outreach, when Don returns.
Don shared a message, "Jesus the Healer", on Wednesday. He said they have had such a wonderful time in Loliondo. Looking forward to getting videos and photos from the trip.
"Pastor Yohanna is in the photo with his family. He is hosting the seminar in Loliondo. He shared a testimony, that before arriving at New Life Academy of Leadership, that he prayed and a 14 year old girl was raised from the dead. He has planted 7 new churches since graduating. Praise God!
Don returns from Loliondo Saturday evening. He will only be home for 5 days, before the trip to Tarime. New Life Outreach has a ministry outreach that starts June 25.
Tarime is in the Mara Region of Tanzania. It is bordered by Kenya and Maasai Mara game reserve. The population of the entire district is recorded as 492,798, according to the 2002 Tanzania National Census.
Please pray for the remaining ministry in Loliondo as well as the upcoming ministry in Tarime! The phrase, "Be still my soul", kept churning inside of my spirit this morning. I was reminded how important it is to quiet my thoughts, self-will, and emotions, so that I can clearly hear the voice of God that is directing my path. It is so easy to have chaotic chatter in the soul realm. So many things demand our attention and distract us from the peaceful bliss that keeps us at rest, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Psalm 46 in the Voice translation:
1 God is our shelter and our strength. When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help. So why run and hide? 2 No fear, no pacing, no biting fingernails. When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless. When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless. 3 Even in heavy winds and huge waves, or as mountains shake, we are sure and fearless.
[pause]
4 A pure stream flows—never to be cut off— bringing joy to the city where God makes His home, the sacred site where the Most High chooses to live. 5 The True God never sleeps and always resides in the city of joy; He makes it unstoppable, unshakable. When it awakes at dawn, the True God has already been at work. 6 Trouble is on the horizon for the outside nations, not long until kingdoms will fall; God’s voice thunders and the earth shakes. 7 You know the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies, surrounds us and protects us; the True God of Jacob is our shelter, close to His heart.
[pause]
8 Come, gaze, fix your eyes on what the Eternal can do. Amazing, He has worked desolation here on this battlefield, earth. 9 God can stop wars anywhere in the world. He can make scrap of all weapons: snap bows, shatter spears, and burn shields. 10 “Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God. I am honored among all the nations. I am honored over all the earth.” 11 You know the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies, surrounds us and protects us; the True God of Jacob is our shelter, close to His heart.
We thank God for partnering with us in prayer and support. Support in any amount is greatly appreciated. For tax credit, make checks payable to Victory Fellowship. Write a note with the check indicating that the donation is for Don and Mary Bryant. Mail checks to: Victory Fellowship 5708 Airline Dr., Metairie LA. 70003.
