One of the most rewarding things about being a disciple is knowing that we each been created to do good works. There are needs in our fellowship of churches and in our world that we’ve been created to meet! "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been a member of the Dar es Salaam Church of Christ, Tanzania’s newest church, officially planted in 2007. God gave me the opportunity through a university fellowship to work in Tanzania for two years. During that time, He refined my faith and my character.
The disciples of the Dar es Salaam church, twenty strong, inspired me daily. Their commitment to living lives fully committed to God shone despite the daily challenges. They served one another, delivering water to each other’s houses when there were shortages, taking each other to live in their homes when there was need, and sacrificing much time to cross a traffic-clogged city to spend time together. The disciples built an incredible family
in Dar es Salaam. Our friendships grew to be some of my deepest and most precious, transcending culture, age, and nationality. I feel honored to have been one of the members of this amazing family.
As a disciple, you can make a great impact, especially in a small church, where everyone needs to give more. From translators to kids kingdom teachers to songbook collectors (very important in churches where the songs’ words aren’t on a powerpoint screen!), everyone has a role to make the church service great.
When you serve, you may discover skills you never realized you had. Neither a singer nor a dancer, I was still called upon to perform during women’s day with the other sisters, and it was a blast!
There are so many places throughout the world that would benefit from you and your heart to serve. Both short and longer-term visits are tremendously encouraging. Three incredible sisters from the U.S. visited the Dar es Salaam c
hurch and became family instantly. We were so excited for their visits and so grateful to have in-person fellowship with our sisters. For longer-term visits, teaching English in another country is a great way to cover living expenses.
Editor's Note: You can find out more about opportunities to serve throughout the world on Disciple Adventures.
Living in another country and being a part of a small church was a transformative experience for me. I am so grateful for my brothers and sisters in Tanzania and so grateful that I had this opportunity. I hope that you also have the opportunity to serve wherever God sends you.