The month of January 2023 had a real energy to it, as befits a new year. Our mission team saw the addition of Evance Momburi (pictured). He began work as a full-time translator and evangelist for Kilimanjaro Missions. Evance is a recent graduate of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. He will also join us in working with the Kilimanjaro congregation and the Kilimanjaro Bible School, as needed. We are excited to welcome him to the work in Moshi. 
     As always, our home is open for fellowship. We rang in the New Year with a movie night for the church youth, followed by a game and a devotional. Over the month, we enjoyed several dinners with families from the Kilimanjaro congregation. The men are very eager to put some of our plans into practice, and have many ideas for future campaigns. 
     At church, Friends & Family Day was held on the second Sunday. The members surprised Josephat and Anna with a thank-you celebration for their hard work over the past year. The Massawes were very moved. In more good news, a young man named Frank was baptized this month. The congregation rejoiced with the angels! 
     January saw a few visitors make their way to Tanzania. Daniel Gaines made a quick trip in between his teaching duties at Freed-Hardeman. He continues to amaze with his boundless energy, patience, and love for the work here. He further blessed our family by bringing over some Christmas goodies from grandparents. That made him a very popular guest in our house! Another welcome visitor was Steven Hill. Steven and another Christian brother came to work with Agustino Saimon and Edwin Kushumba on church building projects. He took the time to teach our kids about hackey sacks, including a training session. Steven also blessed us by bringing a suitcase over. I wish I could fully express what it means when people take the time and trouble to do this for missionaries. We were moved to tears by dozens of Christmas cards from friends, family, and supporters. Even with the advent of social media and electronic communication of all kinds, there is something about holding letters from home that touches the heart.  
     Looking ahead, we are excited to host several groups of visitors in the coming months. This will be such wonderful encouragement for the Kilimanjaro congregation, and will hopefully spark interest in the community at large. As always, we extend a welcome to our supporters to visit us here in Tanzania to see firsthand what you are helping build. We appreciate every one who donates time, money, prayers, cards, emails--you are so very important to the work here. Thank you for allowing us to be your hands and feet in Africa.

Noel, Jessica, Lorelai, Claude, Arabella, and Juliette Stafford