Here is an extract that came form the SOMA team report.
"The Bishop of Kondoa, The Right Reverend Given Gaula requested another Kiwi team to his diocese to conduct rural evangelism, healing and teaching. The team consisted of John Mock (Rangiora), Rev Peter Akester (Rangiora), Rev Steven Wockner (Queensland) and was led by Rev Andrew Allan-Johns (Rangiora). This is the seventh such visit, the sixth for me and the second under SOMA NZ auspices.
 
Day One of the programme was a rest day on arrival but actually consisted of sharing with theology students and a healing meeting in the cathedral using words of knowledge. This resulted in about 15 people receive healing, including three with arthritis, three with breathing problems and one with very poor sight greatly improved.
 
Days Two to Four were spent in the Itolwa deanery (a two-hour drive from Kondoa town) where four parishes participated in seminars. The four-person team was supplemented by the bishop and the Director of Evangelism, Canon Lamech Masambe. Sessions included: The Kingdom of God has Come Near to you; How to heal the sick; Forgiveness and Reconciliation; Understanding Evil; Getting free from the demonic and curses; Coaching in how to do deliverance; Being filled with the Holy Spirit. In all 80 people participated with numbers growing over the three days. Peter translated for us into Swahili. Healing was demonstrated using words of knowledge in the first session with a result of four people healed. Following this demonstration 18 people responded to the invitation to be coached in healing others using the locally adapted John Wimber four step method – Jambo, Njoo, Habari, Asante. Fifteen people reported being healed in the first batch.  This was followed by individual testimonies and 6 good questions which allowed further teaching on healing methods and theology.
The team was housed in a local teacher’s home. We were asked to pray for their daughter who had long term pain in the womb area. We found that, like many stomach and head complaints, it was demonic in origin. She was still without pain a day later. As in other regions we noticed that most people had issues with witchcraft and the occult which were significantly affecting their health. As a general practice we found that leading congregations through corporate repentance for this made healing much easier and faster."

We have had some feedback from the SOMA team  which spent about three weeks in Kondoa Diocese recently.  Ian and I could not go this year, but we had the privilege of going to Nelson Cathedral to witness the installment of the first African Bishop into a NZ Diocese.  This is a wonderful turn of events, where the people to whom we have sent missionaries have sent one of their best to help us in NZ.  The way it should be.

Here is a photo of Bishop Steve as he processed in.  The whole day was filled with joy for me - one of the best days of my life because of how joy-filled I was all day.  It was worth not going to Kondoa to see this historic event take place and to rejoice with Bishop Steve and his family and friends.

22/7/19
The flush of summer fruit has gone, but what I froze still counts!  Summer Fruit Chutney has hit the jam table and the abundance of citrus fruit means that I can now offer Tangelo and Lemon Marmalade plus the all-time favourite, Three Fruit Marmalade (grapefruit, orange and lemon).  Today's effort was 6 jars of Rich Red Plum Jam.  Anne is making Lemon Honey.  That flies off the table quicker than you can say, "Yum,yum!"

I have received many lemons, so have been juicing hard to store up a lot of juice in the freezer until the next citrus season rolls around.

Many thanks to those who have donated fruit, sugar and pectin!  Thanks also to the ladies who have spent time with me, cutting fruit and helping it all to be fun.  Due to their help, nearly $1,400 has been able to be sent in from jam sales since the last post. 

Bishop Given has let us know that the most urgent need at the moment has been to buy food for the start of the Bible College year in August/September.  If they buy food now, it means that they won’t have to pay the exorbitant prices which come later on in a year of famine.  That is what they are facing in Kondoa at present.

53 students have registered to attend the Bible College.  This is very important, because without trained leaders, it is very hard to guide the churches which are constantly springing up.  The good news about Jesus is REALLY good news when all you have grown up with in your life has been the need to placate tree spirits, moon and sun gods, sacrifice chickens for a good harvest or for a wife to conceive.

When a church grows from a village that has never heard of Jesus ever– not in 2000 years – and grows to 200 in one year, it needs a good leader to keep it on track.  So that is why I have targeted the jam money to go to feed Bible College students.  These courageous people, once trained, will be given responsibility for leadership in very tough places and they need all the help and prayer we can send!

Due to trouble at the ranch, Ian and I will not be travelling to Kondoa this year.  This is very disappointing.  Still, if it means I can focus on raising the money to feed the Bible College for a year, it will be time well spent.  Most of that money (approximately $6000) has come in and is on its way to Kondoa.  Now they can concentrate on raising funds to pay for teachers, books, etc.

Jambo!* Welcome to the Jambo Jam Blog.
11 May 2019  
Today I decided to give you a bit more information on what goes into the jams and chutneys on the Jambo Jam Table.  Some people are more likely to try something if they know the contents.  Others like to sample a bit before they buy.  Tiny sample pots are sometimes available – you may try before you buy, but please return the little pots as I have a limited supply of them.

The Pineapple and Papaya Chutney contains garlic, chilli flakes, tomatoes, fresh ginger, limes, pineapple, papaya, gogi juice, wine vinegar, brown sugar salt and a capsicum plus a few almonds.  Quite a stunning mix!  Fab with chicken or ham.

Feijoa Chutney (Vicar’s Choice) contains feijoas, onions, whole lemons, fresh green chillies, white wine vinegar, cardamom pods, chilli flakes, ground Ceylonese cinnamon, sea salt.

Lemon and Feijoa Chutney has the John Hawcridge seal of approval.  It has all the same chutney ingredients except reversing the amounts of feijoa and lemon, giving a sharp sour and hot flavour.  Both these chutneys have lower amounts of sugar than usual chutneys.

The Feijoa Jam has organic vanilla and tiny squares of freshly boiled ginger in it.  The little squares are left over from when I make Ginger Syrup.  I boil them up for 4 hours with sugar and water, pour off the liquid for syrup to make drinks with or use for poaching pears.  The cubes that are left still have a kick in them ☺

Spicey Pear Jam has a definite taste of sweet pears, plus the added interest of cinnamon, ginger and cardamom.  Plain Pear Jam is a bit bland, but this warmly spiced one is really cool.  It is not “hot” in the burn-your-mouth-with-chilli sense.

Traditional Grapefruit Marmalade contains grapefruit, and lemon juice plus sugar.  Just like mother used to make it.

Three-fruit Marmalade has three kinds of citrus, depending on what donations of fruit I have received.  Usually grapefruit, tangelo and lemon, but sometimes exotic and highly- prized kumquats.

Guava Jelly has organic guavas and sugar plus lemon juice to aid the acidity/pectin/sugar balance necessary for the jelly to set.

Quince Jelly (same kind of mix) is used on toast, or accompanies cold meats.

Quince Paste is a European delicacy, originating in Spain (called Membrillo) and is sought-after to accompany cheese and crackers but can also be used with cold meats.

Quince Marmalade is the original marmalade, according to the Harrods recipe book where I got the recipe.  It originally came from Portugal to England and the recipe was later altered to include citrus fruits then replaced by Seville Oranges (from Spain).  So you can taste the original kind of marmalade ☺

Christmas Plum Jam is made from the yellow/red Christmas plums in my garden.  They have a more tart flavour than the Deep Red Plum Jam, made from dark red plums.

If you are lucky enough to grab the last bottle of Dessert Plum Sauce, you are in for a treat.  It adds a depth of flavour when served with plum cake, plum muffins, or any fruity winter pudding.  Greek yoghurt adds another dimension ☺
Lots of yum,    Helen

*Jambo means "Hi!" in Swahili.

Jambo Jam Blog.
 
Tonight I have finished making a Pear Jam, lightly flavoured with cinnamon, cardamom and ginger.
The delicate pear flavour is complemented by the spices but not overwhelmed. 
 
I also made a batch of pineapple and papaya chutney.  This sophisticated condiment is packed with interesting goodies including ginger, wine vinegar, almonds and some chilli flakes.  I hope you will enjoy it.  I suggest it would pair well with pork chops, curries or any cold meat.  It is a bit more expensive than the others because of the extra special ingredients.
 
I tend to make jams and chutneys in varying different sized jars because I know some people will want a tiny sample jar first before making the investment, others want a small jar because they are living alone, others want to splurge on something that sounds great!
 
The other recent additions to the jam table include Lemon and Feijoa Chutney (a flavour-burst but low in sugar), the old favourite: Feijoa Jam with Vanilla and Ginger & Quince Jelly plus Quince Paste (good with crackers and cheese).
 
We got a sad bit of news from Bishop Given yesterday:
“At the moment we are facing another heavy drought in the central region of Tanzania and Kondoa is very much affected! The rain came the end of January and have not come back since then. All the crops have died and there is no hope for any harvest this year! Last week I visited Gwandi, Rofati, Chemba, Wisuzaje, and Mwaikisabe.  Just at the moment people are going hungry two to three day without eating anything. And I know in September the situation will be very bad! I believe your visit will be an encouragement to people as they face physical drought they need remove spiritual drought that may be caused by the physical drought and provide hope for the people.”
 
I know you will want to help, as I do.  I have gathered about $1,000 from jam sales this year and will send that, but it is not much among 5 villages.  Ian and I wondered if sending money that we would otherwise spend on airline tickets to go to Kondoa this August, but Bishop Given says that when we come, the people feel glad because they are not forgotten and also, the churches flourish and grow after we visit.
 

Well, jam-making season is upon me again.  I have just passed the $1000 mark that I had set myself to reach - this will provide the last two roofs for two retired clergymen who have served for 25 years each without pay and need a water-tight house to live in for their retirement.  Praise God!  OK, now I need to raise $480 for the support of two evangelists for this coming year.  Come on, St Stephen's!  Buy, eat, give the jam and count the blessings!

Strawberry and Rhubarb jam is freshly on the mission table and Heather, Vanessa and I are about to make more Strawberry and more Plum Jam.  Last Strawberry Jam batch was so good that one woman who bought a jar rang me to ask if she could have four more :-) 

I have plans for a Courgette and Tomato Chutney.

Do let me know if you have any source of apricots.  Seconds are fine.  I don't make jam any more when I have to pay for the fruit.  That seems to negate the purpose of the fund-raising.  The profits are too slim to make it worthwhile.

We had a wonderful testimony about the rain in Kondoa recently.  Rain had not fallen during December, the start of the rainy season.  People were afraid for the harvest and were even getting short of drinking water.  Ian emailed Bishop Given to suggest that they command the rains to come.   Here is his reply:

"Hi Ian,
Thank you so much for your advice! You know what happened? I just finished the service and we had prayed for the rain during intersession. As I announced the choir to sing a chorus so that we can get out, an idea came to open my mobile and I decided to check my email, as I opened my email I found your email I read your email while moving outside the church to shake people's hands as usual, as I read your email the Holy Spirit came upon me in a very special way and outside the church I told the people about your email and that you wanted to command the rain and everyone started to command rain and a number of Muslims who were passing stood watching us commanding the rain to come! It was wonderful moment and you know what? The rain came the next day and it has been just wonderful and there is joy and peace! Life has come even if we are late for planting yet water has brought life for our people and our animals! You know in rural villages where they relying on rain even drinking water was difficulty, so food is difficulty but also even water!
 
We praise God for speaking with you far away from New Zealand for Tanzanian people!
 
May God richly bless you, may you continue to see new hope, peace and joy for God's people!
 
Thanks
+Given

WOW!  Go for it, church of Kondoa!
Here's a neat rain picture!

 Today should have been 7 hour bus ride back to San Paulo and stay overnight, chill/get bored for a day and fly home late tomorrow night.

But God had other plans... More on this tonight after the special unexpected opportunity to help Randy Clark minister to 3,000 Brazilian pastors and leaders.

We have had the most amazing time in the past few days. One night, Randy had preached and shown a couple of video clips of testimonies from past healing ministry trips to Brazil. As soon as they were finished a woman rushed out of the room. A wee while later, she ran up on the stage and it turns out that after watching miracles on the clips, she had her own one. She suffered from kidney stones and felt she had to rush to the bathroom. Before she had time to urinate, three kidney stones dropped out into her hand. No pain, no trouble. She brought them in and showed them caught in a piece of toilet paper. They we three different sizes and we're rough and black. I got a photo of them, if you want to see... And even if you don't, I think I will post them :-). Just gob-smacking. She was understandably crying and amazed.

After that, here was a great rush of people coming forward for prayer. I had a line of people, mostly complaining of pain. Shoulder pain, back pain in four people and all healed, bang bang bang. Then just to keep me humble, a woman saying her baby had died in the womb. She had pain and bleeding. She has a specialist appointment in 4 days. The pain went and I commanded the bleeding to stop and life to return. I sure hope there is a good result. But even if it is just that the pain stopped, it is good. She gave me a looooong hug of appreciation.

Then a large woman with a ten-year history of inguinal hernia and severe pain in both legs and feet. As she asked, I started with the leg and foot pain - which all left straight away. Then I "attacked" the hernia, which grew slightly smaller, the pain went, but I couldn't get it to disappear. I was just about to start praying for the next woman but the call came for the team to go home, so I handed over the prayer engagement to my interpreter :-). They do amazingly well. One interpreter said to me at the end of the evening, "Thank you so much for your modelling of how to pray. I shall be able to do it now and I am much more confident " ( or words to that effect). I couldn't ask for more!




​

You may be wondering what this current flood of blogging has to do with jam... Well, nothing in particular  :-)

This is all about a desire to follow hard after God and about  "If you want to get wet, go stand under a waterfall."  Just the same way, Ian and I went to Toronto 21 years ago and we were touched by God there in a way that changed the course of our lives.

This morning, we went driven about 50 mins north-west to a Four Square church.  They were very hungry for the things of God.  Tom preached a message about hunger for God and then we prayed for people.  I went to the back and prayed for people who were not pressing forward.  it took a little longer for them to start showing signs of the presence of God upon them, but it happened.  I prayed for a little girl who fell over under the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Then tonight, we went back to Gravidade Zero.  what an amazing church! The had a couple of dozen translators and as we approached the church, they started greeting us.  As we passed by achieve one, they hugged and kissed us and said how welcome we were.  By the next of that, we felt really great! Really loved and welcomed.  The sermon this evening was about facing difficulties in life and how our story in our life will always have challenges in it.  Every story has conflict and resolution.  I was very touched by Charities talk and the whole church surged forward afterwards at the altar  call.  We prayed for people, many of whom needed inner healing, a girl who had been abandoned by her parents and felt u loveable, a little girl who was hyperactive after having been cursed by her grandmother, a solo mother who was suffering from depression.  All felt more peaceful and joyful after prayer.  One of the team prayed for a man who had been shot through one eye and the bullet had lodged behind the other eye.  The eye that had survived was able to see letters two inches high, but after prayer he could read a Bible!!! Praise God!

 23rd September 2016

We had a restful day today, until 4:30 – team meeting.  Received impartation prayer.

On the way to the bus, there were so many people in the team who had to go down to the foyer from the top floor (28th), that a few of us walked down the emergency exit stairs to avoid the long wait for an elevator ride.  Someone started singing in tongues. One by one, the rest joined in and the overall effect was of a medieval chant in an echoey crypt.  Beautiful.

Then had a half  hour bus journey to a local church. We felt very warmly welcomed. People were lined up waiting to welcome us.  We were given delicious food, then the meeting started.  Amazing worship music followed by Carter Wood preaching.  He gave the testimony of his conversion at age 3!  Even though so small, he had been the only one to come forward at a revival meeting altar call.  He spoke into the mic, and said “Every one should  know Jesus!” and then the whole congregation responded to the Lord and there were many conversions!  So he has been a revivalist from a very early age :-)

Tonight I prayed for for a woman who had had a painful back for 8 years.  She had had prayer before but the pain had come hack.  It felt as  if she had a heavy weight on her back.  We waited on God to find out how to pray. It seemed to her that the weight was what other people had put on her, so we prayed for it to be lifted. I suggested she put the burdens she felt at the foot of the cross. I asked her to declare aloud, “ Jesus is their saviour and I am not.”

I had felt there was some some inherited stuff that needed dealing with, some bad choice her parents had made.  She said she had a bad relationship with her father and renounced any judgements she had made of her father.  I placed the cross of Christ between her and any negative spiritual inheritance.  Then I commanded the pain to go.  It went from a level “10” to an “8”.  I commanded it to go again, and it went down to a “3” and moved to one side.  I commanded a spirit of affliction to go and all the pain went.  Praise God!

OK, this is proving very difficult to edit. I am a bit of a poor Weebly worker, so bear with, as Miranda would say. If you want to see a fabulous photo of the view from the restaurant, be sure to look on my Facebook page.

​I read somewhere recently that a Sabbath day's journey is 1.4 km, so I can walk to church if Ian gives me a lift home :-). We left Rio at 14:20. The purchase of a decaf coffee at McDonald's in Sao Paulo worked about as well as the purchase of the dinner we had last night. The girl was adamant that she understood me when I said, "Decaffinated", but what I received was Ian's cappuccino and he got my one, which turned out to be a hot chocolate :-)

Last night's dinner was a truly special one, in the restaurant overlooking Copocabana Beach etc, way up on the Sugar Loaf. Such a treat, looking out over those pretty lights. The first surprise was being given a selection of 5 or 6 interesting kinds of bread, complete with butter whipped with oil of orange, plus an olive spread. Wow! I thought. If it starts like this, with a fabulous free selection of breads, how good will the rest be?! The truth came at the end, when we were billed for it - never having ordered it! Obviously, a Brazilian cultural difference. In NZ, the bread would have been free, or we would have had to order it before it arrived on the table.

Then we both ordered duck. The receptionist came over - the non-English-speaking waiter had understood that we only wanted one main... She sorted it out. Then we ordered only one dessert and two arrived! We should have known what would happen when Ian ordered a cappuccino - an espresso arrived :-0 lol.

I am keeping my lips sealed about the other mix-up, but by now you can sympathise with me if I start to believe that God was trying to teach us something when the hot chocolate arrived today.

I suggested to Ian that it might be that Brazilians have a shame-based culture and it would have been very shameful to admit they didn't understand what we had ordered. Maybe that is what I am supposed to learn.

Since starting to travel around Tanzania and deal with people there, I have realised that basically I know nothing and that assumptions are dangerous things. A couple of years ago, I started saving money to send to Kondoa in order to make it possible for some clergy kids to get to school (perhaps paying for shoes, books etc), but later Bishop Given told me that even if there might be a school within reach, the school would not necessarily have a teacher and if it did, there might be a pupil/teacher ratio of 100:1. Not even the Government offering twice the normal rate of pay to teachers can necessarily entice teachers to come to Kondoa district. So I had to re-think the target for this money I had raised.

Thus I am a bit wary about how to relate to the Brazilians. I know nothing. The only thing I can know is "Jesus loves you and wants to heal you."