A Dire Situation
Often there are times in our lives when we just don’t know how to pray. There are many reasons this occurs. We don’t know the situation or the person(s) well, we’re just so distraught or overjoyed and on and on. Currently, there is a severe drought in all of East Africa. It’s just hard for those of us in the Midwest region of the United States to understand. When we’re in a drought no one goes hungry or starves to death, literally. It’s hard to know how to pray. It was reported on Christian radio a few weeks ago that if conditions don’t change soon in the East African countries, a person will die of starvation every 36 seconds!
The village of Mbuguni, where our Next Life Foundation school is located, has not had a notable amount of rain in over two years. That means there have not been any crops to harvest for a very long time. The whole region is very dry. To compound the problem Tanzania has always imported significant foodstuffs from Ukraine which is no longer occurring. How do we even pray for these people? We are told in Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Let’s just pray and let the Holy Spirit fill in the gaps.
God has provided, through Next Life’s generous donors, so we’ve been able to give our students corn and cooking oil for their families to sustain them. Due to the drastic inflation Tanzania has experienced it, will cost around $6000 each month to continue this endeavor. We can’t help everyone but we can continue to help our students and their families. You are welcome to join us in this blessing to our young people. Our student’s lives are our top priority. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
January Eyeglass Ministry Team
Eight people will be giving “new sight” to the folks in the Mbuguni area in January. The team will be leaving the U.S. on January 11th and return the 21st. Next Life Foundation is partnering with MOST Ministry out of Ann Arbor, MI. These volunteers will be equipped to check eyes out on the field and then fit glasses for the individual. There will also be a prayer tent to help with the spiritual needs of the folks that attend this optometry clinic. Praise the Lord for unique ways to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ! Please keep this group of short term missionaries in your prayers in early 2023. If internet and electricity are available, updates will be posted on the website, www.NextLifeFound.org and sent out in our e-newsletter. (sign up for the e-newsletter on our website)
Students’ Accomplishments
Our students continue to work hard to learn new skills and perfect the talents they’ve already acquired.
The tailoring students are mastering how to make slacks and perfecting the “basic” dress design.
The carpenters are learning how to build doors.
Remember there is no electricity. This is all done with hand tools.
The Perimeter Security Wall
We would like to begin construction on a security wall around our three-acre compound. Unfortunately, we are constantly replacing items that are disappearing, such as 5 gallon buckets. Our highest priority currently is to make sure our students have food but we also need to keep them safe. If you are interested in donating to the perimeter wall you can make that designation when giving through our website or in the memo on your check.
Prayer Requests –
- Rain for all of East Africa then fruitful produce to come from the soil
- Joseph, one of our security guards, who is dealing with health problems
- Wisdom for the leadership of Next Life
- Health and safety for our students and staff
- Hearts that are open to accept Christ
- Funding to keep our ministry flourishing
Sponsor a Student!
Pick the pupil you’d like to keep in pray and build a relationship with at https://nextlifefound.org/sponsorships/
$60/month provides a special bond between the sponsor and student. Prayer can drastically change the young person’s life.
Laurence reads and translates a note from the student’s sponsor.
Next Life Foundation 