Response to the Flooding
In our last newsletter, we shared that several of our students and their families experienced devastating damage to their homes due to severe flooding. Thanks to your generous support, we were able to provide food and hygiene supplies in the days following the disaster. More recently, your gifts made it possible to purchase sheet metal so these families could once again have a simple roof over their heads.
Most importantly, all glory belongs to Jesus Christ. He is the source of every good gift, and we pray that His love is clearly seen through these acts of compassion. This witness is especially meaningful as some of the students who received assistance come from Muslim backgrounds. We are grateful that God is using your generosity not only to meet physical needs but also to demonstrate the hope found in Christ. Thank you for your faithful prayers, your giving hearts, and your partnership in this ministry.
First Aid Training
When Carolyn and I traveled to Mbuguni in May, we had the privilege of teaching basic first aid to more than 100 students and community members. The response was overwhelming—more than 60 additional people wanted to attend, but space and time simply did not allow it.
Each training session began by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Participants also received a Gospel bracelet that helps tell the story of God’s plan of salvation. Along with hearing the message of hope found in Christ, they learned practical lifesaving skills, including burn care, wound care, choking response, and CPR.
It was encouraging to see such enthusiasm for learning. In Mbuguni, access to medical care is extremely limited. Even if an ambulance is called, it may not respond because fuel is unavailable. By equipping more people with basic first aid skills, we can help improve outcomes during medical emergencies. Even more importantly, by sharing the Gospel, we pray that many will come to know the only true hope found in Jesus Christ.
Would you consider joining a future First Aid mission team? If you—or someone you know—has a heart for serving others and sharing the love of Christ, we’d love to hear from you.
A Special Kind of Gift
Celebrate the life, faith, or legacy of someone special through a memorial or honorary gift to Next Life Foundation. Your donation becomes a lasting tribute by helping provide vocational training, Christian discipleship, and hope to young people in Tanzania. If you wish, we will gladly send an acknowledgment note to the family or honoree informing them that a gift has been made in their name.
This year we have been blessed to receive gifts in honor of birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions—including a donation celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States. Each gift is a meaningful way to rejoice in God’s blessings while investing in the lives of young people and advancing the Gospel in Tanzania.
Counting Everyday Blessings
Here’s a simple challenge: For the next 24 hours, thank God every time you use soap. Whether you’re washing your hands, doing the dishes, taking a shower, washing clothes, or scrubbing the floor, pause for just a moment and thank Him for the blessing of cleanliness. For many of us, soap is something we hardly think about.
For our students, however, receiving soap is a true blessing and often a luxury they cannot afford. Because of your generosity, we are able to provide this simple necessity along with vocational training and the hope of the Gospel.
Thank you for making a tangible difference—one bar of soap, one life, and one opportunity to share Christ’s love at a time.
Every Stroke Builds a Future
Our carpentry students are already becoming skilled craftsmen. One of their recent projects has been building beds—a task that requires patience, precision, and plenty of hard work. Without power tools, every board must be carefully planed and sanded by hand, and chisels are used to create the fine details. It is amazing to watch these young men develop such artistry and craftsmanship.
Learning these traditional woodworking skills is intentional. In many parts of Tanzania, electricity is unreliable or unavailable, so being able to build quality furniture with hand tools is an invaluable skill. As students progress in the program, they will also learn to use power tools, equipping them to work confidently in a variety of settings.
Save the Date: Annual Banquet
Mark your calendar for the Next Life Foundation Annual Banquet on Thursday, October 8, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Maser Monarch Lodge in Okoboji, Iowa.
Join us for an evening of worship, fellowship, and a delicious meal as we celebrate God’s faithfulness. Board members Lyn Creswell and Barb Brockshus will share highlights from their 2026 visits to Tanzania, including the graduation, 10-year anniversary celebration, carpentry building projects, and the relationships they built with students and staff. We hope you’ll join us!
Serving Him,
Patti
