Lord, hanging out in airports and on airplanes can get very monotonous and tiring but that’s how a lot of life is.  Be with Trey and Patti so they are aware of any nudges you give them to strike up a conversation, give a smile or just speak a kind word.  Help them get through security without any glitches and in a timely manner so they make their connecting flight from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro airport.  God, I pray that you get them through customs at the Kilimanjaro airport without incident and in a timely fashion. 

The time change is significant.  By the time they land in Tanzania it will be 8:40pm local time but it’ll be 11:40am central time.  Give them patience as they go through the commotion of customs on arrival in Tanzania.  Blind the eyes of the agents to the skill saw they’re bringing to the Next Life entrepreneurs so they don’t have to be delayed or pay extra money.

It will probably be close to midnight by the time they get their luggage, through customs and drive the hour to their lodge.  Help them to get good sleep despite the jet lag and all the new noises like fighting dogs, cows, chickens, etc.  Thank you, Lord, for your hand of protection to get them to the Maasai Safari Centre.  In Jesus’ name I pray. amen.

Patti and Trey are Heading to Tanzania

Heavenly Father, this morning Patti and Trey begin their long journey to East Africa.  I ask that you would go before them to prepare the way.  Give them safe travels from Okoboji to the Sioux Falls airport, to the Minneapolis airport and then to Amsterdam. Keep a sense of calm among all the passengers on the flights they’ll be on.  Guide their conversations and interactions with others.  Help them get rest as they fly through the night.  You, mighty God, have a plan for this trip and in all that takes place may you be glorified.  I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

This is a perfect time to reflect on the abundant blessings that God has given to each of us personally and as an organization.  The Father loves to give his children good gifts and unfortunately, we have a tendency to take many for granted.

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Do you have a home? Running water? Electricity? Plumbing?  Clean water?  Food in the cupboard?

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At Next Life we have wonderful, talented and loving staff and volunteers that love our students and work hard to show Christ to all they encounter.

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We have a beautiful campus developing that keeps our students and staff safe and gives them a good learning environment.  We have great potential to grow our programs so we can reach more people for the Kingdom of God

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We are able to build character in young people; mind, body and spirit.  Through devotions, vocational training, providing food and mentoring. God can change these pupil’s lives.  Three of our current students will be confirmed this month at their church.

Food and personal hygiene necessities are provided when needed.

The girls recently learned how to make feminine hygiene kits.  (A MOST Ministry team taught this in January 2019 and the lessons continue)

All the students received soap which can be use for laundry, body or dishes. When was the last time you thanked the Lord for soap?

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We are so thankful for all our donors and prayer warriors.  We couldn’t do what we do without all of you!  You are such a blessing and encouragement to each and every one of the students, staff and board members.

It’s wonderful to get together with many Next Life friends at the annual banquet; share a meal, worship our Lord and hear about the happenings in Tanzania.

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MOST Ministries (Mission Opportunities Short Term) has been a blessing to Next Life Foundation and the region of Mbuguni, Tanzania.  We have partnered with this mission organization for six years to help teach our students and also to bring an eyeglass ministry to the people of the area.  In January we will once again offer the Gospel and eyeglasses to anyone who comes to our campus.  What an amazing ministry this has become!

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We’re so grateful that Dominic, a former student and entrepreneur. He has stepped into the position of carpentry instructor.  The students are learning new techniques and enjoying Dominic’s leadership.

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The greatest gift we have from the Father is His Son.  There is so much that can be said about this; Jesus’ willingness to leave His heavenly home to become human, His readiness to take on all our sins and be separated from His Father, His great love for us…Thank you Lord.  May my life be lived with gratitude to you.

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Prayer Request

Dec 31^st I will be heading over to Tanzania with a young man, Trey Robinson.  When Trey was in 2^nd grade he told me he was going to join me some day on a trip to Africa.  He traveled to Next Life as a Freshman in high school, in May 2022.  God touched his heart for missions and in particular, the students at Next Life.  He is a senior in high school now, a starter on the state champion hockey team and willing to miss five games to again take the Gospel to East Africa.  The rest of the mission team will join us Jan 5. I ask that you pray that God would grow each member of the team’s faith and commitment to Christ during our time in country, that the Holy Spirit would work through us to impact our students and villagers to realize Jesus is Lord.                                Your sister in Christ,  Patti

Our Students are Thriving

Thriving in Tanzania looks nothing like flourishing in the United States in some ways but its appearance is exactly like life here in other ways.  It looks like having the joy of the Lord, hope for the future, and “enough”.   Every individual needs these three things; enough, hope and joy in the Lord.

Jehovah writes to her sponsors: “I greet you in Jesus’ name. I am so grateful to you for allowing me to be at Next Life. I never thought I would be in this organization but God is so good that he has led me to the Next Life organization. I feel like when I am here, I am at home, the love and peace that exists in the organization causes me to forget the challenges and poverty of our home. Thank you so much for the gift that God has given me. 

Obediently yours, Jehovah”

The Holy Spirit is touching the hearts of the people that are on our campus.  Our staff shows Christ’s love to these young people, many who don’t receive love at home.  A number receive their only nourishment when they are at our school.  Each day lunch is served.  A couple of the students eat separately from the others because Mary, our director, knows they seldom have food at home.  By segregating them from the others they can receive larger portions.  They are often given food to take home after the others have left for the day also. 

Our students pray when they arrive on campus each morning, thanking the Lord for safety in their travel to school and blessings on their day.  At the end of the day of instruction, there are songs of praise to our faithful God.  Pastor Elia gives instruction and encouragement each Friday during a time of devotion.  It’s heartening to see how many of our muslim students join these times of worship to the one true God. 

Cecelia writes asking her sponsor to visit but I’m sure she’d love to meet any of you!  All of you contribute to her and each students’ education.  ”I greet you in the name of Jesus.  I love you so much even though I’ve never seen you.  I hope that one day you can visit our organization, see it with your eyes.  Thank you so much for helping me to be at Next Life. 

God bless you very much.  In Christ, Cecelia” 

Would you like to have a relationship like this with one of these young people?  The obligations when sponsoring a student are $60/month and a commitment to pray for them.  You can pick the student you’d like to sponsor at https://nextlifefound.org/sponsorships/ then peruse the student profiles by choosing “tailoring students” or “carpentry students” at the top right of the page, or we can pick a student for you.

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A Message From Co-Founder, Patti~ 

So much good stuff is going on at Next Life.  God has blessed us more than we could have ever imagined!  At the same time life is so hard in that area; weather, disease, lack of food and safe water, the list goes on and on.  Like everywhere, Satan is telling lies to the people like he does everywhere and too many are believing those lies.  Next Life strives to tell Biblical truth to combat those lies. 

We are sad to report that our carpentry instructor, Mr. Reonald has given his resignation due to personal issues.  The staff and students are a family so when one leaves it’s difficult on everyone.  Please keep Mr. Reonald and everyone lifted up in prayer.  The search for a new teacher is underway and we pray God leads the right person to us.

Your sister in Christ,  Patti

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Next Life T-Shirts

Did you know that you can order fun t-shirts and 100% of the proceeds support Next Life Foundation?  This is a picture of Patti with her grandkids and some nieces and nephews.  You could look so stylish and help a great organization by shopping at https://nextlifefound.org/shop/

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Banquet Time

Please plan to attend this year’s annual banquet.  Not only will you hear the latest happenings in Mbuguni but you’ll hear from students and have a chance to win door prizes, not to mention, really great people come to this event.  You’ll want to meet them and visit with them.

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Donate

If you’d like to make a donation, click here: https://nextlifefound.org/donate/

Another Successful Mission Trip

May 5 – 16 a team of three traveled to Tanzania to encourage and teach our students and staff and to learn about life in this East Africa area. It was a successful expedition. God’s love was evident everywhere!
Each day the team taught about 10 students some basic first aid; wound care, burn care and choking.

They learned to treat a hand after a burn or wound. Everyone had an opportunity to practice their new skills.

Everyone had so much fun while learning!

The students heard the Gospel through these witness bracelets.

The symbols represent “Jesus came, He died, He was buried, He arose, He is coming again.”
Some good discussion was had with the students about Christ’s true story.

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Visiting the Elderly

Each morning the team went to the local market to purchase food then we visited the destitute elderly in the afternoon. We prayed with the individual and gave them the much needed food.

A visit to 120-yearold Eliateresa was Visiting Ramandan at his home was very humbling.
very special. The team expected to He was extremely happy to receive both food and
pray and bless her but instead she prayer.
blessed the team.

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Future Mission Trips

Are you interested in experiencing life in Tanzania? We’ll be partnering with MOST Ministries (Mission Opportunities Short Term) January 4-13, 2024 for an eyeglass clinic on our campus.

In May 2024 we plan to offer First Aid teaching to the Mbuguni community.

Contact Patti at NextLifeFound@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining a short-term mission team.

A Message from Co-Founder, Patti –

Each time I go to Tanzania I’m reminded of the greatness of our God. He has provided such excellent faith filled people to lead this ministry, Next Life Foundation, and teach our students. He has given us a beautiful piece of property and has begun to develop it. He has given both the Tanzanian and American boards similar visions of how to proceed with development. Our students are thriving. They look so much healthier after four months of receiving Christian love and a meal 5 days a week. I am so blessed to get to be Christ’s hands and feet in this ministry.
Of course, there are challenges and we greatly appreciate your prayers. Prayers for wisdom, discernment and ears that hear.

God Bless each one of you,

Patti

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Would you like to make a donation to Next Life Foundation? https://nextlifefound.org/donate/