It’s a little over a week ago now since Monte and I were hopping into the truck with John & Nancy and heading south on the 9+ hour drive from Arusha to Dar-es-salaam – the journey wasn’t over! The next day we climbed back in the same truck for another 3 hour drive further south along the coast; an exhausting drive to say the least.
The purpose of such a long drive? – one-year evaluation of the Ndengereko TIMO team. This was such a great experience for me in many ways. First of all, it was the first time I’ve experienced “one-year’s” from a perspective other than as team member or team leader; although I was still a learner.
Another aspect that made this trip so wonderful, and the long drive worthwhile, was getting to watch my friends and co-workers from TIMO Admin speak grace & truth into the lives of the Ndengereko TIMO team. 
Life in the African bush is not always easy, contrary to popular opinion , so it was encouraging for me to watch as the others poured themselves into team member’s lives.
Whatever I envisioned of the land and people before we left Arusha was definitely not what I encountered. The Ndengereko live in a garden spot compared to where I previously served in the desert of northern Kenya. As we drove in, off the main north/south road, toward the village where the TIMO team calls home I was amazed at the abundance of fruit and produce. We passed stacks of oranges and tangerines piled high, waiting to be sold and taken to market in Dar or beyond. Cashew nut trees lined the road as well, shading our drive for the last hour or so. And yet so much blessing alongside so much poverty.
This trip gave me a glimpse into the shadows of Ndengereko-land and its people. The TIMO team there has a great task ahead of them – “to open their [Ndengereko] eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in [Jesus]” Acts 26:18.
However, in the midst of the dark shadows and spiritual poverty I saw a light beginning to shine. The TIMO team members have learned language, built relationships and are daily living as the hands and feet of Jesus among their Ndengereko neighbors.
A long road to travel – yes, but worth every kilometer! How else could I have gotten a glimpse into the shadows and seen the light of God’s Kingdom at work in and through the TIMO team who are there ministering God’s grace to the Ndengereko people?