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THE BURNING BUSH
 

Volume 15 Number 1, January 2009

My First Three Months at BCEA Tanzania

Tan Nee Keng

I have been staying at the Bible College of East Africa (BCEA), Tanzania, for three months already. I thank God for keeping me well all these weeks. The Lord continues to teach me to trust in Him and I continue to let Him lead me. Surely it was He who moved the heart of my wife to come with me and stay for a few weeks. Just a few years ago, she would not even consider visiting Africa because she had always been a poor traveller, especially to places where there are no piped water and electricity. It was my dream that she would accompany me to Africa. She did and what a great job she did to help me settle in.

The Lord arranged for us to stay at the home of the Korean principal of the kindergarten for the first weeks, while waiting for the water to be piped into the college complex. However, when it was nearly time for my wife to return to Singapore, we decided to move into the guest house though we had no piped water yet. A few days later, against all odds, God must have moved the contractor to overcome the remaining difficulties to complete his job of laying the pipes that would bring drinking water into the compound. We were overjoyed when the water pressure was enough for the water to go up to the water tank on the roof of the two-storey guesthouse without the need for a pump! My wife unpacked our things and put them in order, and taught me the cooking skills I sorely lacked.

Berean Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore has been very supportive, from the pastor and his session to the members of the church. They showed concern for my needs and gave words of encouragement and advice and love gifts. This has helped to make things smooth for me. Two Berean brethren and Apasia (Tanzanian FEBC student who was home during the college break) were also very helpful when they were here. In the first weeks in Tanzania, we learnt how to travel to town by public transport, and where to buy things that are not commonly available, such as sardines and sauces. Apasia’s mother helped me to find a barber who knows how to cut my non-Afro hair.

The college environment is pleasant. Though the weather has been rather cold, it is getting warm in the afternoons. One of the first things we did was to drain the field of stagnant water to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes. In spite of this, during these few weeks, two persons staying in the compound contracted malaria. Early detection and medication helped them to recover quickly. The college has a small shamba (vegetable garden) and the students had the taste of the first produce last Thursday, 4 September 2008. Saplings of trees that are good for firewood have also been planted around the compound. Three units of the staff quarters are nearing completion. In the photograph, the one on the left is a twin unit. The other unit is on the right of the two-storey guesthouse.

We are praying for more students to enroll in the next semester. Some people have requested for application forms. There are seven students at present. I was glad to see that some of them who were very poor in English the last time I saw them in November 2006 have improved in their English. Besides Biblical studies, they are also taught computer skills and the English language. Other than general cleaning duties, they help in the maintenance of the place as part of their work scholarship. This includes slashing grass, chopping firewood and shamba work. Recently, they helped to repair the village road which leads to the main road because it had become too muddy for vehicles.

I thank God that He gives me good appetite for food, including the Ugali and beans that we have for lunch. I try to cook dinner for myself, though sometimes, because of time constraints, I take the evening meals served by the college. I had learned how to cut vegetables at FEBC, and this has helped me to prepare my meals quickly before the sun goes down. This is necessary as there is still no electric lighting at the guesthouse and mosquitoes visit the kitchen when it is dark.

I request prayer for my work permit. There has been some delay as the Bible College is still in the process of being registered. As my social visit pass has expired, I am now in Kenya at the Kiluani mission station where Sister Pui Meng is serving as a nurse. It is a break for me, coinciding with the college’s mid-semester break. I await the Lord’s further direction. Do be in prayer also that the Lord will send more students in the coming semesters. Psalm 136:1, "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."

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