I traveled to Africa in February 2006 expecting to be overwhelmed, humbled, frustrated, elated, and challenged as never before. I was not disappointed.
As a Director of WorldServe International, I was able to see and experience much of Africa in a short amount of time. Our trip was led by WS President John Bongiorno. Having made at least 60 trips to the continent, he had a good knowledge of Swahili which delighted the local people immensely.
Africa’s Riches
Joshua Ruibo, our guide and driver, also served as interpreter in the Mount Calvary Assembly of God church during our trip when John Bongiorno was the guest preacher. We all know that both Joshua and Camilla (nicknamed Maji) were Christians, but the Spirit really emerged in Joshua as he interpreted.
Several days later, we had a break and talked about the experience on Sunday, and our mission to Africa in general. He asked, “Dick, Africa is very blessed by God with minerals, plants, and animals, as well as diverse peoples, but we are not blessed with prosperity as America is blessed. Why is that the case?”
I had been pondering that same question; why indeed, Lord, are their people experiencing such disease, hunger, and poverty? My answer to Joshua was an attempt based on very limited experience. We discussed the influences of capital, corruption, and Christianity, among other things.
Joshua was greatly moved that we would come a very long way, nearly 8,000 miles, to help the poor of Africa. He understood sending food, medicine, and money, but to come personally was the greatest testimony.
I replied, your work is your witness. In WorldServe’s case, we have assembled a drilling company and successfully developed a profitable commercial enterprise, Maji-Tech Engineering, to provide sustainable transformational development. We had even drilled for a wide spectrum of clients: Tanzanian government contracts, farmers, ranchers, business, and non-profit clients.
Joshua said that Africa, and Tanzania especially, saw outsiders prosper and yet that prosperity did not reach down to the native people. I replied that Jesus’ love was a love of action and transformation. He felt the needs of the poor, leading him to take action and encourage action. The example of Jesus is what motivated the work of WorldServe International.
Seeing as Jesus Sees
I sent an email to Dr. Makonen Getu, my partner in The Carpenter’s Fund project, before our trip. “What can I expect to learn in Africa?” I asked. His reply, that of an Ethiopian man, once a herdboy and now Dr. Makonen Getu, Acting Director of the Oxford University Center for Mission Studies, and also consultant to Opportunity International in micro-enterprise development, was:
See the people as Jesus saw them, and hear their cries and see their needs as Jesus hears and sees. Do not be just a tourist but feel what our Christian brothers and sisters live everyday.
The African Church in Action
After the service at Arusha Mount Calvary Assembly of God, a few of us were invited by Pastor Wilson Kimaro into his office for a conversation. He asked, “What can the church in Africa do? We feel powerless; all we can do is pray and fast!”
The Pastor said that he had preached at this church for 45 years, and his son is likely to follow him as head pastor soon. The present drought had been hard on his congregation – they had insufficient waters, intermittent electricity, and a lack of good jobs. Pastor Kimaro gently expressed his frustration that these problems seemed intractable, exacerbated by the failure of the short rains last Sept – Nov. Perhaps the long rains expected in March – May would allow some recovery.
He knew of our works at Maji-Tech and had a burning question, “How can I get a water well here at our church?”
At least here, we were able to offer some substantive help. WorldServe usually recruits church donors to fund charitable wells, such as for churches, performing the work at cost + 10 percent – a very nominal rate far below our commercial and bid work. For this church, we were able to match a private donor with the need.
This church will undertake a hydrology survey within the next two weeks and if a suitable drilling site is found, will likely have a well drilled within two months.
The reaction of Pastor Kimaro for a water well for his congregation was jubilant.
Dick Omohundro serves on the Board of Directors for WorldServe International. He is also spearheading work for The Carpenter's Fund, a WorldServe-launched investment fund that provides capital to sustainable development projects. Dick is Senior Managing Director of Cypress Tree Investment Management in Boston, MA. Questions or comments on this article can be sent to info@worldserveintl.org.