Hearts sank in Chigongwe village. Funds always ran low after Christmas, but the picture looked
bleaker than ever this January. Two weeks earlier, villagers prepared for “dark days”—a time
when the government closes businesses and turns off electricity and internet in response to
political protests. Tanzanians endured a dark week in October when hundreds died during
protests.
Expecting another shutdown, villagers stocked up on food instead of following their normal
practice of buying just enough for each day. But the dark days didn’t come this time. With no
refrigerators to store their surplus, people lost money on spoiled food. Now they faced school
starting in a few weeks. How would they afford school clothes, supplies, and fees?
“This is Africa. You buy for grandchildren, cousins, nephews, and nieces,” said Pastor James,
ABH’s Director of Operations in Africa.
The villagers never guessed they stood poised to receive —and give—a gift. They own the
twenty-five-acre plot of land ABH is buying for the Priscilla Conference Center. ABH staff
committed to pay for the land in full by the end of January, but as donations rolled in, Pastor
James decided to pay part of the balance sooner. The money arrived just in time for villagers to
pay school expenses.
“To them, this was a miracle,” Pastor James said.
The villagers decided to work a miracle in return. They threw in two free acres to thank ABH for
the early payment. Like the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the original twenty-five acres have
multiplied to provide pastor couples physical and spiritual nourishment.
Our supporters’ generous gifts make this land purchase possible. These gifts don’t just bless our
staff. Your donations travel far beyond American soil, meeting Africans’ pressing needs in
practical ways—sometimes just in the nick of time.
