Where Seeds Are Growing
Where God Is Writing a Story of Hope
Nestled in northwestern Tanzania, southeast of Lake Victoria, the Shinyanga Region is home to more than 2.2 million people. While rich in culture, faith, and natural beauty—including the renowned Mwadui pink diamond mine—many communities continue to face significant challenges in accessing quality healthcare, educational opportunities, and Christian resources. It was here that God opened an unexpected door. What began as one missionary answering His call has become a growing testimony of His faithfulness. Through partnerships with local churches, community leaders, and the South East of Lake Victoria Diocese, God has established a thriving congregation, strengthened healthcare ministry, discipled young people, and inspired a vision for a Christ-centered polyclinic that will serve generations to come. Every step has been guided not by human plans alone, but by God's gracious hand.
2.2M+ people in the Shinyanga Region
1 church planted -- Tree of Life Lutheran Church (2022)
300+ students reached through faith-based ministry
2020 Seed Time Harvest began in Tanzania
Tree of Life Lutheran Church
Long before there was a church building, there was a baobab tree. In early 2020, believers gathered each Sunday beneath its wide branches on the edge of Wizunza Village. There were no walls, no electricity, no sound system, and no sanctuary built by human hands. There was simply God's Word faithfully proclaimed, prayers lifted in faith, and people hungry to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Week after week, God brought more people. What began as a small gathering quickly grew to nearly one hundred worshippers. Families came. Children came. Neighbors invited neighbors. Under the shade of that ancient Tree of Life, God was planting something far greater than anyone could have imagined. In 2022, with the blessing of Bishop Nzelu and the South East of Lake Victoria Diocese, Tree of Life Lutheran Church was dedicated as a permanent place of worship for the growing congregation. Today, the church is far more than a building. It is a place where children learn God's Word, families worship together, leaders are equipped for ministry, and lives are transformed by the Gospel. It stands as a living reminder that God often begins His greatest works in the humblest of places.
Church Growth Timeline
Jan 2020
Seeds Planted at Mwadui
God opened the door for English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction at Mwadui Lutheran Secondary School. Alongside classroom teaching, relationships were built through student counseling, leadership development, and daily opportunities to
share Christ's love with students, teachers, and the surrounding community.
2021
Worship Under the Baobab
A small group of believers began gathering for worship beneath the shade of a baobab tree in Wizunza Village. What started as a handful of worshippers quickly grew into a vibrant congregation as God added to His Church.
2022
Tree of Life Lutheran Church Built
Tree of Life Lutheran Church was constructed and dedicated with the blessing of the South East of Lake Victoria Diocese, providing a permanent home for a growing community of believers.
2023
2025
Congregation Grows
Seed Time Harvest was established to support and expand Christ-centered ministry through evangelism, education, healthcare, discipleship, and compassionate service throughout the Shinyanga Region.
Parsonage Dedicated
God provided for the construction of a pastor's home and a dedicated meeting place for children's Bible studies. An additional acre of land surrounding Tree of Life Lutheran Church—including the historic baobab tree where worship first began—
was also purchased, expanding the church property to two acres for future ministry.
2025
Construction
Construction began on a security fence surrounding the entire two-acre church property, creating a safe and secure place for worship, children's ministry, and future outreach. Completion is anticipated in August 2026 as preparations continue for the next season of ministry, including the planned Christ-centered polyclinic.
"Where worship began beneath a baobab tree... God's story is still unfolding."
Days at Mwadui Lutheran Secondary School
Cheryl arrived in Tanzania in January 2020, just as COVID-19 was beginning to spread across the world. When I left the United States, I had never even heard of the virus.
By the time I landed, the world seemed to be changing overnight. Life in Tanzania was very different from what friends and family experienced back home. For a short time people wore masks in churches and larger gatherings, but daily life quickly returned to normal. Families still had to work each day to survive, and communities continued to gather. Looking back, I remain deeply thankful for God's protection during those uncertain months.
Cheryl's assignment was to teach English as a Second Language to Form I and Form III students (roughly equivalent to 9th and 11th grades) at Mwadui Lutheran Secondary School. Teaching English opened the door to something even more meaningful— discipleship. Each week I led counseling sessions where students freely asked questions about
life, faith, relationships, and how to follow Christ according to Scripture. While most identified as Christians, many longed to understand God's Word more deeply. I was able to print Bible study materials, provide teaching resources for the Bible Knowledge instructor, and whenever possible, place Bibles into the hands of teachers and students who did not own one.
Where Healing and the Gospel Meet
In October 2023, Bishop Nzelu asked Cheryl to take on a new challenge: managing the KKKT Lutheran Dispensary in Shinyanga. The clinic was struggling -- operationally, financially, and in its ability to serve the community as a Christ-centered healing place. Over two years, Cheryl and her team transformed it.
What Changed at the Dispensary
Strengthened operations and financial systems -- moving toward full debt repayment
Modernized laboratory capabilities and computer-based recordkeeping
Implemented pharmacy inventory procedures to reduce waste and improve care
Trained staff in compassionate, patient-centered, prayerful service
Created a Christ-centered environment where prayer is available to every patient
Purchased new microscope from earned clinic revenue
Installed air conditioning to protect lab equipment Received and installed a full blood picture machine -- a major diagnostic upgrade
Built community trust through consistent care, prayer, and practical generosity
Raising Up Tanzanian Leaders for the Long Harvest
The goal was never to build a ministry that depends on a missionary from Texas. From the beginning, the vision for Seed Time Harvest has been to plant, cultivate, and then step back -- trusting that God's work takes root in the people He calls.
That vision is becoming real.
The young men who sat in weekly counseling sessions at Mwadui, who played basketball and talked about fathers and faith -- they are now choir leaders and Bible teachers in their own congregations. The congregation of Tree of Life, which began with 95 people under a baobab tree, now has its first resident Tanzanian pastor.