Our Story
Unexpected Adventure
In the spring of 2023, I was made aware of an organization that hosts short term mission trips throughout Africa. Having always had an affinity towards Africa and not finding a good enough reason why I shouldn't join them, I made the journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo in summer 2023. There I met Mary, a co-missioner from Tanzania. She and I connected instantly and quickly developed a friendship. In February 2024, we reunited in Kenya for another mission trip. Three months later I traveled back to Africa to visit Mary in Tanzania - this time just for fun. ​
We planned to spend one week together. To us, it was a time to relax and enjoy the amazing nature of Tanzania. Yet, as is often the case, God had bigger plans. I having quit my job to do missions work and travel and Mary having been unexpectedly laid off hers, we both found ourselves at the end of our roads, and not really sure where to go next. So, what does one do at a dead end in Africa? SAFARI! Mary and I decided to begin our vacation with a 2-day safari. There we were minding our own business, amazed at the beauty of wild animals in their natural environment, when we suddenly caught wind of information regarding property available for sale in Mary's hometown in southern Tanzania. Throughout the rest of our vacation, we continued to pray about this opportunity. We felt strongly that the Lord was leading us in this direction and would go before us to open doors. At the end of the week, I headed back to the US and Mary traveled south to see what she could find. Two weeks later, the miracle manifested; Mary officially purchased a small piece of beachfront property on Lake Nyasa.
So, what now? As Mary refamiliarized herself with the area, she quickly recognized several needs. While the villagers are very welcoming and friendly, providing for the essential needs of their families is a struggle: people walk several kilometers every day to access fresh water, employment opportunities are limited and few, and nutritional options are scarce. Additionally, the narrow medical services available are often difficult to access in times of crisis. Mary did not observe any churches preaching life through Christ. There are no resources available for people to receive discipleship training. The economic and spiritual poverty juxtapose the richness of beauty in the surrounding nature. Surely, God opened this door for a reason, and Thrive Tanzania was born.
