05/23/2015: The Blessed Hope

The Blessed Hope

Tanzania

 

Mama Twing’s Memorial

Ethel Twing.

In 1969, Dr. James A. Twing, and his wife Ethel, a licensed practical nurse, were sent by the Lake Orion Medical Group in Michigan, USA on a six-month rotation to Heri Mission Hospital in Tanzania, East Africa. After they returned from Africa, the Seventh-day Adventist Church sent them on permanent assignment to the hospital. After Dr. Twing’s untimely death in an airplane accident in Tanzania, his widow became a registered nurse, returned to Africa, and spent more than 40 years accomplishing amazing work in ministry. Today, the work of Twing Memorial Ministries is carried on in their memory by her children. Ethel “Mama” Twing passed away in the United States in 2014, at the age of 92.

It was good to be at the memorial service for Ethel “Mama” Twing in Kennewick, Washington, USA. The service was organized by Mama’s daughter, Sylvia Twing Hauner. It was beautiful to hear how much Mama Twing blessed the lives of each one there.

Pastor Musa Mitekaro speaking at the African memorial service for Ethel Twing.

Paperwork was completed in the United States so I could carry her ashes to Africa. The government was extremely helpful and I was able to get through security without much trouble. I had a good trip and arrived safely back in Africa because of God’s protection over me. I felt the presence of God’s angels and His Spirit all along the way. I took my computer bag with me because it had enough room for the cremains of Mama Twing so I could bury her alongside her precious husband, Dr. James Arthur Twing, who passed away in 1972 and is buried on the grounds of the Morogoro field office of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

At Dar Es Salaam airport, my final destination, I experienced a small problem with security, but in the end it was solved. God has His people everywhere to help in time of need. I rested in Dar Es Salaam on Sabbath and then left at 6:00 am on Sunday to Morogoro, which is a three to four hour drive, in order to make all necessary preparations for Mama Twing’s African memorial service.

The graveside service.

Sunday was a very busy day because we had to prepare the grave so she could rest beside her husband. By 9:00 am on Monday, people were already in the church, waiting for the service to start at 10:30 am. Monday is a work day, so I thought many people would not attend the service, but the church was packed. The church and graveside service members, groups of people, and choirs participated in a very spiritual and colorful service. Many of Mama Twing’s African children came to the service, some from Dar Es Salaam, others came from far as Kigoma, Mwanza, and Musoma near Victoria Lake. We had to feed the guests for the whole day which is an African tradition when someone respected dies. Thanks to everyone for your prayers, Mama Twing now rests beside her precious husband waiting for the Lord to return.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:1-14.

 

School and Evangelism

Twing Memorial School.

A Muslim family has a 14-year-old daughter named Amina who suffered from demonic power. Her demon possession was so severe she was unable to continue with her studies in a government school. Her parents took her to different hospitals and village medicine men, but there was no help or healing. The family was advised to take Amina to Twing Memorial School (TMS) for a meeting with the chaplain of the school. The chaplain and teachers prayed for her and she was healed from the demons. After she was healed, the parents decided to seek a transfer of Amina from the government school to TMS, which was granted. Her Muslim parents are thankful to God that Amina is healed. They are now studying the advent message, and Amina has been studying the Word of God in school. The parents have granted permission for Amina to be baptized as a Seventh-day Adventist. TMS is a place of miracles and God is surely working through this school.

We have just concluded 200 meetings in Mwanza City. Over 4,000 have been baptized! Many people came to witness the huge event. They were shocked to see so many people. Among the many people there were Seventh-day Adventists from Tennessee. They were touched by what they saw. They said, “We have never seen such an event or have read about your work in a newsletter. We are not rich people, but we will ask our friends and Sabbath school to send funds to Twing Memorial Ministries.”

It has been some time since Twing Memorial Ministries has built a church for a new congregation. A church can be built for as little as $5,000 US. Your gifts in support of a church building will help fellow church members worship in a more comfortable setting—out from under the trees in the sun, wind, and rain.

“’Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.’ Psalm 115:1. Such was the spirit that pervaded Israel’s song of deliverance, and it is the spirit that should dwell in the hearts of all who love and fear God. In freeing our souls from the bondage of sin, God has wrought for us a deliverance greater than that of the Hebrews at the Red Sea…. The daily blessings that we receive from the hand of God, and above all else the death of Jesus to bring happiness and heaven within our reach, should be a theme for constant gratitude. What compassion, what matchless love, has God shown to us, lost sinners, in connecting us with Himself, to be to Him a peculiar treasure! We should praise God for the blessed hope held out before us in the great plan of redemption, we should praise Him for the heavenly inheritance and for His rich promises; praise Him that Jesus lives to intercede for us.” God’s Amazing Grace, 352.

 

By Pastor Musa Mitekaro of Twing Memorial Ministries, Tanzania, Africa. Website: www.twingmm.netasi.org. Donations: Twing Memorial Ministries, PO Box 6, College Place, WA 99324.

 

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