OWT (Orphans & Widows of Tanzania) MINISTRY UPDATE TO CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, ELKO, NEVADA (Submitted by Bill Eardensohn, Stateside Facilitator & CBC OWT Team, April 2016)

UPDATE FOR JANUARY THROUGH MARCH 2016 (Thank you for your ongoing prayers and financial support for the OWT Ministry) 

Ipogolo Children's Home (ICH) 

The major development at ICH was the departure of Richard in January. Richard did not qualify for additional schooling, so he chose the option of starting a business. OWT provided start-up funds to help Richard start up shoe sales business under the mentorship of Pastor Osiana's brother, in Mbeya, the largest city in southwestern Tanzania. Richard needs our prayers as he starts this new adventure. Paulo has had continuing health problems including epilepsy which put him in the hospital for about a week. He was also hit by a car while riding his bike to school. This also required hospitalization. At this writing, Paulo has returned to school but cannot do any hard work. He needs prayers for healing and which medications are best to treat his condition. Along with Pastor Osiana, his wife, Bahati, and their four children, the orphans currently living at ICH are Koleta (Grade 3), Fidelis (Grade 6), Issa (Form 4), Paulo & Timothy (Form 2 Special Education). Yohana (Form 5) is at boarding school and spends his holidays at ICH. Yohana has also been hospitalized for health problems while away at school. He needs our prayers for good health with his ongoing condition. Ask the Lord to provide the right person to replace the child-care aide at ICH (named Rose) who had to leave suddenly. Her parents were killed in a car accident and she has to return home to care for her younger siblings. The child-care aide is very important to enabling Pastor Osiana to have the time to also pastor the church while serving as father to all the children at ICH.

Anthony House (Group Home)

Basili, the final resident at Anthony House who graduated last year, used his life-start funds from OWT. to start a barber shop. Anthony reports that Basili's business is doing well. Anthony is look for a job. His previous employer returned to Europe. Meanwhile, he and Emmy and their children have moved to another house, since the house they were renting was rented out to a business for more money. Pray that Anthony finds a job soon. They are receiving help from OWT for their rent this year, but they will be on their own after December.

OWT Widows

William Gibson (Son of Salome) continues to receive help through OWT to complete his secondary schooling. He lives with his Uncle Gibson in Mbeya. Pray that William would apply himself in school this year. Emmanuel Mwankusye, who received help through OWT to complete his teacher education, is doing well as a teacher in northern Tanzania. Emmanuel is also teaching youth Sunday School in a church family in his village.

Change 2 Change Lives

In January, Calvary's Small Groups for Adults, Youth and Kids began inviting class members to donate their "Change" to help OWT. The total of this collaborative collection of coins/cash was $698.50 for the first 10 weeks. A little becomes a lot when combined together! Asante Sana!

CANS can help OWT

Funds raised by recycling donated aluminum cans also benefit the OWT Minsitry.

OWT Prayer Calendar

Asante for your prayers! Requests for the OWT Prayer Calendar were updated in January.

Pictured at below are Pastor Osiana, his wife, Bahati, their 4 children plus some of the OWT Students sheltered by our sister church at ICH.

What Is O.W.T.?

~O.W.T. stands for “Orphans & Widows of Tanzania” which is a Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church in partnership with Ipogolo Baptist Church in Tanzania. The O.W.T. Ministry was begun in 2005 by Jackie Smiley. Bill & Pauline Eardensohn serve as Stateside Facilitators for O.W.T. All three are retired IMB Missionaries to Tanzania & former members of Calvary.

~Orphans who receive assistance through O.W.T. are former “street kids” who now live in a Children’s Home provided by Ipogolo Baptist Church. Pastor Osiana & his wife Bahati serve as the house parents.

~Funds donated through O.W.T. are used to provide for the physical and educational needs of the orphans. Calvary has budgeted support for the basic needs of the students sheltered at Ipogolo. Individuals, families, small groups & other churches are invited to contribute towards other needs (medical expenses, life start funds, tutoring, school supplies, etc.)

Checks may be written to O.W.T. c/o CBC P.O. Box 1225, Elko, NV 89803.

~Widows who receive assistance through O.W.T. have  sponsorships from individuals families, small groups & other churches that help provide for the physical &/or educational needs of their children.

“…look after orphans and widows in their distress…” James 1:27b 

How Can You Help O.W.T.?

~Pray for the orphans, widows, house parents, stateside facilitators & our sister church in Ipogolo. Prayer Calendars available: 775-738-6840.

~Provide a monthly donation. Contributions are tax deductible & receipts are issued. O.W.T. is a non-profit 501c3 ministry of Calvary.

~Give a love offering to assist with special O.W.T. expenses.

~Donate your “Change” to help “CHANGE” the lives of Orphans & Widows of Tanzania. A little becomes a lot when combined together!

~Bring your aluminum cans to Calvary to be recycled & benefit O.W.T.

~Purchase “Colors of Africa” crafts. Proceeds from your purchases will provide income for the participating artisans & funds to help meet the needs of the orphans & widows assisted through the O.W.T. Ministry.

~Help organize additional fund-raising events to benefit O.W.T. like: a 5K Walk, Rock or Run Race, “Friends of OWT” Craft sales, Yard sales, etc.

~Pray for &/or Participate in the next Mission Trip to Tanzania. TBA.

~Serve on Calvary’s O.W.T Ministry Team. Assistance is welcome with newsletters, displays, fundraisers & presentations. Calvary’s Current O.W.T. Team Members are: Pat Diehl, Jim Moore, Gloria Aikenhead, Joelene Holmes, Carl & Diane Detweiler.                        (Updated 1/2016)