Tanzania - 2018

A few years ago, 2016 to be specific, I felt a tug on my heart to join a mission team from my church that traveled to Africa to work with the Digo people outside the city of Tanga, in Tanzania. The experience significantly challenged me as I got ready to go, scared me before and during the trip, and has tempered and impacted my life perspective ever since. It was definitely a “Growth” opportunity and a chance to listen to the Lord and follow where I am convinced He was leading.

Back then, the team I traveled and served with went with the goal of sharing a little of Christ’s love with the Digo people through service and kindness. We worked to help them improve their lives by working with a team to drill fresh water wells for villages who struggle to get clean water and by working in a local village to teach and share some basics of the bible. Most of all, we just wanted to share love and kindness with them, build relationships, and represent the Lord well.

As you may have guessed, I once again have an opportunity to return to Tanga and serve with the team that continues to work to serve the Digo people. On this trip, we will continue share the love and kindness of Christ with these people through continued service and sharing. My role will be to be flexible and fit in wherever they need me as the team continues to work with them to take everyday resources and mold them to improve their lives.

To me, sharing this adventure with you is about putting into practice the life lessons that Lord has been impressing into my heart. I am sure it is not a shock to you that surrender is not really a core part of my nature whether it be to my Lord or to lean on others for help….. So, again I have an opportunity for “Growth” and I am stepping out to embrace it, continue the path to moderate my stubborn and guarded streak, share some of the man behind the mask and accept help from others.

With that, I am reaching out to those in my life whom may be interested in sharing and partnering with me to help these kind people in Tanga with financial and/or prayer support for this mission trip. It is my sincere hope that you can hear my heart when I say that no support or amount is too small or unappreciated. In the end, the trip will cost $3650.

If you find it on your heart to help, you can send a check to my home but not made out to me, but to “The Church at Rocky Peak” or you can contribute online at https://rockypeak.org/ministries/global-ministries and look for the Tanzania trip and click on it (please note my name in step 2 of the donation for and email me so I say thank you). If you use the link, you will need to create an account, and this will make it possible for the Church to send you a statement at the end of the year for your taxes as any contribution is absolutely tax deductible. You will not get unsolicited emails from the church!

If you find it on your heart to share in this effort with me either by prayer or contribution, I would love to hear from you. Please email me at brian.rafeedy@gmail.com. And if you wish to mail a contribution, please email me for my address, it is better to not post that online.

Here is a legal statement that I have been told needs to be on this letter.

Legal Statement: If I am not able to participate in this trip, your contribution will still be used for this outreach. If the trip is cancelled, your contribution will be used for other mission purposes at the discretion of church leadership. Because of restrictions in the Internal Revenue Code, Rocky Peak is unable to return this contribution for any reason.

As most of you know, I see life as through a camera lens. Every time I go someplace new I take my camera and try to capture memories, experiences, and beauty. You can bet I hope to do the same on this trip, and I hope to come back with some pictures and stories to share.

I want to thank you for your kindness and for making it to the end of this letter. I appreciate the fact that you care enough about me to read all the way through.

~Brian