Williams and Naomi Yindi, leaders of Unreached Peoples Mission in Tanzania, were amazed and gratified to see the changes in Sadaki, whom they had adopted at age seven. He became a part of their family and attended the ministry’s school. Sadaki went from being an uneducated, impoverished Muslim child to an educated, well-trained Christian. After seven years at the ministry school, he qualified for high school. With the encouragement of the Yindis, he continued his education and became a medical practitioner.
Curious about Sadaki
Sadaki’s birth parents, curious as to what was happening to him, visited on Parents Days and attended the ministry’s church. Their curiosity went deeper as they pondered the differences between Islam and Christianity. They shared, “You took care of our child while he was very young, and now he is working as a medical practitioner.” The changes in Sadaki and the opportunities the Yindis had given him filled them with gratitude. They continued to attend the church, and eventually, both accepted Jesus as their Savior. They now attend church regularly and are growing in their faith.
Why a School?
You may wonder how the ministry of Unreached Peoples Mission led to Williams establishing a school and taking in children. In Tanzania, the AIDS epidemic has left many children orphaned in various villages. The government did a good job supplying food and clothing for the children.
As Williams sought the Lord in prayer about the situation of the children, the Lord gave him the vision to start a school. He believed in the proverb, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Williams, an educator himself, knew that offering orphans and other vulnerable children a quality education would brighten their future and expose them to Christianity. He also knew that helping the children might draw adults connected with them to his church, where they would learn about Jesus. So he started a school for children, nursery level to seventh grade. The Yindis established the school as an English-speaking school, opening many more doors for the students, even the possibility of a university education. The school attracted Muslims, animists, and others, which excited Williams with the potential of reaching them with the Gospel.
The Main Rule: Pray
One rule they established was that praying was not an option. The children prayed before class began, before meals, and before bedtime. Any time there was a problem or a need, they would pray. The children were also encouraged to memorize scripture. Because of these habits, Williams said, the students were already missionaries by the time they finished seventh grade.
It is exciting to see parents acknowledge the changes in their children. For example, their behavior and attitudes were better. When the parents visit on Sundays, the Yindis feed the families, and they see their children praying over the meal. The parents are encouraged to attend church with their children. Williams is careful to prepare his sermons well. What a blessing it has been to see many of the parents commit their lives to Jesus! Williams sums up why he started the school by saying, “We have passion for showing people the love of Christ.”
As an educator, I have seen the changes in children who are offered not just an education but a Christian education, which includes prayer. Williams’s vision from the Lord to start a school has impacted many children and their extended families not only for their future but for eternity.
Help missionaries like Williams to reach people in need by praying.
