in the shadow of Kilimanjaro

When I am in the area of Moshi, Tanzania, I think about the mountain of Kilimanjaro.  It is huge and impressive!  It dominates the whole area of this region of Tanzania.  I reflect on the majesty and the splendor of this giant.  God brings the 90th Psalm to mind,

" Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."

 Even before this mountain was formed, God was.  It is powerful and humbling to view this monster of a mountain and then to reflect on my father, God, creator of this mountain.  Meditating on His Word about the creation of all things brings us to see God as bigger and more powerful than anything or any one.  Don't underestimate the power or the creativity of our Creator!!

*picture from the internet since I forgot my camera!! Joanne

Newsletter February 2012

2012 has started out with a bang!!  I passed out without warning on the morning of January 1.  I fell on my face and side after rising in the morning.  The clinic of Oloirieni Community Clinic investigated on Monday morning and nothing showed up in my blood.  I had thought malaria.  The tests came back negative.  I went for further tests and it was discovered that I had Grave’s disease, a problem with my thyroid.  I am on medicine and I seem to be doing better.  Pray that the Lord will help the doctors in regulating my medicine so I can continue to function normally. Thank you for your prayers.

     Translating and publishing material and tracts for adults and children has kept me busy over the last few months.  I am doing a children’s version in Swahili of a discipleship course.  Our older children need more Biblical materials for them to grow in their relationship with Christ. 

     I am mentoring a young Christian but she is not a good reader and gets frustrated.   Pray for Hafsa that she will continue to study and read God’s word.  She is growing slowly but surely. 

     School at the Bible Baptist Academy is flourishing!  We have almost 250 students this year and over 25 staff members.  We have up to grade 6 and next year will be grade 7, which is the last grade before secondary school.  Our primary school is bulging at the seams!  We need additional land close by the school for a pre-primary wing.  Pray with us as we continue to seek God’s will in this. 

     I am amazed how God protects and provides.  Thieves have been bothering others in our area.  We discovered missing things here at my house, but I have not lost anything of big value.  Pray for God to continue to protect my home and my property here in Arusha. Also, Satan has been trying to discourage me in financial areas, but I am trusting God to continue to thwart Satan’s attacks.  Pray for me and for my ministry here, as I continue to serve the Lord and witness to the unsaved.

     Thank you for the faithful support financially and faithful prayers!!! God bless!

 Joanne Foltz                                                                         

Missionary to Tanzania since 1997

P O Box 191, Springfield, MO 65801                     joannefoltztanz.blogspot.com

our worship of our KING

Yesterday I was in church on my knees acknowledging the Creator of the world and worshipping Him.  I was next to a young Islamic lady who I have been praying for her salvation for a long time.  She was not on her knees but had her head bowed. 

I thought to myself, "just recently millions of worshippers were on their faces before their god, who is not even alive.  I had a question. . .when was the last time we were on our faces or even our knees, thanking God that He is alive and that He reigns???"  It moved me to worship the Lord more and pray for the salvation of this Islamic friend.  Her heart is softening, she is asking questions, she is coming once and a while to church Sunday morning. 

Have you recently been on your face or knees, asking for the salvation of Muslims you know?  or a neighbor?  or a friend? or a family member?  We need to be on our faces, because the time is now.  We are not promised tomorrow.  We need to be praying, witnessing and living a godly life. . . all to honor our Great Creator and God, who is alive!!!

when you woke up this morning. . .

"What if when you woke up this morning, you had only the things you thanked the Lord for yesterday."  This was a comment on Facebook from one of my friends. It made me really think.  What did I thank the Lord for yesterday??? electric, fuel for the generator, my bed, my hot shower, my food, my family , my salvation. . . my sending church and supporting churches, my lady friends here in the Bible Baptist Church, etc.  It made me re-evaluate my thanks.

We are to be thankful for all things, even the tough things.  Sometimes and many times, that is the most difficult but necessary. 

Did you thank the Lord for things yesterday??  what if they were only the things available to you today?  how would you have fared????  

Let us be thankful and be thankful for all things.  God is our provider and knows what we need and what will make us stronger and what will give us pause.  Make sure that "pause" is for a time of prayer!

It has been one of those days

I don't know if I got out of the bed on the right side, but this day has been a little stressful.  It was to be a day off from the school so I could get some things done personally.  Well, it didn't work out that way. 

Electricity schedule is out the window.  My generator is limping along because the workman promised to return to check it out; that was last week.  The computer guy returned the third time this morning to make the computer work in the ministry room after he was supposed to fix it the first two times.  I had meatloaf in the oven half done when the power turned off.  I had to go to the school for two hours which I had not planned on.  Things at the school office have sprouted legs and were no where to be found.  Then in the afternoon, they reappeared!!  Traffic is a bear now a days and today was no exception.  I had "learners" in front of me most of the time or two motorcycles trying to come down my side of the road, expecting me to move to the left.  I do not move to the left so we had a stalemate a few times.  And the day was not over yet.

I am not complaining although it sounds like I am.  It has been a hard day but God is good and faithful.  He loves me even though I get hot under the collar at traffic.  I do trust Him only to keep me safe not the police here.  I trust Him only to guide me and comfort me.  I trust Him only to love me even though I may not be loveable at times.  God is patience and kind.  I need to be more like Him.  I do pray that He keeps on convicting me when I am impatient with others.  I pray that He continues to guide me when I try to take the reins from Him. 

Tanzania can be a stressful place to live but I am happy I am here in God's will for my life and ministry.

I best thing that happened today was my friend, Mama Glory, made me mtori, banana and beef soup!!

My long trip home to Tanzania

I have heard of people sitting on the tarmac for hours in the plane at an airport but now I empathize with them. I am now one of them.  It was only  three and one half hours but I thought we might have to stay the night at the airport or go through unloading, loading again, and then wait again.  Well, we did have to refuel since we used up a lot of fuel and I was really hunger when they finally gave us a snack of cold, and I mean cold ,like ice . . . wraps with a cookie.  I had opted to not eat in the airport knowing that we would get a hot meal on the flight.  I was really hunger and wondered how the rest of the flight would be.

 Really, after we started, the flight was long but uneventful. We did have to wear our seatbelts alot, even though I wear mine all the time anyway.  We had turbulance quite abit of the flight.

 I had a lady across the aisle who was not well and was needing a friend.  I hope I gave her good advice and gave her some hope.  She was going to miss her connecting flight to Bangladesh.  She was from the city where my sending church is from, Gainesville, Virginia.  We had lots to talk about and I had opportunities to share my faith.  She said she would write me an email when she arrived home.  Paveer is her name.  Pray that she will accept the hope of Christ.  She is truly a needy soul. 

I have been able to shower, eat, get some strong coffee, freshen up, and catch up on emails during this time in Qatar.  I still have a trip of 5 hours to  Nairobi and then 5 more hours to Tanzania by car.   Long trip!!

 It has been a good trip though very long.  I am glad most of it is over though, although I still have four hours of waiting for my next plane.  Oh, well!!  I need to make my "to do" list for Arusha for my arrival at HOME.

 Thank you , Lord, for your provision and protection of the last few months and last few days!  I am keeping my guardian angels busy! 

Newsletter June 2011

Dear faithful praying friends, May/June 2011


As I write, I am getting ready to return to Tanzania after a busy, but rewarding 3 ½ month furlough. I have traveled over 8000 miles by car and have visited many of my supporting churches in Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and a few new churches. God has been so faithful to keep me safe as I traveled by car and one trip by plane to Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Thank you for your prayers!!! I will be leaving from Kansas City, Missouri on June 16 and traveling to Tanzania. Pray that my trip will be blessed and that I will arrive safely.

During my furlough, my twins graduated from Baptist Bible College Springfield. Nathan, my youngest son, received his B.A. in Missions and Bible, Megan received her B.A. in Missions and Bible with an Associate in Business, and my daughter in law, Tiffany, received her B.A. in Missions and Bible with a minor in Elem. Ed. I am so proud of them and pray that God will continue to bless them in their ministries in the future. Nathan and his wife, Tiffany, were approved as missionaries with the BBFI and have started their deputation for the field of Tanzania. To contact them for a meeting, call 804-370-1396 or visit their website Foltzwagen.com. Megan, my daughter, was married on May 14th to Jeff Jones, who is a youth pastor. She will be joining her husband for ministry in Arkansas as they serve the Lord together. I am pleased and blessed to have children who love the Lord and want to serve Him. 3 John says that “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” God is faithful!!

The ministries in Tanzania are gearing up for youth camp in June. We are having three youth camps back to back with a total of 1500 young people from high schools in Arusha/Moshi area, the central area around Morogoro, and from the capital city, Dar es Salaam. Pray that many young people will come to know that they need a Savior and that they will respond to the Gospel given at camp (pictured at right). Last year we saw 200 get saved at our December camps. This year we are having camps in June and December for unsaved highschoolers.

My car has arrived!! I thank the Lord for His provision of a newer (used) reconditioned vehicle for me. It was ordered from Japan just before the tsunami. It arrived safely at port in Dar es Salaam and was delivered by my teammates to Arusha. Thank you all for extra funds to pay for this “new” used vehicle! To God be the glory!!

Joanne Foltz

Almost done traveling for this furlough

I have been from MO to Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Arkansas, and back to Missouri.  I have one more trip to Rhode Island and Massachusetts and then back to Missouri.  I have driven over 8000 miles so far and I am not done yet.  Thank you all for the prayers because I know God has helped me keep alert and safe because of the faithful prayers.

I am with my family, most of them, in Missouri since this week is a whirlwind of activity.  My son and daughter in love are getting approved by the BBFI as short term missionaries to Tanzania on Wednesday.  Thursday, my twins and Nathan's wife are graduating from Baptist Bible College with parties afterwards with extended families and friends.  Friday is my daughter's wedding rehearsal with a flurry of activity.  Saturday is the big day for Megan and Jeff Jones.  They are getting married here in Springfield MO and they will be living in Arkansas where Jeff is a youth pastor in a church in Springdale. 

I praise the Lord for His provision and His guidance over the last few months.  I miss my ministries and the people in Tanzania and know that He will continue to strengthen me as I go back on June 16th. 

My sweet grandson, Trevor

Click on the picture to go to the blogsite above.  Joanne

Mission Revival

I have just been in a tremendous missions conference in Florida.  The pastor had already preached and taught his people about missions, their responsibilies, and about faith promise.  The conference was all about us; the winning of the lost to Christ.  The mission conference was really a revival to encourage more giving, going and praying.  We each had a night to share our ministries and our hearts.  It was a great week!  The people were excited and ready for us.  They had been praying for this week and looking forward to the missions week.  We had great attendance each night and we increased from Wednesday night to Friday! ( Most meetings actually go down in attendance.)  Part of the reason is that each night the ladies of the church brought different ethic foods and we all enjoyed Mexican, Italian, and Chinese (which was mostly bought through a local restaurant).  During this time, the people talked to us missionaries and asked great questions and got to really know us. 

God truly blessed and on Sunday morning, Faith Promise Sunday, the goal was almost met and now, it will go over and above the goal!!  This is an area that has lots of retired persons on fixed incomes in a bad economy.  Go figure.  God has blessed them and they are trusting God for the future not the stock market. 

I am still on the road but with meetings like this; it is a joy!  Keep praying for me as I travel and make my way down the road to more meetings in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Missouri. 

Newsletter March 2011

Dear friends and supporters, March 2011




Thank you so much for all of the prayers for me the last few months. I am in the states now on a short three month furlough. I was privileged to go to the Philippines for the BBFI global meetings in Cebu City. I was blessed by the ministries at Bible Baptist Church in Cebu. I had nine unbelievable days being ministered to and ministering to others. God has truly blessed the faithfulness of the BBFI missionaries and the national pastors/Christians in this truly remarkable church lead by a national pastor since the late 60’s. I was able to be part of their visitation ministry, taught a Sunday School class, talked with many Bible College students about their futures on the mission field, counseled several young ladies, and prayed with several about Tanzania as their future mission field. God truly blessed all of the fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ in Cebu. Thank you to those who helped me go to Cebu, for the ones who prayed for my travels to the Philippines and then to the states for furlough. I return to TZ in June.



I am in Florida at this time and will be in supporting churches until the first part of April. In April, I make my way to Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan for the whole month of May. The first part of May, I will be traveling to Missouri for Fellowship Week when my youngest son and his wife will be approved as TEAM missionaries to Tanzania through the BBFI. Then in the same week, Megan, Nathan and Tiffany, Nathan’s new wife, will be graduating from Baptist Bible College. And if that is not enough, on Saturday after graduation, Megan is getting married to Jeff Jones, who is a 2009 graduate of BBC Springfield.



God has given safety on the road, provision in my needs, and a peace that guides me daily from His Word and His Spirit. I appreciate your prayers as I continue this short, but intense furlough. This is the first time for me to travel by car alone without Tom. I know that some drivers may think I am talking to myself when they pass me in the car, but the Lord and I are having lots of good conversations as I travel down all the highways. My dad always said, “There is no love on these roads, but only the love of the Good Lord.” I agree.



Joanne Foltz

Missionary to Tanzania since 1997

P O Box 191, Springfield, MO 65801

On the Road Again, Furlough

In the past, Tom drove the long miles of deputation and then furloughs.  As he drove,  I talked, watched for signs, looked up things on the map (before the days of GPS) , and would give him a break from driving so he could take a nap.  I now appreciate his willingness to drive more than ever since now I am doing the same but without him.  I have driven from Missouri to Louisiana and now I am driving around Florida.  Long miles with the radio, gospel CDs, and the Lord to keep me company.  I talk to the Lord out loud now days more than ever.  I am sure some drivers think I am talking to myself but I keep an "open line" of communication going with the Lord.  Since most states frown on cell phones being used when driving, I try to keep that to a minimum but they cannot stop me from talking to the Lord!

nine days in the philippines

Here are some pictures of my trip to the Philippines. 

A sweet family surrendered to the Lord

This family has been so active in our ministries here in Arusha.  Baba and Mama Paulo are such sweet people and good parents.  They love the Lord and God called Baba Paulo a year ago to preach the gospel.  He was called to Morogoro to pastor the church there.  They are thrilled to go but on Sunday, His commission service, we all had tears.  The picture tell you that the kids were a little sad but all are ready and happy to go to their "Ur" to spread the gospel.  God has called them to a new area, a new weather, a new home, but they are ready to follow the Lord and obey His call on their lives. 

We are praying God will bless them with souls!  We will miss them but our best busy people are who God calls.  We need to train and then release them to God's will, which may include them going to a new city, new state or a new country to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Here are the girls, Eliza, Neema, and Agnes with their teacher and friend, Mama Sabina. 

Here is Baba and Mama Paulo with two good friends, Filberto on the left and Abraham on the right.  The blue outfits are from a choir they are both in.  They sang for the last time with the choir that Baba Paulo started a few years ago.  They did a superior job with the song.  We will miss them.  They have been an important part of our ministry in Arusha but now the Lord has called them to another ministry.  May God richly bless them in Morogoro.

Is this our last day on earth in this life?

I know this is an unusual title but this hit me yesterday like never before.  

Last year we temporarily hired a young lady teacher for the month of November.  I was looking for a new teacher with her qualifications but I needed to observe her teaching style and her character.  I liked what I saw and we hired her this January to be one of our teachers at the Christian school here in Arusha.  She came back late from Christmas break because she was traveling  to see her family in Morogoro and Tabora.  Transport here can be tricky to say the least.  She arrived and we put her to work.  She was not active like she was in November.  She seemed tired but she worked hard.  Last week she went to the doctor and was told that she had pneumonia.  Here they say that for a bad cold.  She worked on Monday but was not really feeling well, and on Tuesday she wrote me a message on my phone that she was going to the hospital to get some medicine for her pneumonia.  We tried to contact her Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning with no success.  One of our teachers finally talked with her friend over this teacher's phone.  Her body was in the morgue.

We were shocked.  We knew she was sick but with no information, we didn't know she had admitted herself to the hospital late Thursday night.  She did call her family in Morogoro and said that she was really sick.  Her friend here got a call from her phone on Friday morning but talked with her nurse who said that she was very ill.  The friend went later and they told her that her friend was in the morgue.

We do know that this teacher, Restuta, heard the gospel.  I really don't know what her spiritual condition was, but I do know that she was under the gospel here at the school during devotions in the mornings and in our chapel time.  She heard the gospel.  She came to church here several times. 

We are really feeling badly that she was alone without friends during her last hours.  Did she get the best medical attention?  We do not know.  Did someone pray for her during those last hours?  We had prayed for her in devotions each morning at school.  All that I know is that yesterday was her last day on this earth. 

We went to the little room she rented.  It was locked up.  No one really knew her much.  She was new to the area after her graduation from teachers' college last year.  Her family is in Morogoro, 10 hours away.  We knew her slightly but she left a mark on our students.  At a prayer time after we heard the news, many tears were shed by teachers and students. 

We need to tell others about Christ when we are with them.  We do not know if that is going to be their last day on earth or not. 

I came upon a bad accident where one man had bled to death on the road after an accident of a Pepsi truck and a daladala, a public transport small van.  The van was in the ditch on its side and at least one person died at the scene.  All were shocked but the moment before the accident, I am sure, the people in the public transport van were talking or laughing, not knowing that in the next few seconds their lives would be changed and one would die on the road. 

Is this your last day here?  What are you doing for Christ?  Live your life like today is your last.  Tell others about the Lord and what He has done for us on the cross.  Don't delay or be lazy.  Keep faithful to His call on your life, and give the precious gospel to the ones you  come in contact with day after day.

Pinball or Video game?

When the kids were home, they played video games with their dad.  Tom was very competitive and really liked to win.  He did not like to lose.  Sometimes the air was tense and all were glued to the screen with white knuckles and flying fingers.  My grandson is following in the same footsteps.

Well, traffic in Tanzania is so much like the time with the white knuckles and things flying past your vision.  It is sometimes like you are in slow motion but you better be on your toes.  With slow bicycles weaving in and out, motorcycles coming down the middle white line both ways, walkers trying to find a crossing place, wooden pushcarts with loads of cement blocks or grain , herds of animals, fast driving public transport vehicles, overloaded buses, big blue trucks loaded with rocks or people which are coming side-ways at you, and many unbelieveable and unexplainable things to distract and disturb the natural easy flow of normal traffic.  Did I say normal?  Did I say natural easy flow?   That does not describe the traffic here in Arusha.  It is "dog eat dog. " No turning back or backing up, . . .all forward and fast . . .and if you see a hole in the traffic or on the opposite side of the road, take it! Don't worry.  The police are almost worthless.  They won't stop you when you do this.  Unless they want tea or a present. 

You need to pray for your missionaries in foreign countries.  We have unbelieveable traffic and it is the most dangerous thing we do.  We face death so many times on the road.  We overwork our guardian angels!

National Exams, Tanzanian Style

Our school, Bible Baptist Academy, is six years old.  We are starting our sixth year and we are adding a class each year.  We are up to Class 5.  Our school year is from January to November.  This year we have 207 students.  Tanzania requires all schools, private and government, to be registered with the government.  We have that governmental registration and with the requirements, we are required to administer a national test for our fourth graders and our 7th graders each year.  Last year was our first national exam.  All of the teachers were worried and anxious about this all year.  The teachers and students worked hard and put in long hours learning and reviewing.  They went to school on Saturdays.  During one month of break for the rest of us, the fourth graders and teachers were still studying.  In November, they sat for their national exams. 

Today I received the results.  They all passed and did well on the tests!  Our school is thrilled.  It shows all, parents and teachers and community, that our school is a really good school.  The kids are celebrating with the teachers with watermelon, soda and cookies today. 

We are thanking God for helping us to keep focused and to keep on task.

A note I found/love eternal

My husband liked to say, "I love you."  He never failed to say it.  He was very loving and told me that he loved me.  I received beautiful flowers (here they are inexpensive  and abundant) and he always put lots of thought into gifts.  He was a romantic.  Me, I am a little pragmatic and practical, so sometimes, I am afraid, I didn't appreciate his thoughtfulness.  I miss him and his kindnesses to me.  I miss hearing his words of affection and adoration. 

Recently, I found a post-a-note from him.  It just said, "I love you," in big letters.  It took my breath.  I also found, after I returned to Tanzania, a card meant for our anniversary already purchased, and ready for our anniversary.  He was so thoughtful and expressed it without shame.

How are we in our expression of love to our dear Lord?  Do we tell Him we love Him?  Do we express our love and gratitude to Him for His love to us?  I think we neglect to say the words or show our love so many times.  We get busy.  We have to tell Him our needs.  We think we have to say the common phrases with little meaning.  We neglect to tell our beloved, "I love you."  His love is eternal and is available and is unending.  He tells us by His Word that He loves us.   Over and over He tells us that he loves us so much and He shows us His love in so many ways.  What about us? 

His love letter to us is rarely read or meditated on. 

He loves us. 

He wrote us a huge book of love letters.  Do we lose our breath when He says that He loves us?  Do we appreciate His kindness to us and His affection to us?  How do we show Him that we love Him?  Yawn at His Word?  Indifference? 

HE LOVES YOU.

Philippines/my new adventure in 2011

My father served in the army during World War 2.  He always talked of the Philippines as a place he might like to visit someday.  I know his time there was not a vacation or a business trip.  He served with a lot of brave men and women who gave their lives trying and successfully, freeing the people of the Philippines from the Japanese.  He fought and he suffered.  I know he had a hard time talking about the war and the things he saw firsthand.  I heard the stories and the heart felt memories from my dad and I always thought I might go to the Philippines some day.  Not as a missionary but to see the same mountains and valleys and coastlines that my father saw so many years ago.

I have the opportunity to go to some meetings in the Philippines in February of this year.  I am so excited!!  I want to go tomorrow but my plane is not leaving for about six weeks.  I will be in the city of Cebu City.  I don't know if my dad was there or not, but I dream he was.  I want to smell the smells, drink in the culture and enjoy the islands.  God has allowed me to go but it will be a sacrifice of funds and of time.  I know though , God will bless the time there.  I will see a great church built by a pioneer missionary, Bob Hughes.  My dad has probably met him in Heaven.  I am sure my dad also has met many Philippino believers in Heaven too. 

I am really looking forward to this live changing trip.  Pray that God will bless and will provide for this trip.

December newsletter 2010

Dear Praying churches and friends, December 2010

I praise God for His provision to me over the years. God has allowed me to be a missionary since 1997 and He has provided so much for me. I count it a privilege to serve in Tanzania. Thank you for helping me minister here for these 13 years.

I am really busy with school activities at our Christian school as we get ready for a big day of Kindergarten graduation. We will be hosting 450 students and parents for this day. Our church will be full of parents, friends, students and staff of Bible Baptist Academy. The gospel will be given and we will take every opportunity to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are roasting three goats and we are having a “celebration” at our school for God’s provision over the year of 2010. Next year we will have over 200 students in our Christian school. Praise the Lord!

On Sunday, I visited a home in an Islamic area with a few church members. I was given a soda for refreshment and a lady joined us from a neighboring room. She was the wife of a new believer in Christ. The husband had told us that she was ready to hear the gospel. I presented the gospel to her and she prayed the prayer of repentance and received Jesus as Savior! This woman was an Islamic believer but now she is a child of God, born again! The husband, a new believer in Christ, rejoiced with us as we walked down the path back to my car. God is so faithful.

Continue to pray for Hafsa, my Islamic neighbor, who has just had a new baby. This is a tender time for her. She is afraid of her family and is reluctant to accept Christ. She has heard the Gospel and is still open to hearing. Two of our ladies from the church, one is a new believer and a former Islamic follower, are going to present the gospel to her this week. Pray for Hafsa that she will be softened to the Gospel and will decide to follow Christ.

I need to replace my car and I need to raise 7000 USD to add to the monies I have. Please consider helping me with a one-time gift of 100, 200 or 500 USD to help me pay this. The roads are rough here and I need a good car that is four-wheeled drive and high clearance. Please help me at this Christmas time. Thanks. God bless you and yours.

Your missionary in TZ since 1997,





Joanne Foltz

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!