MAF flew an evangelistic team to the remote Tanzanian village of Katahe – but low cloud blocked their landing. After a simple prayer, the way opened – marking the beginning of a powerful week of evangelism.
“The clouds were heavy,” said Evangelist Elisha Moita. “The pilot said we would have to turn back because we couldn’t see the airstrip.
“My heart sank because the people in Katahe were already waiting for us.”
In that moment, Elisha turned to prayer.
“I asked Jesus, ‘Please open the sky. Don’t let us turn back.’ I prayed this three times. Then suddenly, the clouds opened up—right on the side where I was sitting.”
Elisha quickly alerted the pilot.
“He saw it and flew straight through the opening. After circling seven times, we landed safely. God answered our prayers,” he said.
Mission Aviation Fellowship flew Elisha and his team from the Malambo Discipleship Training Centre to the remote village of Katahe for a week of evangelism.
After landing, the team continued their journey by motorcycles, cars, and on foot. They split into small groups and travelled to different villages. Some arrived late at night, but the work began right away.
“We showed the Jesus Film and shared the Gospel,” Elisha added. “God did great things.”
In the villages they visited, Elisha and the team found that many people had not heard the message of Jesus—especially men.
“Many of the churches are filled with only women,” Elisha said. “Some men believe that God is only for women, and they don’t go to church.”
I asked Jesus, ‘Please open the sky. Don’t let us turn back.'
The team worked hard to connect with the men in the community, especially those struggling with alcohol, conflict, or hopelessness. Many listened, and some began to change.
“We encouraged them to believe in Jesus and take part in the church,” said Elisha. “We also helped a church that had only part of its roof finished. The men agreed to help and gave enough money for 30 roofing sheets.”
MAF’s Country Director in Tanzania, Stewart Ayling, reflected on the significance of Elisha’s mission.
“Pastor Elisha Moita is such an encouraging partner—his passion and determination to share the Gospel among Maasai communities is really inspiring,” he said. “The area they are reaching is very isolated and we’ve heard from many sources about the struggle that churches have to engage the men of the villages.
“By spending time, and particularly evenings, in their company, these evangelists are breaking down that resistance to the Gospel.”
The trip made a big impact, not just in Katahe, but within the team too.
“This trip grew my faith,” Elisha said. “I saw that God is truly with us in the work He has called us to do. We were encouraged, and so were the people in Katahe.”
Without the help of MAF, the journey would have been too expensive and difficult.
“MAF made it possible to get to Katahe,” Elisha said. “We still had to pay for motorcycles and food, but the flight made a big difference.”
Elisha asks for continued prayer:
“Please pray that men’s hearts will open to Jesus, and that MAF can keep helping us, maybe even with transport on the ground next time.”