Bishop Williams Yindi's Testimony

MY PERSONAL TESTIMONY

Williams was born into a church-going family, but no one had a personal relationship with Jesus. After graduating from college in 1982 he began teaching Chemistry at the Ihanja Technical Secondary School in Tanzania. An older American woman, who was there for only one semester teaching English, was drawn to Williams. She began telling him about Jesus and teaching him about the Bible in the staff room at school. They had long discussions and she prayed with him often. She planted an important seed but it was not until a friend invited him at the open-air meeting. During the crusade, Williams’ eyes were opened and he felt the power of God surging through his body with every Word that was spoken. When the evangelist gave the altar call, Williams was eager to respond.

Within days, some friends encouraged him to meet a Christian girl they knew. Upon seeing her for the first time the Lord said, “ This is the one!” Wanting to obey Jesus completely and ready to move forward with his new life he asked her to marry him. She declined, but later sent him a message that God had spoken the same thing to her so wedding arrangements were made and Williams paid five cows for Naomi which was real a good deal for her

After his marriage to Naomi he felt called to work in Christian ministry and soon joined World Vision. There he became involved with intercessory prayer. God spoke to him to begin his own ministry. The lord promised to lead the way. Four miles from Williams’ home was a place called Prayer Mountain that men traditionally went to if they wanted to hear from God. Williams journeyed there to fast and pray for five days for the Lords direction. After just three days God had revealed to him a great vision. The name of the ministry, the location and strategies on how to proceed all became clear. Excitement filled him as he wondered how this would all come to pass. As he looked to heaven Williams noticed a man walking to toward him. Charles had also been led by God to Prayer Mountain to receive direction. As the two talked, they realized that they were to work together, each being the answer to the other’s prayers.

In 1992, following the Lord ‘s plan, both men left their jobs and moved their families to the Southwestern town of Itigi, close to the bush to the poorest of the poor in Tanzania. Their request for 20 acres of land from the government was granted and together they built a home, which they shared. The ministry of Unreached People’s Mission with their goal to spread the Gospel to every unreached people group in the country began in this humble home as well as a small church that has now grown to 172 members. The current evangelism thrust was within the 10/40 window. It was to them they wanted to take the life- giving name of Jesus. Therefore, standing on the Word from matt 24:14, they began their treks into the bush

The Gospel has been preached in Tanzania for more than 100 years, but it was taken to the cities. Hundreds of tribes are scattered among the far-reaching areas of Tanzania and they are “ gentile “ in the true Biblical meaning. They remain in the rural areas, unreached and ignored by the world because missionaries have gone to the populated areas to preach the Word. Research indicates that there are more than 60 ethnic groups who have never been reached

A choir was established from the church in their home. This choir performed in the area to raise funds to support their outreaches. During the outreached the choir attracted the crowds. Music let the chief and the tribal inhabitants known that they had come in peace.

They would conduct crusades, go house-to-house and man –to-man showing the love of Jesus. All these tribes are male – dominated societies so if the husband gets saved, the rest of the family is free to accept Christ. If the chief finds Jesus, the whole tribe is able to follow in the Truth. As God performed miracles and as individuals gave their hearts to Christ, Williams would encourage e some of them to return home with him for six months of Bible and vocational skills training. Then he would send them back to evangelize the rest of the tribe. The vocational training enables the missionary to help support himself and be an asset to his community. With this ability come respect and the open door to share his faith and convictions. ( It is the desire of UPM to teach the missionaries vocational skills, agriculture an tailoring.)

The limited space in his home prompted him to seek other sources to help him with his vision of large training center on his ten acres and school Children on the remaining ten acres.

To date 182 have graduated from his vacation bible school. Forty-nine new churches now exist in the bush-all among tribal people who never or limited knowledge there was a savior of the world.

In a year 2000,Williams visited the USA being invited by Christian Aid based in Virginia. The African desk Director was not available to approve him with the organization. Then a brother named Billy Thomas directed him to go Advancing Native Missions that does the same work as Christian Aid. Williams went to ANM office and met with very good brothers and sisters. During his stay with ANM staff, Williams was introduced to Brother Bo Barredo who asked him a friendly question concerning his teaching profession. Brother Barredo asked him to write the formular of Nitrite. Williams laughed and he picked a piece of chalk and wrote. ANM approved Williams and to date he is among the ANM family. ANM is helping Williams to fulfill his vision through prayer financial support and full advocacy.

In order to be more effective in the ministry, Williams graduated from Assemblies of God Bible College/Global University in 2006 and qualified for the award of a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Bible/Theology. He is also an ordained bishop with Covenant Church of God based in Charlottesville VA, USA.

Through the many tests (trials) that he faces every day in East Africa, Williams lives by the principle “Without a test there is no testimony;”