Lake Tanganyika

Welcome to the shores of Lake Tanganyika . . .

Background

Lake Tanganyika is the second largest of the Great Lakes of Eastern Africa.  It is the longest and second deepest freshwater lake in the world (700km long and 1,436 m deep). The area abounds in natural resources and beauty. The lake borders four countries: Zambia, Tanzania, DR Congo and Burundi. Because of its height above sea level, the lake area is humid with very hot temperatures throughout the year.   As a whole, the shores of Lake Tanganyika are characterized by under-development and the opportunities for employment are scarce.  The main means of survival include subsistence and commercial fishing, cross border trading and subsistence farming.  Poverty, alcoholism, prostitution and HIV/Aids are some of the socio-economic problems in the area. Malaria is the number one cause of death.

OM Lake Tanganyika

When the OM Zambia leaders saw the spiritual desolation and the inroads other religious groups were making in the area, the first OM team was sent to the area in 2005, establishing their base in the harbour town of Mpulungu. The team was called the ‘Good News II’, after the vision of Dr. David Livingstone, because of whose plea a boat was put on the lake by the London Mission Society in 1886. The boat was called the ‘Good News’, bringing the gospel to the remote areas around the lake.

Vision

The vision of OM Lake Tanganyika is to see the people living in the remote villages around the lake brought into the Kingdom of God, experiencing freedom in Christ and worshiping Him in Spirit and truth.  We want to address the needs of the whole person, bringing about transformation and spreading the gospel, ensuring that both their spiritual and physical needs are met.

Implementation

We implement this goal through:

• an active prayer strategy
• indigenous church planting (by placing full-time front-line missionaries in the villages along the shores, modeling a Christian lifestyle) and
• discipleship training (we identify people from within the community with whom we work alongside and train as leaders)

Our practical ministries include a school for orphans; a mobile medical clinic boat; a prison ministry; children and youth ministry; and hosting outreaches.

How can you become involved?

You can get involved with us through prayer, as well as coming on outreaches, where you will be exposed to missions and can serve in the area of your gifting.

Contact

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Source for facts on Lake Tanganyika area: Human Resources Officer (Health Department, Mpulungu, Zambia)

Watch the 30-minute documentary of Light the lake here

Description: Lewis Musonda has left everything behind to love and help people in a small village in Zambia. The impact is radical: A community changes from the inside. Experience the transformation of a whole community! A documentary about the principle of hope.