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Supporting Children and Communities in Tanzania: David Heed ’03 (Music Ed.) and Michelle Weinberg Heed ’03 (Nursing)
How do a Music Education and Nursing major end up doing full-time missions work in Kigoma, Tanzania? Just ask David Heed ’03 (Music Ed.) and Michelle Weinberg Heed ’03 (Nursing). It was probably never a consideration for David, who chose to attend Roberts based on the reputation of the Music Department alone. It was through Gospel Choir that he came to a personal Christian faith while a student at Roberts.
Michelle and David gained a heart for serving the Lord and people in need while at Roberts. They were both heavily involved in the homeless ministry, In Jesus’ Name, and they realized that they could use the practical skills they learned from nursing and music education to do ministry.
David and Michelle now find themselves challenged with children’s ministries and outreach to those in both spiritual and physical need. They work with children in four different villages sharing the Gospel and providing food. Michelle says, “The goal is for kids to know that Jesus loves them no matter the circumstances.” They sing, dance, teach the Bible, play games, and provide meals to orphans and the poor. In the village of Simbo, they average 170 children at their weekly program.
Michelle also teaches health and disease prevention as a way to show the Muslim women that God cares for them too. David teaches the children the Scriptures, and has even done lessons in Swahili. Teaching English is another way that they reach out to local children and teens.
They have seen God work in amazing ways. Azol, a four-year-old in the Simbo Children’s Program, had never walked because of his Sickle-Cell Anemia. Through Michelle’s medical care and much prayer, he was eventually able to walk, jump, and dance in church. During one of the first weeks they were in the Tanzanian village of Simbo, they found that they only had food for half of the kids at the program. They prayed for God’s intervention, and were able to serve full-portions to everyone that day.
God is blessing David and Michelle and their ministries. Tanzania is a long way from North Chili, NY, but it’s definitely where the Heeds are supposed to be.
When David and Michelle are in the States they worship at New Covenant Fellowship in Penfield, NY. They would love to hear from anyone interested in their ministry, and can be reached via email at rafikiheed@gmail.com. If you would like to contribute to the Heed’s ministry, you can send contributions to Elim Fellowship, 1703 Dalton Avenue, Lima, NY 14485 c/o the Heeds.