After his ordination in the remote village of Olemilei, Pastor Tobiko Fanuel began serving scattered communities across Ngorongoro. With no roads and long distances to walk, he relies on Mission Aviation Fellowship flights.
In Tanzania’s Ngorongoro region, Pastor Tobiko Fanuel is serving in one of the most difficult areas to reach. His work has been made possible with the help of MAF, which supports his ministry through regular flights into the remote village of Olemilei.
When Pastor Tobiko was ordained, MAF flew in 11 church leaders and evangelists, including Reverend Julius Tarakwa and Evangelist Elisha Moita, to take part in the ceremony.
MAF made several flights to bring people and supplies, such as cooking equipment and drinks, since no vehicles can reach the village by road. The journey from Arusha to Olemilei takes at least ten hours, travelling by road, then on foot for the last four to five hours. The MAF flight is just 45 minutes.
“I felt deeply moved and saw God’s love through the MAF plane,” said Pastor Tobiko.
“Even today, when I remember it, I feel like crying. The plane made three trips to bring people to my home for the ordination. I was so happy.”
Tobiko now serves a large area inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The congregations he supports are spread out across long distances. Some villages are up to 80 kilometres away with no roads or access for motorbikes.
“I walk six hours on foot to reach some places,” he said. “Motorbikes are not allowed, and the communities are far apart.”
I felt deeply moved and saw God’s love through the MAF plane.
Despite these challenges, he has opened five new outreach points and baptised many new believers. Even after people were relocated from the area due to conservation efforts, Tobiko continued to find new ways to reach people with the Gospel.
“There are areas with no transport at all, not even a motorbike,” he said. “But through MAF flights, the Gospel reaches everyone. And not just the Gospel, also physical help like medical clinics in Olemilei and Kiloriti.”
During his theology studies, Tobiko also relied on MAF for travel. Now he continues to benefit from regular support, as teams from Malambo Discipleship Training Centre fly in with evangelists and supplies to encourage his work.
“The MAF plane has taken me to areas I had never been,” Tobiko said. “It helped me study, and now it helps me take the Gospel further.”
Elisha Moita, who has over 40 years of experience in ministry in this region made his commitment to support Pastor Tobiko.
“People live in great darkness here. Malambo Discipleship Training Centre will help Pastor Tobiko by sending students to support him.”
The ordination ceremony was a joyful event. People came from nearby villages to celebrate. They danced, sang, and gave gifts to Pastor Tobiko and his wife. One evangelistic group brought eleven cows, a young bull, sheep, and goats to help support the family in their ministry.
“This shows how much evangelists are appreciated and celebrated by these communities,” said Stewart Ayling, MAF’s Country Director in Tanzania.
Pastor Tobiko remains committed to his calling.
“I don’t struggle with loneliness,” he said. “I accepted the call to serve God. What makes it difficult is reaching every village with the time and energy I have.”
When asked what keeps him going, Pastor Tobiko was very clear.
“The Word of God,” he said. “John 12:26: ‘If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also.’”