We are the Schoch Family!
Doug is originally from Michigan, and Tamara is from Arkansas.
In 2003, we got down on our knees with our infant son, not even 1-year old, and said, “Wherever you want us to go and whatever you want us to do, here we are.” We walked away from business as usual, and God led us step by step for seven years in paths we would not have chosen for ourselves. Looking back, we see he was training us for this foreign mission work in Africa. It has been quite a growing experience and adventure.
IN 2010, LIGHT invited us to teach in Tanzania for a three-week program in Musoma. Shortly after returning from that trip, LIGHT asked us to join a 6-week mission trip to Kibidula for June/July 2011. During that trip, Kibidula called us to full-time ministry with them with the responsibility and privilege to raise all our personal and ministry operational expenses. We’ve called Kibidula “home” ever since. We returned to Missouri to sell our home and property and returned to Tanzania in January 2012.
Since those first days, our roles in the mission field have broadened significantly and continue to do so. Our home and main work are based at Kibidula. We are thankful for the privilege of working with many other organizations and groups in various ways, including (but not limited to) Eden Valley Foster Care Mission, Dunia ya Heri, Sunnydale Adventist Academy, and FARM STEW. In addition to continuing to be the department heads over the Health Evangelism department, we are heavily involved in the press department, publishing department, administration, and more. Through the Health Evangelism department, we have the joy of touching many additional programs, not limited to, but including, prison ministry work, teaching at the evangelism school, translation work, and Bible and other literature distributions.
It continues to be a great privilege to be the hands and feet of our Mission Partners as they reach out to those needing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health in Africa and beyond.