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Pastor Sheshi Kaniki Brain Cancer Fund

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(Note: God's Tribe is a part of the Advance Network of Churches. Advance Global's Operations Director, Erik Santiago, will oversee the fund transfer to the Kaniki's.)

Watch this short Word of Thanks from Sheshi from June 21 

UPDATE: June 21. Sheshi continues to receive treatment in Nairobi.
Please continue to pray for Sheshi and the Kaniki family.

UPDATE: May 18. Sheshi is out of surgery! The surgery went well and Sheshi's condition is stable. He can talk and all his reflexes and coordination are great. He is so grateful. We'll know the results of the biopsy in 4-5 days and from that, the way forward.  Let's continue to praise God and pray for Sheshi's permanent recovery and restoration.

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(THANK YOU! We are go grateful that we have reached our financial goal for the immediate medical and logistical expenses. The Kaniki's have an amazing network of friends and they are overwhelmed by your generosity. Whatever giving going forward will go towards ongoing financial support for the Kaniki family.)

 
On Friday, May 8, Sheshi Kaniki was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma, a fast-growing and aggressive brain cancer (based on radiological findings pending confirmation). Though Sheshi had been demonstrating a number of perplexing symptoms in the last few months, this has come as a shock to everyone who loves him.

Those of us who love the Kanikis are now pleading with the worldwide church to pray fervently for Sheshi’s healing, but to also bless this family financially in their time of need.

Sheshi needs surgery and cancer treatment as soon as possible, so the Kanikis are looking for emergency travel options. This needs to happen in the next few days.

We are not yet sure of the exact amount of their expenses. As different people have gathered information about costs, we have adjusted the goal. Currently, we believe $70,000 should cover all of the costs, but this may change.  These expenses include:
  - Medical evacuation to Nairobi for Sheshi and Trudie
  - Surgery and stay in ICU, as well as additional hospital fees
  - Radiotherapy and chemotherapy and medications
  - Supportive care (including physiotherapy & occupational therapy)
  - Accommodation in Nairobi, including travel for children 
  - Follow up MRIs, other diagnostic tests including follow up blood work

There are many, many people around the world who love Sheshi Kaniki and his family. Sheshi is a Tanzanian citizen who grew up abroad, mainly in Southern Africa. He has been married to Trudie, a Zimbabwean national, for 20 years, and they have three sons and one daughter. For many years, Sheshi worked as an economist in international development while serving as an elder in churches in Zimbabwe and South Africa. It was while living in South Africa that God spoke to Sheshi about returning to the city of his forefathers. God called him to help rebuild the city and people’s lives through planting churches. Sheshi, Trudie and their boys arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in December 2012.
Angela, Timothy, Sheshi, Trudie, Daniel and Josh.

In 2013, Sheshi and Trudie started God’s Tribe Church  in Dar es Salaam. The vision of God’s Tribe is to make disciples, plant and strengthen churches, leading to transformed lives and communities. Since then, God’s Tribe has grown into a congregation of over 150 members. It is a God-honoring, Christ-exalting, Bible-centered church that is full of the life-transforming power of the gospel in people’s lives. God’s Tribe is characterized by a vibrant prayer ministry, a blossoming children’s ministry (well over 100 children!), a strong emphasis on small groups and discipleship, and numerous acts of service in the community. Though a talented preacher, Sheshi’s passion for building into new leaders is demonstrated in his Christ-like humility of refusing to take the limelight. Sheshi and Trudie have poured their hearts and lives into countless others, bringing many to know Christ for the first time and many others into a deeper knowledge of God’s grace and sovereignty. Their impact in Dar es Salaam cannot be overestimated.


Sheshi also serves as the chaplain at Haven of Peace Academy  (HOPAC), an international  Christian school in Dar es Salaam. Sheshi has a major impact on both staff, students, and parents at a school whose desire is to instill a biblical worldview into its students. His wife, Trudie, runs the Service Learning program at HOPAC, and their boys Josh (17), Daniel (14), and Timothy (12) are students at the school. As humble, joyful servants of God, Sheshi and Trudie and their kids are dearly loved by everyone who knows them.

This campaign is being coordinated by Mark and Alyssa Dunker (who are currently in the U.S.).  The Dunkers are members of God's Tribe, and this GoFundMe campaign is organized with the approval of God's Tribe's leadership. All funds received will go directly to the Kaniki family and their medical expenses. 

If you would like to receive email updates on the Kaniki family, please click here to sign up. We will keep you updated as often as possible.

Organizer and beneficiary

Mark Dunker
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN
Erik Santiago
Beneficiary

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