We were all extremely excited to see what the Lord had in store for us today. Being the last day in Songo, we really wanted to leave a HUGE footprint on this place. The word of the Seminars and Crusades had spread even more like wild fire, so we were expecting bigger crowds than the previous days.
The Seminar worship started off with a bang, as people had come prepared to be transformed and have biblical truths placed on their hearts. Glenda had taught the children a song in English for them to perform in front of the Seminar, and then they sang a worship song with Moses and Nick beating away on the drum. Then, Mike S. taught on the character of Christ from 2 Peter. Nick then spoke on the importance of the body of the church, as well as the need to rise up and mentor older teenagers/younger adults. Finally, Jay brought it all home, re-iterating the fact that these teenagers and younger adults are the future church leaders and need to be raised up.
Right before lunch, we learned that we would be able to speak in a local prison. Pastor Mike, Mike S, Crystal, Nick, Chrissy and Pastor Kenneth quickly headed over, as it would be a short visit due to the 2 Crusades later in the day. It was an extremely small prison, maybe the size of a gymnasium. The cells were extremely small, with 4 prisoners per room. There was basically enough room for their tiny mattresses on the floor, and nothing else. There were no lights in the rooms, and only a small window allowed light in. They were very excited to see us. Obviously, Mike S. preached a great message about prison and salvation (for those who do not know, Mike runs Pardoned By Christ, a prison ministry in the NC area). 42 people received Christ! Chrissy led some worship songs, and the prisoners sang their hearts out. Some were older, but many were teenagers or younger men. Crystal also brought the word about second chances. Pastor Michael closed in a powerful prayer, and we all passed out soap and tracts. It was very evident that we impacted their lives.
After lunch, most everyone headed back over to Chitema to finish the Crusade we started yesterday. However, Pastor Mike and a few of the African team members stayed at the Seminar, as Pastor Mike wrapped up the 3-day training. As we drove into Chitema, the children cheered and ran alongside our cars. It is so very humbling to be treated this way as we enter all the villages. Word did travel, and close to 1000 people came out. Nick preached a message of salvation, because some people who had come were not in attendance the previous night. The African team did another funny skit, and Bishop Christiano did the altar call. Many more people received Christ today. While passing out tracts, you would have thought we were passing out $100 bills. It almost turned into a mob scene! At the end of the service, we called for people to come forward for prayer requests. TONS of people were in need of prayer! Although there were many spiritual and mental healings, there was an amazing physical healing as well! Crystal (who is a RN) had an elderly woman come up for prayer. The woman pointed to her knee and asked for prayer. Crystal could tell that this woman’s knee did not look right, as it was shaped in a funny way. She laid hands on the elderly woman’s knee and began to pray, and then she heard a POP! The woman jumped for joy…literally! She began to lift her knees up off the ground back and forth, smiling. Some amazing miracles are happening here! AMEN! Nobody wanted us to leave, and tons of children jumped on the back of our cars as we were driving away. But, we had to head back to Songo to finish up another Crusade. With no time to stop for dinner, we set up for another passion filled Crusade! Once again, the children cheered as we came into their village and ran after our cars. About 400 people came out, ready to dance and praise. Now I now we have tried to explain the dancing to you, but it is almost too hard to describe. Many churches sing worship songs before a service for 30 minutes. Africans dance and praise before the start of a service for almost an hour! NONSTOP! Many of us have volunteered to be on the worship dance team that dances for everyone before the message (we’ll let you guess who the ones are!). There are some awesome dance moves to different songs. One is almost the exact same thing as the “crip walk” dance in the US (except your feet stay together). For those old folks out there in Blog land, this is a very popular hip hop dance move. The children and adults go crazy when we do it!
For the program, Jay gave his testimony, and Mike S. preached a “jump up and down/run around” enthusiastic message about God’s love. As before, many people came forward to receive prayer at the end. The Holy Spirit was truly at work! We ended with one big dance party as we celebrated God’s victory in Songo!
We are off to bed as tomorrow we will travel to Tete for a Baptism and then to visit churches on Sunday. Then, we are back to Vila Luongue and the Angonia province for more Seminars and Crusades. Praise God!
The Seminar worship started off with a bang, as people had come prepared to be transformed and have biblical truths placed on their hearts. Glenda had taught the children a song in English for them to perform in front of the Seminar, and then they sang a worship song with Moses and Nick beating away on the drum. Then, Mike S. taught on the character of Christ from 2 Peter. Nick then spoke on the importance of the body of the church, as well as the need to rise up and mentor older teenagers/younger adults. Finally, Jay brought it all home, re-iterating the fact that these teenagers and younger adults are the future church leaders and need to be raised up.
Right before lunch, we learned that we would be able to speak in a local prison. Pastor Mike, Mike S, Crystal, Nick, Chrissy and Pastor Kenneth quickly headed over, as it would be a short visit due to the 2 Crusades later in the day. It was an extremely small prison, maybe the size of a gymnasium. The cells were extremely small, with 4 prisoners per room. There was basically enough room for their tiny mattresses on the floor, and nothing else. There were no lights in the rooms, and only a small window allowed light in. They were very excited to see us. Obviously, Mike S. preached a great message about prison and salvation (for those who do not know, Mike runs Pardoned By Christ, a prison ministry in the NC area). 42 people received Christ! Chrissy led some worship songs, and the prisoners sang their hearts out. Some were older, but many were teenagers or younger men. Crystal also brought the word about second chances. Pastor Michael closed in a powerful prayer, and we all passed out soap and tracts. It was very evident that we impacted their lives.
After lunch, most everyone headed back over to Chitema to finish the Crusade we started yesterday. However, Pastor Mike and a few of the African team members stayed at the Seminar, as Pastor Mike wrapped up the 3-day training. As we drove into Chitema, the children cheered and ran alongside our cars. It is so very humbling to be treated this way as we enter all the villages. Word did travel, and close to 1000 people came out. Nick preached a message of salvation, because some people who had come were not in attendance the previous night. The African team did another funny skit, and Bishop Christiano did the altar call. Many more people received Christ today. While passing out tracts, you would have thought we were passing out $100 bills. It almost turned into a mob scene! At the end of the service, we called for people to come forward for prayer requests. TONS of people were in need of prayer! Although there were many spiritual and mental healings, there was an amazing physical healing as well! Crystal (who is a RN) had an elderly woman come up for prayer. The woman pointed to her knee and asked for prayer. Crystal could tell that this woman’s knee did not look right, as it was shaped in a funny way. She laid hands on the elderly woman’s knee and began to pray, and then she heard a POP! The woman jumped for joy…literally! She began to lift her knees up off the ground back and forth, smiling. Some amazing miracles are happening here! AMEN! Nobody wanted us to leave, and tons of children jumped on the back of our cars as we were driving away. But, we had to head back to Songo to finish up another Crusade. With no time to stop for dinner, we set up for another passion filled Crusade! Once again, the children cheered as we came into their village and ran after our cars. About 400 people came out, ready to dance and praise. Now I now we have tried to explain the dancing to you, but it is almost too hard to describe. Many churches sing worship songs before a service for 30 minutes. Africans dance and praise before the start of a service for almost an hour! NONSTOP! Many of us have volunteered to be on the worship dance team that dances for everyone before the message (we’ll let you guess who the ones are!). There are some awesome dance moves to different songs. One is almost the exact same thing as the “crip walk” dance in the US (except your feet stay together). For those old folks out there in Blog land, this is a very popular hip hop dance move. The children and adults go crazy when we do it!
For the program, Jay gave his testimony, and Mike S. preached a “jump up and down/run around” enthusiastic message about God’s love. As before, many people came forward to receive prayer at the end. The Holy Spirit was truly at work! We ended with one big dance party as we celebrated God’s victory in Songo!
We are off to bed as tomorrow we will travel to Tete for a Baptism and then to visit churches on Sunday. Then, we are back to Vila Luongue and the Angonia province for more Seminars and Crusades. Praise God!
2 comments:
NICK and EVERYONE!!
I have been praying for you guys and I hope everything is going well! It sounds like amazing things are going down! Thats what i like to hear so keep it up:) I can't to see you and hear all about it when you get back and i come home! love you!
Caitlin
Nick,
I got goosebumps reading about all the amazing things going on over there! Keep up the great work. I had dinner with my daughter-in-law and grand-daughter. Mia Tate showed her skills saying DaDa all night. We all love and miss you, Mom
Post a Comment