Saturday, November 3, 2007

Thursday, Nov. 1st



We woke early as usual for prayer and to prepare for the day. News traveled very fast, as even more people showed up for the Seminar. As we drove up, the children ran besides our car and were cheering and chanting that we had returned! We got started, and the children were allowed to stay for praise and worship. This was truly a blessing. Their pure joy and innocent, uninhibited, transparent worship for the Lord was absolutely breathtaking. The flow of the day continued as the first day, with Nick and Glenda working with the children while the Seminar took place. Jay gave a message on Emanuel (God is with us), and Nick preached on the importance of establishing children’s ministry (They are the future leaders of the church-Proverbs 22:6, they are important and used by God-Acts 23:16-22, Jesus said to do it! Matthew 18:2-6). Then, Glenda gave her testimony and used visual illustration on how to care for the baby Christians of the village, related it to caring for an infant child. It was extremely powerful!

Before lunch, we took a quick trip to the dam. I have no idea what the dam name was (HA!), but is supposed to be the 2nd biggest dam in the continent of Africa. There were mountains all around, and a tranquil spirit in the air. As we peered over the edge, a beautiful rainbow looked right back at us. Interpret it any way you want, but we believe it was God confirming our journey to Songo and the love and grace He is showering down by bringing all of His people together.

After lunch, the group split up. Mike, Crystal, Pastor Mike, Glenda and Matias went back to the Seminar. Mike S. spoke about Faith, telling the story about Jesus healing a sick boy (Matthew 9:17). Crystal spoke about the difference between knowing about God and knowing God. The rest of the group went on a Crusade to a village/township called Chitema. Chitema was about a 45 min. drive from Songo, with the majority of the drive being on dirt roads. As we arrived, we were planning to set up on a soccer field in the middle of town. Luckily, some people were getting ready to play and asked us to move. This was a blessing from God, because there were not many people around. So, we headed across the street to set up right smack down in the middle of the village. As we drove in, the children began to cheer and run after our car. Nick got out a soccer ball while Jay got out a beach ball, and the crowd began to swell immediately. Literally hundreds of children appeared and began to play. Like many African children, they LOVED the video camera and the digital camera, screaming and cheering joyfully when it came out. More people came out than the previous crusade, with close to 800 adults and children in attendance. As the same as the previous night, the Crusade began with enthusiastic dance and praise. It is really hard to put into words…just think of one big dance party, with everyone doing the same dance and shouting the same words…AMAZING! After a relatively similar program from the previous night, almost 400 adults gave their life to Christ!

Here are some random tidbits of information thus far from our trip:
-our meals consist mainly of rice, seema (like grits, but really thick), more rice, a spinach/tomato medley with a vinegar base to put over our rice, and normally some kind of meat (sometimes chicken, goat, and fish-complete with the fish head!)
-Toilets do not have seats on them
-Nick and Mike S. have become regular drivers of the vehicles, and Jay has driven too
-Like previously mentioned, they LOVE being photographed. For the most part, they don’t smile in the pictures. However, as soon as you show them, they crack up laughing and pointing!
-A flashlight is called a torch
-Driving along the villages and townships is really fun. Many children and adults give us a blank, “What in the heck are you doing here?!” stare. It almost looks a bit mean at first. Then, we all smile and wave…and a HUGE smile comes across their face and they wave back…EVERYTIME!
-Halleluiah= AMEN! Although we have come in contact with close to 5 different languages, any time someone says, “Halleluiah,” EVERYONE in EVERY LANGUAGE responds Amen!

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