Monday turned out to be a day of catching up on “life back home”. My gals in the vocational school are taking exams and come to find out they all went home early when finished with their exams. Going home early=no group. I was a little bummed because I enjoy our time, and hoped they would understand the whole “we meet EVERY Monday at noon” thing by now, but was fully grateful to get some time to catch up with my sister and a couple good friends.
I headed out to Kinyiba on Tuesday. I had been praying for and wondering if Esther would make an appearance. She didn’t, but just about everyone else did! I was SO ENCOURAGED to find out that one of the men that came last week had called Scovia (she didn’t go with me this time because of schedule conflicts with an education seminar) as Kaya (SE Kaya not David Kaya) and I were on our way out there asking where we were! We were about 15 minutes late (which is actually early here ha) and they were calling asking where we were!!!! They were awaiting our arrival, chairs set up and everything. I tell you, this speaks volumes and is water to my soul considering I feel most days I am fighting a losing battle with consistency and commitment to the groups. There were about 20 or so people that showed up. 7 or 8 of them were men!! This is something else that brought me so much joy. Most of the groups MIGHT have 1 male in them. So, this village seems to have men that are stronger in their faith, or at least willing to show up for an opportunity to grow in their walk with the Lord. Our discussion went really well. They have some awesome questions regarding the Scripture we covered.
I was so very hopeful for the “newly” 2 new groups in Wudu market in the new meeting place (the bar).
This is the status I put up on my facebook for Wednesday-it about sums it up: Well, I successfully dwnloaded a min and a half video in 1 1/2 hrs, I successfully *attempted* to teach my translator for the day how to play bejeweled on my ipod as we successfully waited for over 2 hours for someone, anyone to show up for 2 groups scheduled for today, and I'm pretty sure I have successfully sweat more today than I ever have in a sauna. Success: all about perspective. TIA.
Mondikalok and Mere were in store for Thursday. Y’all, I had such a genuine joy for what the Lord choose to do in Mondikalok on Thursday. It started out with me having a bit of a pity party. We got to Mondikalok and Scovia went to go park the bike and “mobilize”. I was asked to sit. So, I sat. As I was sitting, I was thinking about how sometimes I get tired of sitting. Waiting. Sitting. Waiting. My desire for comfort rears its head every now and then. I just wanted people to actual DO what they say they are going to DO! My flesh just wanted to scream “It’s not that hard to remember that the group meets the SAME day at the SAME time EVERY week. It’s not that hard to follow though. It’s not that hard to live up to your word.” I’m tired. I just had to pray to the Lord while sitting there, telling Him that I’m just tired. I’m giving all that I can, and I’m tired, Lord. I see a very tall, lanky, not completely clothed man walking towards me and I was tired just thinking about how yet again I knew I was going to be asked for something. Isn’t it a beauty that God never gets tired of us asking things of Him? I mean, think about it. Well, come to find out he doesn’t even say a word, just walks up, stares at me, and rubs his fingers together cleverly asking for money without saying a word. I couldn’t help but let out a little laugh and tell him I don’t have money to give him, but he is more than welcome to join the group that was about to meet. He wasn’t interested. Just like that he was on his way again. I confessed to God that I just wanted to be invisible. Yep, it’s true. I wanted to disappear…just for a little bit. I give and give and give and the honest to goodness truth is I wanted to be invisible. Everyone is gathered after 25 minutes or so, and we begin. Even with being tired and wanting to be invisible, I push on. There’s not an option not to. I know what I am here to do, and I know God’s grace is sufficient, so I push on. He always shows up. He always reminds me. He always provides. He always encourages. I just have to push through all the junk and weariness. So, as he always does, I was quickly encouraged to see 2 of the 3 men from last week show up!! Specifically Simon, who openly was rejecting the Gospel when I shared it with him last week. He came this week along with another guy who literally said 2 words last week. He’s not a believer, either. So, we’re going through the Scripture and things are going pretty well and I’m telling you what seems out of NOWHERE a man BURST through the 5 foot door leading to the little area we were meeting at. If I were in front of you right now I would be showing you what it looked like. It’s as if Jesus shoved him through the door and he landed in a place he was completely unaware of! He was talking VERY loud as he burst in, turns, sees all of us just starting at him, and immediately takes of his hat and says, “oh, so sorry. You’re meeting!” Scovia and I both laughed a little and she told him he was more than welcome to join us! So, he sits down and joins us! Thus began the many, many, many questions of Wani. He was a bit inebriated, he slurred a bit of his speech, but I tell you what, it’s as if he found himself in a place that he could ask the MILLION questions he seemed to have stored up in that mind of his. The beautiful thing is he was willing to bring up and ask all the questions regarding the Scripture that the other group members were not! Yet again, this one was for the benefit all of the rest! Come to find out that Wani is a Jehovah’s Witness. SO MANY non-truths saturated Wani’s life. We finished up the group and had to tell Wani it was then we could finish answering all the questions he had. The sad thing is he had no ears to hear. It was as if he was literally deaf. He would ask a solid question, Scovia or I would answer, and before we could even finish he was asking the exact same question again!!! This went on for a good 30 minutes or so (through our lunch). It got to a point that Scovia and I just sat back, looked at each other, and started laughing. He was wearing us out. I tell you what, I feel like I’m living in literal Bible times some days here. I felt like I was sitting and talking to a Pharisee, who knew the law and just couldn’t see past it. Scovia literally stopped at one point and simply and gently asked him, “Do you love Jesus?” He didn’t answer the question but began saying something else. She stopped him and asked again, “Do you love JESUS?” She asked a third time. (Bible story anyone??J) It didn’t click. It just goes to show that unless the eyes and ears are opened by the Lord, you just can’t force someone to understand. I really do hope that all the Truth that was shared with him will sprout. I also pray he comes back next week.
The whole ride from Mondikalok to Mere Scovia just laughed about it all. See? God always encourages me. I start sharing His truth and His love, and I forget about ME! It’s never about me.
Oh, I forgot to mention, on the drive out to Mondikalok Scovia shared with me that she ran in to Phoebe the other day in the market and Phoebe shared with her that she had decided she was leaving her husband. My heart sank upon hearing this. I asked Scovia if she felt that was a good decision and we were talking about it and all of a sudden we look and there is Phoebe walking up the road! (NEVER a coincidence!) So, we stopped and chatted for a second and she said it would only be her today, as the other group members left to go to a funeral. Perfect. I knew God wanted us to have some solid time with Phoebe. She was softened to a point where she was seeking the advice, comfort, and truth. So, we get there and meet up with her. Well, ends up a new man decided to come. He said he had heard people talking about a group that met to study the Word and decided this week he wanted to come to learn what it was about. He is not a believer. I find myself surprised, even now, when I hear how all of these non-believers simply want to come to learn the Word! It’s odd. It’s beautiful. God draws them to Him. Most surrender. Some don’t. God is powerful. That’s all there is to it. Anyways, so we go through a powerful Scripture and in complete opposition to Wani in Mandikalok this man LISTENED and seemed to soak in all the answers to the questions He had about Jesus. He didn’t surrender his life, but he definitely seemed to be effected by all that he learned. We got deep in the Word and talked about so many things. Religion is bunk. It’s annoying. It distracts. I consider it such a huge privilege to be the vessel to say those exact things to these beautiful people. Okay, I don’t exactly say bunk, but pretty close to it! J So, Phoebe asked after we were finished if Scovia and I could stay because she wanted to talk to us separately. She shared her desperation. She shared that she in fact has begun already moving back to her parents. She shared that she is just tired. She shared that she has no help with her oldest son who has epilepsy. She shared how her husband doesn’t love her. My heart broke as I sat there watching this astoundingly beautiful young lady desperately seeking what Christ can only offer her. I was heartbroken for her, but KNEW it was a place she needed to be at. After listening to her, I pulled my chair up close to her and through my tears I told her how sorry I was that she was hurting so bad. We both sat there and cried. I affirmed her in the fact that she is precious to the Lord, she is beautiful, she is WORTHY, she is special. I reminded her, as I’ve been telling her for weeks, that Jesus is the only one that can give her what she is seeking…even in her husband. How often do we seek things from humans that they simply can’t offer us? So often. Jesus is the Love she needed. She shared more about her son, and the circumstances of the other wife of her husband. I knew then we were to pray for her son. I was waiting for the opportunity and the Lord didn’t wait long to bring it. The next thing I knew Phoebe was getting up and left to go get her 4 year old son who has what they have been told is epilepsy. I’m fully convinced it’s completely spiritual. There is a lot that has happened in Phoebe’s marriage and the marriage of her husband with the other wife that seems to have invited Satan to have a hay day. Her 4 year old son was the center of a lot of drama. As she was gone Scovia and I prayed for what the Lord was about to do. She came back with this sweet boy. He was terrified of me. I am pretty scary. J We talked some more to Phoebe and she shared that she was ready to surrender he life to God. It was exactly what Scovia and I had JUST PRAYED FOR. We prayed that this would be Phoebe’s day to become a child of the King. We prayed that she would be broken enough to know her need of a Savior. We prayed that through our pleading on behalf of her son for healing, that God would confirm to her that he is in fact, our Mighty Healer! We prayed with her as she confessed that she needed Jesus. She prayed that she couldn’t do it on her own, she needed Him. She asked for forgiveness and committed to do her best to live a life pleasing Him from this point on. My joy was just too much to contain, tears streaming down my face. He is just so faithful. So, so faithful. So, then we prayed specifically for her son as she held him in her lap. We prayed the blood of Christ over his little body, rebuking ANY power that was causing him to seize. I do believe he was healed that day. There was nothing to physically show for it, but I believe it. I really have no doubt when we go to Mere this week Phoebe will be able to tell us that he has not had even one seizure.
It was a powerful few hours. I think Phoebe is still planning on moving to her parents. Please be praying for her. Much growth is yet to happen with my sweet friend.
Group in Leikor on Saturday went well. There’s a pretty consistent group of women that are there, which is a blessing! I’m challenging them a lot. They can handle it. I told them that, too. J
Okay, so this is what I’m REALLY excited to share about!!! Remember what I wrote about a few posts back about getting the flat tire and ending up in Kangapo? I met with a bunch of drunks and a man named James who has been sober for 7 years and I talked to him about starting a group there. It was also the village of a man named Simon who had surrendered his life to the Lord a while back, said he was going to stop drinking, and wanted me to come to his village for a group. So, we told James we could come visit him again to talk to him about what it would look like to equip him to begin a group.
Well, Scovia and I decided that we could go to Kagapo on Saturday afternoon after meeting with the Leikor group. I was looking forward to it. We pull up and there are a group of men laying and sitting around. We passed by one man I recognized from the last time and he turned around and came back to where we were. They were so excited we were there to visit. Come to find out James wasn’t there so we visited for a bit with the men that were sitting around there for a bit. Then I asked about Simon. One of the men, Friday, said he would take us to his home, it wasn’t very far at all. So, he and Joseph (the man that came back after seeing us show up) led the way through the grass to his place. I was praying as we were on our way that Simon would be home. It had been a month since I had told him I would come to visit him in his village. We walk up and THERE WAS SIMON!! He had a HUGE SMILE on his face upon seeing me. Most people here are huge on welcoming guests, so next thing I knew there were chairs brought out and I was asked to sit. So, we got to sit and visit. I asked Simon how he was doing. Guess what?! He’s been sober since the day he surrendered his life to the Lord a month ago!! His wife came and introduced herself. Simon was especially burdened for his family the day I talked to him, and shared that he wanted his whole family to know Jesus. I invited her to sit with us, and she began sharing her side of the story. It was beautiful. She shared from her perspective what life was like when Simon was drinking. She shared that he began saying he was doing to Wudu to church, but she didn’t believe him. She didn’t believe that he was actually going to pray, but probably to get alcohol. But that she couldn’t deny that she saw a change in him. She said she noticed that he was gentler, he didn’t argue, he was humble. She said that by us coming it proved to her that he did in fact tell the truth about going to church on Sundays and that it must be Jesus that has changed him! She herself wasn’t born again. The men, Friday and Joseph, were sitting with us listening, too. I knew I was supposed to visit Simon, but I didn’t know THIS is what God had in mind! How neat!! So, we visited, at cassava and mangos, laughed, and thoroughly had a great time. Somewhere in there Joseph decided I was supposed to marry him. Of course. He was funny. Really funny. I wanted to get a picture of Simon and his wife. Joseph decided he wanted in on the picture as well. You can see these pictures on my facebook. So, we finished up with Simon at his home and headed back to the main market area where the other men were. We sat back down with them as they were waiting for us to get back. So, pretty much the Gospel was shared with a number of men, including a young man named Albert, a teacher named Bennett, along with Friday and Joseph, and probably 4 or 5 other men, young and old. We explained what the IA2 group was, it’s purpose. They were all REALLY excited to have that for them. They shared some of their stories, welcoming anything that would help them to change. Perfect. This whole “thing” with Kangapo is simply beautiful to me. It is undeniably God-ordained.
So, we were getting ready to head out after spending a number of hours there and Friday said that he was going to come to church in Wudu with Simon in the morning. I encouraged him to in fact do so! Joseph said he would, too.
I left Kangapo so filled with joy, I was bubbling! I loved every single minute of it.
Sunday was a wonderfully relaxing day. I go to the church right across the street from me, so I didn’t know if Friday and Joseph actually came with Simon or not to First Baptist in Wudu. So, I get to the office first thing on Monday and Scovia comes up to me with a huge smile.
Simon brought his wife to church with him. She surrendered her life to the Lord!!!!! Friday came to church with Simon. He surrendered his life to the Lord!!!! Joseph didn’t come, but there is most definitely still time! J I literally jumped up and down out of excitement upon hearing this!!!!! I love it. I just love it! Friday expressed wanting Scovia and I to come visit his family next. It is a done deal; I will be visiting with Friday and his family next visit! I’m telling you…if I have anything to do with it, this whole village will be surrendered to Christ….one family at a time! J
This past week has been a week of ups and downs. I’m so grateful for both. In it all Jesus continues to show Himself not only faithful, but so gentle and loving. I just love Him so. I have loved Jesus for a long time now, but I really do find myself completely smitten with Him. It is only Him that would/could sweep me off my feet, take me to Africa, and continue His steadfast pursuit of me. He never stops. He is constantly seeking after my heart, my soul. He has it. He has it all. To know that I am fully embraced in the arms of my Redeemer is beyond words. There truly is no sweeter name than the name of Jesus.
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