I woke up from the sound of a motorcycle engine reving up outside our door. After some water, a babywipes bath, and brushing our teeth we headed to the main market. We had two scrambled eggs African style and drew quite a few looks. We took a quick tour of the main market, met some nice people, and then went to our meeting room.
After a quick stop at the corner market to load up on tea, figs, and peanuts, we headed straight for the training area. Bubba had gotten us a room in what used to be a vocational training building for women. With our shoes off and all of us sitting on mats on the floor we got to work. We first answered all the questions that we had not gotten to the day before. I gave some insights on the nature of the church and Bill provided training on generous giving and marriage.
Just as we were about to start a new traning a man who had come as a guest spoke up. Our team was not sure what he was saying, but all of the other men began celebrating. It turns out that one of the men had been sharing Christ with him for about a month. He had come to listen to some of the teaching. He had just said to the guys, "Hey, I have to go to work now, but before I go, would it be ok if I accepted Jesus as my God to be saved?" After hearing a message on giving and marriage, that brother came forward:D
That afternoon Jason G and Todd provided outstanding teaching. Jason G taught them how to put off the old self and to put on the new person in Christ. Todd taught on the fruit of the Spirit. That afternoon it got hot. I mean real hot. We had to abandon our room for a tree outside where we could catch a breeze. We took large bricks that had fallen from the abondoned building next door and made them into seats in a cirlc. The facility was alonside of the river so we could catch a breeze. We also caught the sight of lots of people coming to take a bath - awkward for the North Americans and nothing new to the Africans:D
The training time consisted of more than just information. These brothers love to sing and Henry had shown up the night before to get in on the training. He would lead the music... can't carry a tune, but he loves to sing. We will be teaching these songs to the children of Living Hope when we get back.
We also had amazing times of prayer. The prayer time was very overwhelming to me. Some of the phrases they used were so powerful... "let us be always one, make your Word to be in us, thank you for all that you have given us in Christ."
That night we sat under the stars waiting for dinner. Bubba showed up as the food did so we all dumped part of our meal on his plate and forced him to stay and eat. We laughed and shared stories and praised God for the great grace He's given to us to make us His children and brothers to one another.
After taking a cold shower and getting the frog out of our room, I laid my head down and praised God for the joy that is mine to be His. I am loved with an unending gracious love. My family is found all over the planet. The Kingdom of God is on the move and the Lord has allowed me to be on the front line of it. What a joy and honor for me!
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