for the display of his splendor

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me  to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
    and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty  instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61: 1-3

We visited over 30 homes, in a largely Muslim community, to preach the gospel.
Some were nonreceptive.
Many listened but weren't ready to accept.
Others were fearful of what husbands or others in their community would do.
Fifteen accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior!
Five were delivered from demon possession.
Many more were healed!

 
The team hoseted a "Rice & Beans Day" last Saturday.
Over 50 kids from the community came!
We played games, sang songs, and danced – conga line included –
while some amazing women cooked all the food for us.

"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these, you did it unto Me."
Matthew 25:45 

Pastor Paulo Mapande playing his accordion during Sunday morning worship service. 
The team gave testimonies, sang 3 songs and Caitlin preached from John 15.
After the service we were invited to lunch at a church member's house!

 
We spent our last week in Singida at Hope Extended Orphanage Center. 
Ms. Rita began the center about a year ago. 
Twenty kids between the ages of 4 and 6 come, all from broken homes.
They come to eat a meal, learn English and practice their Swahili.
Ms. Rita dreams of one day providing a permanent home for them but right now lacks the funds for a building.
She trusts that God hears her prayers and will provide what she needs for the center.
Until then she takes from her own income to provide food, clothes and supplies.
Joseph, the kid's teacher and Marta, the kid's cook both work for next to nothing so that these kids can learn and eat. 
During our time there we shared Bible stories and songs with them; 
introduced them to their first movie, Despicable Me;
played games, painted nails, and more! 
One day this week we walked to Lake Singida with the kids.
It is dry season in Tanzania so the lake was quite low. 
Instead we found women making their own salt (pictured above)!
 

One of my favorites, Frankie! 

Here is Ms. Rita's e-mail address in case you feel led to help her raise the funds for a building for these precious little ones!
[email protected]

 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress."
James 1:27

"But You, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to You;
You are the helper of the fatherless."
Psalm 10:14 

Prayer Requests:
* That the veil of Islam would be lifted from the eyes and hearts of the Tanzanian people.
* That justice would reign for widows and orphans in the Singida area; that God would raise up people with compassionate hearts towards them.
* For Greater Grace Church, Pastor Mapande, his wife, Janet, and elder Joseph as they: fight the evil forces of witchcraft, minister to their community, and seek to raise funds for an orphan center.
* For traveling mercies to Dar Es Salaam/Zanzibar/Nepal in the coming week.
* For continued health and rest over our squad.
* The hearts of the Nepalese people we will be coming in contact with next month.