Walking down the dusty streets of Tanzania, I can tell when we are getting close to our destination because I can hear the worship music from a distance. Children run to greet us grabbing our hands and dragging us along. The crusade is held in what is normally a big open feild, but which is now a sea of people. The stage is simply the bed of a semi-truck. The first hour consists of nothing but worship. Everywhere I look I see people, young and old, dancing around me. I try to join in but can only do about half the moves. The people smile and laugh while watching the mzungu (white people) try to dance.
Once worship is over it's time for the message, and as it starts we all take are seats in the dirt. I am still surronded by children, pushing in to get as close to me as they can. While the pastor speaks their tiny hands run through my hair trying to braid it or undo tangles.
After the message, the pastor gives an alter call and people from all corners begin to rush to the front. Me, my team, and the local pastors follow behind them so we can pray. The pastors get their information so they can get connected with a church.
Then, they ask the sick to join also. We all begin to pray, and as I look around, I see people droppping to the ground – manifesting demons. They are taken to the back behind a blue tarp that I like to call "the demon tent" and this is where I have spent every evening for the last three nights.
Matthew 10:8," Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." God is so awesome and He wants to see people delivered and set free. I love that we can be used by Him, that we can be His hands as we reach out and pray for people. It's not us, but Jesus in us that heals and delivers. I love that at the name of Jesus, demons flee. If I didn't know this to be true, I would be scared to death as to see these demons manifesting and hear the screams. Every evening we join the local pastors to cast out demons. At first, it seems crazy – there are so many people who need deliverance and not very many of us, but each night we all split up to pray and slowly the room clears. Every single person who is brought in is delivered and set free.
Even though I know that God is going to deliver these people, each time He does I am amazed by His mercy and power once agian. We serve a living God, a powerful God. It's exciting when are faced with the truth of how amazing our God really is.
So that is what God has been doing through us here in Singida, Tanzania. Thank you for all of your support and prayers. We will be leaving here in six days to head to Malaui, East Africa and I know that God is going to continue to do awesome things there also!
