Words cannot even express how beautiful Tanzania is. As I write this I have just come in from playing soccer with the neighborhood kids. The sun sets in the distance and the dust settles beneath my toes. Every time the ball is kicked a loud cheer explodes into the air, and smiles stretch as far as the eye can see. I have never been to Africa before, and after being here I have no clue why I haven't been. There is a beauty about Africa that is unlike anything I have ever seen or witnessed. It most certainly isn’t in the standard of living, its not in the buildings, its not in the history. It’s in the people!
Its in the way they smile as you walk by, its in how there is singing and dancing all over the place. Its in the 3 hour church services which oddly enough are starting to feel like a normal church service length to me 🙂 but most of all its in the hope that they have, it carries so much weight in their lives. I'm so honored that I get to witness it.
OUR MINISTRY CONTACT
This month our ministry contact is a great guy called Pastor Amesy. He has four children ranging from three to thirteen. He has a great wife and pastors an assembly's of God of church. He always has a huge smile and greets us with open arms; I am looking forward to getting to know him more as the month progresses.
OUR MINISTRY
Our days ministry consists of three things
1) Witnessing to the local community this literally means walking around the town and talking to people we meet. Starting conversations with the aid of our translator, then sharing scripture, praying, maybe finding food for them if we feel lead to. We help in whatever way we can. We do this every morning for about four hours. Praise report we have already seen five people give their lives to Christ!
2) Secondly we go to an orphanage. We do this two times a week in the afternoon. Here we play with the kids, feed them, and just love on them. The conditions in these orphanages are horrible the children walk around with urine on their dresses, snot all over their faces, and way way way too many flies surround them. It is a very humbling experience to see their living conditions.
3) Next its open air preaching! Yep, its exactly how it sounds standing in the middle of town proclaiming the gospel and the rest of the team prays over people. This is a very new to me as when I think about open air preaching. I imagine the guy stood on the corner in your city telling you how you’re going to hell. I really don't want to be that guy so please pray for me as I step out into this.
4) Lastly Church time! Every Sunday morning we are asked to preach and sing. This is a great time of celebration and fun! God shows up in a big way and lives are changed. We all have to step out of our comfort zones here, as church is around three hours. We go to church twice on Sundays and each time we are expected to preach and sing. God is honoring our obedience though in stepping up. My teammate and brother Chase G gave an incredible sermon this past Sunday about Lazarus being raised from the dead. He encouraged a lot of people this past Sunday.
I love love love Africa and cannot wait for the next three months of this race and experiencing more of what God has for my squad and me. Don't get me wrong it is very testing, very unsanitary, and in desperate need of help. I guess that's why we are here right to help!? The beautiful thing is realizing that I can not help its the God in me that this country needs.
God
Please make my desires, my agenda; my thoughts subside in your glory and in your name. Make me your mouthpiece! Thank you for bringing me this far, I know you did not bring me half way across the world to send me home early. I will be fully funded and I will finish my race. Help me to continue to trust in you with all that I am in every situation not just money. I love you with all my heart, thank you for this journey you brought me on. I am forever yours, wherever you want me, however you want I am yours.
As of June 16th I need $2,750 to be fully funded by July 1st. If you are able to give, please use the donate button ('Support Me' under the profile picture) . Thank you
