Tanzania is amazing so far. We are staying in the home of a wonderful family who has never had American visitors before, their expectations are high for us, but they are also some of the most outgoing and hospitable people I have ever met. They are a true family for us, we get together every night as a family to sing and pray and then it is time for laughing and joking. The family is Pastor Peter, Mama Rehema, Esther, Amos, Deborah, and Melki. They are super sweet, and we all live by the saying “Be Free!” We were seriously included in all discussions of their family and they in ours. We had a private family meeting the other night where I actually felt like we were getting lectured by our dad (don’t worry it was not about one of us) We are loved and they are loved! We even got to celebrate Amos’ birthday!!!!
Tanzania is really hot but really amazing. There is really really good food! Except when they tried to feed me a fish with its eyeballs still attached. I have my own bed PRAISE THE LORD! And they built new bathrooms for us, they are really nice- and cold showers never felt so good.
This month we are going door to door and doing hospital ministry, so we go and preach the gospel, ask if they have questions and pray. There is a very large Muslim population here, so a lot of people we encounter are Muslim, during one of our hospital visits, I was praying for someone and we were interrupted by someone passing out Muslim propaganda. Probably half the people we speak to are Muslim- so God is leading us to them. Good stuff.
Hosptial ministry is stretching- first they split us off by ourselves only with translators-We pray for the Lord to speak through us, as He does, but it’s still not the most comfortable thing I’ve done. Demonic spirits are extremely prominent- and were definitely a big part of our ministry there.
My spirit gets riled up inside during hospital ministry- I feel like I’m going to throw up when I’m there and I have to come home and shake it off. I try to get into a rhythm but I’m constantly alert when I’m there and feel like I have to be super intentional about staying vigilant.
This is my first experience actually seeing like “in your face’ demons.
Our team has been very sick this month-we’ve all had malaria and we fight fatigue daily. Overall though, we are doing well as a team.
We’ve also been working with street kids- sharing our testimonies with them- they are recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. And we are teaching English classes! My name is Joyce here though, thats what they call me!
Ministry is fun and we have great translators, which is a huge blessing. Thank you for all your prayers and love!
Isaiah 41:10- So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
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