was some beak and fur involved. Needless to say, my hands smelled like duck for hours afterward…. Good times:)This month we are working with International Care Ministries (ICM), an amazing organization with the goal to end poverty while spreading God’s love.
Each day small groups of our teams head out to these places with various ICM groups. Some of the things we might do is children’s ministry, interviewing the recipients, and a lot of prayer. We are often encouraged to pray over each person and we also do it for the pastors of the churches that ICM has paired up with. It is an awesome way to be immersed in the culture. Often we are asked to eat lunch with the Pastor, as they want to serve you even if they have very little. Fried whole fish (head and all) or squid anyone? Rice and numerous glasses of fresh coconut water are also put before us repeatedly. They are so hospitable and generous that you really just eat it as if you do it everyday.
House visits are also done to check up on the recipients and their progress. Wow…..poverty for sure…..many of us have been to third world countries, but it is easy to forget how real it really is. Huts are makeshift walls, ceiling, and floors. One small room (maybe two or three) for a big family is it for all their living (kitchen, living room, etc.). Most kids sleep on the floor, some on hammocks or beds. It’s very simple living…..which is all they have ever really known.
Stay tuned for crazy stories this month of our experiences and the people we meet. It’s going to be really awesome, as we can already feel God moving like mad here. We have met some fascinating people: a woman who escaped from a cult 12 years ago and many more. Did I mention that witchcraft and witch doctor’s are a problem here?? Yep…..something to pray about. God is good though and these people are inspiring and an encouragement to a faith lived life.
