So I realize it’s been a while since I’ve blogged and it’s not because nothing exciting is happening, I’ve had writer’s block lately on what to write and how to convey so much in a couple paragraphs. So here’s just a little of what we’ve been up to…
We’re in Morogoro, Tanzania and we’re on our third month in Africa. In some ways it is much the same as Kenya and Uganda and in others it is completely new. The newness (landscape, team, ministry, etc.) has brought much refreshment to me, especially my attitude. Our view every morning is absolutely breathtaking. We’re surrounded by mountains and beautiful vegetation on all sides. We’ve gotten to experience quite a bit in two weeks (which for some reason have felt like much longer…). We’ve visited schools, prayer meetings at universities, a disabled camp, and various people’s houses doing house-to-house evangelism. We’ve also been preaching quite a bit, as they have 2 or 3 different services every Sunday and one on Wednesday and Friday. We’ve also gotten to lead worship for the YWAM staff a couple of times and this week Lindsay, Sara, and I are working with the preschool here at the YWAM base (where we have been staying). The fruits of our ministry have been very apparent already. Several people we’ve talked to during door-to-door have come to Christ and are already plugged in to the church we’ve been working with. Others are not quite ready but we’re praying that we’ve planted seeds and that others will be along later to water them. Morogoro has a huge Muslim population and most of the people we talk to are all Muslim families. Not one household has turned us away though, which was crazy to me at first. Generosity and hospitality are huge in the African culture and they would never do us a dishonor by not letting us in their homes. So they kindly listen to what we have to say whether they want to or not and some refuse while others’ hearts are changed to make a decision for Christ. I have been reminded a lot this week of a line from a Casting Crowns song that says “how refreshing to know you don’t need me, how amazing to find that you want me”. God doesn’t need us to do any of the things we’ve been doing and He could accomplish His will in whichever way He chooses, but for some reason He wants us and He’s chosen us to be here for such a time as this. It is such a privilege to see hearts being changed and people’s days brightened just by someone taking the time to listen to them and pray with them. God is good and He is faithful and He’s teaching me that in new ways every day.
On Sunday we head out into the bush to villages surrounding Morogoro to plant some more seeds to unreached people. Pray that more hearts will be changed and that we will be equipped with all we need to accomplish God’s will for us there. The boys left this morning to head to Kenya where they will meet up with the rest of the guys on our squad for two weeks of ministry with the Massai tribe warriors. Pray for them as they will be living with and preaching to these indigenous people.
Thank you so much for all of the prayers and comments, they mean more than you will probably ever know! Hopefully I’ll have more pictures up soon!
