We made it to Africa at the start of February and arrived in the city of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The next day we took a 20-hour bus ride to the city of Mwanza, Tanzania which has been our base for the entire month. (The bus ticket included- numerous speed bumps at 50 mph sending us/rear passengers into the ceiling- free of charge) We are living with a pastor and have been assisting and leading the Sunday morning main service, prayer nights, youth services, and Wednesday night services at his church with the help of translators. Each of us have preached several times this month. At first it seemed intimidating to give a one hour message, but the Holy Spirit takes over and moves through us. It is an honor to share the message of Jesus and other biblical teachings.
The Sunday morning service is 3 hours long and includes lots of dancing and singing in addition to the message. With all this dancing, Bekah is in heaven! I remember the first Thursday night/prayer night we were here in which the congregation began to pray out loud for approximately 30 minutes. Men and women walked around the sanctuary speaking loudly, others bowed to the ground and soon began to cry loudly and pray with such passion in their voices, some remorseful and some joyful. We could not understand the words they spoke in Swahili, but their reverence and desire for Christ was evident and inspiring.
We have also gone out into the community several times where we live and engaged in some door-to-door evangelism with the help of translators. During this time we encouraged, prayed for, and if led shared Jesus with the locals. We also visited the nearby Hospital and brought food to those in need and encouraged and prayed for them.
Our pastor’s home is on the side of the small mountain and this is the first month that we have been frequently thirsty. Water is difficult to get and our team rations what we have. This reminds of the verse in scripture….
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.” John 4:13-14
There is nothing in life that I want more of (well… Jesus and some Chick-Fila which is on my mind whenever I get hungry). I have been blessed this year and have found that the more I fill myself with Jesus and the word of God the more satisfied I truly am. I yearn for nothing more, I am not thirsty for anything the world has to offer. It is all meaningless, a chasing after the wind. (See Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 and 2 for more)
