EVANGELISM–
I learned a lot about evangelism in Tanzania. It was really neat how evangelism in the villages taught us a lot about people, and our selves and our NEED for God. There is different skepticism of what door-to-door evangelism is and how it’s approached. My team and I, along with a translator would go to people’s homes, tell them what we’re doing in the country and tell them how passionate we are about the Father’s love. And if they had time, we’d love to share a testimony of how God is working in our lives and just who this God is and the sacrifice He made for us. It’s not something that’s forced. It’s sharing Jesus with them in hopes that they come to see his light and love. We pray for them. We share the promises that God has with them and of hope, future & purpose. There were at least 30 people that came to know Christ in a weeks time through this. WOW!
It’s been really sweet to see how much God uses the opportunities we have to speak through us to these people. Sometimes we have revelations in speaking to them. We pray for words to flow from us and they do. We trust that God will use those times for His glory.
HOSPITAL VISITS–
We went to the hospital for a few afternoons. We went to pray with people who have disabilities. Who have cancer. Who have tumors and masses and medical problems that we can’t even describe. We prayed for children who had third degree burns. Children who had fireworks blow up in their faces at New Year’s Celebrations. Children who had fallen in boiling pots of water and one who’s mattress had caught on fire. There they were with their beautiful African skin peeled back and their entire chests, faces, heads and hands burned, burned badly. And we looked at them, with the endearing eyes of God and said, you are loved, you are worthy of affection, God desires good for you. He has purpose for you and gives you a Hope. Though suffering comes in this life, you gain endurance, character and hope. And his love has been poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit who has been given to you. (Romans 5:1-5)
BRIGHTON– the newborn baby
I got to hold a newborn baby, being only a day old. This infant, Brighton, who’s mother was sick. Who’s mother had trouble breathing. And who’s mother died in the night 2 days after I held him. She was a member of the church we were apart of for the month in Tanz. But this little feeble baby couldn’t help that his mother died. And African amenities and medicine and Doctor’s couldn’t help her and she passed away. And there was this sweet newborn baby who no longer had a mother to feed him and care for him, to love and protect him.
And it became easy for us to say, “God, why didn’t you give her breath?” We want her to breathe in life and for you to enable her to have life here.
And I soon realized how she did have life. More life than this world could offer her in a heavenly realm. She had peace. And no longer had medical problems.
And there was a need for people to step in and take care of Brighton as best as they knew how. And so the community of African believers surrounded him and his father and encouraged them, let them sleep in their homes, prayed with them and comforted them as much as possible.
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There are people in hospitals in Africa that need your prayers. There’s a baby, named Brighton, who is feeble who’s biological mother is no longer here. There’s people in villages who’ve never heard the name of Jesus. And so I ask you to pray and believe that the Father will move in these situations and give ultimate rest, and peace and hope to these people. These people that are your neighbors, only thousands of miles away that go through the same life situations that you do– and have stories of trial and pain and joy. Pray for them.
