Today was our first day in Tagabati (that’s pronounced TAG-ah-BAH-tee). It’s about a 30 minute drive in a bush taxi from the city so we got up and had some breakfast and head out this morning as soon as we could. Half of us painted a local, rundown, health clinic and half of us shared the gospel message with villagers for the first part of the day and then we switched during the second half. And I cannot tell you how completely proud I am of our students!! WOW! I spent the first half of the day watching and listening to them share Jesus’ message from creation all the way to our Lord and Savior Christ to people who may have never heard before; people who can hardly comprehend a God who loves them as an individual and has a purpose for their lives; a God who wants to bless and use them. What a blessing it was to scatter the seed of God’s word in that village today.
We have two excellent translators (Cephas and Hama) that led us through the village and Mark stayed with the painting group all day to help translate there. Cephas and Hama are both believers and were extremely helpful in bridging culture gaps and even teaching us some theology along the way as well. We were surrounded by children from the moment we arrived, as we walked around the village sharing God’s message, to the moment we drove away (some were even still attached to the bush taxi as we left). I pray that our smiles and songs and hand-holding was a message of God’s love to them as well. Many of them heard us present the gospel multiple times as they never left our side.
Despite the fact that we spent a full 8 hours out and about today, everyone is still feeling healthy and staying hydrated (and taking their meds). I cannot begin to express how impressed I was (and always am) with our students’ resiliency. They worked EXTREMELY hard today in a hot, new climate and not one of them complained!! Please continue to pray for our safety, health and an open ear in a dark village who might HEAR Jesus’ truth and become the spark of a great revival!!
We have two excellent translators (Cephas and Hama) that led us through the village and Mark stayed with the painting group all day to help translate there. Cephas and Hama are both believers and were extremely helpful in bridging culture gaps and even teaching us some theology along the way as well. We were surrounded by children from the moment we arrived, as we walked around the village sharing God’s message, to the moment we drove away (some were even still attached to the bush taxi as we left). I pray that our smiles and songs and hand-holding was a message of God’s love to them as well. Many of them heard us present the gospel multiple times as they never left our side.
Despite the fact that we spent a full 8 hours out and about today, everyone is still feeling healthy and staying hydrated (and taking their meds). I cannot begin to express how impressed I was (and always am) with our students’ resiliency. They worked EXTREMELY hard today in a hot, new climate and not one of them complained!! Please continue to pray for our safety, health and an open ear in a dark village who might HEAR Jesus’ truth and become the spark of a great revival!!
some of the children that bombarded us
most of them held our hands the entire time we walked around sharing about Jesus
most of them held our hands the entire time we walked around sharing about Jesus
they didn't want us to leave and followed the bush taxi
(some of them were even hanging on to the back)
(some of them were even hanging on to the back)
Doug working hard at painting!!
I'll post before and after pictures later - this wall was CRAZY nasty!!
I'll post before and after pictures later - this wall was CRAZY nasty!!
Well you can tell my girls you succeeded in making me cry! :) I'm sooo grateful for this opportunity for them! Those little African children are precious - they tug at your heart, don't they?
ReplyDeleteWow! What an awesome opportunity! I am so proud of our group!
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