It sure has been a busy summer, but a great summer in ministry and one that I'm sure not to forget for a long time. Our 3rd and final group of the summer came to work with us here, and we had a wonderful time getting to know each other and sharing the gospel with people we came in contact with.
Team Poquoson was a group of mostly highschool kids and adult chaperones who came to share with the kids who speak English here. They were challenged by the sights and sounds here. I think they were mostly able to sleep through the daily call to prayers, but the animal noises, bugs, and the heat brought out the discomforts in many.
In ministry as missionaries we often begin by telling everyone to be flexible during the journey, because there's no telling when we will have to change plans. This came to be true early on. Our ladies were planning on sharing Bible stories in a nearby village. On the day this began, the people of the village decided they no longer wanted to hear these stories, and asked us not to share any longer. So the ladies said their goodbyes, and we looked for other opportunities of ministry.
The funny trick about ministering with English speakers in town is that nearly all of the highschool students are young men that speak well enough to carry on a conversation. The women, in being culturally appropriate, really had noone they could hang out with and carry on a conversation with. They were persistent in their daily prayer walks around town, but I'm sure they wanted to do more.
Another rough point happened when a man passed away who lived next door to Pat and Elliott. This created a 3 day time of mourning for the entire block, and further handcuffed what the group could do in ministry. We had to be quiet and respectful of the family, and many of their friends who came over daily were not coming over for respect of the family.
Despite this, the group continued to go and visit their friends. They were able to get out, visit their friends at their houses, and do more prayer walking. God truly opened doors through their outgoing spirits. They met several families that we have yet to meet here, sharing pictures, sharing stories, and introducing the gospel to these families. I think they made enough power bands to share with most every person they came in contact with, and even learned how to say the Wolof words to describe the colors of the power band and what the colors represented. I was very overwhelmed how God used their efforts. Now I look forward to continuing these relationships over the next few weeks.
I'm going to miss this group. Having them come again was like having old friends over. Us guys had a wonderful time talking at night, hanging out, prayer walking together, and just catching back up. Meeting the newer ones in the group and hearing their stories was wonderful, too. I look forward to getting the chance to greet them again soon.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
prayer with a purpose
In planning a vacation, do you typically a) decide to go somewhere last minute, and whatever sounds like a fun time you do spur of the moment, or b) have to plan days, months in advance what to do, where to go, and budget accordingly? I'm in the B group. This weekend I tried to do the A group stuff, but I just didn't have a good time going with the flow. I give it up to those that can do things spur of the moment, I just can't do it!
That's much of my frustration these days. I do like clear direction, lists, direct supervision, and even pats on the back when a job is completed and well done. I've developed my time here as best I can to give me those times of approval. Some days I will only accomplish "see a friend" but know that because I spent time with that person, it was a day that I planted a seed about my faith.
By faith we know that God can move mountains. And we commit ourselves to be his hands and feet wherever we go. Prayer can and does open hearts and minds, and leads us to work through our faith.
The challenge is of course the work. And lately the work that my teammates have planned seem to be destroyed. I'll quote those that I know: unable to direct VBS camp in a village, forbidden to do basketball clinic, not given permission to do medical clinic. All those have in common these things: they happened this last month, to our Wolof team, and all were encouraged by those of authority just prior to the time the work was to begin.
The work, the best made plans, has seemingly fallen through. You can only imagine the disappointment that I feel. Yes, I know the first step in being a worker of God is to be flexible (if I had a nickel every time I've heard or said that myself). But I'm starting to test my elasticity these days. Elasticity measures the flexibility of an object. If it is elastic, it can be stretched and after tension releases it comes back to it's original shape. A rubber band is often thought of in this way as being very elastic. My elasticity is being tested, how will I bounce back form this? I'm not sure that I'm ready to make new plans in work. I'm not sure that I have my optimistic frame of mind when we break the huddle of the next plan.
So I'm brought back to prayer. And prayer with a purpose. My purpose in writing this is to inform you how you can pray for our Wolof team and for missions as a whole. This is my prayer today:
"God, you know the hearts of these people. You call them to yourself just as you died to all people. Lord, I admit that I am just a child, your child, who does not understand all of your ways. My desire, Lord, is that one day the Wolof people will come to know you. I know many are working among them today who may also be like me and feel discouraged. Open my eyes, Lord, and help me to listen to your calling upon my life. Allow me to be better molded and used by you today and these next 4 months to be your servant for the Wolof. Encourage others like me to continue in their work that you have ordained in their lives to do. May this be pleasing to your sight. Amen"
You all know that I don't like to sound discouraged. And I don't intend to be. My elasticity is going to test well, I am still very optimistic. It takes time to work among Mslim believers. Please pray for our next team. They arrive this week and will be here for 2 weeks. I look forward to working with them and will write you stories about their trip after they have visited. Until then!
That's much of my frustration these days. I do like clear direction, lists, direct supervision, and even pats on the back when a job is completed and well done. I've developed my time here as best I can to give me those times of approval. Some days I will only accomplish "see a friend" but know that because I spent time with that person, it was a day that I planted a seed about my faith.
By faith we know that God can move mountains. And we commit ourselves to be his hands and feet wherever we go. Prayer can and does open hearts and minds, and leads us to work through our faith.
The challenge is of course the work. And lately the work that my teammates have planned seem to be destroyed. I'll quote those that I know: unable to direct VBS camp in a village, forbidden to do basketball clinic, not given permission to do medical clinic. All those have in common these things: they happened this last month, to our Wolof team, and all were encouraged by those of authority just prior to the time the work was to begin.
The work, the best made plans, has seemingly fallen through. You can only imagine the disappointment that I feel. Yes, I know the first step in being a worker of God is to be flexible (if I had a nickel every time I've heard or said that myself). But I'm starting to test my elasticity these days. Elasticity measures the flexibility of an object. If it is elastic, it can be stretched and after tension releases it comes back to it's original shape. A rubber band is often thought of in this way as being very elastic. My elasticity is being tested, how will I bounce back form this? I'm not sure that I'm ready to make new plans in work. I'm not sure that I have my optimistic frame of mind when we break the huddle of the next plan.
So I'm brought back to prayer. And prayer with a purpose. My purpose in writing this is to inform you how you can pray for our Wolof team and for missions as a whole. This is my prayer today:
"God, you know the hearts of these people. You call them to yourself just as you died to all people. Lord, I admit that I am just a child, your child, who does not understand all of your ways. My desire, Lord, is that one day the Wolof people will come to know you. I know many are working among them today who may also be like me and feel discouraged. Open my eyes, Lord, and help me to listen to your calling upon my life. Allow me to be better molded and used by you today and these next 4 months to be your servant for the Wolof. Encourage others like me to continue in their work that you have ordained in their lives to do. May this be pleasing to your sight. Amen"
You all know that I don't like to sound discouraged. And I don't intend to be. My elasticity is going to test well, I am still very optimistic. It takes time to work among Mslim believers. Please pray for our next team. They arrive this week and will be here for 2 weeks. I look forward to working with them and will write you stories about their trip after they have visited. Until then!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
free time!!
You gotta love it when your supervisor tells you to "get some rest" for a period of 2 weeks. You see what the work load was for us during the month of June. Volunteer teams are great, and I love having them come. They are such an encouragement as well as an inspiration for us the workers living here. But many long days and laughter add up to short nights and much energy spent. I've taken the last week to rest up for our last group who comes so that I may be strong for them. And I can't let these kids out energize me!
So what have I done? Sleep? Not really. It's 100 degrees in my house at night these days. I just can't seem to get it cooled after the sun shines on the house all day long. What I have done, though, is read. I'm on book #3. I read a James Bond book and I read a John Grisham book already. This book that I am on now is the Borne Identity. It's been a surprisingly good book. For those of you who never have read the book but seen the movie, it's NOTHING like the movie. Honestly the only similarity is the 2 characters and that Borne has no memory of who he really is. Everything else is so much better! There's more action, more twists, and of course more detail. I highly recommend this book.
I've also gone to Dakar to spend the day at Goree Island. You can read more about Goree here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gor%C3%A9e
The short story is that it was once a slave trading site where ships would come and take slaves to the Americas (both north and south). They have a slave house that is open for touring. It's amazing how small the quarters were for the people to sleep. And it reminds the tourists that those slaves who didn't die during the voyage arrived weak and malnourished. Goree is a very popular tourist site in Senegal with many sellers offering paintings, jewelry, cloth, and musical instruments to would-be buyers. They have a few museums there (I really enjoyed seeing the museum today) a school, a few government buildings, and many other attractions. Mom and George, I apologize for not taking you guys to see this. From what I saw the first time I visited, it wasn't worth the trip. Today after getting to see it, I was more aware of all that it offered.
I've also got good intentions to still do a few visits with neighbors and friends. I haven't visited much so far this week (just 2 villages), but I do want to get out tomorrow and friday to see some good friends here in Mekhe. One person wants me to play the guitar for him and his family. When all this is done, Saturday I'm taking a weekend vacation to Saly, our beach not too far away. I will go there with the intent to read, swim, and listen to the NASCAR race online.
So that's what's been going on these last few weeks. I do feel rested up and don't want to overdo it before the next group comes. I'll be ready for them!!
So what have I done? Sleep? Not really. It's 100 degrees in my house at night these days. I just can't seem to get it cooled after the sun shines on the house all day long. What I have done, though, is read. I'm on book #3. I read a James Bond book and I read a John Grisham book already. This book that I am on now is the Borne Identity. It's been a surprisingly good book. For those of you who never have read the book but seen the movie, it's NOTHING like the movie. Honestly the only similarity is the 2 characters and that Borne has no memory of who he really is. Everything else is so much better! There's more action, more twists, and of course more detail. I highly recommend this book.
I've also gone to Dakar to spend the day at Goree Island. You can read more about Goree here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gor%C3%A9e
The short story is that it was once a slave trading site where ships would come and take slaves to the Americas (both north and south). They have a slave house that is open for touring. It's amazing how small the quarters were for the people to sleep. And it reminds the tourists that those slaves who didn't die during the voyage arrived weak and malnourished. Goree is a very popular tourist site in Senegal with many sellers offering paintings, jewelry, cloth, and musical instruments to would-be buyers. They have a few museums there (I really enjoyed seeing the museum today) a school, a few government buildings, and many other attractions. Mom and George, I apologize for not taking you guys to see this. From what I saw the first time I visited, it wasn't worth the trip. Today after getting to see it, I was more aware of all that it offered.
I've also got good intentions to still do a few visits with neighbors and friends. I haven't visited much so far this week (just 2 villages), but I do want to get out tomorrow and friday to see some good friends here in Mekhe. One person wants me to play the guitar for him and his family. When all this is done, Saturday I'm taking a weekend vacation to Saly, our beach not too far away. I will go there with the intent to read, swim, and listen to the NASCAR race online.
So that's what's been going on these last few weeks. I do feel rested up and don't want to overdo it before the next group comes. I'll be ready for them!!
july newsletter
Hi friends! I hope this finds each of you enjoying your summer together-relaxing by the pool, mowing grass, sleeping late, and beating the heat. I always enjoy the summertime, though it seems that's the time I'm the most busy. Busy is good, and I'd like to tell you briefly what my summer has held for me so far.
Elliott, Pat, and myself have hosted 2 volunteer groups this summer. The 2nd week of June my friend Karen and her mom, Janice, came and visited for a week. They came to share stories and walk for the Wolof. We had a good time catching up and visiting with friends. We got to see the high school english club perform, we visited the mayor and had a great visit with his speech writer. And we visited several villages with the intent to share stories and build relationships in each village. Unfortunately we didn't get the opportunity to share a story, however, relationships were built and I know God will ordain a future time for stories to be shared in those villages. Please pray for these villages and the people who live here that God will speak to their hearts through future stories. May they be curious about knowing who He is. Incidently, that's my personal assignment for the next 4 months. I do plan to get out to these 2 areas at least once every week with the intent to share a story to the people.
The next group that came was from Fayetteville, NC!!! Small world we live in. There were people from a church actually in Linden who have known Elliott and Pat for over 25 years!! And they were able to come and plan a 3 day medical clinic in a village close by. Unfortunately we weren't able to do the medical work that we had planned, but it didn't stop us from visiting villages, walking for the Wolof, and having a good time together. I think the biggest praise in this manner was the ministering that this group of 3 was able to do for Elliott and Pat. I could tell from looking at them during the week how uplifted they both were. Please pray for Elliott and Pat as they continue their work among the Wolof. I can attest to how dry the work is here. And you've seen from these 2 examples how darkness can stop the best made plans so work cannot be done. Elliott is in the states right now visiting his father who is recovering from an operation. Pray for the healing of his dad and for the separation he and Pat are having to face. Be strong, guys!
Bet you thought our summer was over? Not quite. We still have one final group coming. They arrive next week and will spend 2 exciting weeks working with high school kids here. This group has been here before, and will continue building relationships with friends they already know as well as visiting new kids they may meet. Please pray for Justin and his group of 10 who will come and work with highschool students. Pray that they will have energy and enthusiam to play soccer, dance, and share stories that impact these students' lives.
Thanks for the empty hands held high in prayer. I love each of you!
Elliott, Pat, and myself have hosted 2 volunteer groups this summer. The 2nd week of June my friend Karen and her mom, Janice, came and visited for a week. They came to share stories and walk for the Wolof. We had a good time catching up and visiting with friends. We got to see the high school english club perform, we visited the mayor and had a great visit with his speech writer. And we visited several villages with the intent to share stories and build relationships in each village. Unfortunately we didn't get the opportunity to share a story, however, relationships were built and I know God will ordain a future time for stories to be shared in those villages. Please pray for these villages and the people who live here that God will speak to their hearts through future stories. May they be curious about knowing who He is. Incidently, that's my personal assignment for the next 4 months. I do plan to get out to these 2 areas at least once every week with the intent to share a story to the people.
The next group that came was from Fayetteville, NC!!! Small world we live in. There were people from a church actually in Linden who have known Elliott and Pat for over 25 years!! And they were able to come and plan a 3 day medical clinic in a village close by. Unfortunately we weren't able to do the medical work that we had planned, but it didn't stop us from visiting villages, walking for the Wolof, and having a good time together. I think the biggest praise in this manner was the ministering that this group of 3 was able to do for Elliott and Pat. I could tell from looking at them during the week how uplifted they both were. Please pray for Elliott and Pat as they continue their work among the Wolof. I can attest to how dry the work is here. And you've seen from these 2 examples how darkness can stop the best made plans so work cannot be done. Elliott is in the states right now visiting his father who is recovering from an operation. Pray for the healing of his dad and for the separation he and Pat are having to face. Be strong, guys!
Bet you thought our summer was over? Not quite. We still have one final group coming. They arrive next week and will spend 2 exciting weeks working with high school kids here. This group has been here before, and will continue building relationships with friends they already know as well as visiting new kids they may meet. Please pray for Justin and his group of 10 who will come and work with highschool students. Pray that they will have energy and enthusiam to play soccer, dance, and share stories that impact these students' lives.
Thanks for the empty hands held high in prayer. I love each of you!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Team 2
From Jun 15-23 our team hosted a team of 3 volunteers from Fayetteville, NC, who came here for a medical volunteer assistance trip. We unfortunately were not able to do any health care work in villages as originally planned, but we had a wonderful time getting to know each other. We spent the week prayer walking over ministry here, we visited a few villages close by, and did some general ministry meeting friends.
I had a great time playing games and getting to know these people. They were fun to be around. I'm often teased around here, and enjoy the good humor that comes from that. But to see their passion for wanting to help others was truly remarkable. I'm grateful they were able to come, and despite our first plans not to have worked out, grateful that they were able to minister to Pat and Elliott. These are long time friends of the Nichols, and I know it warmed their hearts to see them come and visit for this week.
Now I am going to rest up in preparation for our next group which arrives in 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to some relaxing time. I plan to spend a few days in villages saying hi to friends. I have a friend who has shown incredible interest in hearing stories, and this will be an area that I will concentrate in the next weeks and months ahead. I'll probably do some reading in my spare time, too.
I had a great time playing games and getting to know these people. They were fun to be around. I'm often teased around here, and enjoy the good humor that comes from that. But to see their passion for wanting to help others was truly remarkable. I'm grateful they were able to come, and despite our first plans not to have worked out, grateful that they were able to minister to Pat and Elliott. These are long time friends of the Nichols, and I know it warmed their hearts to see them come and visit for this week.
Now I am going to rest up in preparation for our next group which arrives in 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to some relaxing time. I plan to spend a few days in villages saying hi to friends. I have a friend who has shown incredible interest in hearing stories, and this will be an area that I will concentrate in the next weeks and months ahead. I'll probably do some reading in my spare time, too.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Vol. group 1
This past week was a really fun week. Karen and Janice came to visit and work as a mother-daughter volunteer group with the Wolof people. We had plans to keep them busy during the week sharing about their stories from home and hoping to get the chance to share Bible stories. Here's some of the highlights of the week:
Saturday they arrived safe and sound. I picked them up from the airport and we headed up the highway to Ngaye. We were invited to join the local high school's English Club's end of year performance. Though it was supposed to start at 10, it started after 12 and ended after 3:30. It was a long performance. A few minor complaints were that yes it started way too late to drag so far after lunch time. And while a few of the cultural lessons were important to teach, the actors were too risque in telling the story. I was embarrassed for my guests.
We spent the rest of the weekend resting up, and we had a worship service Sunday morning together. We did go for a walk in the market, greeting people and seeing some of the sights around Ngaye.
Monday morning we visited the market, did some prayer walking around the neighborhood, and after lunch visited a village. Unfortunately this village had experienced a death, so it was not appropriate to stay. We greeted the family that I am friends with, and I promised to return when I could visit at a better time.
Tuesday everyone met at my house to prayer walk around my neighborhood. We saw the school, greeted some of my neighbors, and prayed for some of the mosques and religious teachers in the area. I let them greet 2 of my neighbors and see inside the compounds. They entertained us as we talked, and we left to go back for lunch. After lunch we left to go and visit village #2 for the week. This village houses one of my best friends here, and they were very excited when we arrived. We greeted the people, had some great conversations, saw a lot of pictures. Pat had a good spiritual conversation with a man there, a man that I have often talked to about spiritual things, too. Karen got to talk in French to some of the people. It was a very warm visit.
And Wednesday Karen and Janice went to the market in Ngaye to get some fabric to make outfits when they return home. We all did our last morning of prayer walking, seeing a house that is home to some of the talibe boys that are learning from the religious leaders and begging during the day around the town to earn their keep. As we walked we also prayed for the neighborhood, the people working, for food to be plentiful and for a good rainy season for the crops this year. We had an invitation to visit the mayor of Ngaye this morning, and visited with him and 2 of his co-workers. It was a brief meeting about what Janice and Karen do in the states, and them telling us of some of the cultural lessons and foods in Senegal.
The afternoon saw us visit village #3. This village just had a new baby! Just this day the baby was born-the father was my good friend that introduced me to the village, and he was away getting a birth certificate. We got to share about work in America, and they talked about the work they do in the village. After talking, we spend 30 minutes playing soccer with the kids. Karen and Janice presented balls for the children, and we left to happy faces.
Unfortunately we didn't get to share any stories during the week. With just women in the group we were conciencious of being culturally appropriate. Women cannot teach men, and cannot really teach children without direct permission. We asked in villages 2 and 3, but it just wasn't appropriate to teach.
But I feel that we were able to make some great connections. Visiting the English club, the mayor, and the 2 good visits in the villages, I thought it was a pretty successful week. I really wish we had been able to share stories this week. I continue to pray that God will use these contacts that we made this week to draw the people to himself. Maybe something could have been said so that they are more receptive in the future in hearing stories from God's Word.
Saturday they arrived safe and sound. I picked them up from the airport and we headed up the highway to Ngaye. We were invited to join the local high school's English Club's end of year performance. Though it was supposed to start at 10, it started after 12 and ended after 3:30. It was a long performance. A few minor complaints were that yes it started way too late to drag so far after lunch time. And while a few of the cultural lessons were important to teach, the actors were too risque in telling the story. I was embarrassed for my guests.
We spent the rest of the weekend resting up, and we had a worship service Sunday morning together. We did go for a walk in the market, greeting people and seeing some of the sights around Ngaye.
Monday morning we visited the market, did some prayer walking around the neighborhood, and after lunch visited a village. Unfortunately this village had experienced a death, so it was not appropriate to stay. We greeted the family that I am friends with, and I promised to return when I could visit at a better time.
Tuesday everyone met at my house to prayer walk around my neighborhood. We saw the school, greeted some of my neighbors, and prayed for some of the mosques and religious teachers in the area. I let them greet 2 of my neighbors and see inside the compounds. They entertained us as we talked, and we left to go back for lunch. After lunch we left to go and visit village #2 for the week. This village houses one of my best friends here, and they were very excited when we arrived. We greeted the people, had some great conversations, saw a lot of pictures. Pat had a good spiritual conversation with a man there, a man that I have often talked to about spiritual things, too. Karen got to talk in French to some of the people. It was a very warm visit.
And Wednesday Karen and Janice went to the market in Ngaye to get some fabric to make outfits when they return home. We all did our last morning of prayer walking, seeing a house that is home to some of the talibe boys that are learning from the religious leaders and begging during the day around the town to earn their keep. As we walked we also prayed for the neighborhood, the people working, for food to be plentiful and for a good rainy season for the crops this year. We had an invitation to visit the mayor of Ngaye this morning, and visited with him and 2 of his co-workers. It was a brief meeting about what Janice and Karen do in the states, and them telling us of some of the cultural lessons and foods in Senegal.
The afternoon saw us visit village #3. This village just had a new baby! Just this day the baby was born-the father was my good friend that introduced me to the village, and he was away getting a birth certificate. We got to share about work in America, and they talked about the work they do in the village. After talking, we spend 30 minutes playing soccer with the kids. Karen and Janice presented balls for the children, and we left to happy faces.
Unfortunately we didn't get to share any stories during the week. With just women in the group we were conciencious of being culturally appropriate. Women cannot teach men, and cannot really teach children without direct permission. We asked in villages 2 and 3, but it just wasn't appropriate to teach.
But I feel that we were able to make some great connections. Visiting the English club, the mayor, and the 2 good visits in the villages, I thought it was a pretty successful week. I really wish we had been able to share stories this week. I continue to pray that God will use these contacts that we made this week to draw the people to himself. Maybe something could have been said so that they are more receptive in the future in hearing stories from God's Word.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
June ministry update
This year really has gone by fast. And with that I know my time left here is going to continue to zoom by. So I know to be intentional about what I do and who I speak with as my time winds down.
I'll first share briefly about my 3 neighbors. I have 3 separate people whom I'm beginning to develop good relationships with. One is a welder that lives in front of me. He is always asking about my guitar and inviting me over to his house for evening tea. I have been a few times and talked with his parents as well as him, just sharing casual conversation. It has dawned on me that I should tell him more about my guitar and why I have it. I brought it to lead worship songs, and he'd be delighted to hear that I use it when I sing to God.
A young man who lives in a village close by but stays 2 houses down from me and I have been talking a lot lately about a lot of things. One day I noticed that he wasn't getting ready for their friday prayer time-which is the most sacred time to pray for Muslims. I'd be similar to a devoted Christian not going to church on Sunday morning. So I asked him, "aren't you going to go and pray." he replied, "no I want to be a follower of Jesus, like you." Well, this floored me. And I wondered what level he was speaking on. Does he see me as a lazy believer, never seeing me pray and thinking that it must be easy to be a follower of Jesus? Or was he serious? I haven't had a moment alone with him to ask more as he's been away since that weekend, but in weeks to come I do plan to speak to him more about my faith.
Another neighbor who lives just next door and I have been talking a lot this week and the week before. He visited 2 separate villages with me and fell in love with some of the girls in those villages! He also has heard me share briefly about my faith to these people, and yet he still enjoys hanging around. So my work hasn't scared him away. I plan to develop this relationship so that he truly hears the gospel message and can choose for himself whom he will serve.
On that note, I plan to spend some time with each of these people this month and next. My other goal is to work in 2 separate areas sharing stories in villages that I come to. I would like for the people that I visit to know the God I serve, hear the gospel message, and hear it clearly enough to choose who they will serve. I pray that God will motivate me to share-this is going to be a big task. But I am confident that by his grace he can use me to speak to these people.
We have volunteer teams coming this month that will also assist in sharing stories to these villages. One group is coming for story telling and prayer walking June 5-12. Another group comes the 15-22 to do a medical clinic. Please lift these groups up in your prayers. And please pray for me to continue sharing about our risen Lord!
I'll first share briefly about my 3 neighbors. I have 3 separate people whom I'm beginning to develop good relationships with. One is a welder that lives in front of me. He is always asking about my guitar and inviting me over to his house for evening tea. I have been a few times and talked with his parents as well as him, just sharing casual conversation. It has dawned on me that I should tell him more about my guitar and why I have it. I brought it to lead worship songs, and he'd be delighted to hear that I use it when I sing to God.
A young man who lives in a village close by but stays 2 houses down from me and I have been talking a lot lately about a lot of things. One day I noticed that he wasn't getting ready for their friday prayer time-which is the most sacred time to pray for Muslims. I'd be similar to a devoted Christian not going to church on Sunday morning. So I asked him, "aren't you going to go and pray." he replied, "no I want to be a follower of Jesus, like you." Well, this floored me. And I wondered what level he was speaking on. Does he see me as a lazy believer, never seeing me pray and thinking that it must be easy to be a follower of Jesus? Or was he serious? I haven't had a moment alone with him to ask more as he's been away since that weekend, but in weeks to come I do plan to speak to him more about my faith.
Another neighbor who lives just next door and I have been talking a lot this week and the week before. He visited 2 separate villages with me and fell in love with some of the girls in those villages! He also has heard me share briefly about my faith to these people, and yet he still enjoys hanging around. So my work hasn't scared him away. I plan to develop this relationship so that he truly hears the gospel message and can choose for himself whom he will serve.
On that note, I plan to spend some time with each of these people this month and next. My other goal is to work in 2 separate areas sharing stories in villages that I come to. I would like for the people that I visit to know the God I serve, hear the gospel message, and hear it clearly enough to choose who they will serve. I pray that God will motivate me to share-this is going to be a big task. But I am confident that by his grace he can use me to speak to these people.
We have volunteer teams coming this month that will also assist in sharing stories to these villages. One group is coming for story telling and prayer walking June 5-12. Another group comes the 15-22 to do a medical clinic. Please lift these groups up in your prayers. And please pray for me to continue sharing about our risen Lord!
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