Wednesday 10.20 Recap

What an incredible first day of ministry!!

Half of the group started off the day by meeting with a group of women who provide home-based care for people suffering with HIV/AIDS. Natalie shared scripture and a word of encouragement with the women, and then we prayed for them one-on-one before going with them to visit their patients. We broke into groups and joined the caregivers in their home visits. I’m at a total loss for words to describe what we encountered. Our hearts were heavy as we encountered people with almost nothing to their name but a deadly diagnosis.  Yet, it’s in the darkest of places where light can shine brightest. Our groups had the opportunity to spend time with the people, talking and praying with them, bringing them a message of present and eternal hope, singing with them, and reminding them that God has not forgotten them.  We were blessed as we saw the joy they possessed in the midst of indescribable hardship, and the compassion they showed in caring for one another. It was a remarkable and humbling experience that we can’t forget.

Meanwhile, the other half of our group went to the location in Ombili where we held our service tonight. They went from home to home, inviting people to the service, praying with them, and leading them to the Lord. Lissette shared a wonderful testimony that she had the opportunity to lead 6 people to Christ in their homes! Pastor Eran’s team prayed for healing for a woman with a knee injury. When they finished praying, she said that her knee felt better! She was so amazed that she said she had to find out more, and she would be at the service tonight.  To the team’s delight, she was true to her word and even came forward for prayer at the end of the service! This morning in our team devotions, Peter read from Mark 16, which states that signs and wonders would confirm the truth of the Word. That is our prayer, and we saw that happen tonight! We ask that you join us in praying that God would continue to show himself to the people of Namibia in miraculous ways that only He could take credit for, so that people may know he is greater than any drug, any relationship, or any witch doctor.

Following the visits, Andrea led the team in a children’s program at Pandukeni kindergarten. The children were so precious and so receptive to the team. They eagerly learned some of our songs, and they proudly shared some of their songs with us as well.

We had a powerful time of prayer before the service. Though there were only a few people from the location there, it sounded like the most incredible choir as they boldly lifted their voices to God, desperately praying that Namibia would turn to the one true God. Lissette and Andrea shared scripture and led out in prayer. Jeff and the team led worship – I wish you could see how the people responded to O Happy Day! They were jumping and dancing, and their was an overwhelming sense of joy and freedom as they sang. The team had their first opportunity to perform the dramas tonight – although everyone was a little nervous doing them the first time, they did a fantastic job! Tonight we saw the acting skills of Pam, Myla, Charlene, Emily, Lissette, Zac, Mark, Maya, Natalie, Jade, Elyse, and Peter.  Following the Mask skit, Mark shared a moving personal testimony. Following the Puppet skit, Lissette shared  a message of freedom in Christ. Afterwards, we dismissed the children for games and music outside, and Melissa preached a message to the adults which was so relevant to them. Each team member played a vital and unique role in the service tonight, whether playing with a hundred children in the church parking lot or leading worship or praying for needs at the altar. It’s beautiful to see everyone’s gifts and passions come together in such a perfect and complete way.

Tomorrow we will be spending the day at Kalkfeld, doing several school assemblies, hosting and playing in a volleyball tournament, and doing an evening service.

We are so grateful for all your prayers – we feel them and we rely on them! Here are a few things you can keep in prayer:

1. Many of our team members will have the opportunity to share testimonies and messages tomorrow, so pray that God would give them the words to say and the boldness to do it.
2. A couple of our team members are feeling slightly under the weather (probably from being tired and adjusting to the dry climate) so pray that their bodies would be fully restored and they would wake up feeling well-rested with renewed strength.
3. We want to have the faith to pray BIG prayers for people, that as God leads us, we would not just pray for strength and peace, but we would have the boldness and faith to pray for healing and miracles. Pray that God would give us wisdom to know how to pray and courage to pray as he leads, realizing that HE is responsible for the results and not us.
   

Loving Africa, missing you,

Pastor Courtney and the team

P.S. The internet is very slow here this year. We will do our best to get photos up and updates posted, but video and skype will be nearly impossible. Know that we love you and miss you all! Thanks for your comments – they are so encouraging!