This was written on Sunday...and finally posted today!! Gota spend more time on the computer!
Sunday is always a special day of the week. Our work during the week is to see children come to know our Lord and it often involves the tedious and most often difficult tasks. Everything we do should be for His glory and to reach people. That was the message this morning and it is what we strive for daily. Sunday’s are special because we gather as a group of believers to worship Christ. What a thrill to sing those songs of praise to God!
I had a couple of conversations after the service.
First was with Anne. She is a provider of child care for the disadvantaged and a Christ-follower. It was thrilling to rejoice with her and celebrate the healing of her son of TB. She praised God that in 4 months he was free of the disease. TB is a huge, huge problem here and the strains that thrive are the vaccine-resistant ones.
Anne also related how God provided a church with a wonderful pastor in Welkom Baptist. She had been having “Sunday School” in her “cresh” (daycare) for several months after a local church had “dumped” them. You see, a church was holding services at her cresh and seeing people come to God when they just decided that they, for whatever reason, could no longer continue. Anne kept the little “church” alive and taught the 40-50 children God’s Word and there were up to 10 adults who would attend as well. The adults wanted to give their tithe to Anne but she could not accept as she was not a pastor and the “church” was not really a church...in her words at least. This observer saw that there were more than 2 or 3 gathered in God’s name and they were indeed a branch of His church! God did open the doors at Welkom Baptist and now the 40-50 people she has influenced all attend every Sunday! Praise the Lord for His provision and praise Him for faithful people like Anne. I am humbled and honored to be able to rub shoulders with people like Anne. She makes our efforts look so easy and makes our life look very cushy. Yes, we live in a cottage but Anne lives in a small apartment and has never known a lost child that she could not find a way to feed, clothe or house. God bless Anne!
Joel and Lucia are missionaries from Brazil to the Portuguese speaking people in South Africa. They were able to attend church today since their ministry schedule allowed. Joel shared how he and Lucia work all year long and often are discouraged because they don’t see much fruit BUT then they take a spiritual inventory at the end of the year and find out what God was doing through their faithfulness all year long! They are excited to share God’s reaching people from Mozanbek. Joel also related how the South African people are steeped in witchcraft more than the people in Brazil and even Mozanbek. The families make it an integral part of family life to the point that a person who accepts Christ as savior must often give up their family. Joel shared that there is a lady at Church this morning who is struggling with this very thing. She says she has placed her trust in Christ but will not turn from the witchcraft that has such a strong hold on her. Joel relates that she never really has accepted Christ. Again, what a privilege to know people like Joel and Lucia.
This is a long post and I must relate that God grabbed me today and I just had to write down these experiences. There is plenty to pray for and plenty to work toward.
Activity at the village is pretty much routine. I relish the opportunities to share God with the children here. They happen frequently--as frequently as we have time with them. Time in the garden and times just visiting or playing.
Anne in center
Anne with some of her crew
