We have been back in California now since 11/19/11, enjoying our family & our extended church families in Monterey, Hollister, Santa Cruz, & Visalia where we have been invited to come share about God's ministry in Malawi. We will spending additional time with some our other children & families through Christmas, then back to Monterey/Salinas area for more meetings, then off to Calvary Chapel Forest Hills on 1/1/12, with our friend Pastor Jeff Jones. Then off to Murietta for the Annual Missions Conference from 1/2/12 thru 1/6/12.
Then we are privileged to attend the wedding of our friend, Katie Dinwiddie, our sweet sister whom we met in Malawi when she taught at the African Bible College on Saturday the 7th & then we will be at Flood Church in San Diego on Sunday the 8th to meet our brothers & sisters there along reuniting with our precious "interns" whom we fell in love with while they ministered in Malawi.(Annie, Sarah, Brock & Cameron)
We will be returning to the Monterey/Salinas area to speak at two additional churches and then we will fly to Seattle Washington to spend a week with our daughter Kelly & her family in Arlington, before heading back to our "family" in Malawi.
It has been & continues to be such a blessing to be home with our families & friends. However, we have really experienced some reverse cultural shock being back in the States. Going into grocery stores fully stocked shelves with reasonable prices, & when we went to a Super Wal-Mart, we almost lost it! (lol) We are truly blessed in America beyond measure! Cost of living in Malawi is comparable to the to the Monterey area, Gasoline at $12.00 per gallon, monthly water bill runs as high as $225 per month, Internet at $355.00 per month & the list goes on & on.
But the very outstanding news is that the ministry in Malawi is "exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or imagine", so just to clarify for those reading this blog, we LOVE living & ministering in Malaw! Why, because we are where God has sent us, doing what He has called us to do, & we are experiencing the joy of watching God work in the lives of our brothers & sisters of Malawi. God desires to bless the country & the people of Malawi, & we are witnessing Him doing just that!
Our prayers these past six months has been for the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers into the fields of Malawi, which are white unto harvest. Please join us as we continue to pray for this to happen as soon as possible, as we have so much more ministry opportunities than we can possibly handle by ourselves. What a great problem, more ministry than we can handle!
We are overwhelmed for the prayer support and at the faithful financial support we have received over the past three years. Without all of you holding the rope on this side of the ocean for us, we could not do what God has called us to do for His people of Malawi. We praise our Lord Jesus for allowing us to work in His fields, to teach, train, & disciple His saints in Malawi.God bless all of you as we "occupy" until the soon return of our Lord Jesus! We love & appreciate each one of you!!!
Merry Christmas & a wonderful New Year to one & all!
Steve & Nora
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
CC African Pastors Conference
We attended ( Steve Nora & Timothy) the 6th Annual CC Africa Pastors Conference from October 10th through the 14th at Simonstown, South Africa. The speakers this year were Pastors David Guzik of CC Santa Barbara, Jim Gallagher of CC Vero Beach,Fl., Rich Chaffin of CC Laguna Creek, & Phil Pechonis of CC Cornwall, U.K. The theme of the conference was "Faith & Fire", with these outstanding men teaching the entire Book of Daniel. Simply wonderful, in depth studies which all of us attending were very renewed & refocused!
There were 12 African nations represented there, coming from the southern nations of Africa. The worship was great, with teams from five different fellowships sharing in the worship time of the conference, including Gabon,a small nation located on the western coast of Africa.I am always moved as I listen to Native African worship, which is so unique & beautiful!
It is always so rewarding to renew old friendships & meeting new brethren serving in this very large continent of Africa. The fellowship we enjoyed were so sweet, encouraging, & the Lord allowed us to pray for one another in such a special manner, lifting the needs of these different works up to our Lord together. There were prayers of encouragement, words of knowledge, prophesy, & prayers for the continued strengthening of the missionaries & pastors for the work of taking the Gospel to a lost world in Africa.
We have included some photos taken at the conference to give you a flavor of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the joy we experienced together in Christ!
We also had the privilege of being with the Naaktgeboren's in Johannesburg, where we love to visit when ever we can. One of the days we were there, CC Jo'Burg had invited a ministry that ministers to 40 young girls (ages from 10-20), taken out of the child trafficking bondage & are being rehabilitated by this wonderful ministry. CC Jo'Burg provided a day of crafts, swimming, B-B-Q, a film on the life & ministry of Jesus Christ, & Timothy providing Christian Rap music. Following the film, Nora gave a brief message on the love of Jesus Christ for all of us and asked if there was any that would like to receive Jesus as their personal Lord & Savior. To the glory of God, all 40 of these girls indicated they wanted to do so & Nora led them to Jesus Christ in prayer. Just before they left this event, they were presented a package containing a number of feminine items special to young women. It was a special day for us to witness the work of the Holy Spirit in these young girls lives. Please be praying for them as they have come out of the most horrible conditions imaginable.
There were 12 African nations represented there, coming from the southern nations of Africa. The worship was great, with teams from five different fellowships sharing in the worship time of the conference, including Gabon,a small nation located on the western coast of Africa.I am always moved as I listen to Native African worship, which is so unique & beautiful!
It is always so rewarding to renew old friendships & meeting new brethren serving in this very large continent of Africa. The fellowship we enjoyed were so sweet, encouraging, & the Lord allowed us to pray for one another in such a special manner, lifting the needs of these different works up to our Lord together. There were prayers of encouragement, words of knowledge, prophesy, & prayers for the continued strengthening of the missionaries & pastors for the work of taking the Gospel to a lost world in Africa.
We have included some photos taken at the conference to give you a flavor of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the joy we experienced together in Christ!
We also had the privilege of being with the Naaktgeboren's in Johannesburg, where we love to visit when ever we can. One of the days we were there, CC Jo'Burg had invited a ministry that ministers to 40 young girls (ages from 10-20), taken out of the child trafficking bondage & are being rehabilitated by this wonderful ministry. CC Jo'Burg provided a day of crafts, swimming, B-B-Q, a film on the life & ministry of Jesus Christ, & Timothy providing Christian Rap music. Following the film, Nora gave a brief message on the love of Jesus Christ for all of us and asked if there was any that would like to receive Jesus as their personal Lord & Savior. To the glory of God, all 40 of these girls indicated they wanted to do so & Nora led them to Jesus Christ in prayer. Just before they left this event, they were presented a package containing a number of feminine items special to young women. It was a special day for us to witness the work of the Holy Spirit in these young girls lives. Please be praying for them as they have come out of the most horrible conditions imaginable.
Chipolopolo Malawi
WMI and Thirst Quenching Episode #2
Chipolopolo, Malawi
September 26-27-28-29, 2011
On our happy way again to another remote village named, Chipolopolo, it means “bullet” in English. WMI is busy working with the community leaders there and setting up a water purification system. Mr. Kastings Chilopa, a WMI contact, was our cheerful guide into this “tucked away” dusty village, that we would have never found on our own.
The Prado is packed, stacked and stuffed with 8 blessed people, supplies and equipment. We are so thankful that we have such a sturdy vehicle with a strong roof rack and two diesel tanks! God is, as always and ever, so faithful in providing exactly what is needed for these trips to the villages … as a team, we thank Him every day for all the provision and the open doors for the Gospel …. His Good Hand is upon us. May we never take any of this for granted because we are walking in Jesus’ footprints as we follow Him to these obscure places He loves so dearly.
The Jesus DVD
Upon our arrival and the warm welcome by the community and church leaders, we discovered that this village had never had any exposure to the Jesus Film, much less any other kind of visual ministry or teaching/training….excluding the WMI excellent training. A few of the older men had seen the Jesus film in another village many years ago but nothing recent and never in Chipolopolo. Needless to say, excitement ran through the village like wildfire. Several of our team took the megaphone and drove all around the fringes of the village announcing the showing of the film at the soccer (oops, football) field that evening. It is quite a sight to behold as a village spills out on an open field to view the story of Jesus’ life in full color and in their own language, Chichewa. They settled themselves by sitting in the dirt in groups, the children, at least 150 of them, together in front and about 100 youth, adults a little further back. They were attentive and “into” what was being shown about Jesus on the large screen…..from laughing, to being amazed, horrified with the torture and death of Jesus … to cheering His Victory over death. Imagine the impact on that dark starry night, the Gospel coming to life for the first time in Chipolopolo…. felt like we were on Holy ground. As far as we know, from later conversations, and our hearing all the voices praying the sinner’s prayer to receive Christ that night, many souls entered the Kingdom to the praise of His Name and the delight of angels. “Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” John 4:35 Amen!
A Life That Pleases Him
No one, except our Heavenly Father knows what is happening in the hearts of the people during these outreaches. But, during the four days of teaching The Word, worship, prayer and answering many questions, there was a definite change in the spiritual climate which began that first day with a very reserved attitude…. which is understandable. Presenting the life of Jesus that first night seemed to soften hearts and open ears. Everyday their understanding seemed to increase as demonstrated by their questions and consistent attendance at all the sessions. Several of the men had Bibles and only two of the women carried their own Bible to a small house separate from the Chief’s house where the majority of sessions took place. Two sessions divided the men from the women to address specific gender Titus 2 instruction. Again, facing spiritual resistance as culture and tradition was confronted by the Word of God, spoken in love and full of grace. All of this produced a hunger to grow in their understanding to know their Lord personally and how to live in a way that pleases Him. “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” 2 Cor. 5:9
The men were challenged to tell their wives and children that they loved them and to be kind . That suggestion caused quite a stir and their chattering went on until they were convinced that since God was faithfully communicating His love and kindness for them that they should follow His example and tell their families that they were loved and appreciated by the Husband/Father.… this was a step of faith for them. All the men said that they did this and were happy with the results. This is a good starting point for their families.
The group of women was a different kind of challenge. They were complaining about their husbands … not being the kind of man that they hoped. They scoffed when they were encouraged to pray for their husbands, saying that prayer would not make any difference because they had tried prayer before. After a lively discussion, it was discovered that they were praying “a miss” as in James 4:3. Their admission of lacking faith, wrong attitudes and motives brought them to reconsider their own walk.
As always, there are many requests for Bibles. We tried to buy 25 Bibles before we went to Chipolopolo but found that the recent inventory here in Lilongwe was sold out. We are praying for a new supply and consistent availability. The team will return and bring Bibles with more teaching, as they requested… “Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133
The children were with the team every day after school, they were taught Scripture…they had never heard John 3:16 before and memorized it … these are the same children that prayed the prayer to receive Christ during the Jesus Film. Worship, prayer and lots of fun games …. The highlight for them was receiving small bags of Jiggies … this is a huge treat!
We left the village with a strong desire to return and scores of kids running after the Prado waving good bye … they followed us until they could not keep up with us. We are so blessed to be part of what God is doing here in Malawi.
The following is Tim’s report from the prospective of seeing such a huge spiritual vacuum in village life for the youth and children. After all, they are the future for Malawi.
YOUTH MINISTRY – TIMOTHY
The Training of these Youth Ministers hit me a lot as they realized for the first time that we can teach the kids and have all the fun we can have! When we left the village there still will be a void and we can’t afford to live with the thought that those kids are not receiving any proper teachings. Just after Teaching about the importance of Kids and Youth ministry I received many compliments and words that reveal that there is a huge lack of Kids Church in Chipolopolo Village and surrounding. And when invitation was extended to those willing to be trained, six of the Youth came forth and expressed their desire to start leading kids Church in their various churches. I sat with them for the whole three days teaching and instructing them on how they can teach the Kids and youth. The Basic truth about God and Jesus, Bible lesson preparations, memory verses, invitations and some to do's and not to do.
Chipolopolo, Malawi
September 26-27-28-29, 2011
On our happy way again to another remote village named, Chipolopolo, it means “bullet” in English. WMI is busy working with the community leaders there and setting up a water purification system. Mr. Kastings Chilopa, a WMI contact, was our cheerful guide into this “tucked away” dusty village, that we would have never found on our own.
The Prado is packed, stacked and stuffed with 8 blessed people, supplies and equipment. We are so thankful that we have such a sturdy vehicle with a strong roof rack and two diesel tanks! God is, as always and ever, so faithful in providing exactly what is needed for these trips to the villages … as a team, we thank Him every day for all the provision and the open doors for the Gospel …. His Good Hand is upon us. May we never take any of this for granted because we are walking in Jesus’ footprints as we follow Him to these obscure places He loves so dearly.
The Jesus DVD
Upon our arrival and the warm welcome by the community and church leaders, we discovered that this village had never had any exposure to the Jesus Film, much less any other kind of visual ministry or teaching/training….excluding the WMI excellent training. A few of the older men had seen the Jesus film in another village many years ago but nothing recent and never in Chipolopolo. Needless to say, excitement ran through the village like wildfire. Several of our team took the megaphone and drove all around the fringes of the village announcing the showing of the film at the soccer (oops, football) field that evening. It is quite a sight to behold as a village spills out on an open field to view the story of Jesus’ life in full color and in their own language, Chichewa. They settled themselves by sitting in the dirt in groups, the children, at least 150 of them, together in front and about 100 youth, adults a little further back. They were attentive and “into” what was being shown about Jesus on the large screen…..from laughing, to being amazed, horrified with the torture and death of Jesus … to cheering His Victory over death. Imagine the impact on that dark starry night, the Gospel coming to life for the first time in Chipolopolo…. felt like we were on Holy ground. As far as we know, from later conversations, and our hearing all the voices praying the sinner’s prayer to receive Christ that night, many souls entered the Kingdom to the praise of His Name and the delight of angels. “Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” John 4:35 Amen!
A Life That Pleases Him
No one, except our Heavenly Father knows what is happening in the hearts of the people during these outreaches. But, during the four days of teaching The Word, worship, prayer and answering many questions, there was a definite change in the spiritual climate which began that first day with a very reserved attitude…. which is understandable. Presenting the life of Jesus that first night seemed to soften hearts and open ears. Everyday their understanding seemed to increase as demonstrated by their questions and consistent attendance at all the sessions. Several of the men had Bibles and only two of the women carried their own Bible to a small house separate from the Chief’s house where the majority of sessions took place. Two sessions divided the men from the women to address specific gender Titus 2 instruction. Again, facing spiritual resistance as culture and tradition was confronted by the Word of God, spoken in love and full of grace. All of this produced a hunger to grow in their understanding to know their Lord personally and how to live in a way that pleases Him. “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” 2 Cor. 5:9
The men were challenged to tell their wives and children that they loved them and to be kind . That suggestion caused quite a stir and their chattering went on until they were convinced that since God was faithfully communicating His love and kindness for them that they should follow His example and tell their families that they were loved and appreciated by the Husband/Father.… this was a step of faith for them. All the men said that they did this and were happy with the results. This is a good starting point for their families.
The group of women was a different kind of challenge. They were complaining about their husbands … not being the kind of man that they hoped. They scoffed when they were encouraged to pray for their husbands, saying that prayer would not make any difference because they had tried prayer before. After a lively discussion, it was discovered that they were praying “a miss” as in James 4:3. Their admission of lacking faith, wrong attitudes and motives brought them to reconsider their own walk.
As always, there are many requests for Bibles. We tried to buy 25 Bibles before we went to Chipolopolo but found that the recent inventory here in Lilongwe was sold out. We are praying for a new supply and consistent availability. The team will return and bring Bibles with more teaching, as they requested… “Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133
The children were with the team every day after school, they were taught Scripture…they had never heard John 3:16 before and memorized it … these are the same children that prayed the prayer to receive Christ during the Jesus Film. Worship, prayer and lots of fun games …. The highlight for them was receiving small bags of Jiggies … this is a huge treat!
We left the village with a strong desire to return and scores of kids running after the Prado waving good bye … they followed us until they could not keep up with us. We are so blessed to be part of what God is doing here in Malawi.
The following is Tim’s report from the prospective of seeing such a huge spiritual vacuum in village life for the youth and children. After all, they are the future for Malawi.
YOUTH MINISTRY – TIMOTHY
The Training of these Youth Ministers hit me a lot as they realized for the first time that we can teach the kids and have all the fun we can have! When we left the village there still will be a void and we can’t afford to live with the thought that those kids are not receiving any proper teachings. Just after Teaching about the importance of Kids and Youth ministry I received many compliments and words that reveal that there is a huge lack of Kids Church in Chipolopolo Village and surrounding. And when invitation was extended to those willing to be trained, six of the Youth came forth and expressed their desire to start leading kids Church in their various churches. I sat with them for the whole three days teaching and instructing them on how they can teach the Kids and youth. The Basic truth about God and Jesus, Bible lesson preparations, memory verses, invitations and some to do's and not to do.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Life Stories from Chorwe Malawi Africa
Thirst Quenching Episodes
Chorwe, Malawi
August/September 2011
There is nothing like going on an adventure that has a Godly purpose and direction. Going to this village of Chorwe, where there is a WMI water purification system already being established, being able to meet the community/church leaders to discover there is also a spiritual thirst there. But not knowing exactly how God wanted to work, since His ways are not our ways, we went to Him in prayer. God knows these dear people and what He has in mind for them, pure water for their daily lives and the Water of the Word for their lives in Him. It was discussed together with the community/church leaders and decided that the Jesus Film would be shown one night soon, followed up with evangelistic training using the Chichewa tract, “The Four Spiritual Laws” with an additional four day conference to include teaching/ training Pastors, leaders, women, youth and children.
This brought to mind the passage in John 7:37-38. Jesus on the last day, that great day of the feast, stood and cried out to all who were gathered (Lev.23:37); “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Here were some thirsty people! It was a joy to be warmly invited to return to present the Jesus Film, teach the Scriptures and even asked to please bring Bibles for the Pastors/leaders….they put their names on a list to be sure to receive a Bible when we returned to Chorwe.
Bibles - Chichewa Bibles were given out on the first day of the conference to the 19 men on the original list. These were the Pastors and leaders representing 10 local churches. A total of 25 Bibles were purchased and distributed, so 6 more attendees (5 of them women) who were not present at the first meeting, received a Bible to use during the 4 days. The Bibles were distributed every morning and collected at the end of the day to ensure that there would be Bibles on hand for all the actual teaching and training sessions.
At the end of the conference, all the Bibles were left as a gift to the attendees. There is an enormous need all through Malawi for Bibles in the villages … even many rural pastors do not have a Bible.
Their consistent attendance and promptness was such a blessing, maximizing the time we had together. What joy to see them searching the Bibles for the specific lesson verses, taking pages of notes, paying close attention, sitting on the bare concrete floors for hours, making strides to learn and ask questions. They were drinking from the wells of salvation. “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” Isa. 12:3 “I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land.” What a privilege to be sent to love and serve His very own Malawian treasures.
THE MAN ON HIS KNEES- He came in the building at the end of the morning session just at the lunch break on the third day. Drunk, dirty, in such poor disarray and promptly went down on his knees in front of Pastor Steve and Wisdom, the interrupter, asking, “I need help, I’m a drunkard, I’m drunk now.” The Pastor asked, “Do you really want help or are you just feeling sorry for yourself?” The man took the Pastor’s hands and said, “No, I need help to stop being a drunkard, I need the Lord’s help.”
For the next 15 minutes or so, the Pastor spoke the truth in love to this man (about 50 years old) whose life is being destroyed by his sin. He stated that he realized that he had no power to resist drinking or to change himself. He is separated from his wife who is living in another village. He drank every word of Scripture, every word of compassion and direction with pleading eyes and clutching hands. He never left his knees; he was a man in great despair. The prayer that was offered brought an encounter with the reality of the Lord’s power to do thru him what he cannot do for himself. It was such an incredible experience to witness the man rise from his knees and into the Pastors embrace before he walked out the door with the hope of a new life in Christ. We look forward to following up on him as we will return to Chorwe and because his brother is one of the village Pastors.
THE YOUNG WIFE- She was faithful to attend every session, very pregnant and due at any time as the baby had dropped. Yet, she was sitting on the hard floor along with all the other women, taking notes and participating in the Q & A’s. The last day, she came forward and asked for prayer, as she was leaving the next day for the clinic to wait for the baby’s birth. She was concerned about the birth as her first child was a stillborn, she then had a son and now she is having her third child in three years and fighting anemia. A darling young woman who is 22 yrs. old who is married to a Christian man who is 24 yrs. old. She says with a big smile he is good to her. We prayed with her for a safe delivery, a healthy child and a quick recovery from her anemia. We said good bye, hugged each other and told her that we would see her and her new child when we return.
THE FORGIVEN WIFE- She came forward the first day wanting to pray for God’s forgiveness as she had been unfaithful to her husband during his long absence. She was convicted by the Word and Spirit of God which brought her to His loving arms and courage to face what she had done. She severed the relationship with the other man and returned to her husband, expecting rejection, but found forgiveness instead. She asked that God would give her the love to love her husband and that she would be a good wife for him. She seems to be a very dear, contrite woman (about 40 yrs.) and so thankful for the cleansing blood of Jesus for her freedom to be able to live the life that pleases God.
She was also asking for prayer for God to open a door for her to use her gift of singing to glorify Him somehow. She knew one of the consequences of her sin (it was public, not much is hidden in the villages as they live so close to each other), was that she cannot belong to the church choir. It was a joy to remind her that every time she sings,no matter where she is, in her house, her garden or walking down the road; that she can glorify God...to the audience of one! We encouraged her to let Him decide what doors to open in the meantime; not to be impatient. She smiled …and stayed for the whole 4 days.
It is the hope that these short episodes, mere snapshots in the lives of these whomsoever’s, bring glory to the Lord and an increased knowledge of His intimate compassion and love for all who are thirsty.
Chorwe, Malawi
August/September 2011
There is nothing like going on an adventure that has a Godly purpose and direction. Going to this village of Chorwe, where there is a WMI water purification system already being established, being able to meet the community/church leaders to discover there is also a spiritual thirst there. But not knowing exactly how God wanted to work, since His ways are not our ways, we went to Him in prayer. God knows these dear people and what He has in mind for them, pure water for their daily lives and the Water of the Word for their lives in Him. It was discussed together with the community/church leaders and decided that the Jesus Film would be shown one night soon, followed up with evangelistic training using the Chichewa tract, “The Four Spiritual Laws” with an additional four day conference to include teaching/ training Pastors, leaders, women, youth and children.
This brought to mind the passage in John 7:37-38. Jesus on the last day, that great day of the feast, stood and cried out to all who were gathered (Lev.23:37); “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Here were some thirsty people! It was a joy to be warmly invited to return to present the Jesus Film, teach the Scriptures and even asked to please bring Bibles for the Pastors/leaders….they put their names on a list to be sure to receive a Bible when we returned to Chorwe.
Bibles - Chichewa Bibles were given out on the first day of the conference to the 19 men on the original list. These were the Pastors and leaders representing 10 local churches. A total of 25 Bibles were purchased and distributed, so 6 more attendees (5 of them women) who were not present at the first meeting, received a Bible to use during the 4 days. The Bibles were distributed every morning and collected at the end of the day to ensure that there would be Bibles on hand for all the actual teaching and training sessions.
At the end of the conference, all the Bibles were left as a gift to the attendees. There is an enormous need all through Malawi for Bibles in the villages … even many rural pastors do not have a Bible.
Their consistent attendance and promptness was such a blessing, maximizing the time we had together. What joy to see them searching the Bibles for the specific lesson verses, taking pages of notes, paying close attention, sitting on the bare concrete floors for hours, making strides to learn and ask questions. They were drinking from the wells of salvation. “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” Isa. 12:3 “I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land.” What a privilege to be sent to love and serve His very own Malawian treasures.
THE MAN ON HIS KNEES- He came in the building at the end of the morning session just at the lunch break on the third day. Drunk, dirty, in such poor disarray and promptly went down on his knees in front of Pastor Steve and Wisdom, the interrupter, asking, “I need help, I’m a drunkard, I’m drunk now.” The Pastor asked, “Do you really want help or are you just feeling sorry for yourself?” The man took the Pastor’s hands and said, “No, I need help to stop being a drunkard, I need the Lord’s help.”
For the next 15 minutes or so, the Pastor spoke the truth in love to this man (about 50 years old) whose life is being destroyed by his sin. He stated that he realized that he had no power to resist drinking or to change himself. He is separated from his wife who is living in another village. He drank every word of Scripture, every word of compassion and direction with pleading eyes and clutching hands. He never left his knees; he was a man in great despair. The prayer that was offered brought an encounter with the reality of the Lord’s power to do thru him what he cannot do for himself. It was such an incredible experience to witness the man rise from his knees and into the Pastors embrace before he walked out the door with the hope of a new life in Christ. We look forward to following up on him as we will return to Chorwe and because his brother is one of the village Pastors.
THE YOUNG WIFE- She was faithful to attend every session, very pregnant and due at any time as the baby had dropped. Yet, she was sitting on the hard floor along with all the other women, taking notes and participating in the Q & A’s. The last day, she came forward and asked for prayer, as she was leaving the next day for the clinic to wait for the baby’s birth. She was concerned about the birth as her first child was a stillborn, she then had a son and now she is having her third child in three years and fighting anemia. A darling young woman who is 22 yrs. old who is married to a Christian man who is 24 yrs. old. She says with a big smile he is good to her. We prayed with her for a safe delivery, a healthy child and a quick recovery from her anemia. We said good bye, hugged each other and told her that we would see her and her new child when we return.
THE FORGIVEN WIFE- She came forward the first day wanting to pray for God’s forgiveness as she had been unfaithful to her husband during his long absence. She was convicted by the Word and Spirit of God which brought her to His loving arms and courage to face what she had done. She severed the relationship with the other man and returned to her husband, expecting rejection, but found forgiveness instead. She asked that God would give her the love to love her husband and that she would be a good wife for him. She seems to be a very dear, contrite woman (about 40 yrs.) and so thankful for the cleansing blood of Jesus for her freedom to be able to live the life that pleases God.
She was also asking for prayer for God to open a door for her to use her gift of singing to glorify Him somehow. She knew one of the consequences of her sin (it was public, not much is hidden in the villages as they live so close to each other), was that she cannot belong to the church choir. It was a joy to remind her that every time she sings,no matter where she is, in her house, her garden or walking down the road; that she can glorify God...to the audience of one! We encouraged her to let Him decide what doors to open in the meantime; not to be impatient. She smiled …and stayed for the whole 4 days.
It is the hope that these short episodes, mere snapshots in the lives of these whomsoever’s, bring glory to the Lord and an increased knowledge of His intimate compassion and love for all who are thirsty.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
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