NEWS FROM AFRICA
Greetings Everyone! February 20, 2004
Erton, Lydia and I have been here in the mission house for almost three weeks, and Russell and Lynn almost two, and we are becoming well established as A FAMILY. I love it! Russell has started a vegetable garden in the back yard, and Lynn has become cook and housekeeper. Because of that, Lydia is getting enough rest - praise the Lord. Erton is falling in love with Bible software and spent almost all of yesterday deep in the computer. I am still very busy writing devotionals for the "Forty Days of Purpose" project.
Most
evenings we gather in the living room (called the "lounge") to pray, talk,
discuss the Bible and usually share Communion. Other people are starting to drop
in with more regularity. On Wednesday the lady we prayed for in the grocery
store came and went off to church with Erton, while Russell, Lynn and I went to
the Board meeting of "Grace Outreach" - a project involving a number of churches
to provide shelter, food and Truth to the poor and homeless. This sort of thing
is right up Russell and Lynn's alley, and I think they have a lot to offer this
project. Last night the lady who delivered my bed dropped by to give us some
fruit (very nice!) and to chat. Both of these ladies, as well as various others,
are coming on Tuesday for the first of what we believe will be regular
gatherings here in the house for fellowship, teaching, and prayer. We are !
expecting about a dozen - so I'll need to organize some more chairs! If these
meetings continue, and especially if they grow, we will start looking into how
we can move them to a larger place in town. It is not easy for those without
vehicles to get here (20 minute or more walk from town).
Hans,
the optometrist who prescribed my new glasses, is also the leader of one of the
"Forty Days of Purpose" groups at the Methodist church and is putting the
devotionals I write on his web site. It is: www.goodthingsfree.com So far he
only has the current day's devotional up, but I'm going to ask him to also make
an archive that has them all (so that whoever wants to can download and use
them).
I preached on Sunday, and have been asked to do so once a month. I enjoyed it and expect to do so in the future as well. On Saturday I'm going off to Pretoria with Rev. Ruth and two of the elders for the Presbytery meeting. My main objectives are just to meet people, and also to give a copy of my inner healing devotionals to one of the pastors who invited me to give the inner healing seminar in his church.
It is commonly thought that the "missionary in Africa" is on the cutting edge of SUFFERING FOR THE GOSPEL. I am almost embarrassed to admit that, for me, nothing could be further from the truth. Each day is full of peace, joy and work that seems to be bearing fruit. The lack of air conditioning really means an abundance of glorious fresh air, the smell of flowers and rain, and the welcome cool of the morning. Lynn is a very good cook. We gather daily in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and He fills the house with His presence. The power of God is here - for example, Russell and Lynn were delivered from smoking, including all cravings, the very day they arrived. We enjoy fellowship with the Spirit of God and with each other - what could be better than that?!
And of course all of this is happening because of our very dear brothers and sisters in Kansas City and Oklahoma City who are supporting everything we do here. Please know this - EVERY evening when we pray, we pray for all of you. Four of the people in this house have never met any of you, but we all love you.
Lary