This one from Dave Bartlett:
Partners in Praying,
It is Sunday afternoon here. Our team has just returned from worshipping with two churches. We divided and preached in these two local churches and then each team ate lunch in the home of the pastor of that church. Attending church and teaching in Mozambique is a humbling and growing experience. In one church, Jeff taught on courage and in the other church I taught on the marks of Christ's church. Other team members participating in leading the services.
This trip has definitely exceeded the hopes and expectations that I had for it. God is using our team in so many important and surprising ways. We have been utilized effectively by the Food for the Hungry team and by those training pastors as a tool to show unity and the importance of God's Word. These folks have given us opportunities that I never thought we'd have during our time here.
Some of the experiences that have touched my heart and challenged my mind include:
Participating in a Communinity Development meeting with the leaders and parents in a community who expressed their hopes and dreams for their children's future. A part of the meeting helped them understand their current assets.
Yesterday we visited a prison. It was very depressing; however, for a time we could be "salt and light" for those men and women and proclaim that God is the God of the do-over and forgiveness is found in Jesus.
Yesterday we participated in a Kids Growing With Jesus Club that meets under a mango tree every Saturday afternoon. There were more than 100 children with three adults leading. We greeted the children, sang several songs, and then one little boy (1-2 years old) climbed up on my lap. I held this little boy and really quickly he feel asleep on my lap. While holding that little boy I thought about my own grandchildren and I prayed for the children of Mozambique--those with no education, orphans, kids with malaria, and those with so many other problems and struggles.
On Friday we helped at a medical clinic for children in the community of Machiso. We used some of the soccer balls, jump ropes, frisbees, and volleyballs we brought to entertain kids while many others were getting medical checkups. Some of the children w support are in this community. In the afternoon, we encouraged and challenged 20 pastors who were getting training. I taught them about the incredible power of God and our team together was a very strong visual image of men and women, husbands, wives and children serving Christ because of love.
Seeing this beautiful country and getting to know some of these quiet and gracious people is having a big impact on me. I'm not sure how to put that impact into words yet. But I believe that none of us will return the same as when we left. God has been so present as we have visited homes, spoken with pastors and teachers and community leaders.
Yesterday we visited the place in the river that serves as the laundramat, place to bathe and baptism. It was a beautiful day and several of us took a shower under a huge waterfall. (In modesty we did leave our pants on.)
Our team of eight seems to be getting more oneness and unity each day. Please continue to pray for our health and safety. Please pray that God will use our remaining 3 days here in Mozambique for great impact. Please pray for our families at home as they too make sacrifices for us to be here.
I also just prayed a prayer of thanks for those of you who are praying for us. Today we are on a mission in Mozambique and I hope you are on a mission in your community in the U.S.
Dave Bartlett
For the Mozambique Team
No comments:
Post a Comment