4/23/23

This morning began with African coffee, time in the Word and listening to the sounds of Africa. There are 2 new German shepherd puppies here….they are adorable as well as 3 turkeys that roam the mission ground.

Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

“Making purification for sins” caused me to stop this morning…..

I have read this before, but something about it was different. The radiance of the glory of God stepped down from his throne and suffered for me. Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and suffering was the full satisfaction for my sins. His sacrifice was complete-there is no need for anything else. 

My heart and mind know this……but today He gave me the gift of increased clarity, increased gratitude and increased desire to serve Him.

After morning prayers, we traveled to New Hope Baptist Church, also known as Ntiya 2. It is in the village where Stanley’s Mother is the Chief. The roads where challenging with deep trenches and rocks. The ministry van could not be used. We used Ovi and Stanley’s vehicles for the trip.

The church in this village has been met with some hard challenges for quite some time- devastating challenges, sin and disobedience. Just being real, no different than what American churches sadly struggle with too- SIN. Ovi had shared with the team the challenges so we would better know how to pray…..

Upon arrival, we were met with smiles and hugs and handshakes with music playing- they had the song “ No longer slaves to fear” playing as we arrived. I am not sure if they knew the words or were being kind and .playing something they thought we might know. But, amazing…….as this is a season of being set free for this church. 

The worship time was over an hour of joy filled singing, dancing and clapping. Yes, dancing!!! All in honor to the Lord. And yes, we ALL danced and sang with them. Ed preached out of 1Timothy on the characteristics of a Pastor and leader. He guided the congregation through the Word- with clear honesty and thoughtfulness, as we prayed they would honor the Lord in this next season of the church. Through it all there were many “Amens” and heads nodding. 

Towards the end of the service, a man and a women asked to meet with Ed, Ovi and Stanley outside. They wanted to give their lives to Christ……I could see much praying under that tree. Ed shared with me that they each prayed themselves versus repeating something said to them. 

Throughout the service as we worshiped, prayed and listened to the Word preached, I found myself praying. For each one in the church. This church is without a Pastor right now and have endured suffering- spiritual warfare. I prayed for healing of their hearts, for clarity of the Word and truth of the Word. I prayed for men to rise up to lead. That it would be clear who is called to shepherd this flock. And if the man is not here yet, that he is listening to the Lord right now. That he is obedient. I prayed for Ovi as he guides this church. It is hard, but it is worth it!

I pray that the men, women and children grow in their faith…..that the season they have walked through-they see where God was in it, His faithfulness and they are transformed into more of who He wants each of them to be. 

Lunch at Kipps and then the rest of the afternoon was filled with fellowship, maybe a nap and gearing up for the week ahead. I love simplicity of an afternoon with a cup of coffee, encouraging each other and sharing our hearts.