Africa Story #3: Third Day - Part I

On our third day of ministry in Mang'ola, Sheila and I moved to a second church where Pastor Pius Reumi was pastor. On this third day of ministry, I encountered many interesting people. So many, in fact, that I am going to split up their stories in a few Africa Stories. :)

1st house: The people here were not ready to accept Jesus. I asked if I could pray for them. They said yes! I prayed for provision and blessing for their house, and then that God would open their hearts, that they might see Him.

2nd house: First, I shared the truth of Christ with an mzee, an elderly man, who was sick and lying down in his bed. He could barely see, so Jonathon and I got very close to him so that he could see the Evangecube (this is a small box that changes like a rubix cube, showing pictures of the story of Jesus-we use this as a tool to help the people, who learn aurally and visually, grasp the gospel as we share it with them). After a while, he said that he still needs to think about it and then he promised he would trust in Jesus if the pastor would come back another day. Pastor Pius said that he would.


Next, I walked around his bed to where a Christian woman had gathered the rest of the women of the house, including the mzee's first and second wives, around another bed, because she wanted them to all hear about Jesus. I presented the gospel to them, explaining the grace of God and how Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life. All of them accepted Christ! They were so excited.

Then, they took me outside and then inside another house, where the newest third wife lived. The first wife went in the back and returned with a week-old baby. She placed the baby in my arms. So precious. I could not believe the little life in my arms. Next thing I know, this first wife brings out a cloth and puts it on my shoulders and wants me to nurse this baby! Ha! I emphatically said no, wishing I could explain that there was NO way, that it was truly impossible for me to do so. Jonathon handled the situation nicely, with hints of laughter, and told her I would not and could not nurse this little baby. After a little while, the fifteen-year-old mother of the baby and third wife, Mndulan, came out from the back room. The first wife urged me to share with her. I began telling her the story. She was so shy. She would not look at me or Jonathon or the Evangecube. Imagine being a mother at 15. And a third wife of an elderly man. And not knowing how to care for a baby, and having to trust other wives to help you do so. And having to greet guests after having a baby at home a week ago. Still, she wanted to put her faith in Jesus in the end. She finally prayed, though very quietly, to accept Jesus.

Join me in praying for this household. For the Mzee, that Pastor Pius goes and that the Mzee opens his heart to the truth of Jesus. For the wives and other women, that they continue in their walk with Christ. For Mndulan, that she finds peace and strength in her Heavenly Father, who loves her more than she can ever imagine.

3rd stop: As we were walking a distance to another house, we encountered a man on the road. Gaga was excited to hear what I had to say. I shared the gospel with him, and as I did, I noticed that he was really listening. His eyes were studying the cube, he was shaking his head, and I could tell that he was taking it all in. After sharing, he decided to trust in Jesus for his salvation!

Later in the afternoon, Sheila and I were back at the church leading a discipleship time. Every afternoon, we invited all the new believers to join us and other church members at the church for worship and teachings about what it means to be saved and security in faith. Sometimes the believers come and sometimes they don't. Some of them are already busy preparing the evening meal, and others have to far to walk. But for whatever reason, no new believers came this afternoon. As we were in the middle of singing, however, Gaga walked through the door. He asked to share a moment after we finish the song. Then, he proceeded to tell us, to tell me, that he was a witch doctor. A witch doctor! But after hearing the truth of Jesus Christ, he wanted to follow Him, leaving all the witch doctor stuff behind!!!

PRAISE GOD!!!

More to come about this third day...

Love in Compassionate God!