Toposaland Games.

A team from Texas is here this week trying out something new with the Toposa...storying from God's Word mixed in with some American field day type games!  The team is working in three different places in an attempt to reach the "punk" age Toposa, those who are from the ages of 14-25 who usually carry around an arrogant and disrespectful attitude and spend their time away from the village, getting drunk or "meeting" girl and guy in the bush.  These games are completely new to the Toposa, and it has been a blast watching them learn the games, as well as see them understand stories from God's Word.

The team draws people in with a game of tug-of-war...

Then, the team shares the stories of creation, the fall, and explains how man is separated from God.

Then there's another game like a three-legged race...

Another team member starts telling stories about Jesus and His life here on earth: the "Water into Wine," the "Woman at the Well," and the "Good Shepherd" stories.

Time for another game!  This time it's a trade-off, and the Toposa teach the Americans how to "korot" or dance/play...

Next is more Jesus stories eventually ending with Jesus' death on the cross for the sins of all people, His glorious resurrection, and His command to His followers to be His witnesses everywhere.  Already people have responded to the Gospel and been baptized!!!!  Among these were some of my close friends and neighbors, including Napir, Kine, and Lokuru (my Toposa mother!!!).  PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!

Mindy and I also jumped in and are sharing the AIDS stories with the groups as well.  Many listen and understand!  Another praise!  Two leaders to whom we taught the stories two months ago showed us they understood and did some teaching themselves.  One asked if he could share his own AIDS story.  (I think it was something along the lines of an example of how AIDS is not only in towns and that just one person can return to the village and brig the sickness to all the people there.)  Then, another leader stood and sang a song he wrote about AIDS.  The words of the song were simple: "AIDS is eating the Toposa, it is a bad sickness.  AIDS is eating the Turkana, it is a bad sickness.  AIDS is eating the Kenyans, it is a bad sickness...."  AIDS is bad.  He got it!  And he was making sure the others listening did too!

 Lokoyo telling his AIDS story

Mindy telling hers (with help from the standing guys!)

And then the day might close in another tug of war game or a sack race...

Three more days in two areas left to go!  Please pray for all who attend these games and come to hear God's Word.  Pray for open hearts and eternal joy!