Sunday Sept 19, 2010
The mornings in Zimbabwe are sunny and noisy! We woke up this morning to dogs barking, roosters crowing, and music blaring. There is definitely nothing quiet about these people - my family would fit right in!
After breakfast, us ladies went over to join their ladies for a service. We thought they had a speaker but as it turned out - they wanted Judy to speak. She did great at improv! She spoke on Psalm 121 and how big our God is!
There was a short break between that and the regular service. Tab, Cynthia, and I had some of the ladies teach us to dance - I think they got a great comedy show! After dancing many times we were all tired so we showed the kids how to brush our hair - THEY LOVED IT! So precious!
The Sunday worship service was by far the best yet! After removing the enemy spirit from the night before - there was a new found freedom in the Shongon people. They sang and danced with absolute praise! I joined them some until my attention and heart was captured by "Moses".
Moses is my name for this boy. He was about 3 yrs old and bow legged. He was dancing right beside me and the bigger kids kept knocking into him. I kneeled down and picked him up. At first he was stiff and hesitant but then, he relaxed. I danced with him for quite awhile both holding him and putting him down. I began to notice him rubbing his eyes - so I picked him up and showed him how to lay his head on my shoulder. It didn't take long before he was sound asleep snuggled with me and my heart was gone! As he slept and I held him, I said a very specific prayer for him. I prayed that he would be one who would lead his people to the promised land of eternity in Heaven - thus my name for him - MOSES.
The services here are 3 hrs minimum and most of that is on a long hard bench. There were so many here that it was VERY hot and crowded. By the time the service was over I just knew I needed space so I slipped out and came back to camp - most of our team did the same!
The afternoon was AWESOME! We just relaxed and had down time all afternoon. A few of the pastors came and said goodbye and one even brought hand made things for us to buy. I bought a lepord and a preacher. It was so nice for all of us to let loose and joke around with one another. I was especially glad to see Tobey relaxed - this was a first of the trip so far.
I decided to go to my tent right after dinner for some "me" time. I love the team I am with but there are some I am struggling with and can only take so much of. I am praying about that thoug.
Things I have learned this first week:
1.) Unconditional love: These people love despite circumstances.
2.) True joy and happiness: They are always happy. They live in a land of hardship, famine, poverty, and yet they smile!
3.) Reliance on my God: I have a great relationship with God but I have also had Joel, my parents, my sister, and my friends to rely on on. Here, I am trusting God for everything - even companionship!
4.) Peace: God has given me peace here despite how much I miss my family.
5.) That I know more scripture than I think I do. I have been amazed at how verses just come to mind at exactly the times I need them.
6.) America is SPOILED! We are spoiled materially, physically, and even spiritually. We have no idea how to love and trust God for EVERYTHING!
The mornings in Zimbabwe are sunny and noisy! We woke up this morning to dogs barking, roosters crowing, and music blaring. There is definitely nothing quiet about these people - my family would fit right in!
After breakfast, us ladies went over to join their ladies for a service. We thought they had a speaker but as it turned out - they wanted Judy to speak. She did great at improv! She spoke on Psalm 121 and how big our God is!
There was a short break between that and the regular service. Tab, Cynthia, and I had some of the ladies teach us to dance - I think they got a great comedy show! After dancing many times we were all tired so we showed the kids how to brush our hair - THEY LOVED IT! So precious!
The Sunday worship service was by far the best yet! After removing the enemy spirit from the night before - there was a new found freedom in the Shongon people. They sang and danced with absolute praise! I joined them some until my attention and heart was captured by "Moses".
Moses is my name for this boy. He was about 3 yrs old and bow legged. He was dancing right beside me and the bigger kids kept knocking into him. I kneeled down and picked him up. At first he was stiff and hesitant but then, he relaxed. I danced with him for quite awhile both holding him and putting him down. I began to notice him rubbing his eyes - so I picked him up and showed him how to lay his head on my shoulder. It didn't take long before he was sound asleep snuggled with me and my heart was gone! As he slept and I held him, I said a very specific prayer for him. I prayed that he would be one who would lead his people to the promised land of eternity in Heaven - thus my name for him - MOSES.
The services here are 3 hrs minimum and most of that is on a long hard bench. There were so many here that it was VERY hot and crowded. By the time the service was over I just knew I needed space so I slipped out and came back to camp - most of our team did the same!
The afternoon was AWESOME! We just relaxed and had down time all afternoon. A few of the pastors came and said goodbye and one even brought hand made things for us to buy. I bought a lepord and a preacher. It was so nice for all of us to let loose and joke around with one another. I was especially glad to see Tobey relaxed - this was a first of the trip so far.
I decided to go to my tent right after dinner for some "me" time. I love the team I am with but there are some I am struggling with and can only take so much of. I am praying about that thoug.
Things I have learned this first week:
1.) Unconditional love: These people love despite circumstances.
2.) True joy and happiness: They are always happy. They live in a land of hardship, famine, poverty, and yet they smile!
3.) Reliance on my God: I have a great relationship with God but I have also had Joel, my parents, my sister, and my friends to rely on on. Here, I am trusting God for everything - even companionship!
4.) Peace: God has given me peace here despite how much I miss my family.
5.) That I know more scripture than I think I do. I have been amazed at how verses just come to mind at exactly the times I need them.
6.) America is SPOILED! We are spoiled materially, physically, and even spiritually. We have no idea how to love and trust God for EVERYTHING!
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