Africa Day 7

Sunday May 16, 2010

Encourage

Lift up each other with words of encouragement. If one brother slips, do not point out his faults, but lift him up with words of life.

Today was another fun day of traveling for me. We (me, George, Bilton, Naida, Rachel, Derrik, and Jacob) traveled 3 hours from Simondeli to Secachopa. We had breakfast and packed up our stuff. I sat in the truck bed and fell asleep. It was glorious. We finally arrived at Secachopa and we started kicking it around. W played a game and won 1-0. We are now 2-0-1. After the match, Jacob spoke. He gave an amazing message of salvation. Not watered down at all! He gave a message on letting God in. Don’t wait until later to let God in. I am preaching tonight. I want God to speak through me. I have never preached before. So this will have to be God. I have a few verses on hope and perseverance. Then we cooked some left over chicken curry. It wasn’t as good as the first one, but food none the less. Naida and I shared some Fanta, ahh cold Fanta! Then we traveled to the church. They were still eating when we arrived. So we joined them around the fire. They gave us some maze. It tasted like a mixture of corn and popcorn. It was good. I met a boy named Elleos. Then we sent into the church. They worshiped and gave testimonies. Then it was my turn to speak. I think it went well, I don’t really know all the words but it went well.

“Jesus is coming back soon and anything that hinders His love will be destroyed.”—Jacob

Africa Day 6

Saturday May 15, 2010

Boldness

I pray for opportunities to minister to these people. May I discern the voice of God. I pray that I would be bold and unashamed.

We woke up around 7:00, and started preparing some shima porge. It was pretty good with peanut butter and sugar. We then had some worship songs. Then we went to the village of Watchula to share with them encouragement and to invite them to watch futbol and have a meeting. It was a glorious trip to Wachula. There was a girl that was healed of a tooth ache. Then we came back and had PBJ for lunch. Then we took the field to play against the Zambian team. It was a good game we were tied at half 2-2. Then we just took it to them in the second and won 7-2. But that was just a gateway to the meeting. George, Dan, and Heather spoke some awesome words on overcoming fear. Then Jack shared the gospel about accepting and believing in Jesus Christ through Love not fear of Hell. Amazing! There were probably 80 people that gave their lives to God. Then Jack asked if anybody needed healing or was sick. About 15-20 people needed healing. The first man I prayed for was complaining of a headache and so we (Chad and I) prayed for him for healing on his head. The Lord provided. He said that he was feeling better. Then he said he also had trouble breathing or chest pains. Possibly a demon the translator (Matthews) said. Chad and I again prayed and once again God breathed life into this mans body. He was breathing normal once again. There were also several other healings and people cast off their witchcraft bracelets. The team then started preparing dinner. Chicken Curry! The only thing I really enjoyed did was peel the potatoes, and not all that I was supposed to either. However, it turned out delicious. Many compliments. Then I had hot tea spilled all over my lap by Miss Aubrey. She kept saying “It spilled, it spilled, it spilled!” Then we had delicious custard with peaches and banana. Then I was getting ready for bed and I asked Sister Libby and sister Aubrey helped me bandage up my blisters. And got a foot massage as well. It felt very good. Then I said goodnight to Zambia.

Africa Day 5

Thursday May 13, 2010

Redeemed

I am a redeemed child of God, my future secure. I am writing this a day late, so I may be missing some details. But I woke up around 6:40, and started packing up the tent with Dan. We were the first to finish. We then packed up the truck with all the sleeping stuff. Then we had breakfast, oatmeal. It was delicious with milk, sugar, and syrup. After we ate we headed out passing Tsongwa and some other villages along the way. It was amazing to see the joy on their faces as we passed with nothing more than a smile and a wave. We shouted from the truck “MABUKABUTE” which means good morning. We stopped in town at Shoprite to get some snacks, and got some Hungry Lion for lunch. They had the best chips aka french fries in Zambia. Then we went on our way to Siamondeli. The road there was paved for about 15 percent of the trip. I was almost left behind once. The trucks had stopped, so I got out to go pee. I started writing my name and got to Andy Osbor and the trucks started moving. I didn’t have time to fasten my pants so I ran to catch up. I finally caught up and hopped in the truck. We traveled a little farther to Nyawa central to pick up another translator. While we were stopped we played a little futbol with the kids. They used a wad of plastic bags held together with rope as their soccer ball. Yet they were so happy. Dan, George, and I taught them the game tips. They loved it. From this point we were about 30-45 min drive from our final destination. What happens next starts an epic adventure. So we continue driving when all of a sudden the truck starts to pull hard to the left. STUCK! The truck was sitting at about 30 degrees. We tried digging it out but the drive shaft was stuck on the ground. We try and use the second truck to pull it out, but subsequently that also gets stuck. By this time it was dark so we weren’t going to make it to the village that day. Laura decides that we are going to set up camp right here in the middle of the African bush on the side of the road. She starts clearing some tall grass with her machete to make room for our tents. We start dinner, sloppy joes, around 9:00. During this waiting time George played some worship songs. It hit me that this is what it’s all about. This community we built on the side of the road is glorifying Jesus. Living together Glorifying Jesus. The stars are absolutely breathtaking without city lights or pollution to taint the atmosphere. I literally saw a large portion of the Milky Way. I washed some dishes then went to bed.

Africa Day 4

Wednesday May 12, 2010

Purpose

I lay my life down at Your feet. I want more of You and less of me. You are my only desire. You are all I hope for all of the days of my life. I am crucified with Christ, leaving everything pinned to the cross. Lord I pray that I would surrender all of myself and my purpose would be clearly revealed on this trip.

7am- I slept fairly well to which I was surprised. I had a dream that Kristina played professional baseball and was destroying the Yanks with bombs over right field. She also had really cool cars that she would drive on golf courses. Also George Bush was taking some pictures with some graduating seniors I knew. ___ really touched my heart last night when she was talking about some songs that she had written for her future children. I think it would be so cool write something like that for my future children or wife.

10am- Worship was great, there is not a cloud in the sky. We are just hanging around the table out back.

8pm- Earlier we were divided into groups we are dish crew first. The group is me Libbs, Lindsey, and Gabby. We washed dishes fore the trip tomorrow. We also had a glorious time playing futbol. It was humbling. It was challenging my motives for soccer. We had another awesome night of worship lead by George. We had some chicken curry for dinner with sweat tea. I am exited, so exited to minister to these people. Peace and love

Africa Day 3

Tuesday May 11, 2010

Faithfulness

God is faithful each and everyday. He provides my every need.

This morning we woke up at 1:30, everyone! All the guys were up in the room talking about the flight, the room, the girlfriends… then BANG, BANG, BANG “Can you guys shut your mouth!?” It was a very upset Libby banging on the adjoining door. I tried to fall asleep next to Dan, but I couldn’t fall asleep at all. So I went back to my bed and got a couple hours of sleep. Then we woke up at 5:40 to get some breakfast. We had Cornflakes with warm milk. It was surprisingly good. Dan did a Yum Yum peanut butter commercial. We then took a flight to Livingston, Zambia. The airport had one terminal and everybody took the stairs onto the tarmac. This flight I sat next to Libbs and we listened to worship and talked. Then the pilot took us over the Falls, Victoria Falls, one of the 7 wonders of the world. It was amazing. Once in Livingstone we met up with Laura, Derrik and Jack our leaders. Then we went to exchange money. Some of the locals tried to get me to buy a copper bracelet. Then we stopped and had some food. Steers is like a McDonalds but not as good. Then it was about an hour to the base. I was awestruck when I saw and heard the power of the rushing Zambezi River below. Chad and I played some futbol with Derrik and Jack. Then we had a delicious plate of Spaghetti and meat sauce and salad. Then we had a time of prayer and worship. It was awesome to see the Spirit working in all of our lives. Oh earlier I watched, in my opinion, the best sunset in the world. It only took about 10 min, but time seemed to stand still.

Fun Fact: Naida and Karla had never flown before this trip

Africa Day 2

Monday May 10, 2010

Being Unashamed

I have the Holy Spirits power. I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I pray that I don not let anything come between Your message to these people.

Today started off on a plane from Dakar, Senegal at 9. The plane ride wasn’t too bad; I slept for like 3 hours. We got to Joburg and waited for this taxi thing to pick us up. The airport was all about the World Cup; everywhere I turned there was FIFA something. We are staying the night. It is crazy to think that I am in South Africa…in a hostel in Johannesburg. It was different driving to the hostel on the other side of the road. I am already thankful for my room

Fun Fact: Aubrey knows sign language

Africa Day 1

Sunday May 9, 2010

Expectations

Leave all expectations at the door? I have never been on a trip so I am not sure what to even expect. Today has been an adventure on its own. The trip to the airport I started getting a little anxious. I was comforted by knowing that this was God’s will and I will do extraordinary things while I am there. The plane ride from Tampa to DC wasn’t bad at all. The last 30 min or so was pretty bumpy though. I like it though. We almost missed our light from D.C. to Dakar though because Anna Marie, Naida and Karla decided to walk to the other side of the terminal to get food. It was the first time I ran through the airport. I couldn’t find them I was running everywhere and the flight was scheduled to leave in 15 min. There names were being called but no sign of them. Finally they arrive, just in the nic of time. The South African Airlines flight was amazing. I sat in row 71 seat D next to George and near Anna Marie and Naida. Chad later joined us to watch some movies. I was calling everybody on the seat to seat phone. Pretty cool. I watched Toy Story 2, Monsters inc. On a sad note, I let them take Aub’s bag… little did I know that it was full of food. I felt bad because she won’t get it until we get to South Africa.

Fun Fact: George is black and left handed