3-Day Safari, 20 Salvations and a little sweat

The past three weeks have been filled with tons activity. It all started the first week of July when we welcomed a mission team from Ohio and Virginia to Tanzania. They came specifically to help Greg and I minister to the people near our church, reach out to the lost with the gospel and help us with some lightweight construction projects. We had such a good time fellowshipping with new friends! It was a much needed boost to our soul. In case you are wondering, there is an open invitation for anyone to come and visit us. You won’t be disappointed.

After we spent 2 1/2 days on safari witnessing first hand God’s amazing creation we put on our “Double V” T-shirts and began 3 intense days of ministry to the local children. “Double V” is our version of Vacation Bible School. I planned some really great games like, Blob tag, dodge ball, big ball volley ball and a few others. After spending an hour with these games the kids began to beg me to finally play football. Not American football but soccer. I couldn’t believe it. They play soccer every day with a ball made from grocery bags. I had a 4’ big ball, several dodge-balls and plans for games that would make them giggle with glee but all they wanted to do is play soccer. So we did. We had several hundred kids show up by the end of the day. One of our visitors from America preached and Greg translated. I quickly scrapped all the game plans and turned our 3-day rally into a soccer championship, just like they were doing in South Africa. The timing was perfect. By then end of the 3 day rally, more than 20 kids received Christ as their savior. Some of them will be getting baptized next week if they get permission from their parents.

The ministry team also rolled up their sleeves and helped us beautify the property and buildings. We sanded, primed, smooth coated and finally painted the interior cement walls of the church. The benches we use for pews received a much needed coat of varnish. Several ladies painted the tin roof a burgundy red color while the men dug holes and installed cement posts along the property line. It’s hard to believe we got all of that done in just 3 days.

As soon as the team left (quite exhausted I must add) I got to work on the final details for importing a 40’ cargo container I shipped from America. The Lord has thus far blessed us tremendously by answering our prayer concerning this container. We have gotten tax-exemption on all of the contents just one day after it arrived in port in Mombassa Kenya. We should have it at our house in the next 3 weeks or so.
I also have begun working on a Saturday soccer activity. Since the kids love soccer so much Greg and I thought it would be a great idea to have an organized soccer activity and then conclude with a Bible lesson. I think it will be a huge opportunity to reach the many kids in our area and begin teaching them to live godly lives.

Please pray:
Pray for the safe and timely arrival of our container to our property and the funds to finish paying for the transportation.
Pray for our Saturday Soccer activity
Pray for continued good health and safty
Pray for God’s will concerning a possible move to another rental house. Details in the next letter.