7/24/05 8:06pm

Hey,ya'll!  Just a quick update.  I'm just going to share with you something I wrote in my journal earlier today.  All is well here...rather homesick.  God is faithful, so I'll be okay.  Here's what I wrote...

July 24, 2005

Today is Sunday, the Lord's day. It's a day I've been looking forward to just about all week now...and honestly, not because it's the day I get to worship my God...not because it's the day set aside for His praise...but because it's the day that I most definitely get to take a bath.  Now for most people that may sound extremely silly and crazy, but to anybody that has been on a TMI team, they understand my crazy talk.  Last Sunday was the last time that I had a chance to REALLY get myself clean.  It was the last time I used soap and water to clean all of me instead of just using baby wipes or wet ones to wash off with.  I think I had a chance to wash my hair one day this past week,  but I haven't had a chance to do much more than that.  But boy, you better believe that I'm ready for today's "bath"  Although it will most likely wash off most of the "tan" that I have acquired over the past week (which in actuality is really dirt and dust).  I consider this to be but a meer sacrifice if it means I can be somewhat clean again.

Now...thinking about all of this reminds me of what Sundays are truly about.  They aren't for just going to church, singing songs, and taking notes while you try your hardest to keep attentive during the message...No, they're for shedding all of your dirt and grime so that we can possibly come into the presence of God and worship Him with hands lifted up in surrender.  Entering God's holy place was once only dreamt of by the people in the OT and reserved for only the high priests...but, now...today...we are able to enter His holy place and dwell.  We can find assurance and rest knowing that we are welcome and at home here in His arms.  Sundays are sacred...they only happen once a week...and once they are here we often forget what it takes to enter into His precious presence.  But...you know what?  Cleaning isn't meant to be a once a week type of thing.  No.  It's to be an everyday occurrence.  We are to wash and rid ourselves of filth by asking for forgiveness and repenting everyday of our lives.  The Bible speaks of having clean hands and a pure heart...not only for Sunday, but everyday.  We are to live as if we are dwelling in God's holy place.  God makes us His sanctuary...His temple, and we have to cleanse ourselves everyday to rid His Holy place of all sin, contempt, and anger.  We walk in His presence...we live wrapped up in His arms...He deserves a clean child...Have you bathed today?

So, that was a look into my journaling. Other than those insights, I don't have much to say really.  We have 19 days left...9 on the field and 10 spent at debrief and traveling.  God has definitely worked mightily in my life this summer, but I am ready to head towards home.  One day at a time, I reckon.  I love ya'll dearly and miss ya'll tremendously!

8/6/2005

Salvations, Shopping, & More Salvations

We had about 1 1/2 days of footwashing the Dola Hills unit here at the base. They washed about 60 children on Tuesday. Wednesday, there were about 20+ in the morning, but no one showed in the afternoon. This is finals week for the children at school, so I'm sure it was difficult for them to get away to come. On Tuesday a presentation was shared with the children and 31 raised their hands to receive Jesus as their Saviour. We rejoice with their decisions. On Thursday there were no children because of the school final exams. We had team time together and finished up some sorting of clothes and spread some sawdust on the banana fields to occupy our day.

Friday was our shopping day in Ndola. It started with exchange of money and then the team went out in search of their treasures to take home. It was a very sucessful time in town. They also walked up to a sort of outdoor market just up the road from the base. As a whole it was a most successful day. When Quinton was waiting to use the rest room in a grocery store he began a conversation with a security guard. He was able to talk about what the team was doing. He also shared the plan of salvation with the man and he received the Lord Jesus into his heart. That made it an even better day!

To day is our pack up and clean up day. We will plan to leave around 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. Sunday morning. We will truck the five-hour ride to the airport. Our plane is suppose to depart at 3:55 p.m. We should arrive in plenty of time. (Please pray there will be no flat tires. That can sometimes take a while to change. All the working parts of the vehicle to continue to perform well, as it has all summer). We will be going to Debrief. Please pray as the Lord continues to work in our hearts and as we make preparations for returning to our "normal" lives. Much thanks for your prayers.

7/29/05

We left Ngosa on another dirt bush road. The site we are going to is about 17 kilometers from Ngosa. The 4-ton truck was coming with the supplies later in the day so our leader started moving the team in the Prado and trailer. The early crew goes with the tents and the kitchen. It gets dark very early so these are the things that need to get set up before dark. This time we added an Army tent to use as a kitchen, dinning hall, and meeting room. Mibendie is a new unit so there has been no time to get a shelter built for the kitchen etc. The unit over looks a beautiful view of the hills and valleys. Sunsets are delightful to enjoy at night.The nights are very very cold. People only know warm or hot Africa, but it is very very cold here at night.

There are 220 orphans registered here at this unit. We did not know children's shoe sizes, but what we brought we are finding children to put them on. The team continues to play games, to help the children color cards, to wash their feet, and put shoes on their feet. There continues to be disapointment that we did not bring enough sizes for all, but a little is better than nothing. And it tells the children that someone does care about them. This area where we are is a neglected people—no one has ever cared or known about them. They are so grateful, they do not even know how to say thanks. It's a great time to give out shoes and socks because it is winter. There are children with shoes now who have never had shoes before or ever dreamed they would have a pair. The love of Jesus is being shared with them.

The team was able to build a volley ball court, and put in a drip irrigation system for the Head Master at the school. We will take advantage of Sunday And have a good rest. We have a change in our next village. The team will be going to Mumena. This is near Solowezi, if you find it on the map. This is also a newer unit and has not had a team here as of yet. It is about a four-hour drive from Mebinde. We will start our journey in the morning. The tent crew and the kitchen crew in the lead with the 4 ton truck and the rest. We will be in Mumena for 5 days to the 27th of July. July 28 we will move to the next unit which is Lunsala. You may not here anything from us until Aug 4 due to our location and we will no longer be near an internet cafe. Please be patient and you can expect a long email about our last two visits. We will move to the base in Ndola where we started the journey on August 3.

We are so grateful for your prayers. Please continue to pray for good health, good rest, and a love for serving the Lord.

7/17/05

The team has kept very busy in Ngosa. The team was divided into three groups. Every half hour the groups changed. They would play games, such as duck duck, goose. They learned wheel barrel races, sack races and many other games that could keep them occupied. The team also did a presentation for the kids. Of course the highlight has been washing the kids feet, putting some lotion on them, putting on socks and finding a pair of shoes that will fit them. They sit very calmly, soberly because this is a sign of respect. The team washed 260 feet and gave away 130 pairs of shoes. Saturday the team played some soccer with the orphans. They are making preparations for the soccer jamboree. At the end of the fellowship of soccer the team did a presentation. They sang songs, did puppets and then did a drama. At the end an invitation was given and about 30 kids were led in a sinner’s prayer. Thank you Lord that He is using the team to share Jesus with these children. Pray that they can continue to grow and the facilitators that stay there all year round will be able to help them to know Jesus.

The team will move to Mibende on Monday. We thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for us as we continue to make our moves from village to village and have the privilege to wash the children's feet.