Velveeta
Be ready in season and out... 2 Tim 4:2
Outside the crickets are singing and inside the iPod is tuned to my "Surrender" playlist. The wild dogs surrounding the compound have yet to begin their cacophony of aggression so peace is present in the dark African night.
What was scheduled to be the first day of the conference actually turned into a day of preparation and rest (much needed). We were able to sing praises out loud this morning and even dance (who says Americans can't rustle up some rhythm) as we sang out loudly the song "He Reigns" which starts with the words "from the sounds of the African plains" and conclude in the chorus (this brought the Baptist to dancing) "all God's children singing glory glory He reigns".
What a treasured moment of His provision. He was definitely inhabiting our praise - the dance I'm not so sure about given our Caucasian awkwardness.
Mama Shangwe - the leader of this region (Sabina is her boss) gave us the schedule changes much to our surprise - but no surprise to God. Today we drove to Lake Victoria took a few photos, had a Coke and discussed the upcoming topics and how to address the situation we will face in the village. Sabina shared photos of horribly burned dead bodies, hacked corpses of elderly victims, a young woman whose brother had inflicted deep gashes with a machete (in an attempt to kill her) as the local Shaman said she was bewitching his possibility of gaining wealth. Hard to believe, difficult to digest and even greater still knowing the implications of the charge we have been given.
Saturday, we will travel to a see a performance troop to familiarize us with the culture of the village.
Sunday, we will address a group of widows at the church.
Monday is still our full day of travel.
Tuesday and Wednesday we will be with the villagers. They know we are coming and why.
Thursday is a full day of travel back to Mwanza.
Friday and Saturday is the Women's Conference.
Sunday we will meet with local church leaders on addressing human rights and suffering.
Because of the changes what we PLANNED to present has been modified and now God's hand is pulling the curtain further back. Sometimes this "peek-a-boo" on the projects gets a little tiring. But as I mentioned earlier in the 7/28 Oswald Chambers -it is about the process.
Here we are in the "process" I can't say it is enjoyable, or particularly comfortable - but what I can say is "cheese". Smiling at the eternal picture. Like the great American standard Velveeta - our presented material and our hearts are being processed to last through eternity. I'm not sure Velveeta will be in heaven but today it served a good purpose for the illustration. There are things you might not consider gourmet or even that palatable, but in a pinch - shelf life counts! His Word is never failing, His character unchanging and His mercy is new everyday.
Keep praying, keep processing and smile (say cheese) for you are in this service with us!
Outside the crickets are singing and inside the iPod is tuned to my "Surrender" playlist. The wild dogs surrounding the compound have yet to begin their cacophony of aggression so peace is present in the dark African night.
What was scheduled to be the first day of the conference actually turned into a day of preparation and rest (much needed). We were able to sing praises out loud this morning and even dance (who says Americans can't rustle up some rhythm) as we sang out loudly the song "He Reigns" which starts with the words "from the sounds of the African plains" and conclude in the chorus (this brought the Baptist to dancing) "all God's children singing glory glory He reigns".
What a treasured moment of His provision. He was definitely inhabiting our praise - the dance I'm not so sure about given our Caucasian awkwardness.
Mama Shangwe - the leader of this region (Sabina is her boss) gave us the schedule changes much to our surprise - but no surprise to God. Today we drove to Lake Victoria took a few photos, had a Coke and discussed the upcoming topics and how to address the situation we will face in the village. Sabina shared photos of horribly burned dead bodies, hacked corpses of elderly victims, a young woman whose brother had inflicted deep gashes with a machete (in an attempt to kill her) as the local Shaman said she was bewitching his possibility of gaining wealth. Hard to believe, difficult to digest and even greater still knowing the implications of the charge we have been given.
Saturday, we will travel to a see a performance troop to familiarize us with the culture of the village.
Sunday, we will address a group of widows at the church.
Monday is still our full day of travel.
Tuesday and Wednesday we will be with the villagers. They know we are coming and why.
Thursday is a full day of travel back to Mwanza.
Friday and Saturday is the Women's Conference.
Sunday we will meet with local church leaders on addressing human rights and suffering.
Because of the changes what we PLANNED to present has been modified and now God's hand is pulling the curtain further back. Sometimes this "peek-a-boo" on the projects gets a little tiring. But as I mentioned earlier in the 7/28 Oswald Chambers -it is about the process.
Here we are in the "process" I can't say it is enjoyable, or particularly comfortable - but what I can say is "cheese". Smiling at the eternal picture. Like the great American standard Velveeta - our presented material and our hearts are being processed to last through eternity. I'm not sure Velveeta will be in heaven but today it served a good purpose for the illustration. There are things you might not consider gourmet or even that palatable, but in a pinch - shelf life counts! His Word is never failing, His character unchanging and His mercy is new everyday.
Keep praying, keep processing and smile (say cheese) for you are in this service with us!
