The Chief!

About a month ago the Chief of Ndengeza came over for lunch with his daughter.  He is a personal friend of JAM and it was his first visit to the mission station which is located on the land that he gave to JAM(Mavhuza).  The chief was amazed at how beautiful the mountain was and said that he wanted to build his own house next to us so we could be neighbors.  Jokingly with a chuckle he claimed that we robbed him.  It was great spending time with him.  He is a rare Christian tribal chief and has rejected many of the traditions of his tribe.  His American name is Daniel and as a little boy he was led to Christ through an amazing women by the name of Laura Waite from Illinios.  The Chief refers to Ms. Waite as his spiritual mother and his love for her is quite evident.  Laura Waite gave her life as a missionary to the village of Ndengeza.  She started the first Christ centered church, a school, and an orphanage.  Laura never married.  She died and was burried in the village with the royal family.  As the result of her service to the Lord a little boy whom she loved as her own and taught the truths of the bible to became a Christian and later became the chief of the land.  Chief Ndengeza now loves Jesus and he loves white people as well especially from the US.  He is the one who has provided the land that we're living on as well as the land that we've begun to build the youth camp on. 

God's has been busy in the region of Ndengeza where Mavhuza is located.  The beautful redempive picture He's painting is getting bigger every day.  Last night 15 young men came to our base to study the word with us.  We've started the book of Luke and our study title is "who is Jesus."  Last week there were 9 and I suspect next weeks group to be around 20.  The young men of Mavhuza are hungry for the word of God.  I have so much hope for this village and believe that a revival is coming very soon!  Thank you for your prayers!

Mavhuza Life!

Whenever our Isuzu pick rolls into Mavhuza or any whenever we just pass by a hut where there are children, they rejoice and sing "mal-un-go, mal-un-go."  A few weeks back there was a group of kids hanging out with us at the mission base.  We were playing soccer with the boys and the girls were braiding hair even though they would be content to just sit with us and not say a word.  It was evident that these children were the least of the least in the village.  The ones whose close where torn, who were dirtier, smellier, and probably hungrier that the rest.  What caught my attention was the scabs that these little ones had from their scalps to their toes.  Obviously they are not well.  During some bare footed soccer one of the boys stubbed his toes pretty nicely and had an open wound.  When it was time for the kids to go Shalome(a teammate from Sacremento), reminded the little boy to take care of his toe.  Knowing that wasn't going to happen I was prompted to clean up the little guys wound so I took him to the kithen where our first aid kit is.  I grabed the peroxide, a bandaid and some neosporin and began to hook him up with the rest of the kids crowded around curious to what was going on.  Before I poured some peroxide on his big toe I told him that this was going to sting a bit and when the white puss bubbled up he yelped a little and jumped.  I put the bandage on and was ready to send the kiddo on their way when the little boy next to my patient showed me the wound on his toe.  Then  the little girl next to him showed me the wound on her leg and girl next to her the cut that she had.  All of them wanted to some medical attention.  One by one I repeated what I had done for the first little boy and they responded to the peroxide the same with ews and ahs.  After I finsished bandaging one of the boys he left the group and purposefully scraped his leg again drawing blood so that he might recieve some more first aid love.  I don't think any of them had ever had a mother or father bandage a wound for them in their short infinitly valuable life.  Sensing an opportunity to share the love of Christ with them I called for Lifter to come speak with them and tell these uncared for children how much Jesus loved them.  Lifter asked them if they new what love is and they all responded with a yes.  Lifter then asked them if they knew who Jesus was and they anwsered, "yes, he's the one who bandaged us."  Lifter then prayed for them and we sent them on their way.  Wow!

Life in Mavhuza has not been easy.  Our team is the first perminent team from JAM to be stationed in the village and much of our energy is spent just trying to live.  It seems that compared to life in the US there are no simple tasks in South Africa.  However when I walk down the road to fetch the refrigorated food for dinner and a little boy runs to me and wraps his arms around my legs it's all worth it.

I have a bed now and I'm sleeping great.  I'm battling a nice cough and still need prayer.  Lifter and I are busy working with the soccer teams.  We practice with them and support them when they play games bringing water and oranges for half time.  You wouldn't believe what water and oranges does to build relationship and trust.  4 players were for the first time found in church last Sunday and have started looking into the things of God.  A Friday night bible study is about to start and we can't wait to share who Jesus is and what He's done in our lives with these young men. 

Through the ups and downs God is faithful and on the move.  There are still some financial needs that we're praying for but nothing to really to complain about which unfortunetly doesn't mean I never complain lol.  Still working on Phil 2.  The spiritual warfare going on over this place is something fierce.  We're talking bondage and chains.  So we're on our knees begging God to act for the good of his people.  God bless you His wisdom and knowledge!  Thank you for your support:)