Tuesday Feb. 26, 6:36 AM

Mosquitoes - 4

Reed - 8

Jackson woke me up at 4:30 this morning. He thought it was 5 o'clock. I slept for another 15 minutes or so and then the day began.

At 5:04 there were about 8 or so people who had already come for the prayer service. I spoke on Dan. 10, Ex. 32:9-14, Ezek 22:29-31. I talked about the power of intercession. How the prayers of one man could save a whole nation. And about how God is looking for someone to intercede. We then prayed in small groups for others. In my group I prayed for my stepbrother Jason, the others in the group prayed for him as well. Before we prayed in a large group at the end I told them to put pebbles in their shoes and pockets to remind them to pray for those that God has placed on their hearts. They laughed but liked the idea. I put a pebble in my shoe for Jason. By the end of the service there was well over 40 people.

Yesterday I preached on Luke 11 at both Mwerera and Mwembe for the afternoon service. At Mwerera after the service they asked if I would go and visit and old man who wished to see me. We hiked up the hill to his house. He is an adventist who was born in 1909! His mind is still sharp, it was a delightful visit. He seemed very encouraged and was teary-eyed after I read 2 cor 4:16-18. I talked about how we are renewed on the inside though dying on the outside and how this world of pain is only temporary but the next one is eternal.

When we were just about to leave a man came and said Dr. Kisaka was in Mwerera and wanted to see some church members. Dr. Kisaka had come up in the land rover (Willie's land rover had dropped us off at Mwerera earlier that morning) and was at the elder's house (also Willie's father in law). Dr. Kisaka was very encouraging.

While there we ate some kibulo (I think that is what its called) which is beans and corn cooked together with some greens. Pretty good. By American standards the beans and corn were not cooked enough but it was still good.

After we got back to Mwembe we rested a little and then prepared for the afternoon and evening. We could not start the program on time because they local officials were having a meeting and asked us not to use the PA system (which most of Mwembe can hear) until they were finished. I suggested to Jackson that during the delay we go and visit Sylvestor an Anglican man who has been coming to the meetings and who requested that we come.

While at Sylvestor's house he told us a sad story. His son had gone to Norway to get a masters and then a PHD. But Sylvestor has not heard from him since January of 2002. Apparently Sylvestor suggested that Sylvestor Jr. come home and get married to a certain girl, Sylvestor Jr. didn't like it, hung up, and his parents have not heard from him since. But even Sylvestor Jr.'s friend in Zambia has not heard from him since sometime in 2003.

Well it has been a great burden for Sylvestor and his wife. Sylvestor said that she has gone "crazy" because of it. He also said that his wife blames him for them not hearing from their son. I took Sylvestor Jr.'s information, full name, passport number, birth date etc. Maybe their is something I can do back in America to help find out some information.

For the evening meeting I spoke on John 15, the vine and the branches. If I could do it over I don't know if I would preach that sermon again here. While were talking after dinner, Elijah brought a young man to the house named Tajieli. Tajieli is almost completely deaf (apparently he can hear our very loud PA system) and he is also dumb. Elijah explained that both of Tajieli's parents have died and that he also has a younger brother and a sister who are just like him. They are currently studying at a special school for the deaf where they are learning sign language. But Tajieli could not afford the school fees for himself so he is now staying with his grandparents. He comes to Elijahs house to get food sometimes. He had came last night in order for us to pray for him (his mind is very sharp and he communicates by writing as well as very limited sign language). He has 4 years of schooling left at this special secondary school, and each year the fees are about $114. We prayed for him and I told him that I really wanted to see him go to the school so that he can preach the gospel to others who are deaf. He agreed and said that after the 4 years he would do so. He said he wants to become a church elder like Elijah (he is not adventist yet but is studying). I told him maybe even a pastor, he smiled.

As Jackson and I walked over to our rooms we talked about this. He was saying we cannot just pray for people we must do something to help them. He told a story about how he helped a pregnant woman who needed to go to the hospital but had no money. He helped her to get there and saved her life (the baby was already dead). It reminded me of Willie and Bendal's story but with a much better outcome.

As I came back to my room I took and inventory of my money. Not enough to pay for all the years, but if I use the money for the rental van on the return trip and pay for that with my credit card I will have enough for two years. But then what about the Mwerera church? They have been building for 6 or 7 years and need a roof. what about Jackson's schooling and Dr. Kisaka's trip to America? What about sound equipment for the Mwembe choir? What about the other needs. There are so many. Should I try to sell my laptop so that I can help more? I prayed that I would spend and be spent. How far am I willing to go? It seems looking back from the other side of the finish line I will never regret having given "too much" but will only lament that I did not do more.

Heavenly Father,

I pray for self renouncing love. I pray that like Christ I would give until there is nothing left to give. Lord I pray that I would use my possessions, I'm sorry, Your possessions for the advancement of Your kingdom. May I count nothing too dear that it could not be sacrificed for You. Lord may I not only give in my possessions but may I be self renouncing in my prayers. Making the sacrifice of time and effort in order to pray for others, especially Jason.

Lord thank You for the example of Jesus who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame. Lord may I remember the joy that is before me, and not consider the pleasure that is in my hands. May I surrender completely. Lord may I realize that this is not a sacrifice, that treasure in heaven is not lost, but is the only treasure that I can keep. He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose. Thank you Lord for this reminder.

Lord I pray for Your Holy Spirit to baptize me today. I pray that I would do Your will today. I pray for Jackson, for Elijah, for Jacobo, for Pastor Reuben, for those in Chome. Lord immerse, engulf, overwhelm them with Your holy Spirit. May their hearts burn with love for others. May they be strengthened against temptation. May they fall completely in love with Jesus. May they have words, and wisdom, and listening ears to share You, and how wonderful You are with those that they meet.

Lord I pray for the member of our group who is sick. I don't know who it is, I don't know if she is still in Same or has already gone back to Chome. Lord I pray that she would not feel discouraged or alone. I pray that she would recover quickly.

Lord I pray for Your fire to be in my bones today. I pray that I would not preach because I am supposed to, because I am scheduled to, I pray that I would speak for you because I must, because Your words are like a fire in my bones which I cannot hold back.

Thank You Father for Your Spirit. Thank You for this place and the opportunities that I have to learn from You. Thank You that You are with me. That You walk with me. I praise You for that. How empty this life would be without You. Lord You are so good. Your loving kindness is so wonderful. I praise You and pray that the things I do today would cause others to praise You. I pray that praise and thanksgiving would continually be in my heart today.

Lord I want to pray for Jade and Faith. Thank You for them. I miss them. They are a gift from You. Thank You for loving me enough to give them to me. Lord I pray that Jade would be spiritually renewed today. I pray that as her mom is with her that she would feel encouraged and would not feel alone. I pray for Faith, that her heart would be cultivated today to serve You. I pray that she would be molded so that she is prepared for a lifetime of loving service to You and others. I love You Lord and I pray all of these things in Christ's name. Amen.

List of needs I have been approached with:

• Jackson-masters degree

• Dr. Kisaka-trip to America (he did not ask me)

• Mwerera church-needs roof

• Mwembe church-needs finishing

• village of Mwerera- needs water system to pipe water down the mountain so they have fresh water for

• domestic use as well as irrigation.

• Tajieli-money for school

• Meshach-tools for carpentry

• Elijah-money for children who are attending Same adventist school

• Mwerera choir-sound equipment/keyboard

• Sangu choir-keyboard

• Pastor Reuben -motorcycle?

• Same school-desperately needed infrastructure

• Shabani-schooling