Thursday, June 10, 2010

I want to shine

"I want to shine, I want to shine, I want to shine shine shine I want to shine. When people see me they see you Jesus, I want to shine shine shine I want to shine." That was the first thing I heard when I walked in to Center A school. All 200 kids were singing this to Jesus with everything they had in them. If I had to describe the people of Alex's church in Morogoro, I would say that when people see them they see Jesus. Despite their extreme poverty, they have a joy that I can't even describe. They rely on God for everything and because of that, you see God moving among them. On Sunday, I got to witness 12 previous muslims be baptized. The last man that was to be baptized had previously been involved in witch craft. He was in the water with Pastor Alex, and Alex asked, "Do you believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour?" and the moment the man said, "yes" satan began attacking him. The man started trying to punch and fight Alex, and convulsing like he was having a seizure. Immediately everyone began praying, and casting the demons out of him so that he may be set free (John 8:36). After a few minutes the man stopped, and Alex finished baptizing him. It made everything so real to me. To see that we really are in a spiritual battle and the exciting part is that my God has won. I don't have to worry about being defeated, because "if my God is with me whom then shall I fear?". Stacy asked Alex, "Why don't we see this kind of stuff in America very often?" My answer is, because we in America don't have near the faith that these people do. Every ounce of their life is lived for Christ. Nothing can or will stop them from doing what God has called them to do. We in America have enough money to buy what we need. Alex once said "Why do you Americans need God?Your money can buy everything you need." We don't rely on God for our every need we only run to Him when we're desperate. It's only when we take that step of faith and let go of what we have and let God have it that He begins to move in ways that you could never imagine. These people showed me who God is and showed me what it means to love. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:3-5)
I walked into the orphanage and there were about 20 kids. The rest of the kids had been taken to the hospital that day to be tested for HIV. The rest of our time at the orphanage we spent with these 20 kids. Every one of them walked with their feet turned out from being layed in a crib all of their lives. I will never forget the first little girl I picked up. She reached her hands up to me and I could see in her eyes, that all she wanted was a loving touch. When I picked her up and held her on my hip, the first thing I noticed was that her dress was wet. Every one of those kids were soaked in pee, because no one cared enough to change their clothes or clean them. That was their everyday life. Being stuck in a crib all day and peeing all over themselves helplessly. My heart broke for them, and I want to do something to fix this problem.. But being so far away it's hard.
We had many things happen to us in that one week that Stacy said had never happened before on any of her trips. I can't share all those stories yet, but I plan to! We learned to never say never, because the second we do...what we thought would never happened happens.. God protected us that week and for that I am more than grateful! Thank you so much for all the prayers!!
I plan to continue telling stories from my trip on this blog. So keep watching for new posts! I have lotsss more stories

2 comments:

  1. Can't wait to hear more...I am hanging on your every word!!

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  2. I'll be checking back for more stories. Keep shining!

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