Early Sunday morning, Dan and 20 other missionaries headed out in one of Overland’s big trucks for the 7+ hour drive into the Nyawa chiefdom. The age range of participants was 1 yr old up to a couple in their late 60s. The Nyawa chiefdom has been the primary ministry focus of a family in Overland for 3+ years and there are over 400 leaders being mentored. Obviously there is a wonderful ministry presence, but it is a huge territory and there are still many who have never heard.
This particular area was targeted this time because of a catfish festival where loads of people come for miles to fish. Dan and the team had to walk for several hours to reach the place where the people were. (different fishing holes were “open” or legal to fish at each day) The men generally used spears to try to stab the fish and the ladies used cone shaped baskets to try to trap the fish. Many of our team jumped into the river to help them. The people were thrilled we were there and our attempts to help were laughed at all day. This was “life on life” ministry as we earned credibility by helping.
The kids and I caravanned with 15 other people out to the bush to join the group on Tuesday. That night, some teammates showed the Jesus film near our campsite and about 80 people came to see. The next morning, we walked about 10 minutes down the road where there were people cleaning fish and smoking them over the fire. They were delighted to sit with us for hours to ask questions about what they saw on the Jesus Film. The group I was sharing with said they don’t have access to a Bible and often when they go to church, there is no pastor to teach them. They were so happy we were there and we had a wonderful time of encouraging them.
Later that afternoon, Dan watched the kids and freed me to join a team to walk to villages to share the love of Christ. After walking over an hour in the hot African sun, we reached a small village of about 15 adults and a bunch of kids. A young Overland missionary named Derek had rode his bicycle to this village a year ago and gave one of the men a Bible. They were absolutely delighted to see us and said that Derek, and now our little group were the only visitors they can remember coming to visit.
The oldest man there stood up and declared loudly, “You have come to give us a gift. I am ready to receive it. I will receive it, not with one hand, but with my two hands open!” Derek said, “If you have ever wondered if God has forgotten you, we are proof today of how much God loves you. He has brought us from far far away to share with you the message of His great love for you.” For the next 2 hours, we four missionaries took turns sharing about the fall of man, our great need for a Savior, the death of Christ, the Holy Spirit our helper, how to listen for God’s voice, and how to share what we have learned with others. They were listening intently and soaking in every word. When we asked if anyone wanted to receive Jesus as their Savior, every adult and a few of the kids prayed the salvation prayer.
To be honest, taking the kids into the bush wasn’t all that comfortable. However, with a little sacrifice on our family’s part, we got to play a small part in an entire small village receiving salvation. It was amazing and TOTALLY worth it.
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