June 18, 2012
The team returned to Chiwoza to work again on the same projects. We once again were greeted by many children. We spent a little while singing with them and then broke into our teams.
Today was awesome at VBS. Jessica and Constance had an even larger group of children, but everything was very orderly. The children were so well behaved. The craft was to make an evangelism bracelet of beads and a pipe cleaner. The kids then learned how to share the Gospel with the bracelet. They practiced with each other, learning to share from the bracelet.
Adam and Steve returned to Mtata across the river, but only the chief and several other leaders from other nearby villages showed up with their wives. They went through the stories, but the people already knew them. They moved to the river and shared the Gospel with several people who prayed to receive Christ. Then a group of children came, and they again presented the Gospel. These also prayed to receive Christ. That afternoon there was a woman who was sick with abdominal pain. This proved to be something they believed to be due to “dark magic”. This was a reminder that we are in spiritual warfare, and Satan will try to stop us. Later that evening at our devotional time we prayed that God would heal her, break down this stronghold, and all in a way that would leave no doubt that God is working.
Emily, Hannah, and Allison returned to their nearby village. Emily and Hannah basically completed their story telling and teaching with one young woman who returned. And Allison walked around to share the Gospel. She sat down to help some women shell corn as she witnessed to them. One prayed to receive Jesus.
And I taught more about discipleship to nine or ten people. In the afternoon there was a question and answer session. The pastor interpreter sensed that some present were not believers, and he invited them to pray for salvation. Seven people prayed to receive Jesus.
Truly some of these may be rededications, but God is moving in the lives of people here in Chiwoza.
We will be in Chiwoza for two more days. Pray that God will continue to work here and give us wisdom to carry forward in the best way in our various ministries. Spirits are high; pray that God will protect us from the enemy, who wants to stop the Gospel here in these villages. We are confident: greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world.
Ray Smith
