Race hurdles:
The land situation with the
church dares our faith daily but not without reward. Ever since the destructive persecution
started, we’ve constantly encouraged each other to refuse anger, bitterness or
selfish requests and PRAYED for what we believed is God’s heart – mercy
salvation and redemption. During last
Sunday service one of the young men who participated in the damaging violence
appeared. He wanted to confess. He
explained he felt tormented since he cut down the church structure with a
machete. He begged forgiveness. Believers
cried, hugged the young man and prayed for him.
As for the building he chopped, amazingly, children still meet for
Sunday school among its razor sharp edges and no one has been cut. To top off the praise reports - the church
doubled in attendance! Is it any closer to owning the land? Only God knows, but that’s ok because He
knows best!
The ministry of the
widowed/single mamas continues to grow despite relational issues between the
women that tests Lisa’s patience (we all know patience is NOT a fruit of the
Spirit that Lisa indulges!) She reminds herself that we are all growing in
grace and focuses on a group’s strength – service to the community in Jesus name. Here some of the mamas shine, and we enjoy
nurturing their giftings to gleaming beauty.
Loisa’s love for children and effective interaction makes her a favorite
at Joyland School for the disabled. She
challenges the other mamas to join her in visiting the forgotten children. Carolyne’s ability to teach engages attention
and collaboration. Plans are underway to
take DIGGS training into a rural community where poverty hangs heavy over widows and their children,
threatening to steal their destinies.
Both Loisa and Carolyne also volunteer at a small playgroup for physically challenged children
that we started on our compound.
The metal mold for the
evangelistic pure water project came in under the expected price! Surprised! Grateful! Now, let the real work of sifting sand, shaking
gravel, mixing and pouring concrete begin. Will all that effort be worth it? Ask mamas of babies who drink dirty water
from the polluted lake or murky streams. Boiling water takes precious fuel but
providing a biosand filter gives them access to potable, affordable water –
something for which we just turn a tap. With this gift of drinkable water we share the eternal gift of Living Water, ministering to both spiritual and physical needs.
We spent years preparing for
this African call, foreseeing it could become a marathon. Experiences with culture now expose hidden
detours that could attempt to take us off track. We are learning to pace
ourselves since an energetic special needs four year old entered our lives. And on those days
when we feel like we can’t run another step, we see Jesus. He not only set the course, but He’s running
it with us. That makes for an amazing
race. Hebrews 12:1-2.
Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.
hugs from the haugers Ooo0o
