Africa - Part V

Sunday: continued...

After church we went with the Pastor to see the land the church has purchased to build on - It was exciting! I learned that when you purchase land there, you have to build a fence around it, or it might get sold out from under you and you have to re-purchase it. So - they purchased the land and built a wall. It will take them at least 5 years to raise the money for a church building. While we were there, we prayed with the Pastor, for his church and the building that will one day be in that very place.

One of the ministry leaders from Compassionate Ministries joined us that day for church and lunch. He was feeling really ill and so we gathered to pray for his health and his ministry. Over lunch he shared how Compassionate Ministries and JESUS Film ministries work together - to meet physical and spiritual needs. I love how different ministries work together for the goal of telling others about Jesus!

After lunch we went back to our Hotel to get ready for a JESUS Film showing that night. “Get ready” to me meant change from my long skirt to pants, add a long sleeve shirt over my short-sleeve shirt, get bug spray and a granola bar :) And I made sure I had a video camera to capture some moments from the night. 

We traveled about an hour north and when we arrived at the sight we were welcomed with some lively music! Church people had gathered and were singing and dancing while waiting for the film to start. Our host (in the red and white shirt below) even got in on the music playing!

As soon as we arrived, the team began setting up for the showing. They had a backpack (it was exactly like the sets we brought in, although this was not one of the new ones) and began to take everything out…a screen, speakers, mic, tripod, video projector, sd cards, battery, audio Bible (which is also a flashlight - see pic below)…and more!

Once they were all set up (it did not take long) the film started and the people were engaged. Some of those who were walking by, driving by, or riding on their bikes stopped to see what was going on, and watched the film.

After the showing there were a few people who gave their life to Christ and gave a testimony! I didn’t understand much of what they said (our interpreter told of some of what they were saying) but you could see the joy on their faces!

Before we left, we went with the Pastor and a leader of the church to see where they meet each week for worship. We chatted with them awhile before praying with them and heading out.

While they were setting up, I and the others I traveled with were busy taking pictures and video of them setting up the equipment. It was fun to see them work! You can see me in the pic below (near the screen, with a backpack on, with a video camera. It was so dark out there…Our host followed me around with a flashlight and my cell phone flashlight on the team members setting things up. (They didn’t really need the light - they were pro’s, but I needed the light for the video camera to capture what they were doing!).

We did have a little time in between things to visit with the people. They are precious and I found myself wanting to hug them and sit down and have deep conversations with them about life and faith. That did not happen because of the language barrier. But we shared lots of smiles (and even a few hugs).

It was wonderful to experience a showing, see the work the team does, and experience the people’s passion and desire for the people of their country to know about God - so inspiring!