Yesterday was a very interesting day. It started early in the morning with the unloading of a container full of work supplies from the USA. Plenty of equipment to manufacture tabernacles here in Malawi. The job was complete by 3 PM in the afternoon. Then the rush began!
Fredna and I were supposed to be at Ukwe village to join with Pastor Jay Naaman and the congregation of Ukwe Assembly of God church to show the Jesus Film. The Jesus Film is a full-length feature production of the life of Jesus Christ. It has been translated into many languages and is used all over the world in evangelistic efforts. We needed to leave the house no later than 4:30 PM in order to arrive in time to set up the equipment before dark. Yes, before dark! Remember, we live in Malawi, Africa where there are few places that you can go into a building with lights and seating for a movie.
Actually, we showed the film on a football (soccer) field. In the village a football field is just a place that kids have cleared off to play soccer. We hung the screen from the goal post made out of three tree limbs. By the time we began there were about 250 people seated and standing, anticipating a film! By the time it was finished, there were about 400 people gathered.
While the film was playing, I stood where I could see most of the people that had gathered. I began thanking God for the opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ in this extremely remote area. Then I began thinking about all the equipment that God has blessed us with that enables us to share the Gospel of Christ. I feel that I must say, "Thank you!" to many people.
- The children of Assembly of God churches all across America that raise money to buy literature for distribution to people who live in villages around the world.
- The youth of Assembly of God churches all across America who raise millions of dollars to buy transportation for each missionary. That may be a car, a boat, a motorcycle, a donkey, etc. For us it is a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser. We would never be able to reach most of the villages in Malawi without it!
- The youth also raise money to supply the missionaries with sound equipment, video equipment, and many other items of ministry.
- The men of Assemblies of God churches all across America that raise money to buy Bibles for missionaries to use and evangelistic literature for distribution.
- The women of Assemblies of God churches all across America that raise money to be used in a thousand different ways to help the missionary on the ground in far away places. When I take a bath, I dry off with a towel furnished by WM's (Women's Ministries). We sleep on sheets and cover with blankets furnished by the WM's. We cook on a stove furnished by the WM's. Surely you get the picture by now.
We may be the "point" men on the ground, but logistically, we have a whole army behind us - sending us! I didn't mention the most important part of this army standing with us. That is that they are praying for us every day. Praying for our safety, praying for our evangelistic efforts, praying for the souls that will be touched by our ministry.
I am proud to be an Assembly of God missionary showing a video in a village in Africa!
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