This Man Needs Jesus

Early Sunday morning on our way to church we walk through the "Congo" area. There are men on the ground totally oblivious to what is going on around them.  The sun beats down on them as they sleep off the effects of the night before. It is a normal sight here. Today there are many.

 

The church benches are brought outside for the children's time.  Our spot of shade is small but treasured.  The early morning sun is hot.  The children gather quickly as they see me preparing the area.  This week the ground is cleaner. Collins, one of the church men, worked this past week to remove the garbage from this area.  After songs and a review around 30 children are taught about Paul & Barnabas. Happiness fills the air when the crayons are pulled from my back pack J  This week one of the leaders, the prophet, of a neighboring church sat outside and listened to me.  I was worried that he would forbid his children to come.  Nothing was said and they stayed with us the whole time.

 

As we entered the church we enjoyed a fresh breeze coming from three new wooden windows.  The light and the breeze make our time together more enjoyable.  Many passing by on that side of the church will stop at the windows and peak in.  Then others will come as word gets out that the white woman is inside.

 

What a great day we had.  Rose, a woman that has had many problems, sat in church with us again.  She now knows peace and it radiates from her face.

 

The first month of the year is a month reserved for prayer. Every night of January people with gather at the church from 6 – 8 pm to pray.

 

The lady that had bought rope to hang herself has been in church every night this past week for a time of prayer.  She also joined us for the Sunday morning service.

 

Shem our notorious thief that accepted Jesus in his heart recently also returned to church this Sunday.  He sat quietly beside me as Pastor Chris taught a pastoral class Sunday afternoon.  Shem asked for more prayer before he left.  He was gone sometime and then returned with a friend.  Shem's friends are thieves also. He knows them all J  These thieves wait in the darkness for someone to walk by.  They will beat you up or even kill you for what you might have on you.  Shem walks into the church with his friend, another thief, and tells us "this man needs Jesus in his heart"!  God is so good! Shem's friend accepted Jesus into his heart.

 

It's close to five and we begin our walk out to the matatu stage.  The sun still says its noon day as the dust moves with out feet.  There are other opportunities to pray as we talk with those we meet along the path.  One man wanted prayer for a job so that he can feed his five year old son. He knows God is the answer for his life.  He removes his cap and falls to his knees in the middle of the busy path.

 

The smoke from slices of cow lung, blood sausages and intestines fill the air as they cook beside the road.

 

We climb into the matatu. With every seat full we wait as the driver ties his door shut.

 

The slums are soon left behind us.  The busy roads and heavy traffic is now before us.  My heart is still wrapped in the wonders of God's love that I have seen unfold before me.

 

Joel 2:32 

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.