December 23, 2007

Today we started off by going to church. I have to say that I was a little disappointed. I guess just after all I've heard about church in Africa, but I think it has to do with John, the pastor. Most of the church is his family, and he really caters everything to them. But I did like the songs. But I pray that God would put more joy there in that little church. I pray that just like in the US, that their songs would become pure and true worship and praise. John's sermon was a little odd too. Even though he did brin gupsome thoughts that I would never think of, he spike about when abraham sacrificed Isaac. He really tried to tie everyting in the story to something else in the bible. Like a detail couldn't be a detail, it had to be a sign or symbol of something else. I guess it could be, but I think that right now the believers of Kollo just need to learn about the life of Jesus, so they can become more like him. When you talk to them individually, all they want to do is walk with Jesus.

I guess I couldn't expect much from John, I mean he hasn't had any "training." He probably hasn't heard many different examples of preaching. He even had to ask Brandy, Kanesa, and I for verses that talk about Christ's birth for the service on Christmas day. It all really is really sad and unfair. We so take all of our amazing pastors in the US for granted. The new Zerma believers really deserve someone who can encourage them, and teach them God's word. It si so hard to share with the believers because of how little they know. It's different then in the US. And they are willing to learn,but life in africa doesn't allow for an abundance of study time. Life is hard for them, which is all the more reason that they need the patience and perserverance of Christ. And then, they can't study much on their own, because most can't read the bible. They do have like 5 books on audio cassette, but I don't know how well the missionaries are doing at getting those out. Or maybe they just don't have an abundance of them? There is just so much need to hear the gospel, to accept it, to be loved, but also a huge need for discipleship. It is so overwhelming!! Oh God, I praise you that YOU are the Lord of the Nigerien believers! They are in the best hands, even when I cannot see it.

After lunch, Brandy and I went to visit with Ouomu's mom. We got there right as she was beginning her prayers, butit must not be a big deal to have guests during your prayers. I definitely saw during my time with the Zerma, that they don't put any heart, and really not much respect into their muslim beliefs. They are just rituals, tradition. Which is a big open door for God. Like this evening, while we were in a village, the men were out on the road doing their prayers, and the preiest stopped, turned aorund, and told us goodnight! Then a few days ago the priest in the compound across the street, let us take a picture ofthe meat that he had sacrificed for sins, and took his picture with it??... But we rejoice, because it seems that in the lives of some, the strongholds of Islam are being broken down!

But after Ouomu's mom finished her prayers, I shared with her the story of the Good Shepherd, and Brandy translated. We were going to just share with her matthew 9, but before going over there, God really laid it on my heart to share that with her. So we did and during the story she said, "jesus taught you about sheep, but didn't tell you to do chimsi?" (which is when they sacrifice sheep for their sins) So Brandy told her we would explain that at the end of the story. When we finished, Brandy explained it all in Zarma, and even got to talk about the part hwere there is more than one sheep pen, but there will be only one flock and only one shepherd. So Brandy told her that even though Ouomu and her were from different pens that they were now united through Christ. Ouomu's mom ended up saying, "I hear, and I see, but I cannot because I am on the road of readiness." Meaning that we were children tellin gher this, and that she could not be on the same path as a child. She told us that a mother could pull a child back on the right path, but a child cannot pull a mother onto another path. Brandy told her that no one can pull someone on another path, but that we can call to each other. So, she doesn't wnat to accept Christ, even she knows that she needs to, because of her pride and because she says she must get ready to die by getting the good deeds that she needs. It breaks my heart, that she is getting ready to death in the wrong way and the harder way, when all she needs to do is surrender. I think about all the older women in my life, what if one of them would come and talk with her about Jesus, someone that is on the same path as she is. It was weird leaving her house, because I felt joy becaue I had shared with her so passionately and wanted her to believe so bad, but so much heartbreak also because of her words. I guess that's just another mystery of God.

After leaving Ouomu's we went to two very poor villages. They were very obviously poorer. Their houes were smaller and not as nice, all the children had the malnourished abdomens, they were all so dirty, but those little kids love to hold your hands! I forgot to bring my camera with me, but maybe it is a good thing. I know that many of my pictures I've taken will make me smile and laugh, but pictures of these children and this village would hurt to look at. I remember seeing one little naked boy getting dirty so brown water out of a ditch and then drinking it. They don't have a well at either of these villages. I thought that I understood the poverty of Africa before coming, but nothing could have prepared me for this. I can't even explain it.

We sang and shared stories at both villages, and at the last one we prayed for a little baby that was very sick and didn't look like he was going to make it. Brandy had asked what they wanted us to pray for, and the mother of the baby came over and laid him in Brandy's arms. I cried that night thinking that that little baby would probably die, just because, really, he didn't have a mosquito net, or clean water, and he doesn't have any healthcare. If he was in America, it would be no big deal, and he'd be fine. But he's not.