Free From Sin and Death

Hey, guess what?

They have the 4th of July in Namibia..

They do?

Well yes, and the 5th and the 6th and the 7th...

Even though in Namibia 4th of July has no significance.

To us, even in Namibia, 4th of July has great significance.

We are thankful for our freedom and for the sacrifices made in order for our country to have the rights that many countries do not have. 

So, we celebrated!

With...Red (more like pink), white (the filling), and blue crepes!

We cooked out in the dark, because the whole city had a power outage the night of the fourth. Random fact: My friends back home didn't have power either. Odd.

Whether you live in a country that is free or not,

 we were all once or still are enslaved to sin.

We are all in desperate need of One to sacrifice on our behalf,

so that we can be free from sin and death.

Let us celebrate the freedom we have in Christ,

 and rejoice in the sonship He have given us!

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." -Galatians 5:1

Where He Leads, There I Will Go

(I am trying to play catch up blogging but jetlag is preventing such accomplishments, but here goes nothing...)

     My last weekend in Tsumeb was filled with lots and lots of goodbye. Some harder than others. For instance, the dog, not so hard to part with, but my girls, heartbreaking. One of the most reoccurring questions from my last few days in Africa was:

"Will you ever come back to Namibia to visit us again?"

     The reality of the situation is, I may never return to Tsumeb. Would I love nothing more than for the Lord to lead me there again, to continue relationships and investments made? Absolutely. But, do I feel the Lord's leading without a doubt to return? That, I am not sure. I do not want to go somewhere simply because of previous relationships, I want to go where He leads, not where I would be most comfortable. With that said, I had to stand before one hundred beautiful faces and tell them that I may never return again. I told them that I want to be obedient to the calling Christ has on my life. That where He leads, there I will go. If my life would bring God most glory by coming to Tsumeb, Namibia again, I would be honored and filled with joy. If Christ would be most glorified by me spending my life somewhere else, I will be obedient. My heart's desire is for the lost of the entire world to come to know God, in Africa, Asia, Alabama, and everywhere else. At this present moment, I do not know where Christ is leading with my life, but I do know what He is leading, and that is to make His glory known to the ends of the earth.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." -Acts 1:8

     

An Everyday Saturday

     This Saturday was an everyday Saturday. One of the many benefits of being in a foreign country for more than a two week planned out mission trip is getting the opportunity to serve in everyday life. I am convinced we were designed to share life with the body of Christ, and to live life in service to the community God has you in, whether permanently or temporarily. I believe one of the strongest acts of ministry is meeting them where they are, loving and serving them in the little things. We were created to be in fellowship with one another. I have loved becoming comfortable with living life here. Saturday, I spent time with some teenagers decorating cookies and then headed to my man Fekamini's rugby match to cheer him on to victory. I thank my Jesus for days to simply live the love of Christ in an everyday Saturday.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."-Act 2:42-47

The Bushmen

     Today, I traveled to Tsintsabis with Scott to visit the bushmen and sit in on their time of study together. Because of the desperate need the Lord has laid on their hearts, The Johnson Family (the family whose house I live in the back of) has uprooted their lives and moved to Tsumeb to teach, train, and disciple pastors from all over Namibia. Every Friday Scott travels to Tsintsabis to teach the leaders of the churches there, as well as some women that gather to listen. The bushmen live in the actual bush and are considered one of the lowest tribes in Namibia. God has opened up doors for the influential leaders in their tribe to be biblically trained for three to four hours straight on a weekly basis, this is so vital. How are pastors and teachers going to be be able to lead a congregation in studying the Word when they themselves are not familiar with what that process looks like? Because of that, Scott is starting by simply taking them through how to study the Bible and how to teach the Bible. I was so thankful to be able to join them in their time together this week.

(I didn't know ISUZU made donkey carts. And a license plate for the motor vehicle..hmm)

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?"

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

 -Romans 10:14-15, 17

Final Scenes From The Location

     This week marks a lot of lasts (for the time being, at least), and this one just might sting a little more than most. Yesterday was my last vegetable distribution day to The Location. God provided more vegetables than I have seen my entire trip, we were able to give to more families than ever before. Our God is great, and greatly to be praised!

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!"