Lake Malawi- July 2012

Our friend Brooke is visiting us for a couple of weeks.  We picked her up from the airport Thursday and left Friday for the lake.  We love having an excuse to take a mini vacation.  Later this week we go to Zambia on safari for the first time!  Look for tons of pics!

Sunday at Rainbow!

Our Sundays are pretty much our favorite days of the week. Every Sunday morning we make the 30 minute drive out to Rainbow to attend Rainbow Community Church.  What a blessing to worship with the Christians here at this church and learn to praise God in a whole new language.  When we are there the sermon is given in English and translated into Chichewa (for the rest of the congregation).  Most of the time we're the only Azungus (white people) in attendance other than Karen, the other Rainbow missionary.  After the church service we eat lunch and hang around to play with the kids for most of the afternoon.  Today I snapped a few pictures to show you. 

This is Faith.  She is SM's best friend.  They love playing tag and running around chasing each other.   Faith lives at Rainbow with her parents Nason and Glory, her younger brother, and younger sister.  Nason and Glory are the house parents for the boys.  Nason is also the pastor or Rainbow Community Church.  

A few of the kids goofing off...

AJ and her jump-roping buddies

The girls are playing jump over the rope.  This is like the opposite of Limbo where you try to go over the rope that keeps rising.  As it gets higher the girls start cartwheeling over the rope.  Ingenious! 

Yes, a family pic...although not a very good one.  

An "extended family" pic!

Miss Brooke is visiting us right now.  Here she is with a bunch of the Rainbow kids (and Kyser kids). 

Gusu/Jidi Evangelism Event- July 2012 (Music Ministry and Preaching the Word)

Another important aspect of our recent Gusu/Jidi Evangelism event was music.  A Gospel music group with many of our friends in it were gracious to come and minister to the crowds at Gusu/Jidi.  During the breaks from the soccer tournament a DJ played various types of music.  The children loved hearing the music and dancing!

Some of the adults even got into the action!  They loved hearing the Word through music.

Before the awards ceremony a Gospel concert was performed.  I think it's safe to say that most of the 4000+ people in attendance had never been privy to a concert before.  

But of course the main purpose for everything that we did this weekend was to bring the Power of the Word to the people.  Over 4000 people from 10+ surrounding villages heard the Word.  Seeds were no doubt planted.  Now we watch as the Lord leads His people to Him.  We wait for His work to be accomplished in their lives.  We pray that we will be faithful in our ministry to help if He calls us to.  

Please join our family in praying for the people who attended the event of this past month.  Another event will be held in October.  Please pray for the funds to come available for this upcoming event.  Please pray for the leadership of E3 Worldwide as they seek to minister to the people of Gusu/Jidi and surrounding villages.  Please pray for Jeremy as he continues working on the water pump, water storage, and instillation of solar panels for various sites at the work area.  Most importantly, please pray that the Lord will be glorified in all that we do and that the seeds that were planted will continue to be watered and nourished.  Praise God that we are able to assist Him in His work here!

Gusu/Jidi Evangelism Weekend- July 2012 (Sports Ministry)

Another aspect of our Gusu/Jidi Evangelism weekend was the football (Soccer) tournament.  This was a huge deal for the community.  And the fact that E3 brought actual trophies, medals, and monetary gifts for the winners meant even more.  Driving out of the area the next day on our way home we could see some of the proud owners of the medals wearing them around their necks.  

8 football teams played 7 a-side games of 60 minutes.  The competition was great!  There were thousands of people in attendance to watch the tournament.  Praise God!

Sports Outreach Ministries (S.O.M.) with ABC grads and missionaries.  

Another great success for the E3 football tournament.  Gusu/Jidi came in 2nd place!