I
apologize for my lateness with this report. This house runs on solar and it has
rained for the past three or four days.
My
ministry with the Zema boys is going well. I have done some ministry on an
island in Lake Victoria with Andrew’s and Micha's pastor training organization.
For lunch we ate small silver fish that were dipped in some sort of cooking
oil. I did not bring my camera for this as the boats have a reputation for
being less than quality. Even, I had to bail out water the whole trip when it
was not my turn to paddle. It was beautiful though. The island was not very big,
but its inhabitants were fishermen, casting nets in much the same way, as I
figure, they did in Jesus’ day. This inspired me to tell one of the parables
Jesus told from a boat. It was a lot of fun.
I
was asked to look at a sick baby at the Sefa house, where the Zema boys live. The
child’s name was Daniel and he had cauliflower sores coming from his ears, a
runny nose, and high fevers. He was in pain and on medication. I took the Village
Medical Manual that I had brought from Equip. It is used in Equip's Mission
Medical Intensive course, a class designed to train laymen and those with a
formidable background in the medical field at the same time. I am told it is
like trying to drink water from a fire hydrant. I will be taking this two week
course when I return.
I
was able to enter Masese with Luke Anderson, another Equip Missionary I got to
meet, and select members of CHE (Community Health Evangelism). I saw all the impact Jeremy, Tamera, Anna,
Luke and Katie Davis have made. Luke tells me of significant improvements and I
believe him. My mind wonders to what I may be able to join the Lord in doing in
my future. We were brought to another sick infant and Luke let them purchase a
Clinic Ticket that costs 500 shillings (2500 Shillings is 1 US Dollar). With
this ticket Equip picks up the clinic bills. The tickets used to be free, but
they often found them wasted. When an
impoverished parent is willing to purchase this for someone, it means they will
more than likely also take the responsibility of actually using it.
After
this I was brought into the hut of a lady whose name was Lillian. She even fed
us and gave us sodas. “Give and you shall receive.” When an impoverished person
gives, God’s irrevocable laws of the universe come into place. The way to escape
poverty is to give your way out of it. (In the hut I noticed a picture hanging
on the wall of Black Mountain in the fall, with my parents’ church’s steeple,
white and raising above the trees. My hometown! I bet it was even bought out of
the Black Mountain Hardware store.) I was led and guided by a resident of
Masese, a man named Elijah, whom I really like and was able to meet his family
and enter his hut as well. There were lots of bead and necklace making ladies
all throughout Masese, some former prostitutes. God is at work here!
In
other news, Andrew Olson, a friend of mine here, received a Dear John phone
call and was incredibly distraught. I
went that day to share his sadness, but arrived only to find his roommate and
partner in missions picking up his disheveled room. “Where is Andrew?” I said
to Micha. “He's gone.” ”Gone where?” I asked. “Gone back to America,” said he.
That night Andrew was in the air flying home. I wish the best for him, but it
still doesn’t seem his lady is going to take him back.
With
the rain I have been held at the house and have been reading To Kill a
Mockingbird to the older children. I found that when you read a book out
loud to someone you can get pretty emotional, more so than reading in quiet
alone.
I
went back to the prison ministry. It happens on Thursdays, but as that’s Chris'
day to go to CLD he has not allowed me to stay, until now, when he is on
vacation. Many of the prisoners had been shipped to other prisons and so, only
half of the faces I knew were there, but new members were present. I shared on
hearing and obeying God and the necessity to seek him in quiet alone.
As
well, the Zema boys, Ann-Marie and I went to the top of Monkey Mountain
Thursday evening. This was the most beautiful sight I have seen since I came
here: the setting sun over Lake Victoria, rain sweeping across green fields,
the sunset, the stars, and a lightning storm to finish it off, and of course,
monkeys, lots of them. But after just coming from the prison, I did not bring
my camera. Sorry.
Best wishes,
praying for all of you.
In Christ,
David Greene
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