A Disciple who Disciples

Last week at one of our Bible studies in the village of Sashe MmaBosele asked about the Lord's Supper. We discussed it and I told her that we would do that this week (today). John and I went to pick up the two young ladies who have been coming the last few weeks. When we got there one of the lady's mother wanted to come too. She said she wanted to hear more about Jesus. When we got back to the house there was another young lady. This was her first time to attend. I shared the gospel with them very thoroughly and these two ladies prayed to trust Christ. I told them that a person who does not know Christ should not observe the Lord's Supper. We then studied what God's word said about the ordinance. I wanted them to know when Jesus had His disciples observe this worshipful experience and how to prepare one's heart to do it. We studied in 1 Corinthians 11 and Luke 22. They understood these truths very well. It was a great experience having the Lord's Supper with Africans for the first time. From here we went to MmaDitsela's home. Janet and her mother were there. Janet has been studying in the gospel of John. She is taking her time as she copies this gospel. She is studying God's word very carefully. She asks very specific questions, such as, "Explain this verse to me so I can understand it", "What does this verse mean?", If someone asks me about this verse, how do I explain it to them?" Janet is every mission@ry's dream. Not only is she growing in her faith and knowledge in Christ, but she is taking what she is learning and sharing it with others! She is being discipled and she is discipling others. Wow! This is God's word in action.

Just for Fun...

Sites around Bulawayo...we hung out with Uncle Duncan and Aunt Tanya...visited an Orphanage for abandoned animals...played football in the yard...dreamed about driving a vintage VW...walked the streets of Bulawayo and bargained for goodies!

Ministry Trip to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

The home for street children.

The children are being tutored so that they will be able to enter back into the school system.

Kb sharing her testimony.

Francis and Tatjana in the kitchen.

More lessons..

Bulawayo Baptist Church will celebrate 80 year anniversary in October.

People who came for the free meal that our family helped prepare.

Luke chopping his cabbage.

Kb ready to work.

I got to pray with this woman.

Several of the kids were hiding behind this building...which is part of their home.

One of the ladies we prayed for...she told us she did not want to live like she does.

The adults met inside to have a Bible study.

Kb and Luke playing games outside...

We prayed for this lady to find a job.

Luke and Kb played Ring Around the Rosies with the little ones.

This little girl lives here in this place.

Walking out into the bush...visiting people who live in the Shanty Town and praying for them.

Zimbabwe Ministry Trip Highlights...and Prayer Requests...

The two little girls screamed and cried when Florence had to take them back to their mother. They had run away with their older brother and ended up on the streets of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Bulawayo Baptist Church owns a house that will allow the street kids to live. Florence takes care of them....but these two little ones were too young (preschoolers) to qualify. Their mother is blind and she uses them to beg in the streets. Their brother will get at least one good meal a day, shelter and some tutoring so that he can get back into school. Please pray for Florence as she checks out other resources for these sisters.

We learned about this situation on our recent ministry trip to Zimbabwe. The Boys Home has about 15 youth living there....when we visited, they were divided up into groups which met with volunteers who were teaching arithmetic and reading. Kb was able to share with the children during their break....many of them listen to violent music. She talked to them about the consequences of the type of music we listen to and how it affects us spiritually. We gave the children a new CD of Christian music to trade for an old CD. It was good for them to hear from someone close to their age. Please pray that the children will listen to the new music that honors God and not violence.

Our family also visited a Shanty town and prayed with several families. We walked from shelter to shelter and found someone to talk to and ask questions. Then we took turns praying with them. Most of these people at one time had their own home and a good job. But the political situation has left them homeless. They have found scraps of metal and other materials to put together and are squatters on someone else's land. The biggest request was for a job. Please pray for these people in the Squatters' Village. Pray for jobs so that they can feed their families.

We also did a Bible study in Squatters' Village with the adults inside a building while Kb and Luke played different games outside with the children. One of the favorites games was Goose, Goose, Lion (Duck, Duck, Goose). Please pray that these children will understand how much the Lord loves them. Pray that they will have enough to eat and that they will have the fees to go to school. Pray for the adults that they will be a bold witness for the Lord to their friends and family.

Got cabbage? Kb, Luke and I (Kim) chopped cabbage for 2 hours! We went to Bulawayo Baptist Church on Tuesday morning and helped prepare a noon meal for the homeless. Randy was able to visit with the folks who started showing up about 9:30 am. We got to help serve a great meal to about 150 people. It really was a joy to hear them sing and dance during the worship time before the meal. One of the deacons gave a short message. Pray that these people will not only be fed physically....but spiritually as well. Pray they will hunger and thirst after the Most High God. Pray for Bulawayo Baptist Church and volunteers that make this ministry possible.

We do want to thank you for your prayers, packages and emails....it is so wonderful that we are in a place that has the internet (usually!) and can keep in contact with our friends and family.

Thank you for the prayers for our trip to Zim...God kept us safe and we were able to have some family time while doing ministry together.

Thank you for the prayers for Kb and Luke's schooling...Kb did great on her exams and Luke is doing well with his assignments for homeschool.

The Lord is keeping us healthy and safe. We know we are in His hands and can really tell that in this darkness...there is a Light...and that God's people are keeping us before the throne in prayer.

We love to hear from you all. God bless!

Jumping for a Bible

This morning John and I went to the villages of Tati Siding and Shashe. We followed up a visit with an older couple from last week. On Friday of last week the old woman prayed to trust Christ. The old man did not. We visited them today and shared the gospel with the old man. I asked him is he knew for certain if he died if he would go to heaven. He said, "No. I do not know for certain." I asked him if he would like to know. He said, "Yes, I would." I shared Jesus with him. When I was ready to lead in the prayer of salvation he did not want to pray. He said, "Just pray for me." I paused for a moment wondering if I did not explain the gospel good enough. Then just as I was about to pray for him, he said, "I want to pray." So I led him in asking Jesus into his heart. He is at least 70 years old. How awesome to see older people come to Jesus. He nor his wife know how to read or write, so John and I will visit them weekly to share Bible stories with them to help them grow in their faith. Our second visit was to MmaTumati's in Tati Siding. We met and prayed for an old man there last week leading him to Christ. He had to be in his 80's. He was sick then. When we came into the yard he was sitting in a chair. He has to use crutches to walk, but he was feeling much better. His eyesight is not good. So he asked us to pray for his vision to clear up. As we talked, he was getting excited talking about Jesus! When we left, John said, "He is catching the fire of Jesus!" Please pray for God to heal this man's vision...For God to get the glory!!Our third visit was in Shashe at MmaBosele's home. Two young ladies came to the Bible study. MmaBosele met one of them walking on the road. Her name is Lorato. MmaBosele invited her to the Bible study. Today was the third time Lorato has come. She brought her friend, who has come two times. The two young ladies and MmaBosele are copying the gospel of John. Mma Bosele is on chapter 16. She is doing great. She always has great questiions and insights. Lorato had many questions. I asked her how many chapters she has copied of John. She said, "I've copied 21 chapters." I thought, "Ok, there are 21 chapters in John." I told her, "When you finish copying the gospel of John I will give you a Bible." She JUMPED up and ran to me handiing me her booklet of John! I asked to see her notebook. She had finished copying the gospel of John! She was so excited to get a Bible! I've never in my life seen anyone that excited to receive a Bible! Matthew 5:6 comes to mind. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." We are seeing God work in Shashe! MmaBosele is practicing the Great Commission, (even though I don't think she even knows what the Great Commission is or what it means). She saw a young lady on the road and invited her to the Bible study. The young lady brings a friend. Both of them trusted Christ because of MmaBosele's obedience. All three are growing in their faith. Every time that I go to Shashe I feel so humbled being in the presence of people like MmaBosele. Watching people take God's word seriously melts my heart.

How Many Trees are in an Apple?

My helper, John, came to the house this morning for my language lesson. He is teaching me to speak Setswana. (Jesu o a lorata = Jesus loves you). John shared part of his testimony about him copying Scripture. That is the main goal we are doing here, askiing people to write down word for word the gospel of John, then ask God to reveal truths to them as they write. John said that when Kelly, my colleague, asked him many months ago to copy Scripture, he thought that it would be a waste of time. But he started copying Scripture to please Moruti Kellly. John has copied a few books of the Bible. He said, "Now when I copy the gospels, it is like I am walking with Jesus! Like I'm part of the crew. When Jesus does a miracle, it's like I'm standing behind Him watching what He is doing!" I thought, Wow! He has insight in writing out the Scripture that he did not have in just reading it. That's what will happen when you use various senses at the same time (ex. reading, writing, thinking/meditating). Scripture comes more alive. You will see things you did not see before in just reading.As we talked about copying Scripture to get into God's word, we talked about the many homes we go to in the four villages. I then remembered something a good friend showed me a few years ago. His name is Ben Hess. He was a church planter in Kenya, Africa for eleven years. Now he is a church planter in St. Louis, MO. I got an apple and showed it to John. I asked him, "What do you see John?" He said, "I see an apple." I then asked him, "Yes, but how many apple trees do you see in the apple?" His eyes lit up. It was like the light came on! I then told him the difference between expanding and multiplying. Multiplying is based on 2 Timothy 2:2. We are going to about ten different places in the villages. I told John that we have expanded about as far as we can go now. The Word of God is the "Apple". The people's homes we go to are the "gardens". As we share the Word of God with the people, we are "planting" apple seeds. As we continue to follow up we are cultivating these places. We are watering the seeds, hoeing the soil, pulling weeds, etc. The people who "catch the fire" of the gospel and go tell their family, friends, and neighbors is the process of multiplying. From one "apple" we can have a whole "orchard" of apple trees as people go out from each area to tell others the Word of God. We have ten places we are cultivating now. If two people go out from these ten places to different areas, then we have 30 areas. If two people from those new areas go out we have 60 areas, and two from those places will be 120, and so on. John got very excited as he realized what we are striving to do. What we want to see is an "explosion" of people catching the fire of the gospel and God's Word spreading like wild fire throughout Botswana, into South Africa, into Zimbabwe, into Zambia, into Tanzania, etc. So the next time that you eat an apple I ask that you remember two things: First, please pray for us here in Africa that we will be faithful in spreading the gospel. Second, think and pray about where you can plant a gospel seed where you live.

Demons in the Village

Yesterday John and I went into one of the villages. We went to see one of the older ladies we had led to the Lord. She is growing in her faith, copying Scripture, asking great questions. We spent an hour with her...great Bible study! As we were leaving the yard two young ladies came walking into the yard. One of the ladies was at one of our Bible studies five weeks ago. She was saved. Now she was bringing her friend to us. We went back into the lady's house. The new friend had a few questions. I asked her, "What do you understand it takes to go to heaven?" She said she did not know. I shared the gospel with her and she asked Jesus into her heart! How awesome to see God work in this village!As we drove through the village we saw a man who was working--Mr. E. In our conversation he said he knew one of the men we've met in the village--Mr. C. He said that Mr. C was sick. He took us to his house. I wanted to pray for Mr. C. He and his wife were home. I prayed for Mr. C's health. I also wanted to share the gospel with him. I did not think he was saved. When I offered the prayer of salvation, Mrs. C and Mr. E prayed, asking Jesus to come into their hearts! I did not hear Mr. C pray. I asked him if he prayed and he gave me an answer that avoided my question. As I talked to Mr. C I looked into his eyes. I thought, "Something is not right!" His eyes were dark and empty looking. I thought to myself, "It would be weird if he had demons in him." It was time to go, and we rejoiced that Mrs. C and Mr. E asked Jesus into their hearts. As we drove down the road John said, "He (Mr. C) has demons." I was stunned! I told John that I wondered if he did. As we have worked together, I've realized that John has the spiritual gift of discernment. Perhaps the Lord is letting me see some things as well. By John saying that Mr. C has demons it confirmed, what I thought was just a silly thought in my mind, to actually be true. Where God is at work, the devil will try to do his work too. Please pray for Mr. C, that Jesus will deliver him from the demons that are keeping him from trusting Jesus to be his Lord and Savior. Pray for John and me as we get opportunities to talk to Mr. C that we will watch Jesus do a great work through us. Pray for our hearts and minds to be guarded by our Lord Jesus Christ. Spiritual warfare is in our midst!

Surprised by God

Yesterday afternoon John and I went to the area of Francistown called Block One. We went to visit an older woman. She was not home. It was getting rather late so I thought we would just leave to go home. John noticed a man across the street setting in his yard. We went there and just as we sat down his wife came home from work. She invited us in to their house. I shared Creation To Christ with them. Soon into the story, their son (about age 9 or 10) came in the house. Half way into the story I looked at the man and woman. They looked totally bored. I almost thought about quitting, but decided to continue until the end and we would leave. I asked them, "Would you like to ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior to take away your sins?" I thought that they would say no and we'd be on our way. The woman said, "I want to ask Jesus into my heart." The man said he did too. I led them in a prayer of salvation and not only did the man and woman pray, their son did too! I was totally surprised by God! We will follow up on them next Monday.Today John and I went to the village of Tati Siding. We met with a group of seven ladies in front of a restaurant & store. We had a FANTASTIC time of Bible study, praise, & worship! They sang to the top of their lungs! Several people walked by and looked over to our group. What a witness! I didn't want to leave. This group is awesome! John and I had to leave to make another visit. We went to see a lady named MmaTumati. We led her to Christ three weeks ago. She is a precious older lady. We met with her, her daughter, and a young lady. It was a good Bible study. It was not a long one, but a good one. Just before I was ready to end the group I heard a man's voice outside the house. It was getting near the time for me to leave to go pick up my daughter, Kb, from school. The man came into the house and sat down. John said, "He needs to hear the gospel." I'm thinking, 'I don't want to be late picking up Kb. I have no way to contact her." Then I said a silent prayer..."Lord, I need to share the gospel with this man. You're in control." So I shared the gospel message with him. I then asked him, "Rra (sir), would you like to ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior to take away your sins?" He said, "Yes." I led him in a prayer of salvation. He was sooooo ready to trust Jesus. He was in his 70's/80's. Not only did he pray, but the young lady who sat in the room with us also prayed! Again, God surprised me by bringing this man and the young lady to us. I was so excited to see God work here! I had plans to leave soon, but God had other plans. (Want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans!). Before we left, MmaTumati said, "Will you please pray for an old man who is sick? He is in the other building." I said, "Yes, we will do that." I'm thinking, "Wow God! You are working in an incredible way today!" I entered into the building where the old man was. He was sick, laying on his mattress on the floor. He was at least in his 80's. He could not see. John introduced me to him. He reached out this hands to me. His hands were partly deformed with arthritis. I don't know how much longer he will live. That's how sick he looked. I thought to myself, "Randy, you need to ask him about his spiritual life." I asked him, "Rra, if you were to died today, do you know for certain you will go to heaven?" There was some uncertainty in his answer. So I shared the gospel with him. His hands were very rough...evidence that he has worked hard all his life. As I held his hands, his grip spoke many messages to me--respect for the moruti who came to see him, wanting to be healed, asking for hope. As he prayed to ask Jesus into his heart, his voice had such passion; trusting, expecting Jesus to come into his heart. It is so incredibly rare to see someone this age to come to Christ with this much passion. Today I was so wonderfully surprised by God three times! Sometimes God shows up when you least expect it, but when He does...Wow! And yes, I did make it in time to pick up Kb without being late. God is good!