The past week has been really good and relatively normal (normal weeks have been in short supply this year). My teammates went to Pepe, English classes, Bible studies, Home school, and other regular ministries on our schedule which was really nice. This week one of my teammates, Jess, and I noticed God's faithfulness in our ministries and the fruit He is allowing us see in this part of our trip and I would just like to tell you all about some of things were are seeing.
First, in one of my favorite ministries, basketball, a guy that has been consistently coming to our study received Christ one night after our study. John Michelle, the man who started basketball ministry in this zone, talked with Alex one night after our study and in the end Alex received Christ. That alone is amazing but this past week as I sat at basketball ministry and observed Alex I could see that he is changing. His demeanor was lighter and his eyes a little brighter and I am so thankful for what the Lord is doing in his life. At Skola Di Vida, a place my teammates and I teach English, we were having some difficulty with a boy who although is incredibly smart, he would not listen, would sometimes not do his work, and who was just hard headed. Some of the kids we teach have really difficult home lives, and although it is frustrating during class as we teach and they do not act respectfully sometimes, we must remember that we do not know everything that they are going through and we must pray to have grace with them everyday. Never the less, this boy we had difficulty with this past week was completely different. A few weeks ago I felt like he would not look me in the eyes or listen but this week I noticed him looking me in the eyes, listening, participating and it was really beautiful. Next, in the zone we do house studies with outside the city ("na fora"), as they call it, we are seeing a lot of growth. With one study it was simply that it felt more like group studying God's word instead of just teaching, in one the teaching touched a woman's heart and she wants us to start a study in her home, and in another the girl we are meeting with is asking questions and seeking after the Lord. Lastly, the Lord is showing himself faithful in my teammates lives as we are looking to what next year holds. He is giving direction and opening doors for our futures and we are thankful to see Him guide us and excited to see where he leads us in new phases of life. There are a few other testaments of God's faithfulness from our team and ministries but these are a few I have noticed over the past week. God is so faithful and so good. As Jess realized and shared with me this past week, we may have had a really rough beginning with tears and lots adapting but the Lord is graciously allowing us to see some fruit from our time here and I just wanted to share a little bit of what the Lord is showing us here in Cape Verde.
Please continue to pray for our team as we seek the Lord and strive to be a vessel for Him. Also for our minds to be present here this week during ministry as we are beginning to plan for next year and our next steps. We love it here, but sometimes it is hard to not be consumed with home trying to make plans for next year. We need to be praying to be present everyday and to ask God to help our focus to be here. Another prayer request would be for the Italy team that is here with us. As many people may know, the corona virus has impacted Italy and that impacts the team here as they have plans to return to Italy in late April.
- Two times in the past two days I have heard a message about how the Lord has created a time for everything under the sun. Although this is a great comfort, it reminds me of the trust we must put in the Lord for the Italy team, our time here, next year and more. Pray that my team and I will trust the Lord and His timing for this year and the next.