June 1, In Africa
It is Monday evening and I'm exhausted. It took over 2 days (50 hours) to get here. God blessed greatly in the trip here. I was given emergency row seating in the first two flight and actually had first class on the ten hour flight from Amsterdam to Africa. I was able to stretch out and get some sleep. Everything went fairly well through customs. Our taxi broke down from the airport to the room but everyone handled it well. A shower and the bed felt really good.
This morning everyone left me in Tanzania as they all traveled in to the bush (Tabora). I am staying behind to speak at a leadership conference. I spoke this afternoon on the topic of sex. Came from the passage in Hebrews 4 about keeping the marriage bed pure. Using a translator is a little different but it went very well. After speaking a woman stood and thanked me for my openness on the subject. They told me that had NEVER heard anyone speak about or even mention sex. They were all very appreciative.
The taxi ride back to the hotel was heart wrenching. I saw thousands upon thousands of people with no hope in their eyes. All they do day after day is try and survive. The average person here makes $80.00 a month and that would be considered very good. I saw people cutting the grass with hand clippers and machete's. Women carrying everything imaginable on their heads. So many hurting and hopeless people.
Everyone stinks here. The smell of body odor wreaks. This is due to many of them not bathing but once every two weeks or when possible. Running water is not a luxury as for all of us. I feel guilty as I lay in a hotel with water, a little AC and the Internet. What I had for dinner tonight could have fed a couple of families. Very humbling experience.
I will speaking most of tomorrow on leadership and vision. Using the book of Nehemiah as my text and example. Wednesday morning I will be flying out for Tobora very early. Will be teaching there Wednesday and Thursday. I know were going into the leper colony on Friday. Many of the people of 5 Point helped to raise over $1,000 which will be used to feed this colony. Not certain what the weekend holds until I reach the others on Wednesday.
To my family, I miss you dearly. Not being able to kiss and hug Deb is hard. Miss tucking Jacob into bed. I'd love to kiss Hudman and Grayman right now. I'm sure Andrew is busy making straight A's in summer school and Shell is always busy with the two boys. Please know I miss and love you all dearly.
Had the opportunity to speak to Debbie for 4 - 5 minutes a little while ago. She said Lawson did a great job Sunday. Thanks for stepping up and helping Law, love you buddy.
I will try and write again tomorrow evening. Excited about the opportunity to teach so many eager pastors about how to find God's vision for their life and church. Pray for me. Enough for now. Want to try and get some sleep.
This morning everyone left me in Tanzania as they all traveled in to the bush (Tabora). I am staying behind to speak at a leadership conference. I spoke this afternoon on the topic of sex. Came from the passage in Hebrews 4 about keeping the marriage bed pure. Using a translator is a little different but it went very well. After speaking a woman stood and thanked me for my openness on the subject. They told me that had NEVER heard anyone speak about or even mention sex. They were all very appreciative.
The taxi ride back to the hotel was heart wrenching. I saw thousands upon thousands of people with no hope in their eyes. All they do day after day is try and survive. The average person here makes $80.00 a month and that would be considered very good. I saw people cutting the grass with hand clippers and machete's. Women carrying everything imaginable on their heads. So many hurting and hopeless people.
Everyone stinks here. The smell of body odor wreaks. This is due to many of them not bathing but once every two weeks or when possible. Running water is not a luxury as for all of us. I feel guilty as I lay in a hotel with water, a little AC and the Internet. What I had for dinner tonight could have fed a couple of families. Very humbling experience.
I will speaking most of tomorrow on leadership and vision. Using the book of Nehemiah as my text and example. Wednesday morning I will be flying out for Tobora very early. Will be teaching there Wednesday and Thursday. I know were going into the leper colony on Friday. Many of the people of 5 Point helped to raise over $1,000 which will be used to feed this colony. Not certain what the weekend holds until I reach the others on Wednesday.
To my family, I miss you dearly. Not being able to kiss and hug Deb is hard. Miss tucking Jacob into bed. I'd love to kiss Hudman and Grayman right now. I'm sure Andrew is busy making straight A's in summer school and Shell is always busy with the two boys. Please know I miss and love you all dearly.
Had the opportunity to speak to Debbie for 4 - 5 minutes a little while ago. She said Lawson did a great job Sunday. Thanks for stepping up and helping Law, love you buddy.
I will try and write again tomorrow evening. Excited about the opportunity to teach so many eager pastors about how to find God's vision for their life and church. Pray for me. Enough for now. Want to try and get some sleep.
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