July 18 - Steffan Snodgrass

Today started out with a visit to one of the wells actually being drilled. It was messy, loud, and fascinating. They've got a pretty sophisticated process, with skilled World Hope workers directing the action, as well as members of the community helping keep the critical systems clear of mud and water. 

We also got to view the hand-dug well that this new one will replace, as well as the labor-intensive process of getting water from it. In the midst of that, our group had our first real moment of shame today.

Sabrina had a moment at the drill site out of view of all us and the translators, and experienced one of her biggest fears about going on a missions trip: that she would be left behind in a foreign country. 

Fortunately, she was not actually abandoned, and in reality was quite safe with the company of the World Hope workers!  We only went about a hundred yards away, and did come back after about a few minutes but Sabrina had to overcome a fear she had and actually handled it very well!!

But most importantly, today featured one of Sabrina's high points for the week. She got to lead a huge group of the village women and children in worship with her guitar. They sang songs like "Our God," "Break Every Chain," and "How He Loves Us." And she gave a guitar lesson to several of the interpreters, one of whom is a HUGE Chris Tomlin fan. They had been very interested in learning from her all week. Tracy felt that many of these villagers were standoffish until the music kind of broke the ice, at which point conversations began happening.

Marcia had an opportunity to share the gospel with a large group of women. About 35 women and children professed faith in Jesus in response to her talk (watch out PK - she knows how to preach!!). Julisa was very nervous for her mom having to preach, but she did AWESOME!. After praying, the villagers talked very genuinely about what their lives would be like now that they had Jesus in their hearts. The mood was very celebratory, and Roni demonstrated the rejoicing in heaven with a tribal yell, which was entertaining to all.

Ryan and I sat down with the men of the village at their insistence. We were conversational with them and had a long talk about the gospel. They had some mistaken beliefs about the nature of sin and salvation, but we used the evangecube to walk them through the gospel, and even had a guy tell it back to us. By the time our talk was over, the gospel was shared probably three or four times. Several of them stood up to receive Christ.

Both Tracy and Julisa had sweet little girls who adored them, and stuck by their sides for much of the day.

The day was capped off with a full meal of authentic Afri-Mex Kudu Tacos prepared for us by Jason and Rachel.

We are looking forward to tomorrow, when we'll get to see one of World Hope's cattle projects.

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Quotes of the Day:

"Are those REAL coughs? Cause they sound real." 

Tracy, to the gecko: "Get out of this house! Go!"

Sabrina's options when abandoned among foreigners: 1) Hide in the car, 2) play dead, 3) get in the fetal position.

I didn't get to beat the ground with a bush today.

I feel like the Kudu is one step away from a unicorn. If it spoke to me in the forest, I would follow it.