Futbol Evangelism

This was written May 18 so it is slightly out of order. -Mom-

High in the hills of Sabga, the Lord is proving Himself faithful in so many ways everyday. Everything is going great here, or “fine” as they like to answer the question, “how are you?” rather than well or good. The language most speak here is Pidgin which has a good portion of familiar vocabulary, but enough difference that it is a completely different language and impossible for me to understand an extended conversation without an interpreter. But that is one language I will learn this summer. The other I will attempt is Fulfulde. That is the language spoken by the Fulani (Muslim) people here.

I have played a lot of futbol (soccer) in my first four days here. I play with some junior high boys at their school. They are Muslim and speak only a little English, and, of course, I speak no Fulfulde as of yet. I am praying that the Lord will give me opportunities this summer to use this as an inroad to lead some to the one true GOD through His holy Son Jesus Christ. “So that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow . . . and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

"I Will Build My Church"

Yesterday (Sunday), Pastor Tom and I rode the motorcycle down to
Babongki (sp?). He preached the morning message. The church there looked to be about thirty Christians including children (LOTS of children) just started in the last year or so. Pastor had not even seen it until yesterday. It's a completely indigenous work planted by one of the national pastors trained here at the little Sabga Bible Institute. Praise the Lord for how He has built His church here in Cameroon and still is moving, spreading the light of His Gospel across this dark nation.

Many thousands just in this area still have never heard. There are Fulani compounds scattered remotely all across the land. The only way to these places is to trek (walk, hike) in through the bush and over some pretty rugged terrain. Pray with me that the hearts and minds of these precious people with be opened and that they may see through the strong lies of Islam to the true light of the Gospel.

I miss you all TONS!! But the Lord is really blessing here, and I love it here! I love the food, the mountains and ridges, and the people! God is at work here.

Needs Satisfied.

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)

I wonder how many thousands of Christians in their most dire straights have claimed that verse and found the answer to it in the faithful provision of our immutable God. I know for myself it has been many, many times already. And I wonder how many hundreds, yes, even thousands of times more I will claim that promise in prayer. I know one thing. That however many times I claim the promise, it will be kept as often and more. What a faithful God! How far above our own unfaithfulness He is!

In the past couple of weeks, God has provided nearly all of my needed support for my trip to Cameroon. There are a few more odds and ends I need requiring a few more funds. But my trip is about 98% paid! God is so good! Thank you to everyone who has played a part in God's providing for this trip. There is more yet to be contributed. Much more. In prayer.

"He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." (Psalm 107:9)

Underneath Are the Everlasting Arms

As I rushed to the Post Office on campus to send out my Visa Application yesterday, I was feeling pretty good about things. My Visa application was perhaps the last really big step in this process that I'll have to worry about for a while. Then reality hit again. I'm at college. I'm taking twenty credit hours. I have my Oral and Practical examinations (8-10 hours of grueling examinations and projects) for my airframe mechanic's license in two weeks.

Well, that's the earthly reality.But there is a heavenly reality. A reality which says, "The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deut. 33:27) So, as I fight panic at times, frustration at other times in my own human weakness, I find my comfort and peace in the sufficient grace of the Cross and my strength in the "everlasting Arms."

the joy set before

This past week I got my pictures taken for my visa and began filling out my visa application. It's a lot easier than I expected, but it's another step in the process. The money for the trip is steadily coming in from God's hand through His servants-- my family and friends. I now have approximately 20% of my support. God is so GOOD!!!It is hard to explain the excitement that fills me with each new day as I look forward to this trip. I can only truly share this joy with friends who are like me preparing to enter the mission field carrying in their arms the amazing Gospel of Christ to a world desperate for life! We as Christians here in America become bored with the Gospel because we have heard it from the time we were children, or because we instinctively feel we don't need it in our comfortable American lives. But imagine the joy, the release that fills the heart and mind of soul whose eyes are finally opened to the freeing power of the Gospel for the first time in his life after living a many years in bondage to works, to evil spirits, to a priest, or simply to his own sin! That joy that comes from seeing a life rescued and changed by Christ alone is "the joy that was set before Him."

before all the nations

On Feb 9th I got my shots at the Greenville County Health Department. Polio, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Menengitis-- five total. My arms are sore, but it's nothing compared to the excitement that grows more and more each day.

I talked to a friend who is also planning to enter the mission field when he finishes his education. He reminded me that there is no greater joy than sharing the Gospel of Christ with someone who has never heard and who WANTS to hear!

The Lord has given Isaiah 61 to me to really explore and hold close to my heart this semester. Verse 11:
"For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up,
So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
To spring up before ALL THE NATIONS."

What a joy to be used of God as a sower and then to sit back watch in awe and wonder as my God causes righteousness and praise to spring up like a gloriously beautiful garden across the entire earth!