I have just about 15 minutes to write this little blurb and a couple emails. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to use the internet next either. Well, my first week here has been pretty incredible. Also pretty normal. I’m finding many similarities between the people here and back “home” (wherever that is), in personalities as well as matters of faith. But God is really touching me here, working on me and seeking me out as I seek Him out.

Last weekend I spent 3 days, 2 nights in the bush. We didn’t end up building a church as we’d been told, but we chopped and cleared brush to make space for a church to be built as well as for the village to be extended. The most incredible part was seeing the sky that first night. It was so clear and I could see millions of stars and the white smear of the Milky Way. It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. The second night was overcast, so that just made the first night all the more special. We cooked our food over a campfire and got our water from a well. There was no electricity, of course, and there were many thatched huts around, as well as some cinder block buildings. The pastor we were clearing the land for (for his church) said we ought not work in the afternoons—guess it’s African style—so we went to the beach for many hours. Even though I put on sunscreen I still got fried. I look like a lobster now, but I imagine (if I don’t peel) the tan will last for years. :)

Yesterday we had church, which was pretty cool. There was so much dancing and they translated the sermon which was helpful. I felt pretty broken and disconsolate afterwards, just feeling far away from God and like I’m not “on fire” for Jesus as so many are. I decided I didn’t want to participate in any more faith activities with other people yesterday and just tend to my journal and private Bible study. But last night about 8:30 a good friend asked if I’d like to come out and pray and sing with the other handful of visitors. I debated about it and finally—more to get him off my back and just be decisive—I consented. We went around the circle sharing our prayer requests and I just told them everything I’d been feeling lately with my faith and how I want more of the Holy Spirit and want to feel a living spring within me instead of a lake of water that keeps getting recycled over and over until its nutrients are depleted. I also asked them to pray about the anxiety I struggle with.

Then we all took turns sitting in the middle of the circle and having everyone lay their hands on us and pray over us. There were only about 8 of us but it took almost 4 hours by the time it was all said and done. They prayed so many blessed things over me and I felt hope and encouragement welling within me. I was so happy when I went to bed last night, knowing that they really knew me and I was not alone.

Then today I went to the staff worship service and that was just as incredible. It started with about half an hour of dancing—not naturally my thing but I actually liked it—and then there was more praising and a sermon. The sermon was all about getting connected to God and it seemed like the pastor was speaking straight to my soul. He described me SO well, better than I could even put into words when I was sharing last night. And I was crying and afterwards asked him to pray for me and he did. And something just clicked with me about Jesus. Jesus is the one who plugs us into God. We can’t plug ourselves in. Jesus is the precious name by which we are saved. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Him. I know that I don’t have it all figured out, but I feel so much closer today and I feel much more hope and joy inside me. Please, please pray that Satan’s power would be bound and that I would not be hurt by him but would be able to stand strong and fight against him with the armor and power of God.

Well, I have 3 minutes left… better copy this and get it pasted into some emails… I love you guys. Thanks for reading this and please keep the next 2 weeks covered in prayer. God is faithful and I want to know more of Him.