Results in Waiting on God!

Today was amazing God day!  An amazing encouragement and excitment!  For the community development project we have proposed for the community we are working in we had felt to transform the people it had to be more than us just giving and doing.  There need to be participation from the people and organization locally.  Participation from the community members is really important to break the cycle of poverty so they can be empowered to change their lifestyle not just except it.  We have established some leaders to help with the project and the next step was to find networks.  Well Adam and I struggled with this because we do not know organizations and they don't know us so this was a huge test of waiting on the Lord and trusting that He would provide and show us the people to talk to.  Well He did it!!  When I was sick with pneumonia there was a day that i was questioning God if i should start going back to the community and working or continue to stay home and rest that morning I had my devotion time and God had showed me that I need to embrace the moments of when at rest due to sickness and trust God that he has a purpose and small ministry in the times of rest. So i stayed home that day and our neighbour came over to bring us fruit as per her routine if she recieved too many from her friends.  She lives alone and is a widow of 11 years.  That day when she came I was not able to really talk with her and I felt bad so I prayed again because I felt like I missed the opportunity of ministry. So that evening Adam made his favourite dessert and I felt led to go the next morning and bring a plate of the dessert to our neighbour and that was when she told me that she is apart of the Lions Club and each mouth they need to a program for the community.  They normally go to schools but she didn't want to do that anymore because she wanted to reach to the poorer areas where the help was needed.  That was last month.  Two days ago she knocks at our door and asked me to come over because the president of the Lions club was there and wanted to discuss a project.  They had 70 slippers for children and was wanting to come to bucana and hand them out.  So today they came and had 70 slippers and paper pads, pensils and pens.  It was a great day.  We had 50 kids there and many more that we can go and distribute so after they saw the kids today they said by next week they will have 40 more and will just give them adam and I and we can give them out.  So amazing!!!  They talked with Pastor Johnny and us and said because each month they need to do a project they would like to do a medical and dental clinic in october and in november have red cross come to donate blood.  and they said they will help with donations for feedings for the children.  This is a huge blessing!  It has really encouraged everyone involved that God is moving and making things happen.  Empowerment is happening!  here are some pictures!

 the one sitting down is our neighbour

 the children singing for the guests!

 Praying blessing over the guests

Blood Pressure Clinic

We have successfully started a program!!!!  Over the past 4 months we have been writing up a community development project in the community of the one OLM church is in.  This has been a learning experience fro both Adam and I  because we have never written up a proposal or started a big project.  We are excited and can see God working in the midst of this development. The long time goal is for the community members be the ones to run this project. The main goal is to transforms lives holisticially and change lifestyles.  We will be implementing health/hygiene teachings, livelihood projects, education/tutorials and medical missions.  That will occur after we have assessed the needs of each family member.  We are first going to start with the church members and their family members who are not attending church so we can touch them spiritually as well.  The main members of the church our youth so our target is their parents!  After we have successfully started with the members and develop more leaders we can spread to the community.  The plan is to build up networks and resources locally so they are not depending on outside sources.  This will be an amazing transformation and only by the Grace of God it will be successful!  these people are stuck in poverty and there only Hope is God.  We have 10 leaders so far and are now going into the professional world to build leaders there and networks for funding.  It is a great achievement in having 10 leaders because it has been a great journey it gaining their trust and them taking away their shame to feel comfortable in talking with us  It is very exciting work.  There has been many challenges but many growth experiences as well.  The scripture that conitnually comes up during these times is
James 1:2-5
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance.  Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him."

This wednesday we started a free blood pressure clinic for the church members and their families.  And before they leave they get educated on keeping a healthy heart and are ministered and prayed for.  I am also training the leaders who want to learn how to check BP and do vital signs.  So I had one leader help me on wednesday!  He did a great job!  We had 18 people come and were able to encourage the church members to reach out and not to be afraid.  We are going to be doing house visits to assess further needs.  before I will share some of the pictures of the clinic!  We had a humble start.  It is getting the leaders excited and the church members because they are seeing things happening!  Now that things are moving forward i will continue to keep you updated! 

We are doing well health wise for the past 2 weeks now Praise God!  I am now recovered from a long 3 week struggle with Pneumonia!  adam is continually staying healthy!  thank you for your prayers and thoughts!