Days are running into each other!



Saturday, Sunday & Monday has been a blur.  Saturday we attended a celebration of students graduating from JuDan Say Yes International School of Tailoring and Sewing.  The festivities got a late start due to a serious rain and thunder storm during the night.  But they perservered and got 'er done - decorations and all!  There was singing, dancing and eating - more singing, dancing and speeches - and then the presentation of the graduates to receive their certificates.  It was all quite fun, a bit confusing at times, and very, very long.  We had to finally put our foot down and say we had to go as it was getting late and we had already spent the better part of the day there.  The hosts were gracious and finally consented.  Sigh....

Virg speaking at Jonah's church

Sunday we were with Pastor Jonah Kawere - sort of.  Jonah had arranged for each team member to speak at different churches and, of course, each church was quite far from the other.  It was weird for me (Joy) to be speaking in a church without Virgil.  And one I had never been to before nor had I met that pastor  before.  Yep - definitely different.  Sandy,  Ashley, Mark & Kevin were all dropped off at different churches to speak.  Virgil never did speak that morning since he was with Jonah dropping the rest of us off at other places.  He made up for it though by speaking 3 times later in the day as Jonah had directed him to teach about Holy Spirit.  (Jonah is such an "in charge" kind of guy!)

Kevin Hall speaking in Jonah's church

Kevin was the last speaker.  There was an opportunity for anyone who had not received the gift of speaking in tongues to come forward.  As a result all those who came forward all received their new language.  Ashley & Sandy prayed for a young woman who was delivered of demonic influence - she became very rigid and started slithering like a snake on the floor.  When she got up off the floor she went to Sandy and gave her a big hug of thanks.  Virg prayed for a little boy (7 or 8) and as he prayed for him he immediately went out under the power of God. He layed on the floor for at least 20 minutes. Virg prophesied over him about having an evangelistic call on his life.  When Virg talked to Jonah about him later Jonah said the boy is now living with him & Sylivia.  He had been a Muslim and was now born again, which is why he's living with Jonah.

I (Joy) spent the rest of Sunday with Jessica & Shailynn in Gganda Village getting their hair plaited just life the Africans.  Although I should have known better, I believed Juliet when she said it would only take an hour.  It was to start at 2p, the lady started working on Jessica around 2:30 ish and the gal doing Shailynn's hair finally showed up around 3p.  We started back to the hotel at 7p!  Yep - we are definitely in Africa!  The girls really liked their hair-do but it's really tight and stretching their scalps a bit!

Gershibon Education Centre - kids everywhere!

Today we got to spend time with the kids and teachers at Jonah's school - Gershibon Education Center. The kids sang, danced and had smiles all around.  We distributed cookies and sweeties to all including the teachers.   We had a great opportunity to speak to the teachers to encourage them to stay the course. It is very difficult to retain good teachers, especially if their pay is delayed from time to time, which it has been due to insufficient funds.  They are a great group of people.  There is one who is a Muslim lady who teaches the kindergarten kids.  She is very good with them and actually asked me to be her friend. We are believing she will receive Christ soon.  Mark got a lot of very good interviews - looking forward to seeing his videos!

Rajeesh - Muslim Teacher

Ashley got to speak in two different high schools!  She presented the Word of God and was well received.  While she was doing that we distributed the gifts the team brought to Jonah's kids - what a zoo that was!  They were so excited they could hardly contain themselves.  We had to stop several times to push them back so we could get to the stuff.  We got great pictures of the girls in their new pillowcase dresses and the boys in the tee shirt pants.  It was a blast seeing the kids so excited about getting something new - not an everyday happening in these parts!  And we know it blessed Jonah & Sylivia's hearts, too, to see their kids so happy.  We thank all of you who played a part in making this a reality.

Virgil spoke again this evening at Jonah's church - more about Holy Spirit.  No one can ever get enough of Holy Spirit!  The people were very appreciative of the teaching.  Kevin spoke after Virgil and gave an altar call for those who wanted a better relationship with Jesus.  Many came forward for prayer.  The team members and other pastors prayed for each one.  Virgil prophesied over several children and worship team members.  It was a great time in the Lord for sure!

Parker Panther tee shirt pants on Jonah's boys

Pillowcase dresses & toys (Jonah's kids)

Hard labor unloading charcoal bags

Sandy giving Sylivia Kawere a ton of toothbrushes & toothpaste

Sylivia receiving the gift of a necklace from the Miller family - she is very happy!