What a week!

I have to start by saying this week was action packed. First off, the e3 team arrived from Dallas on Friday. I've adjusted so much to this way of life that I have to admit that when the team first arrived, I was more comfortable around the Africans than the Americans. It was my first glimpse of why it is going to be difficult to re-adjust to the U.S. when I come back for a couple of months next year. After a few days and some good old southern hospitality, I began to feel really comfortable around them. One thing that amused me while the team was here was seeing the team from a different perspective than I did when I was apart of a similar team when I came to Sudan in February with e3. I thought it was funny how scared some of the people were about everything in Africa. They were worried about every bug, every scratch, and everything they ate. One guy even brought his own MRE's (meals ready to eat)! The most amazing thing about it was that I realized that I was the same way when I cam in February. The other thing that amused me was how everyone talked about what they wanted to eat when they got home after spending a whole week in Sudan. :)

Well, I'm having fun ragging on the team but the truth is they were a blessing to me. I went out with them four of the days they were here and we together shared Christ with the people. I grew to admire each person for their gifts and saw how God maximized their gifts.
Three of those days I went back to the village of Kiri with David and Mark. Kiri was the village I spent most of my time in when I was here in February. One day, David, Mark, and I were talking to people in the market with or translators Mulai and Moi Moses when a woman came up to use and said she wanted to accept Christ because she wanted to rid herself of the demon that was possessing her. She told us the demon was first in her sister but her sister became a Christian so the demon went into her. We all gathered around and laid hands on this woman as Mulai let her in the sinners prayer. After she accepted, David was praying out loud for her when she started convulsing like a person that is on the verge of death. David kept praying for her asking Jesus to cast the demon out when she fell out of her chair onto the ground. David continued to pray as she lay on the ground convulsing. Eventually, she stopped convulsing and grew very peaceful. After a few minutes she opened her eyes and I could just tell she was different. She seems every calm and at peace and I'm not really sure she knew what had just happened. That is definitely an experience I'll never forget.

I also got to go the orphanage in town here this week. The experience was so powerful that I actually went there three times this week. The children there are amazing and my heart breaks every time I go. The children are so starved for attention and affection that they literally come running just for a chance to hold my hand. The little kids will hold up there arms for a chance to be held and when I pick them up, they will bury their heads in my should and go to sleep. I've already made a decision that I'm going to visit the orphanage at least once a week. The orphange is run by a 24 year old Christian man named Jose. Jose is from Miami and has been here for almost a year. He is doing an excellent job with the kids and the orphanage and I'm looking forward to getting to know him better in the coming months.

Other than those things, construction began on my house. My drilling rig is on a truck from Mombassa and should be here within the next few days. My truck is still not here yet but should be in soon.

I also started reading a book today called The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway (ISBN 0-8254-6207-X). I HIGHLY recommend it! The book is about one of China's house church leaders and his story. I have read about more miracles this man has experienced in the first 70 pages than even the Apostle Paul experienced his whole life! It definitely exposes how much we limit God in our comfortable western culture.

Thank you all again for your prayers! I'm looking forward to sharing more with you soon.

I've also uploaded tons of new pictures. Check out the link below.

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2012054&l=11b95&id=159100018