There's No Reason Not to Do It Until They Ask You to Stop

Oh goodness, so much has been happening since my last post even though it's only been six days. But six days is a long time here because our days are packed full of good stuff. My memory is scattered so I'm trying to summarize the days as best as I can, but forgive my lack of detail on some things.

Thursday we spent the morning at the guest house doing devotional and worship. Then in the afternoon we went sharing downtown. That's really all I remember.

Friday morning was spent sharing downtown. I went with Chase and Caleb, my translator. We spoke with a few different people and it was an interesting day. One person we talked with was a follow-up from a couple days before. Caleb was so thankful to see him because our first conversation hadn't been the most encouraging, and the fact that he showed up just brought him joy. We had a good talk with him and then afterward we had a really interesting chat with a DVD vendor. It was hard because he would not really listen to what he had to say unless the Bible we used stated that Mary was above God, which it obviously doesn't. Caleb and him talked for a long time in Amharic and then we said goodbye, giving him a KGP (Knowing God Personally) booklet to read over. While he smiled at us and ripped it up as he walked down the street, we are not discouraged for we did our part in trying to share the Gospel with him. This is one of the biggest things I've been learning: it is not our responsibility to change their hearts but the share the Gospel with them. They may accept then, or they may accept later, but either way the seed is planted and the Holy Spirit will water and grow it in the Lord's timing, not mine.
In the afternoon we got to go experience the market. It was SO. MUCH. FUN. The colors were fantastic and we met a couple locals who helped us chat with the vendors and also helped us negotiate so we weren't getting (too) swindled. We also had them convince a donkey-cart driver to let us get on to take pictures. We quickly drew a crowd of about 50. Kind of insane. I loved the colors of the market and getting to experience the way the people live and interact. Can't wait to share pictures from this day.

Saturday we planned to go to Gondor but because of sickness we changed plans and went to the Monastaries. We went by boat on Lake Tana and went to two different islands. It was cool to see the history but I've never been big into stuff like that.
The afternoon we spent resting because many of us were sick and/or tired. Chase, Jessica, and I stacked our hammocks on the front porch and read and napped. It was awesome.

Sunday we started the day playing soccer with the locals. Then we had the opportunity to go to the local Protestant church that many of the Great Commission staff attend. Though we couldn't understand what they were saying, it was amazing to see the passion the people had and it was very clear that truth was being spoken. Dires, who's on the national staff, also translated the sermon for us onto notes and we passed them during the sermon.
In the afternoon we went sharing. I was with Luke and we had Caleb and David translating for us. We met with two men we had met in the market on Friday. I had another opportunity to trust in God's greater plan because the guy that Caleb and I talked to told us that we upset him and then promptly ordered a beer. Being with Caleb every day has been such a blessing. He is so compassionate and feels so upset when people don't accept, but it gives me the opportunity to encourage him, which also encourages me. I reminded him that the Gospel is offensive and that we were sharing truth. It is not up to us if he accepts, isn't sure, or gets upset. In the evening we shared what had happened during sharing.

Yesterday we went and saw a town called Gondor, one of the few tourist-y things that we have done. Had the best meal that I've had since we've been here and after lunch we went and saw the castle ruins. The ruins were so much fun-we chose not to have a tour guide so we went around taking goofy pictures and climbing until they told us to stop climbing. But we still had so much fun. In the evening we spent time focusing on Psalm 51 and then singing songs.

Today we spent all day doing ministry and it was a great day. In the morning I was with Luke and Caleb was our translator, then in the afternoon we also had David join us as a second trasnlator. We go to talk to eight or nine people, and were able to share the Gospel with all of them. Of those 8/9 we have 4 follow-ups on Thursday to allow them time to think, pray, and develop questions that, Lord-willing, we will be able to answer on Thursday. But it was a great opportunity, yet again, to continue to grow in my ability to share and to continue to trust in what the Lord is doing and how He's using me.

A few of my favorite things here have been playing soccer with locals Thursday, Sunday, and this morning before breakfast and ministry. They are all so nice and it's fun to be able to get out and run around.
Another favorite thing is the translators. Most of them are 16-18, and it is so incredible to see them share their faith (whether or not we can understand them) and be able to encourage them and develop friendships with them. I have been with Caleb every single day and I absolutely adore the kid. I'll post pictures later.

K, so we have to go. But that's the update. I'll try not to wait so long next time because (1) I forget things and (2) the posts get crazy long.