Some Precious Friends

The village near our house is a place of great darkness. Prostitution, drunkeness, witchcraft, and abuse are just some of the problems that these families face on a daily basis. I am a mother of three but to be honest, I never felt like I could share Christ with the children here. I was scared, nervous, and afraid of rejection. How crazy does that sound? Sounds like Satan, doesn't it? My heart has become so soft and open and broken for these children. Their stories are full of sadness and some happiness. God impressed on my heart to start a Bible Study with these children on Saturday mornings. The Saturday that I taught about creation, none of the children knew how long it took God to create the world. I knew then that the task was great and so important. Each week there are 45-60 children. I love walking the dirt road to Jumbe's house, where we meet. As I get close, I can see a few children on the lookout for "Amai Joy"! When they see me coming they run and scream to all of the children that I am coming. If I sneak up on them, then I hear their mothers yelling, "Amai Joy is here!!" My heart smiles and I am filled with joy! Please pray that the children will continue to want to learn about God's Word and that some of them may give their hearts to Jesus Christ. Most of these children do not go to church. Read the story below for an amazing surprise!

This is Bupe and her siblings, Faith, John, and Tembo. Jumbe came to me after the third week of Bible study and told me that their mother had stopped taking them to the Seventh Day Adventist on Saturdays so that they could come to "Friends of Jesus Club". I was overwhelmed and so happy. The interesting thing about this Bible study is that although it is for the children I can look around me and there are adults hiding in the sunflowers, behind houses, on the road, and in their yards listening to God's Word too. Pray for the light of Jesus to shine in our neighborhood!

The kids were so excited when Christian and Mark came to visit! We were about to leave and they asked, "Can we tell them our names?" So each child said their name and it made them smile so big that the visitors knew their names!