In 2013, Pioneers missionaries came to NCC with a proposal. A fellow Pioneers missionary to the north had started a water business to help in sustaining and growing their ministry. Would we be interested in funding a similar project for Banda? After some research and some discussion of the numbers, NCC agreed to commit. In 2014 funding was sent and the building begun. And by 2015 after a long year of securing the proper permits, "A-Ice" was officially in business. We had seen pictures and had discussions about the progress of the project and had heard very good news about it. But, nothing prepared us for the actual site visit. To see the filtration devices and the reverse osmosis system and the water bagging machine right in front of us, brought home the great care and pride that had been undertaken by lay businessmen. We felt so proud and impressed by them and for them. It also shows what leaning hard on God can look like. They not only are running this business, but they still spend large amounts of time in the mission field. Which brings me to a great example of what that means....
Today we spend 45 minutes on our team bus to reach the village of Boase. Here, after transferring equipment and supplies from the bus to the open back truck, we drove another hour out into the bush. In actuality, we bumped and drove our way through the bush to the village of Wiese. What an amazing experience. We bounced through beautiful bush country with mountains all around, ducking under cashew trees, cassava, yam, peanut and melon mounds and a lot of wild nature as far as the eye could see.
It is here that the missionaries began working with these former Muslims a few years ago. One missionary drives his motorbike there every Sunday to attend church with them. One year ago, Pioneers raised money through two churches and an individual to build them a well. Instead of walking three miles to a river that made all of their children sick, they walk 200 yards to clean well water. The village is now almost all Christian and said that life has changed so much for the better since they have begun following Jesus. Today we worshiped along side of them. They worship very freely singing and dancing as the spirit moves them. Hey Bonnie, you should have seen Bruce dance!!
God was good with the weather and allowing the truck to make it all the way in and all the way out,safely
...in spite of the few times we stalled...and the quarter sized spider that Nikita spied on Suzanne's jacket!
P.S. Beth took a spill in the shower area two days ago. She's had a couple of days rest and though she was very sore yesterday and not moving well, today was much better! We are calling her Rafiki (Lion King) because she is using a big walking stick to get around. :)
Prayer: God, we thank you for allowing us to visit the people of Wiese. They were so kind and generous and so appreciative of the flip flops and Kid's Kingdom cards! We thank you for healing for Beth and for the protection of our team. Amen.
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