I normally post on my blog on Tuesdays but today I had acute inspiration collapse so I asked the Lord to download a bit of creativity. When I checked my email, there was a letter from Dave and Michelle !!!!! It was a news update from them. They attend my church but are currently serving as missionaries in Kigoma, Tanzania, Africa.
A little background: Dave and Michelle are young marrieds. Dave is a music teacher and worship leader. Michelle is a nurse.
I thought - this is such good news - I want everybody to know about it. Here is the Kigoma Update:
Hi guys! How are you? We are grateful for all of you and hope you are
>
doing well. We are in Mwanza for a few days with Tim and Gerald,
>
because of PEFA meetings, but also for a chance to buy things we dont
>
have in Kigoma (so far jello, maple syrup and balloons). There are
>
really big storky- cranes here, about 4 ft tall. They are called
>
"Grandpa Health" because they eat up all the garbage on the streets.
>
God has been doing miracles often lately. My shoulder was out-
> you know
vertigo-iy. At women's Bible study, we prayed and it was
> made whole.
Praise God.
> We invited a couple teen guys from the Kellys kids
program to
> join us in our village program since there was no school on
Friday.
> One of those guys (Alex) preached, and 106 kids came to Christ.
Some
> of these kids are from Muslim families. We do ask for wisdom
about
> the program though. Many kids cary a baby on their back. That's
fine
> and dandy until he starts crying- and with 200 kids, one or two
are
> bound to be crying always. There is such an echo in the church that
a
> baby's cry is the only thing that can be heard. We have asked
for
> talkers and cryers to calm down outside, maybe I need to ask them
to
> be 20 or 30 feet from the church so we can hear well.
>
There is a sweet lady at the church whom I have been impressed
> with.
Her name is Helena. She gets it. At most churches, if there
> are dirty
kids outside of the church on the steps, the leasders shoo
> them away.
However Helena invited them in. This is counter cultural,
> but maybe the
culture of Simbo village is changing.
> Helena came to me with some
serious health troubles that had
> plagued her for about 6 years (it
appeared to be partial kidney
> failure). We prayed but no change. Dave
and I prayed and decided
> that I should take her to the hospital and
trust God to pay the costs
> for treating a chronic condition. At the
hospital, the outpatient Dr.
> recognized me as missionary who is trying
to get permission to work
> there. Therefore, he re-opened the closed
down department, he saw her
> and treated her ffor free of charge!!! He
said that we are servants
> of God, so we should help each other out!
Helena and I were so happy
> that we jumped up and down thanking God and
the Dr. for free and good
> medical care!
> While I am waiting
for permission to nurse, I am teaching 7th
> grade English. This is such
a need because from 8th grade on, all
> teaching is in English. Many
students fail the exams because they do
> not understand the language of
the test. We are starting with the
> basics, and it is
fun!
>
> David is teaching a choir. some songs are translated from
English to
> Swahili (including "Dancing Generation"). Others he composed
in
> Swahili in the African style.
> Thank you for your love,
support, and prayers. How can we pray for
> you? Michelle and Dave
To play a part in this ministry: Designate for - Dave and Michelle Heed -
contributions@elimfellowship.org
