Fri, 15 Jul 2005

We went to a ladies house the other day so she could teach us about their cooking. She was dressed in her best dress. We would consider it rags in America. Here it was the best. She had gone to the beach early in the morning to get fresh fish instead of the market because in the market it lays in the open and is not very fresh. She wanted it to be the best for us. It was so humbling. When the food was finished they stood back and had us eat first. The people gathered around. The children were laughing and playing. It was so awesome.

The orphan children of the village are so thankful to be able to come into our church. When Heidi opens the gates they run in and start dancing and worshiping. We have been warned they will steal our stuff if we don't watch.

The children, so many have no parents to cloth or feed them. Heidi has said they are going to start a school. It cost money to go to school here. The cost is only something like $5.00 a year. A college is only $1000. a year yet the people can't go because they have no money. Unemployment is 75%

The people say they love us being here because we love them.

Some of the villagers believe if they pray to the devil then the devil will leave them alone. We have found that this is when we hear the drums. They will begin about 9 pm and continue through the night until about 3 am. We can feel the warfare so strongly. Last night we started shouting Jesus! The enemy is defeated! Now we know what we are up against so we are going to go back into the village and take back the kingdom for God and not allow the enemy to prevail. Please hold us in prayer as we go. This is real warfare!

I really just want to see Jesus come. A man in the village talks about seeing a massive huge Angel walking through the village about 15 years ago. He didn't know what it was. He was only about 15 years old at the time.

Things are not always wonderful as it may seem. The children come from the streets and hard areas. As a result I have seen much violence between them at times. One of the guys from the school was walking back from the village by himself and was jumped and robbed of his backpack. We do not go anyplace alone. We must always be in a group. There is always a sense of needing to watch our backs but yet it is so cool seeing everything happening.

To be a part of seeing the people hear about Jesus the first time. The excitement in their faces. It is so precious to be a part of.

Right now as I am talking with my parents and my mom is typing this message to you I am in line to get my tea and Oh I am getting milk in my tea today. My roll for this morning. Oh, this tea is so good with the milk.

Blessings to all of you,

Ashlee