Monday, 1 Aug 2005

The last time I email all of you through my mom we had visited a jail. A man who is a cousin of one of the people here had been put in jail because a woman told the police he had stolen a cell phone. This week we went back to the jail and brought more bread. The guards had told us before we could come and bring our music and even talk with the prisoners. However this time they told us we had to have a letter to bring bread. We thought that would be easy but it hasn't been. We do want to go back but we have to get the letters.

Our trip to the jail was not in vain though. We did get to see our friend again and minister to the guards a bit more. We sat with our friend and began to read to him from the Bible the various places where Jesus had set people free from jail. We prayed with him and left. On Tuesday the judge let him off! On Sunday he came to the church. He was glowing. He had not accepted Jesus as his savior before but this time he came to church and received Jesus and was baptisted after the service. He also joined with us as we went to the hospital and prayed for the people with us. It is so exciting to see ones come to Jesus. Their joy and excitement as they realize how much He truly loves them.

Upon arriving at the hospital we again were stopped and told we must have a document in order to see the people. As the man started to say we had to have a document he stopped and then told us - just go. God had given us favor! We were able to pray for some of the people. Since we were a larger group of about eleven people we split into two groups. It was good. Jesus was so there. His Presence is so Precious. As soon as we prayed for one another would ask if we would pray for them. Ministering to the one - one by one.

Next we went to where the babies were. The rooms are bare cement rooms with openings covered with screens and bars so people will not break in. Metal framed cots lined up along the walls with frail people laying under a thin blanket. No medicines no nothing. In another room lay the little children. The Lord brought my attention to one little child wrapped up in a cloth. The child seemed to be only a round little body. Such compassion came over me. I knew it was the compassion of Jesus for this little one. With the love of Jesus I sat there and sang and prayed over her as she laid looking around. Such compassion, such compassion of Jesus for this little child. Later a lady came in who I found out was the grandmother. We found out the dad was not around and she lived with her grandma. When they pulled her blanket off of her she was just bones.

So many little children - so sick. No care, no medicine, just laying there. I really want to go back but my time here is getting so short.

We have had a lot of thief here lately. When walking between the school and the orphanage the students are getting held up at knife point. We have been warned there is a band that is planning to come and take all our things; but we are trusting in God. He is our protector. One day this last week I hear a whistle and then one of the people yelled a word which meant "thief". Many ran so fast after him. It was crazy, crazy! He had pic-pocketed one of the people. All I could see were men running after the thief across a big field and then arms and legs flying as they caught him.

Continue to keep us in prayer. We still have not heard what the effects are going to be about the vitamins that were sent here. It is still in the newspaper accusing us of drug dealings. The people here look upon us with great favor because they see what we are doing but this is still serious. Please keep praying for us.

School is finished on the 14th. We were told we can go on a five day trip into the bush and to put our name on the list if we were interested. They will leave on the 14th and be out until the 19th and doing many things and going very deep into the bush. Only 40 will be able to go. I am so excited because I was able to get into one of the last two places let.

The need is so great here that it could crush you. Outside of the campus the people are constantly stopping you asking and begging. So many children on the streets. So much struggling.

When we first arrived we found one boy how would run up to people and hit and poke the people with sticks. He was like a wild animal. We kept loving on him and now he is changing and doing much better. He lives with his mom. His dad is dead. When one of the ministers went to see the family they hadn't eaten in three days. They only had one set of clothing which was what they wore. So poor.

It is so amazing here. You can always feel the burden of people. They are saying, "help me, I am hungry, do you have food, do you have water?" So much going on.

God is providing! We again were able to feed the people this Sunday after church. So many, so many.

Tomorrow I will be meeting with them for the purpose of those wishing to work in Africa.

Blessings to all of you who are praying for me. I can really feel those prayers. Please do not let up. The warfare is increasing. The threat of the thieves is increasing. But our God is able to carry us through!

Thank you for your faithfulness.

I will be home on the 23rd. My heart is in Africa. Please hold me in prayer as I must make a decision.

In Christ,

Ashlee