Sandy Hill Farm

A blog entry from David this time.

Sunday afternoon I returned to the Sandy Hill Commercial Farm for a visit with the young church established only six weeks ago. With me were six young men and two young women, all students at the college or secondary. We arrived around three p.m. after slowly driving the truck through the maze of mud and thatch huts belonging to the five hundred workers and their families. We were welcomed by smiles and waves. When we arrived at the far end of the village where a clearing has been made for the church gatherings, 50 children were singing the Chitonga song "He Will Lead Us," a beautiful melody that Linda and I have come to love. No adult had arrived yet, but the children were there and waiting. They were "wearing" the crafts that Linda and her helpers had done with them on previous visits: "Jesus Loves Me" visors and fish necklaces. The children wore them proudly and it is a given that they will take care of them. It touched my heart that they were waiting for us and singing as we arrived. Jesus' command, "Let the little children come to me," pierced my heart at that moment, and I said to Him, "They're here, Lord."

A combination of village men and students led the worship. I was asked to preach and encouraged them from Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:18-21.

The church had organized a singing group, their first one, and they wanted to sing to the Lord and the church after the service. They came to the front of the clearing and with the sun setting behind them made a joyful noise to the Lord.

Before the church dispersed for the day, it was announced that two sisters were sick and could not join us for worship. One of the leaders said, "We are going to walk to their huts and pray for them." Singing as we went, we found the women and prayed for their healing.

As the congregation escorted us back to the truck, I gazed on the many huts in this village and longed for all our friends and supporters to see what I was seeing. And then I thanked the Father above and our Savior for all those who partner with us as we minister at the "edges of the kingdom."