Sowing the Seed- Part I

Over a week ago we had a team of 6 from our home church come and visit us. My team member and I took them into an area of villages for Gospel sharing. We split up into two teams, 3 with me and 3 with him, each team with a translator and driver. Over all, both teams shared in different village areas to over 600 people - most of whom had never heard the Gospel of Jesus before!

The first day, my team went to an area of low caste villagers in the morning. A crowd gathered, as most times happens when lighter skin people show up here. One of the team shared thier story and then we shared the Salvation of Jesus by telling His story. Some of the villagers accepted, along with a couple of guys who had just stopped by to see what was going on, they weren't even part of the village! These two guys, who ran a local business, were in the front listening to the Gospel presentation with wide eyes. Even our driver was intently listening. About 8 people accepted Jesus, including the businessmen and our taxi driver! The businessman said that his sister was a Christian and had shared Jesus with him before several times, but gave up finally and told him to find some other Christians he could listen to. When he heard the words we spoke, he felt that this was the day he needed to surrender his life. Praise the Lord for this Divine Appointment! The ones who were living in the village who accepted Jesus will be followed up on by our CP's in that area.

The next place we went, there were existing believers, but some that had not accepted yet. Unfortunately, most of the ones who had not heard were gone to the doctor due to illness. As we sat on the porch of this house, about 50 children came around us and listened to one of our team tell the story of David and Goliath. I played Goliath and one of the small boys played David. I gave it my best Hollywood try. Amazingly, when we got to the point in the story where David takes 3 smooth stones from the river, the boy had 3 marbles in his hand! Needless to say, David slew me and when I fell, all the children laughed and cheered, and David commenced to beating on me for more effect. We then went to another family of believers to pray over their household and encourage them.

After lunch and some rest, we went to another village to share with about 80 people. Many were women, so the one lady on our team shared her story and then we shared the Gospel. About 25 accepted, even some of the men who showed up after we started. We went a little further to another area in this village and shared out in the open, with about 100 people. About 30 accepted. The local CP in this area was with us and will be gathering many of these new believers together for prayer meetings. He also invited those who were interested to attend.

That night, both teams came together and rejoiced in the Lord with our stories of the day, of how God used us all to share with many people.

The next day, our team set out to another village area. After we visited a school that is being run by a local CP, we went for a walk by the river to see where many baptisms have taken place. Again, we drew a crowd. There were fishermen in boats casting fishing nets, and I joked that the team should go on a boat ride. Our translator then arranged a short boat ride for two of our team, which again drew much attention. The crowd followed us back to the school, where we shared the story about the miraculous catch of fish, and then shared the Gospel with the crowd, which was about 150 people. There was a young drunk man who was disturbing our sharing, and when he could not get anywhere, he told the crowd he was leaving and that everyone should follow him. No one did, and they even told him to be quiet and listen or go away. He walked away, but then came back to listen since no one followed. We prayed for the crowd, since no one accepted right there, however the Gospel was shared with many who had never heard before.

We then went to an area where many people gathered again, about 100, and we shared the Gospel. No one accepted, but again the seed was planted in many people's hearts. We moved on to share to another low caste village, and about 8 people accepted Christ. Again our two teams came together that night to rejoice in what the Lord had allowed us to do.

There is one more day to tell about, but since this post is so long, I'll leave it and the wrap up for the next post. Thanks again to our team who shared the Gospel with so many. You were the hands and feet of Jesus during your trip.