In one of the towns we pass through you will see this church at one end of town and this house with a devil mask over the door. Pretty much everywhere you will see houses with crosses painted on each side of the door, but this doesn't mean the people who live there are Christian. I've been told that the crosses are supposed ward off evil spirits. Pray for the spiritual darkness to be lifted.

This particular town was one where Bibles were distributed in the school last year. The great need now is for a church and people who can disciple those in whose hearts God has been working. In fact, one of the team leaders said the other day that every town where we've taken God's Word into the schools needs a church. Pray for laborers.

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Joe had made a joke earlier in the trip about standing around frowning to look important and busy, and he does it very well! But I caught him smiling today. He says I'm going to ruin his reputation.

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I bought a lenço today, and Nela helped me put it on. Nalito says that now I'm African. The lenço looks much better on Nela than it does on me, though, don’t you think?

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Written on June 6th, 2007 , Cape Verde, Life, Special Ops Tags: , , , ,

On Saturday, Rachael and I went over to Lu's house and almost had a conversation. There was lots of halting silence and looking through the word list, but we managed to exchange a few pieces of information. When we got back, Joyce asked me if I had invited her to church. I started to feel bad that I hadn't until I realized that I didn't know enough Portuguese to actually do that.

So after breakfast the next morning, I grabbed Lisa, and we went over to see if she would come. And she said yes. After the the service, I got Paul Sr. to help me explain a drawing I had told her earlier that I would show her. She had commented several times about how happy and content I was, and I had said that I wanted to show her a picture I had drawn when I was not so happy. As Paul and I explained the drawing and the story behind it, Paul began to share the Gospel with her, and she received Christ.

I know I'm at the end of a long line of people who have been planting seed and watering the ground, but it's such a priviledge to actually be there when that seed sprouts.

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Nela and Linda are two of the Cape Verdeans who attend the little church here. On Friday, they, Nalito, and Charles went with us. It was nice to get to know them a little better. Nela speaks a little English, so we were able to have a little bit of conversation.

At one of the schools, we ran into a lady who was cleaning fish on one of the benches. I've spared you the grosser details of what was on the other side of the basin. :)

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Last Thursday was my day to stay behind and help in the kitchen. Here is a picture of me and Anna doing dishes. I also got Joe and Lisa's wireless set up, which sure makes communication a whole lot easier — as long as I remember to press the send/receive button. :)

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On the day I took this picture, Neni washed clothes and left well after dinner when they were all cleaned and hung on the lines. I saw the places on her hands where the skin had been rubbed raw and the bulging, swollen muscles in her forearms. At that moment, I knew that I didn’t have a clue what hard work really is. I would have quit long before I had any marks in my body to show for my labor.

Update: Neni is no longer just the “laundry lady”. She received Christ at one of the evening services, so she’s also now my sister. Somewhere in between all of that laundry, she made a lovely table cover for me before I left.

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I love the building designs here. Everything seems to be designed to maximize whatever breeze is blowing in off the ocean. This little breezeway really is quite breezy. I’m not the only one who found this a nice spot to have a little quiet time.

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Written on June 5th, 2007 , Cape Verde, Christianity, Scriptures Tags: , , ,


Not one, not two, but three languages were being taught in both directions between Charles and Jonathan.

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Got to meet Ruthe today, and she got to meet Christ. Brother Robson from Brazil started sharing the wordless book with her right in the main traffic area, and no one had the nerve to ask them to move or to serve dinner. So we waited and prayed. It wasn't long before the heads bowed in prayer, and I gained a new sister in Christ.

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Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus