So today is only Tuesday but it feels like we’ve been here for months. Every day we live a lifetime it seems. Today we broke our fast around seven and then headed out to the Passion Center after a focus session with Pastor Mark. Some of our team began working on the the building projects which are being headed up by Andy, the rest split into two groups in order to attend two village Bible studies. We walked about a mile through fields and along a dusty road to get to the Bible study that is led by Joseph (he’s one of the staff at the Passion Center). Upon arriving we were once again greeted by the joy that can only come from the hope that is found in Christ. There were about ten women sitting on reed mats facing some chair. According to their custom, the men in our group took the chairs and our ladies sat on the ground. It did not feel very chivalrous but we are not here to impose our culture on these people, but to be an encouragement to the believers. We sang many songs in Chichewa and then several of our team shared their testimonies along with two of the women whom Joseph translated for. Joseph then shared from God’s word. I don’t really know what he talked about because he spoke in Chichewa. Overall, the Bible study was a lot like one that we would have in the U.S. minus the difference in language. It was awesome to see people from around the world worshipping the one true God!

Following the Bible study we walked back to the Passion Center and had some PB & J sandwiches. That afternoon we started the VBS for the kids of the village. No one really knew how many kids would show up but we were prepared for about 400 or so. When we arrived at the school where the VBS was being held there were only about twenty kids, but within minutes kids began streaming in from the surrounding villages and we soon were inundated. Brady and I were in charge of the games for the older kids. Talk about chaos! It was crazy—kids running everywhere, trying to explain games through an interpreter and just some great fun! The kids circulated through different stations that included teaching, singing, verses, and games. You could just see the joy on their faces as they enjoyed something that was just for them! We tried to count the kids as they were scurrying around (it’s very difficult) and we came up with a total of about 600 kids!! Praise God!!

So overall, today was awesome! And we praise God for how everything went and we look forward to seeing what He will do in the following days. Please pray for us that our focus will be on God and allowing Him to work through us and not on doing stuff for Him in our own strength.

—Max