Day 5 - More Outreach and Trash Pickup Event

Above, Samuel waves from the open gate and the people start coming for free
glasses and a chance to talk to the volunteers.  Terrence (lower left) has
been running the audio and playing music through the sound system
to attract the crowds, and Funke (lower right in red shirt, pronounced
FWEN-kay), an HBC member and volunteer speaks to one of the visitors.

Another day down. It's been a good day, profitable in sharing the Gospel. We have had a number of salvation decisions, even as the rain came down for a bit this morning and squeezed us ever closer under the blue and white tent -- but people came anyway. When we tell the people that the glasses are free or "mahala," some cannot believe it -- nothing is free. But yes! We are privileged to also tell them of the ultimate gift of eternal life that is truly free! 

After a morning of distributing many more glasses, we changed it up in the afternoon as we participated in a "clean up campaign" walking down the main street of Sunnyside in our green or red t-shirts that say HOPE and picked up trash in the midst of all the bustle of the city.  Pastor Julius was very excited for us to do this as he says it is very rare for anyone in Pretoria to volunteer to clean up for no pay. We got many side-ways glances and questions as to what we were doing, but we were proud to be able to point them to the church at the end of the street.  Kevin had spoken with one gentleman earlier in the day and when this man saw us picking up trash in the afternoon, he yelled in a lighhearted tone to Kevin, "American man!  What are you doing??"




Interested people from all walks of Pretoria come and fill every chair
under the tent.

The Hope Baptist Church volunteers that have joined us everyday are becoming so dear to our hearts. We would love to pack many in our suitcases when we come home. We have shared in laughter and tears. Much of the laughter comes from a young man named Rigobert, who grew up in the African country of Cameroon, but now lives in Pretoria. He has a great smile, very friendly and a man on fire for the Gospel -- not ashamed! Pastor Julius has told him that he is the "first on his list" for his 5 church planters he is seeking in 2014.

Tears of prayer came to us in the news yesterday afternoon about Musa, a son of a very dedicated couple from HBC, Paballo & Pinkie. He ate something at school which caused him to vomit immediately and pass out into a coma. The doctors at the hospital were not giving the parents a favorable report. Pastor Julius was afraid the boy would be fatal. Throughout the afternoon and evening we prayed as our group went out. What a miracle to hear today that the boy had regained consciousness and had even, beyond our belief, been sent home with his Grandma!

Here's the FSBCS team out for a bite of lunch, along with our African
friends Emmanuel and Busi who are helping immeasurably

Our new friend Busi (Katie's friend from Zimbabwe) has been an inspiration to all of us as we begin to fall in love with this gracious and humble spirit. She has no hesitation in sharing the Gospel along side us, breaking out in prayer (and song!) and is constantly giving God the credit for the miracles He does in our lives. This evening she gave a short singing concert to some on the team in two of the languages of Zimbabwe. The last song she shared told of the truth that man's love is measured, but God's love is endless.  We look forward to seeing more examples of His endless love as we continue to serve tomorrow.

Here are more pictures from today (click once to enlarge):



Two more visitors are happy to recieve new sunglasses!

As the rain fell for a time this morning, we squeezed tightly under
the tent, but the event continued -- later the sunshine would return
for our trash pickup event in the afternoon

The AZ team and the HBC volunteers join forces to
"Keep Pretoria Clean and Green"

Two of the adorable children of the hard-working volunteers and
members of Hope Baptist -- you can say "Awwwww..."