April 17th, 2004

Rejoicing

“We have much to rejoice about,” I said to my friend, discussing our plan to get together to share about my last trip. “In the last two months we have seen forty thousand saved.” I didn't just want to tell him about it, but rejoice with him . Rwanda is a beautiful place. It could be a tropical paradise with its palm trees, green terrace landscapes and volcanic mountains, if weren't for the poverty and other signs of genocide. Very beautiful, but it was the people that captured my heart! I wanted to move there, to feed them, and to be part of the joy they had at hearing the Word of God.

They Rejoiced

The dirt road twisted and rolled, going deeper into the banana grove until it dead-ended at a small church. Our jeep stopped and as we got out, from the church the people came dancing toward me, and I soon found myself surrounded by rejoicing people happy to see me. I thought they were going to pick me up and carry me into the church. Their joy was so overpowering, I found myself in tears at their love and excitement—if they only knew it was Jesus in me that brought me here to them.

The Healed Rejoiced

That wasn't the last of the rejoicing we had either. Half the congregation of that church accepted Christ as their Lord that day— Oh, talk about rejoicing ! And it didn't end there. They brought up a deaf girl and I pray for her. Standing behind her I snapped my fingers close to her ears and she snapped her fingers in response. I did it again on the other side (she still was unable to see me) and she snapped again. I moved away from her, still to her back, and softly snapped my fingers. The young girl snapped her fingers and the whole crowd exploded with joy! We rejoiced that day.

The Crowd Rejoiced

Our main crusade was for four days, in the local soccer field. Thirty thousand came but they did not know what to expect. This was the first crusade that had ever been there, not even the local pastors knew what to do. The first day they were like a wall of eyes, just watching—no expression and no response. Slowly freedom crept into the crowd, and when the healings began, they rejoiced. Soon the 8,000 decision cards were gone and they still kept coming—8,000…9,000…10,000! Oh how we rejoiced !

We Rejoice!

I write this hoping you will rejoice with me—I need you to be part of the joy as much as I need your encouragement, prayers, and support. You allowed me to stand before those thousands, to tell the good news to that church, and to be a vessel that God used to heal that girl. The joy is yours, not just mine and not just the angels in Heaven, but yours ! Thank you so much for allowing me to represent Jesus to these people, and to represent you.

Where Next?

My next missionary tour is in the making. My thanks for your financial support that allows me to go and do God's great commission. Whether you realize it or not, it is not just Jesus and I that are going again, but “we”, you and me, together, through your support-thank you.

Created in His Grace

Daryl and Tamara

All gifts are tax deductible and checks can be made out to either LDC or FHC. Both these churches are handling the receipting of my missions funds. I just want you to know any offering is truly appreciated and it all adds up to make a difference!