...so that you can get a wife for my son from there." (Genesis 24:7) I have found that many of the Old Testament practices and certain elements of context are closer to the tribal ways of "my kids" here in Tanzania. Far more so than ones that were familiar to me while teaching in the States. There are many Old Testament stories that I read with a different understanding. One being the way Abraham is passing blessing and instruction to his son Isaac. In chapter 24 of Genesis especially when choosing a wife. Now typically with kids these are stories one might pass over in the year walk through of the Bible or find a simple truth wedged within its words and move on. However, we study this story in detail hopes that the kids will be able to have a spouse who will partner with them in empowering their own people for Christ. These kids are the ones who will grow understanding who God has created their tribe and, like Paul found in the New Testament sifting through culture, will bring redemptive loving truths to families. We talked about how Abraham would choose a wife for Isaac but how Abraham trusted God for direction to who it would be. Then, we had the girls draw a picture of her future husband. This activity gets them to draw a picture that comes from within themselves. This is something that is new. They are used to just copying whatever is in front of them. Plus we are working on hand/eye coordination and being able to identify portions of the body. So, like most this is a multi-faceted activity! The girls just kept giggling at first for these are things that are not often done or talked about until it is time to take a husband. However, they did a great job and probably some of the best pictures of humans I have seen this early in training. Following Annah and I drew all the kids close even the babies. We led in a time of prayer and blessing for these kids and their future spouse. "Sending his angels before" if you will. These older girls are Maasai girls which means there are many hurdles ahead of them and their parents. Girls/women have very little value within the culture and there are many practices that are awful. Their parents have the challenge raising them in the ways of the Lord within a great deal of darkness. I pray that they will have parents who will not allow female circumcision be a part of their rite of passage and that these girls will not have the desire to go through it simply because everyone else is not knowing the pain. That they will have a husband who will be of one wife. These are just a few of the many examples but we pray that these girls will find husband who will continue helping them to become the women that God intends for them to be. And for our two little guys that they will have wives who will partner with them in ministry! That together within their future family they will make a wonderful difference for the Kingdom!
"The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26
Prayer Points~
- We are thankful that after four years it seems that president has finally signed the registration for the CCCT church registration for us to continue planting churches. With the rise in Muslim/Christian opposition this is a great victory in the spiritual battle we face here in Tanzania! Bwanasifiwe! (Praise the Lord!!) We are supposed to see it within the month!
- I will be making a trip to the bush to observe and encourage the pre-primary teachers who are a part of our training sessions.
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