Orientation...

After much travel we have arrived in Niamey, Niger safely. We are here for orientation. We are extremely exhausted from traveling half way around the world. We have not completely caught up yet. Well today was our first day and we had a guy come in and talk about folk islam (islam mixed with cultural animism). He was very passionate, emphasizing the Love of Christ, the Power of the Word of God, and The Power of the Living God. Right after that an Imam (leader of mosque) came over and we were able to ask him a bunch of questions. Some were pretty basic anwers we expected but out of respect we never got answers for the questions that he felt would "offend" us, question like what does he personally think of christians, the teaching of isa (jesus). Throughout the whole time he felt really uneasy. Anyway after we were done we asked him if he'd like to ask us some questions. He then asked us since we were christians what has that done for us? 

Bingo door opened for the Gospel. People started sharing about how they have peace, joy, a plan for their life, comfort, all the awesome  blessings romans 5 talks about. It was really crazy, I was praying Lord give me your words. So i told the Imam The greatest thing is knowing that waking up every morning knowing in confidence that i am right before the Living God because of the work of Jesus on the cross. It was crazy I got to share our sin problem and the wrath against us and the propitiation on the cross. The blessing of grace. Matt followed me with the same thing.

"praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that i may make it clear in the way i ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders making the most of the oppertunity. Let your speech always be with grace as though seasoned with  salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."

  This was my devo that in my devo today. i was stoked because i felt God totally did what the word says above in the situation.

Please pray for this Imam that God will reveal Himself. We then had a church planting presentation and had a taxi scavenger hunt. We had to catch taxis and take pictures of certain things. Our guide Zachaery was an awesome help. He is a beliver here in Niamey. Continue to pray for the culture adjustment these next couple weeks will be the hardest adjusting and missing home. I can feel it already. Shoots guys i love you keep us in prayer. We head out to Conarky on the 16th.