This update may be a bit long because, well… it’s been 2 months since I’ve sent an update! What a crazy busy season! Our second and third teams have come and gone, and I finally have some free time to update you all on the last two months! I tried to sit down and write a few weeks ago, but I was having a writer’s block, and couldn’t think about much other than the teams and all that we’ve been doing!
The last 2 weeks of June, we had our second team come and join us! We were able to minister to 2 different villages (Nalukona and Katete) and start 2 new churches! Something
that was different with this team is we got to focus a lot on discipleship after evangelizing. Our last full day of house-to-house ministry, was all about asking if they had any questions about God or what they have heard so far because most people had already accepted Jesus. This trip was also very memorable because the Trail Missions girls’ soccer team WON our soccer match against the Katete womens soccer
team. It was super fun to play against women we had been ministering to!! It was a lot of laughing, pushing, and *trying* to play soccer to bring people to know God! We won in PK’s, and it was amazing! We got to finish this trip with baptisms and invited 6 people from these villages to come back to base for a mini bible school.
We had about 2 weeks break before our next team. They were from Washington state and was such a blessing to have them here with us! One of the team members, Josh, used to live here long term so it was great to meet him. We ministered to Mansu village and did day trips to a close village named Namisumo. There was one sweet grandma who had been possessed most of her life (according to her sister) that was there and was telling us. But recently, this kuku had gone to a witchdoctor and ate some type of rotten meat to be “healed” of some sort. So, when we were talking about the freedom we have in Jesus, and asked if anyone needed prayer, she came up at a night meeting, asking to be prayed for. We spent a good amount of time praying over her and rejoicing at what God was doing. She was no longer bound to witchcraft and was free!
She accepted Jesus into her heart and ended up getting baptized at the end of the trip! In the book of Isaiah, chapter 61, it talks about the Spirit of the Lord anointing us to proclaim good news, bind the brokenhearted, proclaim FREEDOM for the captives, and release darkness from prisoners. She once was covered in darkness and captive to it, and now she can walk in freedom because it’s freely given to us through Jesus! (This picture isn't of her!)
We just finished our last two books of bible school today and it has been such a fun and great learning experience. We aren’t sure if this class will graduate now or next year, but they have finished and have grown so much since last August.
In a few weeks, we have 3 missionaries from the states coming and joining us for 4 months! It is going to be great to have a bigger team here long term that will help us go out and disciple and preach to the 24 churches we now have! This past weekend, Tommy and I went to Nalukona and this was the first half of our Sunday service. Right as we finished preaching, a group of 20 or so people came, so we decided to preach again so they could hear!
A question I’ve been getting is “what do the next few months look like?” so I am going to explain! We are gearing up to begin the next session of Bible school (so the class of 2024!) and continuing to disciple the churches we have! Every fall in Phoenix we have a Trail Missions conference so if you are in the area or would like to come, I would love to send you more details and see if you can make it! I am also working on getting teams set up for next summer and planning all those details.
A lot is happening with Trail Missions! God is using all of us to reach more and more people, that being said, we have some projects going on that I would love to share with you!
The first project is a big new boma! I talked about this in May’s letter (I think!), but it will eventually be a big dining hall with office space so when teams come, there is a spot big enough to host big teams and other events can take place there.
With how many people we’ve been having… we are needing to buy a new BIG vehicle! And by big, I mean huge. I’ll attach a picture of our trusty Gladiator! This guy now belongs to well-drilling, but we are hoping to go to Holland in October to purchase another one specifically for teams. It is big enough to hold all our supplies, all of our members, and tents/luggage. We are also hoping to evangelize and make connections in Holland when we go.
Earlier this year, Trail Missions had an opportunity to lead a team to Nepal for evangelism and pastors conferences. This has opened the door for us to continue to minister here as Jack has been invited back in November to lead a youth conference. There was a revival in Nepal after the team had left and we hope that it continues to spread!
We have started a youth program every Saturday! It’s still in the early stages but I am hopeful to see what God will do through everyone attending. It is funny because people that are considered youth here are the ages of 18-35!
If you wouldn’t mind joining us in prayer for all these projects and doors opening for Trail Missions, that would be so appreciated!!
I appreciate all your love, prayers, and financial support throughout this whole journey! Although it has been a busy season, I am so grateful to be sharing about Christ and teaching people about His love and word! If you would join me in prayer for continued monthly support and for ministry doors to continue to open for me (and Trail Missions) that would be so helpful!
(Praying with our mini bible school students after a few got baptized!)
Sending love to you all!
Amanda
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