Moraho! Vite (Hi how are you?!)
The past couple days have been very interesting. A preacher from Kigali (Capital of Rwanda) came in and spoke for 3 nights. Oh and just so you know, they have church every evening and twice on Sunday. Anyway this preacher seemed very nice but as he went on with his sermons we realized something. He was barely using The Word and when he was, it was to back up what HE was saying, most the time it was out of context. He would just go on and on about stories of himself and it just didn't seem right. He went on talking about sacrifices and how we must sacrifice things for miracles, and how when you get saved you must not sin right after or else your miracles won't happen. It was very concerning, and the service really started to resemble a televangelist's program. As if they wanted miracles like that but were trying to merely mimic rather than call out to the Lord. So we have been in constant prayer that these people would see who our loving God really is!
After he left, Pastor Caleb said he would not be in town and wanted one of us to speak at church so it seemed as though God was putting us in to set it straight. I volunteered, then Rachel Neff (my team member) said she wanted to help out. Well as we prayed and looked through various books in the Bible we both felt that starting with square one would be best. We decided that telling them about our need for Christ, why He came, why He died, and how much He loves us was the best place to start. As we went on Rachel felt like the Lord was wanting her to do it and I can't argue with that! So last night she spoke, and MAN! it was great! None of us are positive how well it settled with them but the Lord definitely spoke through her and it was very energizing. They were all very responsive so PRAISE THE LORD! So tonight it is my turn. I am thinking of speaking about His grace but I need to pray more and stuff but I am so excited!!
A couple days ago I met a kid that was about 18 and he had such an AMAZING voice it was awesome! He apparently plays piano, drums, and sings sometimes at church. Anyway he followed us home because I told him I play guitar and stuff. So right when we got back I pulled out my guitar and we started with some simple songs like open the eyes of my heart (which he knew) then went to a freestyle. I just began randomly playing a progression and he began to worship in Kinyarwanda (their language) so beautifully. So we sat there and worshiped together outside the apartment thing. We are kind of at the top of a busy street on the corner so people began to gather at the fence and listen to us glorify God for like 20 minutes. It was AMAZING! The coolest part of the whole thing was that during my quiet/prayer time that morning, Joe (team member) came to me while I was playing and was saying that he felt like God is really going to use me (being a guitar player) and our location as ministry, kind of like a light on a hill. SURE ENOUGH God follows through again. THE SAME DAY! It was so neat to see it happen. There were probably 25-30 people outside the fence watching. Praise God! 🙂
If you are praying for us, thank you and don't stop! I would love prayer for my family and for Nathan, my brother that is leaving for Marine boot camp the 16th. Also for obedience and boldness in the Spirit for me.
Thanks and stay tuned!
Johnathan Romo
Ephesians 6:19-20
PS I am learning the language so fast! Or trying at least!
