Answered Prayers

Wow has it been good to be back in Africa!  Although living without electricity, toilets, and running water again has been a little shock again to us westerners, we received an even bigger shock of joy this week!

On Wednesday we had the opportunity to visit a school that Martin started for orphan and underprivileged children.  Before our trip Martin emailed us asking for us to bring children’s books, clothes, shoes or ANYTHING we could fit in our bags.  Flying internationally we are able to bring two bags beneath the plane.  So between Dan Chris and I, we decided we all would cram into our second bag whatever we could get our hands on.  By God’s grace Chris managed to find 25 children’s books for super cheap.  Wednesday we were blessed to witness these being books being given to the children.  Few things in life have brought greater joy than witnessing the joy the teachers and students faces!  After we handed out the books the teacher shared with us that the children have been praying for books for a long, long time!  Hearing this reminded of Job 22:28 

Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God. You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.  What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways. 

 Keep praying for these children!

Yesterday and today we had the opportunity to hang out with over 200 youth!  We were able to bring the soccer balls that were donated to us.  These boys and girls play every week with ONE soccer ball that is borrowed.  The other balls are home mad balls out of rubber, bound together in the shape of a ball.  Chris, Dan and I each got to read scripture to the youth and share our hearts on why we came.  Pray for some of the Muslim boys and girls who were there today!  Pray as this soccer ministry continues for Martin, that many will come to faith in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

Tomorrow we will begin building the water rain catchment tank. Please pray Jesus love is revealed.  Also pray for the handful of church planter we will be training to replicate this as an access ministry for Muslim areas.

Soccer Balls, Water, and Church

When I reflect on 2012, I am left awestruck every time by the things I was blessed to see God accomplish.  A few things that come to mind are the life transformation of some young men in Masiphumelele, Muslim's radically coming to faith, healings, and daily miracles released from persistent  and fervent prayer.  If I didn't believe Habakkuk 1:5 before 2012, I sure do now.

"Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."

During my CPx training in Cape Town February - April 2012, I met a humble church planter from Kenya.  When he shared some of his stories, you couldn't help but relate it to Habakkuk 1:5  While doing ministry together in Cape Town our Kenyan friend often planted the idea often about visiting him in Kenya.  Little did we know a year later this would become a reality.  Thursday February 7th - March 11th we will be journeying to together into Kenya and Uganda.  Our team will consist of two of my great friends.

- Chris and I dreamed together about a trip together to Africa via skype in July 2012 while I was in Senegal! Here we are 6 months later about to about to cross the large pond together and land in Africa.  Chris and high went to high school together. He has a passionate heart for prayer and missions.

- My other good friend Dan and I were on the same track team together in college, lived together in Cape Town, and now are current roommates in Minneapolis.  Dan is a man of may things but his integrity and grace stick out in my mind.  I am so blessed to have serve and learn from both of these guys!

One of our main objectives during our time in Kenya is to build this simple Water Rain Catchment Tank. It provides & stores clean drinking water from rain fall!  Justice Water is the excellent non profit organization that helped train some of us in Cape Town.  Our goal for this Rain Catchment Tank is to not only provide clean drinking water, but specifically to assist Martin and some of his church planters to gain access into some of the surrounding Muslim Villages and talk about Living Water!

Our next goal is to run a soccer training camp for the surrounding Muslim villages.  Anytime you combine African villages and a soccer ball, there is no telling how many  people will show up.  Last Friday we generously had 20 soccer balls donated to us by Give A Kick, a non profit organization that sponsors soccer balls!  Our only cost is to pay the expedited shipping fee!

Our last goal is to visit some of the house churches in Uganda. These house churches are located in villages with many surrounding Muslims.  We hope to serve, love, encourage, and pray for some of these churches that God would bless them and use them in mighty ways for the kingdom!


Thanks for all of your love, support and prayers! Check out this blog for more updates in the upcoming weeks. If you would like to be added to my email prayer/trip updates please send me an email at jay-quick@bethel.edu