An army of ordinary people

Another blog from Jono Pierce:
 
We had a very moving day yesterday when we divided up as a group. I spent the morning and part of the afternoon with Bishop Harold doing some training and teaching with the pastors and church leaders in the local villages.
We began by hearing some amazing testimonies. Stories of immense suffering and pain, of time spent in refugee camps and abject poverty. Stories of men leaving Buddhist temples because of the light and life of Christ they had seen in others.
I was speaking from Mark 1 of the importance of building up our personal devotional life and again it was humbling to meet men who desperately want to spend time alone with God but have no space in their homes where they can do it. We have been given a deep sense of just how much we take for granted in the Western world on this trip.
We had a very moving time at the end of that day when we prayed for and anointed these pastors and church leaders. Bishop Harold anointed their wrists that they might have authority and courage to bring the Word of God to their communities. What touched us deeply was what they requested us to pray for. They prayed for boldness in sharing the Good News. They prayed for wisdom in leading their communities. They prayed for ways in which they could draw even closer to God. Then they prayed for us. I've no idea what they said but i know it was beautiful and it helped me enormously.
In the afternoon Gavin and i headed off on a motorbike Tuk Tuk to a remote village with Sem a community health worker who runs a service for those affected by HIV and Aids. While we were there Sem translated a session in a safe house about recognising the signs of HIV.
Sem who has come here 6 months ago from New Zealand spoke of how difficult his first 3 months were. Surrounded by such need and poverty he found it hard to deliver his training and learn the local language.
He would well up with sadness so that he could not speak.
Now He lights up with encouragement as he points out to me people who were terribly ill and can now walk. Children who CHO send to clinics for anti retroviral drugs. He translated a message for me as we spoke to the villagers and spoke of how our Father in heaven is making such a difference.
People from the village appreciate the rice and the cost of transportation to the clinics and the way that CHO travel the inaccessible roads on motorbikes to bring water, food and medicine to those who have nothing.
As we bumped our way back in the Tuk Tuk Sem beamed from ear to ear as he told me how much he loved his job. He said every day i'm part of something that is saving lives and i pray to our father every morning and every night to give us the strength we need.
What challenged me most was his comment that if asked to go back to new Zealand now he would find it difficult. He believes its important to just go in obedience to what God has called us to do. With a cheerful wave and a big smile he was off - another example of God's army of ordinary people in this place called to do extraordinary things and bring His kingdom here on earth.
Jono Pierce