How true is that fact? Fortunately for me, it has slowed down somewhat. While time is moving fast, it has a different flow than in America. It’s hard to describe, but I think it feels slower, then goes faster than you think. My point is I had not thought it was time to write to you all. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
I mentioned at the end of my prayer requests that there was a prayer vigil held every fourth week of the month. I am happy to report that I indeed did not fall asleep. I, in fact, never sat down, save to kneel. Never sitting down was a personal choice to help with the tiredness. I am at a loss for words to describe the experience. Powerful? Amazing? Peaceful? Loud? Grounding? All of these things and more. I felt so close to the presence of God. He was in that place and he was speaking to all of us.
Allow me to interrupt myself (You’ll learn that’s a normal thing to do for me) to say that my preaching went very well. I continue to regularly share, whether it be Sunday, Bible study, or spirit-led mid-vigil. I was given what I took to be the highest compliment one can receive, that being “God spoke to me while you were speaking”. It is an amazing feeling knowing God is using you every time you say yes to Him.
As I stated, God was speaking to all of us. One thing I felt Him saying throughout my time here thus far, was to stay. I went to some of you asking for you to dedicate this month to prayer with me as to whether or not I would stay. I’m happy to say that I will be staying for at least a year, going back to the US in October for a wedding. I’m excited to see what this year holds for us! If I may clarify, I do mean you as my friends back home.
Onto some more local stuff… I apologize if this makes it a harder read but this will contain a few isolated stories and my brain can’t figure out how to make it all pretty-like. nDom, I have not a single clue how to actually spell it (Dom?) but that is the name of the suburb that I help at weekly, and how I will spell it. The service goes pretty well every week at nDom. The congregation consists of all kids, so we don’t go that deep in our teachings. What the kids love is the singing and dancing.
My goodness, what a work out that is. One song is us mainly hitting a squat and going in circles. Although fun, my quads tend to find it less so. Prayer requests for them is that Quintino(kentinu), the head pastor there, would be able to find a place to stay actually in nDom.
An aspect of February is Carnival. This is not a typical midwest carnival with ferris wheels and funnel cakes, but rather a Mardi Gras esque four day party with the bulk of the parting taking place after 5 PM. One of several activities that we did as a way to counteract Carnival is evangelism. Like Jesus sending out the 70, a group of us go out in roughly pairs house to house to share the Good News. To prepare, we all fasted that morning, broke our fast that afternoon, and went out that evening. We had mostly people who recommitted to the faith. Toward the end of evangelizing someone mentioned how dogs can be scary. Me, as a man who wholeheartedly agrees, attempted to make a joke of making a cross with my fingers to “ward off dogs”. The joke didn’t land for a simple reason, Daniel began naturally looking around for the demon I “saw”. This was a very notable clash of cultural mindsets.
I can probably say this every time and maybe I will, but there is so much more I could share with you all if time permitted; sadly it does not, so I will take but a minute more of your time to share prayer requests. We have many ideas for projects on the land God has provided to the church here. One such plan is to move across the street to a bigger place and start a restaurant in our old home. Pray for guidance, for wisdom, and a clear starting point. Similar to last time the prayer vigil is coming and I need energy to stay awake.
Lastly I want to ask you all for… a praise request?? For our wonderful friend and church member who cooks for us daily, Teresa.
Thank you all so much for your continual prayers and love. Prayer is such a powerful gift we’ve been given and it means a lot to not only me but the church here as well.
(For questions or just wanting to connect with me here is my email, jmbaker206@gmail.com)
Baker at bethel 
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