Fishing.

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

It is with a deeper appreciation for life that we greet you today; camping and ministering in the African bush with children, a limited water supply, and miles of walking will create in you a greater appreciation for life...In all seriousness you know your paradigm is shifting when you get home to your 12 x 8 tent, shared showers, shared dining, and community living spaces with great joy and relief.


This was the first leg of three team expeditions we will be doing into the bush. Our 20+ person AMT team traveled to a tribal chiefdom called Nyawa where we set up a tent city and lived self-sufficient for almost a week. The incredible thing about this time is that the "crazy" stories we came home with really aren't at all the highlights. Having a leopard walk through camp at 3 am, or bathing a family with a few gallons of cold river water after the temperature dropped 40 degrees, or trying to fabricate fishing equipment to "keep up with the Jones" who were hauling in catfish by the dozens - these weren't the incredible moments we had. Not even close.


Nyawa is an awesome model of the Overland Missions "Sector management" strategy of reaching untouched people groups. The manager in place has laid a strong foundation and the evidence is the reputation he and Overland Missions has on the ground in Nyawa, even among people he hasn't yet contacted or met. Many people were aware that a "mzungu pastor" (white pastor) was making his way through the tribal nation and many seemed to be waiting until our reach extended into their corner of the land. Nyawa is a large chiefdom that spans several thousand square kilometers. The central village has shops and electricity, but the fringes are so remote that in several instances we met elders who never dreamed a white man would make it to their village.


As Jake and Jessie, Nyawa's sector managers, continue their work, their influence is radiating out of Central Nyawa and their local leaders are developing a solid foundation of believers that have progressively been able to reach more and more people. With several key leaders in place, and resources from Overland's LIFE Project and SAM ready to hit the ground in full stride, our expedition team landed with a mission to establish relationships with representatives from Nyawa villages at the farthest ends of the kingdom. Their annual fishing festival was the perfect setting.


We started walking...and walking...and walking...just like the Nyawa people do. And then we went fishing just like they do. With baskets, and bamboo sticks, and spears we fished. We mended nets and cooked meals and sat and talked with the villagers. We spent time getting to know them and played with their children and tried to understand this event and the place and time we were stepping into their culture. It took the entire five days of ministry to see things come full circle, but the breakthroughs along the way were so wonderful. What started as a curiosity of sorts quickly gained momentum. We gained access because we had Overland's credibility in the area. Having the simple power of the Gospel not only spoken but also demonstrated through us earned the warmth of the people. The care we showed for the people, not just visible "results", has left us and Overland with relationships and a foundation that will be built on for generations to come.


Some thanked us for coming and asked when we would be back with more of the friendship and message of hope we were sharing. Its easy to answer that question when you can point to Jake and Jessie really working a solid plan. Others cried with us as they shared stories about their life. We laughed with many as we made fools of ourselves fishing with them. Children walked miles to gather around our camp fire so we could read them Bible stories and help them pray for themselves and us the way we were praying for them. It was great to hear that by the end of the trip the chief, or "Headman" only opened up some of the largest fishing locations because our team stepped in to help and added a critical element of manpower needed to work those places.


I was able to preach the altar message after our night showing the Jesus film. Nikki got to do some one on one evangelism and discipleship with one of the hiking teams. Angelina even preached Jesus to a group of about 20 villagers who were amazed a 7 year old could be so articulate and powerful. At the end of the day, all of the breaking we experienced as a family negotiating the extremes of the African bush resulted in people being touched by God and seeing Jesus Christ revealed. We couldn't have asked for anything better.


We are looking forward to some down time the next two days before we hit our course work hard next week. Dr. Frank Hubbel will be flying in to start our bush EMT training course. Maybe I will learn what to do for the really annoying rash I have around my neck and chest from the caterpillar that decided to hitch a ride on my jacket collar. I hope that bug never sees one day as a butterfly!


Be blessed wherever you are,


--
The Garrett Family