The rain poured through Livingstone with fierce determination. We began to pray for it to stop at around 5pm. This was our first night to show the Jesus movie for children in Ngwenya. The rain wouldn’t let up. At 6pm it finally died down. We drove to the compound praying it was finished for the night so our movie could progress. As we drove, amongst the clouds, a glimpse of a rainbow appeared as if just for us to see. It hung in the sky beaming its glorious colours amongst the grey sky, as if to say as a reminder…”My promise to you…” Heiko and I both spoke the scripture in unison…as Jesus said, ”Let the little children come onto me.”
We arrive in the compound, park the car and are greeted by a dozen little hands reaching to help us carry our equipment. We set up under Peters giant Baobab tree and Jane disappears to gather the children from the streets. The children begin to flock in and sit on a tarp and mealy bags we laid out. I go in search of Jane and tell her to get more children. We begin to walk the streets and call out to the mothers for their children to come. The children come carrying babies on their hips. As I return back to the tree the children are shouting "lift Jesus higher, lower satan lower" and more are coming to the sound.
Darkness is filling the sky and we are all set up for our first premier. Our excitement resembles the children in front of us, beaming with expectation for something great. They all sit down, all are silent, we hit play on our mini, but powerful projector. The story begins. The life of Jesus told through the eyes of children. As He grows in stature their understanding and excitement grows. Then His crucifixion is shown. The children gasp as well as their parents sitting next to us, no one moves their eyes from the screen. His body is placed behind the stone and three days later…alive once more! The movie finishes and the children surround us in the dark. Only the outlines of their little bodies and the glistening of sweat can be seen in the moonlight. I stand to speak into the darkness and explain how Christ died for each one of them. I ask who wants Jesus to forgive them for the bad things they have done or thought about doing…they all stand. One hundred little bodies etched out in the moonlight. Then the children come forth to be prayed for individually and anointed with oil. We pray a mothers and fathers blessing over each one and they run off giggling into the darkness back to their homes.
The darkness may have surrounded them, hiding their faces, but Father God knows each one by name, and saw their willingness for Jesus to enter. They now carry a light in their hearts that no darkness can extinguish. John1.4
This night will not be forgotten, it was written on their tiny little hearts for their lifetime and eternity, as well as ours.
We dedicated this night to our dear friend Imogene New, one of the greatest evangelists we know. Because of her passion and provision may the multitudes be saved throughout Africa. We love you!
Heiko, Anita & Bella
This night will not be forgotten, it was written on their tiny little hearts for their lifetime and eternity, as well as ours.
We dedicated this night to our dear friend Imogene New, one of the greatest evangelists we know. Because of her passion and provision may the multitudes be saved throughout Africa. We love you!
Heiko, Anita & Bella