Month: May 2006

From: “Leslie Tiensvold”
Subject: Hello from Zambia!!
Date: Fri, 19 May 2006 09:10:48 -0500

     Hello!! I wanted to let you all know we safely arrived in Zambia Monday morning. It has been an incredible experience so far. They are so much more receptive than in New Zealand or in the states. I think I have only been turned away from three or four homes. Every door we go to, they run and get benches or random objects for us to sit down. Then they simply say tell me why you are here and about the word. Some have no knowledge of Christ or how to get to heaven. It feels incredible to talk and teach about the salvation that we truly are blessed with. One woman was baptized yesterday before the Gospel meeting. Matthew’s group is working with a woman who is as the refer to her, “good soil with miracle grow mixed in!”.
     It is incredible and God has blessed our work so far. I am really learning every day.
     We saw Victoria falls the first day we were here. Loved it! Think Niagra times 5 or 10! Beautiful. If ever a way to begin a campiagn… with such wonders of His creation. Mom- you would love bartering!! You get to talk them down on their prices! It is fun!!! Overwhelming at times because they all take you and lead you to their stuff, working against each other for our time and money. But still fun!
     We have a ladies day tomorrow and the last day of the Gospel meeting as well. VBS is next week.
     Well, I wanted to say hello! I am at an internet cafe and I don’t know when the next time I may get the chance to come again. Matthew says hello and is at a Bible study right now so he could not say so himself, but rather sends a cheerful hello. His group is coming to the gospel meeting a little later.
     Well, I hope all is going well in the states!
I love you all!!
Leslie

From: Aarek Farmer
Subject: Friday in Africa…..
Date: Fri, 19 May 2006 06:35:39 -0700 (PDT)

Sorry I was unable to write to you yesterday.  It was a crazy day but it was amazing.  We started the Gospel meeting yesterday because they had double booked us for the town hall we were meeting in so yesterday was the first day for it.  We had tons of people there.  Gavin and Happy spoke after a Zambian Preacher…but before that was even more amazing.  The door knocking and bible studies here have been out of this world. People here are thirsting for the Word so much.  They invite you in and study for 30 minutes to an hour reguardless of the denomination they are from.  They are so open and receptive.  Boo, Tarah, and I studyied with a lady yesterday and she was baptized yesterday afternoon.  Many more are on the verge of Baptism.  We haven’t scheduled this many studies but our group just wants to keep on doing them.  There is a group out now studying this afternoon and another will take place tonight.  It is amazing.  Tomorrow the girls are going to an all womens retreat and I believe Leslie and Amanda will be speaking.  The guys will be door knocking again.  Tonight, Brazier and Boo are speaking.  Tomorrow Kevin and Tristan.  Sunday I will preach at Riverside and then we will see what God has in store for us next week.  Things are going amazing here.  The churches are united.  They work togethere.  There is no contention.  Can you imagine a place were every church works together without the petty disputes that we have in America?  Don’t get me wrong, America is amazing, but we have alot to learn from these people.  Today I studied with a ladiy with AIDS who thought she was being punished from God.  The study was great.  She had never even heard of Jesus or Baptism until today and she said she was pentacostal.  These people don’t have Bibles so that is very discouraging.  Continue to pray for us.

   For you parents, you will be happy to know that everyone is alive.  Kevin, Gavin, Braizer, Jessica and myself bungi jumped off the 2nd highest bungi in the world on the bridge between Zimbabwe and Zambia.  It was about 11 stories tall. Words dont’ describe it but we got it all on video.  That should be the last crazy thing we do while we are here unless we happen to come across elephant rides in the Zambezi.  Thank you for all your support.  We love you very much and will see you soon.

   In Him,
   Aarek

From: Aarek Farmer
Subject: 2nd day…..
Date: Wed, 17 May 2006 06:17:08 -0700 (PDT)

Yesterday we spend the day at Vicotoria falls, getting use to the culture, and experiencing our first vehicle breakdown.  It went great though.  Our team is so flexible that it seemed like no big deal.  We just ate lunch early.  This morning and afternoon we spend the day door knocking in the area behind where we are staying.  We had some great Bible studies and we look for a large crowd tonight at the first night of our Gospel meeting.  It starts in a couple of hours and goes for 3 nights.  Two of us are speaking each night along with another Local person preaching.  Tomor we will coninute door knocking in another area of town.  We weren’t going to go out again and door knock this afternoon but our group wanted to which really impressed the people here that we have a team that is so willing to work.  The food is great…at least I think so…others might say otherwise.  No one has malria or any other kind of stomach or bowel problems yet, which is awesome.  Kevin and I came into town today to exchange a little more money…that side of things is going well.  We have nothing to complain about only thanksgivng for allowing us to come.  This trip has been amazing.  The people here are so encouraged by our coming.  The churches are really uniting here and we hope to have a large Crowd….everyone says high, and Mrs. Faires…Julie wants you to look at the itinerary again to know for sure when we will be back.  It is the 30th I believe I can’t remember.  Thank you all for your prayers and support.  We love you.
In Him,
Aarek

From: Aarek Farmer
Subject: We made it…….to Africa that is.
Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 07:48:12 -0700 (PDT)

This is going to be the most amazing trip ever.  There were no problems at all getting here.  The travel arrangements this time round were amazing…no long waits in airports, no long drives, it was awesome.  We arrived at 2:00pm and the family welcomed us at the airport.  We got through customs, got our bags, (only one didn’t show up—it was a backpack with socks and underwear—so no problems there.  Many of the church ladies welcomed us as we arrived to the lodge and sang for us for about 30 mintues.  There were already tears in peoples eyes.  Tomor we are going to learn about the customs and our schedule for the week.  They seemed very prepared for our arrival which was a big relief.   They are getting food in town now to cook for us.  We will start the Gospel Meeting on Wed.  Thank you so much for your prayers.  We will do our best to keep in touch.  Spread the word that we made it here safely with no problems, we have beds, food, a tub and awesome host family that will take good care of us.  Keep us in your prayers, and definately pray for those people that we come in contact with here.
   We love you all.

   In Him,
   Aarek

We’re ready to go! But I have to go finish packing…

We’re ready to go! But I have to go finish packing…