Southbridge May 2013 Part One

David, Jared, Anna, John, and JD


What an exciting and blessed month we have had.  Southbridge Fellowship sent a team of 5 people to Madagascar in order to help us engage the many lost and disciple the growing believers here.  This team was unique for us, in that it comprised several students.  It provided for a unique dynamic, that led to some great ministry and lots of laughs.  I still smile every time I think about them!  

Tessa, Anna, and Jodie
Yes, Jared broke the sign...
David getting a Tandroy haircut!
David and Jared being David and Jared
JD and Chris
JD exhausted
John
The first part of their trip was spent in the city of Tulear.  JD taught in the law department at the university here and had some great opportunities for spiritual conversations and teaching from the Bible.  This relationship with the law department was started a few years ago, so it has been exciting to see JD continue to build on that.  We are praying about what God can do with these relationships in the future.  

JD Teaching Law

During the days here, the team hosted a youth camp.  We had a very large turnout, with believers attending from a variety different churches in town.  It was awesome to see the different denominations worshipping and studying the Bible together.  At the end of the time, we overheard the youth talking about how they should get together more often like this!  We also had many non-believers attend - what a great opportunity for them to hear the gospel, not only from our team but from other Malagasy youth.
 


Southbridge led worship everyday.  John headed up the time - and he did a great job!  The Malagasy youth LOVED this time, and side by side we worshipped in Malagasy and English.  It was by far one of the coolest worship experiences I have had (in English and in Malagasy!).  The Malagasy really, really enjoyed learning some English praise songs, and by the end of the week were really getting them down.  One of my favorite moments, was watching three Malagasy guys from three different churches playing the guitars, leading us in worship together.  It was awesome (and something I have not seen before!).  God definitely used Southbridge to bring these believers together!

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The team would break everyone up into small groups (about 20 people per group) during each session.  Anna led the girls group.  It was such a great time of sharing.  The girls really opened up, and I was amazed at just how vulnerable they were with one another.  David and Jared each led their own groups as well.  The guys also expressed a lot of vulnerability with one another, and it was great to hear how David and Jared's openness and honestly was able to encourage others.  







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