While pet/house sitting in Dar es Salaam, I would walk the dogs twice each day on the same route. Each time I was out, I tried to make special effort to greet people, be friendly, and pray as I walked. Since I was there for more than three weeks, the regular people in the neighborhood soon recognized who I was.
Week three I felt it was time to hand out literature on my dog-walking route. I cannot give out literature while walking the dogs as most people are afraid of them. After walking the dogs, I loaded up my bags, and headed out. I started my pet route, but decided to not only offer free books/tracts to the people on the street, but also to knock at each gate. People were very curious about what I was doing, and I don't remember anyone refusing the literature. Many people wanted more than one piece.
A few days later, I was in a different part of Dar es Salaam, about a 20 minute drive, at least, from the dog route. As it was getting dark, a young man came up to me and told me that he recognized me from where I was walking the dogs and giving out literature. He said that he hadn't gotten a book the day I was out there, but really wanted one. I tried to understand where it was that he was seeing me each day. It is difficult because many of the streets don't have names. I thought I had a pretty good idea of where he was referring to (the walk is about a mile or more long.) I told him I would carry his book with me each time I walked the dogs, and he was to stop me and remind me when he saw me. He thought it was a good idea.
The next day, I didn't see him on my morning walk with the dogs. I decided I would go and give out more literature after my walk, and I did just that. I walked by where I thought I would find him, but still I did not meet him. I went down streets I felt God was leading me on. I had a great time of giving out tracts. After running out of literature, I returned back to the house. I was concerned, because I would be leaving Dar soon. If we didn't find each other soon, he would not get his promised book. I continued to carry his book each time I walked the dogs.
One evening, I walked my route, and still no young man. As I came to an intersection where I am supposed to walk straight, I felt I should go down the street to the right, so I did. I was about a block down this street when the young man came up to me and reminded me who he was and asked if I had his book. I started to explain to him that I had been looking for him each day, but had not seen him. He was on this street just now going to work, I didn't quite catch the reason. I told him that God had directed me down this street so I could give this book to him. He was very excited and grateful. I wonder if Satan was trying to keep this young man and I from meeting again, but God overruled the normal to make sure this young man got his book.
Eternity will tell.
Thank you to everyone that makes this work possible through your prayers, encouragement and support.
