Journal of a Rookie Missionary: April 2011

Day 11 –Nairobi – Sunday, 13 February 2011

Today was our last day in Kenya for this mission trip and I am sitting here packing up my stuff and getting ready for the 20-hour flight home. I am filled with mixed emotions right now. On the one hand, I am melancholy as I think about leaving this beautiful place where I was blessed beyond all that I could ever ask. I have met so many godly, faithful, Spirit-filled brothers and sisters here whose faith in the Lord is inspiring and convicting at the same time. I have heard too many tragic stories of heartache, pain, poverty and despair but also stories of hope, perseverance, and the power of God’s love, grace and mercy. But the gospel is alive and well here and people are being saved here every day from physical and spiritual death, and God’s Word is being proclaimed and preached from Mombasa to Nairobi to Nakuru to Kakamega to Kitale to Mt. Elgon. There are men and women everywhere here sharing God’s love with others and being the hands and feet of Christ to those who have no one. Children’s lives are literally being saved here every day from death, disease, and starvation. The love of Christ is not allowing them to become one of the 13,000 that die to these things everyday as mention in Platt’s book, “Radical.”

I have been blessed by the people and their faith and stories more so than I could ever bless them. Jeff was so on point when he said that the faces and stories of these people will go on with me every day. The Lord has used this trip to bless me and grow my faith. He has opened my eyes even more to the desperation that exists among his people here and in many other parts of the world. He has humbled me. He has helped me to conquer my fears of traveling to a third world county and to going on a foreign mission trip. He has allowed me to preach His Word and the Gospel and be an encouragement to my brothers and sisters here. God truly has not given me a Spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind. I have built relationships here with my American/Bellevue/Rock Creek brothers and sisters and friendships with my Kenyan brothers and sisters. Relationships and friendships that I pray will last and grow.

On the other hand, I am so excited to go home to see my beautiful wife and beautiful son and my beautiful unborn child. I long to hold them, kiss them, and love them. I want to tell them how deeply I have missed them and how I have carried their love and spirit with me this entire trip. It is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I am excited to go home to find out whether Jonah will be getting a baby brother or a baby sister. So my emotions are torn somewhat between my blessed life back home and the pull to stay here and continue to minister to my brothers and sisters here. My prayer now is that the Lord will use this trip to help me make an impact when I return home for His honor and glory!

Katie T., Tracy H., Phyllis C. and I accompanied Mary Bahati to visit Pastor Richard Kioko’s church this morning called the Tree of Life Healing Center. This church is located west of Nairobi in the place called Ongata Rongai, which in Maasai means “Forgotten Land.” This area used to be a Maasai stronghold but was deserted and left. A lot of people, mostly lower class, have move to this area. We pulled up to the church and quickly realized it was not much more than a small wooden framed building with metal siding and roof. Although it was not much to look at from the outside, the atmosphere inside was electric and powerful. Pastor “Ridge” as he is called, and his wife Agatha moved here to minister about 2 years ago from Mombasa, where he ministered and saved many Muslims but was constantly threatened. They were very welcoming and inviting to us. Pastor Ridge led the music and worship time which was very beautiful and Spirit-filled. We sang songs in Swahili and English acapella most of the time.

The Holy Spirit was definitely in this place and I was encouraged in my spirit as we worshiped and as I prepared to speak. Mary Bahati gave a warm greeting to the people and expressed her thankfulness to be able to worship and visit this congregation. She told them how excited she was to be there and brought greetings from Bishop Ben. She then invited me up to introduce our team and bring the message. I gave a greeting and invited the team to come up and share a word. Tracy gave a wonderful greeting, Phyllis told them to stay tuned for a sign language gospel presentation she was going to teach them after the message, and Katie shared Jeremiah 29:11 with them: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not for destruction to give you a future and a hope.”

I then preached on how to have an abiding relationship with Christ from John 15. It was as if Zach was not up there speaking and the Holy Spirit was. I had asked the Lord beforehand to make Zach decrease and make Christ increase. And He made it so. I pray that the message was well received by all. Then Phyllis got up and shared her sign language Gospel presentation from Pioneer Evangelism which was well received by all. After the service, we all went to lunch at a local restaurant. Joseph, Associate Pastor and Ridge’s disciple, and his fiancé accompanied us to lunch. We had a feast of roasted chicken, chips, spinach, and some corn and potato dish. The conversation was even better as I spoke with Ridge about his story, ministry, and with he and Joseph about discipleship and the gospel in America. It was another enlightening time of discussion for me.

Finally, we took Richard and Agatha home and they invited us to see their home. It was a nice place and very warm. Jeff had instructed me to give Richard the remaining money from lunch as a gift for his ministry. He was very appreciate and overwhelmed. Overall, this was a glorious end to a glorious week of ministry in Kenya!

I pray the Lord will use this trip as an opportunity to continue to mold me and shape me into the image of His Son and transform me into Christ likeness. To God Be All Praise, Honor, and Glory! All Power Belongs to Him Forever and Ever! Kenya has forever changed my faith and my life!

Streets of Ongata Rongai