Refreshment from God

This has been a week of beginnings and renwed hope for our team. The "beginnings" may surprise many of you because we have now been in Chepilat just over 4 weeks but it has taken time for us to begin some of the ministries that have been on our minds and hearts. There are many questions that still remain unanswered though such as how to show and not just preach the love of God, how to let people see the truth we bring in a manner that separates it from the lies all around us and especially what to tell the drunkards, prostitutes and witch doctors to show them that there is a lasting hope that can bring purpose in other ways than what are they are involved in, a hope that won't fade after the last of their money is spent and the pot of food that should have lasted longer is scraped clean. Yet as a guest to our church stated, "wherever darkness is found there is also always a presence of light--no matter how small." We got a glimpse of that very light this week. On Monday, we had the privilege of hosting two very important and respected figures of Chepilat for lunch, one from each side of the tribal divide in this region of Kenya. We have been eager to begin peace talks since the moment we stepped into this town but making "peace" happen is easier in theory. Realization as to the challenge at hand became evident from the first conversation we had with a local resident who was personally affected by the violence. Yet we came out of our lunch meeting with renewed energy because both men were very open to the idea of replacing tribal division for Christ-like unity again. Of course, we find it necessary to begin this process with the churches because they hold the foundational beliefs as we do for reconciliation and if peace is going to happen here it is going to be by the hand of God and what better testimony of Christ's church and its truth than to have them lead this transition. On this Saturday the 14th (yes, Valentines Day:)) we will be meeting with the local Kisii church pastors allowing them to come together and talk and process about how they were affected only a short year ago. They also will have the opportunity to begin discussing ideas about where to go from here as Christian individuals and church bodies. In a few weeks we will do the same thing for the local church leaders on the Kipsii side. We are then hoping for a third meeting that can include pastors from both sides who will be able to willingly come together with the same desires and under the same title (Christians) and take steps forward together, in unity. The leaders of these churches must be on board before their congregations can be and if they, as the representatives of Christ and their respective churches, cannot be unified what chance does the secular community have in coming to peace and being reconciled with someone they recently considered an enemy and murderer? Yet God's got bigger plans than what looks to us as impossible and we got a glimpse of that by hearing the desires of two community leaders who have been seeking the same thing but not knowing how to take a first step. The first step has been taken.
We've also seen the light of God in our church here. This last Sunday was one of the best services I've ever been part of and I know God was looking down on it, smiling and saying "just wait, you haven't seen anything yet." We were filled with joy and excitement seeing people cram into the church (comprised of one small square room) so that the children were forced to sit on the cement floor along the edges and the aisle so that each adult could squeeze onto some form of seat. The energy in that sanctuary was contagious and the enthusiasm was pouring out of the doors and windows. It seemed that the energy continued to grow as the service progressed. Yet the best moment of the service, especially for me, was when each first time visitor had the opportunity to stand up and introduce themselves. We took nearly 30 minutes just for them! Before, during and after each introduction the enthusiastic church members clapped, shouted, cheered and praised God just for bringing them to the service regardless of tribe and even whether they would see each other the next Sunday. Our team was also encouraged by the familiar we saw. They were people we had witnessed to, some were people we had held brief conversations with that wanted to see what "all this" was about and others had heard the loudspeaker (it had been rented for the day) that projected the service through much of the neighborhood. Many of them didn't know the church was here and just wanted to see what this new church was all about.
These two stories I've just shared have been a light to us in the midst of a place that often appears dark and hopeless. Yet they are only a few of the revelations to spiritual light we have seen this week. A light provided and revealed only by the Father, the source of all love, truth and hope. We have other stories of Christ's faithfulness in our prayers, poured out in His perfect timing and creative ways but these touched us especially. I hope they have encouraged you as they have us. After all, this God of wonder and creativity is the same God you pray to when you close your eyes, the same God you worship and glorify every Sunday in church, the same God of each and every tongue, tribe and nation, and the same God that is watching over you right now.
Barikiwa (Be blessed).
All for his glory,
Colin

Praises
-all the encouragement we've seen this week in progress of ministering to the town and church
-continued safety
-friendships
-we find our preaching is improving:)
-Colin's health is finally improving (Bwana asifiwe-Praise God) after many weeks
-growth in Chepilat Mennonite Church

Requests
-direction and discernment as we continue taking steps in our ministeries and peace talks
-wisdom in how to reach those who are currently unreached (drunks, witches, prostitutes specifially)
-Brook's ear infection (in his right ear)
-the congregation (living deliberate lives in Christ)
-return of visitors and guests to church
-an effective peace meeting on Saturday with the Kisii church leaders