Olepolos

Olopolos. This one church stands out as a call for all churches, and gives us all hope that the church is not dead but has power overcome the powers of this world.

Many people said Olepolos wouldn't be a good place to start a church because there were many problems there. The whole town was full of drunkards, where they said 'no one has their own wife'. A church was started there anyway.

The church had its problems like any church, but great things were happening. People were seeing the Kingdom of God in stark contrast to the society. What this church has shown is that when the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the World come head to head, only one comes out on the other side.

Today we visited Olepolos and got to see firsthand what God has done through people who were faithful.

We got to the nearest town by car, then we met a member of the church and walked a mile or two into the bush. We got to the church, and sat for an hour or two while they served us chai. We waited for the pastor to come back from town, and talked about the history of Olepolos with George. When the pastor arrived he took us around to see the things that this church has been doing in the community.

He first took us to the church building. They have around 200 people on most Sundays, but their work is not just on Sunday mornings. They have regular times set aside for prayer and many other things, but the thing that stood out to me the most was something similar to a discipleship program. I wonder what would happen if all the churches of the world would train their members this way.

He also took us to the school. They have started a school for grades 1-8, and are planning to add the next four. He said they have close to 200 students in all, coming from as far as a mile and a half away.

As if one weren’t enough, God has saved both lives and the community as a whole. Nineveh?

The church is around 13 years old, but this church has sent out missionaries to the surrounding areas, and has planted three churches in last few years. This wildfire reminds me of the early church in Acts. People were bold. The church grew and spread. Nothing could stop it. God was big.

Hey, I think a God who can still do that is kinda cool.

Praises:

-God is moving

-Save travels to and from Nairobi

-A good meeting with the pastors

Requests:

-Focus for the rest of our time in Chepilat

-Strength in Chepilat Mennonite

-Lasting peace in Chepilat