So Taylor got a kid named after him.
There is a young couple living here in Chepolet named Alfio and Mary whom we were introduced to through a very good friend and church member. When we first met Mary in January, she was having complications with her pregnancy and was feeling very sick when we visited their home. We came at the request of our friend Rose, gave a short sermon, prayed over the family and their home, and moved onto the next home. Apparently, after our visit and prayer, this woman's pain went away and didn't return as it had been in the habit of doing.
After this, our presence was very much in demand at this household. We were told that every time we go over to Rose's for lunch or a visit, we are not allowed to return home without visiting Alfio and Mary. Every time we dropped in to say hi on our way home, they'd sit us down, chat with us for awhile and bestow gifts of green vegetables and guavas to eat for dinner. Taylor and I continue to play Football with Alfio and his buddies every Saturday evening. He has even started coming to church, and has been taking on responsibility by helping with administration and leading the service. It's really terribly exciting.
Anyway, Mary's child got around to being born last week and she and her husband decided to name the newborn after one of us, so on Wednesday after lunch we went over for the naming ceremony. First, they put the four names: Stefan, Colin, Taylor and Brook, on individual slips of paper. They then rounded up the baby's older brother, who was completely naked and screaming at the top of his lungs from fear of these white creatures, and had him choose a slip of paper. The word 'Taylor' appeared on that paper that the terrified child chose and from that moment on the little guy was called Taylor.
In other Taylor-related news, some of the drunk men from the town attended our youth meeting at church on Sunday. Because of Taylor's ministry. I'm not sure if its because he's the only one of us who can sport a full beard or because his name is the easiest to say, but every time we walk down the street we're bombarded with children and adults alike shouting greetings to our friend Taylor Sr. There is a group of largely idle men who hang out at the stage where the taxis and buses pick up their passengers. They are there without fail and are usually too drunk to remember any conversations they'll have, but Taylor almost always stops, sometimes much to our annoyance, and he talks to these guys to whom very few people will spare more than a passing glance.
We bought tea for some of these guys at a local hotel on Monday and chatted a bit. Taylor invited them to our youth meeting that we were holding the next day and several of them came. One even abstained from drinking his local brew for the occasion. I preached on the Prodigal Son, a sermon that was defiantly God-inspired and God-led. That meeting was a bit rowdy, but just the fact that we got them into the church was a very exciting step. It showed us and all the town that there is hope for these hopeless young men who appear to be victims of the times.
Colin, Stefan and I are having an impact here too, its just that Taylor's is a bit more exciting and blog-worthy.
Also, Brook was the second choice for the baby's name, I know you were wondering.
Praises
-Stefan has returned to Chepilat after spending a week and a half in Nariobi
-Church members becoming more involved in the services and church business
-We're gonna see some big animals this week (Lord willing)!
Requests
-Endurance and passion as we enter our last month here in Chepilat
-Team unity
-Continued protection in spiritual and physical health
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Apathy
Apathy is one of my least favorite words. This is the fatal wound that causes the church to look at the mess under it’s feet, and decide that it isn’t worth the effort to reach out and be love to a dying world. God seems to have given me the want to want to not want apathy. This isn’t something I was born with, or something that I have worked to achieve, but I know the little faith I have has been given to me. The past week this faith has been tested, and I think I have failed by wanting apathy.
When I look back at the week, I see now that I should have known it would come. I had forgotten to pray every day. I had given in to judging. I had given myself over to apathy with the nice living conditions at the guest house. I had even decided that it was alright.
We arrived back here in Chepilat and things seemed to be going all wrong. When I would pray, I knew there was something in the way, because I didn’t have any passion for outreach in the community. Having an energy to be in the community was something, and it seemed like one of the only things, that God had equipped me with, so when it wasn’t there, I didn’t know what to do. I guess the things I have seen in the past few months have been really great, so when the gifts that God had given me didn’t seem to be there, I really felt at a loss.
So I went outside to pray.
The thing that I was shown was my unfaithfulness to the gospel. Love your enemies is what He said. I would repeat this to the tribes who were full of hatred toward each other, but in the little things it was hard for me to love people for who they were. I was telling people that judging would ruin relationships, but after all that I would still do it. Hypocrisy comes easiest when you apathetically don’t care.
Back when we were in training things were so easy. Every day was either a celebration of the little church we had going there, or was full of spiritual growth. We saw God in just about everything. God was making himself very clear to us.
We are now far from there. The past week for all of us has been hard for many different reasons, and I have realized that I have forgotten many things that should never be forgotten. I can’t see what I could just a few weeks ago. It is very sad when you can’t see the light that keeps you going. ‘Every lament is a love song.’
That night when I went out to pray, God told me one thing, and made it very clear: that the faith I had in training was the first step, but that He required something more.
When the light in a dark room is turned on, do you have any doubt of what is in the room? But what happens when the light is turned off, and you are asked to start walking? Faith is strongest when you can’t see.
That night He still said ‘Go’.
Praises:
-God faithfully teaching
-Safe trips
-The relationships we are building here
Prayer Requests:
-Strength in our team as we are down a member
-Stef’s time in Nairobi
-Strength in Chepilat Mennonite Church
When I look back at the week, I see now that I should have known it would come. I had forgotten to pray every day. I had given in to judging. I had given myself over to apathy with the nice living conditions at the guest house. I had even decided that it was alright.
We arrived back here in Chepilat and things seemed to be going all wrong. When I would pray, I knew there was something in the way, because I didn’t have any passion for outreach in the community. Having an energy to be in the community was something, and it seemed like one of the only things, that God had equipped me with, so when it wasn’t there, I didn’t know what to do. I guess the things I have seen in the past few months have been really great, so when the gifts that God had given me didn’t seem to be there, I really felt at a loss.
So I went outside to pray.
The thing that I was shown was my unfaithfulness to the gospel. Love your enemies is what He said. I would repeat this to the tribes who were full of hatred toward each other, but in the little things it was hard for me to love people for who they were. I was telling people that judging would ruin relationships, but after all that I would still do it. Hypocrisy comes easiest when you apathetically don’t care.
Back when we were in training things were so easy. Every day was either a celebration of the little church we had going there, or was full of spiritual growth. We saw God in just about everything. God was making himself very clear to us.
We are now far from there. The past week for all of us has been hard for many different reasons, and I have realized that I have forgotten many things that should never be forgotten. I can’t see what I could just a few weeks ago. It is very sad when you can’t see the light that keeps you going. ‘Every lament is a love song.’
That night when I went out to pray, God told me one thing, and made it very clear: that the faith I had in training was the first step, but that He required something more.
When the light in a dark room is turned on, do you have any doubt of what is in the room? But what happens when the light is turned off, and you are asked to start walking? Faith is strongest when you can’t see.
That night He still said ‘Go’.
Praises:
-God faithfully teaching
-Safe trips
-The relationships we are building here
Prayer Requests:
-Strength in our team as we are down a member
-Stef’s time in Nairobi
-Strength in Chepilat Mennonite Church
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Story of Friends
Hello all,
Our team has had a very abnormal week as most of you are aware of by now and it also marked our 3 month marker since entering Kenya. We had the opportunity to trek into Nairobi to renew our visas for another 3 months and coincidently stumbled upon some American food, hot showers and nice beds during these few days. It was great. So instead of going into detail on this week I want to tell you a story just to share a little of God’s unpredictable but awesome nature.
Story #1
I want to tell you about a man who’ve I’ve (and our entire team has) grown to know. Thomas is Kipsi (for short), from the Kalenjin tribe, living just outside of the main town of Chepilat where we are stationed. In the first 2 months of living here I would irregularly run into Thomas on the street. Thomas always seemed to remember my name despite our previously short encounters and his constant states of intoxication. In fact, to us, he just appeared to be another one of the examples of a hopeless, discouraged, frustrated and idle men of this town. One day George was with us when he stopped us in town and upon returning to our apartment George was eager to tell us the story of this man who had found unusual interest in us. Thomas is the son of a man named Jonas (who recently passed away) who’s name is very well known in the area for being one of the original Kipsi’s to sponsor the growth in this town and thus came upon heavy influence for the area in political matters. The Kipsis of the area hold Jonas’s family, especially his sons, in very high regard and the Kisiis, though they don’t necessarily recognize their “authority” as the Kipsiis do, are forced to acknowledge the influence and importance of this family. We were informed that Thomas, his brothers and even their wives were very active in the stirring up and post election violence of this specific area. Thomas himself was one of the instigators of the violence. This blew our minds to hear especially considering his friendly demeanor and average appearance to us. However we knew that this very well could be an open door from God into this community as we seek peace and reconciliation.
From the first day that I had met Thomas God had laid him on my heart and though I never saw any dramatic advances in my relationship and opportunities with him I found myself with a heavy burden and compassion for this man. No difference at least until a few weeks ago when he invited us to his home…
We went one morning to his house for tea because he had been insisting we visit him for many weeks and once we arrived I was discouraged and disappointed to not find him home but only his wife. Yet by the end of that day his wife had accepted Christ and determined to become a member of our church (which still lacked more than one other Kipsi). Only 2 weeks later, we were attending our church fellowship at his house and in the middle of the sermon Thomas walked in. George took this opportunity to minister towards him and within that hour Thomas was on his knees accepting Christ and confessing his violent past. And no it didn’t stop there. Thomas stood up at the end of the service and shared his life story and problems to date all while having tears run down his face. He appeared such a different man that I hardly recognized him. But he wasn’t finished… Thomas ended his story saying that he had been moved to give a portion of his land for our church! This had been a prayer this church had been praying for since it was first opened last May in a small burned building that is rented monthly. Wow. God did this much movement in Thomas in a matter of weeks. What a blessing to be part of it. I don’t know where Thomas’s walk will go from here with Christ and though many here doubt his promise to give part of his land I can tell you that all I saw in him was genuinity, from the day I met him, to the time of brokenness where he kneeled before Christ, in view of many people whom he had fought against a year ago, and confessed his short-fallings. What matters is not if Thomas does give the church land (because Christ will get the land for the church in his own time and manner) but that this man from this background, a background that this community would suggest is too much to find forgiveness in Christ and its Body, has been reminded and reaccepted what the meaning of this life is really about, just to serve the one true God and be obedient to his call before we rejoin him and approach his throne where we will be held to account for our short lives.
Thomas has an amazing story. I have only seen a very small portion of it and even less have I been able to express to you today but his story makes me think about many things. Last Sunday I preached and at the end of the service encouraged people to begin praying for God to open the eyes of our hearts because this prayer moves much more than the physical which we often pray towards, it moves the spiritual and opens up awesome opportunities for God to move without boundaries in all our midst. This prayer allowed God to give me an unexplicable compassion and heart for a man that appeared to be “just another hopeless cause” seen in uncountable amounts of drunk men in this community. Being open spiritually allowed God to bless me, my team, Pastor George and the church with the opportunity to carry the message of salvation to the very doorstep of a family that held so much hatred a year ago they seemed to lose Christ completely. We have been blessed with the relationship to Thomas and his family and he will forever serve as a reminder that God’s plans and what He sees are so much larger and greater than what we can comprehend. Two lessons come out of this.
One is that (as Thomas once stated) it was simply our friendship with him that opened the door for him to receive Christ. Secondly, God is on the move in Chepilat (and all over the world) and we can be blessed beyond our imaginations if we decide to get on board and be used by Him or we can continue on in our busy lifestyles and miss out on these opportunities God is looking to give out. It is funny how we pray to God for him to use us and yet we grow frustrated with the silence we receive while we daily drive by hundreds of homes that are hurting and in need and while we walk through the stores and rush by at work glancing at faces that are unknowingly crying out and seeking the very truth we hold in our hearts. These are the homes and these are faces of people that God places in our paths every single day that are opportunities and blessings we look over. I don’t want the regret someday of knowing there was some many people so near to me that I was just blew past without thought. We are accountable for those who God places in our paths, those closest to us and those who’s faces are yet unfamiliar to us (but familiar to God), and one day we will be asked why we never stopped and listened. Our team stopped for Thomas but how many opportunities before and since have I missed that God has placed in my path by my own prayers and just not noticed or paid enough attention to? This thought challenges me and may it challenge you as you begin to take notice of every single person God places around you each day…they aren’t there by accident and there are no coinicidences, God is giving us opportunities to advance the Kingdom if we just open the eyes of our hearts to His will all around us.
All for His glory,
Colin
Praises:
-safe travel to and from Nairobi
-smooth renewal of visas
-continued growth in Chepilat Mennonite
Prayer Requests:
-continued opportunity to minister to the community
-sensitivity to God’s opportunities and discernment in God’s will
-continued protection in physical health
-strength for every day
-Brook and his adjustment to new responsibilities and expectations
-Stefan in his time of counseling, mentoring, healing and growth of personal and spiritual
matters
Our team has had a very abnormal week as most of you are aware of by now and it also marked our 3 month marker since entering Kenya. We had the opportunity to trek into Nairobi to renew our visas for another 3 months and coincidently stumbled upon some American food, hot showers and nice beds during these few days. It was great. So instead of going into detail on this week I want to tell you a story just to share a little of God’s unpredictable but awesome nature.
Story #1
I want to tell you about a man who’ve I’ve (and our entire team has) grown to know. Thomas is Kipsi (for short), from the Kalenjin tribe, living just outside of the main town of Chepilat where we are stationed. In the first 2 months of living here I would irregularly run into Thomas on the street. Thomas always seemed to remember my name despite our previously short encounters and his constant states of intoxication. In fact, to us, he just appeared to be another one of the examples of a hopeless, discouraged, frustrated and idle men of this town. One day George was with us when he stopped us in town and upon returning to our apartment George was eager to tell us the story of this man who had found unusual interest in us. Thomas is the son of a man named Jonas (who recently passed away) who’s name is very well known in the area for being one of the original Kipsi’s to sponsor the growth in this town and thus came upon heavy influence for the area in political matters. The Kipsis of the area hold Jonas’s family, especially his sons, in very high regard and the Kisiis, though they don’t necessarily recognize their “authority” as the Kipsiis do, are forced to acknowledge the influence and importance of this family. We were informed that Thomas, his brothers and even their wives were very active in the stirring up and post election violence of this specific area. Thomas himself was one of the instigators of the violence. This blew our minds to hear especially considering his friendly demeanor and average appearance to us. However we knew that this very well could be an open door from God into this community as we seek peace and reconciliation.
From the first day that I had met Thomas God had laid him on my heart and though I never saw any dramatic advances in my relationship and opportunities with him I found myself with a heavy burden and compassion for this man. No difference at least until a few weeks ago when he invited us to his home…
We went one morning to his house for tea because he had been insisting we visit him for many weeks and once we arrived I was discouraged and disappointed to not find him home but only his wife. Yet by the end of that day his wife had accepted Christ and determined to become a member of our church (which still lacked more than one other Kipsi). Only 2 weeks later, we were attending our church fellowship at his house and in the middle of the sermon Thomas walked in. George took this opportunity to minister towards him and within that hour Thomas was on his knees accepting Christ and confessing his violent past. And no it didn’t stop there. Thomas stood up at the end of the service and shared his life story and problems to date all while having tears run down his face. He appeared such a different man that I hardly recognized him. But he wasn’t finished… Thomas ended his story saying that he had been moved to give a portion of his land for our church! This had been a prayer this church had been praying for since it was first opened last May in a small burned building that is rented monthly. Wow. God did this much movement in Thomas in a matter of weeks. What a blessing to be part of it. I don’t know where Thomas’s walk will go from here with Christ and though many here doubt his promise to give part of his land I can tell you that all I saw in him was genuinity, from the day I met him, to the time of brokenness where he kneeled before Christ, in view of many people whom he had fought against a year ago, and confessed his short-fallings. What matters is not if Thomas does give the church land (because Christ will get the land for the church in his own time and manner) but that this man from this background, a background that this community would suggest is too much to find forgiveness in Christ and its Body, has been reminded and reaccepted what the meaning of this life is really about, just to serve the one true God and be obedient to his call before we rejoin him and approach his throne where we will be held to account for our short lives.
Thomas has an amazing story. I have only seen a very small portion of it and even less have I been able to express to you today but his story makes me think about many things. Last Sunday I preached and at the end of the service encouraged people to begin praying for God to open the eyes of our hearts because this prayer moves much more than the physical which we often pray towards, it moves the spiritual and opens up awesome opportunities for God to move without boundaries in all our midst. This prayer allowed God to give me an unexplicable compassion and heart for a man that appeared to be “just another hopeless cause” seen in uncountable amounts of drunk men in this community. Being open spiritually allowed God to bless me, my team, Pastor George and the church with the opportunity to carry the message of salvation to the very doorstep of a family that held so much hatred a year ago they seemed to lose Christ completely. We have been blessed with the relationship to Thomas and his family and he will forever serve as a reminder that God’s plans and what He sees are so much larger and greater than what we can comprehend. Two lessons come out of this.
One is that (as Thomas once stated) it was simply our friendship with him that opened the door for him to receive Christ. Secondly, God is on the move in Chepilat (and all over the world) and we can be blessed beyond our imaginations if we decide to get on board and be used by Him or we can continue on in our busy lifestyles and miss out on these opportunities God is looking to give out. It is funny how we pray to God for him to use us and yet we grow frustrated with the silence we receive while we daily drive by hundreds of homes that are hurting and in need and while we walk through the stores and rush by at work glancing at faces that are unknowingly crying out and seeking the very truth we hold in our hearts. These are the homes and these are faces of people that God places in our paths every single day that are opportunities and blessings we look over. I don’t want the regret someday of knowing there was some many people so near to me that I was just blew past without thought. We are accountable for those who God places in our paths, those closest to us and those who’s faces are yet unfamiliar to us (but familiar to God), and one day we will be asked why we never stopped and listened. Our team stopped for Thomas but how many opportunities before and since have I missed that God has placed in my path by my own prayers and just not noticed or paid enough attention to? This thought challenges me and may it challenge you as you begin to take notice of every single person God places around you each day…they aren’t there by accident and there are no coinicidences, God is giving us opportunities to advance the Kingdom if we just open the eyes of our hearts to His will all around us.
All for His glory,
Colin
Praises:
-safe travel to and from Nairobi
-smooth renewal of visas
-continued growth in Chepilat Mennonite
Prayer Requests:
-continued opportunity to minister to the community
-sensitivity to God’s opportunities and discernment in God’s will
-continued protection in physical health
-strength for every day
-Brook and his adjustment to new responsibilities and expectations
-Stefan in his time of counseling, mentoring, healing and growth of personal and spiritual
matters
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Official Statement from EMM regarding the Kenya team
Stefan has asked to step down as leader of the Kenya YES team in order to work at some of his own personal, spiritual, and leadership struggles. EMM has affirmed this and released Stefan from his responsibilities as team leader. Stefan will spend 2 weeks in Nairobi for further healing, counseling, and mentoring in his personal life. During those 2 weeks EMM will counsel and evaluate with Stefan the best way ahead for him. Brook as been invited (and accepted) to lead the YES team for the rest of their ministry in Kenya.
Monday, March 2, 2009
meeting of pastors
After a month and a half here in Chepolat, we’re finally seeing some progress in the peace and reconciliation side of our mission. On February 14th and 27th, we held meetings for first the Kalenjin, then the Kisii pastors of the town. From conversations with many locals, we found that in the area around the border town of Chepelat, even the pastors are still harboring distrust and hatred. We were of the opinion that if even the pastors, the ones who love Jesus, cannot love their neighbors, then there is no hope for the community, so we decided to start our ministry there.
On the 14th, we invited as many of the Kipsi pastors (the Kipsis are a subtribe within the larger Kalenjin tribe) as we could track down to our little church in a burnt out medical clinic. We invited them to come at 10 am, expecting them to be a little late. By 1:30, five had arrived so we started the meeting by serving bread and Fanta. We led the meeting, with Pastor George translating for the pastors who couldn’t keep up with our English, by asking three main questions: 1) what were the causes of what happened, 2) what is the status of peace now, one year later, and 3) where do we go from here. One at a time we presented these questions and all five of the Kipsi pastors gave us wonderful answers. They explained the events and the background of the tribal conflict in ways we had never heard, and showed us several new elements of the violence which we were unaware of. We had hoped that in the end, they would come up with the idea for a joint meeting with Kisii pastors sometime in the future, so that it would be their idea and not ours. They did this and even scolded us for not inviting them to this meeting. We were very happy to see their eagerness to work with pastors of the ‘enemy’ tribe.
On Friday, the 27th, we called the Kisii pastors together for the same type of meeting. Three pastors came and brought along three of their elders. We offered bread and Fanta and asked the same three questions. This meeting was very different though. The Kisii, as a people, tend to be very progressive, always forward looking and task oriented, where as the Kipsi are more traditional, more focused on relationships and holding on to their tribal customs. We noticed this difference at this second meeting. First, the Kisii pastors were cautious of us, not quite skeptical, but unsure of how to work with us, being so young and inexperienced. Several of them seemed to think that they should be the ones leading this meeting, not us. They noted our disorganization in calling and running the gathering and even asked us bluntly “what are you after in calling us together.” They certainly weren’t shy. They were very focused on the future, what types of programs to establish and how to bring many people to God, but needed a little push toward the idea of uniting with Kipsi pastors to achieve these goals. The three pastors seemed slightly less enthusiastic about working together with their Kipsi brothers but by the end we had a plan in place and were looking forward to this alliance, as they called it.
This second meeting was much more stressful for us, being put on the spot and just having things run less smoothly, but God used us in all of our inadequacies and youth. It was a blessing to be able to encourage these pastors to work together for peace and to initiate a revival of a pastors’ fellowship that died out during the violence. Witnessing pastors from both sides getting excited about meeting and working together for peace in this town was so encouraging and helped to remind us that our efforts aren’t what will bring peace to Chebilat. It will be God working in that strange and mysterious way of His that is so far beyond our comprehension.
In other news, since this week began the month of lent (we think?), we decided to make individual sacrifices. Taylor is giving up chocolate, Stefan cheeseburgers, and I will be abstaining from fast food.
Praises:
-God is moving!
-We were all more or less healthy this week
- The church building is consistently overflowing with new people
- We are going to have warm showers on Thursday night in Nairobi
Requests:
-Wisdom in helping to address disputes within the church
-Team unity
-Endurance in bringing the message of salvation to those we meet
-Possibility of having land donated for a permanent church building
Peace and Laughter,
Brook Musselman
On the 14th, we invited as many of the Kipsi pastors (the Kipsis are a subtribe within the larger Kalenjin tribe) as we could track down to our little church in a burnt out medical clinic. We invited them to come at 10 am, expecting them to be a little late. By 1:30, five had arrived so we started the meeting by serving bread and Fanta. We led the meeting, with Pastor George translating for the pastors who couldn’t keep up with our English, by asking three main questions: 1) what were the causes of what happened, 2) what is the status of peace now, one year later, and 3) where do we go from here. One at a time we presented these questions and all five of the Kipsi pastors gave us wonderful answers. They explained the events and the background of the tribal conflict in ways we had never heard, and showed us several new elements of the violence which we were unaware of. We had hoped that in the end, they would come up with the idea for a joint meeting with Kisii pastors sometime in the future, so that it would be their idea and not ours. They did this and even scolded us for not inviting them to this meeting. We were very happy to see their eagerness to work with pastors of the ‘enemy’ tribe.
On Friday, the 27th, we called the Kisii pastors together for the same type of meeting. Three pastors came and brought along three of their elders. We offered bread and Fanta and asked the same three questions. This meeting was very different though. The Kisii, as a people, tend to be very progressive, always forward looking and task oriented, where as the Kipsi are more traditional, more focused on relationships and holding on to their tribal customs. We noticed this difference at this second meeting. First, the Kisii pastors were cautious of us, not quite skeptical, but unsure of how to work with us, being so young and inexperienced. Several of them seemed to think that they should be the ones leading this meeting, not us. They noted our disorganization in calling and running the gathering and even asked us bluntly “what are you after in calling us together.” They certainly weren’t shy. They were very focused on the future, what types of programs to establish and how to bring many people to God, but needed a little push toward the idea of uniting with Kipsi pastors to achieve these goals. The three pastors seemed slightly less enthusiastic about working together with their Kipsi brothers but by the end we had a plan in place and were looking forward to this alliance, as they called it.
This second meeting was much more stressful for us, being put on the spot and just having things run less smoothly, but God used us in all of our inadequacies and youth. It was a blessing to be able to encourage these pastors to work together for peace and to initiate a revival of a pastors’ fellowship that died out during the violence. Witnessing pastors from both sides getting excited about meeting and working together for peace in this town was so encouraging and helped to remind us that our efforts aren’t what will bring peace to Chebilat. It will be God working in that strange and mysterious way of His that is so far beyond our comprehension.
In other news, since this week began the month of lent (we think?), we decided to make individual sacrifices. Taylor is giving up chocolate, Stefan cheeseburgers, and I will be abstaining from fast food.
Praises:
-God is moving!
-We were all more or less healthy this week
- The church building is consistently overflowing with new people
- We are going to have warm showers on Thursday night in Nairobi
Requests:
-Wisdom in helping to address disputes within the church
-Team unity
-Endurance in bringing the message of salvation to those we meet
-Possibility of having land donated for a permanent church building
Peace and Laughter,
Brook Musselman
Monday, February 23, 2009
Encouragement and Dissappointment
Bwana Asifiwe!
Three memorable events dominated this last week for me.
1. Clair's visit.
We woke up in the morning in anticipation of the long awaited day. Though Clair would be with us for only a couple of hours, we spent hours preparing for his arrival, anxious for the wisdom (not to mention the gifts). That he would bring. Colin and Brook had a little contest going to be the last to speak to him - as the person who managed not to would hold the record for longest time gone without speaking to a white person. We were given a minutes warning before he walked into our door with four others to finish the final preparations. Finally he and his brothers walked into our small apartment and were served lunch, while they questioned us on our activities and our status. He left us a few hours later, leaving us very encouraged that we were making a difference here.
2. Visiting a Church
We had been invited to visit a friend here at his church, and, since it was meeting on a different day, we decided to go. Quickly after we arrived into a large open area with tin roofs set up over abundant pews, we were noticed and escorted to the front, where we sat in our usual place of honor when we visit churches in Kenya. Most of the people we met here were kind and hospitable, and even invited us to lunch after the service was over. As we sat trying to understand what was going on in the little building up front through the infrequent translations we received from the Africans sitting beside us, we grew more and more disappointed, for the bible study seemed very shallow, the 1st sermon seemed to be a collection of man-made ideas preached from the pulpit rather than God's word, and the main sermon both told the congregation not to go to other protestant churches so as not to be deceived, and a mockery of excitement in charismatic churches. I feel a strong call to help bridge gaps between churches and help bring greater unity in the body of Christ, so comments like these saddened me greatly. I wish I could say that it was only this church, or this denomination that put up walls, but I know from experience that this isn't the case. I thank God for the pastors we've already met who have been so willing to work together.
3. Church Service
I was very nervous come this Sunday morning, because, for the first time, I wasn't going to be listening to someone else give the sermon, but would be giving it myself. Africans have a different mindset from Americans, and view guests as a blessing rather than a burden. This is reflected in church by the tendency to invite guests to give the message. I preached a sermon on greatness in the bible, based on Mark 9:33-35 and Mark 10:35-45. After I had finished I noticed that the woman we had prayed for to release from demonic oppression had slipped in. When George instigated an altar call, she, amongst many others, went up. We were so thankful for this fruit, and we continue to pray for more.
Praises:
-We've come halfway through Outreach!
-We remain alive despite cooking for ourselves all this time.
-For the first time in weeks, no one is sick!
Prayer Requests:
-For the second peace meeting to be successful.
-For us to take advantage of the time we have left on outreach.
-For continued personal spiritual growth, even when it's hard.
Mungu Awabariki wiki hii! (May God Bless you all this week!)
-Stefan
Three memorable events dominated this last week for me.
1. Clair's visit.
We woke up in the morning in anticipation of the long awaited day. Though Clair would be with us for only a couple of hours, we spent hours preparing for his arrival, anxious for the wisdom (not to mention the gifts). That he would bring. Colin and Brook had a little contest going to be the last to speak to him - as the person who managed not to would hold the record for longest time gone without speaking to a white person. We were given a minutes warning before he walked into our door with four others to finish the final preparations. Finally he and his brothers walked into our small apartment and were served lunch, while they questioned us on our activities and our status. He left us a few hours later, leaving us very encouraged that we were making a difference here.
2. Visiting a Church
We had been invited to visit a friend here at his church, and, since it was meeting on a different day, we decided to go. Quickly after we arrived into a large open area with tin roofs set up over abundant pews, we were noticed and escorted to the front, where we sat in our usual place of honor when we visit churches in Kenya. Most of the people we met here were kind and hospitable, and even invited us to lunch after the service was over. As we sat trying to understand what was going on in the little building up front through the infrequent translations we received from the Africans sitting beside us, we grew more and more disappointed, for the bible study seemed very shallow, the 1st sermon seemed to be a collection of man-made ideas preached from the pulpit rather than God's word, and the main sermon both told the congregation not to go to other protestant churches so as not to be deceived, and a mockery of excitement in charismatic churches. I feel a strong call to help bridge gaps between churches and help bring greater unity in the body of Christ, so comments like these saddened me greatly. I wish I could say that it was only this church, or this denomination that put up walls, but I know from experience that this isn't the case. I thank God for the pastors we've already met who have been so willing to work together.
3. Church Service
I was very nervous come this Sunday morning, because, for the first time, I wasn't going to be listening to someone else give the sermon, but would be giving it myself. Africans have a different mindset from Americans, and view guests as a blessing rather than a burden. This is reflected in church by the tendency to invite guests to give the message. I preached a sermon on greatness in the bible, based on Mark 9:33-35 and Mark 10:35-45. After I had finished I noticed that the woman we had prayed for to release from demonic oppression had slipped in. When George instigated an altar call, she, amongst many others, went up. We were so thankful for this fruit, and we continue to pray for more.
Praises:
-We've come halfway through Outreach!
-We remain alive despite cooking for ourselves all this time.
-For the first time in weeks, no one is sick!
Prayer Requests:
-For the second peace meeting to be successful.
-For us to take advantage of the time we have left on outreach.
-For continued personal spiritual growth, even when it's hard.
Mungu Awabariki wiki hii! (May God Bless you all this week!)
-Stefan
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I am left without words
This week is so full of something good, but after writing, and rewriting this, I will have to leave it unnamed. Can someone explain smell to me in words?
Today we visited again the house of some of our friends. Their daughter has had some problems for a long time. She wasn’t able to keep up in school, or help with things at home. When we saw her she didn’t look like she understood much, and was only partly seeing things. They asked us to pray for her, and we willingly accepted. We talked to them a few days later when they came to church, and they said their daughter was doing better, and was helping with bringing water. Today we visited them again and she was even making food, and was visibly sharper of mind.
It reminds me of the story when Jesus sent his disciples out, and gave them the power to heal and drive out demons. They came back to him ‘astonished’ at what they had seen, because it was for real. I have read a lot, and talked a lot, but when the rubber hits the road, I am left without words.
What can I do? Who am I to do this? Why would God use me? It is in these things that God continuously humbles me. I have often looked up to people in the Bible who have done great things, but the more God works in, around, and through me, the more I understand that my place is very small in this world.
Riding home from Kisii on a matatu, an older woman was sitting in the back seat next to me. She had a basin with a plastic bag of things inside. When we got to her stop, she gave me a smile and we exchanged parting words. She wasn’t able to squeeze through the tight isles while she held the basin, and she couldn’t leave it behind. I picked up the basin and she moved down the isle. When she got to the end, I handed it to her, and exchanged another smile. Something in that moment. Something in her face.
Tonight I am sitting outside on our third floor balcony, looking out on the town of Chepilat. Every night a woman comes out of her run down, tin roofed shack next to our apartment. I see her walk over to the pile of rocks and dump the ashes from her charcoal grill. She does this every night. She must have been inside cooking food for her family. Or does she have a family? A dog comes over and sniffs at the pile, then walks away. Tonight is different than most nights. Tonight she exits her home a second time, and pours water on the coals, then stops and looks up. She pauses for a second, then walks inside. What is her story?
Does Jesus love unimportant people like these too? Are they really unimportant? What is it in her that would make Jesus love someone as simple as this? Is it the simplicity of our createdness that he loves? When we have understood how to love our neighbor, I think we will have understood many of the mysteries of life.
Praises:
-The church on sunday was packed
-We have running water
-We have recovered from sundry illnesses
Prayer Requests:
-Continued health
-That something good would come from our meeting with the Kisii pastors
-Taylor
Today we visited again the house of some of our friends. Their daughter has had some problems for a long time. She wasn’t able to keep up in school, or help with things at home. When we saw her she didn’t look like she understood much, and was only partly seeing things. They asked us to pray for her, and we willingly accepted. We talked to them a few days later when they came to church, and they said their daughter was doing better, and was helping with bringing water. Today we visited them again and she was even making food, and was visibly sharper of mind.
It reminds me of the story when Jesus sent his disciples out, and gave them the power to heal and drive out demons. They came back to him ‘astonished’ at what they had seen, because it was for real. I have read a lot, and talked a lot, but when the rubber hits the road, I am left without words.
What can I do? Who am I to do this? Why would God use me? It is in these things that God continuously humbles me. I have often looked up to people in the Bible who have done great things, but the more God works in, around, and through me, the more I understand that my place is very small in this world.
Riding home from Kisii on a matatu, an older woman was sitting in the back seat next to me. She had a basin with a plastic bag of things inside. When we got to her stop, she gave me a smile and we exchanged parting words. She wasn’t able to squeeze through the tight isles while she held the basin, and she couldn’t leave it behind. I picked up the basin and she moved down the isle. When she got to the end, I handed it to her, and exchanged another smile. Something in that moment. Something in her face.
Tonight I am sitting outside on our third floor balcony, looking out on the town of Chepilat. Every night a woman comes out of her run down, tin roofed shack next to our apartment. I see her walk over to the pile of rocks and dump the ashes from her charcoal grill. She does this every night. She must have been inside cooking food for her family. Or does she have a family? A dog comes over and sniffs at the pile, then walks away. Tonight is different than most nights. Tonight she exits her home a second time, and pours water on the coals, then stops and looks up. She pauses for a second, then walks inside. What is her story?
Does Jesus love unimportant people like these too? Are they really unimportant? What is it in her that would make Jesus love someone as simple as this? Is it the simplicity of our createdness that he loves? When we have understood how to love our neighbor, I think we will have understood many of the mysteries of life.
Praises:
-The church on sunday was packed
-We have running water
-We have recovered from sundry illnesses
Prayer Requests:
-Continued health
-That something good would come from our meeting with the Kisii pastors
-Taylor
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