Finally, I have fallen off the face of the earth for the first time on the World Race. We usually stay in remote areas close to a small town, Internet, maybe restaurants, and a couple of white people. This month we have no Internet, no white people, no restaurants, and no cities. All I can say is praise the Lord because I’m loving this safari land with little communication to the outside world. To be more specific we are staying 6 hours away from Nairobi in a small village called Naroosura. This little village is tucked away in the rift valley!
Travel Details from Uganda to Kenya: Well we began our travel from Kampala on the night of the 30th at 6pm and arrived in Nairobi around 11 am. Travel is always interesting, but God blesses us tremendously. A big round of applause goes out to one of the greatest mission trip advisers, Onesmus, who knows everyone in the east part of Africa. When the world racers get back to the states we are going to be experts at traveling anywhere. Back to Travel… On Feb. 2nd we took the easy coach bus three hours to Narock to meet our ministry contact. We sat in Narock for about an hour then Rev. Jackson showed up in this sweet Land Rover. Soon enough we found out that before we could head three hours south to Naroosura Rev. had to get a new clutch for the sweet Land Rover. For the next 7 hours we waited in a local restaurant, and became well acquainted with the menu and the owner. The owner told us that Kenya is not like America so Rev. could not just run to a store and pick up a clutch like we could in America (LOL). We started off for Naroosura around 6:30pm, and Rev. kept talking about how the road is really bad. He was right for three hours we traveled along a mud road almost flipping at one point. This was the red neck mud riding of Africa! We went through rivers, mud pits, and everything other kind of muddy obstacle. It was great! I really enjoy getting to experience those kinds of things especially in Africa. Finally, we arrived in good ole Naroosura at 9:30pm. Travel Day done! Upon arriving at the church we set up our stuff, no electricity, and then ate some dinner. At dinner Rev. told us that he needed two sermons and one testimony in the morning. We gladly accepted, and after 10 days we are still preaching.
As I’m writing this blog we have no Internet and the date is Tuesday Feb. 12. Ministry is basically preaching at the church, school, hospital, and market. Our goal is to saturate this community with the word of God. So far we have been doing this for 10 days, and we feel like the Lord is leading us in a different direction. Yes, we want to preach like crazy, but we also want to help create disciples here. I’m convinced that the biggest impact is going to come from leading by example, and to do that we need to walk around the village showing everyone God’s love. Jesus did not just stop in the synagogues, so why should we? He went out to the people and His disciples were able to carry the Word after He ascended because Jesus was the greatest example. As I type we are planning on taking the Church out to the people of this community. Holy Spirit unifies groups of people, so we believe that He will unify us as we do open air ministry. It’s funny how we get so focused on the Church being the building when in reality the people are the church. I want to say pray for God to move in this, but you will read this blog when ministry is over in Kenya. We say that God is bigger than time so please pray despite time.
Living conditions; well they are always interesting on the world race. This one is probably the most interesting. We have two rooms between 6 people with 4 people in one room, then a married couple in the other room. Yes, I forgot to say that I’m on a new team with Jarred Potter, Becky Lewis, Alison Hill, Toni Groff, and Jeremy Groff. The new team is great, and everyone is desperate for more of the Father, which is essential. The room with four people has three tents set up with no walking room. Tents are usually set up for mosquitoes, but this month we have them up to keep away from the rats and bats. Yea, I said rats and bats, which is double trouble. Poop is always falling from the ceiling onto our tents, and the little rodents make so much noise. We are back to squatty potties, and for the first time we don’t have electricity in our rooms. The weather is incredible! Throughout the day its around 75 degrees and at night we have to wear jackets. I love Africa!
Update: World Race has invited parents to come on the field for 6 days at the end of this month so please be praying for all the parents traveling. Also, I’m proud to say that my dad is coming to experience African ministry with the other parents. Pray for God to use my dad in some incredible ways. I love you all and God bless.
