1000 pictures
From the smiles of that precious 2 year old, to the front flips of the youth, to the years of wisdom and love shown by the deep wrinkles of that beautiful 90 year old, my camera wasn’t enough. Even the upgrade of a camera I inherited failed to show the heart and soul of each individual. It was that heart and soul of Kenya with which I fell in love. The exact reason why this blog was so hard to write.
We arrived to Bishop Moses’ house in Kitale shortly after flying into Nairobi, Kenya. We were welcomed with wide open arms into our ministry contacts home feeling instantly at home with their family, listening to jokes and laughter from two of their sons and being pulled around by Stacy, their 2 year old grand niece they have taken in as their own. I loved to sit for hours soaking in Bish’s wisdom and life stories. I fell in love very quickly with this beautiful country and its beautiful people.
We were given the opportunity to preach on Sundays. We spent the first week in a school teaching 10-12 year olds , praying for people at the hospital (and saw healings throughout those days), speaking to women at a prison, going door-to-door praying for people in a village church community, and best of all leading people to the saving knowledge of Jesus.
Through these, there were many firsts for me this month. My first time preaching, my first time teaching as an “official” school teacher, my first time as a team leader, my first time leading someone to Christ for the first time specifically through prayer, and my first tears leaving a country. Through each of these firsts, I felt the Lord strengthening me and giving me the ability to do this things for His glory.
During one of my conversations with Bish, I learned how God miraculously healed Bish after a massive stroke when he was a young man; a stroke which led to 8 months of paralysis with no chance of walking “or general life function”. After being bed-ridden for 8 months, a man came to Bish and prayed over him and prophesied that Bish was to become a pastor and within 3 days, Bish was home, strength on both sides were nearly 100%
Bish and his ministry, New Life Ministries, focuses on raising up pastors and leaders from within churches, teaching them scripture and leadership skills, and empowering them to plant new churches in unreached areas and villages. I love that vision: seeing the Lord move in individuals of the church, seeing who He is raising up as leaders, and being able to give them the tools to become what the Lord is calling them to become.
Bish is a humble man, with a humble home, a humble life, but a heart that bursts with richness. He often drives multiple hours per day to teach at universities, pastors conferences, and youth events helping to teach and train leaders. Like much of African ministries, Bishop's vision is restricted due to such limited finances. He is praying for individuals to partner with his vision and the ministry. The one immediate functional need he has is for a new vehicle. During our month in Kitale, the faithful little Suzuki jeep broke down numerous times and barely managed to haul the 6 of us racers (plus Bish) to our various ministry sites. Please pray and consider partnering with Bish and his amazing ministry.
Praying at the hospital
I love my crazy team!
2 of my fav boys from the school who asked me questions during bible class
like 'what was Moses' wife's name?' and 'what was Abraham's mother's name?'
What?!
My famiy 🙂
