My title is not only an amazing line from an amazing movie
known as “The Princess Bride,”(arguably one of the best films ever made) but it
really captures the essence of this month. We have done so much that if I were
to list all the things in detail this blog would be pages long so I will try my
best to hit the highlights and let you all in on an awesome month of ministry
in Africa!
We have done quite a bit of preaching this
month! We have preached in church, preached at prayer services, preached at
outreach events, preached in slums, preached in schools, preach, preach,
preach!(I just wanted to say it a few more times because I probably missed some
time when we preached again) This is me in a tie that belonged to our Pastor. He was so proud that I wore it…I wasn’t as excited as he was!
· We have also been involved in some very powerful
community outreaches. We visited a school in Kibera, which is one of the
largest slums in the world! The size and depravity of this place was
mind-blowing. Yet we found a ray of hope in a schoolroom packed with young,
bright, and eager students that were hungry for Jesus, hungry for change. We
sang a few worship songs with them and one of the girls from our team shared
her testimony and over 25 kids accepted Christ that morning!!!! It was so
sweet!
· Another powerful ministry we were involved in
this month was going to Mother Teresa’s Orphanage, where we fed the disabled.
We went two times as a group and the first time we were there we were so
broken. Bri wrote a blog about it called “Beautifully Broken.” The second time
we went I brought my guitar along and we sang some worship songs together! It
was honestly one of my favorite worship times in my life. There was such joy
and excitement in their voices and on their faces. With every strum and every
word sang the smiles and laughter grew louder and louder. There were a few
girls at this home who are only slightly handicap. One came right over and sang
her heart out to Jesus! She even taught me some Swahili songs on the spot and
we sang them in harmony. At one point she took over the worship leading and
began to lead us all in song. Needless to say I loved this time and will
remember it in my heart for years to come.
· Like I had said earlier we have spoken at
several different schools. This has been such an incredible experience! Some of
these schools were public and others were private but nevertheless we were able
to walk into classrooms and teach Jesus. These kids responded in such an
awesome way. The kids would listen so well and answer questions at the end of
every session. They would recite memory verses we had worked on the previous
week. Some even accepted Jesus after we were done speaking. A few girls ran
after us as we left and asked Rachel, one of our teammates, if they could
follow Jesus and know Him as their Savior. Our hearts came alive in these
classrooms.
· We have done community outreaches where we would
invite people to church as well. Door to door evangelism is really common here
and it was a really cool way of getting to know the community. Unlike the
States where people may think you are a weirdo if you are knocking on their
doors to tell them about Jesus, here in Kenya they not only open the door but
they open their homes as well and will more than likely fix you a cup of tea
and sit down to chat with you! We have had some very impactful times of prayer
and fellowship during these home visits. I will never forget the hospitality of
the Kenyan people.
· Our team has also been very strategic in worship
ministry this month. God has used the musical gifts of some of the girls on the
team as well as my passion for worship leading to bless this church we have
been a part of here. We had a Sunday afternoon worship seminar that was lead by
myself along with a girl named Alaina from another world race team that we are
close to this month. We were both able to share about our experience of leading
worship back at our home churches and even have a time of Q&A at the end of
our speaking. After we had answered some questions we worshipped as the body of
Christ! Our pastor had invited many different worship teams and leaders from
churches in the area. It was such a good time.
· Last but not least we have had such an
incredible time with our Pastor along his wife and daughter this month. They
feel like family to us. All 7 of us have been staying in his house this month.
Space has been tight but we have bonded in such a deep way. Pastor Joseph feels
more like a friend than a ministry contact to me. The two of us have had some
really valuable time together and he has spoken some very encouraging and
life-giving words into me. He is a great pastor, husband, and father. I
consider myself so blessed to have been able to meet him.
· That is our month in a few paragraphs. I want
to stress what an absolutely incredible month this has been. We will truly miss
this family and ministry when we leave. Kenya has been a beautiful month in so
many ways. We love you all back home and ask that you continue to pray for us.
Pray that we finish this race well and that God continues to guide our future
for the glory of His name!
