On Thursday evening, Team Wellspring arrived in Isibania , Kenya (just a few kilometers from the Tanzanian border) after spending two days with the entire “O” squad in Nairobi. After a nine hour bus ride (which was quite entertaining), we were greeted by Pastor Abraham Lutome and friends from Deliverance Church in Isibania. Immediately, we were overwhelmed by extravagant hospitality (which, after my time in Ireland, I am beginning to get used to). Pastor Abraham explained to us that we should make ourselves at home as he showed us the house that we will be staying in for our month in Kenya- a small, cozy guest house that he has rented for us. He then escorted us to his own house, just minutes away, where a wonderful meal of rice, meat, and vegetables had already been prepared. I immediately felt welcome and accepted into his home.
We have only been in Isibania for three full days, but I have already felt more at home than I ever expected to feel as an American in Kenya. Every person that we have met from Deliverance Church has intentionally made us feel as though we are their own family.
This morning (Sunday morning), we attended our first church service at Deliverance Church. Honestly, I did not expect to enjoy a three and a half hour church service quite as much as I did. The atmosphere was so joyful, the worship was Spirit led and lively, and every person there was so kind and genuine. My team leader, Daniel, preached the message this morning: a challenging sermon about searching for our treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Following the service, we piled into a twelve passenger van (in which we fit twenty five people) and rode to a nearby lake for water baptism. A few of the new attenders of Deliverance Church were baptized, along with our very own team member Brittany Cox. It was such a precious time of fellowship as we witnessed the baptism of both Kenyans and Americans. This evening, after a short period of rest, we each led one of the churches Sunday evening small groups. My team mate Jenny and I found ourselves leading a small group in the house of one of the church members and his new wife. Though we planned to study the book of Philippians with the group members, the small group instead became a time for each of us to share testimonies and recall God’s faithfulness in each of our lives. My heart was so filled with joy as I heard stories, similar to my own, of God moving in lives around the globe.
After only three full days in Kenya, I just have to say that my heart has been so filled with joy being here. I love every child who runs out of their house as we walk by so that they can wave at the white foreigners. I love the church members that we have met who have already poured out so much of their time and energy serving us. I love the meals here (chipati is my favorite!). I love that I can already walk down the street outside of our house and run into people that I know.
I so look forward to the next few weeks here in Isibania. We will be spending time in a variety of ministry settings: speaking at local schools, counseling troubled youth, visiting orphanages (yes please!), preaching at rallies and Sunday services, and whatever other opportunities we run across. As always, pray that we would make the most of every opportunity. Pray that, although I do miss friends and family at home, I would be able to set my mind fully on things above instead of earthly things. Thank you all so much for following my journey- I will be updating again soon.
Love, Angela
P.S.- I have an additional prayer request- please be praying for Pastor Abraham and his family. Just a few days before our arrival here, he had a son who was born two months prematurely due to his wife’s severe preeclampsia. The baby and mother have both been released from the hospital, but the child seems to have an infection of some sort. Please pray for complete healing in this family!
