We’ve been in Eldoret for about a week
in a half and so much has happened:
- TWO Sunday services at the Releasing
Destiny, the church we helped plant, - TWO birthdays celebrated (and another
on the way), - DOZENS of families visited to talk
about God and invite to the church, - HUNDREDS of cups of African tea drunk,
- FOUR football matches watched (Go
ManU!) and lots more - TWO HUGE changes on my team
(more in a second) - And much more
Mostly our ministry has been to help
grow Pastor Patrick’s church. In Africa, this means going house to
house visiting families and telling them about God and our church.
We had a very similar ministry in Uganda, so it’s nothing new, but
the fact is that going house to house is so foreign to us Americans
and Westerners in general (unless your Jehovah’s Witness of course)
that it still can be uncomfortable.
However, the people here are so
welcoming and hospitable that it’s surprisingly fun. Plus, most
people spend their days outdoors in front of their houses on their
compound. It makes them easier to approach and make friends with.
It’s more like yard to yard than door to door.
Last Sunday, I had the great privilege
to be able to preach at Releasing Destiny Church. I talked about
Justice and Mercy, and how God can somehow manage to be both Just and
Merciful. I started with Genesis 6, right before God is about to
(all but) destroy humanity from the face of the earth. We all know
these stories so well that we aren’t shocked that God killed almost
every living being, but these stories were meant to be shocking. How
could a God who says he loves the world (John 3:16) want to destroy
it? How can a loving God be both Just and Merciful? What do you
think?
Finally, before I go, I have some
exciting and sad and crazy news. Sofia has a new team member. Last
week we found out that Andrea Pasquan from team Fresh would be
joining us. She would be our new team leader. We were shocked and
excited. Andrea is a great woman and we are happy to have her.
Then, a few days later, April told us
that God had been telling her she was going to take Andrea’s spot on
Team Fresh. For four months I have had the privilege of getting to
know April, enjoying her easy joyfullness and encouragement. I am sad
that she won’t be finishing this journey with us, but we know it is a
good thing because it is from God.
We are basically a new team, having
gained one and lost another. This means we will likely be changing
our team name very soon to reflect God’s continuing work on us.
Please stay tuned.
That’s all for now from Eldoret, Kenya.
Peace be upon you and God bless!
