*I spent my last 10 days of ministry in Africa in Kenya with all 14 men from our squad working with the Maasai tribe.  I thought my experience would consist of working with a remote tribe rich in culture and possibly a Lion killing initiation.  Well it ended up being a little more civilized then I hoped for but still was a great experience.

Rain, hail, frost, sun, clouds, shooting stars, wildfires, dust, donkeys, cows, sheep, corn, wheat, potatoes, dirt floors, sheet metal roofs, cell phones, generators, a wedding, a funeral, revivals, seminars, open air evangelism, Maasia hospitality, brotherhood, life. 
 
This has been one of my favorite ministry locations as far as the topography is concerned. Beautiful green rolling highlands at 9,000 feet covered with crop fields and bamboo forests.  I climbed up the mountain in our back yard, maybe a 600 foot ascent and watched the sun go down, the stars revolve, and the sun rise over a lake in the valley.  The locals were very surprised and maybe concerned when I told them I was fine sleeping outside on the top of the mountain – it got close to freezing, nothing a North Face Mummy sleeping bag can’t handle.

This has also been one of my favorite ministry communities.  The village is about a 2 hours drive on a dirt trail to the next so it is pretty isolated and as result a close-knit community of 3,000 people is prevalent, although it has its divisions among its 10 churches.  It was easier to get a grasp on the spiritual and cultural environment and therefore make lasting impact.  (more about that in the next blog)

It was also refreshing for me step outside of leadership and just be one of the guys.  We spent most of the time together, ministering, playing volleyball or ultimate Frisbee with the locals, hiking or just talking.  I found great strength, love and revelation from this time with the men.