It seems like just a short time ago that I was writing to everyone for the first time about this trip. Now … it is 3 weeks away. Let me express, from the bottom of my heart, appreciation and gratitude to everyone that has sent me a card, email, or spoken to me directly … offering support and encouragement for my role in this effort. Also, thank you SO very much to all those who have supported this trip financially!
As I mentioned in my first missions-letter, I will be going to Kenya as part of a team of pastors/teachers assembled by Barnabas Ministries. The model for this organization is to take leaders from various places into developing nations and train and encourage the pastors and leaders there. My goal while in Kenya will not be to minister so much to its people as it will be to feed into the lives of the church’s leaders. I will be one of a three teacher team that will provide training in the setting of pastor’s seminars in two locations—the capital city of Nairobi and in Mombasa.
I have already been in email contact with the team’s leader and he has informed us that they are expecting in the area of 300 pastors in each seminar. So in the 9 1/2 days that I will be there, I will have the opportunity to impact and touch the lives of nearly 600 churches. God is SO good and I thank Him for the privilege that He has given me.
The seminars themselves will be all day seminars (Nairobi: June 3rd to 5th, and Mombasa: June 6th to 9th) with each of us teaching for about 2-3 hours each day. Then we will have the joy of ministering in area churches each night while in a particular city (either staying together as a team or each speaking in a different church). So as to try to avoid overlap, the team has exchanged the themes each plans to teach. I will be teaching a series I have been working with here for many months now.
The Lord has lead me to teach on the power He provides to victoriously walk through the various valleys we all go through in life. All of us know the popular verse (first part) from the 23rd Psalm, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;” The portion of that verse that I’ve been focusing on is the word “through.” The Lord’s goal is for us to walk “through” our valleys, not “in” them. We are to move through them knowing they will not endure and that mountaintop days await us. I will be teaching from various Psalms (as well as this one) and other select passages wanting to truly uplift and encourage these mighty leaders. As you read in my last letter, they minister in such difficult conditions. I want the Lord to use me to let them know that they are not alone.
I deeply covet your prayers for me, our entire team, and for this journey. Please pray for safe travels to Kenya, while there, and a safe return on June 11th. And please pray that His anointing will make this time a divine appointment that will shape all of our lives from that point forward.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Kenya Today ...
Well … it’s hard to believe but this mission to Kenya begins in a few short weeks (I leave in just 50 days!). It has been wonderful to learn about and prepare for this adventure. I have been truly humbled and blessed by all of the kind words and notes many of you have sent me as well as the financial support so many have provided.
In the last info-letter, I gave you a little background about Kenya’s history. In this issue, I’d like to share some of what I have learned about what Kenya is like today.
Truly, one of the major challenges facing the people of Kenya is poverty. Between 25% and 50% of all Kenyans earn around $1 (US) a day. About 52% of their population lives below the poverty level. A 2005 world economic report ranked Kenya 154th (out of 177 nations rated) on the poverty scale—basically near the bottom. Just three earlier … it ranked 134th indicating that conditions are getting worse. Limited economic diversity, lack of opportunity, and recent political unrest have all contributed to the current state of the nation. Because of these economic conditions, Kenya also faces many major health issues.
Like elsewhere on the African continent, HIV is a major health issue in Kenya. Over 150,000 people die each year of HIV/AIDS related causes. The nation’s health report boasts of good news in that the numbers of citizens infected with HIV has declined in recent years. Yet, if pressed, they’ll admit that this is primarily due to the fact that many of those infected have died. About 75% of all Kenyans directly know someone infected with HIV or who have died of an HIV/AIDS related illness. In addition, partly due to insufficient funds to sustain or improve medication conditions, other health issues faced include malaria, yellow fever, Hepatitis A and B, and cholera.
As with any nation, the ones that are usually most impacted by these types of conditions is the children. The infant mortality rate in Kenya is 81 out of 1,000 births don’t survive to age 1 (compare to 8 in the United States). The current life expectancy in Kenya is 54 (compared to 80 in the US). Kenya’s orphan population increases by the hundreds of thousands each year, helped in part by the HIV/AIDS related conditions.
Added to these health and economic challenges, many Kenyans face challenged living conditions. Clean drinking water and proper sanitation remain out of reach for large segments of the population. While the government has made strides to improve the sanitation issue, currently less than 20% of the nation have access to it.
It’s in this environment that the Kenyan church works, proclaiming the Lord’s message of hope and love. In my next issue, I will focus primarily on the work of the church in Kenya (in general) and specifically on what I will be doing while there. Thank you for your ongoing support as I continue to prepare for this mission!
In the last info-letter, I gave you a little background about Kenya’s history. In this issue, I’d like to share some of what I have learned about what Kenya is like today.
Truly, one of the major challenges facing the people of Kenya is poverty. Between 25% and 50% of all Kenyans earn around $1 (US) a day. About 52% of their population lives below the poverty level. A 2005 world economic report ranked Kenya 154th (out of 177 nations rated) on the poverty scale—basically near the bottom. Just three earlier … it ranked 134th indicating that conditions are getting worse. Limited economic diversity, lack of opportunity, and recent political unrest have all contributed to the current state of the nation. Because of these economic conditions, Kenya also faces many major health issues.
Like elsewhere on the African continent, HIV is a major health issue in Kenya. Over 150,000 people die each year of HIV/AIDS related causes. The nation’s health report boasts of good news in that the numbers of citizens infected with HIV has declined in recent years. Yet, if pressed, they’ll admit that this is primarily due to the fact that many of those infected have died. About 75% of all Kenyans directly know someone infected with HIV or who have died of an HIV/AIDS related illness. In addition, partly due to insufficient funds to sustain or improve medication conditions, other health issues faced include malaria, yellow fever, Hepatitis A and B, and cholera.
As with any nation, the ones that are usually most impacted by these types of conditions is the children. The infant mortality rate in Kenya is 81 out of 1,000 births don’t survive to age 1 (compare to 8 in the United States). The current life expectancy in Kenya is 54 (compared to 80 in the US). Kenya’s orphan population increases by the hundreds of thousands each year, helped in part by the HIV/AIDS related conditions.
Added to these health and economic challenges, many Kenyans face challenged living conditions. Clean drinking water and proper sanitation remain out of reach for large segments of the population. While the government has made strides to improve the sanitation issue, currently less than 20% of the nation have access to it.
It’s in this environment that the Kenyan church works, proclaiming the Lord’s message of hope and love. In my next issue, I will focus primarily on the work of the church in Kenya (in general) and specifically on what I will be doing while there. Thank you for your ongoing support as I continue to prepare for this mission!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A Little History ...
It was first adopted on December 12, 1963—about two months after achieving independence from the United Kingdom. It is based on the flag of KANU (Kenya African National Union), the party that led the fight for freedom. The flag’s colors symbolize their native people (black), blood (red) and Kenya’s natural wealth (green). Upon achieving independence, the white trim around the red stripe was added, symbolizing peace. The defense of their freedom is symbolized by a traditional shield and two spears of the Masai.
The Masai (also spelled ‘Maasai’) are by far Africa’s most famous tribe. Unlike most other Kenyan tribes they, together with the Turkana and Samburu (who are closely related to the Masai) have remained in their traditional ways—living like their ancestors have been doing for thousands of years. This is contrary to most other Kenyan tribes, who have adapted more western lifestyles.
They are very independent and their society revolves around each generation of men producing warriors. Their customs are very specific, and involve many “coming of age” rituals (for both men and women). The men protect the villages and livestock while the women build the houses and maintain the households. Their history stretches back hundreds of years, and today they are living much as they always have. Their cattle herds are their most important possession, creating a great need for land. They are nomadic, traveling with their herds in search for pasture. The Masai live almost exclusively off their cattle. Agriculture isn't normally part of their way of life, but is becoming necessary as their territories shrink.
Kenya’s Coat of Arms
The shape of the shield and spears are those used by the Masai tribe. “Harambee” is the motto of the chief political party and means “all pull together.” The lions represent the courage of the freedom fighters, urging citizens of sovereign Kenya to protect their country. The shield symbolizes defense and loyalty. On the shield, there is black to symbolize the native people, red representing the blood shed fighting for independence, and green for Kenya's fertility.
Friday, February 26, 2010
On the Road Again!
The Republic of Kenya
It has been almost nine years since my last short term missions trip. Often times I’ve missed being a part of these trips. But other responsibilities arose and while I have been invited on many since then, it never seemed to work out.
Recently, I received an email from Dr. David Wyns, director of the missions group (Barnabas Ministries) I have worked with in the past (in going to Guatemala, Honduras, and Zimbabwe). As you can see from the headline, he asked me to be part of a team that will travel in early June to KENYA … and I have accepted the invitation!
Right from receiving the email, I admit to being truly excited by this opportunity to minister to the church leaders there. Among the poorest nations of Africa, Kenya is also a place where Hinduism and Buddhism flourish. But praise the Lord, the Kenyan church is growing and I will have the privilege of sowing into the lives of those God has raised up to lead His work in that harvest field. While there, our team will conduct two pastors’ seminars—one in the capital city of Nairobi and the other in Mombasa (see the map provided). Additionally, the team will have the opportunity to speak in various area churches.
Although it has been a while since I went abroad, my philosophy about these trips has not changed. I go as a member of the body of Christ from the place I call home—I go as your representative. I ask that you partner with me in covering this entire trip in prayer. Pray that the pastors who will be attending be given the means and ability to do so. Many of them will travel great distances to be in either seminar at great sacrifice. Also, pray that the Lord give me something for them—the specific thing or teaching He wants me to communicate. From the outset, I want this trip to be about the Lord Jesus receiving ALL the glory, praise and honor!
I will update this blog at regular intervals as the trip’s departure draws near. I will provide you with information and insight to the nation and people of Kenya, helping you to better connect with our brothers and sisters there as well as giving you detailed information with which to pray for them. We can learn about and explore Kenya together!
In addition to prayer partners, I also need your financial support — not only to help with my costs but to be able to assist area churches there. Please consider partnering with me in any way you can. As I move forward, I’m excited about discovering and sharing Kenya with you!
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