A Wilberforce Moment (Gary)

William Wilberforce was used by God with a vision to reform nations through the abolition of slavery. God gave him a group of encouragers to join him in his vision. Amazing grace flowed through these visionaries to transform the world of their day.

We had the privilege while in Nairobi with Sam and Lynn Owen to meet with a group of Kenyans. God has given them a vision to do what they can to be the channels of God’s grace to bring reform in the nation of Kenya. Some expressed that Kenya is poised for a Wilberforce moment. The transformation could impact the continent and beyond for the Kingdom.

Sam addresses us as we talk about how this group has encouraged each other over the years.  This group of Kenyan leaders will undoubtly be at the forefront of positive change in Kenya in the coming years.

We were so blessed to have significant times of prayer with this committed band of encouragers. Join us in prayer for the peace, unity, and progress of Kenya in the coming weeks as Kenyans vote on a new constitution for their country.

The Ministry of Encouragement (Willie)

Let’s be blunt for a moment. For many of us, the purposes of this trip always seemed a little strange, or nebulous. We heard words like “relationship” and “ministry of encouragement” and just couldn’t get our heads around what was supposed to transpire. That certainly was the case for me. I knew I was called to this trip, and I was pretty open to being flexible and learning, but a huge part of God’s purposes were completely foreign ideas to me.

It has been paradigm-shattering to witness ministries here in Africa devoting themselves and significant resources to the “ministry of encouragement”. Grace Mission Outreach (GMO) regularly puts together small teams to visit their missionaries, to bring along fellowship meals, and to witness what is going on in the field. They pray with the missionaries and then return home.

In Nairobi, we’ve heard person after person point to how encouraged they have been by God in their visions, the encouragement coming through the vessels of Sam and Lynn Owen. Sam has confessed to having a hard time concisely summarizing to people what he and Lynn “do” in the mission field. In my mind, the best description of a huge part of what they do would again be the “ministry of encouragement”.

A fantastic group of Sam and Lynn's friends that blessed us and talkked about how they have encouraged each other and how Sam and Lynn have been such encouragement to them.  It was just one more amazing night of our Kenyan mission!

For Westerners like me, there has been an attitude that for our missions endeavors to be legitimate, there must be something concrete or tangible attached – like mouths fed or churches built or at least some recognizable institution of people affected.

But that focus on tangible results is ridiculous in the spiritual realm. For the first time, I’m recognizing the express purpose of Biblical missionaries like Timothy or Epaphroditus, whose job was sometimes just to encourage those on the front lines. Jesus had very little concrete or tangible workings to show for His three years of ministry. I mean, talk about wasted resources – every atom of the universe at His command, and when He was finished, there was still disease, hunger, injustice, and conflict around the world...

Joe Mucheru, Regional Lead, Sub-Saharan Africa (THE guy in charge of Google in Africa) talks about the encoragement he and his wife receive from Sam and Lynn and visa versa.  This is the level of people that is touched by this ministry.  Small world - after Scott arrived earlier in the day with a Google hat and noted the connection to Google in The Dalles, Sam called up Joe and he and his wife joined our gathering.  We were all bless this evening.

Sometimes God’s call is going to be counter to our Western attitudes. He may call us to spend $30,000 “just” to visit, pray for, and witness the ministry of a handful of faithful workers. He may call us to continue supporting annually the work of people whose ministry is largely relational. He may call you or me to center a family vacation around encouraging a minister closing in on burnout.

I’ve been humbled to learn this completely new outlook, corrected about how God chooses to use HIS resources. Personally, I even feel like this ministry of encouragement might be a big part of my future life. Please be in prayer for Gateway, the Church in The Dalles, and the greater Church in the West, that we might discern ways in which God’s Spirit is calling us to change the way we do missions. I look forward to dialoging with you all in a few short days!


Willie

Flat Tyre Connection... (Sydney)

(an older post that I forgot to post)

While stopped in a random town after our flat and then the flat of the spare, we waited patiently in the van for new tires. A small boy came walking by on his way home from school and decided to stick around. The boy only spoke Swahili (so I was out of the conversation) but Linda was able to say a couple of things to him.

Since I was starving (my stomach is now twice its regular size from overfeeding) I was snacking on bread and bananas and giving him some as well. I thought of the small toy I had in my purse and thought what a great opportunity! It was called an Evangicube. It was given to me while I was at a church camp at Camp Morrow in sixth grade. I remember begging my counselor to let me have one.

Syd's little friend along the road

It was a cube that had different pictures as you folded it around telling the gospel. The counselor caved in and let me have it as long as I promised to use it or give it to someone. I did. I finally was able to use it. The boys face lit up as I gave him the cube as he exclaimed thank you!  Perhaps it will plant a seed in that young boy.

Giraffes, Zebras, and Lions... (Sydney)

Are just some of the things you will see printed on a small brown bag at Light & Power Centre. Kenya has a large percentage of their population living in slums and areas of overcrowded living. For some young men their future may look bleak. An organization called Light & Power provides a time of transition and a bright light after they finish their secondary school (High School). They teach them skills, the word of God, and employ them at the same time.

This light in one of the many slums in Nairobi

The boys apply for a place at the centre or can be chosen by one of the wonderful leaders of the program Tim, Peter, or Gabriel. They come to the centre five days a week at 7:30 and have a time of devotion. After that they start their work. Gift bag making. It is quite a lengthy process, but the boys estimate they make 500 complete bags in one day. They cut, screen print, and fold all the bags by hand.

Final steps in the bag making process

As the boys told us, a high school education in Kenya gets you little recognition in the job market. You will have very very few job oppurtunities. They are already set back because there is a 60% unemployment rate in Kenya.  Most boys who live in the slums do not have enough funds to attend a college or university. By working at the centre they are able to learn skills and have an income so they can achieve higher education or different careers. The boys have big hopes like accounting and opening up mechanic shops and this two year transition program is helping there dreams become more achieveable. God has truely blessed this ministry. Keep them in your prayers. Especially that they will be able to find markets for their bags so they can expand their program.

The screen printing process puts a design on the bags

This is the management team that we met with and prayed with for the young men and the work they are doing.

Connections and Influence

I visited the Kenyan Parliament the other day, the equivalent of our Congress in Washington DC. I just walked right in. I was also privileged to visit the Speakers office, the highest political official below the President, Vice President and the Prime Minster. The number four person in Kenya, again, just walked right in. How did that happen?

Kenya's Capital Building

Obviously I was not by myself…I was with 'Pastor Sam' as they called him in the Speaker's office. Sam Owen is connected! They know him and obviously revere him and this was apparent as I drafted along behind him. It was an amazing experience and one that he lives daily.

Kenya's Parliament (Internet photo)

There is far too much to tell about the ministry of this man, but I saw the years and years of work and the networking success that having provided this access. It’s not that they just ‘let him in’, but I saw that he is a welcome person and one they look forward to receiving.

Sam’s mission is to work to connect with top government and business leaders to encourage them in their walk with Jesus. He does this with the idea that if people at the top are living for Christ, it’s quite possible that those below them will see this and will be attracted to consider this path as well. It’s a long term strategy (very long), but the impact that it can have is immense and it is working – we witnessed it (more on that in another post)!

There is much more to say about our time with Sam and Lynn and Nairobi, but we have been privileged to see them at work and some of the results that they have brought about. We look forward to hearing more about their continued ministry in Kenya.

Team Owen...

We finally arrived back in Nariobi for the last section of the mission.  We are being hosted by Sam and Lynn Owen.  It's fair to say that we did not fully understand their mission and work prior to actually being here and experiencing it first hand.  Now we would all agree that they have a very unique and powerful impact for Christ in this place.  There is much to say about what we have seen and learned, but that will be for another day.

Here are our wonderful hosts:

The wise wife...

Mr. Network!

More to come.

Willie has twins...

Twin parasites that is! Willie has been under the weather since our return from Kitui. He and Garth checked out the medical system over here (not what you want to have to do) and both got tested for bugs. While Garth was mostly clean, Willie had two living in his system.

The parasites are more than likely from Kitui where he drank some water that was purified, but still had some bugs that did not do well with his system. Willie has been a trooper during this time and it has not been easy.

He has some medication that will remove the critters from his body and his spirits increased immensely upon know that it was not malaria, but some relative simple parasites. Pray for a quick recovery for young Willie. He is a great member of our team!

Keeping an eye on the wilds of Kenya