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

The Legend of Casady…

Gary on the 'Rock' overlooking Kitui District

Before we get too far away from Kitui we wanted everyone to know what we learned of the Casady’s during our time there. I think it’s fair to say that we were all amazed at the reception that we received wherever we went. It was like Gary and Linda were rock stars of sorts in that area!

Team Casady!

It was clear as we spent a week in the area what impact the Casady’s had during their eight years here. Probable 80% of the pastors we met along our journey were at one point trained by Gary or Linda or both. They are definitely loved in this area and have done great works for the Kingdom which has provided lasting results.

"Casady' leading the way

When we met new people they refer to Gary as ‘Casady’. We heard many stories from these people about how they helped the area at a time when it was really needed and the great results from this effort was everywhere as we traveled.

We at Gateway should be extremely proud of their work over here in Kenya. They have definitely provided ‘passport’ for us as we spent our time in the region. We now know that the legend is true!

Transitions…Status Update

We have completed our time in Kitui as well as a rest prior to heading back to the hustle and bustle of Nairobi. The plan to have this rest period between the two main sections of the trip has been fortuitous for many reasons. Not only have we been able to rest (much needed), debrief about our week in the bush, recover from some minor sickness, but we have been able to enjoy some of the wilds of Africa.

Breakfast prepared by our wonderful Ladies!

We spent a couple days in a house at Tsavo West, the house of the former warden of the park (also the main character in the movie The Ghost and the Darkness). Dan toured us around today and we saw a little wildlife and enjoyed being visited at our waterhole by a number of species.

Some lions wondering the wilderness - don't leave the vehicle!

Impalas at our watering hole

We crossed paths with many of these

Everyone line up now...

Internet connection and power issues are behind us so if we have time we’ll be able to post more here. We appreciate everyone that is following our trip and remembering us in their prayers. They have continued to encourage and lift our spirits. God has blessed us in ways we would have never expected. Thank you!

A beautiful land...with dust!

Enjoying some peace and rest - Linda & Sydney

Food, food, food!! (Sydney)

The saying “There are starving children in Africa” was not at all the case for us. Some of us went into the trip thinking eh maybe I’ll lose a couple pounds. I think I gained ten. While in Nairobi we were able to eat whenever we pleased and rarely ate dinner. That was not the case in Kitui.

Typical Gala of Food for Visits - Never a Lack of Food!

You had three sometimes four meals with tea and snacks in between them. The main foods in Kenya are pigeon peas (similar to lima beans and grown on trees), chicken or goat meat in a soupy thing with potatoes, with greens sometimes cabbage or pumpkin leaves, and grain either rice or maize. Occasionally you would get flat bread called Chapati.

Tradational Food for the Kitui Region - Marie Contemplates the New Faire

While not common to us and didn't always settle with our stomach, the food was consistent and healthy and I myself enjoy it. Out of a wonderful sense of hospitality, our hosts in Kitui always wanted us to be well fed...much like a mother tends to push food on her offspring. In the same way it can be a bit painful when you think you can’t eat another bite and realize you still have to eat dinner.

The standard breakfast setup at Scott & Sydney's host home

We truly appreciate the care we were given during our stay in Kitui and recognize the sacrifices made to provide nourishment for us. Instead of welcoming us back as smaller, lighter people, I'm afraid we will have some exercise to do when returning home.

Blessings, Syd

The Church in Africa... (Willie)

For many of us, when we hear about Africa, especially about the Church in Africa, we’ve had romanticized views of things: Small, simple buildings filled with loud, sincere believers singing in seven-part harmony as lions and elephants join together outside in making a joyful noise for their Creator. It’s pretty neat to see how some of that is actually rooted in truth (not the animals, though…). But one thing I’ve come to understand very quickly here is that, contrary to my beliefs coming in, the Church in Africa has not attained perfection. As it turns out, even in Africa the Church is made up of human beings, with human imperfections, and the enemy of our souls is up to the same shenanigans in Kenya that he’s up to in The Dalles.

One of the churches attended by some of the Gateway Team

That might sound like a downer, but the reality is that I’ve found myself bonding very strongly with some of the missionaries and other brethren because of the shared challenges that we face. And as I’ve seen problems in the Church here, it’s given me new perspective and insight into what’s going on at home. Far from being a bitter disappointment, coming to know the African Church has been inspiring and invigorating.

Post church fellowshipping...outside in Africa!

There are some quirky moments. While our cores are the same, our expressions of faith sometimes differ by quite a bit. This last Sunday, different Africa Inland Churches (AIC) had come together. For the offering, each congregation had their own offering basket, one church coming forward at a time to give their offerings. Garth, Marie, and I were appointed our own basket and several times were directed forward to drop our offerings in as everyone else watched. Once they announced the amount Garth had dropped in. At this same service, the pastor serving as emcee suddenly announced that there was another visiting choir, all the way from the U.S., called “William’s Band.” I actually had to ask Dan the Man if he was talking about us. While Dan ran out to the van to fetch the guitar, Marie and I stalled by introducing ourselves and then sang “In the Light” for the group. At home, this would seem like a performance and I would strongly resist doing it. But Linda has explained to us that this is a big way to identify with our brethren, and to express our love in Jesus.

Jackson & Grace the hosts of Scott & Sydney

So sometimes there are awkward moments. The cultural differences can often begin to wear on me and others. But ultimately it has been extremely refreshing to see just how much God has answered Jesus’ prayer for His followers in John 17 – because of His Holy Spirit, we really are one in Him. It’s a unity that goes beyond what we could consciously commit ourselves too; it’s a oneness that just IS because of Him. He’s a Great God, eh?

Asante sana for your prayers, and see you in a week or so!

Willie