End of the mission in Kenya

Today marks the conclusion of the mission here in Kenya. This team has grown very close, in spite of tremendous diversity. Wayland Kenya graduation is today, and we will congratulate fifteen Kenyans (five women and ten men) in their completion of baccalaureate degrees.

Lives have changed . . . we have seen persons come to faith in Jesus Christ, clients treated for a plethora of ailments and conditions, children learn Bible stories, verses, math, science, English, and mission volunteers experience authentic worship for the first time in their lives.

An incredible day of worship in Kenya

We have just returned to Brackenhurst/KBTC/WBU from an incredible day of worship at the inaugural worship service at Limuru Tea Baptist Church near Limuru, Kenya. Pastor Linus Kirimi had requested that I preach the inaugural sermon at this church plant. I used the text from Genesis 50, "You meant this for evil, but the LORD used it for the good," to demonstrate the three tasks of the Church, i.e. to forgive, to become "point people," and to save.

Following our worship service, with the assistance of Joel Templeton (FBC of Cotton Center) and Linda Stark (FBC of Quitaque), I led in the dedication of six children. Joel read from Ephesians 6.4, while Linda read from Proverbs 31.28.

Four of the children were boys and two of the children were girls. My natural inclination to affirm the girl-children was clearly evident. This culture does not favor the birth of a girl-child. Seen often as a burden and encumbrance, girls are often shunned, and in some tribes, refused formal education at any and all levels.

My agenda was to highlight the God-given blessing of a girl-child. I told several of the parents who brought their children that the LORD has given Martha and me two girls, Faith and Grace. As a father of two sons and two daughters, I have been blessed beyond measure, thankful for the quiverful that God has graced me with. I asked the LORD in my dedicatory prayers for God's blessings upon these children. What a future they have to face! Born into dire poverty, lacking even the most basic of services and goods, six children, now committed to God and to the Kingdom, need your prayers and thoughts.

After working among the poor in many places, I am absolutely convinced that Christian faith and education are the twin essentials necessary to break cyclical patterns of lack embedded in worldview.

After the dedication service of these six children, my very good friend JD Templeton led in an outdoor evangelistic crusade. These are still held in Kenya. A simple, concise sermon, delivered with strength and boldness. At least nine persons (I lost count thereafter) prayed to receive Jesus. Recognizing that salvation is a holistic experience (God cares about all aspects of a person's health, life, and eternity), we prayed for healing and cleansing.

Feasting at the Table

At the close of the second complete day of the July 2010 Kenya mission, I am pensive though not melancholy. The mission team is beginning to cohere, collaborate, and cooperate as they should. Our travel was uneventful, with all our bags arriving with us. The Kenyans, as is their custom, are hospitable and warm, effusive with profound gratitude for all we do and give, and robust in their living. The daily drug runs are now flowing smoothly, as is the construction work, children's Bible school, and discipleship course.

But I am pensive. Yesterday morning, Pastor Linus requested that we come to the Christlike Academy and pray for the children. Upon his arrival, we were grouped with four children each, and Pastor Linus requested that, with the assistance of a translator, we pray for each child by name. Our group is, for the most part, quite compliant, and so we began to gather in small groups for prayer.

I was placed with two brothers and their sister: Ken, John, and Magdalene. Pastor Linus and Principal Anne report to me in whispered tones, that they found the three children locked in a small hut not far from the Christlike. Ken (the oldest at ten) takes care of his two younger siblings. Mom's whereabouts are known (Mombasa--about 12 hours by matatu), though nothing is known of her work or schedule.

"Do you know how to cook?" I query the bright though quiet Ken.

"Yes, Sir," is the quick reply.

Anne chimes in that in addition to cooking, Ken (remember, a ten year old boy) cleans, does the laundry (by hand, of course; this is Kenya), irons (with an old fashioned iron like my grandmother used), and makes sure his younger brother and sister are in school punctually everyday.

My heart, always so tender to children, breaks as I look at this chocolate-colored young boy. He is clean and eager for the prayer. I can tell. I place my big white hands on his brown head, and plead with the LORD for this boy. My prayers focus on God's blessings and provision and protection and shelter. I am impassioned as I pray, emotion (praying with my spirit) and intellect (praying with my mind) commingling and erupting in tears and huskiness of voice.

I pray for his brother and his sister. After I stand back up, the three little children hug me. My mind wanders back in my life to when I was ten. What was I like? What did I do? Did I know how to cook? Clean? Iron?

I am reminded of the story of the Syro Phoenician woman who begs Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter.

My friends, I have feasted at the table of God's grace for 48 years. Never lacking for anything, blessed abundantly beyond measure with an incredible wife, four amazing children, a wonderful, fulfilling job, multiple friends, wealth . . .

While feasting with most of you, there are millions around the world who long in utter desperation for the smallest crumb to fall from the table.