Every week we are here is another adventure in every way.
We had very successful home fellowship meetings this past week. We’ve been teaching on faith & vision.
Last Friday began an exciting adventure – We had been asked to go to BMC church & speak to the children graduating from Class 8 to Form 1 (high school). We were to travel to Nakuru, a few hours away for a conference later in the day, where I (Greg) might have been speaking. We had instructions to leave no later than 11:30am on the church bus to Kisumu. Things weren’t coordinated very well & 11:30 rolled around & then 12:15pm by the time they asked me up to speak. I apologized to the parents & students present & gave a quick encouragement & prayer for their exams & we high-tailed it to Kisumu.
We got someone to hire us a matatu – van taxi – that turned out to be a small car to transport the 4 of us at warp speed to Nakuru. Our pastors gave them specific instructions – to take us to the Nenu Evangelism Center Church. We got as far as Kericho (1/2 way) and the vehicle had mechanical problems so he made some deal with a matatu & so we switched vehicles – not with too good a feeling.
The vehicle was full & we went over some of the worst potholed; actually, more like bombed roads in the rain that kept bumping open our back windows which Renee & I were seated at. So, every fifteen seconds we had to slam the windows shut for several hours.
We arrived at Nakuru only to be shaken down by the corrupt conductor & driver for more shillings. I bartered them down to a less unreasonable amount & told them they’d answer to God for stealing from a man of God. When we arrived at the church (after the sessions were over for the day), I spoke to Mama Bishop about the issue & she tore into them – but they didn’t care for that much & blasted out of the lot.
I was the morning speaker & spoke on “Are you a thanksgiver, a praiser or a worshiper?” It was well received. The Lord hooked us up afterward with a Pastor from Mombassa – Pastor Panga - & we’re making plans to go there before we leave Kenya in April.
We left that afternoon for Nairobi with Bishop & Mama Bishop.
The next day, we made our way to the Langata slums to Langata Miracle Center’s dedication. The day begun at 10am – with many speeches & ceremony. It went quite well – but by the time I got up to preach (3pm), people were pretty tired of sitting….so tired. We finished up & had ‘lunch’ at 5pm!
We were to go home to Butere the next day – we found out Mama Bishop wasn’t up to the trip & opted to fly back – Bishop Ongudi had to fly to Mombassa to pick up a car. I got elected to drive back to Butere. This was my first opportunity to drive in Africa. Unfortunately we didn’t get to leave until 5 at night and they are scary & unfamiliar roads. We only made it as far as Nakuru and spent the night at a nice hotel.
We left bright & early the next day & maneuvered our way back to Butere. I know we must have our own ministry vehicle now that I’ve been indoctrinated into African driving.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
November 5th, 2007 update
It’s been another great week here in Butere, Kenya. It seems like everything takes way longer to accomplish here in lovely Africa. Again, I’m gaining patience slowly by slowly – poli poli, as they say in Kiswahili.
We made 2 trips in to Kisumu to buy more household needs & get our internet system & a cell phone account. That may sound like a simple procedure – but, without work permits & language barriers, etc. it all adds up to complications & other issues. In the end, we had a friend make what we thought was the final journey in to Kisumu to get our system & lo & behold – another document was required. I went to the upper market in Butere to fax it over – that took about 30 attempts on the phone & almost an hour to complete only to have a reading on the fax ‘transmission error’. Yes, I’m called to Africa! In the end, we were successful.
Nick Ellsay & Geordie Milne got quite a treat on one of our trips into Kisumu. We were crossing the main street when I saw something a tad unusual – I brought it to their attention – a buck naked African with plastic bags tied around his neck. We dubbed him – ‘Organic Man.” You never know what you might run into here.
Day to day tasks have taken up a lot of time – everyone is pitching in & serving well. Our ‘family’ is united in cause & heart. We have daily devotionals together where everyone shares what the Lord has spoken the them & often it’s what is shared when we attend various functions. Nick & Geordie are growing in faith & in their gifts. Already, they’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well they deliver what is on their hearts at schools & in churches. We are so proud to have them along as they contribute in every way they can & are quickly gaining many friends.
Last Saturday night, all of us went to the Butere Boy’s School for some ministry. Nick shared some scripture & what the Lord was saying through it & Geordie & Renee shared testimony. I (Greg) preached on Blind Bartemeus – there were about 50 in attendance and 14 gave their hearts to the Lord! They were a great group & are anxious for us all to come back. We live pretty close to the school, so we will no doubt show up regularly.
The next morning, we were up at 5 & caught a matatu (van bus) to Khushiku Miracle Prayer Center. This was very special as when I lived here before, a large team from BMC (Butere Miracle Center) & myself went to this place in December 03 & did 4 days of crusades & revival meetings with planting this new church on the final day. The Lord moved mightily & we calculated around 100 new souls were saved during those events. Upon returning on Sunday, I was welcomed as a founding father & we had a powerful service with everyone participating in their own special way. We had about 30 in attendance & a young man came forward at the end to receive salvation. Others followed for prayer for healing & infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor George, an elder from BMC had escorted us to the church that day. He hosted us at his ‘Shamba’ which is Kiswahili for farm. I had shared our vision for Kenya & had asked him how much a plot of land would be for us to start our own piggery. (We have pigs that are currently being housed at the BMC piggery.) He took me on a walk around his shamba, which is his ancestral land, and informed me he was blessing us with the land to build our piggery on! Not only that, but he has several small houses on the property & is giving us one for our caretaker! When I went back to the main house to tell Renee & the others, I was moved to tears as I was overwhelmed by the blessing. God is so good.
We begin this week with home groups…aka Home Church - Tuesday & Thursday. We travel Saturday to Nakuru to meet up with Bishop Ongudi & then continue on to Langata Miracle Center Church in the slums of Nairobi. We are going for a new church dedication with an old dear friend, Pastor Joel. He is an amazing man of God who works as a school clerk full time; pastors a church in a slum with little tithing as most are unemployed; and also has 5 – 7 kids. He is a man to admire. He never complains but serves with a loving & giving heart. We (IMS) have a gift for his church to help with furnishings & musical instruments. We know it will mean a great deal.
We continue to pray & believe for so much here & look forward to all God is doing here in us & through us. Our vision keeps growing, challenges keep coming & we are excited for what lies ahead.
We made 2 trips in to Kisumu to buy more household needs & get our internet system & a cell phone account. That may sound like a simple procedure – but, without work permits & language barriers, etc. it all adds up to complications & other issues. In the end, we had a friend make what we thought was the final journey in to Kisumu to get our system & lo & behold – another document was required. I went to the upper market in Butere to fax it over – that took about 30 attempts on the phone & almost an hour to complete only to have a reading on the fax ‘transmission error’. Yes, I’m called to Africa! In the end, we were successful.
Nick Ellsay & Geordie Milne got quite a treat on one of our trips into Kisumu. We were crossing the main street when I saw something a tad unusual – I brought it to their attention – a buck naked African with plastic bags tied around his neck. We dubbed him – ‘Organic Man.” You never know what you might run into here.
Day to day tasks have taken up a lot of time – everyone is pitching in & serving well. Our ‘family’ is united in cause & heart. We have daily devotionals together where everyone shares what the Lord has spoken the them & often it’s what is shared when we attend various functions. Nick & Geordie are growing in faith & in their gifts. Already, they’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well they deliver what is on their hearts at schools & in churches. We are so proud to have them along as they contribute in every way they can & are quickly gaining many friends.
Last Saturday night, all of us went to the Butere Boy’s School for some ministry. Nick shared some scripture & what the Lord was saying through it & Geordie & Renee shared testimony. I (Greg) preached on Blind Bartemeus – there were about 50 in attendance and 14 gave their hearts to the Lord! They were a great group & are anxious for us all to come back. We live pretty close to the school, so we will no doubt show up regularly.
The next morning, we were up at 5 & caught a matatu (van bus) to Khushiku Miracle Prayer Center. This was very special as when I lived here before, a large team from BMC (Butere Miracle Center) & myself went to this place in December 03 & did 4 days of crusades & revival meetings with planting this new church on the final day. The Lord moved mightily & we calculated around 100 new souls were saved during those events. Upon returning on Sunday, I was welcomed as a founding father & we had a powerful service with everyone participating in their own special way. We had about 30 in attendance & a young man came forward at the end to receive salvation. Others followed for prayer for healing & infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor George, an elder from BMC had escorted us to the church that day. He hosted us at his ‘Shamba’ which is Kiswahili for farm. I had shared our vision for Kenya & had asked him how much a plot of land would be for us to start our own piggery. (We have pigs that are currently being housed at the BMC piggery.) He took me on a walk around his shamba, which is his ancestral land, and informed me he was blessing us with the land to build our piggery on! Not only that, but he has several small houses on the property & is giving us one for our caretaker! When I went back to the main house to tell Renee & the others, I was moved to tears as I was overwhelmed by the blessing. God is so good.
We begin this week with home groups…aka Home Church - Tuesday & Thursday. We travel Saturday to Nakuru to meet up with Bishop Ongudi & then continue on to Langata Miracle Center Church in the slums of Nairobi. We are going for a new church dedication with an old dear friend, Pastor Joel. He is an amazing man of God who works as a school clerk full time; pastors a church in a slum with little tithing as most are unemployed; and also has 5 – 7 kids. He is a man to admire. He never complains but serves with a loving & giving heart. We (IMS) have a gift for his church to help with furnishings & musical instruments. We know it will mean a great deal.
We continue to pray & believe for so much here & look forward to all God is doing here in us & through us. Our vision keeps growing, challenges keep coming & we are excited for what lies ahead.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
