The Imagine Network

... and on the ground.

In a few minutes, the team should be landing at Houston's Intercontinental airport.  They are glad to be in the States, no doubt, but just across the "river Jordan" is TEXAS!  That will feel even so much better!

So far, theirs has been the smoothest return of any previous team trips.  Thank you for praying!!!

Their return is full with anticipation of what the Lord will continue to do on the ground in the States, of how a fresh wind of revival can sweep through all of us and call us deeper into intimacy with the One who loves us and made us for His glory.  We hope to be better equipped for the discipling of our own nation for the praise of His name, and the attraction of the peoples around us - in McAllen and beyond. 

On the ground here in Kenya, the imprint of our team's presence remains.  Even so, the marks are going deeper and the lasting impact will continue to unfold in months/years ahead.  A few examples:

* The relationships built with the Masai tribes, with Pastor Moses and his wife Lucy, and the members of Global Worship Centre in Kiserian.  They are En FUEGO for serving their King Jesus and for transforming their culture (stopping hiv/aids, empowering women with Truth, planting churches under trees!) and for reaching the other people groups in their town and region.  They have a dream called the "Solomon Project" of building a Children's Worship Center that will double as a primary school and a community awareness and literacy center.  Let's find ways to encourage, support, and equip. 

* Benson, our driver and amazing gift of God to our teams, has volunteered to be our in-country Imagine Network coordinator.  He was captivated by the vision of what we started a year ago, and has been waiting for us to return and continue.  He is an amazing "bi-cultural" Kenyan who understands the mind of Americans and can "interpret" for us the mind of Kenyans.   He is a definite person of peace who knows so many people and while he could choose to do many other things, is eager to serve along with us.  Benson is passionate about Discipling Nations.  You left your mark deep on his and Janet's souls.

* The HIV/AIDS and Leadership Development conference is already starting to gain momentum for 2008.  Tuesday morning we meet early with someone in the Ministry of Health.  We had originally hoped that by the third year (that would be next year), Kenyans would be leading this conference almost entirely on their own.  Tomorrow we find out if they will.  It would take this to a whole new level of influence!

* We may have found a new, safer way to reach the Munyoyaya and support our Kenyan partners' efforts in the Garissa area:  FM Radio!  TransWorld Radio Africa has asked us to help set up the station that will beam focused programs to the Munyo and 6 other unreached people groups in the area.  This could lead to a greater opening for teams to come and build more schools, develop agriculture, and eventually plant the first church!  It will happen.  One day the obedience of the Munyoyaya will belong to the Lion of Judah (see Genesis 49:8-10) and some of them will stand by you in Glory and worship King Jesus.  We didn't get in this time, but supplies and encouragement did.  How about getting KVMV involved in this one?!

* We met a great group of talented lawyers through the conference who serve the poor and disenfranchised with Legal Advice and training in their personal and community legal rights.  They have legislation before the government that would initiate public housing options that can lead to the eradication of slums!  They are committed to whole-scale, systemic change in Kenya that would be a dramatic stabilizing force for all of East Africa.  Imagine!  If we find ways to partner with them in the Legal sector, we will be fulfilling another "piece of the pie" in the spectrum of discipling a nation....

* Through Dr. Havener we made a contact with someone who trains Kenyans in Community Health Evangelism.  This CHE strategy can teach local communities preventative medicine and Biblical standards for living well.  We will connect them to our current partners who serve in desperate areas and begin to measure the impact this strategy will have.

* And Kim and Bud Huffman are starting the first Home for the first Children's Village in Kitale that will bear the resemblance of the Watoto model.  Our partnership with them is stronger and our understanding on how to move forward has grown.  The best way to disciple a nation is to raise a generation of leaders with a thoroughly Biblical and spiritual worldview.  We are forming a board in the US that will help drive this vision and strengthen Kim and Bud in their commitment to this.  If you want to know how to get involved as a sponsor or a committee member, let me know!

"You are a lion's cub, o Judah....  Like a lion, he crouches and lies down....  The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until HE comes to whom it belongs, and the obedience of the nations is His."  Genesis 49:9-10.  The Lion is on the Move... may your and my obedience be with him.         

In the air...

Blessed Sunday to you.  Oh, and Happy Father's Day to those of you that apply!  I got a wonderful call from my kiddos this morning.  If my father happens to be reading, "Saludos y bendiciones!"

Nineteen of our team members are on board their British Air flight that has departed from Nairobi at 11:28 pm our time.  It's due to land in London at 5:50 am Monday.  Everyone is on that flight except Bob, Amanda and Nathan Smith, plus Pam Parsons and David Chan who are here for two more days tying up loose ends and trying to put some things in motion for "next time".  What an amazing two weeks it has been!  Your prayers have literally been felt half way around the world!

I miss the group already.  You truly sent a REMARKABLE team.  I grew to love them all.  Sixteen-year-olds Cara Rader and Jessica Colla handled themselves superbly in "boring adult circumstances", constantly capturing moments with their camera and engaging the children with loving smiles.  Susan Sosebee and Krista Reed (who now has a new way of pronouncing her name Kenyan-style; ask her), were tireless in their pursuit of developing plans for the Children's Villages and asking questions and holding babies and respecting children every moment they could.

Dr. Steve Havener and company worked amazing hours in the dry, hot, fly-riddled "bomas" (aka, villages) of the Masai within the Rift Valley.  More than dispensing medicine, they taught and encouraged and opened doors to communities that have for centuries been shut to "outsiders".  Dave Heflin taught the Masai better "cow-economics" using stones as illustrations!  They began to understand that keeping as many steers as cows is not the best stewardship.  Jeramie Heflin - (who was proposed to in marriage in exchange for 30 cows!), Warren Reed, and Dr. Fernando Garcia ran tremendous medical clinics helping people with various needs.  One of their transport drivers who spent the week with them said he had driven groups to MANY medical camps, and this one was the most organized and most impacting he had ever seen!  Hallelujah.  Praise be to God Most High and a testament to the hosting and coordinating work of Moses and Lucy Turere at Global Worship Center.  We worshipped there this morning; David preached a message called "The Lion is on the Move", and 11 people (mostly teenagers) gave their lives to the Lord.  Me se si yesu!  "Praise the Lord!" in Masai.

The team that returned from Garissa found new roles and jumped right into the flow of the other teams.  Ron Corbett accompanied the Women's Team and "just happened" to be around during a counseling situation Pamela Parsons had when he suddenly heard the child needs to go to a special school in Virginia!  Ron, who hails from that country, offered to deliver a packet to the school for their consideration of the child's enrollment.  He "happens to be" going there later this week!  Nathan Smith accompanied the Children's team and as usual had keen insights and a ready willingness to help with just about anything - like pushing the van every time we got stuck in the mud.  (Oh Kitale is gorgeous!  Mountain peaks, rain forest, huge palm trees, endangered animals, you name it!  But all the rain sure made it hard to maneuver at times)  Daniel Hernandez, Stacy Jenkins and Taryn Anderson linked up with the Medical team and just at the right time - as they soon were instrumental in handling a crowd of over 1,000 coming to the medical clinic Saturday!  Daniel is a no-nonsense hard working guy whom we had the pleasure to get to know on this trip; while Stacy and Taryn discovered their long journeys across Kenya were in part to serve those they came across, and in part to strike a new deep friendship with each other. 

And the Women's team - you have GOT to listen to their stories, to their hearts, to the things they have seen God begin and continue!  First, what He did with them as a team of 5 radically different women - He really brought them together to serve as one.  Tracy Hughes led and spoke with her usual poise and passion; Gail Ewing sought and delivered God's words with reverent fear and trembling, and found the strength to persevere through today despite hearing of the tragic loss of the husband of one of her close friends.  Wanell Blissit spoke courageously and pressed through sickness with a determined smile "I will be better tomorrow!", and she was.  Leora Shanks expressed her own amazement at how the Lord had done "exceedingly abundantly more than" she had asked or imagined!  And they have amazing stories of how God broke through cultural barriers and cold hearts while at the same time filling their own hearts with joy and awe at the work of transformation through the local women's leaders.

I can tell you more, but now you need to get ready.  The team you sent is on their way back to you now, and in addition to cool stories, they are infused with a perspective of the King and His Kingdom that will affect their view of life for a long time.  They are longing to come home to you!  Be ready to listen patiently, to try to understand even though you were not physically here, and then to allow God to continue to shape their hearts and yours through this experience.  They are coming home different, maybe with new ideas for ministry back home or with a fresh sensitivity to the voice of God or with new resolve to simply live differently. 

I don't know exactly how they will be different, but I know you will recognize some distinctives that are, because you know them and you love them.  What is not different is that they love you and are excited to be coming home to you!  And together, you and them, be prepared for the continued move of God.  He is shaking the nations, He is stirring hearts to offer hope and redemption where there is little of it, and He is asking you to participate in His Story, the life you live between the trees of Genesis and Revelation.  "Only one life will soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last."  Me se si yesu!                               

Saturday update...

Hello everyone! 

I'm sorry we have not written lately.  The Children's Team went to Kitale and returned today, but we had no email access while we were there.  It was a long drive, but we are back safe and sound.  Our time with Kim and Bud was very well spent.  We met the House Parents in training - awesome couples.   We visited the land for the Children's Village and saw the first roof for the first home going up!  We talked at length about the village, the Board we have formed for IMAGINE back in the States, and what the relationship might look like as we serve to advance their efforts through the network.  It was a very fruitful time.  Development is not a fun thing sometimes, but it's great when it is productive and when we follow the Right Ideas.  Ideas have consequences, and we hope the Idea behind this Watoto-style Children's Village will be fertile ground for the discipling of the nation.

The Medical team apparently has had more tremendous turn outs at the rallies and clinics.  They are sharing the message of the Gospel, and demonstrating it through health teaching, loving interaction, sharing of their own stories and God's hand at work, and through blessing people with immediate needs.  They are the only team still out of Nairobi, as they are staying in Kiserian tonight and will attend a worship service in the morning at Global Worship Centre for a closing time together.

The Women's team had their first down day today and it was well deserved!  They returned to Nairobi on Thursday and spent two days in conference with women of Kayole - an informal settlement (aka, "slum") - and believe they experienced revival!  The women were non-responsive initially, then suddenly the fire came into their hearts and were awakened to the truths of scripture that our team was sharing.  I have asked some of them to write their thoughts so we can post them here for you.  It seems the women have been used MIGHTILY of God to inspire, teach, and set free.  They have ignited a revolution among the Masai women who hunger to know their Purpose and Worth more than ever!  Best of all, Lucy Turere and others are asking to be equipped so they themselves can lead the charge!  It's all about serving and equipping them - and then getting out of the way!

Tomorrow the teams will worship, do some shopping, and prepare for the long flight home.  Think about them in your prayers and ask for safe and speedy and merciful journeys.  Re-entry after such a radical cross-cultural and spiritual experience can be very difficult.  Ask the Lord that they would process their experiences on the flight and even in the days ahead, prayerfully and systematically.  Ask that they would keep the essentials, and allow non-essentials to just be pleasant memories.  Ask that as they have changed, they would understand what it is God is teaching them, and why.  Ask that they would re-enter their home cultures with grace and wisdom.

Consider this:  "Does any story encourage human development?  Yes, one; but it's not new.  In fact, it's the "old, old story," but told in a new way, with emphases most Christians tragically have missed.  The basic elements of this story include a King, His kingdom, His stewards, and a task."  (from Discipling Nations, by Darrow Miller)  Are YOU engaged in HIS story?  What are you a steward of, and what is your task?   

         

Reunited

This morning Ron called and we decided it was time to bring the Garissa group home.  Ron jokingly had said he was the grandpa of the group, but I felt very assurred the entire time this team spent in limbo knowing he was with them.  I could not have asked for a better man to lead them.  Tonight three of them are here in Nairobi with me, and the other 8 have gone to Kiserian to join the medical team.  "Momma Stacy" took care of them as well.   

While the trip may have seemed lost, this team was extremely resilient and at the ready.  I heard that today, while they were waiting for their transportation to arrive after lunch, they spent the day at a local school in Garissa and actually taught in the classrooms, played with the children, and conversed with the local teachers.  The school and the people they met along the way were unexpected blessings in disguise.  They learned that this school called Life - interesting isn't it - was composed of children of both Christian and Muslim background.  The school teaches Christian principles in a non-threatening manner and is a "light shining on a hill" in a land that is as spiritually oppressive as it is physically desolate.  We are glad the team had the chance to spend time there, and though several groups have "passed through there", apparently none had taken time with the kids and teachers like our team had!

So it was not meant to be for them to go in to Malkamanza, but we are trusting they did precisely what they were meant to do.  And the week is not over.  Who knows what will turn out across their path next? Ron will escort the Women's Ministry team that returns to Nairobi in the early morning for another round of "Unveiling" conferences, this time in a slum area called Kayole.  Again, he is the man for the job!  Nathan and Brian (a videographer) will be coming with me and the Children's Home development team to Kitale - wake up call is at 4:00 am!  Woo hoo!  This is the same long bumpy nasty road we took to Lemoru last year, but we've been told a portion of it, the worst part, has been repaired.  Goody.

It appears the Medical team held rallies and teaching sessions today and I have not heard specific reports from the Women's team, but it seems all went well in Kiserian.

The Children's team is getting ready for that dark and early departure.  Today we had a great meeting with Pastor Maurice about the way forward for the Children's Home he has started in Nairobi, and how we can streamline it under the umbrella of Imagine.  He is a great visionary, a man of faith, and it continues to be a privilege to partner with him.

Oh, we posted a few pictures.  I hope to get some more from other teams by the weekend. 

Live fully.  Live alive.  Live for King and Kingdom no matter where you are.  Remember "nothing is worth all this" except that one thing.  And as we are finding out, nothing is sweeter!         

3/4 terrific tuesday

Thanks for keeping up with us. I know there are many things going on back home, and this is not the only important thing. Still, may this intense couple of weeks give all of us a glimpse into the world and the Hope it hungers for.

The teams in Kiserian (Women's and Medical) had amazing days confirming their presence is desperately needed here! The Women's team was blown away by the reception they received among the Masai women today. They drove to a village outside of Kiserian where they held the first ever Women's Ministry conference there. The women were so enthused that they asked Lucy Turere to come and teach them to read and write English every Tuesday! You need to hear from the women on our team directly. They are super-charged with joy as they felt like catalysts for radical change!

The Medical team had a tremendously good day. They saw 500 patients, preached and taught to over 700 people, including 300 in the HIV/AIDS awareness session. 17 people made known their desire to follow the ways of Jesus. And this was just the first day! Tomorrow they will go to another site and host a rally - teaching, sharing their faith, encouraging people to live well and live free!

The Children's Home team spent more valuable time with the Watoto leaders before their return to Uganda this evening. Then they visited the Home in Kayole and delivered supplies and children's books, toys, and uniforms. The kids were ecstatic. Our team spent time gathering personal info on each kid, as well as trying to help the house mother, Tabitha, with scheduling and meal planning. It was stunning to me to hear that the Home could only afford bread and tea for breakfast! Two children with special dietary needs receive porridge, but the other kids complain about not getting any. I could not believe it: They can't afford PORRIDGE!!! Then we heard the rest of the menu: Vegtetables daily (that's good), chipati bread on the weekend, and beans and rice once a week - ONCE a WEEK! We need to get sponsorships up and running quickly, while at the same time working with Pastor Maurice to bring the administration of the Home under solid policies quickly.

And the English and Rural development team. Well, ... they are not at the Munyoyaya's village yet! They made it to Garissa today with a couple of rental vans, but then the transfer to local vehicles that can handle the terrain did not go well. Even less successful was negotiating the truck to carry a water tank, pipes, and other team supplies - who originally agreed to, then said they could not until tomorrow. At least some of the team played soccer with some children in Garissa while they waited for everything to unfold.  We need to make a decision in the morning to either press on to the village (Malkamanza) or to pull them back here and place them with the other teams. Is it God's protection keeping them from going further, or is a blockade by enemy strongholds preventing them?

Mid-day update (Tuesday)

It's almost noon here and wanted to send you updates.  Thank you to those who are praying and commenting - much good is happening!!

* The team going to Garissa is on their way in two other vehicles and should arrive there in the next two hours, and then two hours more to get to the village.  They plan on teaching at the school and installing a pump and generator that will enable the locals to get water from the well to a proposed garden area.  As they do all this, our prayer is that the Munyoyaya people will see the worth of their lives in the eyes of the King of Kings and be inspired by the service of our team members to know Who that King is.

* The medical team is off to a good start with a clinic at 9:00 am.  I hear things are smoothly underway.  Some are playing with the children while they wait to see the Doctors.  Something we learned three summers ago when the kids were constantly relegated to the end of the line and neglected was that we were going to give them priority.  Also, Bob Smith is teaching an awareness course on HIV/AIDS which some say could kill the Masai tribes within the next 5 years if not stopped immediately!  So as we go we don't just want to give medicine, we aim to teach and equip them to make appropriate cultural changes. 

* Our guests from Uganda's Watoto group continues to be helpful in clarifying things we need to do as we seek to launch a Watoto-style work here in Kenya.  They are SO encouraging!  They are just learning how to network out, so we are in this together at a good time.  They affirmed Kim and Bud about the stage we are in with them, and it's exciting to have a clean slate to build on in Kitale.  Interestingly (Weaver will like this!) they urged Kim and Bud first of all that because there is no solid church partner there, we should begin a church in Kitale.  Then the vision to care for orphans will be fueled by the greater purposes of the Kingdom through the local church!  We saw in January how powerful that connection was in Kampala, so it is good to hear that is something we must do here soon. 

The others are shopping for some needed supplies for the kids in the home in Kayole.  Thank you Priscilla for your comment encouraging us to promote excellence, and not just immediacy, and pray we do that sensitively and appropriately.  We will meet with the Ugandans at lunch to ask them for next-steps suggestions for the work in Kayole.

* And the Women's team should be continuing their meetings from last night, this time as learners!  They are going to be taught Masai dance and necklace-making, which is a powerful symbol in their culture.  Should be fun!  Revelation 21:26 says "The glory and honor of the nations will be brought in" to the New City when eternity is ushered in.  May the Masai sense the importance of what they have that can give honor to the King.

These teams are just a few who comprise the tip of an arrow - of which you are the greater body.  May we together continue to be propelled to victories - for King and Kingdom! 

Day 1 Frustrations

I need to learn to save before clicking.  I just lost some long updates I worked on the past 2 hours.  So please accept the brief version below.  A fitting end to today.

* This morning at breakfast we learned of a "blast" that had occurred three streets away from our hotel.  Everyone on our team is fine, and nobody even heard it.  We saw it on the news.  We are all checked out of that hotel now and no teams are downtown anymore.  It's an election year, and democracy is still fledgling.  Elections are in December; pray for fair representation, for Godly leadership, and for peace.

* The English and rural development team had a long and tiring day, leaving late, gathering elusive supplies, and finally hitting the road in a vehicle just purchased by the local missionary from another mission.  It turned out to be a lemon -- 2 over-heats and 1 oil-loss later, they were stranded half way to Garissa.  Thankfully, they had just passed a small town called Mwingi, and were able to be towed back by another vehicle and will sleep in a Guest Cottage there tonight.  Pray that their spirit would not be dampened but that they would seek the opportunity in this situation.  I will send you an update tomorrow.  Round One seems to have gone to the enemy - sabotage.  Recall that I mentioned that our team was invading territory long under the powers of dark things.  Pray for greater results to overshadow the setbacks.

*  The Women's Ministry team left early and had their first conference in Kiserian this afternoon.  I hear that 60 women attended and both parties were thrilled.  Pray for their stamina and character to shine through even when they don't feel well!  As they speak of "Unveiling the Masterpiece" may they reveal a great King who is glorified even when they are weak. 

*  The Children's Home Development team spent a good long day with three wonderful Ugandans from watoto (see www.watoto.com) and visited the home Pastor Maurice has started in an apartment in Kayole - a very low income area east of downtown Nairobi.  The team had many questions for the Watoto personnel and we continue to be so impressed by their commitment to excellence without extravagance.  The work in Kayole poses a pressing question:  Is it more commendable to start something without adequate resources?  Or is it better to wait and lay a strong foundation but allow children to endure poor circumstances in the meantime?  I welcome your thoughts.

*  The Medical team is still awake - having had the morning free but now in Kiserian creating prescription packets of vitamins and other medicines.  They will see about 1,000 people in the next few days and benefited from sorting doses ahead of time.  While the clinics are one-time solutions, we are praying that their efforts will be fuel for Global Worship centre's impact on that area.  Pray that Masai and other people in Kiserian will be influenced for the Kingdom, will be inspired to practice preventative health habits, and will be instilled with Biblical principles that will magnify the beautiful things in their original culture but will put away the harmful practices not intended for good.

Thank you for being there.  It helps us be here.  Thank you also for the way you have wrapped arms around the team and our families - the difference is noticeably felt! 

The week ahead - please go with us!

It's Sunday night here, and the weekend is setting on a nice, restful, cool and sunny, worshipful day.  Ok, at least it was up until we got back from worship - the ladies have gone to do some Masai market shopping, which can turn furious like gale winds rising on short notice! 

Eleven of us visited Benson's church and were blown away!  Benson is our driver, but he also volunteers as the senior pastor who founded this church on the edge of an "informal settlement" - slum - called Mathare.  He is an amazing pastor, who knows how to train others and develop leaders.  He is one who has been captured by the vision of Discipling Nations and understands what it takes.  I am excited that God gave him to be our driver, because we have discovered a partner for this work that will be far more than our driver on the roads - he may just need to become Imangine's first in-country coordinator!

At worship, I thanked the church for allowing us to visit.  Their fire and fervor warmed us, encouraged us, refreshed us.  They worship with abandon!  They seem to really believe the praise they sing - that God is indeed enough, strong enough, able enough, good enough.  Yet I can only imagine some of their challenging circumstances.  I was compelled to give them 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10.  I felt it was quite applicable to them.  Stacy Jenkins sang; Susan Sosebee shared a greeting to the children; Steve Havener expressed good words to them; and Bob Smith encouraged them to keep up the fight on HIV.  It was a GOOD Sunday morning!

We have a team meeting tonight, and then in the morning all teams head out to their assigned locations.  I would ask you to double your watch in prayer now.  All teams will be handling delicate situations, some under extreme physical conditions, some among territory that spiritually has been oppressed for ages and certainly they will be marked as "invaders".  So as I describe them below, please pray according to the guides we issued and any new information you may find.

1.  Garissa team -- the group needs to find an electric water pump before leaving Nairobi; pray that it does not take all day because then they must travel 6-7 hours, the last 90 minutes on a dirt road weaving over dry river beds and around thorny bushes.  They will need health protection in a harsh climate.  They will need to endure and be nurtured by foods they are not used to, and then not have facilities to relieve themselves that they are accustomed to.  Pray for good suuplies - both for teaching the children and for the water pump project.  Pray for favor in the eyes of the village, that we would not do anything in our 5 days there that will undo anything the Kenyan missionaries have established in 4 years.  Pray for them, they live there day in and day out, and that our team would be a fresh encouragement and blessing to them.  Pray for our teachers to connect with the Munyoyaya children and equip them for the future through a solid week of English classes reinforcing what they have learned.  Pray for Daniel on our team, who knew Christ at the age of 7 but has not had much church-kingdom-Christianity involvement since.  And while you're at it, pray for the firstfruits of saving grace to come among the Munyoyaya soon - not for the praise of our team, but to the credit of our partners' labours and the glory of the Famous One - God most high!   

2.  Medical team -- they will be performing medical clincis in Kiserian town and then in Masai villages every-other-day, so pray for them to be well perpared, for each person to know their roles and fulfill them with a servant's heart, and for their endurance to be a testament to the power of the Spirit who is able to keep them from falling or failing.  Pray for cultural understanding between our team and the Masai.  Pray for bridges to be built that will facilitate communication of the Gospel, of preventative health tips, of development for good, and of teaching facts on HIV/AIDS that will release the Masai from damaging cultural practices that might annihilate their tribes within 5 years if not changed.  The Masai are a beautiful culture, so pray for the culture to be redeemed that they would reflect God's glory as they were intended to - not to look "America", God forbid!  But that they might find their own beautiful expression as they develop good practices and embrace the kingdom of God.  Their conditions will be hot, they will drive out long distances in Masai land and will be served lunches with items they perhaps have never seen (and never will again!).  Pray for Dr. Garcia, who despite coming with us now three times, still does not express an understanding of the grace of God and the way of salvation.

3.  Women's team -- they too will be in Kiserian for 3 days, compelling the Masai women to know and understand their beauty, to embrace Kingdom values that supersede all cultures, and to be women who lead a revolution for positive change among a people who are natural at demeaning their wives.  The Masai are considered among the most "ignorant" peoples in Kenya, in part due to their embracing of their culture and resisting globalisation.  Wouldn't it be like the Lord jesus to start a radical movement of true womanhood among them that would spread to the other, "more civilized" ethnic tribes of Kenya?  On Thursday, the Women's ministry team will come to Nairobi and share the "Unveiling the masterpiece" conference with women from low-income areas.  May God use them to ignite change in their homes and in their communities that will reflect principles of God's kingdom in the various sectors of society affected by the Home.

4.  Children's Home team -- this team will have a wonderful (and frightening) opportunity to meet with leaders from Watoto who are coming from Uganda to help us launch a watoto-style Children's Home plan in Kenya.  I hope we don't appear too much as amateurs!  We will visit the Home pastor Maurice has started in an apartment with 1 mother and 8 children.  We will also visit the school he started for the kids plus a few others from the community.  And we will ask as many good questions as we can think of from the Watoto team.  On Thursday the team will travel to Kitale, a 7-8 hour drive, to see the land on which we plan to build the first Watoto-style complex and to visit a Home that is asking us to take over the management.  Pray for great discernment, for wisdom and vision, and for unity of heart and mind so that we may not doubt what God's purposes are. 

These are exciting days ahead.  Full of peril, of wonder, and if the Lord wills, of miracles and blessing poured out on the lives of these we came to serve.  May whatever we do, whether in word or deed, be useful for the building of a beautiful Kingdom that trades beauty for ashes, gladness for mourning, peace for despair -- that young lives would be planted as oaks of righteousness for the display of His splendor (see Isaiah 61).  May long-lasting change be initiated and continued.  May the King of the Universe be magnified.   

Amazing!

Tracy Hughes, Steve Havener, David Heflin and Ron Corbett flew out to Garissa on Friday while the rest of the team ran the conference.  Their task was to visit the site where the English and Rural Development team will be next week, and to check progress on projects already underway.  You might recall, we are serving local Kenyan missionaries who have committed themselves to educating and assisting a completely unreached people group, the Munyoyayas, who live 45 km from nowhere.

Tracy had been to the village called Malkamanza before.  This time, she was amazed at the progress the missionaries have made with the Munyoyayas.  They introduced her to the Chief, who in turn introduced her to his wife.  The guys tell me that Tracy handled herself with her in such a way that a remarkable breakthrough was taking place.  The chief's wife dressed Tracy in a typical outfit, and put a scarf on her head that signifies she's married (yeah Kevin), and spent some time with her.  This all happening with a tribe who had not seen white people until we came in 2005, who are Muslim-Animist in belief, who had been slaves to the Somalis for as long as we can tell, and who have NO believers among them ... yet.  Sam, the missionaries' leader, said he had never seen something like that in the village before - where the people were so responsive to a visitor, and where the visitors represented their King so well.  He was moved, and excited about what the Lord will do as a result.  Pray for the team that will spend the week out there.  It is very hot.  The living conditions are very rough - they are literally in a village in "the bush".  They will have many challenges, not in the least the fact that they will be joining the invasion of a kingdom of darkness that has been entrenched there for centuries.  "The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is mighty in battle" -- may He redeem this tribe for the glory of His name!

Back in Nairobi, there were some equally amazing displays of true ambassadorship.  I already mentioned the way in which the Smith's handled themselves as they tirelessly served the conference attendees, even with many distractions.  They served very well.  The others stood out equally with a representation of the spirit of Christ in humble service.  The youngest on the team were amazingly mature at an "adults" conference.  This was not a Safari drive, but instead of bickering about the dullness they might have thought it was, Jessie and Cara served with smiles and proactive support.  Taryn and Stacy carried us through the afternoon - in the chaos of room changes and evaluation forms, they moved about with grace and gentleness that assured us things were in good hands.  Susan and Pamela were excellent room hosts, re-scheduling speakers on the spurt of a moment and ensuring the rooms were appropriately set up.  The atmosphere they created with a genuine passion for the topics of women and children enabled some great presentations to take place. 

I could say something positively amazing about everyone.  This team you commissioned is truly that.  A volunteer force may turn and run, may shrug at responsibilities they "didn't sign up for", or may simply not feel invested enough to give 100%.  The team you sent is not a volunteer force. The team you sent is certainly a commissioned force, responding with integrity to a higher Authority.  They are truly ambassadors of the King and His Kingdom....

How little I really know

Jambo everyone.

Well, the 2nd annual HIV/AIDS and Leadership Development conference is over.  Though the attendance was lower than last year due to mishandling of promotion on this side, in the end, it was a success as we heard comments from Kenyans and Americans who learned so much, enjoyed the networking and each other's company.  Day one was super smooth, so much so we jokingly braced for day 2 - but we should not have been joking!  Bob Smith had numerous challenges with the hotel on the second day, to the point that they were assigning conference rooms to another conference group that had been assigned to us and printed on our programs.  Oh, and that other conference was also an HIV conference!  So imagine the confusion.  Someone explained afterward that we should change conference venues every year, because they will always try to impress you the first time, but take you for granted the second!  Kenyan cultural tip number 52.  The Smith's handled everything with Christ-like manner, even with appropriate anger when necessary (!), and with a patience that can only be explained by the Spirit.

I am amazed at the receptivity of Kenyans to learn - whether it's things that we might think are too simple, too culturally different, or too complex.  I philosophied on the mobilization of Kingdom professionals during my persentation to a group of pastors ("what' that?" exactly!) - and as I was sharing I thought, "What in the world does this have to do with a Masai congregation?!"  Yet the Masai were the ones who shared the most about the way they had been challenged to think beyond what they normally consider "church work".  I was humbled by that, and then utterly flattened by the next speaker, a woman from California who has taught in a local Bible college for close to 20 years.  She shared with the pastors about how to deal with conflict in ministry, and she was telling jokes within their cultural context that had them grabbing their stomachs and putting their hands in the air!  She was so fun to watch as she related so deeply; yet at the same time it made me realize I am so far from being Kenyan!  There is always something new to learn.

Speaking of learning, I finally truly understand the meaning of "flashing".   I had heard Kenyans tell each other "I'll flash you", and I thought to myself, "no thanks!"  I knew it had to do with the phone, but I finally understood that it means "I will dial your number, then my number will appear on your screen, and you can store my number".  Somtimes it means "I have no credits so call me right back!"  Needless to say, I've been flashed a lot this trip, and on one occasion, I got to do the flashing.  I felt Kenyan for a moment.

There is so much to learn from this beautiful people.  Their graciousness is off the charts.  Their moral compass is strong and deep, ironic for a country known for rampant political corruption, because a huge majority will never cheat you, especially if they know you.  I am amazed at the wealth of talent that exists here, and wonder how radically Africa could be different.  You know, 360 billion dollars just pledged by the G8 wont make Africa different. Investment in the lives of those we know, trust, and agree with in vision will.  Africa will not be changed by more powerful governments.  Biblical principles taught for all domains of life will.  I don't completely know how to do this yet, and every time I think I've grasped it a major curve ball makes me swing and miss so foolishly I wonder why I even picked up a bat!  But the Lord continues to say, "This is the way, walk in it" and our teams continue to serve and Kenyans continue to be equipped and our partners continue to dream GREAT dreams and see BIG visions, and the Lord continues to join our hearts with theirs.  God is up to something - you can see it on their faces, you can hear it in their words, you can feel it in their laughter.  I am glad He has allowed us to be here - not to make things happen, but to be blessed as they happen!  To God be the glory!