#5: Out of Africa - A Summary of the Mission - This is a long one!

Monday Morning: We sat on the stage on our first day of Vacation Bible School. A few days before, we had gone into the slums behind CC Nairobi. Brent and Mike and the guys from CC Nairobi went out on Saturday to hand out more.





When we say "slums", we are describing an area where people live. Their homes are made of tin. Some have dirt floors. Some have concrete floors. Some have 1 or 2 or 4 chairs. Some have a couch or two. Some have a pretty curtain dividing the sleeping area from the sitting area. Some don't. One had a toilet in their home. Others share a sort of "outhouse" with their neighbors. None have running water. All have amazing hospitality.



Our brothers and sisters from Calvary Chapel welcomed us into their homes. Some had the time to make us tea (Kenyan tea, of course...we're in Kenya) and some made us food when time allowed. Many shared their prayer requests with us, and some went into debt buying special treats for us to eat.


When we drove by in the "MATATU" (a taxi/van) with Samuel, our Kenyan brother in the Lord, we looked at the people and smiled. Every person we smiled at... perhaps they were having a difficult day-- perhaps they hadn't sold fruit today yet to pay for their rent, or handbags to pay for their food-- perhaps their brother, sister, daughter had just died from aids... whoever it was-- a HUGE smile would appear across their face. If we were walking down the street, a pleasant greeting, "Harbari" (How are you?)--- on the most serious face, a smile appeared with the word, "Mazuri." (Fine).



The children would chase the Matatu down the dirt roads of the slums screaming, "How are You? How are You? Some of us would stick our hand out the window screaming, "Fine!" "Fine!" They call us, Muzungus...white people. :) It was such an endearing term, especially when the children used it, and asked "How are you, Muzungu?"

So, there we were: at the beginning of Vacation Bible School - First Day. 300+ children stared at us, while a summary/message by Fred (who happens to be the piano player at church) in Swahili was given after a few group worship songs and the drama by an amazing brother, CHRIS (who happens to have a great CD and ministry to children!)

We looked out at the beautiful sea of faces. It dawned on us, like a beautiful summer morning that we could VERY WELL be staring at this country's next leader. This leader, however, would have a heart for Jesus to bring justice, to take care of the widow and the orphan, to live a life worthy of the calling as a follower of Jesus Christ whose main focus would be to share the Love of Jesus in order that all men-- people everywhere would be saved.



The day before, Sunday - we worshiped with our church family, Calvary Chapel Nairobi. Brent and Elva led worship with Steve, the Jimbay percussionist. We interchanged between English and Swahili with our worship team singing English and Morris (guitar/sang), Nelly (sang), Phineas (sang), Mildred (sang), Fred (piano), and Steve (percussion) who provided an AWESOME time of worship in Swahili. Brent preached that Sunday morning starting our study in James on "GRACE AND UNITY". He had an entire chapter prepared, and the Lord provided only time for versus 1-3. We could have all stayed for more, but the Lord knew what He had in mind...

Grace and Unity was something we as a team came here with and yet, in God's wonderful way of sanctifying us, were challenged with as a team (Don't worry-- it was awesome). Of course, if you're going to preach it, the Lord will speak to you first. :) That is exactly what He did. It was so beautiful to see the Lord working in each of our hearts in order for us to understand, as fully as we can at this stage of our lives, what grace and unity are all about.

There were so many opportunities to extend Grace to each other for the unity of the team. It was an awesome test of our faith and trust in the Lord. On our last meeting with the women's ministry, "Rabuna Fi", we were really able to share from a vulnerable place, what it means to trust in the Lord. Robin shared her experiences with the women, and the Lord really used her testimony to minister to the women that last day.

Melissa and Robin were able to share in the women's ministry on Sat., Wed., and Fri, Rabuna Fi-- a word from the scriptures. It was a sweet time with our sisters as we all prayed for one another on our last day.

The guys, Mike and Brent and all the Calvary Chapel Nairobi brothers, were able to get into the Matatu on our last "ministry" day, and visit each other's homes. A couple of us gals, were able to tag along at the end, because of our word to do our best to visit our brother, Phineas's home. We were welcomed by our brothers with much love. We were so grateful. All the "Home Visits" were especially memorable.

The "Home Bible Fellowship" that Phineas taught at was absolutely led by the Lord and the teaching was so anointed. We were honored to be welcomed and invited to listen to the message. People overflowed from the front room out the door as the study progressed. It reminded us of the early church days, spoken of in Acts.


Everyday from Mon-Thurs, Mike and Brent alternated the Bible study on "Grace and Unity" in a study through James. Brent and Elva led worship the first two nights. The next two nights, Morris and Steve, Fred, and Mildred led worship.

Brent and Elva had several opportunities to just sing and play and worship the Lord with the worship team at CC Nairobi. It was such a sweet time of fellowship. We learned Swahili songs, which Brent DID PLAY on our last Sunday. Unfortunately, Elva lost her voice on Wednesday - the very day she did the worship seminar for the worship team. So, that was the end of all singing for her. We didn't worry about it too much, however. Why? The Lord is sovereign and He knows what He has for Elva. She continued to worship God with her heart-- her lips could only lip sync the rest of the week. :) But she was definitely "making melodies in her heart." - That quote is an inside joke for the team. Ask one of them about it - they'll tell you what that's all about.

Make sure when you ask about "Making melodies in my heart" you tell 'em, "Thumbs Up".

Everyday we ate in: breakfast, lunch and dinner by Eunice was amazing. It was always exciting to see what tasty morsels she would prepare. We had the opportunity to eat out a few times: Carnivore: meat on a stick slid down onto your plate. From Chicken Liver to Crocodile. Yes, I think all of us tried the Crocodile. Ethiopian Restaurant: We sat with our brothers and sisters that we served with in VBS to a very tasty Ethiopian meal where we ate with our fingers from one dish. Karen: the Out of Africa home of Karen where we took a walk in the garden and enjoyed the tall trees, swing, blue skies, and fresh air. Java House: where we enjoyed a great cup of Joe, or Americano, or good 'ole double-shot of espresso.

Every night, (for the most part) we had the opportunity to "debrief." We talked about the events of the day; what the Lord was showing us; sharing from our hearts any concerns and prayer requests. We had some real moments of vulnerability, real moments of tension, and real moments of grace and unity in the midst of all of it.

Also, the night before, Robin made sure we got together to prepare for VBS the next morning. VBS everyday, went VERY well. God completely glorified Himself. We loved the children so much and grew so attached to them. It was a joy to get to know their personalities. Some of us had younger children. Some of us had older children. Some of us had a mixture. All of the children, though, had such respect for their "Teachas." For days, whenever we would ask the children a question, the team heard "Cha", "Cha", "Cha" being yelled from the children. Finally on Day 3 of VBS, a couple of us caught on that they were actually yelling, "Teacha" or teacher. :)

It was little things like that, that make our experience in Nairobi, Kenya - with the beautiful people in Africa that are outside of YOU, the reader's, realm of experience.

Something we've been made aware of when we go back home, is that "You" the reader have not experienced what we have experienced. Therefore, you may read this excerpt, be excited about reading it, but walk away and forget about it. This is understandable. This is somewhat expected.

Our hope through this blog is one that is covered and will be covered in prayer. We have attached, and will continue to attach the pictures of the people we encountered and of the experiences we were able to photograph for you. However, unless your own experience in reading this blog is not covered in prayer for the people and missionaries of this blog... it will be very difficult to connect with the people and experiences this blog seeks to draw you into.

Our heart is that you would be stirred for missions to:
1) Proclaim to the Lord: "Here I Am, Send Me" AND I WILL PRAY
OR
2) Lord, Here I am - I will Send someone with the finances you have given me or support those on the mission field WHILE I cannot be there -- and I WILL PRAY!

Our GREATEST hope and desire, is that you would help us to pray for our brothers and sisters both missionaries and those serving the Lord locally here in Africa.

Africa is on the verge of something grand, something great in the Lord. We've stated it before, Prayer is not preparation. Prayer is the Work.

Do you want to be a part of what God is doing in the world to bring about His will that all men be saved? Let's do this together. Let the Lord stir up your heart. We asked how the Lord would keep us in a place of NOT FORGETTING what He has done here... for Africa, AND IN EACH ONE OF US... His answer came by way of our team leader, Brent. Pray. That is the work. So, that is what we are committed to doing.



Stay tuned. Prayer meeting for missions to be announced in the coming weeks. It will be a commitment on our part to be faithful to meet together on a regular basis.

"Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send the laborers." Are you willing to do this work with us? Are you willing to allow the Lord to stir your heart?

There is so much more to be said of the trip, but unless you come, it would be so hard to give you the full grasp. We hope what we have said would stir you up to forget the things of this world, and hold on, to what is eternal.

In our Savior, Jesus Christ - who died and rose again and will come again,
Brent, Mike, Melissa, Robin, and Elva