NBC5 Next

Day 3

03/18/08

Africa is amazing.

We worshipped with three churches on Sunday – Craig and KT went to Light Way Baptist in Githurai, and Esteban and Josh went to Hope Baptist in the large slum of Mathare. The rest of us remained here at Kahawa Sukari. To say the least, the way Africans worship and pray is nothing short of amazing. As I was sitting there before I preached, I thought Lord, what do I have to give these people? There is such a joy and depth to their worship. The whole congregation is moving and singing and speaking to the Lord. It’s an overwhelming experience. I even told them that they ought to send missionaries to the US to teach us how to pray and praise. I was serious.

What I discovered is that the thing I have to give them is God’s word. I am but a servant, and if I proclaim the Word accurately then it speaks to them, not me.

Of course our hosts are beyond gracious, and go out of their way to make sure we are comfortable and all of our needs are met. After church we were fed and given tea and entertained. Everyone wants to talk to us and know us and commune with us. We have a great deal to learn from our brothers and sisters here.

If it’s possible, Monday was even more amazing. We did the Youth Workers Conference in the morning, and we just couldn’t get enough. Many of us were tired – Iris had not slept since we left Chicago – but we were energized by the ministry. The people who work with youth here are very passionate, and engaging them and teaching them and learning from them is one of the most refreshing experiences I have had in some time. Ezekiel had to pull us away so we could go to Parklands Boys School for the first installation of the basketball clinic. It was that good.

Today, most of the team went to conduct their Chapel, with Craig preaching. I have to say that driving from Kahawa Sukari to Parklands is quite an experience. It was almost like a scene from a Star Wars movie… a myriad of amazingly diverse vehicles crammed together and moving very quickly on roundabouts and indescribable roads full of people and animals and bicycles. Wow. I stayed here to meet with the pastors of Kahawa Sukari, Lightway and Hope. Very edifying. I cannot stress how amazing the African church is.

Later on we will go to another school for some ministry time, and then back to Parklands this evening for Basketball Camp.

Prayer requests:

Iris has not slept in three days. Pray for God’s strength today and rest tonight. [P.S. God Answered!]

The churches here have some significant prayer requests that I will post later. Pray for their pastors.