Time today for Jack’s fourth report of his special guest speakers during last month’s Church Planting Methodology (CPM) course at Kenya Baptist Theological College (KBTC) with yet another view of Legacy Work as Kenyan Baptists share their ministries in East Africa. In our May 30th Update, Jack shared a bit about Samson Kisia and his time with the students during the final week of the 45 hour CPM course, one of the many courses taken by the seminary students during their 3 years of study. In our June 6th Update, Jack shared of Euticauls Wambua and his work. Last week, in our June 13th Update, Jack shared Zack Mahalanganga’s report of how our church, Parklands Baptist Church/Mombasa Road, was begun by the Parklands Baptist House Groups located on the Mombasa Road side of Nairobi, where many church members live. Some of today’s report may sound familiar as we have already shared bits of the fourth speaker’s story in past updates, so without more intro, here is Jack’s next report:
Sometimes God surprises us in church planting through a bad situation or from a source we would never expect or even consider God works. In 2007, Kenya began experiencing the horrible after effect of election violence resulting in thousands dying or being badly injured and tens of thousands of people being displaced from their homes and farms. Suddenly all of this humanity was homeless in their own country! Baptists in particular were damaged as churches were burned and the congregations permanently disbursed. For the bewildered victim all hope died and there seemed no place and no one to turn for help. Christians all over Kenya responded by trying to offer comfort. In spite of that help, most people remained hopeless and in horrifying situations. In a time like this, God seems to be the most active and creative.
A missionary friend gave me some money to see if we could help some of the internally displaced people (IDP’s). Facing the needs of thousands is never an easy response and at times seems impossible. I passed the money on to a friend and colleague in the Baptist Convention of Kenya, Shem Okello. When he reported that he had built two houses for widows of the violence, it was extremely satisfying and we both thought a good deed done. However, God had more plans and allowed us to join in His plans!
The next week other widows came to Shem asking for help. Local councilors called on him with similar cases of desperation. It took a bit of time, but slowly Shem began to be able to respond. This year Houses of Hope built its 620th home! Most assistance comes from local communities as they identify who needs shelter. They donate space for a dwelling and then show up to supply the labor and most of the structure building materials. External funding from donors such as American churches and individuals is used to pay a craftsman and purchase the roofing materials. All supplies and people, often including volunteers from American, show up on the same day and the work is usually a joyful happy time with the recipient totally stunned by what friends and strangers are doing for them. In one day the house is complete. The recipient moves in to their new home built in their ‘old’ traditional way after a thanksgiving service and praise experience.
The houses have two rooms and the recipient agrees to host a weekly Bible Study. Trained Baptist pastors volunteer to come for twelve weeks. Hundreds of people have been baptized by this method and many groups formed, many of which join together as churches. The methodology and the actual work is so simple and easy a whole region of Kenya has been excited and transformed. From simple obedience and faith a fantastic ministry has formed.
Shem sees God’s hand in all of this. He had no expectations of doing this. Actually he was so busy, he has had to turn most of the ministry over to other Baptists. This month they have moved to an entirely new area of Kenya and a group of volunteers from North Carolina have built eight homes during their 10 day stay. The success of Houses of Hope leaves us all shocked and amazed which I believe makes God just smile.
Back to Bert now! Jack and I have visited two of these work sites, one of the early sites in January 2010 and another last year where a team from First Baptist Cary (NC) worked, which included our daughter Jessie and her best friend, Amy Buchanan. For more on these visits, check out the sites listed below. Today’s photos were taken during these visits.
I haven’t included a photo from this week’s 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa/ http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/, but I encourage you to take time to view these nudges which share what God is doing in East Africa and how you can join in His work!
Once again, no specific prayer items, but I think you will find lots in the Update to lead you to prayer! BERT YATES
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The January 2010 visit to Shem’s project is found at: Build a House – Start a Church http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2010/01/build-house-start-church.html and Building a House in One Day and Starting a Church in the Process – http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.304989615129.190303.685050129&l=de74a3d192. For a video sharing the partnership of BaptistsOnMission/North Carolina Baptist Men, which was made during our visit, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onru-dvYc5U, as well as an update at http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Projects/Outside-US/Kenya/Houses-of-Hope-Project .
A review of Jessie’s and Amy’s volunteer trip last summer can be found at our June 29, 2011 Update at http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2011/06/june-29-2011.html AND for a reminder of how I sent the June 29th Update, go to the July 6, 2011 Update at http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-6-2011.html! Shem also took his turn ‘shouldering’ the dongle needed for me to access internet that day! More photos from their work site and visit can be found on our and our July 27, 2011 Update at http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html .
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