August 27, 2008

“If you looked in the dictionary for the definition of ‘Gentle, Sweet, Humble Servant’ you would surely find Samweli's face there. I have never known a more dedicated servant of God. He was all about the Lord and His message, and nothing about Samweli. He used to walk up the hill … to visit and ask … for guidance and ideas to better serve God. What a tragedy … and what a great homegoing for Samweli. I know God said, ‘Welcome home, thou good and faithful servant’ … let his family know that we … treasure every remembrance of him and his sweet family ... We … were honored to have been a part of his life.”

The last few days have been very difficult for Baptists in Kenya. Last week I was asked by Ridgeways Baptist Church to share a prayer request with our missionaries. Their youth were on a mission trip to Kenya’s coast and one young man, a Form Three (Junior) student at Nyeri Baptist High School, was missing. A few hours later, I was asked to send a prayer update – his drowned body had been found. A friend later shared that the previous Sunday the youth had led the worship service – they had shared their testimonies and their hopes for sharing God’s love and salvation during their mission trip.

Then on Sunday night, one of our missionaries called to say that his pastor at Mwimuto Baptist Church, Samweli Kihuga, had been killed as he returned from visiting a sick church member. Someone – for reasons that no one can comprehend – approached and shot Samweli, who was known in his community as a respected leader and true man of God. The killer fled without taking anything – his wallet, phone or his constant companion, his Bible. Samweli was a leader in Baptist work and a friend, co-worker and pastor to many of our missionaries over the years – the above note was sent by a retired missionary for Samweli’s family.

As Jack visited with the family yesterday, he learned of Samweli’s last day on earth. Samweli did not preach that morning at his church – his son, who has faced many struggles, preached – a real answer to prayer. Samweli did preach that afternoon in Wangige – a nearby mission point. When I asked the size of Mwimuto Baptist Church, begun in the late 1970’s as a mission point by another new church, Parklands Baptist, I was told – “It is a larger Nairobi church, but they are too busy starting new churches in nearby housing areas and other parts of Kenya, including western Kenya, to become too large!” Samweli had a heart for winning people to Christ and discipling them. He also had a gift for instilling his love and vision for church planting in the hearts of his friends and church members.

Do pray for comfort for Ridgeways Baptist Church, their youth, the young man’s family, and his fellow students at Nyeri Baptist High School. Pray that during this tragedy, they will share with others their source of strength. Pray also for peace for the members of Mwimuto Baptist Church and Samweli’s family and friends. Pray that through all of this bad, they will be strong ambassador’s of all the good that is offered through our Father’s love and salvation. Bert Yates
Pictures were taken earlier this year during the relief efforts at Mai Maihu, a mission point of Mwimuto Baptist Church, and the top picture is of Pastor Samweli - who is not wearing his usual smile.