receiving good rains, parts of southern Kenya, the home of the Maasai People, is still without rain and people and animals continue to suffer and die.I will be doing a bit of “connecting” tomorrow, so this week’s update is a day early – but it is easy to write as Jack has written most of it. Upon his return last week from his discipleship training in Western Kenya, he excitedly told story after story of his experiences. As he shared one story, I knew you had to hear it too!
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CALLED TO SERVE: Legacy Encounters – 25 November, 2009 – Jack Yates
Yesterday I was having breakfast at the Ventures Villa in downtown Oyugis (that is a joke folks – but
actually a very nice hotel, clean, TV’s in rooms, noiseless, etc.) and talking with the leadership of Nyanza Province Baptists. Ben Ngere, a Regional Coordinator for the Baptist Convention of Kenya, has served as pastor of Homa Bay Baptist Church for as long as I have known him, or so I thought. I heard someone speak of his time in Mombasa (on Kenya’s coast) and having lived there from 1982-1986, I asked him about his life there. His answer surprised me – We were there at the identical time!Ben, the first pastor of Miritini Baptist Church, had brought his niece to my office (Headmaster) at Baptist High School for enrollment. I had completely forgotten the encounter. He remembered the early missionaries and those who had worshipped with him at Chamgamwe Baptist Church. I then asked how he had gotten into ministry, seminary and then to Homa Bay. His answer was a classic tale of how God uses every one of us to influence and direct disciples that obviously have the Spirit of God at work within.
Ben did not mention his job in Mombasa, just that he attended Chamgamwe Baptist Church and was thoroughly enjoying his time and role within the church. He said his wife, Helen, was engaged in a medical career and was also very active in the church.
He was very comfortable and I doubt if he was looking for a change. Then his pastor, Elimbenzi Mrema, spoke one morning about answering the call to service for the Lord. Mrema, from Moshi, Tanzania, was one of the first pastors in Mombasa and was known for discipling and sending out workers and pastors. He complained to me one day that he was forever working but his church never grew! I asked how many young people and families had he prepared and sent out into the world. He smiled and said nothing more.When Mrema spoke that Sunday morning, Ben heard the voice of God calling him and not knowing any answers to his questions, he went forward at the invitation to greet the pastor and testify to God’s call. Ben was alone as no one else in the service had responded, but he was surprised by Mrema’s response. Pastor Mrema quickly prayed and closed the service, led Ben into his office and began asking questions about his decision. Ben says he answered honestly and truthfully but had no idea of what or how God would use him. He was shocked when Mrema told him that he was no longer to stay at Chamgamwe.
Mrema took Ben by the arm and led him to his ancient Vespa piki (very small and well used motorcycle) and immediately drove him to Miritini, a few miles away along the Mombasa/Nairobi highway. Mrema had a place picked out – a nice tree – and the church started the following week with Ben as pastor!
Mrema gave him no chance to reconsider or to return to Chamgamwe. It happened so quick that Ben had no chance to talk it over with his wife. But after a couple of weeks, Ben asked Helen why she was not joining him, thinking that she had no plans of being a pastor’s wife! She surprised him by immediately adding to the membership of the new Miritini Baptist Church.Ben served Miritini for a number of years through trial and tribulation. Later, he left to join our seminary in Arusha, Tanzania for four years. After that he was called to return home and pastor at Homa Bay. Through it all, his mentor was Pastor Elimbenzi Mrema, a man God used to call, prepare and send disciples.
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Now, I need your help. Many of you on my mailing list
are retired missionaries and may know Ben’s “discipler,” Pastor Mrema. Where you one of Pastor Mrema’s mentors, teachers or one of those who discipled him? Others of you on my mailing list may have been one of those Mrema mentored, taught or discipled! Would you please take a few minutes and share your involvement or that of others with me so I can recreate this “Discipleship Genealogy Tree”?I could share much more during this time of Lottie Moon Emphasis, but Ben’s story is an incredible example of how God has blessed and is continuing to bless your past and present gifts of prayers, involvement and finances! Thank you for being an ongoing part of the work in our Father’s Harvest Field! Bert Yates
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Remember that if you need additional encouragement or assurance of how your prayers and financial gifts are used, please go to:
Lottie Moon Stories from the Harvest Field of Kenya – http://lottiemoonkenya2008.blogspot.com
Prayer Walk with a Tea Cup and a Somali New Testament Bible, A Prayer Guide for the LEGACY WORK – http://picasaweb.google.com/Bertndovu/LegacyTeamYatesPrayerLetter_091111PRAYERWALKWithACupAndASomaliNewTestament?feat=directlink
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