Another week of HIGHS and LOWS. Jack shares the HIGHS in a partial report of his 5 day trip to western Kenya. I have heard Jack excitedly share story after story since his return on Monday, so I know it was hard for him to keep his report this short!
JACK’S REPORT: Fudumi was a step back in time for me. I was invited by Hesbon, the newly appointed Western Regional Coordinator for the Baptist Convention of Kenya , to teach Church Planting Methodology to the leadership of the newly revived Vihiga Baptist Association. At least four new churches have started in the last four months and a new sense of purpose prevails. It was exciting to be surrounded by young men and women who are active, obedient and faithful. A couple of our older Baptist leaders attended, but they were a small minority!
When Fudumi was built (dedicated in 1970) by the Baptist Mission it was the premier theological training centre for East Africa outside of Arusha, Tanzania. Over the years though, no missionaries lived nearby and often long periods of time elapsed with no one responsible for the place of the programs. Eventually all missionaries left the region and the property lapsed into a long period of decay and vandalism. Last year, the title deed of the property was transferred to the BCOK (always a lengthy process in our part of the world), but no one among the 20 associations in the Western Region was given responsibility for Fudumi.
Over the years, furniture was lost, most of the trees were cut down for someone’s personal profit and recently thieves began stealing the doors and fixtures and the toilets collapsed. Finally, Hesbon, who has a heart for making and training disciples, was appointed to the position of Western Province Coordinator. His first step: RESCUE FUDUMI! But he faced a major problem: NO FUNDS FOR THE RESCUE!
Now begins what I told him was a modern NEHEMIAH STORY! Hesbon looked around and spotted two resources: TWO MATURE TREES still remained on the property. Harvesting these trees provided materials and funds to re-fence the property and make it secure. He made bricks and rebuilt the toilets. He repaired the roof and cleaned the filth from the rooms.
And during last week’s training (April 1,2), I was able to join the “class” in replanting trees on the property. Over 1000 seedlings have now been replanted, all indigenous hardwoods. God’s response in part was constant rainfall during my stay! The blessings carried on into the classroom as students accepted responsibility to return in May for accountability reporting before I return in June to continue the training!
The great joy for Fudumi is that once again students will find a haven for study! A region-wide Bible School is scheduled for July. Somewhere in heaven Eric and Phyllis Clark, the first missionaries to this region, are smiling and giving thanks.
Our LOW this week is another great heartbreak which I shared in the 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA posted this last Sunday, April 3rd:
I went to bed Saturday night with my mind filled with questions, most beginning with WHY? I had just learned of the unexpected death of a friend (Wanja Muriithi - another young mom, another pastor's wife of our church, this time the wife of our pastor at our new Mombasa Road campus. But then God flooded my mind with a gift, the song, "Zizilizo baraka zihesabu tu." I began counting my blessings and naming them one by one, remembering what God hast done... knowing this is what my friend would want us to do - Praise God for her life, for allowing her to be a coworker in His work! Join me today in praying for healing for the church family of the largest of our East African Baptist churches as we deal with the deaths of these two Godly women in less than a month. Pray also that their husbands, children, and church family will show the world that we are God's children who "give thanks to (him)... for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds" (Psalm 107:31) even during this difficult time. The photo with this Prayer Nudge? One personal blessing I remembered that night: I get to take photos of God's work (tea preparation at our seminary) and lead others to join in praising God for His wonderful deeds in our part of the world! (Added note: This picture held a surprise for me, ME on the left!)
Please join us in praising God for what He is doing in Western Kenya and for allowing us to be a part of this work and for you to be a part as well as you support us in prayer, sending personnel and finances. Pray also for us and our church family, especially our pastor, Wachira Muriithi, and his and Wanja’s two daughters, Sally and Joy. As some of you awaken in the US on Friday, exactly four weeks after attending the memorial service for our friend, Joy Mwangi*, our church family will attend Wanja’s Memorial Service at Parklands Baptist Church. Pray for strength as we seek to bring honor and glory to our Lord as we praise Him for Wanja’s life and her service to Him. BERT YATES
No comments:
Post a Comment