Savvy Shopping and Prayer

Last night as I ate PALAK PANEER with a buttered NAAN – if you don’t know what I’m talking of you have missed some of the best food in our world! – I remembered the TV show we watched the previous night. Reporting from where we were eating, Diamond Plaza, the announcer called this place “Little India” – the place in Nairobi for homesick Indians. As we heard a nearby Mosque calling out the evening prayers to mark the end of fasting for the day and men praying in a part of the shopping area, I thought of another part of Nairobi, Garissa Market in Eastleigh. If Diamond Plaza was more active due to Ramadan, Eastleigh was “hopping” last night – but it is one of the busiest shopping areas in the city. Kenyan savvy shoppers say you can find anything you can imagine at Garissa Market at unbeatable prices! This part of town is also known as “Little Somalia” – another part of Nairobi with a very different cultural atmosphere! Some say more Somalis are in Nairobi than in many towns in Somali! And if you have ever been in Eastleigh you trust this statement! There are also many, many Somalis in northern Kenya in relief camps fleeing their warn-torn country or those who have settled in the northern arid parts of Kenya.

Why am I sharing this with you? This morning when I came to page 17 of the Saturday Nation, I was reminded again of Garissa Market as I read the article, “Why nobody dares touch the cash and gold in Eastleigh.” I’m also sharing this because the Somalis in Somalia, in Kenya and those in the United States are people who need to know of our Father’s salvation and love. The Joshua Project website shares that the primary religion of the vast majority of these people is Islam. There are Christians among the Somali, but a BBC article shares their struggles. “In a secluded house just outside the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, a group of men and women meet at least once a week to meet in secret … they live in constant fear of persecution” (“Somali Christians Struggle in Kenya”, BBC News/September 1, 2008).

So this month during Ramadan, the Muslim month of prayer and fasting, pray for boldness and opportunities for Kenyan Christians to share their source of joy and peace with the Somalis in our country. Pray for strength and fearlessness for Somali Christians. Pray that Kenyan Christians and missionaries will find sensitive ways to strengthen and encourage these few Believers. The Joshua Project, who provide research on people unreached by the Gospel, suggest: “Pray for effectiveness of the JESUS Film among them; ask God to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio and television to the Somali; ask the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel; and ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Somali.” They share another prayer that is especially needed during Ramadan – “that God will reveal Himself to (those celebrating Ramadan) through dreams and visions.” Bert Yates --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Why no one dares touch the cash and gold in Eastleigh” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/467668/-/tkbrmg/-/index.html
“Somali Christians Struggle in Kenya”/BBC News/September 1, 2008 – http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7464035.stm
Joshua Project/Country Listings: Go to this site and then click Somalia: http://www.joshuaproject.net/countries.php
Joshua Project/People in Country Profile/Somali – http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rop3=109392&rog3=SO
The Somali of Kenya – http://strategyleader.org/profiles/somalikenya.html

A God Story, Lottie Moon Story, Great Commission Story...

A God Story, Lottie Moon Story, Great Commission Story, 2 Timothy 2:2 Story – I’m not sure how to describe what you will find if you accept my invitation to log on to - http://legacycelebration.blogspot.com/

Yes, it is long and I can’t claim to be as gifted as Paul in writing long epistles worthy of being fully read and absorbed, yet, I do think that Pastor Samweli’s story will challenge you. I think you will quickly find that learning more of this exceptional pastor’s life will not lead to your honouring him, but to your seeking anew how you can bring honour and glory to our Heavenly Father as His servant. Bert Yates

September 3, 2008

We don’t know how many churches he started … he was always starting churches. I know of seven now pastored by young men who grew up in Mwimuto Baptist Church. All were sponsored to go to the Nairobi Baptist Association’s three year Bible School. All finished because of financial support by Pastor Samweli and his church … The church started before the village developed so it was among the first in the area. Of the 17 churches of all denominations now in this part of the city, seven of their pastors were led to the Lord, baptized and discipled by Pastor Samweli … Well over 60 Baptist churches were represented at the service. Pastor Samweli always drew people together.” These are a few of the quotes heard at the Celebration service held last Saturday for a “life well lived” by Pastor Samweli Kihugu. There were a few sad moments, but the day will be remembered as a day of praising God and seeing how He has been and IS at work in Kenya.

As I stood outside during the service (the church building is large by Kenyan standards, but the seats ran out quickly!), I realized that Jack and I were a part of the ongoing story of God’s living and active Word (Hebrews 4:12) that day. As I tried to decide if Matthew 28:19-20 or 2 Timothy 2:2 was the best scripture to describe the event, I realized the day covered both! We were celebrating what happens when God’s children obey our Saviour and “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV). We were also getting a glimpse of our Saviour’s Multiplication Table as we viewed one servant’s participation in Paul’s directive: “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV).

Two parts of the service were especially moving – The prayers using the word “Asante” (thank you in Kiswahili) over and over and with the plea to our Father for forgiveness for those who killed the beloved pastor. Second, the plan of salvation shared at the close of the service as the cycle of making new disciples continued.

Do continue praying for comfort, strength and wisdom for Samweli’s family, the members of Mwimuto Baptist Church and the community. Jack has been given the opportunity to mentor the young man the church has called as their new pastor. Pray for this man and for Jack as they use their time together to grow in their knowledge and ability to serve their Father. Pray for me as I write this special living and active story of our Saviour’s Multiplication Table and share it with others as a way of bringing honour and glory to our Father and helping others realize how they have been and can be an active and living part of God’s Word and plan.

Thank you for also being a part of this story as you sent/send and supported/support missionaries financially and through your prayers – missionaries who have also been and are a part of God’s Multiplication Table! Bert Yates

Pictures are entitled: 1) 2 Timothy 2:2 in action; 2) The overflow from the church; and (3) Will they be discipled?