June 10, 2012 Prayer Nudge from East Africa

“On the Road Again” episode of “THE REAL MISSIONARIES OF EAST AFRICA”:  1st Scene:  Missionary views empty cupboards and fridge and heads to the store.  2nd Scene:  Astonishment at rain-filled craters is soon forgotten as she maneuvers between vehicles dodging potholes while avoiding sinking into their depths!  Her car dips…  Next scene:   Front left tire is buried in a crater. A well-dressed East African stops, puts rocks in the pothole, but… 4th scene:  Still stuck!  A group of young men appear before the car and one motions for the lady to reverse as they push. Last scene:  The missionary collects her loose change, rewards her angels, and drives away smiling.
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To view daily "Prayer Nudges from East Africa", go to http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

June 6, 2012

As promised last week, this month our Updates will be a little different – the best way I know to share the excitement that arose as Jack concluded his recent round of teaching a Church Planting Methodology (CPM) course at Kenya Baptist Theological College (KBTC) by inviting a special group of guests speakers – Kenyan Baptists  who shared their ministries in Kenya and other parts of East Africa. Jack shared a bit last week about Samson Kisia and his time with the students. So, I (Bert) will sign off now and let Jack introduce the second speaker during the CPM course, who like Pastor Kisia, left his students asking for more:

Church Planting is an exercise in New Testament obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit overcoming all hesitations and/or fears to reach out to all one meets.  That obedience is a product of salvation, discipleship/mentoring and a Christ led lifestyle and servant-hood – an unconscious maturation.

Euticauls Wambua is a Church Planter in Nairobi, Kenya.  He is pastor (Baptist Chapel), husband, father, mentor and disciple all in one.  He chairs the Nairobi Baptist Association and is director of the Kariobangi Baptist Youth Centre.  He is also a product of missionaries to some degree, but his life was fashioned by living with and modeling his life after his uncle, David Kiatu, one of the early Kenyan Baptists and the one who worked closely with missionaries in the 1980’s to begin Kariobangi Centre!

Like many youth, Wambua did not plan on ministry.  One day he realized how God had placed him and gifted him for service.  It began with children in a slum.  Wambua would walk around every Sunday with growing numbers of children following.  By the time they became a group of several hundred, Wambua began to disciple other youth in how to do the same.  When his church asked him to start a new church, he simply took what he knew and did it!

That church, Baptist Chapel, now has a thousand members.  What is truly astounding is the quality of that membership.  Wambua’s simple goal?  “I want everyone to sacrifice and go on a mission trip outside of Nairobi.”  Photo on right was made during a trip in 2011, where church members paid their own way to minister among the Turkana People of Kenya, an area experiencing famine and an area where few know of our Father’s love and salvation.

The results of his work is another astounding example of the simplicity of God’s plan in Church Planting.  Baptist Chapel, an urban church that borders the slums of Korogosho, has started six churches in the last four years in remote rural areas.  The church works with local people in the country side, which results in plots, buildings and supported pastors.  These daughter churches, like their mother church, work hard at discipling and obedience to God’s Word and Spirit.  One of these churches has already started three churches of its own!

The secret?  Wambua would say:  “None really, just simplicity of obedience, trust in God’s provision, and a servant’s heart”.  Still a young man, God is still calling Euticauls Wambua to new areas of ministry!  JACK YATES

June 3, 2012 Prayer Nudge from East Africa

Posted on Facebook by a former missionary to East Africa:  “Soon to be High School grad at the beginning of his formal education. Wonder if you can spot our son in that crowd?”  Another missionary to East Africa responded:  “Love this! Reminds me of when our daughter, also the only MZUNGU (roughly translated as white person) in her class, returned from pre- school one day very irritated – ‘It isn’t fair!  My white skin shows dirt more than the other kids!’”  Pray for the many Missionary Kids graduating from high school – which usually means moving to another continent for further studies!
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To view daily "Prayer Nudges from East Africa", go tohttp://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/