MONDAY: LEADERSHIP TRAINING WITH GRADE 7
Each of us took up the role of mentor on Monday as we personally guided the 7th graders at our schools in preparation to teach Bible stories, play games, and do crafts with the younger children in the schools during the past 2 days. We also got to know these students on a very personal level as we talked about how they are doing in school, what their favorite subjects are, some of the difficulties they have at school and some of their future dreams. It is beautiful to see the hope in their eyes as they talk about being doctors, teachers, and engineers. Jessie and I filled in to teach the craft. We showed the 7th grade craft team how to teach the young children to make a cross using pastels and then we followed it up by teaching them how to talk to the young children about what Jesus did on the cross for them and how they can receive Jesus as their savior. During that conversation we recognized that two of the children had never trusted Christ as their Savior. Jessie was able to share with them how they could do that. They were eager to do so and today they placed their faith in Him. We then had them write their name on the crosses they may with today’s date so that they can remember this day for years to come.
PASTOR'S CONFERENCE
Speak into a pastor’s life and you speak into their congregation. Imagine how many people are impacted, how many lives will be changed as over 175 attended the annual pastor’s conference in Vipingo, Kenya. We worshiped together, learned together, and laughed together. Each pastor was sent home encouraged and resourced with discipleship books provided by Fox River. We encouraged them to pull together 8-10 of the leaders in their churches and develop them with these materials much like the Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to do as he told him to pass on the things he had learned to faithful people who would also go on to teach others.
After the conference we were privileged to see the Bible College graduation. There were 12 who graduated. That may seem like a small number but it is the largest graduated class so far. It was also great to see the first woman Bible College graduate. We are so proud of these students. Many are already in ministry and some are looking forward to starting new ministries. This is such a key part to what God is doing in Kenya.
WEEKEND OUTREACH DAYS
We think football is big in America but it is huge in Kenya. Of course we call it soccer. We use that interest in a big way and it has become known as the Big Day in both the communities of Bomani and Vipingo. Adults come for soccer, volleyball, choir and other entertainment. The children come to ride camels, see the acrobats, and enjoy other activities. We show them how we love them in a very tangible way by providing a meal for all who come. Just before the day ends we hand out the trophies for the different competitions. I was given the opportunity to share the gospel and ask people if they would like to receive Christ as their savior. Several raised their hands indicating that they prayed to receive Christ. Throughout the day, there were also outreach teams approaching people and talking to them about Jesus’s love for them and how they could have a relationship with Him. We saw God work and great ways. The Big Days were truly Big Days and there will be more people in heaven as a result.
