We met after breakfast - at this table - enjoyed tea and prayer
Dear Pastor Eric,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who is Lord of all and who holds everything together, without whom nothing can exist.
I have just received your email and am so grateful. Daniel is our relative I pray that you pray for him as I do here, though sometimes he runs away from the orphanage back to street I don’t know why, but God will help.
For the clashes of Mt. Elgon. my church member were killed 32 people of , I feared to tell you to assist me with some money to assist there family who lost there beloved ones, u know I don’t like to talk about money always, the kids that remains orphans are in Mt. Elgon under my ministry they need food, shelter and clothing.
So may you pray for this matter coz I am really crying for the work of Satan has done. If God can open a way of money may you send through Western Union and send in the name of -. if I receive it I use in the work that I have told u above and I will also sends u some snaps of them.
Whatever you do may the Lord speak to you?
May God Bess you.
Pray for me I will also do the same......
Thanks
We don’t send money to Kenya unless it’s accompanied by people. Emails like this one make that commitment to focus our missions on people rather than money difficult, to say the least.
I’ve never seen 32 people dead, in one place, at one time.
I’ve not had to fight overseas in war and my life’s not been directly touched by major catastrophe. I remember the times my father’s told me about entering Nazi Concentration Camps near the end of WWII with US Liberation forces and I’ve watched as his eyes filled with tears, his voice caught and a dark shadow fell across him, confronting the memories. I spent a month counseling a man, early in my ministry, whose job had been “daily body counts” during the Vietnam War. I remember his stories of swooping down in jets following attacks, his job was to snap high imagery photos. After each mission he was required to blow up the photos as large as possible and then to count the bodies. He couldn’t sleep nights. Some of his stories use to keep me awake nights.
I met this pastor – actually a Bishop – last February. Two years ago February, I’d met his nephew- living on the streets –and had kept him in my prayers. The child was one of the “faceless” masses that I’d snapped a photo of, began to pray for, then on return trips, tried to locate in order to pray for by name. I’ve known his name for over a year. It’s rarely far from me. Amazing that God would bring his uncle into my life- it’s just like God. My sister once told me that praying for African children you didn’t know, just from their faces, was a dangerous thing- you never knew what God would do. She knew what she was talking about.
Now this pastor from Mt. Elgon is watching his church die, literally, as violence moves among the people. I don’t begin to understand it. I don’t even know why it’s happening. But I remember a cool morning in Kenya, less then two months ago, when Marty and I shared a cup of tea and then prayed together with this brother. As surreal as his violence seems, sitting in the safety of my community, the reality of my memory not only lingers- but it jumps to the front of all else and makes me want to help… but I don’t know how… and so I pray.
If the problems and heart break of poverty and warring communities were easily addressed and remedied- all would be well. But we choose our own ways- and 32 members of this good pastor’s church are still dead. Our money won’t bring them back. Our heart to share his burden will help him to remember that he’s not working through this alone. Join me in praying for an end to the blood letting. It’s so far from us, yet so close to The Heart of God.
Good people who love Christ Jesus are serving in this region. This man is but one of them. More children are left without families in Kenya. He’s trying to help… even when his own family is failing. He’s one of many “wounded healers.” Together, we can lift him up, today. God knows his name. Join me in prayer for his strength, encouragement, safety and continued willing heart to serve.
Blessings,
Eric
PS
I’ve begun to leave names out of my Kenya Blog to protect people. I don’t want to sound paranoid… but this blog is read in Kenya… I don’t know why they’re fighting and the last thing I want to do is put friends who’ve trusted us at risk.
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I posted a long blog on an email I received Tuesday- then lost the blog to cyberspace. Then Wednesday, this email arrived from Kenya and I thought you might enjoy it.The Email
God is good and know he is good for giving us another chance to share much of his grace. Imagine since you prayed in our church two things happened. 1. Unity of the members has grew strong and powerful.2 Revival in prayers and follow-up also restored. Three people are born again now and are in the church. August you come things will be greater now, everybody in central community church kahawa west Nairobi Kenya is praising God. You may wonder by that but we need the flowing anointing. God bless the head Office CCC America. Let the church understanding we are happy to serve under the powerful flow anointing ministry.
We are wishing you all, family and the church a blessed Easter. We are praying more and wish God to meet our needs.
thanks we are doing well
My friend’s enthusiasm inspires me. His desire to learn and grow God’s church should bless each of us. And changing the name of their church to Central Community… at first I thought it odd – got to love the part about the “Head Office – Central Community, America.” Is that us?!
A good friend saw the email and the cynic in him jumped out and said: “Looks like something I’d do if I were him… just to do a little fund raising.” Not that I hadn’t thought the same thing already. Then, as it’s filtered through my soul on this Friday, called Good, it touches me. He cried out for help. We came with a crusade and a pastor’s workshop. His heart was changed- his ministry found new direction and purpose – most importantly, the God gave the church revival in unity, prayers, salvation and restoration.
Now they want to change their name, to affiliate with Central Community, the church they received blessings from, who can blame them. It’s a Good Friday all around the world.
A good friend of mine use to tell me that you’re not really rich until you’re making money while you sleep. Never knew how that would translate into my work for The Lord- it’s more common when you’re a preacher that people sleep while you work – hopefully they wake up when the offering plate goes by! Our work in Kenya has opened new doors and presented challenges we never dreamed of confronting – never thought people would want to model their church after Central Community. I’ve always left that for the big guys in the ministry.
Until now. Now, while the people of Central Community in California are sleeping: Central Community, Kahawa West is wide awake and at work for Jesus. Tonight while we celebrate communion at our Good Friday services, they’ll be waking up Saturday morning, putting plans in place for their first Easter after the crusade: knocking on doors, cleaning the little building, sweeping the dirt floors. Our work continues, even when we sleep, perhaps God’s reminding us of the incredible wealth He’s given us. It stretches around the world.
That’s the leadership of 3 churches in the picture above. The man I’m hugging is a pastor who serves humbly as my translator in Nairobi. Their each in my prayers this evening – as they sleep – I’m praying that God does His greatest work yet this Easter. Join me in lifting them up. Jesus is alive – all around the world.
Blessings,
Eric
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I snapped this photo with my phone the other day while pulling into our neighborhood. It was such a beautiful sunset, thought I might hold onto it for a little longer. No such hope. The phone just couldn't do it justice. However, as I've received emails from around the world and in particular with news about friends in Kenya, I've been reminded that it's the same sun that sets on them. None of us are more than hours apart as the earth rotates in its orbit around the sun- and yet the lives we live are night and day.
Last week a new friend, a Saboat pastor I met in February, emailed me to say he's praying for our concerns- could we remember him? We'd prayed for a friend and our daughter, who were both facing challenging medical concerns while I was in Kenya, today both are much improved. It was good to email this partner in prayer- a sunset away- and give him the good news and let him know that he's not forgotten.
When I email him I sit in my office- or even my easy chair at home- and wirelessly send off a note of love. My comfort is beyond his understanding. When he emails me, he walks, sometimes miles, to the closest internet cafe- which depending on the electricity can be as far as Kitale- probably a days walk- (a weeks walk for you or me, if we made it!). He pays the Kenya Schillings he's saved, sits at an outdated, dial up connection- a slow and painful reminder of our early days in computing- then reaches out in love. I try to remember that with each email I receive.
Then my sister forwarded a couple of heart breaking forwards from her friends who work closely with the Saboat on Mt. Elgon. Issues, well beyond my knowledge and understanding, have caused internal warfare on the mountain, dividing the community and causing many deaths. The works and churches we've visited in the past have had to be closed and these wonderful people, people who live in a world so removed from our own, have had to wrap up their few belongings and flee for their lives. Sadly, in some cases, bodies have littered the little dirt roads, victims of the current round of violence.
The average life expectancy of a Kenyan has dropped to below 40 years. That of a Saboat- this month in particular -I'm guessing is much shorter.
The same sun I watched set from my neighborhood the other night, I've watched set as we made the rough ride down the side of Mt. Elgon. The day had been amazing- it was our first trip to Kenya and everything was amazing -it was an "awakening trip" and our eyes were opened, our hearts expanded. We had begun the day as the community welcomed us in song- gathered under a little stand of eucalyptus trees- singing in Saboat- colors bright- it was a little bit like Heaven. The day went much longer then we expected and soon our drivers were anxious to get down the mountain- not wanting to risk anything after dark. I'll never forget leaving Tom and Kathy Ulrich, who were spending what I believe was their first week with the people doing workshops, my little mind couldn't wrap itself around simple things like: where will they sleep? What will they eat? Will they be safe? They've since been back numerous times and love the community deeply and have given sacrificially. Their heart break during this crisis must be tremendous. Intimacy always intensifies our heart break. They don't just know the place or the tribe- they know the people- they know their names.
It's a big... and it's a small world. The sun shines on both the rich and the poor alike. It sets on Riverside and it sets on Mt. Elgon. God's Son, Christ Jesus and His Kingdom, make us one. There's a pastor who's been praying for us, while his family is torn apart by violence, death and displacement- keep him in your prayers. The sun sets over Mt. Elgon, leaving not just the fear of losing animals to leopards and cattle rustlers from Uganda- but now also to the fear of fighting- death- and who will make it through the night. Parents are making difficult decisions on whether to protect their meager belongings and the only land they know- or to run in hope of rescue in the communities off the mountain, away from the violence. It's the same sun that rises and sets on us. Keep them in your prayers. They're close to my heart: as are those of you who share this work with us. Thanks so much for your loving support.
Know that you're in my thoughts and prayers today,
Eric
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It’s the voice of the Amsterdam Airport. At the end of every moving walkway it repeats incessantly: “Mind your step. Mind your step.” With an 8 hour layover it reminds me of a song we use to sing in Sunday School: “Be careful little hands what you do. Be careful little hands what you do. There’s a Father up above, looking down in tender love… so be careful little hands what you do.” Seems like it might have been easier to just have told us all to “Mind your step.”
Our final day in Nairobi was effective, restful and expensive.
We began our day with our final worship service at the host church for the crusade. It’s a humble little steel building with dirt floors. 40 or 50 people gathered in for an hour or two of worship and the message. The place was like a sauna! My texts over the weekend have been from Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me…” and 2 Samuel 11 & 12, what David was referring to in Psalm 51: his affair with Bathsheba, killing her husband and the prophet Nathan’s rebuke with the painful, yet unforgettable story of the little lamb. The pastor’s in Nairobi had chosen “Restoring The Joy of Our Salvation,” as the theme of the crusade, and God has been doing exactly that.
After preaching a shorter message than I’m sure they’re use to, the pastor said church was ending an hour early- we gathered in a circle and prayed for personal healing. God moved in wonderful ways as we surrendered our anger, our pain, our bitterness, our sins into The Hands of The Loving Father and asked Him to restore the joy of our salvation. He is. Then with many hugs and heartfelt invitations to return to Kenya soon, we drove down the dusty lane, back towards the heart of the city.
Nairobi is a huge, diverse city and it seems invitations are coming from every corner of the community to return. Don’t know when or if God will allow it but know that people will be waiting in love if the opportunity arises. The need is so great, the people so wonderful, our work so small. Marty said: “You could stay here forever!” Even then, the work would not be complete.
My favorite invitations to return came from pastors and parishioners of churches in the heart of Nairobi’s, and the worlds, largest ghetto. I can never remember the name of the place- it was made almost famous in the movie, “The Constant Gardener.” My heart goes out to people living in the horrible oppression of urban poverty. I pray that God opens the door for Central Community to encourage the pastors and people living there.
The pastor’s fellowship that hosted this year’s crusade already wants to do another next year- a “big tent revival!” They’re on fire and ready to take their respective communities for God. Keep them in your prayers. Marty and me are just glad to be half way home… we’re ready to see our families, our church, our community.
We spent the afternoon checking out of the hotel, treating our driver to a leisurely lunch in a nice café, hanging out with some cool animals- I’ll try to post a picture or two –you’ll be amazed. We were invited into the cage with 3, 2-3 year old orphaned cheetahs. Wasn’t so sure I wanted to accept the invitation… but was chicken to back down in front of a group. Peer pressure, it’s a horrible thing! I needed someone nearby to say: “Be careful little hands what you do,” or “Mind your step,” instead I listened to the keeper who said, “Just be yourself, act like you do this all the time and they’ll accept you.” They accepted Marty and I no problem. But one wanted to play with one of the keepers buddy’s and grabbed his leg with it’s sizable paws, claws fully extended, going right through his Levi’s. I shivered, standing beside him: I was wearing shorts! It thought about the upside: finally an injury with a good story to go with it!
We petted the huge, beautiful creatures. Had our pictures taken next to them and were told: “Just say you were on the Maasai Mara, spotted the beautiful creature, jumped out of the van to pet it and get a picture, then left. Not quite how it happened. But still pretty amazing to scratch a cheetah between the ears and listen to it purr so loudly that I could feel it through his skull. The little benefits that come from mission trips to Kenya are always unexpected and surprising. I also got bit by an ostrich, TWICE! Figure it must be related to the one I rode last October. Just glad it was the ostrich and not the cheetah that decided to act out when I was nearby.
Finally it was time to check in at the airport. Suddenly, the weight limits they’d allowed us to enter the country with were 20 pounds per bag lighter to leave the country. It was no real problem… as long as we were willing to pay $260- to get our sound system and screen on the plane. Customs didn’t get us coming in – so the airlines nailed us going out. I paid the guy with a smile, after 20 or 30 minutes of hassle. Thought to myself: “Mind your step.” Slept all the way from Nairobi to Amsterdam and now just sitting out the wait until our next flight and thought I’d send this final note.
Special thanks to each of you that have taken the time to send encouraging notes and comments to the blogs. I’ve received them on my phone’s email and they’ve lifted me. Thanks also to those of you that have taken the time to forward the blog to a friend. It’s good to get the word out about what’s happening in Kenya. Finally, thanks to each of you that paid for this trip with your financial support and kept us on our feet with your prayer support: we could have never done it without you. More then once your part in our lives helped us to “Mind your step.”
Flying out in a bit to Seattle, then home to Ontario: I’ll keep you posted with follow up blogs in the days to come.
Blessings,
Eric
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Saturday was so long, so full, so good… I think I’m still tired from it… still overwhelmed at the blessings. It’s Sunday morning in Kenya, my heart is filled to overflowing, it’s long before sunrise, my mind is on preaching one final time and on packing before we fly home tonight. I want to finish well. It’s so easy to let these final hours slip through our fingers and not make the most of each minute. God only knows when, or if, we’ll have the opportunity to return. With all that’s gone so well, each of our expectations exceeded in every way, even still, my heart is on home this morning. John should be preaching our Saturday evening service as I write. He’s in my prayers. Never have I been more proud to pastor Central Community then these days in Kenya.
Our evening ended on a parking lot last night, under the light of the full moon, in what we’d been warned was one of Nairobi’s roughest areas. The people received and welcomed Marty and I as if we were honored guest of great distinction. I had preached on the little platform until nightfall and then introduced the Jesus Film. As the sound of The Gospel, began to reverberate off the concrete, into the market place and through the Saturday evening throngs, a crowd of hundreds gathered. I wouldn’t even begin to make an estimate. In front of the screen sat dozens of little children, tightly knit together, behind them people stood for two hours, just to hear Jesus speak. Passing trucks stopped and people filled their beds and sat on the cabs to see over the crowds, it seemed that everyone in Kahawa West was at the Jesus Film.
The crowd broke into at first shy and as the movie progressed, loud applause at ever miracle. It was the kind of moment that you read about in books. I stood with the pastor who’d invited us to his community. Who had risked his reputation to organize everything, and shared his joy. And then the power went out. It’s the second time this trip its happened right at the crucifixion. Makes one wonder about the forces at play to keep The Good News out of certain areas… It’s not like the people of Kenya don’t have the opportunity to see this film. For those who own or know someone wealthy enough to own a television, it’s shown every Easter. But for some odd reason it’s shown only in English. People in the community, people in every community, have begged for even the copies we’re using in their own languages. In areas like Kahawa West, English is rarely, if barely spoken. Most have had it in school, but sort of the way many of us had Spanish in school. And speak it about as well as most of us who grew up in Southern California speak Spanish: poorly, at best. The prospect of getting the message of a movie in English is far beyond their skills.
The power out for miles around us, we went back to our bush survival skills, started up the van, hooked up the converter and restarted the movie… about half the crowd had left… then our dvd player, a machine that’s functioned perfectly up until now, went out and the masses slipped away, just shy of the resurrection. I felt like crying as Marty and Alan tried everything they could to get things up and running, to no avail. With all electricity out, ours, and the cities, we found ourselves standing with pastors, now needing to clear away their stage and sound system, in darkness. Apologizing profusely for the failure of our gear, each pastor said almost the same thing: “The Holy Spirit has now planted the seed. It’s in God’s Hands.” The frustration we felt was almost non-existent, or very well hidden so as not to embarrass already red faced guests.
It was hard to complain. We had already had an amazing day by any standards. Pastor David’s little church had been packed with pastors from across Nairobi for the Pastor’s Workshop. The response to the teaching was beautiful and the books; The Purpose Driven Church, by Rick Warren and Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry, by Doug Fields, were received with great joy. When we ran out, it was hard to face the crestfallen pastors. Such simple gifts, things we take for granted at home, held on to like life preservers by pastors doing everything they can just to keep the doors of their churches open.
During the luncheon, following the workshop, pastor’s and church leaders expressed their thanks and we received more invitations to return then any one pastor could accept in a lifetime of preaching. In closing my workshop, I’d handed out a card with a simple acrostic, developed during a series of messages at Central Community, titled THINK. It covers 5 simple steps to a successful walk with God: Thank God, Honor God with our bodies, Ignore temptation to control our emotions, Never give up… no matter what, and Keep the Faith, for this generation and the generations yet to come. You’d have thought I was handing out gold. Pastor’s approached me in the darkness throughout the Jesus Film, asking for more of the cards. So many of these men and women said “Yes” to God without any formal education, many pastor’s we’ve met struggle to even read. This simple guideline for living “clicked” with them and they wanted to make sure ever pastor in Nairobi had a copy. Needless to say, I was humbled.
On the backside of the THINK card I’d had Julia print what so many of you have become familiar with, sort of a signature piece of all my guest speaking, my little “Do The Right Thing” card my mother gave me as a child. Reading it aloud with the pastors it was easy to see it worked in every language and each community represented. I encouraged them to put it at the heart of their ministries, their lives, just as I’ve done my best to keep it in mine. God was moving in power and the hearts of pastors were opened… then we showed the documentary, Glue Boys, made by Phil Hamer, while living with street children in Kitale, Kenya.
Phil, wish you could have been with me: John, never more proud that you worked on Glue Boys as I was Saturday. It had exactly the intended effect. If this documentary never makes it to the big screen in America, it has a waiting audience in the churches of Kenya. The president of the pastor’s fellowship for all of Nairobi was with us for the day. He’s held in the highest regard by all the pastor’s and had been introduced and asked to “greet” the workshop. After viewing Glue Boys, he held my hand and with tears welling up in his eyes, said: “I have to change my ministry. I have to change the way I’m doing everything. This has touched me deeply.” In the discussion session following the movie pastors asked for help, wanted to know how they could do something, confessed their failures… and one pastor, Pastor Jane, told me she has 4 glue boys living in her home, another said he’s been trying to build his work around these children… they were encouraged beyond encouragement. It was as if I’d brought exactly what they’d been looking for… and they didn’t even know they’d been looking. It was amazing.
Two children central to the story of the poverty and dangers awaiting children on the streets of Kenya are Charles and Thomas. Watching the film, I praised God for Pastor Steve Rutenbar, of Saddleback Church, who just one week earlier had insured that these boys had safe haven at Deliverance Church in Kitale. Made me wish I’d taken a few more minutes with the kids, regardless the situation. Pastor’s asked if I could show it in their churches or give them copies they could show. I thought again about the simple truth in life: everybody wants to do something good with their life; they’re just waiting for someone to show them how. That’s the hard part with Glue Boys, the next step. My sister and her family have developed a follow up program to meet the needs of these kids, through the local church, wish I’d had the presence of mind to have a copy of the proposal for every pastor. I’d been worried they would feel like I was an outsider throwing unwanted light on a heartbreaking situation: far from it. Godly men and women were ready to answer the call… I’m amazed every day at the lessons God teaches me. He’s too good.
My next update will be from an airport, or from home, know that you’re in my hearts. Continue to keep us in your prayers for safari salama (safe journey- my Swahili is picking up!), for health and for God to use these final hours with his church in Kenya. Preaching this morning again in Kahawa West… then sleeping all the way home! Don’t know how missionaries do this. I wasn’t made for the road.
Blessings,
Eric
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After crossing Nairobi, we pulled into the busy neighborhood just as people were coming home from work on a Friday evening. Most people don’t own cars in Kenya, so a busy neighborhood, is filled with people walking, most looking exhausted at the end of the day, some headed out to the simple, outdoor market place to find fresh food stuffs for dinner. We parked our van and the pastor directed us to the site of the crusade, a simple parking lot, half filled with cars, the church had received a permit to use for the weekend.
Every experience in Kenya is a learning experience for me. Though I’d seen preachers set up on street corners, in parks and even parking lots, while crossing Nairobi, it had never entered my mind that I was about to enter the world of outdoor crusades. After receiving reassurance from Alan, a man who has become much more than our driver or even friend, but a man who has guided us every day of Kenyan living, that this was in fact “the Kenyan way” for a crusade, I began to prepare myself for this new setting.
The stage was being set up while a group of men worked on the sound system. Marty jumped right in and you’d have thought he knew these men for years. I guess sound men are the same around the world and in any language. Then the music began… LOUD MUSIC… in Swahili, with the worship leader and praise team inviting the shoppers, the surrounding residents and anyone walking by to worship The Lord, then it was my turn. I’d watched little children and the curious run to the parking lot as we worshipped. Had taken in the urban poverty surrounding me and my only thought was: “This is just where Jesus would be.” And He was there.
Preaching to the parking lot reminded me a lot of our years with Wordstock, the music festival we use to have in the park at home. The pastor and his church had gone to so much work and then they were disappointed that not nearly the crowd they expected had turned out. They blamed themselves and apologized for starting it too early on a Friday evening, while rush hour was still heavy. I told them they had nothing to be sorry about. They were trying something new for their church and I was proud to share their big moment. And the people who came were so responsive, the sun had set while I was speaking and the last words, an invitation to “restore the joy of our salvation” came from the translator under equatorial moonlight. Praying together, for those longing for a new joy in Christ and for those wanting to receive Christ… I thought of my dad.
Since he suffered his stroke last year, I find that I actually try NOT to think of him sometimes, I need him to talk with, to share an experience, and that’s not something he’s fully able to do any longer. Each moment spent with mom and dad is precious, and I thank God for our time together, it’s just not the same. He’s shown me the way for so long- he and mom were in Africa, serving God, in the 60’s and 70’s, long before I ever imagined God would draw me to the Kahawa West Crusade in Nairobi. Looking at the crowd, I wondered how many times he’d preached to groups that didn’t reach the pastor’s expectations, yet had still given all he had, because he was serving God, longing to please Him First. I drew on childhood memories for motivation… and God used the moment. I trust He’ll use the rest of this weekend.
A song my father often sang in the morning has been stuck in my head for several days. It’s with me now, as I watch the sunrise, while writing from our balcony at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, listening to birds of more varieties than I could name or imagine, wake the new day. It goes like this:
Some Golden Daybreak, Jesus will come.
Some Golden Daybreak, battles all won.
He’ll shout The Victory, Break through the blue.
Some Golden Daybreak… for me, for you.
Yesterday morning at breakfast, Marty and I reviewed the trip before our long bumpy drive, which we made safely, back to Nairobi. Marty said: “You know, before I left, I really didn’t know if we’d ever make it back.” (Odd, I’d had the same strange feeling about this trip and had tried not to talk about it) Then he said he’d made the decision to come after reflecting on what a great life he’d already had, how much he loved judy, his kids and grandkids, how it would have been hard for anything to have been any better and “If God wanted it all to end in Africa, on this trip, that would be ok.” What a great faith: faith enough to put every moment, to take great risks, to go where God wants us to go, leaving it all in His Hands, putting everything on the line. I’ve always been proud to have Marty as a friend, after this trip, I’m humbled that he calls me his friend and pastor. God has been so very good to us. We’re homesick, I’m physically sick, we’ve still got two full days of work ahead of us- pastor’s workshop today, preaching and the Jesus Film tonight, then two or three services Sunday before we fly out late in the evening.
Continue to pray. Your prayers sustain us. Last night, under the moon in a little parking lot in a part of Nairobi most of you will never have reason to be in, I gave the people making decisions this assurance: “12,000 miles away, in California, the people of Central Community are praying for you. They’re praying that God does a great work in this place, this weekend. That the revival needed to “restore the joy” of our salvation begins and that we embrace it.” Thank you. We could never be here, doing the work we’re doing for God, without your loving prayers and support. Know that we miss you and are anxious to be home together but that we’re working with a confidence that the world doesn’t have. It’s why the world will never defeat us- will never break His church- “Some Golden Daybreak, Jesus WILL come. Some Golden Daybreak, battles all won. He’ll shout The Victory, Break through the blue. Some Golden Daybreak… for me, for you.” “Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.” NOTHING.
We’re working in the strong assurance of His promise. He’s blessing the work of our hands. Late last night, we ate dinner with old friends in Nairobi, Patrick, driver for our first two trips and his family. He asked about so many of you by name. He said he still has the picture of team 1, beside lake Nakuru, hanging in his home. He spoke of each member of team 2 by name. We laughed about building together in W. Pokot. He told me how much he misses Pastor Israel. How it’s one of his life’s dreams to visit Siempre. I thought about the fellowship we have in Christ: the fellowship that “goes to the end of the earth,” the fellowship that can never be broken, not even by death, I thought about each of you, about my mom and dad.
Our heritage, our fellowship and our future in Christ Jesus is a wealth we take for granted, until we go. He commanded us to “Go to the ends of the earth and make disciples.” I look forward to a wonderful homecoming, to seeing my family, to hanging out with mom and dad, to returning to the fellowship at Central Community… but I take heart there’ll be a greater homecoming…that someday our fellowship will be richer, deeper, eternal… in Heaven, our new home, together, with Him… some Golden Daybreak.
Until then,
Eric
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It’s true. I’m sitting out on the patio of our room- it’s incredible. One of the most amazing views I’ve ever had from a room. Our lodge is miles into the Maasai Mara- the jewel of Africa’s game preserves, almost 2,000 sq kilometers –and our room looks straight out onto the Mara itself. We took an evening game drive and saw three distinct prides of lions, well over 20 lions total, (March 1, “In like a lion…), 3 cheetah, giraffes, elephants and more exotic animals then I can remember. We would have stayed out all night but a rain squall chased us in. After a buffet dinner in the lodge, much too fancy for my simple tastes, we came back to the room and I came out here to write. It’s the kind of place Hemingway would write. So many wild sounds off the Mara in the night. A minute ago I called for Marty to come out and listen because a big cat was growling in the distance. You can leave Africa, but it doesn’t leave you. It might eat you alive… but it doesn’t leave you!
Our day started early, 4am for me. It was a packing day and our only showing of the Jesus Film was at Narok Junior Academy at 8am. The school master is a friend we made on our October trip and we’ve stayed in contact by email. It was good to see the kids again, visit their classes, then round them all up for the showing. A cool thing happened. Our driver, and friend, Alan, offered to show the film and give us a break. Marty spent the time loving the preschool kids: each of them amazed at his soft hair and bearded face, while I spent the time giving an informal “in-service” for the schools teachers. It started out with simple questions about our school system and curriculum and quickly turned to “How do you discipline a child?” “What are teachers in America using to motivate their kids?” And a laundry list of items only familiar or even vaguely interesting to those who teach, or like me, who use to teach in the public school system.
After an hour of discussion one of the teachers decided it would be a good thing to have a teacher exchange program with Riverside. What a great idea. Put some Kenyan teachers in our classes for a couple of weeks and some teachers from RUSD in their classrooms. I asked her to write up a proposal and promised to do all I could to see that it got into the right hands. Wouldn’t it be an incredible gift to our teachers and students in both communities? Stuff happens when you leave the office.
Marty just brought a flashlight out to the patio/veranda- a huge owl is sitting on the ground eyeballing us from the darkness. The flashlight also attracted bats- zooming in at my lap top- scaring me to death. Then a huge scarab beetle landed on my shoulder from out of the night. Getting a bit too wild out here for me!
Our drive in was over 3 hours on very rough, rained out dirt roads. We drive out in the morning, all the way to Nairobi- on Kenya’s worst road- famous for being bad, the Narok to Nairobi road. We need to be in Nairobi by 3pm- my first appointments at 4pm and I preach at 5pm. No clue what the setting is or how many people to expect. God’s taken care of us this far: no reason to start doubting Him now.
We’re both a bit on the ragged side, getting tired and ready to be home. Hopefully putting on a suit and tie tomorrow will help. I’m either coming down with a cold, sinus infection or malaria… or all 3, pray that I have voice, strength and His Power for preaching after the long drive. Now, more than ever, I believe in what God’s calling us to do in Kenya and the community He’s opening doors in. Narok and the Maasai have been amazing and God has done great things. Now it’s time to shift gears and head into the big city. God has a plan there as well. Pray that He uses our work.
Hippos just started grazing our way and making loud hippo noises, time to head in before one of them rushes the patio! Thanks for your love and support. Know that we’re thinking of home tonight… in this place so foreign to us, 12,000 miles from everything familiar. Wish you were here to enjoy this night of wonder, and maybe give a little protection!
Blessings,
Eric
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Our day began with a full schedule, so we ate a huge breakfast… well, the breakfast we’ve enjoyed every morning here at the Chambai Hotel in Narok: chai, ugi, eggs, toast and fruit. I’m going to miss that chai and ugi! Alan, our driver, arrived just as we finished…
Fell asleep writing this last night- must have been beat! Woke up, packed for the trek towards Nairobi, via Maasai Mara so Marty can see some animals this afternoon, and needing to head out.
Yesterday was a flex day. Rained as it can only rain in Kenya, even hailed and I didn’t even know it did that here at the equator! Cold and gray and since everyone walks to our medical clinics/Jesus Film showings, only 30 or 40 came to the clinic with even less to the meat packing house in the middle of nothing we were going to show the film in. Found out that the chief of the local village had scheduled us someplace else, several miles further in the interior, where he had the entire village waiting. Two women in complete traditional dress, the only way folks dress in the interior, had been sent to get us, walking in a downpour across muddy fields. So we loaded up and headed in. After a couple of miles of driving through a mud path that had become a small creek, we came across a pickup truck, sunk to its axels in the mud. And the going was getting worse. Our driver looked at me and said, “It’s your call.”
Easy call: we turned around and thanked God we were able to make it back out the way we came in. I think of all the times I’ve prayed for rain in Kenya through their drought. Everywhere I go people say the same thing: “It’s been raining ever since you came in October! You can stop praying now. You’ve brought the blessing.” I know I’m ready to see the end of the rain and mud.
Since we were leaving our day time schedule several hours early, we went to the school we were to visit and crashed their school day- kid’s were thankful, not sure about the teachers. A room of three or four hundred packed in for a discussion of The Chronicles of Narnia, then the film, then a follow up discussion. Afterwards, some kids wanted to pray and share their hopes and dreams. You can’t even imagine how much the image of that great lion, who represents Christ, impacts these people. The lion is Kenya’s national animal and they take great pride in them. It’s as if God speaks directly to them through the rescue, death, resurrection and victory. I’m so thankful we thought to bring this film. It’s been a tool for The Lord.
Marty and I got back in around 8pm, grabbed something to eat and crashed… Marty’s taken his vacation to serve God and he’s giving himself 100% every day. It’s fun to watch him fall in love with Kenya and her people. What a blessing to serve with people willing to serve without thinking of themselves.
Yesterday evening, when the movie and discussion ended, I led several hundred students in a song… yikes! We sang the first song I learned in Kenya: “Winner, eehh, Winner. Jesus You are The Winner!” The room resonated with joy and the sound of a victorious people in Christ Jesus. The hopes and dreams of these children, growing up in such extreme poverty, are deserving of our full service. I’m humbled that they’ve welcomed and embraced us into their community. Central Community is being lifted up in villages that are so remote I could never find them without a guide. Central Community is also being lifted up by those seeking a deeper walk with Him and are reaching out to be educated at the Maasai Education Discovery center. Here in the heart of Kenya, people are listening to our services online. God is too good.
Our journey home begins today. We’re showing The Jesus Film this morning, then taking an afternoon safari, then the long drive to Nairobi, where the crusade begins tomorrow night. Pray for God’s leadership, our health, safety and strength for the days to come. Look forward to being home.
Much love,
Eric
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I’m sitting alone in the little restaurant beneath our hotel. Several people are still dining. I’m having a cup of tea and trying to get my thoughts around this amazing day. So many open doors: God is good beyond measure.
We got in just minutes ago from showing “The Chronicles of Narnia” a Disney adaptation of the C.S. Lewis children’s novel, a parable of The Life of Christ and His Kingdom. A government boarding school for girls, with Christian leaders, had invited us to come and share this evening. We arrived to an empty hall and after a very full day I thought we might get an easy evening… not even close. Within minutes the hall was filled with over 500 girls, all in uniform, and anxious for a movie.
After the team set up our gear, I explained that the movie was an allegory, a metaphor, of a very real story they were all very familiar with. After watching the film, we’d have a discussion and I’d ask some questions. But first we opened with a three minute video review I’d put together of our day in the villages. It played to a very cool version of the old gospel song, “I’ll Fly Away.” The girls laughed and clapped at the village scenes of children and their parents, over 200 in the little community, gathered to watch the Jesus Film. Sitting in the first row, I noticed that the girls around me were singing the song in perfect harmony. It was just a little touch of Heaven. Then the movie started- what a riot!
Our day in the remote Maasai village had been a total success. The village is located near a prayer spot for the Maasai “god.” It’s a place where elders and warriors gather in a cave to pray and gain strength. On the dirt path coming in, our driver had to forge huge puddles and drive around elephant droppings you’d really not want to step in. Impala, gazelle and zebra were commonplace. We were miles from nowhere.
Taking all this into consideration, I did my best to be “culturally sensitive” as I invited people to surrender their hearts to Christ at the end of the film. I’m never quite sure how my words translate into Maasai, so it’s always in His Hands regardless of my words. But after I prayed with those who were obviously looking for change, the Kenyan headmaster came forward and said: “We need a strong altar call! I know God wants to do something great in the hearts of these people!” I laughed to myself, thinking, to preach in a public school, I have to come half way round the world, drive miles into the middle of the wild, and then be challenged by the headmaster for not being tough enough on the crowd of students and parents. Praise God for His dedication. I spoke again, then surrendered it to God. It’s His work.
The staff graciously invited us to return, as in every community we’ve visited and worked, the people treated us like family that they’d like to see again. It’s a wonder.
We’d worked through lunch. I made it back to the hotel by 4pm, put together the video, grabbed a bite to eat with Marty, then headed out for our evening work. If you haven’t seen “The Chronicles of Narnia,” buy it and watch it. Watch the wolves jump out of the snow and the beavers talk and then imagine how a crowd of 500 girls in Kenya, who’d never seen such a thing, would react. Julia reached me by phone during the movie and we laughed together as she heard the girls squealing and crying out from 12,000 miles away. Then a text message came on my phone- when were we going to be showing the Jesus Film at…
Everyone knows we’re here. People are being so generous. It feels like we could stay another year and barely scratch the surface of all that needs to be done. Pray that God gives me wisdom as I say “yes” and “no” according to our schedule and what we can physically hold up under. We’re beat. It’s well after eleven here, we have a 15 hour day scheduled for tomorrow and I still need to be ready for the 3 day crusade in Nairobi on the weekend. God’s doing such great things. Thanks so much for lifting us up. I know He’s not only going to take us through it but that He’s also going to continue to save souls, lift up new leadership for His church in Kenya and spread the deepening sense of revival that’s alive in the hearts of those who follow Him.
We’re getting homesick. I’m getting homesick. What a baby. I miss you all. Miss my family. Miss my church family. Miss my routine. Blown away that God would allow my routine to be so completely turned upside down for Him at this point in my life; He still loves me enough to do all that’s necessary to keep me right side up for Him. May He receive all the praise, glory and honor both now and forever more.
I’m sleeping in tomorrow, maybe 6am, first call to prayer comes from the mosque across the street at 4:45am. These are my late night thoughts and update on today.
Blessings,
Eric
PS
If you hadn’t supported this work- 500 girls would not have had the opportunity to discuss Christ in the Chronicles tonight. Wish you could have shared the joy. Their teachers were not familiar with C.S. Lewis, in a high school. What a blessing to bring an old story in a brand new way. Look forward to you joining me in Kenya sometime.
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Another incredible day in Kenya doesn’t quite sum it up. Jesus commanded us to “go to the ends of the earth and preach the Gospel,” for a couple of kids from southern California, we were a lot closer to the “ends of the earth” today then ever before.
After a great morning at Maasai Education Discovery, meeting their leadership in Kenya and even those visiting from America, it was time to head out to the field. M.E.D. is run by a group of Maasai, with passionate hearts for their people. They work to expand the opportunities for education to any Kenyan, Maasai or not, in hopes of lifting up the entire community. In the last several years they’ve built their own 3 story office building that houses a community library, several open computer labs, office space for the staff and visiting lecturers as well as class rooms. They focus on computer training at their center and have become certified by CISCO Systems as a training center here in Kenya. CISCO has also donated generously with equipment and instruction.
Education in Kenya reaches well beyond computers. They also have rented a block of buildings where they’ll house as many as 100 girls at a time that they rescue from forced marriages. Female circumcision, followed by arranged marriages, for girls anywhere from the age of 9 to 12 years of age is common in the outer villages. It’s also against the law in Kenya. Lillian Seenoi, our hostess here in Narok, and her staff- along with security- go into the villages and rescue girls, usually on their wedding day, and bring them into town, giving them safe shelter, love, education and an opportunity to provide for themselves.
The disruption this causes in families is beyond our understanding. The marriages have usually been arranged by parents and in the case of the groom, a dowry has already been paid for the bride, that the grooms’ family will fight to get back when the bride is rescued. The disturbance touches the entire community. Lillian and the staff at M.E.D. are incredibly brave, but also passionate about restoring love in these broken families. Once a girl has settled in at their rescue center and has begun to find a bit of herself, they also take the first steps in the long road to reconciliation with the community.
Marty and I had the opportunity to visit the rescue center and meet with some of the girls at the end of our day Monday. They had been there for almost a year and seemed like teenagers from anyplace else on the planet. Dressed in cute clothes, MTV on the TV blaring loudly, they were dancing and laughing when we entered the room. After getting to know them for a bit, Marty wanted a couple of photos. As they quickly preened for the camera, it was hard not to think what their lives might have been like without rescue… and this is just one small part of what M.E.D. does. You can check them out at their web site at: www.maasaieducation.org.
Though not a specifically Christian organization, they’ve arranged our visits to the Maasai schools and villages this week to show the Jesus Film, without restriction and with their full endorsement. They’ve given us the opportunity to use their name to open doors into communities that would otherwise be closed to us, well, probably forever. Lillian, who we’ve come to know best, is a Godly woman and has taken the time out of her schedule to introduce us to village leaders, pastors and headmasters and has gladly laid her reputation on the line for us. God has used them to make a way and I look forward to working with them in the years to come.
Monday morning, Jimmy Luka, was waiting for us in the lobby of our hotel, hoping we’d come to his village, 75 kilometers out dirt roads, impossible to return on in the rain. For those following my blogs, you’ll remember that earlier Jimmy had emailed us promising a great celebration and gifts for us if we came to his village, I’d asked him to talk to Lillian… he didn’t. Now, we were expected elsewhere and had to say no to Jimmy, leaving him without a ride back the 75k he’d just come to get us and with bad news for the villagers in waiting. There is so much to do in Kenya- we’re busy every waking moment and don’t begin to scratch the surface. Pray for Jimmy and his village. I’ve promised we’d visit on our next trip… Lord willing.
Our schedule took us to a small village that just has allowed a Christian witness within the last year. The leaders are not believers, but they allowed a small wooden church to be built by a Maasai pastor and other believers in the village last year. After riding the miles of dirt trails, we found the spot, not what anyone would imagine, hardly recognizable from the rest of the bush, save a couple wooden frames of huts and the little simple church. Setting up to show the film, greeting villagers as they arrived, (our van is our best advertisement- it’s engine audible in the bush- and visible for miles to the keen eyes of those who live in the region- they come once we’ve parked), soon, the wonders of our projector, sound system and screen, were bringing the words of Jesus to the people, now in Maasai, our fourth language to show this trip.
The translator was wonderful as I introduced the film. I explained that though we came with technology foreign to them- it was not meant to separate us but to unite us in God’s love- and invited them to share His story with open hearts and open spirits. One side of the church was filled with students that had walked from a distant school for the event. The other with the village elders: mostly men, dressed just as Maasai warriors have dressed for millennia. As the film began to show, people leaned into the screen to catch every image, to hear every word. A rain storm, the kind with thunder and lightning that rattles your fillings, began about half way into the film. Because of the steel roof, we had to crank up the volume, praise God we bought the larger amplifier! Then the roof started leaking on our projector, Marty, hovered over it like a hen, keeping it dry, risking electrocution! I sat with the people, in the back of the room, praying we would have a way out as the rain fell not in inches but by the foot! AFRICA!
When it came to the crucifixion of Christ, it was storming in the movie, and the Heavens opened with even more fury on the little village. Thunder and lightning rattled the room, not from the film, but from The Hand of The Father as Christ cried out from the cross. To say that I had goose bumps, would be putting it mildly. The room was electric with the moment. Incredibly, for the resurrection, the clouds had mostly passed and as Christ was seen in all His Glory on the screen, the rain stopped, and His image radiated throughout the room. It was a moment made by The Hand of God and I pray I never forget it.
When I gave the invitation to receive Christ- gnarled hands of old men and the eager hands of young men- along with those of students, lifted towards Heaven. I gave counsel to them all: start coming to church, get to know your pastor, talk to Jesus- He knows and loves you for just exactly who you are. Inwardly, I felt woefully inadequate for the moment. Then and again this morning as I write, I reminded myself of a saying I use with Jackets for Jesus all the time: “God knows and God sees.” He didn’t miss one upraised hand or one heart that began to soften to His Son as He knocked. God knows and God sees and He sent Central Community to this little village I can’t even remember the name of. He’s too good.
Marty began to break down our gear. Alan, our driver, worked putting chains on our tires for the extreme mud and water we now had to somehow get through. Lillian, informed me that because of the storm we would never make our next visit and showing… all the while the pastor celebrated… he talked with the people, opened his community for us to return or to stay the night if we were not able to make it out… and prayed thanking God. Then he asked if we would pray for their elder- the lead man- who had refused to come and was living in open disobedience to God. Join me in prayer today. The heart of a leader can change the direction of so many.
Our schedule today is full. We begin with a medical clinic in villages and end late tonight at a High School here in Narok that’s invited us. Pray that God uses us. Pray for our strength and health. Pray that bridges continue to be built that we can cross for years to come. This community is rich in ways our community’s often overlook and we have much to learn and much to share as we work together.
Know that you’re in my heart and prayers today.
Eric
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