INTRODUCTION
In the amazing kindness of God I have another opportunity of going into
Africa, the continent I love and for which the Lord has given me such a deep
love for. For the first time I will be visiting Kenya and I am looking forward
to it immensely. The East African Revival made a deep mark on Kenya and
many missionaries have done phenomenal work here. As always I try to read
around Africa for these trips and 2 books were particularly challenging for
me.
1. ADVENTURE INTO AFRICA
by Charles Partee
This book is a vivid portrait of a dedicated missionary whose 50 years of
his lifespan was spent in practical work in Africa.
It invites us to rise up and meet the challenges which our Christian calling
puts upon us, challenges to go, to build, even to lay down our lives in the
service of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don McClure was a red-headed
missionary whose life inspires legends and a missionary statesman whom
emperors trusted. He died a martyr in the line of the apostles. So this
book traces Don McClure’s life from his first steps through Khartoum in
1928 to the final gaze at the faces of the Somali guerillas in Gode,
Ethiopia in 1977. Listen now to some of his writings:
“in trying to find some money in the budget to buy a large pump for
irrigation … I hope fails because I am afraid if we get into farming and
farming machinery in a big way, it will take too much time away from
evangelism. I did not come to Africa to raise eggplant and cabbage, and
neither did he …
I am not blind to the desperate needs of the human condition. I have
lived on the continent of Africa for nearly half a century and the social
and physical needs of these 300 million people stagger the imagination.
The amount of hunger, poverty, disease, ignorance and superstition is
unbelievable. Without doubt, making human life human is a worthy goal,
but it is not the primary task of the missionary, which is to preach Jesus
Christ...”
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It was a wonderful book describing a wonderfully human, incredibly
brave, relentlessly energetic and completely happy man who devoted his
entire adult life to serving Christ in Africa, the Sudan and Ethiopia.
BUT what I loved most in the book was this quote-
“I am filled with an undying ambition to do something worthwhile in
the great land of Africa ….”
The other book I read was on Rwanda.
2. AFTER THE LOCUSTS
by Meg Guillebaud
Wilberforce was out of the country when the 1994 genocide started. He
returned to discover the grave where his family was buried. “All the Tutsi in
this neighbourhood were pushed in here, then they set fire to some rubber
tyres and pushed them inside. They chocked to death. The awful thing is
that those who did it were our own neighbours and we knew them well.”
“Nearly 100 people are buried here said Wilberforce as we stood by a large
grave in Kigali. We don’t know the names of half of them but I know that
Nora and 3 of our children, Jean-Claude, Claudette and Francine are among
them. Also the nursemaid of our youngest, Celine. She chose to die with the
family even though she was Hutu and the killers told her to leave.”
Rwanda is full of such stories. What happens when a man is released from
prison and return to live in the community where once he killed? Or a woman
sees those who raped her, walking freely about the town?
Yet with God’s help, ordinary human beings are able to forgive the most
appalling acts. Meg tells story after story of extraordinary grace and
reconciliation and says:
“a growing body of people have discovered healing for their pain at the
Cross of Christ. They are forgiving those who caused them
unbelievable harm. Only in such changed hearts is their hope.”
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One day I want to visit Rwanda, teach the Bible there and spend time with
our students.
Both of these books on Africa were an incredible challenge to me so as I set
out on another trip into Africa may the Lord use me and open doors to His
glory. I will be conducting the marriage ceremony of Jason Musyoka one of
our past KMBC students, preaching at different churches, visiting colleges
and mission stations around Nairobi. I look forward so much to this visit.
First some background on Kenya
Patrick Johnstone in his Operation World makes the following observations:
1. Praise God for the great freedom to preach the gospel since
independence, for the receptivity of the people and for the exciting growth
of the Church. Over four-fifths of the population claims to be Christian, and
Christians are found in every level of society.
2. The Protestant churches have grown fast, and the proportion of
Evangelicals is high. The East African Revival (1938-1960) made a deep and
lasting impression of the Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.
The fires of revival were quenched by legalism, divisions, materialism and
personality clashes. The growth of evangelical and Pentecostal churches
(both international and indigenous) has been dramatic. One of the largest is
the Africa Inland Church, the daughter body of the considerable missionary
input of AIM. There have been numerous and extensive evangelistic
outreaches (AE, CFAN and others) with significant response. Few countries
in Africa have been more extensively evangelized.
3. Rapid growth has brought the problems:
a) Nominalism has become a major issue, with a large number of
nominal Evangelicals too. Nairobi is 80% “Christian”, but only 12% of
the population goes to church. Pray for revival to be given again.
b) Tribalism and tribal customs have caused endless divisions and a
multiplicity of independent churches, some theologically orthodox,
others little removed from the old tribal religions. Pray for unity
based on biblical truth that transcends culture and personalities.
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c) The lack of trained leaders for the 40,000 or more
evangelical/Pentecostal congregations gives concern. There are 55
institutions with over 2,000 students where workers are trained for
Christian ministry. The Scott Theological College (AIC-AIM) and St.
Paul’s United Theological College (Anglican, Presbyterian, and
Methodist) are significant institutions. The Nairobi Evangelical
Graduate School of Theology (with 32 students from 14 countries)
and Daystar University serve all of Anglophone Africa. There are also
numerous TEE programmes. Pray for these, and for lives to be set on
fire for God through them. Pray for more graduates to be fully and
adequately supported by their congregations – a need in all
denominations.
4. Missionary vision among Kenyan Christian has grown significantly, with
over 500 serving in cross-cultural ministries, including a number in other
lands. The Africa Inland Church, Anglicans, the Africa Gospel Church and
various independent Pentecostal agencies have provided the major trust for
this. The AIC has a Missionary Training College in Eldoret where 15
missionary candidates are trained each year. Pray that churches and
agencies may run with this vision.
5. Foreign missions have had a long and successful involvement in Kenya.
Almost all national ministries are now operating under Kenyan leadership,
whether in pioneer outreach, Bible teaching or in service ministries. Many
agencies have supportive, global or regional ministries located in Kenya,
which partially accounts for the high missionary population.
6. Recent breakthroughs among less responsive pastoral peoples are cause
for much praise. The efforts of many Kenyan and expatriate workers in
preaching and famine relief have begun to bear fruit. Famines, tribal
warfare and radical social changes have been used by God to open hearts
among the Maasai, Pokot, Turkana, Mukugodo, Njemps and Samburu and,
more recently, the Somalis.
7. Unreached peoples. Probably about 12% of the population of Kenya
belongs to peoples little affected by the gospel, though only a few are
unoccupied by missions. Pray for:
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a) The Somali in the northeast and cities. The five clans of Somalis
are all Muslim. About 20 Christian workers (AIC/AIM, SIM, CBIM and
Mennonites) are reaching these people. There are three small groups
and 50 believers.
b) The pastoral tribes of north Kenya who are predominantly
animistic and nomadic. Anglicans, Lutherans, AIC and Pentecostals
work among them, but converts are few. Pray for the Boran, Samburu,
Gabbra and Rendille, and for the emergence of truly indigenous
churches among them.
c) The tribal peoples of the Muslim coastal strip including the Digo
(0.1% Christian), Bajun (0.01%), Orma (0.01%), Upper Pokomo, Boni of
Lamu, and coastal Somalis. The AIC, CBFMS, Methodists and
Pentecostals are all working in this area. It is reckoned that several
thousand Muslims have now believed in Jesus. The Giryama and
Duruma are animist, but many are coming to the Lord.
d) The coastal Swahili and Arab population which is strongly Muslim.
Most are unreached, but Southern Baptist missionaries have seen
church multiplication in the largely Muslim city of Mombasa, with over
10,000 baptisms since 1985, many of them from a Muslim background.
e) The Asian community which has become insecure since the
disastrous expulsion of Asians in Uganda and destructive riots in
Kenya in 1982. Over four languages are used. Hindus and Muslims have
come to the Lord, and there are now five churches planted among
them (IMI, AIM). IMI has the vision for a church-planting work in
every Asian community of East and Central Africa.
8. Bibles and Bible translation. Most languages have part of God’s Word,
and 12 indigenous languages have the whole Bible. Pray for:
a) The valued catalytic ministry of the Bible Society (UBS) in
translation, revision, publishing and distribution the Scriptures.
9. Supportive ministries
a) Aid programmes through many of the above agencies, TEAR Fund,
WV, etc. have played a significant part in opening the way for the
gospel in arid and famine-stricken areas. Pray for those involved in a
hard and difficult ministry.
b) MAF, with 20 workers, has a well-developed ministry, flying to many
parts of East Africa and northwest Zaire from their base in Nairobi.
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Without this ministry much Christian work would come to a halt. AIMAir
also has an extensive flying programme in the region.
c) GRn has recordings available in 60 languages.
d) The Jesus Film is being widely shown in English, Gusii, Kamba,
Kikuyu, Nandi, Luo and Swahili.
e) Christian Radio. There are many Christian programmes aired on the
national radio and TV networks, and a Christian radio station may be
established. FEBA-Seychelles broadcasts ten hours/week in Swahili
and has an estimated audience of 650,000. TWR-Swaziland has a
further 12 hours in Swahili and 20 hours in English.
10. Nairobi is one of the key communications centres in Africa. Many
international Christian organizations have their continental offices based
there. The Ecumenical AACC (All Africa Conference of Churches) and the
AEAM (Assoc. of Evangelicals of Africa and Madagascar) are two of these.
NOW FOR MY DIARY
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THURSDAY, 14 OCTOBER
Woke up early and did my regular Bible readings following Robert Murray Mc
Cheyne’s calendar. Today we read from 1 Kings, Ezekiel, Psalms and finished
Ephesians. I then read from Oswald Chambers “My Utmost for His highest”
which I have done for the past 43 years. Today the following challenged me:
“if you abide in me and my words abide in you … that is the way to
keep going in our personal lives. Where we are placed is a matter of
indifference: God engineers the goings.”
At 06:00am went up to K.M.B.C. to do 2 lectures. The first one was on
preaching and one of our 1st year students preached an outstanding
expository sermon which was a huge encouragement to me. I am praying that
he will go back to his home country in the D.R.C. and do a great work for God.
My second lecture was on the book of Numbers to our second year class. As
I was about to leave I got an sms from our Zulu church in Imbali which
touched my heart.
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“Imbali church wishes you a safe journey into Africa. May God be with
you. Thanks for everything Bishop.” (L. Ntuli)
From there set out for Johannesburg and arrived there in good time to
settle into my room and make final preparations for all my talks in Kenya and
do some great reading.
I always bring a number of books with me on these trips and tonight I
finished reading “SO SENT I YOU” by Oswald Chambers. It was a real
challenge, please read the following 3 quotes:
Motive for service
´the great motive and inspiration of service is not that God has saved
and sanctified me, or healed me. All that is a fact, but the great motive of
service is the realization that every bit of my life that is of value I owe to
His redemption, therefore I am a bond slave of Jesus.”
One purpose for missions
“whatsoever line the missionary takes, whether it be medical or
educational, there is only one purpose, one great truth grips and sends forth
and holds so that there is nothing else on earth to live for but to proclaim
the death of Christ for the remission of sins … it is easy to forget that the
first duty of the missionary is not to uplift the unbelieving, not to heal the
sick, not to civilize savage races, because all that sounds so rational and so
human. It is easy to arouse interest in it and get funds for it. The primary
duty of the missionary is to preach repentance and remission of sins in His
name.
God – the originator
“The great author and originator of all missionary enterprise is God
and we must keep in touch with His time. The call to the missionary does not
arise out of the discernment of our own minds, nor from sympathy of our
own hearts, but because behind the face of every distorted, downtrodden
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unbeliever we see the face of Jesus Christ and this command – “go
therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
FRIDAY, 15 OCTOBER
What a day lies ahead of me as I fly to Nairobi. Did my 4 chapters from the
precious Word of God and again read Oswald Chambers. Listen to what he
said:
“the missionary message is the limitless significance of Jesus Christ
as the propitiation for our sins, and a missionary is one who is soaked in that
revelation .. a missionary is one who is wedded to the charter of his Lord and
Master; he has not to proclaim his own point of view but to proclaim the
Lamb of God.”
Today I managed to finish reading a book which I had started some time
ago. It answered so many questions that our students ask especially the one
which has to do with their financial support once they have finished at
K.M.B.C. and then go back into Africa planting new churches. How ill they
live, what about their families … where does their support come from …
The book is entitled TODAY’S TENTMAKERS by J. Christy Wilson.
The purpose of this book is to inspire, inform, encourage and challenge those
whom God is calling to serve as His tentmakers, His self supporting
witnesses around the world. It also seeks to acquaint the church with the
unprecedented opportunity Christian lay people have of engaging in their
professions abroad while at the same time being ambassadors for Christ.
Listen to what Wilson wrote about HENRY MARTYN the missionary to Persia
who was the curate to Charles Simeon in Cambridge.
“Amazing Grace.” Henry Martyn had first considered going to India as
a missionary, but decided to go as a chaplain mainly for two reasons, First,
he did not have the support necessary, and this would give him a regular
salary. Secondly, the East India Company at that time was not allowing
missionary work within its domains.
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On the sailing ship going out, he was so shocked by the behaviour of
the other British passengers and crew that he wrote, “May these poor
wretched countrymen who sail with me, whom I see under the power of
Satan, be turned away from their sin to God.” When he landed at Calcutta in
1806, he reportedly said, “I have lived more like a clod of dirt than like a son
of God. Now let me burn out for Christ.” He literally did this, since he lived
only six more years.
Along with having an effective ministry with the British subjects in
the employ of the East India Company, he was able to learn the language of
the area and minister to the local people as well. He translated the New
Testament into Hindustani. Furthermore, he produced a revision of the
Arabic New Testament. In 1811 he went to Shiraz in southern Iran. While
there he completed a translation of the Persian New Testament in eight
months. He then had local calligraphers write a copy by hand which was then
presented to the Shah. Heading for his home leave in England, he then
travelled on through Turkey, but was so worn out by disease and exhaustion
that he died in Tokat October 6, 1812, at thirty-one years of age. Rarely has
the world seen such a combination of dedicated devotion and superior
scholarship.
Personally I found this book enormously helpful … it gives hope for sending
out more missionaries when the finances are so limited. A great read from a
tent making missionary who spend many years in Afghanistan.
Arrived in Nairobi and it felt wonderful to be in
East Africa. The flight on Kenya Airways was
excellent with the plane only one-third full,
with people bound for Dubai, Cairo, Ethiopia,
Mombassa and Entebbe. Nairobi seems to be
the hub for East Africa and it is exciting to be
here.
Having got some Kenyan shillings (R1 = KS8.5) and a sim card, I am now ready
for my trip. Was kindly met and navigated through the peak Nairobi traffic
in truly African style, which did my prayer life a lot of good, and taken to
comfortable accommodation where a lovely meal was prepared.
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On the flight I read some of John Wesley’s Journal, just listen to this:
“many have found a reuse of pardoning love of God at Athlone since we
left it and the society in general are on the stretch for the Kingdom of God.
This has set the whole society on fire so that now everyone is crying out
what must I do to be saved?
The man of the house had fetched his mother from a considerable
distance away. She had never heard a Methodist preacher before. One
behind her bid her fall upon her knees, which she did and the whole house
was in one cry. I broke off my sermon and began to pray, which I continued
till I was so spent I could hardly speak. Went out to take a little breath and
came in again. She was crying out, “I am dropping, dropping into hell – the
mouth is open ready to swallow me up.” I went to prayer again, and before we
had done, God spoke peace to her soul. She was filled with joy unspeakable
and could but just say, “I am in a new world, I am in a new world.” How I long
to see that happen today …”
An incredible day is over, so I am going to try and sleep but there is some
music blaring from a party next door …. I am praying for a power cut …
closed with a short reading from “From God’s Word” by Philip Jensen. These
are very short readings which are so helpful.
SATURDAY, 16 OCTOBER
Woke up to the magnificent sounds of birds and even saw some Falcons
coming to rest in the trees. I read from Mc Cheyne this morning covering 1
Kings, Daniel, 1 Thessalonians and Psalms. Oswald Chambers was such a
blessing this morning, listen:
“the key to the missionary problem is in the hand of God, and that key
is prayer, not work, that is, not work as the word is popularly understood
today, because that may mean the evasion of concentration of God …. The
key is prayer …. Pray ye therefore to the Lord of the harvest and He will
engineer the circumstances and thrust us out.”
In my time of prayer, prayed especially for Kenya and the work of Grant and
Loutjie Swanepoel. Another book I was given some time ago but which I now
have read is entitled “POEPLES ON THE MOVE” by David Philips. This is an
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amazing book which opened up my mind to an area of God’s work which I
sadly never knew much about. David Philips has worked with the
Unevangelised Fields Mission in Churches along the Amazon River and in the
cattle ranch regions of Brazil. As the founder of the Nomadic Peoples
Network he has visited nomads in India, Nepal, Nyrggzstan, Mongolia and
West Africa. So this book is the most comprehensive source of information
on all of the nomadic peoples of the world. The nomads, they inhabit every
continent yet have no abiding city. Always on the move, they are often
invisible, unreached, despised and easily forgotten by settled citizens. Listen
to what he says:
“while the percentage of the world’s people that has never heard the
gospel has come down steadily over the last century, the absolute numbers
remain a staggering challenge – about 1.5 billion of the world’s 6 billion
people have still not heard the gospel. Adherents to the other major
religions, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists have been largely immune to our
witness and about 1000 people groups have almost no opportunity to hear the
gospel because there are few or no Christians present among them. Among
the least reading people are the NOMADS.”
WEDDING
MUSYOKA one of our students back in 2003.
He is a lovely man and incredibly he and I ran
2 Comrades Marathons together, so he is very
special. It is a real honour to be asked to
conduct and preach at an African wedding.
What a wedding, due to start at 10 with me preaching at 10:30 for an
allocated time of one hour. Arrived at 9:45 only to be in time for the sound
system which was being put into place, for the musical entertainment which
was due to start at 8:30am!!! By 12 no one had come but slowly they drifted
in and proceedings began at 12:30. In spite of all this it was wonderful to
Julia took about 20 minutes just to walk
down the isle and “here comes the bride”
played 12 times. … Jason is very special and
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he was so thrilled to see us, so it was a joy and privilege to be there. I was
given the honour of preaching and I shared on 1 Peter3:1-10 on “bricks that
build a happy marriage.” Everyone was so warm, hospitable and supportive
and it was a special privilege to meet Jason’s parents. The African culture is
so different, the parents all spoke, Julia’s parents took her over to Jason,
and all the aunties went and welcomed them at the reception … all very
moving.
Six hours later we left and
made a quick trip to the
soon to close for the day.
What an experience. The
crafts were stunning, the
variety was amazing, the place
was packed and humming BUT
from the moment one arrives you are surrounded and hounded by “brokers”
all wanting to fleece you. One guy quoted me KS12,000 for a Masai painting
while another quoted me KS2,000 for the same thing. This leaves one
feeling cheated, however the sad reality is that so many of them are just
trying to survive. What also amazed me was to meet 4 evangelists so we had
a great time going over the Gospel and taking their pictures. It all ended too
soon and it was time to head back after a wonderful day in Kenya. Paul, my
adopted taxi” safely deposited me back home …. all it takes is a phone call
and he comes … I love the lifestyle in Africa.
No need for supper so read most of the evening which was wonderful. Listen
to what Christopher Wright wrote in his new book ‘THE MISSION OF
GOD’S PEOPLE” quoting John Stott
“our mandate for world evangelization is the whole Bible. It is to be
found in the creation of God (because of which all human beings are
responsible to Him), in the character of God (as outgoing, loving,
compassionate, not willing that any should perish, desiring that all should
come to repentance), in the promises of God (that all nations will be blessed
through Abraham’s seed and will become the Messiah’s inheritance), in the
Christ of God (now exalted with universal authority), to receive universal
acclaim), in the spirit of God (who convicts of sin, witnesses to Christ, and
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impels the church to evangelize), and in the Church of God (which is a multinational,
missionary community, under orders to evangelize, until Christ
returns).”
Another great day in Africa.
SUNDAY, 17 OCTOBER
Woke up to another magnificent day in East Africa with the birds signing
and the sun beginning to rise. Always open with my 4 chapters from 1 Kings,
Daniel, Psalms and 1 Thessalonians. In “My utmost for His highest” Oswald
Chambers reminded me:
“prayer does not fit us for the greater work, it is the greater work,
prayer is the battle.”
Oh I long to pray more fervently. Spent time in prayer, especially for Kenya.
And now to what should be the high point of
church. Paul fetched us and we went over some
shocking roads to what is a rather poor and run
down area. After getting a little lost and a
puncture, there suddenly was this old church
with a steeple ….
But … what a wonderful experience.
The first service in Swahili was packed with 2000 people going from 8-10am,
the second service from 10-12, also packed with 2000 people and no breaks
in between. The third service ran from 12-2pm again packed with another 2000 people. Each service had adifferent choir, a different leader and
each with an identity of its own. The
singing was beautiful, the people were
friendly and some of the small children
danced rhythmically to the music. It was
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not charismatic but evangelical and was something to see, this church in a
run down area attracting 6000 people – praise the Lord and what a privilege
to preach there …. But exhausting.
From there we enjoyed a traditional lunch at the Bomas of Kenya as part of
our K.M.B.C. reunion. It was so good to reminisce over the old days and then
to dream of the future. Jason would love to become our Kenyan coordinator
running evening classes with a dream to lead towards the C.Th programme
and in time to possibly start a new Bible College along the lines of K.M.B.C.
Jason originally wanted to stay in S.A. but things never worked out so
perhaps this is the reason why God wants him back in Kenya. I then shared
the dream of FOOTPRINTS INTO AFRICA and in the future plans of
organizing a conference in Central Africa bringing all our students together
from Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, D.R.C., Burundi and Rwanda … wow
it is so exciting!! After a few hours of wonderful and enriching fellowship we
parted only to be brought to the brink of a nervous breakdown with Jason’s
driving. With him just being able to see above the steering wheel (he is only
5ft tall) it was a case of close your eyes and pray for the best …. Oh what a
joy the Lord has given me to have these precious men all over Africa. I love
them and want to encourage them as much as I can.
Returned exhausted to a cup of lovely Kenyan tea and some more wonderful
reading. The last book I managed to finish was entitled “DAVID
LIVINGSTONE” by Cecil Northcott. I love reading books on Livingstone and
always find myself deeply challenged and rebuked. Northcott describes in
details the months H.M. Stanley spent with Livingstone after finding him.
Listen to what Stanley said of Livingstone after those 4 months:
“he saluted Livingstone ‘s Spartan heroism, Roman inflexibility and
Anglo Saxon resolution never to relinquish his work, and even ventured, in his
flamboyant manner to examine his religion. It is he said, not of the
theoretical kind but is a constant, earnest, sincere practice. In Livingstone,
his religion exhibits its loveliest features; it governs his conduct, not only
towards his servants but towards the bigoted Mohammedans and all who
come into contact with him. Religion has tamed him and made him a Christian
gentleman. I defy anyone, said Stanley, to be in his company for long without
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thoroughly fathoming him, for in him there is no guile and what is apparent
on the surface is the thing that is in him …”
When speaking of David Livingstone’s love for Africa, he wrote:
“he was dedicated to Africa, its heat and fevers, its people and their
future : this unrelenting, unromantic continent which cut its explorers down
to size and usually gave them an early grace. There could be no going back on
Africa. He had married Africa on that March day in 1841 when he first set
foot on its soil and now 30 years later there could be no divorce.”
I want to follow in his footsteps. In November I go to Malawi, then on to
Namibia, then on to Qwa Qwa. But listen to what Livingstone said of anyone
who wanted to be a missionary to Africa.
“the sort of men who are wanted for missionaries are such as I see
before me – men of education, standing, enterprise, zeal and piety. It is a
mistake to suppose that anyone, as long as he is pious, will do for this office.
Pioneers in everything should be the ablest and best qualified men, not those
of small ability and education.”
So Sunday closes and what a day – preaching to 6000, sharing in a reunion
with those you have trained for Africa, being able to finish my books makes
me feel I am the most blessed man in the world.
MONDAY, 18 OCTOBER
Woke up early this morning perhaps my adrenalin was still pumping from
such a great weekend. Later I was to read my Bible readings from 1
Kings, Daniel, Psalms and 1 Thessalonians but today I began with
Chambers. He reminded us again:
“I am filled with an undying ambition to do something
worthwhile in the great land of Africa.”
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“the key to missionary devotion means being attached to nothing and
no one saving our Lord Jesus himself … the men and women our Lord
sends out on His enterprises are the ordinary human stuff, plus
dominating devotion to Jesus wrought by the Holy Spirit.”
Today I have set aside to look at
Nairobi and visit some churches.
Made an early start at 6am with
Alfred, a tour guide who took a
group to the “Nairobi National Park”
which is only 5kms from the city
centre.
Managed to see 10 lions, giraffe, buck, zebras, rhino, crocodile and
wildebeest all in a very short time. In the middle of the Park Alfred set out
a breakfast picnic and some tea which was welcome and refreshing.
Afterwards I then went to visit the COPTIC CHURCH and what struck me
was to see this small church running a hospital on its premises and reaching
out to the area.
BAPTIST CHURCH. This was mind blowing … a
huge building of 5 floors with the main
sanctuary seating at least 6000 people.
From there I went on to the WESLEY
NAZARENE CHURCH, a lot smaller but it was running the ‘CHURCH OF THE
NAZARENE UNIVERSITY’ on its campus, this was also so good to see.
Nearby was the A.I.M. home and headquarters set in a very tranquil and
beautiful situation. It was so good to be able to see what God is doing in
Kenya through all these different churches. It is estimated that 85% of
Kenya now professes to be Christian, a real tribute to the work of the
missionaries.
Now to do some reading ….. to end off an intriguing day in Kenya.
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Chris Wright wrote:
“what then is the mission of God’s people? According to this text, it is
to be the community who live by the ethical standards of the ways of God, so
that God can fulfill His promise to Abraham and bring about the blessing of
the nations. Our ethics and God’s mission are integrally bound together. That
is why God chose us in the first place.”
TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER
What a blessing to read the Bible knowing that to read the Word of God is
to hear the Word of God. Today I finished 1 Kings, 1 Thessalonians and read
from Daniel and Psalms. Oswald Chambers again challenged me so much in
today’s reading:
“the great enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day is the
conception of potential work that has not come from the N.T., but from the
systems of the world in which endless energy and activities are insisted
upon, but no private life with God. The central thing about the Kingdom of
Jesus Christ is a personal relationship to Himself, NOT public usefulness to
men.”
The journal of John Wesley has really challenged me deeply; listen to what
he wrote on Thursday, 16 December 1749:
“I buried the remains of Martha Somerset, a mother in Israel: one
who never left her first love, never abated in zeal, never was weary of well
doing, from the hour she first found redemption in Christ.”
I buried my Mom nearly 3 months ago and she was like that, at times I miss
her deeply. With regards to his zeal:
“on Sunday 3 December I preached as usual at 5, at 10 and at 5 in the
evening, besides meetings with the leaders, the bands, the Preachers and
our own family … but I feel no faintness or weariness either of body or
mind.”
With my heart bursting I set out to Nairobi city on
my last morning. The traffic here is absolutely
horrendous, how there are not more accidents is
beyond comprehension but made my way into town
in a derelict old bus called a “CITY HOPPA” packed
with people. It was fantastic being the only “pale face” driving down
Went to Uhuru Park, celebrating the independence of this lovely country and
then what I love to do, I found my way to
the Anglican Cathedral, a magnificent
cathedral right in the centre of Nairobi.
After looking around the church, visiting
the book stall where I bought an excellent
book on AFRICA AND THE BIBLE I then
went down to the Communion rail. Here as
a sinner I knelt down before an awesome
God to re-dedicate my life to God and to
Africa. I want to be like Don Mc Clure:
It was humbling, extremely emotional with tears and I remained there for
some quiet moments before heading back. I remember praying like that in
the cathedrals in Lumbumbashi and Blantyre as well.
“love so amazing so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”
And so my short time in Kenya has come to an end. How can I ever forget
this time – the people, the churches, the traffic, the wedding of Jason and
Julia and preaching to 6000 people … and my reading … all my books read and
my heart overflowing. “Thank you Jesus!”
“I am filled with an undying ambition to do something worthwhile
in the great land of Africa.”
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WEDNESDAY, 20 OCTOBER
Up at 5am to leave for the airport at 6:00 so I will do my readings later. By
God’s grace all went well through customs and landed safely in Johannesburg.
Picked up my car and headed home, thank God for a smooth and safe trip
back.
The Bible readings from this morning were from 1 Kings, 2 Thessalonians,
Daniel and Psalms. But again Oswald Chambers challenged me, listen:
“we do not need the grace of God to stand crises, human nature and
pride are sufficient, we can face the strain magnificently : but it does
require the supernatural grace of God to live 24 hours in every day as a
saint, to go through drudgery as a disciples, to live an ordinary, unobserved,
ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is inbred in us that we have to do
exceptional things for God : but we have not. We have to be exceptional in
the ordinary things, to be holy in mean streets, among mean people, and this
is not learned in 5 minutes.”
Wow what a challenge ….
Now to have 2 weeks break and then visit MALAWI where Charles Tembo
has a busy schedule organized, back for 2 weeks then on the NAMIBIA. How
I love these visits … I am so privileged.
NEED FOR TRAINING:
On the surface Christianity is flourishing in Nairobi with 2 of the churches I
visited with over 6000 attending. But Jason commented how there is no
expository preaching and therefore the need to train men is huge. Africa
needs trained men of God who can properly interpret the Bible and preach
expository sermons, not just topical subjects. I see this need reinforced
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each time I visit into Africa. K.M.B.C. is small but can play such a critical role
in Africa. I want to spend my life training godly preachers for Africa.
K.M.B.C. IN KENYA:
Mukombo started his college in Lumbumbashi this year and Jason wants one
day to start a college here, focusing on missions and the Bible. It is a great
dream!! Amazing to think we could have 3 K.M.B.C. colleges across Africa
within 5 years, and 2 churches planted in Kitwe and Lumbumbashi.
CONFERENCE FOR AFRICA:
Pierre’s African dream of linking our students from Namibia, Zimbabwe,
Zambia, D.R.C., Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi
is still burning. Please pray for the right venue and the finances to get them
all together for a bi-annual conference to encourage, stimulate and mentor
them. I would love to see this coming about.
PRIVILEGES:
Each trip into Africa leaves me more humbled than the last one. It was
wonderful to be at an African wedding to witness this warmth and sincerity,
to preach to over 6000 people on a Sunday and just to mingle among the
peoples of Africa is a privilege given to few. I love Africa, her people and
her love very deeply.
CONCLUSION
Let David Livingstone, my hero, have the final say:
“I will place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in
relation to the Kingdom of Christ. If anything will advance the interests of
that Kingdom, it shall be given away, or kept, only as by giving or keeping it I
shall most promote the glory of Him to whom I owe everything.
O Jesus grant me resignation to Thy Will. But wilt Thou permit me to plead
for AFRICA ….”
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