"You Aren't Yet a Man Until You Kill..."

A Cherished Picture of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Most of you know me well enough to know that typically, I wouldn't be invited as the speaker with the majority of people being affiliated with the "Pentecostal" Fellowship of Kilimanjaro.  Not that I don't believe in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit but Pentecostal as we typically use it would not be one of the descriptive words in my resume:)  God has a great sense of humor and grace and has the ability and deep desire to see unity amongst those who follow Jesus.  In the sense of unity I was right in my wheelhouse and felt the deep need to encourage, teach on and call everyone to unity.  It was an amazing two days, the culmination coming when the head bishops (overseers) in the fellowship were talking with us about returning to teach for three days to 800 pastors at one of their gatherings.  I was humbled and touched deeply as all these pastors had secretly donated a few schillings to buy me a gift...a framed picture of Mt. Kilimanjaro which I will hang with pride in my office.  I assured them that the "small gift of appreciation" (their words) was actually a "huge gift" and one that would be cherished.  God is good, faithful and wants His truth taught around the world. 

Going to Miss Amariah and Ezriel

Tanzania is still known for its witch doctors and pagan practices which often overflow into the church much like the Jews used to demand that gentile Christians be circumcised.  I spoke a lot about Jesus+ and that any work or object added onto the Gospel for salvation was against the free gift of grace.  Jannekah was looking at my pictures and noticed an Albino woman in them.  She said that was very unusual to see in Tanzania as most of the Albino people had moved to Kenya or surrounding countries because witch doctors would kill them and use their body parts for their voodoo healing practices....ugh!

On our way home about an hour into the 7 hr drive the van starting making an awful noise and we realized the supposedly brand new differential that was replaced last week was not operating properly.  Mind you we were in the middle of a "Serengeti" type area with Masai villages all around on a very remote road and darkness was less than an hour away.  We made it to the border town at 7PM, got to the Kenyan side and then found a mechanic to look at it.  While they were taking it apart and showing us that indeed it was not a new part but a used part we were given last week, the sound of the local mosque was being broadcast over loud speakers so the whole town could hear the Imam speaking his nightly message.

This part of Kenya has a lot of mosques even though only 10% of the pop. is Muslim.  The Imam was literally screaming out his message in Swahili.  Martin told me that for the last 20 minutes he had been telling the followers that "you are not yet a man until you kill someone who stands against Islam".  I asked him if he was just messing with me and he assured me that that was the theme. When the final prayers and chanting were finished I told Martin that I had better sit in the van with the tinted windows after a message like that was given.  He laughed...I got in the van!   

Martin's 30th Bday at Carnivore

Ray did a fine job limping the van to Nairobi and we crawled into bed around 1:30AM for the best night sleep yet.  Today was packing, relaxing and then treated Martin and Janne to lunch at Carnivore Restaurant in celebration of Martin's 30th Bday coming Oct 9th.  

It's interesting how God reminded us constantly on this trip that there was warfare going on and that our message was being hindered whenever possible.  Thanks for your prayers as the message was able to be told on a broader and larger sense than we had imagined and Jesus once again wins not only the war but also these little battles along our journey. I am just a few hours from leaving Nairobi tonight (Thurs.) at 10:30 for the long trip home.  I am tired yet very refreshed, ready to see my family and my church family, both whom I love and appreciate dearly.  

Jannekah & Martin - Leaving a Legacy In Kenya

I plan on one more post with reflections from the trip once I have a few moments to let it flow onto the computer screen.  For all who have been following this journey remember that we are not called to do everything in this life, but we are each called to do something, whether it be locally, nationally or internationally. It doesn't have to be posted on a blog, heck, no one may even know about it which is probably even better.  Make those days, weeks, month and years count.  Leave a legacy!

A Final Memory of Public Transport - Kenya Style

At The Base of Mt. Kilamanjaro

The View From the Sanctuary

I am sitting here in Pastor Dickson's home in Moshi, Tanzania on Wed. morning preparing for day 2 of our Seminar.  What a beautiful area located at the base of Mt. Kilamanjaro which is the highest mountain in Africa.  I have always wanted to see it.  Well, yesterday morning I was standing at the front of the humble sanctuary and looked directly out the back as the clouds were clearing over the top of the mountain. 
What a site and a great start to an amazing day that started at 9:30 and ended at 6PM.  (Yes, I slept very soundly last night)

We had over 100 in attendance yesterday including five "Bishops" who are area overseers in an organization of Pentecostal churches.  God was very gracious to me as he led me through a series of teachings that included an overview of the book of Acts and a lesson on how to use their new Acts Commentaries that Howard Brant wrote.  They once again took notes, soaked in everything they could, asked questions and seemed relieved that someone from outside their area could come and teach simple Biblical truths without compromise. 

The big controversy in this area is that several pastors have started selling "anointing oil" "anointed dirt" and "anointed handkerchiefs" that supposedly do all sorts of things.  These items are especially revered in this part of the world due to the emphasis in witchcraft and Voodoo.  Witchdoctors will tell people to walk around with a certain object in their pocket in order to keep the evil spirits away.  It's basically a mixing of beliefs with the all important "anointing" attached to it.  It kept coming up and by the end of the day God had definitely won these folks hearts over and they are ready to take on this type of ridiculous theology and teaching with the Word of God as their sword. People are looking for hope and grasping at anything that looks like hope but instead of hope in the Gospel, pastors, for personal gain are selling false hope in the name of themselves.  I assured the faithful to stay the course and let God handle those who are false teaching.

Another several hours of teaching today out of Nehemiah and Proverbs and then at 4PM we leave for the long drive back to Nairobi.  Your prayers for safety are especially needed as Ray will be driving at night for most of our 7 hr drive tonight.  I look forward to getting home and seeing many of you on Sunday.  I probably will have a story or two to share:).
Peace!

On Our Way to Moshi we Visited the Church on the Rock in Arusha

A Day In The Life of the Guyas

First of all If you want more pictures of our trip, Janne has posted a Link To Pictures

Before we head out to Tanzania this morning (its Monday 10AM), I wanted to post a quick update about Martin, Janne and the kids.  We are heading to Moshi, Tanzania which is right at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  I may not be able to post anything for a couple days.

Extra Water Storage

A day in the life of the Guyas!  I continue to be amazed at the way Jannekah handles the day to day inconveniences. Water in their house comes in typically around 5AM for about an hour each day of the week but not the weekend..sometimes on Sat but never on Sunday. When the water comes it fills a holding tank on the roof which has enough water to last about a day.  They collect rain water and extra runoff from the tank in two small tanks in their back yard to use for washing clothes and filling the toilets and taking sponge baths when the water runs out.  No water yesterday or today so although I am looking forward to a shower in the morning (assuming the water comes) I am so humbled at the way in which they just go with the flow (no pun intended Jeff Whisler).  

Stove and Oven

Yesterday afternoon, we needed to do some laundry and all the extension cords were at the Crusade so she and I dragged the washer across the kitchen to the plug but then the drain hose wasn’t long enough to reach outside so we just used buckets for it to drain into.  Fill the washer with buckets, add soap, start it, empty the dirty water, fill it again and let it rinse, spin and drain again.  Dump the buckets, put the washer back in its place and hang the clothes to dry.  I will remember this when I have to have the inconvenience of waiting for my clothes to wash or dry!  

Patient Janne...draining and dumping

Washing Machine - a luxury in Kenya

Mosquito nets, intermittent internet, pre-paid phones, buying food a little at the time due to very little refrigerator space…and they live better than probably 80% of the people of Kenya.  Thanks to the many of you who support them so they can have just a few of the conveniences that we take for granted.  Next time you go to bed without a mosquito net, stock up on food in the freezer, get irritated that your high speed internet is not high speed enough (1^st World problem), shop at Costco, buy a burger, a latte or actually stop and then go as you are supposed to at a redlight, would you mind just stopping and counting your blessings and throwing up a popcorn prayer for the Guyas provision….I know I will!