Leah's reflections - obedience unto death

I know this is long, but it is worth the read. These are Leah's thoughts / perspective regarding Phil's time in the hospital...

What Jesus taught me during Phil’s illness: How Do You Remain Obedient Even Unto Death?

Faithfulness=obedience

How do you remain faithful unto death?  How do you rejoice in the worst of anguish?  How do you persevere in the face of absolute loss?

As you know, Phil has suffered great illnesses this past month.  I believe that in some ways, my faith was a little bit tested.  I felt as though my heart and emotions were touched with fire.     How does a Christian rejoice amidst the deep & dark trials of this world?

Philip was admitted into the hospital on Saturday Dec. 1.  He was diagnosed with e-coli, possible malaria and other unknown illnesses. Philip was so sick.  His skin was a yellowish, gray color.  He was so weak that he could barely talk or even sit up by himself.  He could not feed himself or give himself water.  I did not know exactly what was happening inside of his body, I simply knew one thing: his illness only got worse and worse.

It was so hard and sad to watch my husband suffer.  His whole body was in searing pain.  I told nearly everyone I knew to pray for him.  The tests also revealed that Phil’s kidneys were under attack but that his liver was fine.  I was praising God for that good news but I remained concerned for his kidneys.

The next day (Sunday), Phil’s kidneys tested to have improved 80% since the day before (Saturday).  I was overwhelmed with joy at this news!  I was praising God who was sustaining my husband’s life with His own hands.  I did not doubt that God’s will would be done.  For I know that everything that exists in heaven and on earth is under the Lord’s authority and that nothing can possibly happen to my husband that is outside of His will, even suffering and death.

My husband’s strength seemed to be coming back on Monday.  His skin was also appearing to me more of his normal coloring.  However, on that Monday night I received some news that seemed to stab me in the heart.  I found out that Phil’s kidneys were worse than the day he was admitted (he was admitted on Saturday).  After the nurses informed me of this and left the room, I looked out the window and whispered to the Lord, “What is Satan trying to do me?  What is he trying to do to my husband?  Lord, what am I supposed to do?”

I was so exhausted, physically, emotionally and mentally and I felt very sick from the bad news.  I paced around the room, teary eyed, asking the Lord what I should do.  It hit me, as cold as ice, it hit me that my husband could have some serious damage to his kidneys and I knew that his illness was life threatening.

Finally, I just lied down on the floor and prayed.  I felt so weak, sick and honestly, a little scared.

“Oh Jesus, my Love, my Lord, please come near me.  Am I suffering with you?  Am I sharing in the fellowship of your sufferings?”  I prayed to the Lord.  I do not consider myself worthy of suffering with Jesus, but I truly want the Lord to teach me how to glorify Him and remain faithful in trials.

I could not help but wonder if the Lord was calling Phil home.  “Lord, will I say goodbye to him soon?  Are you taking him home now?”  I prayed with watery eyes.  The thought of something happening to my sweet Phil is a pain that feels too heavy to carry, but my deep concern in life is to be sure that I will remain faithful unto death, whether it is my death or someone else’ s.  This is a hard thing to surrender, but we must surrender it nonetheless, for this is the beautiful, joyful & narrow way of Christ.

“Oh Father, please come near.  Lord, let me feel your presence, please, oh God!  I want to rejoice in trials, not despair.  Oh God, Satan is attacking my husband and he is beating me down. Please, please help my precious Phil.”  I whispered to the Lord, fighting the urge to weep loudly.

I felt heavy sadness.  I had been watching my husband writher in pain and be so ill, that he could barely talk and it made me feel so sad.  I felt so sorry for my husband.  The pain was unbearable.  Oh my poor Phil was suffering so much.

Then, suddenly, I do not know if it was just my imagination or what happened, but either way, God used it.  As I lied there on the floor, these words went through my head.  “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”-Luke 22:22:44

Those words would not leave my mind for the next ten minutes.  Even if I tried to think about anything else, I just could not.  I meditated on these words.  Jesus was in agony…but He only prayed all the more earnestly. I desired to do the same.

I was feeling internal anguish, yet these words came to my mind after a while, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.  Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”-Luke 22:42

I cried as I weakly muttered, “Oh Jesus, you were obedient unto death, yes, even death on a cross.  Jesus, you died for an unworthy world.  Lord, you, yourself suffered and for the first time in eternity, the Father turned His face from you and you bore His wrath.  You suffered so much Jesus.  You suffered for me.  You felt greater anguish than any other person in the history of existence.  You understand all suffering.”

I need the Father’s help so badly to be obedient.  I struggle with understanding with how to rejoice in trials.  But as I looked upon Him who has suffered more than any other, it was as if I could feel Him carry my pain.

Sobbing quietly, I remembered how my Savior suffered and felt the anguish of God’s wrath.  He suffered for an unworthy world.  He died for wretched, ungodly people…like me.  Then suddenly, words of power and gentleness shot through the darkness of my turmoil.  And I heard these words:

“Leah, are you thankful for my Son’s sufferings?”

I was speechless and beyond overwhelmed at the thought of the sufferings of Christ. I trembled deep within me. I felt so broken, yet, in great awe of Christ at the same time.  How thankful am I for the sufferings of Christ?  Wow, I don’t know where to begin…I just don’t know where to begin.

I learned that if I am thankful for His sufferings, then I can be thankful when I suffer, no matter how bad the suffering is.  But if I am not very thankful, then I will not be thankful when I suffer for Him.  How thankful we are when we suffer, is determined largely by whether or not we are thankful for the Son’s sufferings for the Father.

“Not my will, but yours be done.  Jesus, you suffered for me and are worthy.  Oh Jesus, thank you for suffering.  You suffered for the Father.  Lord, now please help me to endure these present sufferings.  Please help me to see the joy that you have set out before me.  I know that these sufferings are not in vain. Not my will, but yours be done.”  I quietly prayed to the Lord.

I felt so much of God’s glory in my heart and I felt so honored to be suffering.  My heart had touched the flame of trials but my soul was filled with joy!

I looked at Phil on the bed as he was sleeping and I whispered to the Lord, “Not my will, but yours be done, Jesus.  Jesus, who suffered for me and for an unworthy world, who was obedient unto death.  Jesus, I love you.  Help me to obey you in your will. Yes, even unto death.”

I began to rejoice as I recalled the sufferings of Christ.  Jesus suffered, knowing the joy that was set before Him.  For this reason, I know that I can also rejoice in my sufferings, knowing the joy and glory that the Lord has set before me and Phil.  Not only this, but the Lord gently reminded me that in my life, Phil and I will face many trials and hardships, but how will we overcome and rejoice in those things?  We will rejoice through our thankfulness for the fact that Jesus also suffered, He suffered for an unworthy world.  He bore the wrath of God upon Him.  And for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.  Just to know Jesus more and more is worth it all and nothing feels like a sacrifice (nothing is a sacrifice but an indescribable honor).

For the joy set before us, we endure our crosses.  For the joy set before us, we rejoice in our sufferings.  For the joy set before us, we say, “not my will, but yours be done, oh King!”  For the joy set before us, we have left everything for Jesus Christ.  For the joy set before us, we have counted the cost and have persevered with exceeding happiness.  All for Jesus!  All for Jesus!  All for Jesus!  It is all for Jesus and nothing else matters.

Monday night was a night of turmoil and glory, of weakness and strength, of sorrow and happiness, of dread and eternal excitement.  I did not know what was happening to Phil, but I knew for sure that God’s will would be done and it will be awesome, no matter what!  I felt the presence of God so strongly as He was helping me to rejoice in our sufferings.

I did not sleep very much that night but I kept imagining Jesus sweating blood before He went to the cross.  I thought about how in His agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Oh, He was faithful unto death, even death on a cross!  I desired that the Lord help me to do the same.

The next day (Tuesday) I found out that Phil’s kidneys miraculously improved!  Not only this, but he was discharged from the hospital because he was able to keep down food and water so well!  I was overwhelmed with God’s mercy to me, an unworthy servant.  That same day, a nurse was showing his kind sympathy for my husband’s illness.  But Phil and I simply explained that we realize this is part of being a disciple of Jesus.  Jesus called us to serve here and we figured that such trials would come our way.  However, we lift up our heads and joyfully press on in Him who is worthy.

I feel the Lord has prepared me for sufferings.  I know that when I suffer that I can look upon Him who suffered more than any other person in history.  I look upon Him who, in His agony, prayed more earnestly and surrendered His will.  No matter the greatness of my agony, I know that I must pray more earnestly and surrender my will.  I want to live my life with the obedience of Christ.  This is not dependent upon my power or strength but it dependent upon God’s mercy.

Also, a song was going through my head the entire time that we were at the hospital.  It is a beautiful song by Jeremy Riddle, called, “Always.”  Here are the lyrics (but I highly suggest you listen to the music because it is absolutely beautiful):

I want to run away,
Find a place, quiet to pray
A place that’s lonely
Where I can find You only
The desolate calls, the wide open space
With the noises that drown
You’ve voiced them away
And I’m weeping…in a daze with love

Always, I am waiting and always anticipating Your love
It’s all my heart can think of
Always, I am waiting and wanting to remain in this love
It’s all I want to drink of

Come to me, be not far off
Give ear to my words and speak back your heart
There is nothing I want more than this

Always, I am waiting and always anticipating Your love
It’s all my heart can think of
And always, I am waiting and wanting to remain in this love
It’s all I want to drink of

I am always, always, always, always waiting for you…

In the Cross Alone

In the Cross alone I shall boast,
Though to all it may seem folly.
For His glory there is seen the most,
And by His grace He makes men salty.

"Salt in the World you must be,"
The holiness of Christ display.
His life in you they must see,
For the World is in moral decay.

In the cross alone shall I glory,
By no other means may men be saved!
All must stand before God who is Holy,
And all by sin have been enslaved.

As a Judge He is obligated to punish,
"For the wages of sin is death."
Our "goodness" before Him is rubbish.
Surely we transgress with every breath!

In the cross alone I shall believe,
With that work we cannot compare a thing!
For there, the impossible He did achieve
To the cross forever we must cling!

God's perfect Justice there is satisfied;
And His perfect Grace demonstrated.
My ransom there is truly ratified;
And my enmity totally eliminated.

In the cross alone I shall hope,
For indeed, it is the only way!
By Jesus - not by priest nor pope...
Shall we be saved on that final Day.

Not by works or deeds of the flesh
Can we stand righteous before His throne.
We cannot place our hope in anything less
But place it only in the cross alone.

"Rise up You Soldier of the Kingdom of Light"

Here is another poem by Phil. One of our coworkers is writing music to go along with the words. This is a reflection on Ephesians 6... May you be blessed!


"Rise Up You Soldier of The Kingdom of Light"

Rise up you soldier of the Kingdom of Light
     Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might!
     Put on His armor - Prepare yourself for the fight,
     For the forces of darkness now come within sight.

Many quake at the sight of this evil band.
     Yet your strength is in God and in His armor you stand.
     You advance, therefore, marching on enemy land.
     The Lord calls you to battle, He now raises His hand.

Take up His courage, take up this honor!
     Keep alert - be found with God's whole armor.
     With all your strength in the fight you must labor.
     His HOLY light in your heart you must harbor.

To march in His Army, all evil you must hate,
     for you take up Christ's righteousness as your breastplate.
     Lies, deceptions, and temptation: these are the enemies bait.
     Yet for these, you fall not. For the belt of truth is fastened around your waist.

The battle will rage, and even in its greatest heat,
     The GOSPEL gives you readiness for all that you may meet.
     These are the shoes which have been prepared for your feet.
     That every foe and obstacle in the path, you may beat.

Ready yourself, soldier of Light, to take the field,
     with all boldness commit to your Lord never to yield
     Make now your hands ready ever to wield:
     God's Word - your sword; and faith - your shield!

Against the devil, your sword has the greatest effect;
     his darts, with your shield, you must surely deflect.
     Yet one thing remains: the helmet of salvation to protect.
     And the work of salvation, God promises to perfect!

Rise up you soldier of the Kingdom of Light
     Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might!
     You have His armor - DO NOT FLEE from the fight.
     But take up your sword, the devil, prepare to smite!

So march with His armor fastened firmly upon you
     Prepare yourself and be among the very few:
     Who, rising early, find the grass wet with dew...
     THIS IS THE DAY! The deadly battle is now in view!

Though the darkness now approaches thee,
     resist the devil and he will flee!
     It will be there upon bended knee
     that victory is won and men set free!

Rise up you soldier of the Kingdom of Light
     Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might!
     Open war is upon you! Will you stand in the fight?
     Fight with all your might, for the day is passing and it will soon be night.

The Lord's banner is raised, to Him gather all!
     The Lord, to action, His Army He does call.
     March now into darkness, march to the enemy's wall.
     Against this Army, the gates of Hell will fall!

Rise up you soldier of the Kingdom of Light
     Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might!
     Keep your courage! Be valiant! Finish the fight!
     Our Great King will conquer and all will be made right!

Rise up you soldier of the Kingdom of Light
     Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might!
     VICTORY IS WON! Darkness is finished and all is made bright!
     Weary soldier, take now your rest among the saints in Light.

A Prayer Before the Word

Here is another poem by Phil Nelson. It was written as he prepared to study the Word of God... We pray that it may touch your heart as it has his...


A Prayer Before the Word

In my heart, oh God, may Your Word, there, richly dwell
     that in my life - with distinction - one may clearly tell:
Your ways, my feet therein do surely walk;
     and in the face of danger, I might never balk.
But Your rich grace and mercy do I freely declare,
     for it is my aid and keeps my feet from every snare.
Your Word, all my doubts and fears do fully quell,
     Your Righteous Way does keep my soul from Hell.
Oh God, in your mercy, guide this man with weakened frame,
     that his overcoming would only be by Thy great Name.
And by Thy grace, from your Word he did not depart,
     but rather, he did study and seek You with all his heart.
And so do I return to my humble prayer mentioned at first...
     For Your Word, oh Lord, does my heart hunger and thirst!

"Through many dangers, toils and snares..."

The hymn, "Amazing Grace," is a comfort to millions of Christians around the world. There is one particular line that recently has described our lives:
"Through many toils, dangers, snares have I already come..."

The day that the Seminar Notebook was finished Phil began to feel a little sick. Thursday night, as he was brushing his teeth, he could not stop shaking and shivering. No matter how many blankets were on the bed his coldness would not leave. In addition to this, his back felt like it had been set on fire and every joint in his body was aching. When Leah came in, she noticed that Phil's body was burning up.

At this, she immediately told the people we have been living with and they came in to pray. Phil's hands had turned yellow and from his wrists down his hands were going numb - also, from his knees down, his legs were tingling. They prayed for nearly an hour. Then, the journey was made to Kijabe Hospital.

Upon arrival, the nurses and doctors diagnosed Phil with malaria. All his symptoms pointed to a bad case of malaria. But one thing was strange: despite the symptoms, his blood work all came back negative for malaria. But they were not going to take the risk - so Phil was discharged that night and sent with medicine to fight malaria.

All day Friday Phil laid in bed and continued to feel horrible pain in his back and now his stomach. At about 2 a.m. Saturday morning, Phil woke up and went to the bathroom. Diarrhea and vomiting went on for about an hour... In the morning, Simon called one of the head doctors in the hospital because Phil was certainly not improving. That morning they returned to the hospital.

After many tests and blood work, the doctors discovered that Phil did not have malaria - rather he had Ecoli. In addition to that many things were looking bad in his blood work. Phil's kidneys were not functioning properly. Saturday through Tuesday was a blur of action.

Saturday and Sunday Phil only seemed to be getting worse. His kidneys went from bad to worse. He had zero energy and could not even get out of bed without someone helping him. By Monday, his veins were often collapsing when nurses tried to take his blood for more tests. They had to change the IV port three times because his veins were so weak.





Only later did we find out that death was lurking about, waiting and desiring to take Phil. When the doctors saw him later, the said that the illness was life threatening.

By Monday afternoon Phil began to recover. By Tuesday the doctors felt good enough about his condition to release him with two major oral medicines. The conclusion about what Phil was suffering from was somewhat vague. But it iwas thought to be both Ecoli and a Salmonila Dysentary.

From Tuesday until the present time (one week later) Phil has been resting and slowly recovering his strength.

(In Kijabe the hospital has many American doctors serving on staff. This is probably the nicest hospital we have ever been in, in Africa. The entire staff is well trained and they did a fantastic job through the whole thing! We thank God that we were in Kijabe when Phil feel sick. God is doing great things through this hospital as they serve many communities in Kenya. They are so well known that many Muslim will come to this Christian hospital because their service is superior to many other options.)

Needless to say, our seminar in Kaithe has been postponed. But the people have been extremely understanding. We are now resting and recovering... this entire thing has been an exhausting experience.

To return to the title of this blog - we thank our gracious and merciful God who spared Phil's life in the midst of such a bad illness. Truly, it is only by God's grace that we are able to report that today Phil is recovering. Today, Phil went to get a blood test and brief exam. All tests are showing that his body is back to normal. All levels are normal and his kidneys are functioning as they should be.

Our God is great! And greatly to be Praised! We can sign that verse of "Amazing Grace" with new respect... for truly through many toils, dangers, snares have we come. AND it is His grace that has brought us here thus far! And it is His grace that will lead us home!

Our next post will be Leah's reflections during this time.

Preparing for a Seminar

Following the Men's conference, Phil and Leah rested on Sunday, then really began their work!

Monday, Phil and Leah met with Godfrey in Naivasha and discussed the upcoming journey to Kaithe. This meeting lasted most of the day as they were discussing the lessons to be taught and every detail in regards to budgets and procedures during the seminar.

Beginning Tuesday morning Phil and Leah worked non-stop on lessons. All day Tuesday was dedicated to the writing of lessons. On Wednesday, Phil had to go to Nairobi to get cash for the seminar. After arriving back in Kijabe from Nairobi, the two set their faces to keep writing lessons. The few hours between finishing working and beginning again Thursday morning did not provide much rest - but it was sufficient.

Phil, Leah and Godfrey finished their lessons and compiled them into one document. Thursday at four in the afternoon marked the completion of their writing. The document was sent to be printed, then photocopied for the seminar.

In three days a 102 page seminar notebook was produced. The title is: An Introduction to Christian Leadership.







With the notebook completed, Phil and Leah were now able to rest.

But little did they know...

Kijabe Men's Conference

On the 23rd and the 24th, there was a men's conference in Kijabe at the Moffit College of the Bible. Phil was asked to speak during this conference. One of the pastors leading the conference asked for him to speak about discipleship.

So, for the three days prior to the conference, Phil prepared a lesson. By God's grace, HE gave Phil many things from the Great Commission text. When Phil arrived at the conference, the leaders informed him that he would be speaking 4 times instead of only once.

The first three lessons were about discipleship: The Authority behind our Commission; The Duty of the Commission; and the The Power to live the Commission.

For the final lesson, Phil concluded the seminar with a lesson about integrity. The main idea of the lesson was this: "Integrity has it's ROOTS in the Word and it's FRUITS in your life." The main text was Psalm 1:1-3.



(The image is supposed to be a tree)

I pray that we may all grow in our integrity before God, which will result in our integrity before man.

The week of the conference was very busy with preparing and speaking.

And then...

Sorry for the silence

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!

We apologize for the long silence! Much has happened since we last posted anything on here.

During the next few days we will be posting several stories about what has happened... Here is a little preview:
1. Phil spoke at a men's conference
2. Phil and Leah prepared for the Kaithe seminar
3. Phil got really sick and was admitted to the hospital
4. Leah's reflections during Phil's sickness

We will be posting soon!

Visiting a Friend and Ministering the Gospel

Our days have been extremely busy! The weeks prior to a major seminar are filled with nights lacking in sleep and days packed with preparation. Our next major seminar will, God willing, be December 4th through the 6th held in Kaithe. Each of us (Godfrey, Leah, and Phil) have atleast 3 lessons to prepare - each lesson filling a two hour session. We rejoice at the opportunity to proclaim the truth and train the leaders! PLEASE PRAY FOR US! In our own strength, we will fail - we need God to enable us for this mission and ministry!

In the midst of preparing for this seminar, we were invited to visit a friend who lives near Nairobi and ministers a church in Thika. James Mwirigi is a dear friend to both Leah and Phil. He attended Ozark Christian College during the same time that they did, and they had many times of sweet fellowship together as they worked in God's Kingdom. James returned to his church, his wife and three children in the fall of 2011. When we moved to Kenya in September of 2012, we knew that we would have to pay James a visit.

Or opportunity came over this past weekend. We went to visit James and his family on friday, the 16th. We stayed there saturday and sunday then returned to Kijabe on monday. Our stay was a great blessing, as we had the chance to meet with James, his two sons (both attending university), his daughter (currently in high school), and his wife. Truly, a tangible peace resides in their house - and this is because they are a family who prays! Every night, the entire family comes together to hear a reading from the Bible, to encourage one another, and to pray together.

During our stay with James, Phil was asked to preach Sunday morning, and to teach the leaders in the afternoon. Sunday morning, Phil preached about having eyes for eternity. The message's main point was: "the strength to live and overcome is in fixing our eyes on eternity." He went through three main parts, each one focusing on the glory of Jesus Christ. First, we see a glimpse of His glory in Matthew 17:2. Second, we see Jesus' current state of glory as reigning at the right hand of the Father. And Third, we see the glory of Jesus Christ, in heaven, is focused an centered on the Gospel - that He was slain and ransomed men from every nation, tribe, people, and language. Sunday afternoon, he taught the leaders about the need for integrity in our lives and in the church.





Our lives must always point to Gospel of Jesus Christ! Proclaiming the Gospel is not merely an important part of this life, but also it will be the focus of the one to come! Eternal life is now, and will forever be, a song of Thanksgiving to the LAMB who slain to purchase men for God! Are you singing?

A Short Seminar pt. 3

One possitive aspect of holding a conference in the middle of the market is that you get extra people listening to the proclaiming of the Gospel! While 150 people were expected to attend, there were probably about 200 or more people crowding around the tents!



We taught all day for the two days. On Saturday, we covered the topics: (1) What is the Gospel? (2) Prayer (3) How to Study the Bible (4) The Christian Life / Home and (5) Evangelism. On Sunday, we covered the topics: (1) Be Useful, Not Useless - a message from Philemon (2) The Church (3) Quiet time and (4) Know the Word.

Many of the People were feeling very encouraged and touched by the messages. Before we could finish the first lesson, people were asking for copies of our notes. So, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednessday Phil has been compiling the notes and preparing one document with all the lessons. (If you are interested in having a copy, email Phil, and he can send you a PDF copy.)







Probably the most interesting experience of our entire time in Chwele was while we were teaching. There is a Muslim Mosque near the market place, and as usual, five times a day there would be a call to prayer. There is nothing quite as unique as proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Lord, the name above every name, the only name under heaven whereby men might be saved, the Lamb which was slain to save all mankind - all while you hear the call to prayer in the background.

This was such a clear picture to us! There are such strongholds throughout all the world! There are so many who have not come to the Lord, Jesus Christ, so many who are lost and read to fall into the pit where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth! Who will go to them? Who will share the ONE TRUE LIGHT, Jesus, in the places of darkness? This is why we are here! This is why we must go!

Dear believers, will you go?

A Short Seminar pt. 2

First and foremost, let me apologize once again for not writing as soon as I would have liked - but these past few days have been extremely taxing and our time packed with either teaching or traveling.

We taught all day Saturday and all day Sunday. We have too many pictures to post on the blog, but we will include a "sample" of pictures from our time in Chwele.

On Saturday, we began our time with handing out some Bibles. One thing we certainly learned about doing ministry in Kenya is to NEVER announce that you are handing out Bibles to people. After about 10 min, people from all over Chwele were there to receive a Bible - more people than we had Bibles. So, after handing out a few Bibles, we started to only hand Bibles to the pastors. This way, they could give the Bibles to people who truly did not have one, to those who could read, and those who would not sell it in the market to make a profit.

For those who were there to receive the Word of God - they were truly blessed... here are a few pictures of people receiving Bibles.







(Here is a team who came from Uganda)





Our phone has difficulties posting anything with more than four pictures. So that you might get the whole story, please read the next post.

A Short Seminar

Greetings the name of Jesus Christ!

We apologize for the long silence. We have been extremely busy in the past week. For those of you who get our newsletter, we informed you of a short seminar that we would be doing in a place called Chwele. If you are looking at a map of Kenya, we are on the West boarder about 15 kilometers from Uganda. The closest big now is called Bungoma.

These past few days have been filled with preparing lessons and getting everything ready for the very full two day weekend. We have spent many hours sitting at a little desk preparing the lessons.


The place where we are is very hungry for the Word of God! These people (coming from a variety of tribes) have no Bibles and therefore, no sound teaching from the Word of God. In a brief meeting preparing for the seminar, Phil was asked to teach a brief lesson. The audience of about 20 took down every word like it were water in a dry place! Even from that 30 min, unplanned lesson people were saying that a small revival in their people has begun.

We are right now in Chwele, staying in a convent. God is the great provider! We were not sure exactly where we would stay, but our contact here knew that these nuns were very hospitable. So, we find ourselves in this very wonderful place having free lodging and warm meals everyday.

Concerning our contact here, we are working with Pastor Duncan Khisha - a church planter with New Christ Life Mission (an independent denomination in Kenya and East Uganda). He is a very humble man who works hard for the Lord in every way that he can. One challenge that Pr. Duncan faces is that he is deaf... as you can imagine, we sometimes have some challenges in preparing a seminar. But God's power is revealed in the midst of our weakness!

These people are excited for the next two days, and for good reason! For many of them, they will receive a Bible for the very first time. (By God's grace, He has provided 147 Bibles for the people attending the seminar! Praise His Worthy Name!) Also, for many of them, they will be hearing Biblically rich and doctrinally sound teaching for the first time!

We will be in Chwele for two full days of teaching! We hope to do a blog post tomorrow night giving pictures of the seminar and the distribution of Bibles! Then, God willing, either Sunday or Monday night we will do a blog post giving an update on the seminar.

Please be praying for us. We know that the devil does not want this seminar to succeed. We will be holding it in the town market. 150 people have registered, but there will be hundreds more crowding around the tents. God willing there will be a great revival in this place! Please be praying to that end!

MAY THE LAMB WHO WAS SLAIN RECEIVE THE FULL REWARD OF HIS SUFFERINGS!


(This sign greets everyone who drives through Chwele... Oh God be glorified!)

My Sinful Soul Has He Set Free!

Here is another poem by Phil Nelson... it is a reflection upon the work of Christ...

In darkness, utter darkness, my soul did He find
     In the midst of sin and shame His glory brightly shined.
Clear conviction, I am guilty!  No one else to blame,
     In hopeless abandon, then I called upon His name!
"Repent, repent, for the Kingdom of God is near!"
     My dead heart begins to beat, His voice I do hear!
Yet His radience reveals all my decadence
     And I begin to lose all hope and confidence.
The weight of the curse, who can begin to bare?
     In greif I fall, But then a cross do I see there!
As I stare, I see the Man, and my face is covered with tears
     Oh His groaning, His sorrowful cry begins to fill my ears.
From God's holiness flows His burning wrath as a mighty river,
     Darkness covered the land, and the whole earth began to quiver.
And there, upon the Crucified Christ do I begin to see
     The wrath of God which was appointed for not only me,
But the sins of all the world; which upon His head were laid.
     In the cross was the legal punishment fulfilled, and debt fully paid!
"Now believe on Him who can save your soul!
     And from His alter, He shall take a burning coal,
With it He shall touch you, and make you clean
     But only if on Jesus Christ you fully lean!"
I believe, O Lord!  Your cross I am here beneath,
     Let your holy fire cleanse me, free me from all unbelief.
Then what a wonder did I truly witness,
     For it was not by my personal, spiritual fitness
That my sins were covered by His grace.
     For by works, none may look upon His face.
No, but by His mercy and loving-kindness,
     He removed my soul's damning blindness.
And now how clearly can I see
     My sinful soul has He set free!
Now from the darkness and the lies
     Christ awakens my heart to rise!
A new creature have I become
     the old is gone, the new is come.
Yes, a new song to Him I sing,
     and all my praises freely bring!
For once in darkness did I roam
     But He has made Heaven my new home.
Once a captive to the Fall,
     Now Christ is my All-in-All.
Though still my flesh may be weak,
     Every day, His glory I shall seek.
In building my own empire,
     I would only build the fire
That shall come on that Great Day
     When we see stubble, wood, and hay.
For in eternity these will not matter,
     Not the glory of man and how they flatter!
Rather; Him, I live to please,
     And so I move now to my knees.
"Oh may I be a part of that mighty throng
     who bow low and worship all day long.
For they shall sing: "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the Lamb
     Who bled and died and ransomed men from every land."'
And what surpassing joy it shall be
     to finally see the face of Him who saved even me.

Christ's "Inappropriate" call to Discipleship

[This post is by Leah Nelson]

"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.  But Martha was distracted with much serving.  And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Tell her to help me."  But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion. which will not be taken away from her." -Luke 10:38-42

In this text, there were several things obviously happening: Jesus was invited to a banquet in the house of His good friend, Martha.  However, in the eyes of the world (and specifically in the culture of that time) there are several things terribly wrong and unusual with Mary's behavior.  What are they?

1. Mary left her sister alone to do all the serving.  In a sense, it was simply Mary's duty and responsibility to help with the dinner preparations.  It was not fair for Mary to neglect her fair share of work.  Afterall, this was no small task that Martha had before her.  It was simply expected that Mary would help and do her share of work.  This would seem very rude and even somewhat irresponsible on Mary's part.

2.  During that period of time, it was culturally inappropriate for a woman to sit at the feet of any rabbi.  Why?  Because only disciples sat and listened to rabbis and discipleship was reserved only for men.  What is a disciple, afterall?  A disciple is like a student who is tightly attached to his/her teacher.  A disciple listens, follows and clings to every word spoken by the rabbi, to the extent that the student is trained and molded by his rabbi.  Mary assumed a position that was unrightfully hers.

Wow, so in the eyes of the world and of that culture, Mary seemed to be rude to her sister, lazy, inconsiderate, irresponsible and culturally inappropriate.  I am sure that Jesus would have to agree, right?  Dead wrong.

Jesus said that Mary chose the good portion.  Mary chose what was the very best.  So, was it really the best?  Wasn't Mary being culturally inappropraite?  Wasn't she being rude and lazy?  Mary took her share alright, but she took her share of God's precious Word and LISTENING to our Master, which is far more vaulable than impressive and busy work. Jesus told Martha that she was anxious and troubled about so many things but that only one thing was necessary.  What was that one necessary thing?  Was Jesus talking about food?  Did He mean that only one kind of food was necessary instead of all the preparations that Martha was making?  No, I don't think so...

The Word of Jesus Christ is the one thing that is necessary.  I fully believe that this is what Jesus meant.  He was not talking about food or other banquet preparations, He was talking about Himself.  He is what is necessary, knowing Him is what is necessary, listening to His words is what is necessary, prayer is what is necessary.

There is a female singer whom I respect, her name is Misty Edwards.  She is a Christian singer who does not use an ounce of her talent for herself but for the sake of Jesus Christ.  She also serves with the International House of Prayer.  There was a guy named Mike who was concerned about Misty for a period of time.  He said that all Misty ever did was pray, pray, pray and then pray some more.  Misty often prayed for about 8-10 hours a day.  Mike was concerned that Misty should do something else with her time.

"Um, Misty, shouldn't you get a hobby or something?"  Mike had asked Misty.  However, later on, Mike confessed that he was feeling convicted about his own words and by Misty's lifestyle.  Misty's life could have appeared lazy or just strange to the world, but she was sitting at the feet of Jesus and such a treasure should not be taken away from her.

This story, along with the one in Luke, encouraged me very much.  Often when the Lord calls us and tells us to live for Him, it can look irresponsible, irrational, culturally inappropriate, lazy or just plain odd to the world (and sadly, to other Christians).  In my own life, I have been asked, "Leah, don't you have anything better to do than to sit around and read your Bible all day?  Don't you desire a career instead of to be a poor missionary your whole life?"  But I love the Lord and to sit and listen to Jesus Christ is my treasure and it will never be taken away from me.

I have also been asked, "Leah, perhaps you should try to improve in certain skills and interest yourself in some hobbies.  Come on, have a little fun."

We, as humans with sinful flesh, have a tendency to make life incredibely difficult.  We bring many additives on to life and we greatly value things and skills that will not help anyone enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  We spend so much time and effort on things that just don't matter. I am not saying that what Martha was doing was pointless!  In fact, I am talking about ourselves.  Have we forgotten that really only one thing is necessary?  It is to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known.

In my own life, I am not extraordinary or extravagant in anything, and I don't try to be and I don't want to be.  Only one thing is really necessary to me.  I think it is good to do everything with simplicity so that we can devote all of the time that we have on earth to the one thing that matters: to know Jesus Christ, be refined and molded by His Spirit, to be changed into His image, to love and adore His character, to have Him fully living in us and working for His own purposes.  In other words, life is Christ and that's all it should be.  He will lead us to everything He wants and wills...to the church, to the broken, to the lost....

Don't you know that all that matters is Jesus Christ?  It is good to live a simple life, with very little distractions, only doing what is necessary so that we can devote all of our attention and time to Jesus Christ because He is all that matters.  Then, Jesus will show us what matters to Him.  But listen to this: WE WILL NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT MATTERS TO JESUS UNTIL WE UNDERSTAND THAT JESUS IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

So, please, stop valuing so many things that will not help anyone enter God's kingdom.  Please, stop devoting so much of God's time on what doesn't matter.  Stop stressing out and simplify your life for the sake of Jesus.  Devote every ounce of your existence into the wonders of our Creator.  Work hard for what matter, work hard for what is eternal and not for the food that perishes.

Remember, only one thing is necessary.      

Trust in the Lord!

Today Phil preached in the AIC Kijabe church. The topic was "Trusting Christ" and the text, Proverbs 3:5-8. The challenge was to truly trust Christ in every way and in all things. Trusting Christ is totally connected to knowing Christ (the message he shared last time). The more we know Christ, the more we trust Him. Our faith, in action, is based upon, and fueled by our practical understanding of Christ.

Often we speak that we trust Christ but never trust Him in reality and practically. To illustrate this, Phil called up 10 volunteers and told them to stand in two lines...




Often God calls us to trust Him, and we say we will follow, we say we will trust, but we never step out in faith. Trusting God requires a move to action. Truth is proven by action. Is God faithful? Act in faith!

If God calls us out in faith, we cannot remain with words only. We must go forward and trust Him in reality! So, to complete the illustration, Phil fell backwards off the stage into the men's arms.

May Christ increase our faith, and lead us to trust Him completely. He will send His revival fire as we press on to know Christ and as we trust Him with all that we are! Oh God guide us as we walk in trust!

Oh God be glorified in our Trusting

This is a poem Phil wrote for Sunday's sermon entitled: Trusting Christ

When all around the ground is scorched and dry,
     When my foe brings me low, saying: “Prepare to die!”
Oh God of my Salvation, hear my humble cry!
     Lift my broken spirit and cause my soul to fly!

Our hope and strength are not in muscles and might,
     We do not stoop; returning hate for hate and spite for spite.
For our home is Heaven, Christ has improved our sight,
     In HIM we hope, for we know HE is Victorious in the fight.

On Christ and Christ alone do we fling our entire trust!
     He is eternal, apart from Him our lives are merely dust,
Tossed to and fro when the wind of this world blows a single gust.
     Our only hope is in Him who is wholly gracious and wholly Just!

Oh Lord, be merciful and free us from this muck and mire.
     May You and Your glory be our hearts’ one burning desire.
God we know You can do it!  Take us up and take us higher;
     Christ Jesus, do not relent until You send Your Revival fire!

May our every prayer be:
     Burn Your Holy fire in me,
Until the only thing I see
     Is Your Righteousness reigning free!

That every spot and every stain
     Might be washed by the LAMB once slain,
And only Your perfect love there remains.
     Oh Great God, Glorify Thy Holy Name!

Pure Religion is This...

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:26,27

Here we find some words often repeated by people who attempt to justify themselves before God based upon their works. I cannot number how many people have told me that because they help people, they are right before God. But on the other hand, I cannot number how many people have told me that because they don't do things the way the world does them, they are right before God.

If we are really honest with ourselves, we rather like to sticking to one thing or the other. We like that if we just help people out just enough, it eases our conscience just enough that we can sleep at night. Or, we like that if our lives have become different from the world in some way, then in some way we feel 'ok' in our religion.

The truth of the matter is this: relying merely upon personal holiness or our love for our fellow man is not pure religion - in fact, you can have a measure of both of the above and never come to true and saving faith. I pray that each person reading this post might know what is true and saving faith.

However, when I, as a Christian, come to this text in the book of James, I cannot simply shrugg my shoulders and walk away. Dear friends, if the Spirit of Christ is dwelling in your heart, then you cannot ignore His Word in regard to helping the helpless! The very heart behind loving orphans is because God, our Father, has adopted us and made us His own. The very reason behind helping the helpless is because God, in His infinite mercy helps us when we are helpless. Oh that the heart of God might be mightily seen in His Church!

All of the above is an introduction to an opportunity with which we have been blessed. As you have seen in past blog posts, we have been working with Simon in getting an orphanage up and running. God willing, in January the children are going to be moving in. In Kenya, there is an unmet need in regards to orphans. Due to the post election violence in 2007, there are many children who lost one or both of their parents. This problem is only added to the increase of AIDs fatalities in East Africa. There are many children without parents and without hope in this nation.

Just last week, a widow in Kijabe died from HIV / AIDs. She left behind 3 children: a 13 year old, a 12 year old, and a 6 year old. Both of the older children are in boarding school and are being taken care of, however, the 6 year old was left with an extended family who is unable to provide for him.

This is George Njau:

In January, he will be moving just outside of Naivasha, into the orphanage with which we have been working. God has provided a sponsor for George. But there are thousands children just like him who could move into the orphanage, but they lack someone to help sponsor them. The orphanage is looking for people who are willing to sponsor a child for $40 per month - this will cover all of their expenses: food, uniforms for school, education, shoes, books, housing, etc.

God is a Father to the fatherless! We thank God for all that He is doing! Let us not forget that we are the body of Christ, we are His hands and feet. God is a Father to the fatherless through you!

A Big Book and A Big Smile

Today we went to Nairobi. We have made a good connection with The Bible Society of Kenya. All of the Bibles (in Pokot, Swahili, and English) that we have purchased, since in Kenya, have come from our friends at BSK. Almost every language in Kenya which has a portion of the Scriptures in print can be found there. And because we are not buying Bibles to turn around and sell them, often we are given a generous discount.

But Bibles are not the only thing found at BSK. They also sell a really good whole Bible commentary entiled "Africa Bible Commentary" or ABC for short. If you know Phil, you know that he really likes books... and well, today he bought two copies of this commentary.

In Kenya, finding sound Biblical tools is significantly difficult, and the tools that you do find are often more than the avarage pastor can afford. After spending two weeks laboring beside Joseph Mulatya (the Kenyan missionary who is preparing to move to Amaya) we had ample time to discuss our passions - which for both of Joseph and Phil books were near the top of the list.

While visiting Mulatya's home, he mentioned how he had been looking for the ABC but every time he had an opportunity to purchase the book, he literally did not have enough money to purchase it (one copy costs about $30).

So, today after buying 60 Bibles and two copies of the ABC, we went to Mulatya's house. As a demonstration of God's gracious provision of His Word, we are sending to two villages in Pokot (Amaya and Kasilangua) 16 English, 23 Pokot, and 21 Swahili Bibles. And because Mulatya is going to Amaya before us, he and Phil carried the Bibles down to his house. After this difficult task, Phil pulled out a copy of the ABC as a surprise gift for Mulatya. How I wish I had a picture of that moment! But a picture a few moments after is not too bad... :)

Here is Joseph Mulatya holding a Pokot Bible (a language he must soon learn) and his own copy of the Africa Bible Commentary. This picture describes perfectly what we pray the Lord will do through us: giving people the Word of God and the tools they need to apply it to their lives and ministries.

Teaching Teachers and Showing some Films

For now, this will be our last story from the Pokot village, Amaya.

The church we have been assisting in Kijabe has a heart for missions; they have committed to sending a Kenyan missionary to the village of Amaya. Because we were going to Pokot, the missionary, Joseph Mulatya came along with us to survey the area he would be working.

Every day we were there, he would go down to the local school and teach a HIV / AIDs awareness course to the older classes. During this time, the teachers were left to Phil. All of the teachers had expressed that they made a confession of faith, and when able attended church. However, as many people in Amaya, they did not have Bibles. So, during the 1.5 hours, Phil would take them through one or two verses. The goal of the class was to show them that when they read the Bible, they can understand it and live their lives by God's Word.


Everyday we went through one "I AM" statement from the book of John. At the beginning of our time, Phil was basically the only one talking. However, by the very end of the class, Phil hardly had to say anything, the teachers were doing it all by themselves. For every verse we went through, we had five steps:
1. Observations
2. Words
3. Context
4. Analysis
5. Application

With these few things, the teachers were able to understand the meaning of the text and apply it to their lives. If there is one thing that we desire in the ministry of Christ's Word For All Nations, it is this: that every Christian might understand and apply His Word to their lives!



The second part of this story has to do with films... Every night that we were in Amaya people would hear the team's generator and would come to the little compound asking if there would be a film. We did not have the equippment to show a film to the 70 people gathered at our doorstep. We did have a small solar projector with us (thanks Good News Production International for donating the solar kit), but there was no way that the little projector could be loud enough for the whole group. We prayed and planned how we might boost the sound.

By God's grace, we learned that one of the officers working in the police post of Amaya had some kind of speakers. We went down to ask if they might let us borrow them. And again by God's grace, they did! So, that night we were testing to see if the speakers would work. And without invitation, the 70 people showed up at our doorstep. Because the crowd was so big, we had to move to the church. The next two nights we had between 200-300 people show up!

Here are a couple pictures: the first is the little projector that did all the work; the second, about half to one quater of the crowd. (Taking pictures in the dark sometimes turn out less than perfect.)



The rest of the week, Leah, Mulatya, and Phil would go down to the school after all the days activities and show films to students. Every night there were nearly 100 students packing into a little room. The clips that we showed were clips from "The Global Gospel," a project done by GNPI. Basically there are paintings depicting specific Bible stories, they have been given a little motion, and someone narrates from the Scripture text. They are a great way to visually engage your people. Between each clip (they usually range from 2-10 min) Mulatya and Phil would explain the text.

Here are a couple photos:



These are but a few stories from our time in Pokot. They represent just a few of the major activites and issues we encountered during our very brief two weeks. I hope that they have painted an accurate picture of our time, and I do pray that they have inspired you to keep seeking God - asking the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into HIS harvest field.

Cultural Darkness

As you may have noticed in some of the previous posts, there are things within the Pokot culture which are very dark. The first thing we must mention is this: While there are very dark things within the Pokot culture, we are not ignorant of the darkness within our own cultures. The American culture is no more righteous before God than the Pokot culture. But that does not mean that we are free to remain in darkness! Jesus calls us to Himself, to embrace the culture of heaven, and to leave our culture behind!

Nonetheless, we cannot help but grieve when we see such darkness enslaving the people! If the light dwells in you, you cannot rejoice with darkness. As the Word says in the book of Proverbs: "the fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil." And dear friend, that applies to more than observing evil around you, it includes the evil within you! I must also mention that for those who are within the church, these things are becoming virtually non-existent as the Truth is preached.

There are several specific areas of darkness which stand out. The first issue is that of "FGM". Without going into the details, the word stands for "Female Genital Mutilation." When young girls reach the ages of 10-14, they are taken from whatever activities they are doing, and they are taught about becoming women. During this time, someone performs an operation on them. (This is not like going to a hospital, this is someone with a share knife and something to clean the blood.)

The second issue is that of Young marriage. After these young girls have gone through FGM, they are considered as candidates for marriage. Many girls are married by the time they are 14 and have 3 or more children by the time they are 20 years old. These girls have no choice in regard to who they marry, and often their husband is between the age of 35 and 55.

The third issue, related to the previous one, is that of polygamy. In the Pokot culture, it is not uncommon for men to have 3 or 4 wives. The more wives you have, the more children you have; and the more children you have, the more help with animals, the more you increase your clan, and the more chances you have to receive the dowry for your daughters.

This brings us to the fourth issue, within this culture, the live stock is considered more important than the children. When girls become an age which they might be married, all a man has to do is bring the right number of goats or cows, and then he practically buys the young girl at the determined price. Within the next few days the girl is taken to the man's place and will not see their family again unless the husband dies.

Many of the above issues can be addressed simply through education and the preaching of the Gospel. The fifth issue is illiteracy. So many people in the Pokot culture don't know how to read or write. However, this issue is deeper than a mere issue of knowing how to read.

One way that young girls can be rescued from some of the dark things in the culture is by sending them to a boarding school. However, when a girl finishes school and returns to her family, she is not welcomed by anyone. Everyone now looks at this woman as a prostitute. No one is wanting to marry this girl, because she has not followed the ways of the culture, she cannot be trusted. And if she is does not get married, she has no hope at home. There is no means for income, there is no security, there is no food.

Because of all the above issues, we come to the last issue we will discuss in this post: Practical slavery. Women are responsible for everything in the Pokot family. Raising children completely alone, cooking for the family, building houses, fetching water and firewood, tending to the flocks, laundry, caring for the crops, anything else that might come up.

All of these are heavy burdens upon those who are working as God's ministers in the Pokot culture. But, these are not impossible obstacles. Though the darkness is thick and oppressive, Jesus Christ is greater! The Light of the world has come and the darkness has not overcome it!

Who will share Christ with these people? He is THE Way, THE Truth, THE Life! Do we as believers honestly believe that? How much more should we be ready to go and share HIM with those dwelling in darkness?!

A Famine in the Land

In rural Kenya we have seen a Prophecy really come to light. I (Phil) have personally never lived among people that fit the description of Amos 8:11-12 so well.

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord God, "when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it."

Leah and I have been to places that do not have the Word of God, but those places are not going from sea to sea... they were not stopping us on the side of the road begging for Bibles.

All over Kenya we have seen so many people so hungry for the Word of God, hungry for sound Scriptural teaching. Because many of the places we target are rural areas, the people face two problems: the price of Bibles is too high, and the availability of Bibles too scarce. If they see a visiting pastor, regardless of their race, the question always comes: "do you have any Bibles?"

We know that Kenya is but a microcosm of this global crisis. How we long to sends Bibles into all the nations that have yet to receive them! But God has given us both the opportunity and the responsibility to reach Kenya. We might not be able to reach all of Africa, but we will labor with all of God's glorious might that He powerfully work in us to reach all of Kenya!

There is always a need for Bibles! A good Bible in the trade language of the people of Kenya (Swahili) costs between $5-10. For those tribes that have a full Bible in their mother tongue, the Bibles usually cost about $10 a copy. Can you help provide the Word of God for the rural tribes of Kenya?

Here are a few pictures of the people we gave Bibles to in the Pokot area...

(These are elders and evangelists that Phil spent 2 days teaching and training)


(The following are women that Leah spent a day teaching)

A Murdered Son and Unclean Mother

Every day, with exception of Sundays and travel days, we would go house to house sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I guess a better description would be hut to hut; there are only 3 houses (as Americans may understand them) in the village of Amaya.

This place is practically unreached. While there are some Christians and a witness to the Living God, many of the people in this farming community have heard very little about Jesus Christ. (Could that be from a lack of the people possessing God's Word? From a total lack of Biblically illiterate elders and leaders?)

But where darkness resides is a greater opportunity to shine Christ's light! In many places we had ample opportunity to share Christ with people for the first time! Under trees, in huts, on walking paths, anywhere there is a group of people - there is a pulpit!

Although you do not see them in this picture, there are about 10-15 people sitting under this tree. It is a man with his 3 wives and about 10 children.


Now, concerning the title of this blog post... One day while going hut to hut, we met a woman on the road. At first we thought she was drunk; she was making all kinds of noises and hitting the ground with her walking stick. But as we walked by, she called out "pastor!" So the five of us (2 pastors, Leah and I, and our friend Jeremy) went to see what was going on.

Then we heard the story. This woman's son had been murdered in cold blood about 1 or 2 weeks prior in Nairobi. In the Pokot culture, if a family member dies, you are considered unclean until the body has been buried and a goat is slaughtered and the blood sprinkled upon you. While someone is unclean, the extended family does not let that person into their house and they are culturally bound to not help them until they have been made clean.

We talked with her for about an hour and then parted ways. But God's Spirit cannot let His people hear such things without moving them to action. So, the next day we drove to the nearest "shopping center" to buy some food and simple supplies for her and her family (it was about 50 kilometers away... and just an idea of how big this place was, they didn't even have a loaf of bread to sell).

We came to her hut to deliver the surprise. She was wondering why we would come to her hut and bring things to help her. We said simply, God knows your hurts, He knows your pain, and He sent us to help you and show you that He loves you. Even though you do not know Him He loves you! Then we sat under a tree and shared the Gospel with her for a couple hours.

We shared with her that God sent Jesus to die for the sins of people, that the Bible says He is the Lamb which was slain. His blood is sprinkled upon those who believe in Him, and His blood is what makes us clean! And He was sacrificed once for all, there are no more sacrifices necessary after Him!

After this, one of the team members helped to dress some of her wounds:



Then after praying, she told us that she needs to know this God who loves her and makes her clean and that she needs to follow Him. So we rejoiced with her and connected her with a local church.

(She is the one directly bellow me in the picture.)

There a so many people in this nation that have never heard the name of Jesus, they don't know that He died to save them from their sins and reconcile them to God! We know that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. But how will they call on the name of one whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without someone preaching to them? And how will they preach unless they are sent?

Two weeks in the bush

We apologize for not updating sooner; however, as we mentioned, we spent two weeks in a remote area. We did not have electricity, drinking water, cell phone reception, etc.

We returned from Amaya (the village in which we stayed in the Pokot area) late Saturday night. Then, Sunday morning, Phil preached in the two services in the AIC Kijabe church. As you can imagine, we are a little tired.

As this week will be a little bit slower, we will try to share one story from Pokot ever day for the next week...

As for today's story, I will share briefly about this picture:


On one of the first days in Amaya, we were greeted by this old man. His name is William. He was one of the first people to follow Jesus from this village nearly 40 years ago. He is a respected elder not only in the community, but also in the church.

Phil had noticed that all the Pokot men would carry these walking sticks everywhere they went. He asked one of the pastors if he should have one, and this man, William, just gave Phil his stick. Now if you are an American, you may not realize what this means. In the Pokot culture you are not really a man if you don't have a stick. By this man giving Phil his stick, he was welcoming him to his culture and saying that Phil is a respected man among them.

Now, William was a great help to us in more ways that we can explain on a blog. One of the very practical ways he helped us was with his 1980's Land Rover. Not only the team, but also Leah and I were in a few jams, but William and his old Land Rover came to the rescue...

You don't realize how much you really appreciate good jumper cables and a durable, dependable truck until your vehicle dies in the bush! It is totally dark, your vehicle is totally dead, you don't speak the only language the natives speak, you don't have a flash light because you never expected to be out that late, and you don't know the trails that cut through the bush back to your camp.

But God is good in all circumstances! The Lord brought someone along who would lead Phil and another girl back to camp while two others on the team stayed with the truck. After a 30 min walk back to the camp, Phil and a local missionary ran up the hill to find William who was getting ready for bed. But William was glad ti help us. He drove down to the broken down truck, gave us a jump, and helped get us out of a bit of a jam.

If you want to see God's hand in all things, one place you will see it is in the bush. There, you take absolutely nothing for granted. We were there for only 2 weeks and we have more stories than we could possibly share in a month of blogging!

Truly, we are feeling the drawing of God to work in such places! Oh that we might see His heart for those dwelling in utter darkness! Send the light!

May the Lord bless you and keep you.