In 2013 we experienced many "firsts." The most recent of course would be the holidays: Christmas and the New Year in Kenya.
Christmas was very simple. In Kenya, if you are a part of the Church, you will go to a Christmas morning worship service. The Church was very full that morning... and we could not help but rejoice with our brothers and sisters in Christ as we worshiped our Lord, remembering the advent of His incarnation. We also felt a deep sadness. Never in the US could we imagine a group of 600 people getting out of bed on Christmas morning just to praise Jesus... yet this is normal to Christians living in Kenya. While we came here to teach, we are the ones being taught more and more about a genuine hunger for Jesus and a longing for His Word.
After the service, Leah and I made biscuits and gravely for the other Americans who celebrated Christmas with us. Shortly after eating a large breakfast (@ 11:00) we began to roast a goat... In Kenya, it is not Christmas if you don't have Nyma Choma (roasted meat). About 30 people came over to Rev Simon's house. So we ate a feast for our lunch (@ 1:00). Everyone was stuffed and could not image taking another bite! So everyone sat around and talked until it seemed that we could fit a little more food in our stomachs.
After some rest and silence, we sleepily heated leftover goat and potatoes and rice. One more meal, and then it was off to bed.
Over the next few days, we prepared sermons and tried to get things together for our next seminar. On Friday, the 28th, we went to Godfrey's house to celebrate Christmas with his family. We exchanged presents and enjoyed each others company.
On the 30th, Phil preached about seeking God with all our hearts. The sermon ended with everyone on their knees praying and asking God to bring a New Year's Revival.
New Year's Eve, the Church holds what is called a "mini Kesha." This is a prayer meeting that lasts from around 8pm until a little after midnight. The people like to usher in the New Year with prayer and worship to the King of kings. At this event, Leah had the opportunity to preach the Gospel to a group of over 400 people. She spoke about the importance of living for eternity and the nearness and reality of Jesus's return. Many people were challenged by the message and were forced to think about 2013 as a year which must be spent eagerly awaiting the return of their Lord and Savior.
There is no better way to end 2012 and enter 2013 than by preaching the Word of God. We hope that this will only continue! And by God's grace we know it will!
May the Lord bless you and Keep you this new year as you go through the days to come. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and your feet on the narrow path. We pray that God will send His workers into the harvest field... and perhaps even use this blog to encourage others to count the cost and give their entire lives to: seek Jesus, preach the Gospel to the lost, and spend our very few days in order to purchase more glory for God.
(many more updates coming just around the corner!)
Christmas was very simple. In Kenya, if you are a part of the Church, you will go to a Christmas morning worship service. The Church was very full that morning... and we could not help but rejoice with our brothers and sisters in Christ as we worshiped our Lord, remembering the advent of His incarnation. We also felt a deep sadness. Never in the US could we imagine a group of 600 people getting out of bed on Christmas morning just to praise Jesus... yet this is normal to Christians living in Kenya. While we came here to teach, we are the ones being taught more and more about a genuine hunger for Jesus and a longing for His Word.
After the service, Leah and I made biscuits and gravely for the other Americans who celebrated Christmas with us. Shortly after eating a large breakfast (@ 11:00) we began to roast a goat... In Kenya, it is not Christmas if you don't have Nyma Choma (roasted meat). About 30 people came over to Rev Simon's house. So we ate a feast for our lunch (@ 1:00). Everyone was stuffed and could not image taking another bite! So everyone sat around and talked until it seemed that we could fit a little more food in our stomachs.
After some rest and silence, we sleepily heated leftover goat and potatoes and rice. One more meal, and then it was off to bed.
Over the next few days, we prepared sermons and tried to get things together for our next seminar. On Friday, the 28th, we went to Godfrey's house to celebrate Christmas with his family. We exchanged presents and enjoyed each others company.
On the 30th, Phil preached about seeking God with all our hearts. The sermon ended with everyone on their knees praying and asking God to bring a New Year's Revival.
New Year's Eve, the Church holds what is called a "mini Kesha." This is a prayer meeting that lasts from around 8pm until a little after midnight. The people like to usher in the New Year with prayer and worship to the King of kings. At this event, Leah had the opportunity to preach the Gospel to a group of over 400 people. She spoke about the importance of living for eternity and the nearness and reality of Jesus's return. Many people were challenged by the message and were forced to think about 2013 as a year which must be spent eagerly awaiting the return of their Lord and Savior.
There is no better way to end 2012 and enter 2013 than by preaching the Word of God. We hope that this will only continue! And by God's grace we know it will!
May the Lord bless you and Keep you this new year as you go through the days to come. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and your feet on the narrow path. We pray that God will send His workers into the harvest field... and perhaps even use this blog to encourage others to count the cost and give their entire lives to: seek Jesus, preach the Gospel to the lost, and spend our very few days in order to purchase more glory for God.
(many more updates coming just around the corner!)
Amazing! Love hearing the Stories.. I think we should do the same, and Roast a Goat.. Sounds like the best thing to do.
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