I see by the clock on my laptop that it’s 3:35 pm there. Here it’s 10:35 pm, the end of a long and very fulfilling day. Sammy came with a different driver today to pick us up and take us to church. We worshiped at Sammy’s home church, Christ-Co Central Church. Christ-Co is short for Christ Co-Worker. I love that concept that we are co-workers with Christ in spreading the gospel. It’s not about us at all, but all about what God does when He sometimes chooses to do His work through men and women.
We arrived at the church a bit early so we would have a chance to meet Sammy’s pastor, Jeremiah Mugala. He is a very gracious and humble man. I remembered him from three years ago. At that time he was the Associate Pastor. We met in his office and he shared with us his heart for his people. When we asked him how long he has been a pastor, he told us five years – three years as the associate and two years as senior pastor. Then he corrected the record and told us that actually he had found himself serving as a pastor for many years earlier in his work as a social worker in Kibera Slum with World Vision. He finally resigned so he would be free to have a more direct spiritual input into the lives of the people he is called to serve. What a humble and sincere man! Later, during the worship service I saw him on the platform on his knees, worshiping and praying for his flock. Anyway, back in his office he explained to us that his church is about half the size that it used to be because they had recently dispatched a number of church members to plant another church so the Kingdom of God could grow.
After we had prayer with Pastor Jeremiah, Sammy took us outside so we could participate in some of the “Bible Hour” small group discussions that were taking place prior to the worship service. Pastor Joe and I joined a group of young single adults where they were talking about why it is so hard sometimes to establish trusting relationships with other people. They welcomed us into their group and were very interested in our thoughts. Since their only exposure to American culture is what they see in movies and on TV, they wanted to know about some of the greatest challenges that our young people face, how we deal with issues such as homosexuality, how we train future leaders for the church, and many other fascinating topics. I found myself challenged because of the sincerity and depth of their questions.
The worship service itself was wonderful. They refuse to be constrained by time – it lasted over 4 hours – but the time went by so fast! They are much more expressive in their worship than we are used to, but it was a joy to join in with them. At one point they called us up to the platform, Sammy said a word of introduction, we each told our names, and Pastor Joe brought a greeting on behalf of PPC. Pastor Jeremiah didn’t preach, he gave the pulpit to one of his elders who used the story about Abraham’s willingness to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice to encourage the people to grow in their maturity as believers.
After church, we went back to the guest house, changed clothes and headed out for lunch at a restaurant. We had some difficulties on the way with transportation – our regular bus was being serviced and the substitute was being temperamental – so it was quite late by the time we actually finished lunch. We purchased some refreshments to share with the YCT group later and hurried to the center where Bobby, one of the leaders was just wrapping up their Sunday evening discussion time. There were around 60 young people crammed into a small courtyard, just so grateful to have some fellowship and encouragement. Sammy then invited them to his house for refreshments and about 40 of them made the hike through the slum in the dark to visit with us.
At Sammy’s house we had such a phenomenal time, it’s difficult to put into words. Just getting to know these young folk is amazing. Every team member made friends – you will have to hear their own experiences from them. Several young people really touched my heart, but I’d like to share with you about one of them. His name is Rueben. He is about 18 or 19 years old. He joined YCT about three years ago just after our team that went to serve with Sammy in August 2002 had left. He was getting into drugs and starting to give in to the hopelessness that overtakes so many of the young people in the slum. Sammy’s younger brother, David, reached out to him at school and shared the love of God with him and brought him to some YCT meetings. He accepted Jesus as his savior and his life started turning around. He said to me in a quiet voice, “I don’t know where I would be or what would have happened to me if it weren’t for Sammy and YCT.” He has grown in his faith, and now Sammy has put him in charge of the YCT evangelism team! Rueben has a special burden for Muslims and witnesses fearlessly to them. One young man from a Muslim family was there – now a true Christian believer because of the caring of Rueben and a few others in the group. What a blessing and a challenge Rueben was to me, especially when he asked me what is happening in America with the spread of Islam and what the American church is doing about it! WOW! What a question. I had to admit to him that I don’t think we are doing enough. Then I began to ask Rueben about his personal life. He had to drop out of high school for a while because his family couldn’t afford the fees, but he recently re-enrolled and hopes to finish soon. I believe that God has a special job for Rueben to do. Please pray for him and many others like him, who have so little, but their lack of material things only seems to strengthen their resolve to trust God to provide and surrender to His will.
Well, I could go on and on, but I’ll spare you! We are getting up early in the morning to go on a one-day safari. We’ll be taking as many of Sammy’s team with us as we can fit into our bus. I expect it to be a day full of blessings.
Thanks for your part in allowing us to be here.
Your Co-Worker in Christ,
Dan Sietman
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