Final Update:
We are sitting in London Heathrow waiting for out connection to Chicago. It’s about 8:30 am (3:30 am there at home). We should get the call to begin boarding our plane soon.
Emily gave a report in the Friday update about the outreach Friday night, and below Susanna writes her perspective of Saturday and Sunday nights. I’ll let those reports stand for themselves.
Saturday morning was a particularly moving and emotional for the team. Sammy took us to visit three of his Youngsters for Christ Team members in their homes. We had to navigate alleyways barely 3 feet wide with raw sewage running down the middle. We would duck into a tiny “house” made of sticks and dried mud to enjoy the sweetest fellowship you could imagine. The needs are so great. We had prayer for each family calling on God to meet the needs and to encourage these stalwart believers.
On Sunday morning we worshiped at a small church in Kibera called Christian Harvest Center. The pastor had invited Pastor Joe to preach to his congregation after hearing the message he brought to the Kibera Pastors’ Fellowship last Thursday. He wanted Joe to preach the same message from Philippians 2 on Christ “emptying” himself for us and to bring the theme of humility and servanthood to his congregation. Pastor Joe did a great job and got great feedback from the pastor and several church members. The church itself was incredible. There was a mound of raw, rotting garbage almost as large as the church building itself just a few feet from the church. The building itself was only about 15’ x 30’ and there were about 60 or70 people gathered to worship sitting on benches placed on the dirt floor. None of that affected the quality and sincerity of worship. What a blessing!
Sunday evening at Sammy’s house we started the process of saying tearful goodbyes, and completed that process Monday evening at the airport. If we could stay longer we would.
Dan Sietman
Hello dear friends, warm hugs and excited hellos to you all. As we wrap up our trip we are brimming over with stories and experiences we are dying to share with you. Friday, Saturday and Sunday our focus was on the crusade. The Youngsters for Christ group set up a stage the center of the slum area and attracted an attentive crowd. We always started with about 1½ hours of energetic singing and dancing. Wow, what a privilege to worship with such devoted and zealous believers. There were dramas and testimonies which stirred the heart, and then Pastor Joe delivered poignant messages on why Jesus had to die and why you must be born again. The Holy Spirit drew many to himself. Saturday night 28 people and Sunday 48 more people came forward to confess Christ. One Pastor told Sammy that he had three of the new converts from Friday or Saturday night in his church for the first time Sunday morning. Sammy is working hard with the local pastors to disciple these new believers. What a joyful celebration we had this weekend, we and the angles too, huh? The Kenyans seem to have sensitivity to the things of God and a true zeal to serve Him. It has truly been a privilege to serve and worship with them. Thank you PPC for all your support and encouragement. As we ministered we were an extension of you. See you soon.
Susanna
20 June 2005
Today was a day of mixed emotions. We are all anticipating our return to our families, our own beds and familiarity. Yet it is with sadness that we leave our new dear friends in Kenya.
Our running and power walking teams started out the day with our final attempt to become “world class Kenyan marathoners.” It was a beautiful morning.
The rest of the day was a final opportunity to enjoy our new friends. Our day included visiting the elephants (up to two years old) at the Nairobi National Park. From there we did some shopping and sight-seeing. Kenya is such a beautiful country.
After supper at the guest house we headed to the airport. It was a moving time as the Kenyans sang a song about missing their new friends, mentioning each of us by name in the song. They were very sad to see us go.
We have all been blessed immeasurably. These are the experiences that mark our lives. We are grateful to God and to you, our church family, for this incredible opportunity.
Joe Godwin
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