Mark 10:13-15 - People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He told them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” [NIV]
Neil slept like a rock last night, and thanks you for your prayers. The folks staying in the other hotel didn't sleep so well. There was a loud disco going on next door.
In the opening session this morning, Neil said that when he learned that several who came forward to be born again last night had already committed their lives to Jesus. That got everyone's attention, and the crowd was hushed. Then Neil explained that we can't be born-again, again. When we are born again, God remains faithful to His side of the commitment. Giving our life to Jesus establishes our relationship when God accepts us as His child through our trust in Jesus. If we fall away, we need to confess our sin. God is faithful and will forgive our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. So they went over the difference between being born again and confession of sin, repentance, and forgiveness that restores fellowship with Jesus after we are born again. The Holy Spirit's work of sanctification, helping us change our actions, words, and attitudes to become more like Jesus, continues here on earth until we see Jesus face-to-face in heaven.
Ken taught the next session, following up on Neil's points. After the morning session, one of the Kisii District pastors came to Neil to confess things he had done that needed forgiveness. Neil was thankful to work toward a deeper relationship with that pastor.
Ken greets Maurice Opondo, who had been Neil's interpreter for a few years. Maurice married our friend Ellie, who was on Neil's site visit teams. They now live in Rochester, MN, where they are raising their family and work at the Mayo Clinic. Maurice and Ellie would enjoy participating in the Kenya meetings this week.
The children at the conference followed Neil, hoping he would take their hand or let them crawl into his lap. Today, Jim gathered about 100 children under a tree outdoors and taught them. Neil said it is like Jim has a special gift for teaching children. As Neil listened to Jim's teaching, two little girls were sleeping in Neil's lap with their heads against his chest. One of them was snoring. Jim invited Neil to finish by teaching how God speaks to us.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit has become stronger each day. When Neil arrived at the church this afternoon, it was like the people were in a time warp of the Holy Spirit in God's presence. Neil said it was so sweet. They had a "no-holds-barred" dancing before the Lord. Marvelous! The worship dance teams took turns leading worship. Neil taught on Jesus rebuking the disciples for not listening to the women's report of the empty tomb and about the disciples recognizing Jesus when he appeared with them on the Road to Emmaus. Jesus rising from the dead was almost too wonderful for the disciples to believe, but Jesus appeared often enough after he rose from the grave that the evidence outweighed their skepticism.
Neil and Jim did not stay for the last session, which would end around 11:00 p.m. They must be on the road with Francis at 6:00 a.m. to drive 2 hours to the church where they will preach. Cosmas will stay at James' church, where the conference is held. The conference will end after the morning service. The folks from the Ugandan islands in Lake Victoria will make the 5-hour boat ride back home. Cosmas will drive his van to join Neil, Francis, and Jim and bring them to his home in Nairobi, where they will spend the night. Jim will fly home, but Neil will stay on in Nairobi, visiting our missionary friends Joe and Karin Medley for a few days. Neil will arrive home in Morris on Friday night.
Prayer concerns:
- Neil, Jim, and Francis are already waking up on Easter morning. Pray for strength and joy, love and peace, and fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit for preaching.
- Safe travels for all the conference attendees.
- Teachings of the week will increase in hearts and not fade as they head home.
Love,
Ruth