Matthew 4:18-20 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" And they left their nets at once and followed him. [NLT]
Most of us may have memorized Jesus' invitation to Peter and Andrew as, "I will make you fishers of men." The root of the Greek word, however, means all mankind, which includes women and children. As a woman, Ruth knows Jesus must have meant men and women, because he commended Mary for sitting at his feet listening to him teach, while Martha was busy preparing food for their guests.
The day Neil was leaving for Kenya, our morning reading was Nehemiah 8, which tells of the Jewish people who had returned to Jerusalem from exile, gathered together to hear Ezra read the law after completing the rebuilding of the wall.
Nehemiah 8:2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. [NIV]
I had never noticed the phrase "all who were able to understand." They included the children who could understand. After Ezra read the law, the people began to weep as they realized their sins. But the word of the Lord came that it was a day for rejoicing, not weeping. After the wall around Jerusalem had been restored, the law of the Lord was also being restored.
Nehemiah 8:10,12 — Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength... Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. [NIV]
Jesus also taught his disciples to include the little children. I wondered how many of us thought that children were to be entertained in Sunday School, and didn't consider how much children could understand. Jesus understood that children are the easiest to teach, because what they hear from the people who love and care for them is imprinted on their hearts. As the children crowded around him, Jesus' disciples thought they were bothering Jesus, but he told his disciples:
Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” [NIV]
In the above picture, two new little friends from Kahloleni are walking Neil through their village. Neil has visited Kenya since 2004, watching the infants he held in his arms grow into adults who now have children. He has witnessed children running forward to ask Jesus into their hearts. It is normal for Neil to interact with children, because he was the oldest of 7 children in his family and was surrounded by many cousins. Sadly, for the most part in Kenya, adult men view child care as women's work. Neil has been modeling the importance of healthy interaction with children for Kenyan men. Although some children may later forget and wander away, Jesus never forgets the commitments children make and He helps them return to that home base they established in their hearts when they "were able to understand."
Sunday through Tuesday, Neil has been sending several text messages. Ruth also received videos showing Neil dancing with the people and another one of Neil's teachings at the conference. The meals consisted of beans and rice. Breakfasts include chapati (like a pocket bread) and even doughnuts. Neil distributed all the books he brought to Kahloleni. He had many copies of our Navigating Life book from storage at Cosmas' house, and several resource books packed in his luggage that enrich understanding and application of Scripture, along with church leadership and pastoral skills to help equip the church pastors and leaders who attended the conference.
Neil sends a big "Thank You" to those who have contributed to various needs in Kenya. Several homes and churches were built last year, and medical and food assistance have been provided. The books for the pastors and leaders have also come from the donated funds. Individual sponsors for 60 destitute children send support through Outfitters' ROCK (Reach Out to the Children of Kenya). Most sponsored children are in the Kisii District, but some are from Tanzania, and one is in Kahloleni. Neil and Francis completed the ROCK interview of Mary in Kahloleni before heading back to Nairobi.
Rather than drive the busy road from Mombasa to Nairobi in the dark, Neil, Francis, Martin, and Shawn waited until early Monday morning. Two women needing a ride to Nairobi accompanied them in Cosmas' van. They arrived in time for Neil to visit our friend Joe from Minneapolis, the field director in Nairobi of another missions organization headquartered in Germany. Joe and his family have stayed with us in Morris while visiting family and friends and raising support in the USA. Neil made a phone call so Ruth could visit with Joe. Joe adopted Ruth and Neil as the USA grandparents for his children born after Joe's parents died. Joe plans to be in Minnesota again next summer, and we hope to host them. That means restoring our basement apartment after it became a storage area.
Tuesday morning, Cosmas Solamba's conference for pastors and leaders began in Nairobi. This year's theme is Being Fishers of Men (and Women) (and Children). Neil taught two sessions, followed by Shawn Salut from Northern Minnesota. Neil spoke about developing fishing holes: creating a welcoming environment where fish will gather.
Jesus' first miracle was performed after guests had been feasting and drinking for three days at the wedding in Cana. Jesus fed people, healed the sick, and set them free by casting out demons. Then, after their needs were satisfied and their hearts were open, Jesus taught them. For the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross. Just as in the days of Nehemiah and Ezra, it is through the joy of the Lord that hearts are opened for teaching. Jesus' followers enjoy healing, demon deliverance, and miraculous needs supply. After he demonstrates his goodness, we can trust him for salvation. The joy of the Lord strengthens us to make it through our challenges and sorrows as we participate with Jesus in re-establishing His kingdom on earth.
Prayer Requests:
- That the pastors and leaders would be full of the joy of the Lord to strengthen them for all the challenges their people face.
- Peace in Kenya. There is still unrest after the riots in all the major cities were quelled 3 weeks ago by the police firing live ammunition into the crowds of protesters, killing over 200.
- Fellowship among the pastors would deepen at the conferences as they are encouraged, knowing they stand together doing Jesus' work as members of his body on earth.