John 12:26-28 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” [NIV]
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Neil finds his purpose in serving Jesus, and he is enjoying God's blessing on this trip. This morning, Neil spoke to a leader's group, this afternoon to Martin's pastoral training class. They also visited an elementary school where about 500 students prayed to dedicate their lives to Jesus. In Kenya, Christian Religious Education is taught in the public schools. Their schools are fertile ground for sharing the Gospel. However, learning about Jesus does not guarantee a personal commitment to serve Him or to know Him. Even praying a prayer is not a guarantee. So we pray that the Holy Spirit will enter each life who prayed to receive Jesus today, and that their hearts will be forever available and willing to serve Jesus.
Tim is one of the students from Martin's pastoral training class, and is now serving as a leader in their church. He is pictured holding his copy of our Book. He sent special thanks to Ruth, for her words in the book, adding that the book has equipped them as a church. The students highly appreciate it, and the book has already made a difference. The church gave Ruth a gift, which Neil displayed for a photo to send her.
Through gifts from our friends Neil was able to give a widow with 6 children who attends Martin's church the funds she needed to replace her roof that had become broken down.
As Ruth looked at the pictures, her heart was overwhelmed with love for the Kenyan people. How she would love to travel with Neil to meet them, but her allergies to smoke from their indoor cook fires, diesel fuel, and burning rubber from outdoor fires, have prevented her from going there. Those odors send Ruth to emergency rooms, which are not readily available in the remote villages Neil viists. Meeting the Kenyan villagers and being able to speak the same language is one of those special treats Ruth looks forward to in heaven. God has many riches stored up for us there. Death, where is your sting, and grave where is your victory? In heaven we will never need to say, "Goodbye."
This evening Neil and Francis were at at a crusade. Martin's church seems to be especially gifted in evangelism. There is such joy in witnessing Christ coming to live in the hearts of others!
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for the 500 students who gave their lives to Jesus at the school Neil and Francis spoke to today.
- Pray for the widow's roof to be completed soon.
- Thank God for the leaders Martin is training, and pray that they will remain faithful to serving Jesus.
- Pray for safety for Neil and Francis as they travel to George's church at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning Kenya time (10:00 p.m. Monday evening Minnesota time).
God hears each and every prayer, and He is so faithful in answering them.
Love,
Ruth