Acts 13:47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” [NIV]
Francis and Neil were off to an early start Tuesday morning, leaving Martin's church north of Kitale on the Ugandan border, to head southwest toward the Kisii District. Using a shortcut to Kitale, the road was so bad that they encountered 2 overturned trucks. They were able to drive around the first truck, and then discovered why there was no other traffic. It was a mud road. They were able to make it to pavement. The rest of their trip to Geoge's church, although beautiful, was uneventful.
George's second church, about half an hour from his house is in the Nyamira District in the hill country 50 kilometers north of Nyamira. Last year our friends contributed funds to provide the steel roofing for this new church. On a previous visit, Neil had carved a heart into a log with the words, "Neil plus Ruth." When George's new church was built, they fashioned a window frame from the log saving Neil's carving.
A new favorite passtime of the youth in George's church is worshipping Jesus! The sound system provided by other friends, and installed in January, has already been put to good use with a youth worship team. Young people hang out at the church to learn to play the keyboard and sing.
While they were at George's church, the rain began falling in sheets during a torrential downpour. A tree was blown over next to the church. They made their way a long way down a treacherously slippery muddy path for a sumptuous meal. A young girl, more sure of her footing, carried Neil's pack. Neil and Francis were not looking forward to climbing 1/4 mile back to the higher ground where their vehicle was parked.
When Ruth read that text message, she immediately sent out an urgent prayer request email for their safety. Torrential rain in the hill country can cause flash floods, and makes travel on backroads very dangerous. Then, just in case he didn't have his card with him, Ruth sent Neil their Emergency Assistance Plus policy number and international phone number to call for arranging emergency medical services, lodging, and evacuation for you and your traveling companion when injured in accidents anywhere in the world. But the very best emergency assistance is what God can provide when we call Him in prayer! Thank you to all who saw Ruth's message this morning and prayed for Neil and Francis.
Neil and Francis will spend most of this week interviewing the destitute children supported by Outfitters for Adventure's ROCK sponsors. As of this post, Ruth does not have an update on how travel progressed from George's church. She will notify you when she hears from Neil. Hopefully, Neil was safely sleeping by 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. Minnesota time.
Prayer Requests:
- Continue to pray for rain to stop and good roads for travel.
- Please pray that all of the ROCK children and their caregivers can make it to their interviews.
- You might want to pray for good weather here at home as well, with snow forecast for our region of up to 15 inches.
Love,
Ruth