Acts 8:36-37 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” [NIV]
In this passage, the Holy Spirit had prompted Philip to catch up with a chariot in which a Eunich was reading aloud a passage describing Jesus' death from the prophet Isaiah. Philip joined the Eunich who asked Philip to explain the Scripture to him. Philip began with that passage and told the Eunich the good news about Jesus. He must have mentioned baptism, because when the Eunich saw water, he immediately asked to be baptized. We have helped many people learn about Jesus and heard them pray to give their lives to Jesus. New believers often want to be baptized in water as soon as possible after they believe, as a public testimony that they now belong to Jesus. More about this to come, but let's catch up with Neil's texts describing the happenings on Hama Island.
Saturday, April 11
Eunice and her herd returned home after worship this morning. They live on another island in Lake Victoria, three hours by boat Northwest of Hama Island. I have some great videos of their worship. I walked Eunice and her church attendees to the boat to say our farewells.
I will be teaching on water baptism this morning, which will liven the discussion like a boxer coming off the ropes. One pastor ventured the idea of multiple born again experiences. I explained that being born again is a one-time occurrence when we give our life to Jesus. Then the Holy Spirit begins the work of sanctification in our thoughts and hearts. Sadly, many people backslide after becoming born again. But to get back on the road with Jesus, we do not need to be born again, again. When we fall back into a life of sin after being born again, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin. We need to confess our sin, ask forgiveness, and obey the Holy Spirit as He helps us line up our lives with God's Word, becoming more and more like Jesus.
The worship teams from each church are taking their turns leading worship. The MauMau Market team of 5 girls is leading, making the little stage platform bounce with their dancing. Earlier, Rosemary did a gig with the children. There are many stories of the recent flood running in the background.
We had lunch at the pastor, Maurice's house on the other side of the island. He lives in a two-room mud hut. I waited until everyone had completed their hand washing, then took the soap to Lake Victoria and had my daily bath. My clothes were washed today in preparation for us leaving tomorrow. East of us across the lake, they are getting thwacked with a thunderstorm. Here it is a lovely sunshiny evening with warm weather like we have in July.
The first night there were about 150 people in attendance, but our worship with the use of the new sound system carried to the village on the other side of the small island. What was intended to be a church leadership training conference, turned into an evangelism outreach event. The people in the fishing village heard the music and singing and wanted to come join the party. There had never been an event like this on their tiny island. The second night we had at least 300 gathering for an outdoor church service on an island where the total population is estimated at 1,000.
Sunday, April 12
The people keep coming for our final service. We brought them down to the shore where 46 people came forward to be baptized. A mentally challenged girl was taken to Jim and we baptized her. Back at the service area, there were many introductions. Francis took a photo of people standing to give thanks for the sound systems that our friends in America had provided through donations.
I needed a guinea pig who wasn't saved, so I walked back through the crowd asking various people if they had given their lives to Jesus. Apparently most of them gave their lives to Jesus, if not before the meetings, then during the past few days. When I reached the last row, I lamented that there were usually a few hangouts in the last row. Then Joyce brought a gal over to me, and it was game on. I had someone who agreed, although somewhat reluctantly, to take part in a conversation with me about the steps an unbeliever goes through as they consider making the decision to live for Jesus.
At noon Francis rounded up those who had traveled with us from the Kisii District to make our way to the boat landing. The boat arrived by 1:00 and we set out across Lake Victoria back to shore. The waves weren't as choppy today, but picking up. Not to worry, the boat is just rolling side-to-side going slightly cross-wave.
Two hours later Neil texted that they were now on the road to Kisumu with Atkinson driving. He would leave them at the intersection with the Nairobi highway. Everyone in the van is happy with the conference. It is hard to believe it is all behind us in Lake Victoria.
After dropping Atkinson and the others off to catch a bus to the Kisii District, Neil texted that they were on the main highway to Nairobi. The roads were dry and the sun was shining. He texted again at Nakuru where there was a lot of traffic. Neil had driven the van from Kisumu, and Francis took over in Nakuru. Neil figured they had 3 hours to go before arriving in Nairobi. It was around 8:00 p.m. Kenya time (noon Minnesota time).
At 11:00 p.m. Kenya time (3:00 p.m. Minnesota time), they had not arrived yet in Nairobi. They had just climbed the long hill coming out at the top of the rift valley. Neil understated that it is pretty dangerous to travel at night. He said they might need to re-think that in the future. (Apparently, there are some scarey parts of the story Neil didn't want Ruth to hear.) Nixson, a pastor from Nairobi, was with them in the van and began telling of losing his first wife in childbirth. Although it was a gripping story, Neil was gripping the steering wheel with the drivng demanding his full attention.
At 12:30 a.m. Kenya time (4:30 p.m. Minnesota time), Neil texted, "Well, we just made it to Cosmas' house in Nairobi. All of us are shot. We have been on the road for almost 12 hours.
Monday, April 13
Neil texted Ruth at 7:00 a.m. Kenya time (11:00 p.m. Minnesota time) to say he found his Minnesota cell phone that had been tucked into the far reaches in one of his large luggage pieces. He uses a Kenya cell phone while traveling.
Neil's plane is scheduled to depart Nairobi at 11:05 p.m. Kenya time (3:05 p.m. Minnesota time). Ruth will be tracking the progress of Neil's flight to Paris and then the Paris flight to St Paul. The St. Paul flight is scheduled to arrive at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, Minnesota time).
Prayer items:
- Praise and thank the Lord for all the wonderful things He did this week.
- Safe travel for Neil and Jim as they return home.
- Special prayer for those who dedicated their lives to serving Jesus, that they can remain faithful.
- For the Holy Spirit to help them share the new joy they have discovered as they realize Jesus washed all their sins away.
Thank you again for your prayers, and thank you to those who contributed, for making this mission trip to Kenya so wonderful! Your prayers will continue being answered.
Love,
Ruth