That is George from Nairobi preaching at the church leaders training conference today. George is a brother to Maurice, the pastor of the Hama Island church. Preaching for George is a full-body activity. He gets everyone's attention. Neil says that when George preaches, he burns through 3 interpreters. They just can't keep up George's zeal for teaching. What George has been gifted in energy, Neil has been gifted in sound Biblical teaching. George is another pastor who uses our book to mentor young pastors in training, and asked Neil for another 10 copies. He told the conference our book impacted him personally. Now Neil has given away all the copies that he brought with him.
Although Ruth thought Neil would be out of communication as soon as he entered Ugandan territory on Lake Victoria, Neil actually has the best cell phone signal there. Many of Neil's phone texts are now arriving, so Ruth can better help you become part of this new island adventure.
Thursday, April 9
I left the church this morning to walk down to the beach. The lyrics of a song, "Sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the tide roll away . . ." came to mind. An egret sits 10 yards from me. The little warblers are 4 feet away on the beach. Dan Belgum, eat your heart out. :)
The "digs" last night weren't even 1-star. They were more like jail cell level, except for the bonus of having the latrine only 10 steps down the hall. I am considering washing that latrine.
Joanne from MauMau Market, where the conferences were held the last 2 years, has arrived. She said the recent flood waters were chest deep. Joanne lives in a temporary house of plastic with 5 kids. Yet, she came faithfully to lead worship.
I was given the first teaching slot this morning, explaining that although salvation is freely given, it costs everything. When we identify with Jesus in His death, it is like we are the worm that becomes the chrysalis that becomes a beautiful butterfly. We become a new creation in Christ. Jesus gave His all without condemning us. However, in doing so, He left nothing in our hearts untouched. Both Ken and Francis kicked in some great insights afterwards.
Jim and I are manuevering for a bath in Lake Victoria. He is next to teach. It is amazing to me that I am given only a few thoughts before each message, and from there, more is given by the Holy Spirit as I begin to speak. I have the talks I worked out before the trip. It is always good to be prepared, but my prepared teachings are not the direction the conference is going.
The Lake Victoria bath has been confirmed! Then the phone went silent.
Neil called at 9:00 a.m. Morris time (5:00 p.m. Kenya time), but this time his phone call was abruptly cut off. They had walked to the north side of the island for their bath. The beaches are not white sand, but the pebbles are small enough to make the water accessible. Francis, Jim, and I and our caretaker Douglas were like 4 little boys splashing around in the water. So fun!
Back at our accommodations, Francis, Ken and Maurice, the pastor at the Hama Island church, are eating lunch and roaring in laughter about old times. It is about 80 degrees Farenheit today. If I dice raw onions on top of my rice and beans, and eat it with raw sugarded tomatoes, it is delicious! Kitchen staff were instructed to have a thermos of hot water for me at all times. I have consumed 3/4ths of my instant coffee.
Jim and I picked up garbage around the grounds this morning. I am having my clothes washed tomorrow. It is amazing that Joanne is dressed like a queen, but now after the flood she is living in a plastic refugee hut in MauMau Market.
We all prophesied for each other today in groups of five. Today, Eunice's worship team led us in beautifully colored dresses. Diana Ross and the Supremes had nothing on these gals in beauty or talent. Eric Schmidt, wish you were here to witness the worship teams and dancing! They have a rickety stage about 8' X 6'. There are 10 people bouncing up and down as they dance and sing. It is a miracle that the platform can withstand that much weight! This morning I learned that all on the worship team are navigating one type of suffering or another. Wonderful to see how they abandon their sorrows to put on the garment of praise as they sing, "I'm trading my sorrows." It makes me weep. Joanne's husband Patrick arrived from MauMau. He is a motorcycle driver by trade, but he smashed up his bike. When their house was destroyed by the flood, they lost their Bibles.
We also all spoke in tongues. You could tell they were getting the baptism of the Holy Spirit by the questions they asked afterward. Ken and Francis gave helpful tips afterwards. George from Nairobi preached again, and blew through three interpreters. When those who are demonized begin shrieking, they are summarily carried into the church where they are delivered.
There are about 200 people now worshipping Jesus. Rosemary, Hellen, and I are sitting against the church wall. What a glorious time! They kept up the worship and dancing for 45 minutes in the 90 degree afternoon sunshine.
George asked me to stop by to visit him when we are in Nairobi. I will be passing out the tooth brushes from our friends in Alexandria tomorrow.
Prayer Needs:
- Pray for those who are suffering, that they truly will sense Jesus carrying their burdens and lifting their sorrows.
- Pray for those who were delivered, that they will be able to retain their deliverance as they draw near to Jesus.
- Pray for those whose homes and property was destroyed in the flood, that the Lord would supply all their needs.