Mark 10:14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. [NIV]
Neil taught at George's church by the Nairobi airport today. The slums in that part of the city have been replaced by very tall high rises. The narrow streets are now filled with shops and people, so it is difficult to drive a car through them. George's church is a small tin shack in a crowded alley between the buildings.
Neil texted Ruth: "I am in a very crowded district -- hundreds of highrise apartments. The church is on a one-lane alley gravel road. It was not long, and I went out in the alley and invited all the kids who had gathered to see the white man and shake his hand. There were about 20 kids who gave their lives to Jesus. We have given George's church a sound system and it was not long before we were all dancing and singing."
George's is one of the 20 churches that have received sound systems from Outfitters for Adventure in the last few months. Francis Owuor has been busy purchasing the components and traveling around the country to install the systems, and teaching people how to use the equipment. Nairobi's population has grown so quickly that the infrastructure cannot keep up. Water and sewage removal are a constant problem. Flooding is serious during the rainy season. The electrical grid cannot supply the growing demand for power. Trucks carrying bottled water try to negotiate the crowded streets. The electricity had failed in George's church, so they started up the generator that came with their new sound system, but it soon had run out of fuel. Yet in the midst of the clamor, the people were rejoicing with singing and dancing. Neil was in his element! The children soon discovered how approachable Neil can be, even with a serious look on his face.
Tomorrow, Neil and Francis will travel to Jame's church in Naivasha and then visit Nixson's church when they return to Nairobi. On Wednesday, arrangements have been made for Neil to visit a maximum security prison in Nairobi. He will have a little time to spend with Joe and Karin Medley and their girls before he flies home on Saturday, August 22nd.
Please pray:
- for health and strength for Neil and Francis. Neil has not been sleeping well, and his stomach hasn't been handling the food.
- for safety as they travel both in and out of Nairobi.
- for effectiveness in ministry.
- for the Holy Spirit to be poured out in the prison.
- for Sonja Kvale's relationships to be deepened and her teachings to be embraced.