Today Pastor Pius Okello, a god fearing, pious man, invited us to come and share at his church, Nairobi Apostolic Revival Ministry. To get there, we had to travel on the matatu, a 12 passenger van/bus. Dr. Steve Van Horn told me that if we rode on the matatu, it would make our shuttle ride from the airport seem like a children's Disney ride. So of course we had to ride on the matatu.
Twice, not once, but twice!!!! we sped onto the dirt sidewalks to pass another matatu. We made a blind left hand turn so fast that the matatu almost tilted onto two tires. Mind you pedestrians are everywhere! in the street and on the sidewalk. I was bracing for flattening someone as we gained vision around the turn. Then the better part of wisdom took over again, and I stopped back seat driving.
Then we arrived a Kibera . . .
We continued walking together to Pastor Pius' home. He is pictured above in black. Dr. Van Horn and I talked to the men about what we had seen and what occurred during the service. (Sign up for his newsletter to read what we saw). We encouraged them to test what they we were doing by the Word of God. They were very teachable. But there was much to explain. Pray with me that I will be able to send some theological resources to them. There is something worse than physical poverty and that is spiritual poverty. And there is something much worse than that. Do you remember why Jesus called a man a fool? It is because he decided to squander his great physical wealth to build himself bigger barns. I wonder what Jesus will say to those of us who have both physical and spiritual riches and hoard them to ourselves.
Dr. Van Horn taught me a new phrase today, "In American you keep time in African we have the time." Today God caused us to have time for Kibera. I will not forget my brothers and sisters whom I met here. And I thank God for deepening my conviction that the greatest resource the church has is truth. Truth is what God wants the church to share with the world. Because only the truth in Kibera and America (and everywhere else) can set sinners free and change them to be like Jesus.
5 comments:
Wow. So glad for the opportunities you are having to serve there!
I am overwhelmed almost to a state of inertia, because of the enormity of the terrible codition of the people of Kibera, Kenya: When I consider the physical and spiritual condition of these dear people, I must conclude that the spiritual need is the greatest, but they need our prayer and financial help, in addressing both of these needs.
Art Morgan
Dear pastor Scott the name of the paster that i knew is Pastor Martin Obuya. The missionary name is sister Omega
Still praying For you Marion A. Singleton
I am sitting in my beautiful office in Redondo Beach, and as I opened your letter, God opened my heart to the miracles He is preforming through you. Thank you for your service and faithfulness to the Lord. May He continue to richly bless you and the work you are doing for Him.
Marion, you want believe this. The conference we are preaching at is at a pastor Martin Obuya's church. Could it be the same man? I'll ceck tomorrow.
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