Jun. 18, 2007 - Sunday in Mombasa...
How do you capture and translate the experience of a village church in Africa? There are just no words to describe the experience that would do it justice. There is no way to fully explain the passion of the believers here. No way for you to feel the Spirit as it fills the small mud building with dirt floors. No way for you to hear the exuberance of the worship as they sing. It's an experience like no other. It makes worship in the U.S. feel insufficient. It makes our passion for the Lord and our witness for Christ seem lame. The believers here live in constant surrender to the Lord. They are whole heartedly sold out for Christ and don't mind sharing that with everyone in their village with boldness. Needless to say, church at Kikumbala was incredible.
I remember 2 years ago when we attended church here just before we returned to the States, I prayed that the little church here would flourish and grow and the next time we returned it would filled to overflowing. God was faithful to answer that prayer. Although they have struggled over the time we were away (at times down to only 4 people) there was standing room only in church Sunday. And out of the group present, 4 stepped forward to receive Christ as Savior. Praise the Lord!
Jackson's sister, Mwangoi, went to church with us. We then stopped for lunch at...you guessed it...Splendid View.
The owner's whole family was there and we had a great visit with them. The afternoon was an exciting time as well. Jackson's Grandmother had arrived safely from Nairobi and she along with the Aunt, cousin and sister came to our apartment for tea. We visited with them all afternoon. Before we left the states, we had a photo book made (at Kodak.com) of Jackson's first 2 years with us in the USA. We presented this book for Rose to have. She loved it and said she must hide it so no one will steal it from her. It was a great time for her to see how Jackson lives now...his house, his work, his friends and family, the trips he has taken, etc. The visit with her was full of emotion as she told stories of Jackson's hardships as a child and let us know how grateful and blessed she felt that Jackson has a new family.
We have been praying about Mwangoi, Jackson's sister. She used to live in Nairobi and had a sponsor that paid for her school fees. Apparently the money has been kept from her and she has not been getting the things her sponsor is paying for. She moved to Mombasa with Rose and now they are trying to get her into a school here. School fees are once again a problem. After much prayer, Jackson has decided to pay for her school fees with his money. Fees for a year are about $400 and the school she wants to go to is right in her area. Jackson has been saving all his money to help his grandmother and sister. He brought a portion of that money with him on this trip to give to them. I know they are grateful. He wants so badly for his sister to have a better life and not end up like their mother who died of AIDS. He had a very serious talk with Mwangoi today about her life and what he expects from her. It was a precious time of "big brother" giving instruction to his little sister.
What a long day...but filled with praise and blessings. Lala Salama...sleep well.
