Leading up to Sunday night's
"Living Room Conversation", we wanted to invite you to submit some of your most burning questions about Kenya, Life in Africa, the Ministry, or us personally. If you can submit your questions, in advance, on here we'll be able to have good answers we make up... uh... I mean,...
think about before Sunday night.
So, please take a minute or so, think about some questions, and write them in your comments to this post.
Looking forward to seeing you all
Sunday night at 6:30! Bring a friend!
(If you aren't sure what we are talking about, click here for more info: Living Room Conversation)
8 comments:
What's your typical day like?
What's the BEST thing about Africa? What's the worst? What's the weirdest?
If you were going to mentor someone going into ministry, what advice would you give? What advice would you give a teenager, knowing what you know now, about following their heart into missions?
How has serving God in Africa changed you?
And Todd wants to know, when is Chris getting his hair cut? I may have more questions later...these were off the top of my head.
I want to know if Chris is going to tell the group on Sunday night the story about the dog under the truck story?
Do the toilets flush?
What time does the mailman come?
Do they take VISA?
Do they need fine Italian office seating controls?
Will Chris keep his long hair and submit his name into Hanson's "Fan of the Year" contest?
How far can you throw a football 6500 ft above sea level?
Do they listen to American Music?
If you dressed as Barack Obama would you draw a bigger crown to minister to?
**crowd** obviously not "crown". sumtymes i tipe bad en inglesh.
... This may have been a mistake.
Do you get frustrated that people view Africa as one large country and not 54 distinct individual countries? I know this annoys most of my African friends to no end that most Americans are pretty ignorant about the geography of Africa and just see it as either one huge jungle or a vast desert!
How do you form meaningful and equal friendships with Kenyans? Having lived in Kenya for two decades, I was always ashamed that most westerners only socialized with fellow westerners before retreating to their gated communities. I never met any American children in schools where the majority of students were Kenyans. Instead, most missionaries end up either homeschooling or sending their children to Rift Valley Academy thus missing on a great opportunity to form real relationships with locals. The excuse mostly used was the standard of education, but having taught in both Kenya and the U.S, Kenya's education standard is atually more demanding than the U.S's. The only "relationships" most westerners had with Kenyans were with their maids, gardeners, watchmen and drivers. I saw far too often missionaries and other expats working with NGOs who had a "savior mentality" and never developed any meaningful relationships with local Kenyans.
What skills do missionaries need to minister in Kenya? I know that Christian Religious Education is taught in primary and secondary schools in Kenya (unless of course it is at foreign schools where most foreigners send their children). Additionally, church attendance is pretty high (when I was there - it was about 90% of people who identify themselves as christians who faithfully attended church). I know that a lot of pastors in Kenya don't have sound theological training. So would missionaries with a strong theological background be beneficial? Does organizing mission trips comprised of Americans who normally have very little biblical knowledge have any impact? Or is this mainly for the benefit of the person who went on the mission trip to have the experience "change" them?
How are you able to balance the realities of Kenya - a developing nation with modern amenities - yes, even flushing toilets :) with the reality that most Americans will only have compassion for missionaries who serve in deplorable conditions? Do you ever get concerned that if you tell the full truth about Kenya - its modernity coupled with extreme poverty that people may not be so willing to partner in ministry there? I once listend to a prospective missionary to Zambia who had visited Kenya, and stayed at Serena Hotel during his one month stay. Hearing his description of his accomodations, I was not able to recognize Serena Hotel!
How do you feel in regards to the Christians you have met in impoverished countries? Do you feel that their faith is so much greater than that in the U.S., or is it just a different level of trust in God? I feel like all the "stuff" in America puts a barrier between us and God. Where those in poverty seem able to see him so much clearer. Agree?
WOW! I like Janice and Tracy's questions!
Now mine are going to look lousy.
Oh well, here is my main question....
Which one of you first felt God was calling you to go into missions in Africa, and how did you convince, I mean get the other person to line up in agreement with you?-Seeing how this was such a drastic change to both of your lives.
Another question would be how much faith do you have to in God to know your needs will be met?
People always talk about 'just having faith'-but you guys really LIVE IT! How do you do that?
Okay I understand if my questions are not picked to be answered tonight, just know that I think you both are awesome servants of God!!
Love Ya Bunches!!-Hall Family
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