"Oh The Places You'll Go"

“It’s really quite rare, for you over there, to stop and to glare over the sights I’ve stared.

The view is so nice, I’ve seen them twice or thrice, but enjoy them like Penguins to ice.

Kakamega, Kisumu, two places you must view,

Kapsoboit, Kericho, book your trip now. Oh you must go!

Fish from Victoria, tea from the hills, these are just a couple of thrills,

Oh anticipate the date, AND wait; the rates are quite great!

Not to mention the people who are as kind as Saint Themopilis,

(I made that name up to rhyme with metropolis)!

So sit right back, enjoy the show, buckle your belts, away we go, you’re about to hear of places all-neat, of the storied stories of our God-focused glorious glories.

Oh the places we go…”

Ok, so Dr. Seuss I’m not, but I couldn’t resist trying to set the stage for the whirlwind tour of Kenya we’ve taken within the past few weeks.

Kakamega / Busia

It all started one dark and ominous night….

… no it didn’t. It was a cold morning when we departed for Kakamega. Glenn Clark, Justin McLean (hereafter known as “dynamite”), Noah, and I left for the 7+ hour drive to the far western side of Kenya. Our trip to Kakamega was two-fold. One part of our trip was in order to conduct a small pastor’s conference devoted to leadership. Glenn had spent the past several months preparing to bring teachings on “leadership” to the African continent. Along the way we asked Dynamite if he’d like to add to the conference’s teachings on the topic. Dynamite prepared specific character profiles on men, from scripture, who exhibited leadership in their lives and service for God. The conference was quaint, yet the 50 pastors and church leaders who attended were eager for the experience. If there was any doubt as to their absorption of the material and the grasp of the need for Godly leadership to be evident in their lives and ministry, their questions at the end of each session did away with all such sentiments. They were open and honest. To the man, and lady, it appeared that these 2 servant’s generous devotion to training leaders to lead did not fall on deaf ears. I was so encouraged as was Pastor Indiazi, who helped prepare the conference.

Pastors worshipping during the conference in Kakamega.

Glenn Clark teaching on Leadership - Day 2

Justin McLean aka "Dynamite" helping with the conference.

At the same time, the other part of the trip was to plant and install a third Ebenezer Farms Project (see past articles on this branch of ministry). Noah, who drives the planting and preparation part of the Ebenezer Farms, went to oversee the construction of the chicken house in Busia. This is the home area for Pastor Indiazi. The hope is that through this project, he will be able to offset costs associated with running the various ministries he oversees. Ebenezer Farms is a partnership where outside investors give toward the construction, training, preparation, and initial start-up of an eventually autonomous business for nationals. For this specific project plant, a few individuals gave together toward the amount needed for Indiazi’s chicken business. It was quite exciting to see the work begin, knowing what potentially laid ahead for he and his family.

Measuring the layout first for the chicken house in Busia.

Chicken farming, preaching, teaching, masonry,... is there anything Noah can't do???

Pastor Indiazi's brother-in-law will oversee the chicken project in Busia.

I drove back and forth a couple of times between these two, seemingly juxtaposed, projects. I can’t express how awesome it is to know that both purposes honor God, grow the body, encourage believers alike, and provide “fishing-techniques” instead of simply giving fish out. At the end of both “Amens” there is excitement because someone demonstrated faith in these fellow servants enough to make an investment.

(We will provide an update on this chicken farm project once the remaining details are finished; i.e.; training and stocking of chicken house.)

Kericho – “Youth Weekend”

Pure Ways Youth Ministry is the newest facet of ministry that we’ve connected with. It began in the heart of Meshack Chitiavi, one of our Kenyan Team members. Meshack has a heart for the youth. He regularly visits youth as he is invited to churches, schools, clubs, and other venues where today’s young Christians meet. His passion is evident to all who hear his teaching. We began investigating the possibility of him working toward such a ministry as we all went to a small area within Central Province. It didn’t take long to recognize that, not only was this a needed ministry, but that there was no one who would do a better job than Meshack. (you can read more about Pure Ways by clicking on it’s name and viewing the website that will chronicle his team’s experiences)

So, less than a week after we had been in Kakamega, Dynamite and I returned the same direction to work with Meshack. It is an honor to serve alongside such people as Meshack. He inspires people. Through his friendship, he has brought another amazingly talented Kenyan to expand the depth and quality of his youth ministry team. A Godly servant named Phares (pronounced “Ferris”… as in Bueller), brings such incredible melodic tunes to experience that it looks like Pure Ways Youth Ministry could easily be recognized as a musical troupe!

Kericho is a beautiful place. It’s always green. It’s the tea capital of Kenya. It rains in Kericho like it rains in places like Wales, Seattle, or the Amazon Rain Forest. Yet the climate is as pleasant as it’s people. I love Kericho. I love the eagerness that the young people have to hear from God’s Word. I love their un-ashamed worship. I love the incredible hospitality that they offer us each time we go.

Each of us shared in the teaching responsibilities over the 3-day weekend. Each of us had 2 sessions, though a couple of them were more “preaching” times than “teaching” times. Dynamite was just that. He was great. He taught on “God’s Calling and Man’s Excuses”. Using the story of Moses, he brought a timely teaching on being obedient to God when He calls each of us. Meshack taught on such topics as “Authority” and “Guarding Your Heart”. One thing I have always marveled at Meshack is his unafraid attitude to teach on tough topics, calling for purity among the youth. I taught on “Treasure: Valuing God’s Word Above All Else.” It’s always fun to teach on something you are already passionate about.

81; That’s now many young people made a first-time profession of faith during our time at the A.C.G. Church. The fervor in the eyes of these young people who stepped forward will never leave my memory.

Fatigue is one word to use to describe how we felt at the end of the trip, but utter-emptiness probably is closer! If we did have anything left, it was used up in getting us “unstuck” at one point on our journey home. Ahhhh, nothing says success like returning home in your Sunday clothes, tie and all, covered in mud! Thanks Kenyan road experts!

A.G.C. Church outside Kericho.

Meshack bringin' the heat.

"Phares of them all"... actually that's supposed to be Jesus. But Phares did an awesome job!

Dynamite just towered over his translator!

Form 4 (12th graders) girls from Kipsitet Girls School.

Some dorky guy we picked up on the way.

The beautiful faces of Kenyan youth worshipping their Savior!

Lukenya – Church Retreat

As we were off in one direction, Lindy represented Team Thompson at our church retreat in Lukenya. This was an almost perfect experience for her except for the fact that about half of the people in attendance came back filled with something other than the Holy Ghost. Oh the joys of stomach troubles!

All in all, it was a great time to bond with other believers, grow under Godly teaching, and connect even more with the local Body of Christ with which we are privileged to worship each week.

Thanks for reading this long story. Now, go and read your favorite Dr. Seuss book, since you’re all subliminally thinking in odd rhyme patterns anyway.