"Coming soon to a theater near you!"

I'm working on "Share in the Growth" now.  I know some of you are a part of this.  If you don't know what this is click on the link.  If you would like to be a part of it leave a comment here or email us at chrisandlindyt@gmail.com.  

Thursday I was able to go with Chris into Kibera as they did street evangelism.  I haven't been out with him for street evangelism in 13 months.  And I have only been out with him once.  It was really awesome to watch my man tell people about Jesus and how he has radically changed his life.  To be able to watch him read God's words and tell people about the TRUTH. (Watching my man tell people about Jesus in the slums is REALLY hot.)  I very much enjoyed being able to go out with Chris and Meshak.  I learned a lot from going out with them.  Chris taught me so much about adapting the questions and conversation depending on the group of people you are conversing with.  Meshak did an awesome job translating and keeping them tuned in to the message.  It ended up being a great day for the Kingdom.  Despite rejection, apathy, and challenges; 11 people made first-time decisions for Christ!  What a blessing!  Now, we must pray for these young believers so that they will "thrive" and not merely "survive" this new life.  This is the focus of the "Share the Growth" project you all are a part of.  

Pastor Jacob Kiyondi translating to a group in Kawangware.

Chris, sharing to a group of "kijana" or "youth" (swahili)

(Chris is now writing, so I will not be elaborating on my wife's dillusion of my grandeur.)

Next week, Rich and I are going to be working on something I have been hoping to do for some time now.  I told many of you that we hoped to create a video on the various ministries and life of the people of Kenya.  Starting on Tuesday, we are going to be chronicling the Street Evangelism and Discipleship ministries we do each week.  You will see the setting that we enter each week and the challenges that exist.  This is NOT a time for us to attempt to make you impressed by us; rather this is for you to see, first hand, the life and struggles that residents of the slums face everyday.   I don't want you to focus on the heaviness alone.  I hope you will all see the beauty that comes through this ministry.  The beauty that comes from a life encountering the Saviour despite their harsh lives.  

Since coming to Kenya last year, I have learned that there are over 400 different "Christian" ministries operating in the Kibera slum alone.  These ministries do everything from feed children to train adults with vocational skills.  I walk the streets of these slums every week and have never met another ministry that is meeting people where THEY are with the love of Christ.  Again, this is not something for you to think we are particularly great for doing.  In fact, it makes me sad that there are so few ministries bringing the ultimate life-change to a people so in need of it.  Sure, feeding children and providing hope for lives challenges is wonderful.  I commend these organizations for their work.  But food will only fill your stomach for so long.  Jobs will come and go.  Life WILL bring you new challenges that are often unexpected (James 1:2).  Jesus is the only one who can bring a long-lasting, eternal change for ALL.  

Please share this blog with others and stay tuned yourselves for this impending video.  And if you have not signed up to be a part of helping lives grow through the Share the Growth program.  We encourage you to do so.  This is where you can be a part of more than simply sending funds.  YOU can be a part of actual ministry!  Cool thought isn't it?

a chance to live...

Sunday we had the opportunity to take a new convert with us from Kawangware Slums to Kibera's Berith Life Church. 

There is a reason why we picked up our new friend to go from one slum to a church in another slum.  Our friend's name is Muhammad and about 8 weeks ago he decided to deny himself and the Islamic faith he has known his whole life to take up his cross and follow Christ.  Muhammad received Christ one day on the streets of Kawangware through Chris' persistent street ministry in the slums.  Chris said honestly, he cannot remember him.  But a few weeks later Muhammad saw Chris in the streets and came to him.  He professed his new life in Christ and the decision he had made weeks back after hearing one of the presentations.  He expressed to Chris the challenges of trying to sneak around because he feared what would happen if others found out about his conversion.  

His brother came to him one day and inquired about him "acting differently".  You see September is the month of Ramadon (actually it has something to do with the crescent moon- but for all intense purposes it's about the month of September)  where Muslims fast sun up to sun down.  His brother asked him why he hadn't been coming to the temple to pray or participating in any of their rituals.  He simply told him "You have your faith and now I must have my own."  I believe his brother was puzzled by that.  

Fast Forward to Sunday: We met muhammad at a gas station to pick him up.  He had this infectious smile when he came to get in the car.  What an honor it was to meet someone who has given up so much to follow Christ.  As he became more comfortable in the car and answered our "get to know you questions" he reached into his doubled plastic bag to pull something out.  He pulled out a old bible someone let him borrow.  My heart was in my throat.  Chris assured him we would get him a bible.  As soon as we got to Kibera Chris gave him his bible so he would no longer have to borrow.  He was so tickled to have his very own bible.

As worship started we began the usual Kiswalhili worship songs.  But they meant much more than they ever have before.  We only know a few words here and there so I normally just do my best to pronounce what I can.  It's more difficult to close your eyes and truly sing words from your heart when you don't know what you are singing.  This time I just stood back and watched... I stood behind Muhammad, just surveying a transformed life in Christ-- truly worship.  He new the meaning of the words being sung and it was so evident.  I could see every facial expression and every move of his hands.  He didn't know the songs by heart... in fact it was probably the first time he had ever heard them.  I guarantee those words penetrated his heart more than anyone there.  

On the way back to the gas station, Muhammad expressed his concerns about telling his family- wife, parents, and siblings.  He felt as though people knew what was going on through other muslims in the area who knew him.  You could tell that he was both nervous and scared.  He leaves today to travel to tell his family of his new life.   

None of us will ever know the sacrifice of converted Muslims.  I encourage you right now to please take a moment to pray for our brothers and sisters who have converted from Islam to Chrstianity.  Pray for them to be "bold and courageous".  Pray for strength and endurance.  Pray for God's hand of protection over Muhammad as he travels and as he reveals his news to his family.  Let's bathe him in our prayers so the enemy will continue loosing ground!   

"... Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..." 2 Tim 3:12

Praying to share in the growth

Today I was emailing those who have requested and committed to "Share in the growth."  (If you have no idea what this is- then you may not be getting our emails.  If you would like to receive them, please email us at chrisandlindyt@gmail.com.)  

Recently I have been really convicted about my prayer life.  I began to wonder about all those people I told "Yes, I will pray for you", then I never did.  It's so easy to say that one 3 letter word when people ask us to pray.  One person replied to our email and transparently said "I want so badly to share in the growth.  I've never been good at long term prayer, but I'm willing to give it a shot."  I thought about that and there has only been one person that I have prayed for ALMOST every day for over a year. (Notice I didn't say EVERY day b/c I FORGET!)  The fact of the matter is- I'm not good at long term prayer either! Yet, I'm asking others to be.  So I want you all to know that Chris and I are picking up a few names of these newly converted believers too.  We are in this together.  There are people that I emailed that I just KNOW will have no problem remembering to pray for their people.  As for me, I HAVE to make a list.  When I don't is when I get way behind and forget.  If at the end of your day you find yourself saying "Oh no. I didn't pray today," then you have to MAKE TIME for it.  A wise old pastor friend once said something like "You will only do what you make time to do.  If you make time to serve, then you will serve."  It's the same way with prayer.  You will only pray if you make time!  So maybe we should get up a little earlier.  Yea- I said it!

I started wondering if we will one day be accountable for all those people we have said in passing "I will pray for you" or the simple "Yes." when asked to pray.  This sent my A.D.D. on a wild goose chase.  I was really trying to keep in mind not to take scripture out of context.  I found something I wanted to share in Samuel 12: 

"22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you." 

Could it be?  Do we sin against the LORD by failing to pray?  Lord- help us!  

I learned from Jill Briscoe (my hero) when I was in India last year that when someone asks you to pray for them, either you do it right then or you say "As God calls you to my mind I will pray for you."  She and Stewart travel all around the world speaking and get asked by a billion people to pray for them.  I thought that was some very good advice.    

After emailing all those who replied that they were anxious and willing to "share in the growth", i found myself looking at over 50 blanks next to names that have no one to pray for them.  Chris is out again today, in the streets of Kawangware Slums, evangelizing as we speak.  So more names are coming home this evening.  If you are willing and can commit to at least 4 months of praying for 2 people- please comment below (click on open ID- you do not have to be a blogger) or email us with a simple subject line saying that you want to share in the growth.  These people desperately need your prayers.  They have 4 months of discipleship lessons to complete before they receive their bibles.  They need YOU to pray them through.  There are several people who never finish it and never receive their bible.  We need you to pray for them, their lessons, their family, their work, their eagerness to learn God's word and finish the lessons.  We need you to pray for them to take the savior to their homes and to their families.    We PRAY that you will choose to TAKE TIME share in the growth!

"Oh Lord, God!  Forgive us for sinning against you by not praying for the people that you love and care about!  Pardon us for all the times we have said  "Yes, we will pray" out of haste.  God, I'm so guilty of this!  Lord I am heartbroken about this matter.  You deserve so much better than what I give you and your people!  Lord make us sympathetic and compassionate toward your people... OUR NEW BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST- that we would have the ZEAL to pray for them on a daily basis.  Jesus, we thank you for the awesome gift of prayer and ask that we do not take it lightly nor will we take it for granted.  Get us EXCITED about praying for these people.  For they are the potential to change this country and point it to the one true God!  I pray now that the Holy Spirit will descend on the hearts of those who want to share in the growth of the kingdom, and prompt us to pray diligently.  For this is all an important part of the great commision!  We love you- now let us show it...   

Amen"