The Joys of Finals Week!

Hello Friend,

Sorry it’s been a while since I have written. I have thought about writing a few times, but for whatever reason I have not. The lack of writing is not because I haven’t been experiencing new things; in fact just the opposite. There’s so much going on I’m not sure where to begin. I’ll just use this entry to inform you about the interesting dynamics of finals week at an African school.

Currently it’s the second to last week of the term, which means most of the students are in panic mode. However, compared to the majority of the students, I have little to worry about. My greatest fear is over booking myself as an “English tutor.” Native English speakers here are a hot commodity. I’m probably asked to proof read (dare I say write) two papers every day. I guess if I was at another school my help would be classified as a job, here I look at it as a ministry. I see helping my fellow classmates as advancing Christian education and ultimately the gospel across the world. It’s exciting to think about where my classmates will be and have already taken the gospel. Let me briefly tell you about two of my friends serving the Lord.

Anson A. Titus (picture) comes from South East India (Kerala). His father pastors a small church in one of the poorest parts of South East India. Before Anson arrived in Nairobi he had never left Kerala. The longest he had been away from his home was two days. He’s now been in Nairobi for three months. He’s the only Indian student on campus, so as you can imagine life is not always easy for him. He’s hoping to receive his MDiv in theology before he returns India to do ministry. His current plan after school is to do children’s ministry in Orissa, one of the neediest places in India. Please pray for Anson as English is his third language. He’s also not sure where the finances will come from the duration of his stay.

The other friend I wanted to mention is Joshua Lasattu (picture) from Tanzania. Joshua, like many students at NEGST, has to leave his wife of two years and baby daughter at home in order to attend school. The financial cost is just too high to bring his family along. Once Joshua is done with school he’ll be going home to be with his family and continue in ministry. Joshua is in his late thirties and has plenty of ministry experience. He’s looking at doing ministry in one of poorest parts of Northwest Tanzania. He’ll most likely be engaging Muslims, as 50% of the Tanzanian population is Muslim. This term has been difficult for him as he’s been fighting malaria on and off. Lift him up in prayer too as I know he misses his family a lot.

That’s all I have time to share, I hope you are doing well.

Aaron

Ministry Update

Hello Friends,
I was able to visit two ministries last weekend just south of Nairobi. Just click the play button and you'll get some pictures and commentary. I'm doing well; school is starting to pick up as I head towards the final stretch (only about a month left). I am growing a lot inside and outside the classroom. If you have the time you can lift me up in prayer. Last weekend I was sick, so please continue to pray for my health. You can also pray for two brothers I have been ministering to. Humphrey is an atheist with a lot of doubts, the other one is a Muslim called Ramadan. Thank you friends, I look forward to catching up. Aaron

Church in Kibera

Grace and Peace! I pray you are acting favorably to God’s immense love. I want to share briefly of a ministry I was able to visit a couple of weeks ago. I hope you are challenged by what God is doing.

My friend Lindy, from City Vineyard of Chicago, invited me to visit a church he helped plant. First, I must admit that Lindy is someone I admire; he’s always sensitive and obedient to the leading of the Spirit. His obedience is what led him to the second largest slum in Africa, Kibera. There are supposedly 1 million people residing in Kibera. One year ago Lindy wasn’t sure why God told him to go to Kibera and pray, but he was obedient and went. He faithfully walked and prayed up and down the streets of Kibera. As he continued to pray he was forced into a local café (picture) because of a rain storm. The streets in Kibera often double as gutters when torrential down pours occur. As Lindy sat waiting for the rain to stop he met a man who had lost full function of his arm because of a matatu (bus) accident. Lindy thought he should pray for the man’s arm, so he did. Miraculously the man’s arm was healed! Lindy shared with the man how God had healed him. As Lindy continued to share about Jesus the man decided he not only wanted to be healed physically but also spiritually. Now Lindy had the attention of others in the café. The people were eager for him to come back and share more. However Lindy had to leave for the USA. Thankfully Lindy’s friend, Pastor Dickson from Kenya, agreed to go back to the eager people. To make a long story short, Pastor Dickson continued to visit the café where the church emerged. Today the church has outgrown the small café and is now renting a larger building.

I had the privilege of visiting the church with Lindy. Before we went to the church we visited where the church began. After sipping some chi and talking to church members we headed over to where the church now gathers. The vibrant worship was lead by pastor Dickson’s wife. After six or so songs the visitors (Lindy and I) were asked to share a word. I shared a briefly about the love of Christ, how He left the ninety-nine sheep to find the one lost. Lindy (who is known as the founder of the church) preached the sermon. After the sermon there was a time of ministry when the pastors (they included me as a pastor because I go to NEGST) prayed for the congregation. Praise God, the church now consists of more than fifty members! The church has challenges, like all fallen human beings, but they continue to make Christ their focus. I was truly blessed to see how God is working amongst the physically poor. I am looking forward to staying in contact with Pastor Dickson and the church in Kibera. Please pray with me for this church, may they be found mature in Christ

Blessings Friend,

Aaron

How can they respond if they are not told?

During my visit with Lindy we were able to visit a Vineyard Church in Nairobi. The picture (right) shows me outside the church. I am finding that churches in Kenya never look the same. The church building might be made out of mud, wood, bricks, aluminum, canvas, etc., you just never know. It’s interesting to see how determined they are to have a place to meet.
Besides observing the church building, I was able to meet with Noah, a leader of Vineyard missions in Kenya. Lindy, Pastor Dickson, and I were interested in what the vision and goal of Vineyard mission might entail in Kenya. I was surprised to find out that there are close to fifty Vineyard churches in Kenya. Noah explained how they plan to plant 4-5 new churches Kenya every year. This is truly an incredible growth rate, especially within a country of only thirty million. As the discussion continued, I decided to ask a question I have asked several pastors in Kenya. The question is simple, “how are you engaging the Muslim population in Kenya?” In this context I asked “how many of the 4-5 churches are you planting in Muslim areas?” Noah’s answer was simple, “none, we currently don’t have a goal of planting churches in Muslims areas.” Sadly, I wasn’t surprised by his response, I had heard it before. I guess the 7% Muslim population in Kenya isn’t high enough to address.

Then I was thinking maybe Kenyan Christians are following the lead of American Christians. Did you know only 6% of USA missionary effort (missionaries, finances, etc.) goes towards reaching Muslims? This would mean only 6% of missionary effort goes into reaching roughly 70% of unreached or unengaged people of the world. Yeah I’m thinking Kenyans are following America’s lead. I also keep thinking of Romans 10:14 and wonder if Christians are missing something important.

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Please continue to pray for my connection and interaction with Noah. He’s invited me to a strategic planning conference/meeting the 26 of November; pray that the leadership will catch a vision for reaching the lost.

Aaron

Muslim Demographics

Greetings!

I just ran into some new Muslim population statistics. I found the research intriguing and insightful. The statistics really stand in the face of so many misconceptions Christains and Americans have of Muslims. For example, more than 60% of Muslims live in Asia and only 20% live in the Middle East. If you have time please check out the article. http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=450

Salaam!

Video Update!

I am tired of typing so I thought I would post a video update. Just click on the link and it will take you to the video. Shalom, Aaron.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvbSxvnz-aw

Staying Busy!

Yikes, time is flying, it's almost midterm break. It's hard to believe I have been here over five weeks. I have been busy with my 16 credits of schoolwork. I have also been busy outside of the classroom. I recently shared my testimony in chapel, I believe people were blessed. Last Friday I lead my grace group. Every person on campus is assigned to a grace group which meets to fellowship and encourage one another spiritually. It's a special envrionment, mixing professors, Ph.D. students, yard maintence employees, etc. Offcampus I have been busy attending various church functions, last week I visited and ministered at a church in Kibera, the second largest slum in Africa (I'll write more later and post some pictures later). I am also playing on a basketball team offcampus. Two weeks ago we played in a turnament and won. It's safe to say i'm the only white brother on the court. Being on a team has also opened up some minister opertunities, I suprisingly found out that one of my teamates claims to be an athiest (more info to come). I communicate this to say thank you for your prayers and encouragement. God is growing me in how I think and act for His glory. Blessings, Aaron

Nigh of Aflewo - Pictures!

All Night Aflewo (worship)

Last Friday I attended an all night praise and worship service. I think the fact that the worship was throughout the night says something about the importance of worship in Africa. There is no question worship is a vital aspect of the church in Africa. Every church service here in Africa has showcased Kenyans' passion and zeal for worshipping God. Aflewo (worship) is a movement taking place in Africa similar to the prayer movements which have come out of Korea. I was blessed to worship with 5,000 plus excited Christians throughout the night. African worship is defiantly an African reality not seen in other parts of the world. I am not sure how to explain the evening. There such excitement amongst the believers here in Kenya. I have been told gospel music is becoming more popular that secular music. It seems Christianity is the newest fad, hopefully it will not loose its popularity.

At the same time, I wonder about the heart and mind of the Kenyan worshipers. They defiantly exhibit passion and excitement, but at what cost. The church in Kenya is young, and I wonder if it is possibly growing too fast. After the post election violence in 2007, numerous Kenyan pastors have wondered the same thing. The country is supposedly 80% Christian but continues to have problems with AIDs, poverty, and violence. I think it would wise to look at ourselves before we cast judgment. Then we might want to read Paul's letters to the Corinthians to better understand some of the challenges to becoming sanctified believers. I truly believe this is a time of rejoicing and not doubt or confusion for the global church. Let us rejoice together as the body of Christ for what God is doing.

The following audio clip was taken from the opening prayer at Aflewo 09. The AV team was having technical problems, so the pastor decided to pray. I know some might disagree with the prayer, but that is ok. I think the prayer represents some African realities/concepts which are very common in Africa. May you be blessed and encouraged by this news. Aaron

First week in Kenya!

I am grateful to inform you I have arrived safely in Nairobi Kenya.

The previous Sunday (August 30) I attended my first worship service in Kenya. I visited the “mega church” Nairobi Chapel. I was told there were roughly 2,500 members, which by Kenya’s standards makes it a mega church. The picture (upper right) is the front entrance to the church. I don’t believe I have ever attended a church under a tent, I guess it means I’m in Africa.

The progression of the service was familiar to a service in the States. However, I was able to observe several African realities which are not common to churches in the States. As I entered under the tent a prayer service was already underway. Unlike the Korean church, the prayer service included a small percentage of the total church population. As the pray service ended and the worship began the congregation began to enter the sanctuary. The people joyfully sang and danced to the various songs. The majority of songs were sung in English while there was a couple songs sung in Swahili. The Swahili songs seemed to entice the people dance, clap, and shout even louder. The church was not a “charismatic” church (at least not in theology) but this did not stop the people from worshiping enthusiastically. After the service I was informed by my friend and fellow student from Ethiopia that five of the pastors at the church had graduated from NEGTS (the school I am attending). I am starting to understand how well known this school is throughout Africa.

Back on campus, half of the students are from African countries outside of Kenya. I have met students from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan, Malawi, Rwanda, and probably a few others I am missing. The ethnic diversity makes for a rich learning and living experience. I am constantly hearing different language which is enriching, but at the same time frustrating when I am trying to learn Swahili. The picture below was taken outside of my window of a building similar to mine. I constantly hear children playing below, which is quite delightful compared to the honking of horns in Chicago.

I am so thankful to be hear encouraging people and being encouraged by God’s people here in Africa. I am aslo thankful for the prayers you have offered and going to offer.

By His Grace,
Aaron