Dear Friends and Family,
Telling you that you had to be there to understand the impact our time in Kenya had on us and others is a truth but I want to at least try to give you insight into what happened.
We all tried to rest a little on Friday March 2nd, prior to heading to Mombassa and on to Malindi where we stayed at a restful place where the missionaries could enjoy their families without the normal day to day pressures. The schedules were perfect for the missionaries with adequate rest and relaxation times which made for wonderful teaching and prayer times.
The teaching was focused around the “Mary’s Place” concept that prayer is the first and most important thing we can do. The studies and teaching were probably as impactful on our team as on the missionaries.
On Sunday our team felt the need to offer opportunities for each missionary to meet with our prayer team and share the concerns and things that were on their heart and then spend some time together in prayer for those needs and concerns. These times proved to be guided and directed by God in ways that were profound to the missionaries and us. It was both humbling and satisfying to be used and recognize that while we were trusting and obeying, God was adding some real inspiration to the prayers.
There was a wonderful unity among the team and you would see how each one was able to verbalize a prayer or give prayerful counsel that seemed to be so dialed in to the heart of each situations that not only was everyone greatly encouraged but we could see freedom come from the burdens they were carrying and transformation of people’s countenance as well as their spirits.
Following the missionary retreat we spend two more days with about 35 or 40 pastors who had various leadership roles in the Kenyan church. While communication was harder as Swahili was their main language we had a wonderful translator who not only communicated well but really took to heart the message so his delivery was sometimes as dramatic as Pastor Doug Newton. The kind and caring way both Doug and Margie delivered their messages was awesome.
By the second day, even with the language barrier the connectedness between us was being established and helped to create an open atmosphere where the messages could both be delivered with freedom and received with appreciation. In closing out the session Bishop Nixon really challenged his own people to recognize where their cultural traditions were not actually healthy or Christian and where they as leaders had to choose to follow the path of Christ rather than submitting to their traditions. It was an excellent talk for a body of believers in any country. Before it was over we were able to witness some times of honest confession, mending of relationships and new freedom for many.
We left with many new friends and with a bond that will keep our hearts tied to their lives and the work that the Prince of Peace is doing in Africa.
The Peace of Christ Be Yours,
Dan Jewett
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