Kenya 2013: I live in a small world

I have settled into my accommodations.  They are certainly adequate.  Will know more in a couple of days.

Under the heading of AHHHHH!  My power adapter is not working.  Just quit.  Need to find another so my computer will stay power up for lectures.  Will make things work regardless, but the reliance on technology is truly a double-edged sword.

So, while working over my power adapter, I met a missionary from the Far East (name changed for privacy purposes).  He offered me his adapter so I could work in prep for class tomorrow.

In conversation with this Baptist. I found out that we were at seminary together in the early 90s.  He is curently planting churches in Khartoum, Somalia.  Now, though, he is in Kijabe because he was forced out of Somalia.  The work is difficult in such a war-torn nation that is heavily influenced by Islam.  He said they had managed to start four churches in a town of 16,000.  But after appointing pastors they were forced to leave.  In his words, Satan and human powers were very much against the Gospel message being proclaimed in Somalia.  Yet, he is seeing seed sprout and grow in a very dry area.

So, while he has been exiled from his work, he has met another Christian from Ethiopia--the only Christian with Baptist roots in the Western part of Ethiopia where he is working.  This Christian man heard the Gospel in Egypt and returned home and began preaching the Gospel to his family and city.  The missionary is trying to find a way to help him spread the simple, biblical Gospel.  (There are Catholic and Presbyterian converts, but no believers who understand Scriptural authority like Baptists do--and thus salvation by grace, etc.  This is not to speak poorly of those Christians.)

As I listened I was in awe of how God is moving in the world all around me.  All I hear about is political upheaval and human struggle.  Yet, the Gospel in power is breaking through dry ground in many places.  It is a hard work that God has called the Parks to, and yet he is living the Gospel with great joy and anticipation of what God might do.

And I am so touched by his contagious vision and calling.  And the stories of God's work in places where we would never think God can work.

God, do great things in your church.  Do great things in the Parks as they minister in Ethiopia and Somalia.  And God, please do God-sized things in my church--SHBC.  Set a very real and concrete vision in us--what do you want us to do in our community?  Set you vision in us--and let us attack the darkness and spiritual drought around us with a contagious Gospel.