First Bible Study for Church Plant

The first Bible Study for the church plant was last night at Pastor Stephen's new home here in Kisumu town. As we drove as a family to the Bible study the giant hills that line one side of Kisumu were lit up brilliantly with the shinning of the sun. It was an incredible sight and we were wishing we had the camera but chose not to bring it for the first study. As we turned into a busy intersection we had to stop and reverse suddenly as to not run into several boda-bodas. (Taxi bikes) As we reversed several young men began pounding on the back of our car. Matt looked at me and said, "I don't like this intersection," and I agreed wholeheartedly. We journeyed down a dirt road just for a short time and then turned down a smaller road. When we reached Pastor Stephen's house we noticed the community of houses were surrounded by big trees that created a nice shade for the children playing and the women working. We were so glad the first study was going to be in his home. It was so exciting to be at their lovely home and pray for the service as well as see John Mark their son and Kenya Grace greet one another so happily. As we gathered together in the small room Matt led a couple of songs in which Kenya Grace sang the chorus to one of them loudly. :)As Stephen began to teach and a few more people arrived I couldn't help but smile as I remembered three years ago sitting with Stephen and Matt asking him why he wasn't pastoring. Stephen felt at that time that he was called to be an assistant but here we were three years later sitting in his home and listening to his powerful teaching of the Word of God. As chickens roamed by the door to the house and rain began to pour towards the end of service I thanked God for this amazing experience and knew that this was one of the reasons we had come to Kenya; to help support this kind of work. As we fight feeling well today in our household we thank God for His greatness and rest in peace that He is already doing a great work! Glory to God!

Update on Life!

Though we have only been here two months in Kisumu it seems we have been here forever. Our weeks are passing quickly and fill up very fast. We have had the privilege to meet with many missionaries here in Kisumu and glean from them about ministry, living, and being parents on the mission field. We have been so blessed to hear what many do here in Kisumu for the Lord and we have learned so much from them. We continue to be so grateful for the missionary community here and the family we are to one another even in such a short time.

We now have Kenya Grace visiting a pre-school for a short time one day a week to connect and socialize with Kenyan children in the community. It has been a blessing for both Kenya Grace and I as we get to know people and build relationships. We also are involved in a play group that is a huge blessing and a chance for Kenya Grace to be around another girl her age. Of course where ever we go she receives lots attention so our girl is definitely not lonely.

We have been so blessed by the young man Sunday that God brought into our lives as he as received Jesus as Lord and Savior. He walks with a new joy and a new smile and it is such a blessing to see him reading his Bible every chance he gets. He soaks up every minute when he and Matt get into the Word together. Praise God!

We are so happy that Stephen and his family have moved into their new home and we are so thankful for the time he and Matt have been getting to connect about starting a church and what that looks like and to spend time in prayer together. We are praying this week might bring even more direction.

I have been able to attend a women's Bible study in one of the slum areas here and assist in the teaching. It was such a huge blessing and felt so right to be in that area. Lord willing I will be assisting a woman named Mary Lynn (from Texas)on Tuesdays for the study. I am so excited about this small group of woman and their desire to grow in the Word.

We continue to rejoice in the fact that God is using the Friday night worship times as a time of refreshment and even uniting the community of missionaries here in Kisumu. It has been such a blessing to enter the throne room together and see what the Lord is doing through it.

Of course we face daily challenges in just living here. Wether it is water, electricity, heat, driving, exhaustion, communication, facing unmoral living, etc. we find ourselves often facing the opportunity to die to ourselves and live for Christ. It is more challenging some days than others but we rest in the fact that we are works in progress continuing to learn to surrender to our Savior and respond according to His spirit!

We thank you for your prayers and love. We are looking forward to our visit to the States over the Holidays and seeing family and friends. :)
God bless you all!
Peg for The P3