Wonderful worship!

We had the privilege to worship at Parklands Baptist Church this morning (https://parklandsbaptist.org). So many people were there and we were the only white faces. That was so encouraging! The worship time was so lively and the message rich in Biblical stories- the service lasted several hours… I will post a short video clips for you to experience just a bit. The official language is English so that helped us though we did sing some songs in Swahili. We enjoyed a nice lunch together, celebrating one of our team member’s birthday, and then did some preparing for our first medical clinic tomorrow.

Interesting note: In Kenya, 75% of the population is younger than 25 years old. In Sub-Sahara Africa, the average age is less than 17. Geriatrics really isn’t a thing here! (Most of our student nurses are interested in being pediatric nurses so they are in the right place!).

Quick prayer requests: Tomorrow is our first “medical camp” in Marurui. The first day can always be chaotic and I have never run a pharmacy before so it should be an interesting day. Please pray for us to be able to hear the concerns of those who come, and treat them not only with medicine that will heal their physical ailments, but also with the hope of the Gospel. I will share more tomorrow about the clinics and the purpose they serve in the community. For now, just know that we will be working with some Kenyan clinical officers related to a ministry called Jacaranda, an NGO started about 17 years ago to address the physical needs of those the founders were seeking to share the Gospel with- when they realized they were physically hungry as well as spiritually hungry, they began a food distribution ministry. And then they realized that many of the children were not able to afford to go to school, so they started some educational ministries. And then they realized how significant the needs were for women and children’s health, and these health clinics developed. Sharing the hope of the Gospel (preaching) is essential to the Great Commission, but so is feeding the hungry and caring for the sick (mercy ministries). I am so thrilled to be able to be a part of this team where we can do both! Gospel+Mercy=Hope & Love.

Our prayer tonight as we finished our Bible study time:

Father, there is so much noise in the world; voices shouting in anger, crying in pain at one another and at You. We pray for clarity, to hear through all the commotion the pleas of the hurting, to recognize suffering underneath the veil of anger in each other and in ourselves. Lord, soften our hearts! Let compassion and gentleness be our first instinct. May you be near to every aching person, and may every aching person feel heard. In Jesus’ name, Amen.