Christ the King

WHAT IS MISSION AFRICA?

On behalf of John and myself, Thanks so much for your prayers and support of our Kenya trip. I've never worked so hard for so long and felt so used by God, every minute in the clinic feeling I was doing exactly what God wanted me to be doing.  I know I looked into almost a thousand pairs of eyes during the week...really looked into those eyes…  to see how their eyes were doing, and to see if they knew Jesus.

Numbers don't tell the whole story, but we served almost 3800 people in five days, including over 1000 on Friday, and approximately 225 came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior last week.  Each of those people filled out a contact info card, and spoke and prayed personally with a pastor or evangelist, and will be contacted in the coming days by pastors and volunteers to help them continue their new life in Christ and connect them to the body of Christ.  The eyes of their hearts were opened: Mwathani Arogocwo! (Praise God!)

A total of 42 people traveled from Texas, representing 5 Houston area churches and one Austin church.   I served on one of five teams around Kenya that served more than 10,000 people, with over 400 responding to the Gospel and receiving Christ as Savior. John Williams served on one of the other 4 teams, in Meru, Kenya. John and I spent some time together during our travel days, but his mission site was many kilometers away from mine.

I left the USA having been trained to do eyeglass assembly (these clinics basically build distance glasses from a large stock of lenses of varying strengths) but I felt in both my training here, and in a practice session upon arrival at our mission site in Nakuru, Kenya, that I was not going to be very good at that task, and that I had to be going to be there for another purpose.   That turned out to be true, and I am thankful the Lord had another plan.

When Paul, our team leader correctly determined a couple hours into Day One of the clinic, that a huge number of Kenyans were going to come that week, he pulled me from the assembly task, and trained me on the spot for "triage," something it seemed he had planned to do mostly on his own.   (The assembly task was already being mastered by 3 young Kenyan women from the host church). 

As Kenyans came to our clinic, several things would occur.  First, in groups averaging 8 people, those arriving would hear the message of the Gospel in Swahili from a Kenyan pastor or evangelist.  From there, they would begin the process of eye care, which over time sent everyone through triage, which was where I was stationed.

I worked almost exclusively in triage, (with an interpreter, in one-on-one conversations), to determine 2 things: did this person know Jesus as their Lord and Savior? 2. What type of eye care did they need? (they might see the doctor, get distance glasses, reading glasses, or sunglasses, or they might receive no treatment - but be trained in eye "washing" as needed to remove the ever-present dust from their eyes). Of the 3800 people we served I probably had close to 1,000 such conversations during the week (about 1/3 were in English, about 1/3 in half English/half Swahili, and about 1/3 where I basically observed my interpreter speaking in Swahili, or other local tribal languages).

Triage work is emotionally tiring but extremely rewarding! (We worked without any significant breaks from 7:30 am to about 5:30 or 6 pm each day, longer on Friday).  Some eyes were basically fine, but others were infected, wounded, or clouded with cataracts.  It was my job, (with little training, but power and discernment from the Lord), to determine their eye care needs, and spiritual needs.   Many were committed Christians and I was able to celebrate our common bond as brothers/sisters in Christ.  These were some precious moments for me often filled with affirmation, encouragement and thanksgiving from some very gracious Kenyans! Others had Christian background or roots but were not pursuing Him as a regular part of life, and I had opportunity to encourage them to get reconnected to the Lord in fresh ways and at times to pray for them.  And, there were others who did not know Jesus as Savior at all. I had opportunity to witness to them, to pray for and with them at times, and to get them involved in a process of meeting with one of the Kenyan pastors and evangelists on site that day before they left, where they could hear more in their native language about the Lord and be given opportunity to accept Christ. What a privilege  to be one of  the initiators in this process that led to so many new Christians during our 5 days! 

It’s impossible to describe all of what else happened, but here are some highlights:

During my first hours of triage work, when I was very insecure in this role, the Lord sent me a mother with three children, the oldest, a boy who had a clear need to see the eye doctor, and two precious twin little sisters about age 5 or 6, who had come along, with no need for eye care.  The Lord used these girls (named “Grace” and “Mercy”!!!) as my encouragers: they basically hung out at my  table for about 90 minutes, just smiling at me and my “clients” making us all feel good, curiously touching my white-skinned arm now and then, and by their presence reminding me that I was there in Kenya by God’s grace to show mercy and love to His people.   “But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9

    pictured at left: "Grace" and Mercy" 

A 40-something man named Robert came to my table,  who was insecure and troubled about whether he would someday be in heaven, though he knew some facts about Jesus.  He seemed to “click” with me, and I was privileged to witness to him, refer him to the Kenyan pastors, and later to actually assist in fitting his newly made glasses during possibly the only slow time in triage all week when I left my station to help those in eyeglass assembly.  It seemed like the Lord allowed that final meeting with him to affirm him and his pursuit of a new relationship with Jesus, as I don’t think I fit any other glasses the rest of the week!  He hurried back to his job (worried about losing it) but left contact info with us, and promised to return the next day to speak to a pastor.  Join me in praying that the “eyes of his heart” would now be open to the Gospel (Eph 3:18)

I triaged Justin, age 37, who was HIV positive, and in very weak condition from it, including being nearly blind.  He did not know Jesus, but was “so sorry” for the mistakes he’d made in life and eager to know about forgiveness in Christ.  I sent him to the eye doctors, and was able to connect him to our Kenyan pastors. I believe he was among those who accepted Christ that day.  I so wished for more time to spend with some of my “patients” but the long lines of people were always waiting.

The Lord stretched and grew me in my ability to confidently share the gospel.  I am so thankful to Paul, my team leader, for entrusting me with this privilege. For example, for several minutes one day, I basically debated Christianity and whether Jesus was the Son of God or not, with a committed Muslim man about my age.  He was well-informed about Jesus as a “great prophet” and was aware of the four Gospels about Jesus.  I invited him to read one (John) to learn more, that he might discover Jesus was more than a prophet. Join me in praying that the seeds I attempted to plant that day might someday take root in him.

Generous donations from individuals and school children provided funding for eye surgeries at all 5 mission sites. (Eye surgery costs in Kenya are a fraction of USA costs!)  Our clinic’s target was up to 30 surgeries, often for advanced cataracts, but also for foreign objects lodged in the eye, etc.   24 surgeries were successfully performed on Friday, with 5 patients being disqualified for medical reasons. What joy to know the blind or nearly blind received sight in the name of Jesus!

We had a wonderful team of Kenyan volunteers to work with, handling not only eyeglass assembly and translating, but also crowd control, eye chart reading, dispensing reading glasses, and sharing the Gospel.  I have some new friends and partners in the Gospel half a world away. 

In particular I am thankful to two women, Lucy and Jacqueline, who served as my translators much of the time.  These women loved the Lord, and gladly, tirelessly assisted in the triage process, including asking the important questions about salvation in Jesus.  They could “read” the Kenyans so much better than I and I would have been lost without them.  Such a wonderful illustration of the partnership necessary for this work.

pictured at right: interpreter Jaqueline with Mark

Most mornings, just before opening the clinic, one of the Kenyan pastors led a short sharing of God’s Word, and prayer for our team of Americans and Kenyans.  Though the Word shared was common and well known (Great Commission, Psalm 23, etc), it touched my heart deeply, often leaving me in tears, and empowered me for the tasks of the day that followed.  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Mission work is “messy” much of the time. There were disappointments and questions in my heart every day.  Among them: 1. Were we able to help some of the people with serious eye problems that passed by my triage table each day by the dozen? (The fast pace did not allow me to know the “end of the story” for most patients). 2. Several times each day, a person who did not know Jesus was resistant  and did not wish to speak to a pastor or learn more of Jesus. (Most times, all I  could do was breathe a quick prayer for them, move them on to eye care, and go on to the next person).  Most nights we prayed back at our hotel for those that heard the Gospel that day but were resistant. 3. Many times a day I was faced with a difficult decision regarding eye care. Nakuru is a dusty, often windy place, only miles south of the equator. So many eyes are strained by the intense sun and other conditions.  While we had some supplies and medicines, we could not give out “Visine” type eye drops to every pair of strained eyes, so I was often forced to teach simple “eye washing” with clean hands & water, and not offer anything else, even after people had waited hours in line, hoping for their eyes to feel better.  These were, to say the least, difficult moments, which happened often in the large numbers we served.

Our team was blessed with above average accommodations and food for Kenya, at a hotel and conference center of sorts operated by the World Council of Churches.  (John Williams’ accommodations were not nearly this nice!)  Though certainly not like a hotel in the USA, we had hot showers, flush toilets, and a wonderful breakfast and dinner buffet which more than sustained us for the long days of work, (we had no real break for lunch, other than grabbing snack crackers or a cereal bar between patients).  Just yards away from the gate/guard shack at our “compound” was an urban chaos of activity and poverty, which made it comforting to stay in such a safe place, but it was somewhat disquieting to sit back and enjoy the facilities.  Muslim calls to prayer heard nearby in the city near dawn reminded us of the urgency of getting the Gospel message out to the Kenyan people as the Muslim presence is growing steadily there.

Each Saturday morning I was privileged to see a Kenyan National park/game reserve.  What a joy for me, to see the Lord’s creation in that place!  I saw many giraffes, zebras, and baboons, two bald eagles, one hyena, and possibly hundreds of cape buffalo, gazelles and impalas. Also a few of the more elusive rhinos, one hippo, and 3 female lions.  Lake Nakuru (seen by my team the second Saturday)  is known world-wide as a bird sanctuary, and its front gate was only a 10 minute drive from our hotel in very urban Nakuru!  By the thousands we saw pelicans, flamingos and other birds (at a place with an estimated bird population of 2.5 million!), along with so many other animals, beautiful plants and trees.  And, even on the 2 ½ hour drive from Nairobi to Nakuru, we saw a giraffe, numerous baboons, some zebra and warthogs, often near the road.  Though this was not the focus or goal of my trip (seeing God’s creation in Africa), I was blessed by a quiet moment of worship away from my group, overlooking Lake Nakuru, giving thanks to God for the privilege to serve Him in that place, and allowing me to marvel at His  beauty and creativity in creation in fresh ways. “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” (1 Tim. 1:12) 

One morning, just before our morning prayer at the clinic site, an image struck me that I’d like to conclude with.  Part of the clinic was set up in a courtyard area outside the church building.  Inside the worship space (somewhat smaller than CTK’s Fellowship Hall) were triage, stations for distance glasses, reading glasses, and the doctor’s station.  The doctor’s station was set up at the front of the worship space for practical reasons, but a profound image moved me:  A large red footlocker holding the medicines to be dispensed was placed all week on the table the Kenyan church normally used for an altar to hold the wine and bread for Holy Communion.  We had come to Kenya to provide healing, and also the hope of eternal life.  The  medicine given for relief of earthly pain was placed in the same location as the eternal medicine of Jesus body and blood would be placed the following Sunday, “given and shed for the forgiveness of sins,” celebrating the eternal healing we would one day share with our brothers and sisters in Christ from Kenya. 

• Joining with other churches in Houston and around Texas to bring vision care to Kenya
• Helping a 40 year old who couldn't see the "big E" to read 20/20
• Giving glasses to a man who walked 12K in the rain and mud so he could get a Bible - the glasses were a "bonus" he said
• Watching as an older woman, given reading glasses, holds onto the Bible she used to test her glasses as though relinquishing it might mean she would't be able to see
• Enabling a woman with a rare and painful condition to receive surgery (for the equivalent of 50 American dollars) that alleviated the pain and saved her vision.  Seeing her transformation the day after the surgery
• Experiencing the joy of 10 patients who had cataract surgery then returned to say thank you ( and remembering the 9 lepers who didn't)
• Knowing that someone has received Christ into his life and you've met a new brother/sister in Christ
• Spending a week with less "STUFF" and experiencing God's "MORE"
• Taking a safari(*) with God to see his possibilities and priorities. (*safari is the Swahili word for Journey")

In November 2008 it was 32 ordinary men and women, joining with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK) to treat 9075 people, while 235 people reported receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior.

What Can it Be For You in 2009?

(Our next trip is November 12-22)

 Contact John Williams for more information