"Finally, We Win One!"

by Christian

In addition to visiting schools yesterday morning and this morning, we were scheduled to hold crusades in the afternoon; however, the crowds were smaller than anticipated. Most of the Maasai people were sitting at aide distribution centers for the entire day waiting for aide to be given to their families (if they leave the site and food is given out they not only miss their portion, but their family is no longer eligible to receive aide). So we held the Crusades with about 60-70 people in attendance (still not a bad turn out considering).
Something very interesting struck our team during the crusade - there were more men present then pastors, mission team and women combined! Over two-thirds of those present at the crusade were Maasai men! I asked one of the Maasai pastors about this turnout on the return to the hotel and he said "yes I noticed." Then a big smile crossed his face and he continued: "first time ever! Finally, we win one!" as he gave Laura and the girls a thumbs up.
The same thing happened today - about 60-70 people and most of them Maasai men! Praise God. The pastors have been praying for decades for a outpouring of the Holy Spirit among the Maasai men and this is the first time they have seen such amazing turnouts! God is amazing.
Side Note: Matt preached his very first sermon (complete with translator) today! Honestly I could not be prouder!! Even the Maasai pastors were overjoyed hearing him preach, both because it was a solid message and because they knew it was his first time preaching and that God was using his journey to Africa to help shape his future ministry. One of the pastors even said "you are now officially ordained by God as a preacher in Africa." A few funny notes about the sermon though: (1) Matt and I worked on his sermon until midnight last night and both of us were exhausted. He actually fell asleep standing up trying to deliver his own sermon! So I joked with him saying his own sermon put him to sleep. (2) Matt was told to preach at least 30 minutes and as I expected he came in at a time of 13 bold minutes (he asked how long it was when he sat down and I told him 13 minutes and he laughed because he thought it was at least half an hour). (3) He was nervous at the beginning  (though you really could not tell) and got so caught up preaching the Word he forgot to pause for translation. About 10 sentences in the translator finally interjected and started translating over him with a smile knowing Matt forgot. Matt smiled sheepishly and our team and Maasai pastors got a good laugh. (4) I told Matt that if he preaches with his hands to do so intentionally, not out of nerves (in other words point as directing not just to move and fidget). He took my words to heart but forgot not to point and motion with the hand that was holding his microphone. So every time he made a point and motion with his hand no one could hear him. haha
Fantastic two days!

Pray for us tomorrow! It is a culmination of the work we have been doing in Maasailand to plant this new church. We are holding a huge celebration for the opening of the new church - complete with food, worship, preaching (Pastor Nicholas) and more. They will slaughter a cow at 6 in the morning tomorrow and the men will cook the food for the feast (a major cultural shakeup because men never cook and the women many times refuse to entertain the thought of the man cooking because it is their job) and the women will go to a women's conference led by Mrs. Joyce (Pastor Nicholas's wife), Laura, Sam, Sara and some Maasai pastor wives. Pray the Maasai women will be challenged and grow (and maybe even saved, should any non-believing women come). Pray for the Holy Spirit to pour through Mrs. Joyce and Laura, as well as Sam and Sara as they all teach and bring God's Word to the Maasai women. Pray also for the afternoon celebration, that it will be an amazing time of worship! Many people are expected (right now the estimate is 200 hundred or so Maasai people, but we have no idea if that is accurate or not), to include a few government officials!

Side Note to My Children: Thank you my precious children for letting mommy and daddy come all the way to Kenya to share God's Truth with the Maasai people! We so desperately wish you were here with us, but are so thankful you are praying for us regularly. We cannot wait to see you three! We love you sooo much! Thank you for contending for the faith with Mommy and Daddy (Jude 3)!!

Sere Nado (Goodbye All) and Goodnight for now!

________________