When you travel throughout a country that is new to you, sometimes you find God’s gem’s in the midst of places you do not expect. You would think as a pastor of over 21 years I would know better, yet in my humanness, I forget to have great expectations from God each and every day.  It is my prayer that God will help me in my failure of great expectations to learn to embrace each and every day with His great expectations no matter how I feel emotionally or perceive mentally.  During the month of September, I continue to see the beauty of God’s Holiness all around our time in Kenya.

On September 6th, we had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Dr. Buconyori Free Methodist Boy’s High School.  We waited an hour at the stage for the Matatu left.  Upon arrival, we walked a mile to the school.  What a blessing it was for us to spend time with these young men who are learning and the staff of the school. We had the opportunity to also meet Principle Vincent’s new baby and the opportunity hold a prayer of blessing for her.

From September 14 – 17 we traveled and spent time with the Central Rift District for the Trans African Conference, Free Methodist Church – Kenya.  We stayed in the home of Pastor David and his wife and three of their adopted children along with Pastor Martin (Conference Superintendent).  What a blessing and wonderful hosts they were.  We would walk about two miles each day to the church where the seminars where being held.  There was a good turn out of men and women.  We had a great discussion on biblical marriage and family as well as leadership. There were many questions regarding cultural issues from traditional tribal cultures with scripture.  We were very thankful for Pastor Martin Amani who helped guide the discussion when those questions would arrive.  Our position is what does the bible teaches and how does it fit in your culture.  We allowed them to discuss and come up with ways the biblical teachings fit their cultural context.  On the 17th I had the opportunity to preach and we have about 20 people come forward to accept or renew their relationship with Jesus.

To finish the month our daughter Katelyn come to Kenya on her return to the US for a week.  We greatly enjoyed our time with Katelyn.  We stayed in the guest flat of the Church of the Nazarene compound.  It was great to meet other missionaries and local staff in Kenya.  We spent one morning on a Safari where we saw many animals including two lionesses with their cubs feeding on a kill from the night before.  This is very unusual to see, so we spent some time taking pictures and enjoying nature. We continued on seeing many other wildlife sights.  One day Sherry and Katie went shopping while Thom went to the local Java House. We spent another day at the Elephant orphanage as well as good quality time enjoying each others company.  We were so blessed to have Katelyn with us for a week.

At the end of our time with Katelyn, we learned that my work permit was ready, we only had to procure a bond.  We were told that to get the bond we needed a file number from Kenya Revenue (like the IRS in the US).  We figured this would be an easy and quick task. Yet, that was not to be, it took all day to travel to various places to try and get information and what was needed.  At the end of the day, I did not get my permit for I was told that we had to submit our documentation that was requested and then wait another 7 days to be contacted which meant another trip to Nairobi.  Needless to say, this was not one of my finest hours.

While during these wonderful times, there were challenges, sometimes very frustrating ones, especially when you deal with the red tape of government. Sometimes one can lose sight of the beauty of God’s holiness in the midst of these times.  I must confess I did at some points of difficulty.  Yet, God in His gracious mercy provides us with the ability to reflect, confess, and embrace all the wonderful beauty He provided in all the circumstances of life during the month of September.

We continue to seek to learn,  grow, and enjoy the beauty of God’s Holiness in Kenya.

During the month of August, Sherry and I had the opportunity to travel to a small village called Kaimosi and spent 5 days. On the second day, we walked the village and prayed for families of the Free Methodist Church. We learned that this was the very first Free Methodist Church in Kenya. It was originally under another small Holiness church but the leader was retiring and returning back to England. It was learned that the leader had been supported by a number of UK Free Methodist Churches so the Bishop of the Free Methodist Church of Burundi came over and visited with the church leaders and members. After a night of prayer, the majority of the members and leaders decided to join the Free Methodist Church. Current Highlands Conference Superintendent Martin Anami was part of the membership at that time. His father was the pastor of the church. During the next 2 days, we taught a seminar on marriage and family, along with a session on leadership. On the final day (Sunday) we worshiped with the church. This Sunday was Harvest Sunday where members brought a tenth of their harvest to the church.  Sherry was asked to give words of encouragement and pray for the harvest and harvesters.  Thom preached with five people rededicating their relationship with Christ.

Pastor Martin, Sherry, Vincent

Sherry Teaching

The following two weeks (August 13 – 25) the Springs of Hope Bible School held its modular program. With the elections results given, some students were unable to make the trip to the school due to some violence in a few cities. However, we are thankful that 15 students in the Deacon program and 3 students in the Elder’s program were able to travel and take classes. Thom taught one course for the Deacon program being The Pentateuch and one course for the Elder’s program being Pauline Epistles. Sherry worked in organizing the library. She cataloged and entered into the computer over 1500 books. She also is serving as the registrar for the school. She is working with Thom on creating and organizing transcripts, handbooks, and constitution.

Thom with Deacon Class (Aug 2017)

Thom Teaching

Sherry working in the Library

Thom teaching

Dr. Savala Teaching

Andrew Teaching

Thom and Esther (studnet who translated English into Swahili)

Thom and Elder Students

On the third Sunday, we traveled to Bondeni where we enjoyed the worship service with specials from the children and youth along with a wonderful meal following the service. Thom preached the message.

Bondeni church

Thom and Pastor Jared at Bondeni Church

Children from Bondeni

Bondeni Youth

The final Sunday we traveled to Kitale and enjoyed our time with the church. We attended two worship services with a walk in between to property the church is wanting to buy. Thom preached in both services and also was asked to pray for the church and property. Afterward, we enjoyed a meal with the pastor, his wife, and assistant pastor, followed by a short visit in the pastors home with his family.

Sherry, Thom and Kitale Leaders praying for future land

Thom and church members from Kitale

Pastor Ellie and Family

It was a great weekend for the Kenya Free Methodist Church as they moved from a Provincial General Conference to Full General Conference status.  In 1993 the Free Methodist Church was established under the direction of the Burundi General Conference.  Over the years God has used many leaders and laypersons to help the Kenya Mission field move to Provincial General Conference.  Over the past years under the leadership of previous Bishops and most recently Bishop Deogratias Nshimiyimana (Bishop Deo) and the Board of Administration for Burundi along with the Kenyan leadership (Bishop Emeritus Nixon Dingili and current Bishop Hawkins Mugaya) and the Kenya Board of Administration, Kenya Free Methodist Church was able to reach Full General Conference Status on 6/17/2017.  Bishop Deo was present to guide the proceedings and transfer of Ecclesiastical powers. Sherry and I, joined by Africa Director Mike Reynen, International Child Care Ministries Africa Director Vickie Reynen, and Shannon Butson and his three sons (VISA team here for three weeks) were privileged to be the guest of this milestone in the life of the Kenyan church.  Please pray for the Kenyan Church that the Lord will guide and that all those connected with the church will be open to the moving of the Holy Spirit in her life to continue to share their faith in Jesus Christ, disciples new and current believers, plant churches and develop leaders (both pastoral and lay).

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Our travel schedule this week:
May 25 – fly to Nairobi – Meet up with Tumaini (Hope) Women of Kenya NGO group.
May 26 – Travel to Samburu to distribute sustainable food to very hard hit area of drought.
May 27 – Continue to Outreach in Samburu then travel to Meru after.
May 28 – Attend FMCKenya church in Meru – Then travel back to Nairobi.
May 29-30 – Thom will finish grading final assignments for NBC online class (Doing Church as Mission) and set up NBC online class starting on 6th (Global Evangelism).
May 31 – Kibera FM Primary school with Mike and Vickie Reynen, Dr. Brown and Prayer Team visiting school, then breaking into small groups to visit homes of church members/children for time of prayer. (Kibera is considered the largest urban slum in Africa.
May 31- June 3 – Travel to Massi Lodge for Missionary Retreat with Dr. Brown as guest speaker (we will also enjoy partnering the Prayer Team traveling with Dr. Brown).
June 4 – travel back to Eldoret.

On Sunday, May 14, Sherry and I had to opportunity to visit Langas Free Methodist Church.  Pastor Jared told us not to worry he will make sure we can find our way and he will pick us up.  He arrives and walk’s through the gate area, we greet him and he say’s, “I have your transportation.” We proceed through the iron gates and see two motorcycles (boda boda). She looks at me and say’s, “is that our ride?” I said, “looks like it, hope on” (you should have seen Sherry’s face, she had never been on a motorcycle before). We hopped on and rode down the road and through town.  Sherry and I are on the same boda boda. I am at the back holding myself on with one hand and my bible in the other.  I was preaching at Pastor Jared’s Church.  I am sure we were a sight to those in the crowded town roads as we rode through.

We enjoyed our time with Pastor Jared and his wonderful congregation. The church was started in 2010.  They have had to relocated a few times in the Langas area since they rent facilities and sometimes the rent is raised where they have to make a change due to cost.  Purchasing a plot of land is very expensive in the Langas/Eldoret area, but they are confident God will bless them where ever they hold their services.  On Saturday May, 20th we visited with Pastor Jared and family at their home.  It was a lovely time.  You will notice a cow (ng’ombe) in one of the pictures below, that was from International Child Care Ministries a few years ago.  It has provided, in a number of ways, for his family. Please pray for Pastor Jared, Marian and their children that God will watch over them and continue to guide them as they lead their church. Pastor Jared also serves as the Parish Leader  were he guides and mentors 4 other churches with their respective pastors in the Eldoret Area.  Pray for the Langas church as they reach out to their community to minister and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people in great need.

Pastor Jared and Mariam

It has been almost a month since our arrival in Kenya. It has been a time of adjustments, learning, and enjoying the people and culture of Kenya.  Here’s some of our experiences:

• We had the opportunity in our first week to meet 28 students and the school board. We enjoyed speaking to the students in chapel and hearing some of their stories. We also enjoyed listening to the board and their heart to help the students grow and the school to move forward for God’s Kingdom
• We had our first experience worshiping at a local church. They love to sing worship to God and spend a lot of time singing, what a blessing to participate even though we do not know Swahili, but we tried as we followed along in the Swahili Hymnal.  After worship, the make a line and as people come out of the church the shake hands while singing.
• We have enjoyed shopping at the market stands on the road. We spend time walking down the main road and by fruit and vegetables from the local stands. We have gone to the local stores as well to pick up other items, but enjoy connecting with those at the stands.
• We have experienced local transportation like: the bus rides (coaches) from Eldoret to Nairobi and back (7 hours one way), bus (smaller), and Matatu’s (minivan like) all full, shoulder to shoulder, and taxi’s.
• When you are driving down the road (riding in our case) you need to watch out for: cattle, goats, sheep, and other animals crossing the road, other people walking across the road, other cars that will pass on both sides, and especially the “bumps” these are not your normal small bumps, they are very large “speed bumps” that are on the roads everywhere to help slow traffic.
• Finally, At the end of this month Sherry and I will travel to Samburu, Kenya from May 26 – 28. We will help with the distribution of food to one of the very hard hit areas of drought and in need of food supply’s. Samburu is also the type area that most people think of Africa, and I have been told used in one of the Survivor Shows. They tell us Elephants are in that area in the wild, and we may see them depending on where they are at the time we arrive. Pray for those in East Africa and Kenya hit hard by the drought and for the opportunity we have to be the hands and feet of Jesus in meeting physical needs and hopefully the opportunity to meet spiritual needs as well.

Thank you for your continued Prayers and Financial Support. We are currently 88% raised for the first year with 12 % committed. Our second year we have 0% raised and 17% Committed. Please pray for the Lord to bring along other financial partners for our ministry.

at the Equator