Our primary mission (Appleseed vision) that God has spoken clearly to us is to 'empower church planters to multiply disciples, churches and leaders.' With that in mind, the following God-opportunities seem to be coming together this Spring:
The two day conference with women in Kakamega took a huge turn and was undoubtedly Holy Spirit inspired. Much of our time together was to speak into these church planting leaders their worth, importance and value in the discipleship movements in Uganda and Kenya. Although receptive and willing, there is the ongoing belief that “women are the weaker vessel,” so therefore can only do so much or go so far. I’m shocked by this belief as clearly women —typically—are the ones who have the determination, strength, and tenacity to constantly move forward in ministry while caring for their families.
We had barely gotten into our material when it became clear that every single woman in that room was discipling at least one if not many other women, gathering them into simple house churches teaching and sharing with them the Word of God. One woman, Eunice, has TWENTY house churches right now! But, not one of these women had ever baptized even one person.
Claudine told me she never felt so much joy. We had approached her several months earlier, shared the Good News of God’s love, and invited her to a study whereby each one is able to discover God’s word for himself or herself.
Often when we begin to meet with people like this, they tell me that they are attracted by the love they see in the house churches. They observe people sharing food together. They find people sharing problems together and trying to help one another. They see people visiting others who are sick and caring for each other.
After three months, Claudine said that she believed all the things God was showing her. She had no understanding before about God because no one sat and talked with her about these things before. She didn’t understand before how much God loved her. She asked to be baptized and that was when she spoke of the joy that was overwhelming her.
Here are two stories of lives changed shared by our team leader in DR Congo:
Eliza, aged 20 now, was raised as a Muslim in East Africa. She began to study the Book of John with one of our mission team members. She was surprised to learn of a God who was committed to love her and whom she did not need to fear. After two months she decided that she embraced the freedom of a new life in Christ and decided to be baptized.
Although she still lives in a Muslim community, they have not been antagonistic toward her which has surprised us. We sense God is working there. Please pray for Eliza and her neighborhood.
Female genital mutilation is still practiced among the Pokot, a tribe in Northern Kenya, even though the government has outlawed it.
The young girl’s education ends at age 10 when she takes on household duties. At 11 her painful circumcision takes place and she is often married by age 12. By age 15 she is likely having her first child.
She will suffer from a number of pelvic and urinary infections due to the genital mutilation.
Brooks writes in the travel blog:Claudine told me she never felt so much joy. We had approached her several months earlier, shared the Good News of God’s love, and invited her to a study whereby each one is able to discover God’s word for himself or herself.
Eliza, aged 20 now, was raised as a Muslim in East Africa. She began to study the Book of John with one of our mission team members. She was surprised to learn of a God who was committed to love her and whom she did not need to fear. After two months she decided that she embraced the freedom of a new life in Christ and decided to be baptized.