Appleseed Travel Journal

— Traveling with Friends

selling oranges"Now, Brooks, you know I am very ok; Africa is my home." This is the response I often get from our compatriot from Kenya, Dawson, as we invite him to go with us to do trainings. Not that I'm nervous or anything, but seriously, when he drives up with whatever hubcapfree, severely dented, tiny vehicle to pick us up, I just have to wonder what little adventure is in store for us this time. It's just that now we have driven with him to three different places and ALL three times the car broke down, so maybe you can empathize just a tiny bit with me. That's just the mechanics of our vehicle. It's the size that can be a challenge as well. Poor, tall Roger has to fold himself like an envelope just to be able to sit in the front seat and somehow sit low enough so his head can squeeze under the roof and high enough so his knees bend so much that they reach almost to his chest and then press squarely onto the dashboard. What a trooper!

This particular trip to Tanzania was even more surprising … yes, we had the beat up car with too many issues to list, and yes, the car was packed full. We are traveling VERY heavy this trip. So much luggage to deal with because of our little jaunt in England reminds us of why we value keeping our bags small and few when we come here. Dawson's wife Elizabeth joined us, too, so that made me, Elizabeth, two ginormous "purses," a large bag filled with food (because we've learned that once everything and everyone is slammedwomen carrying into the vehicle Dawson will stop for NOTHING, even if the trip is SIX hours long), and Dawson's backpack … all in the minute backseat, and a kid's lunch pail and a couple of jackets smashed up against the back dash as well. The trunk was stuffed full of luggage as were somehow Roger and Dawson in the two front seats. Peering from behind, all I could see was that yep, indeed a Kenyan car with every knob, switch, and accessory broken off or not working, including, of course, the gas gauge. But, the shocking part of this trip was that absolutely nothing went wrong … no roadside adventures, no gasps of worry over thugs robbing us (a common practice after dark) … actually it was quite boring, albeit sweltering, just staring out the dust encrusted windows at small town after small town of women selling tomatoes or sweet potatoes piled in a pyramid or packing up for the day by balancing enormous parcels of their wares on their heads as they traveled some distance back to their villages to gather firewood, water and then prepare dinner for I'm sure, many children. I wonder at their lives and how it is, but lest emotion overtake, let's return to our journey…

The hours slipped by as THE question keeps coming from the back seat, "How much longer?" But, thankfully, family is family and conversation is real and honest and comfortable. Feelings are understood, passion for mission is synchronized. Laughter is genuine … at each other and at ourselves. A lot has happened in six months and yet, nothing has changed at all.

— Tanzania: In the 'Zone'

Sometimes you get to feel like you are ‘in the zone’ and everything is flowing.  Other times, you feel like you are swimming against every adversity possible.  Interestingly, in my experience, God works in both situations quite apart from our human experience.

Still, it is nice when ‘the zone’ is working and this is how our trip to Tanzania seemed.

  • The car, that should have broken down for more than one reason (tires, wheel bearings, and who knows what else) just kept on running both to and fro.
  • The border crossing, which included the challenging task of taking a Kenyan car into Tanzania went smoothly.   It helps to know the right people to work with who grease the right palms as this is the only way the system works.
  • The people we met with to train came ready to learn and implement.  This is in no small thanks to our team leader and the Tanzanian coordinator who did a great job of getting the right people in the right place. It was such a joy to pour into people who were both hungry and ready to run with multiplying disciples and starting churches.  One man said, “We have been slowed down by our own ignorance, but are ready to move now.  When you visit us next time you will see the results.”
  • The lodging was adequate with no real hitches.  Alright, so the internet worked in the morning but not in the evening, but hey, 50% is pretty good in this part of the world.  Oh, and hot water worked at about the same ratio, but again, good enuff!
  • Food was decent.  Since it was near the lake we had lots of Talapia to eat.  We returned to Kenya healthy and ready for this week’s meetings in Kakamega.

I hope you don’t mind if I ask for prayer that ‘the zone’ continues.  It makes it so much more enjoyable—from a selfish point of you.  And, of course, what really matters is that you are standing with us that God’s purposes be completed!

Samuel and his wife, coordinators in Tanzania:

 

— Your Words/Scriptures Interact with Our Mission

Pray for AfricaI had just a read a word shared from one of you about how God works through unity and partnerships in the Body of Christ when I went off to meet with a mission leader that we hope to develop a long term relationship with in East Africa. This word prepared me to have a more open heart and to see past differences in order to forge an alliance that could greatly enhance the work we are involved in. At the same time, Brooks happened to read this same word while I was in this very meeting which impacted and informed the way she prayed.

I am simply sharing this example because it demonstrates how much we work as a team, you with us, whether you are praying, sharing words/Scriptures that God gives you, or just staying plugged into our journey.

As you share and/or pray with us, we cannot begin to tell you how often we reflect on these words, how much they encourage and inform our work, and how strongly we sense your prayers. It all matters and it all results in His greater glory as His work is carried on.

Today (Wednesday) we leave for Tanzania. Road trips are always adventurous so your prayers are appreciated. We will be meeting with a completely new group of leaders in a country we have never been to before. How exciting to see what God is up to!

— We Need YOU to Listen With Us

Scriptures and/or words that God gives you for us are vital to our upcoming travels as we seek to follow the Spirit’s leading.

We sense new things coming and we want to be prepared to hear and respond.  You really help us when you listen with us!

You can comment here or email us as God leads you to!

As Brooks and I have prayed over this trip, we sense that God wants to bring some adjustments:

  1. We believe He wants to develop and strengthen new partnerships in East Africa to strengthen the work there.
  2. We sense He wants to open doors in new areas of Africa and even beyond.

But, honestly, we are not sure what all of this means yet and we want to be open and aware of how God is at work throughout this trip!

If you sense God is giving you something to share with us, please don’t hesitate!  If you are willing to take some time to pray and listen and share with us, please do.  Even simple encouragements can have more meaning than you realize!

Thanks so much for joining with us in this way!

Our love to you… Roger & Brooks

Note that while we leave on April 26, we have a layover in England for a hike in the Cotswolds and a visit with some friends and partners there.  We will arrive in Nairobi, Kenya on May 11.

 

— You Are Part of Something Really BIG

One of the exciting outcomes from spending a week with over 600 missionaries is getting a fresh picture of how BIG the movement of God is around the world.

Yes, we all have our parts.  You and I work together to bring up leaders in Africa who are discipling many, to rescue children in need, and to come alongside vulnerable women.  But then you add our part to the 600 YWAM missionaries in Asia and see the impact they are having.  And then you see that this is just a small fraction of this one missionary organization… which is just one organization among hundreds or even thousands…and you begin to get the picture of how LARGE God’s dream is for His world is and how BIG the work He is collectively orchestrating throughout the world.

God has a very BIG dream and it’s not just about getting us out of this world and into heaven.  He asks us to pray that His Kingdom would come to the earth because He dreams about a world that is transformed!  And He’s doing it.  And you and I are part of it!

  • Consider the hundreds of thousands of ministries that are caring for needy people in every major city of the world and in many (not nearly all) of the villages.  That’s God’s kingdom coming to earth!
  • Consider that there are 6 million M**lims, who are bound in a legalistic, religious system, finding grace and life and freedom in Christ every year in Africa.  That’s God’s kingdom coming to earth.
  • Consider that the fastest growing house church movement may be taking place today in Iran right under the nose of one of the most oppressive regimes ever.  That’s God’s kingdom coming to earth.
  • Consider that, while the needs of the poor are still massive, progress IS taking place globally in large part because many Christians take Jesus’ words to heart that when we care for the poor we are caring for Him.

Can I repeat myself.  You and I, together, are part of something really BIG that is HAPPENING: a dream in God’s heart to change a world through His kingdom coming down that will, eventually, taking root in eternity. 

To quote my favorite coach: “Who’s got it better than us?”

Thank you so much for journeying with me in Indai!

Vulnerable children reached out to by one YWAM base in one city of India:

Pages

Subscribe to Appleseed Travel Journal