Urgent Call to Prayer: August 2, 2011
Mission Kenya 2011 Update
by Dale Fisher
Moments ago, Abby called me from a remote Kenyan island where she, Andrew, and two other Americans and seven Kenyans are serving on a mission in an area where one of the world’s major religions dominates the tribal people group.
Medical clinics Mission Kenya 2011 began by conducting medical clinics for three days when more than 300 people were treated. One more clinic day remains. Each day, before the clinic opened, they presented basic health teaching that focused on worms prevention; signs and treatment of tuberculosis; the cause, prevention, and treatment of malaria; and community development teaching, such as forming community leadership. Abby reported that “the local village people have been very responsive.” Following the health lecture on malaria, 70 treated mosquito nets were distributed to mothers with young children.
Mission action Andrew led a few soccer games with the youth. He also dedicated himself to building three needed latrines near the village school that we'd helped establish years ago. One latrine for the girls; one for the boys; one for the teachers. The latrines are almost finished, but, because this is a month of fasting for the locals (during daylight hours), they try to do most of the hard work in the mornings because the men have less strength later in the day.
Evangelistic outreach Abby told me that the mission team has shown the Jesus Film twice already; one boy was moved by the film and asked many questions. In addition, during clinic practice, one of the team members felt led to ask a village woman from another area about her spiritual life. She answered, “I'm looking for someone to tell me how to be saved.” He told her what was needed.
Spiritual warfare Abby told me that there's “high spiritual tension” due to the month of fasting. As a result, people attending the clinic “don’t take their medication.” Please pray for the team. This is an urgent request.
In addition, sickness has hit the team. One of our national missionary’s daughters was very sick and sent home. Although Abby is fine, the other American woman on the team is having stomach problems. Andrew vomited three times last night, once today; he also has diarrhea but has been given oral re hydration fluids that are helpful.
Another national team member contracted malaria, while our national missionary friend there received sad news of the passing of the husband of one of her best friends. Partly because of these things, the team might choose to leave the island earlier than previously planned, perhaps on August 4 or 5.
Please pray for the team’s safety and health, unity, and spiritual strength. Abby also asks for prayer for wisdom on how team members should spend the “extra” time after they leave the island. Thanks.
