Not Only to Provide, But Also to Bless

"Kenya Mission 2010" Follow-Up Report

by Abigail Fisher


It all started in St. Lewis Illinois at a conference called Urbana. Alongside over 16,000 people I felt God calling me to lead a trip to Kenya during the summer of 2010. I responded to that call, and this summer I went to Kenya from July 20-August 15. After returning from the trip I am able to see the journey that God took me on to get there, and to get through.
A team of 5 (Jacob Young, Kevin Severson, Jecolah Montoya, Elena Mannon, and myself) arrived in Kenya to encourage, build, teach, and love on a tribe of people. While we were there we were able to do so much more with the help of someone much greater. Before the trip I prayed to God asking “Lord, please provide for this team” and through an abundance of finances, divine meetings with people, complete protection, and overwhelming experiences I realized that God did not only provide for this small team, he richly blessed us. We were able to have a medical clinic where 1,000 people were given medicine in the name of Jesus. Three latrines were built, and I just received an email from the missionary there saying that the people are using the latrines and have asked for more to be built. The women’s ministry was a huge blessing and many mosquito nets were given out. Some of the girls have now started Saturday classes to learn how to sew. There was a soccer camp where we were able to enjoy and understand the people better. There is so much that is happening in the village, and yet there was still a huge lack. As a team we met together and prayed for God to come into that place to change the hearts of the people.
As our time there progressed we got unique opportunities to talk to men in power and hear them say that they are searching for the truth. One particular event was truly an open door. There had been some opposition to us showing the Jesus Film to the people and as a result we did not end up showing it until later. The following day there was a meeting with all the head men and they asked for forgiveness for not letting us show the film (we found out that this was because outside pressure had been up on them to stop us from showing it). The significance in the apology lies in the fact that in this non-Christian culture there is not a concept of forgiveness. The men knew that as Christians we give people second chances, we forgive, we love, and we have a hope, which are all things that are no where in their belief system. So even though we were not able to show the film when we had planned I believe that God had a victory because the people understand that there is something different about us Christians and they are being drawn to that different way of life.
When we returned from the village we were able to encourage the missionary there by planting trees, building a feeding trough for cattle, installing rain gutters, and painting the Sewing Center. All in all as a team not only of the Americans, but also the Kenyans that joined us in our ministry we believe that the hearts of these people are meant to know the true God. We believe that a time is coming where they will see that there is another way then the bondage they are now living in. There is a way that provides hope and life.
Thank you so much for being with us on this journey. There is something beautiful about the body of Christ working together in the way that it was meant to. Thank you for playing a part in a bigger picture. This summer I learned how to pray for the Kingdom of God to be here on this earth, and I am claiming that for these people. No matter where you are whether an American who lives and goes to work everyday or a village tribal person who goes and herds cattle God is still mighty to save.
God Bless,
Abby



36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:36–38).