You never know

You never know when and where something you do or say may have an impact on someone else.

Yesterday we finished the day in the office by celebrating the birthday of two of the staff. I was just returning from teaching a class elsewhere  and I missed the first part of the celebration which was Kenyan tradition of "showering"  them with blessings. Well actually, they get a bucket of water dumped over them (bath day).😊

As I arrived at the office they were all enjoying cake and sodas. Then everyone declared a blessing for each of the birthday ladies. I was the last in the cirlce so I was asked to also pray for them after declaring God's blessing for them.

In some of the blessing from previous people I had heard the phrase "desires of you heart". So, I picked up on this and quoted Psalm 37:4 NIV

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."

As I have said on previous ocassions, the best translation for this verse is that if we delight ourselves in God, he will fill our hearts with His desires, replace our desires with His will. As we delight and trust in God and his will it becomes our desire, only wanting what pleases Him.

This morning as I arrived at the office I was greeted by one staff member who said that God had used what I had spoken yesterday to speak deeply to her life. She had gone way and meditated on it.

You never know when something we say or do will be used by God to speak into somebody's life.

Jesus himself said that we would be His ambassadors. The questions to ask ourselves is what type of ambassadors are we, good (given honour and glory to Jesus) or bad (bringing disgrace to His name)?

Remember, it is all about Him, not us.

2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

God is good!

View of area around CCP office in Kawangware

Just thought I would share a few quick photos that I took while installing a wireless network unit 10m up a tower on the roof of the CCP office in Kawangware. 

The photos give you an idea of the mixture of dwellings in the surrounding area.

Two photos just give you an idea how high up I was on the tower.

What a week!

WOW!

 What a week - all good, just very busy.

My aim was to blog at least every few days but the week has been so busy that it has been difficult to find time to gather my thoughts and write them down. So, here is a brief recap of the past week.

Last Sunday I traveled to LifeSpring Chapel, Syokimau and caught up with some friends. As usual from Lifespring (either campus), the sermon was great and the whole church service amazing.

Most of the week was filled with various meetings, looking at IT issues for CCP, getting a wireless link installed between the CCP office and the CCP Academy (Community Centre), interviewing two ladies from the Kenya Help scholarship program (an amazing interview - check out http://tiny.cc/yijdox), attending a Graduation dinner and ceremony for one Kenya Help scholar (well done Ann) (two other friends also graduated at the same time), attending AFLEWO (aflewo.com) and finishing the week with time at Lifespring Chapel, Embakasi (another clear message - from Pastor Zeph and God). I then spent the afternoon catching up with Rhi, an Aussie from my home church who is interning this year at Lifespring Chapel, Embakasi.

Oh, and to top it all, the Principal from Elyon High School at Dagoretti Corner informed me that his wife had a baby on Monday and they have named him "Rob". This is such an honour and particularly here in Kenya. Please pray for this little one. There have been a few complications but we hope that I can pick them up from the hospital today or tomorrow.

All in all, a very busy week but everyday I have seen God at work both in my life and the lives of those around me. I am truly blessed. Thank you Lord!

God is good!

Scholarship Interview

Yesterday I had the privilege of interviewing two of recipients of scholarships from Kenya Help.

The response from these two young ladies was nothing short of amazing.  The main focus of the interview was "How has the scholarship changed your life?"

The interview is a must see in its entirety.

I hope it will inspire and encourage you.

Mashujaa Day

Mashujaa Day (Heroes Day) is a national day in Kenya which is observed on October 20 to honour Kenyan heroes who contributed towards the struggle for the country’s independence.

Post independence national heroes and heroines such as those in the business sector, sports and arts industry among others will also recognized on this day.

Initially, the day was dedicated to the nation’s founding father, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. It is the day he was arrested in 1952 on suspicion he was the leader of Mau-Mau fighters.

However, the makers of the new Constitution felt it should be renamed Mashujaa Day because there were other patriots across the country whose contribution in the fight for independence was equally important.

This year’s celebration comes at a time when the country has had a difficult year with a myriad of challenges ranging from insecurity, ICC trials of the President and his deputy among others.

Today especially, pray for Kenya and its people.  Pray that peace will continue and above all that God will continue to bless and grow Kenya for His glory.

Elyon High School - Day of Prayer

What an amazing day!

It was called a Day of Prayer. It was to celebrate the senior students (Form 4) as they finish high school and commence their exams next week.
Truly done "Kenyan style", the day was full of praise, worship, music, entertainment by students, speeches, teaching from God's word and of course a meal together.
I was one of two guest speakers and without planning on our part, our messages meshed together so well. It was truly a God ordained connection.

This video is of the senior students entering the hall - Kenyan style.
Pray for these 37 young people as they sit for their exams and begin their lives beyond high school. 

Elyon 2014 Form 4 Procession: http://youtu.be/QmvUP_r-Sdo

An Example to Follow

Soon the final High School exams begin for Kenyan students. Elyon High School at Dagoretti Corner in Nairobi always strive to set good example for the students and indeed the community. Today is a one of those times when they show the importance of having the right priorities and that our Christian Faith is not an isolated or compartmentalised part of our lives but must shape our entire existence.

Today at Elyon High School, all classes for the entire school are cancelled and the whole school community will spend the day in worship and prayer. The day of prayer will have a focus on the Form 4 students (those facing their finals) but will also be a day of general prayer for the whole school community.

What a great example to Christian schools everywhere - dedicating a whole day for the whole school to pray for the students as they begin their exams. What a wonderful way to demonstrate our priorities.

I have been asked to speak today at the day of prayer. Specifically, I have been asked to bring a word of encouragement to them from God's word. It is a wonderful privilege to be asked but also a huge responsibility. Please pray for me as I share from Phillipians 4:4-9.

Pray for Vanessa

Today I left early to drive a CCP sponsored 9 year old girl, her mum and the CCP nurse (Mable) to a distant hospital where they offered to review the girl for neuro surgery. As it turns out it was too complicated for the district hospital even though this week they have a team of neuro surgeons from Canada.
They ended up referring her to the welfare program at Aga Khan Hospital. So we went there to start the process. The board at Aga Khan Hospital will make a decision on Monday. Please have many people pray for Vanessa.  She turns 10 next month but is the size of a 6 year old. Without surgery on the brain tumour soon she may not last long. She is deteriorating quickly. She had a fit in the car on way home. It was so scary.
Please, please, please pray for this girl and that the hospital board and doctors will make the best choice to help this young girl.

Training - full swing

Well, it has been a very busy week but again an amazing week.

Training sessions are in full swing with daily sessions for the teachers at CCP Academy and two mornings a week for the CCP office staff and then on Saturdays we have a morning session for the CCP volunteers. I have been greatly impressed by the enthusiasm of some of the "trainees". They realise that is is an opportunity to upskill themselves and are grabbing hold with both hands.

Opportunities that "in the western world" we take so easily for granted, are not often available here. It is a privilege to serve these wonderful friends.

On a more personal note, I keep coming across the same passage from the Bible. It has popped up many times and in many places during the last two weeks.

2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV

[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.