Another week in Bungoma and the Lord has remained so faithful. As of the last update, the team and I have continued house visits, serving with teens, and preaching!
Those who know my background in detail may immediately recognize the Lord’s favor in the opportunity to preach. I was raised with the understanding that a woman’s role in the church is fixed and limited, the main restriction being preaching in front of a mixed congregation. A large piece of my testimony, however, is what I believe to be a call from the Lord to dedicate my future vocation to pastoral work, including speaking from a pulpit.
I preached on the gentleness of God, that there is no condemnation in His name but a constant invitation into His embrace, honestly a message I needed to hear as well. Right before preaching in Namikelo, one of the two villages we minister within, I sensed the Spirit assuring me of His presence and that He would last. So after being invited up to the pulpit, I prayed this very idea, “Father, would your words remain and mine fall flat, all glory to You Jesus.” From that moment forward, I felt completely relaxed, comfortable even. At the risk of sounding redundant, it was as if I was being held by the Lord as I was preaching on that very concept.
After praying out of the service, I was asked to share a little more of my background, where I had the opportunity to highlight the Lord’s kindness in ushering me toward a career in pastoral work. What a sweet moment, once a girl afraid and unsure of her place in the church believing there was more, to now, preaching in a Kenyan village proudly declaring the Lord’s ever-so-intentional course. Even writing this post now, I get emotional at the idea. God is truly so good!
Prayer requests:
- Health! Our team got hit with a stomach bug of sorts on top of classic cold symptoms.
- Long-lasting rest: I often feel like no period of rest is enough and am finding myself quickly physically depleting while ministering
Community prayer requests:
- A knowing of the spiritual authority people hold in the name of Jesus
- Economic breakthrough especially within school fees.
- Political rest, the Kenyan president is facing an impeachment vote and, several students have been striking both locally and throughout the country
Lord bless you and keep you in His care. Thank you for your service to others far from home.
I heard today from my Father that your team was and is in a Spiritual battle and He has all authority over ALL principalities and powers and by His Holy Spirit He has already made a way for the needs of your group, so preach with freedom what He has told you and be ready for the fruit of His provisions!
Your team side by side rebuilding reminded me of Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, so Spiritually be there for each other!
Bless you and your team
In His Name Ken and Corky Unruh