Christophers Kenya Mission Trip Testimony
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Mark 16:15, NIV
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Eight years ago God gave me my first vision about Africa. After I had it I knew that it was His will for me to go Africa to spread and speak about His love. I waited for His exact timing patiently. I desired for His will to be done perfectly and I knew that it was only through Christ that I can do that. In August of 2018 my husband and I, along with two teammates stepped out of a plan onto the soil of Kenya - the first country in Africa God led us to go. Through Christ’s divine appointment we connected with the pastors in the city of Naivasha as well as Kisii. How did God’s divine appointment happen? In the past I had never had any concern to go to a place where I had never been and I was always filled with excitement. But this time, even though I know for many years I would be sent to Africa for the mission God had given to me, I still felt a bit concerned. I started to ask God to give me peace, first by knowing the right person for us to be connected with. |
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I was then reminded by the Holy Spirit that He had a vision for me years ago about a man wearing a red shirt and that this would be the man sent by God to help us with our African mission work. I began to think of all the men who I was connected with in who I had saw wearing a red shirt who were from Africa and I remembered one pastor who lived in Kisii. So I prayed, “Father, if he is the man You had shown me, let him contact me.” A while later, I got a message from that very pastor. His message to me said, “I believed God has shown me that I should invite you and your husband to come to have a conference about marriage.” Do you agree with me that our God is faithful! From when, and who, and how, to what we should do for His work, God gave us complete clear instructions. The whole process may require faith, but through it I learned more about what it means to listen and obey.
We spent twelve days in Kenya visiting different churches and cities. We met different people who spoke different languages from different cultures. We experienced different ways of living and learned different concepts about life. Through the messages God had us speak and the way He led us to encounter different groups of people, I felt the greatest love and experienced the greatest good of our Father in heaven, and our Lord Jesus. The messages He had us speak to each specific group of people showed us how He knows their hearts, their needs, their desires, and even the hidden parts of them. God knows and He cares. I remember the pastor in Kisii responded after we spoke to the congregation in his saying, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV)
We were led to speak the messages God desired us to speak and we served the brothers and sisters with the same heart we have for Jesus. Through this our flesh was challenged, but by the Spirit of God, and His grace, we overcame all of it. During the whole journey, I continuously held onto His love. I remained hopeful as I looked forward and remained patient through the comforting Jesus was giving to me. I experienced love by speaking the truth and I remained in His peace through the understanding our Lord gave. There were no fake love and no effort to try to please anyone or increase our own reputation. The Bible tells us, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17, NIV) This is my love for my Lord Jesus, and my Father in heaven.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NIV)
By the love of the Lord Jesus I am thankful that His will has been fulfilled even in my weaknesses. Eight years ago He asked me a question, “If a children was crying in front of you, what you would do?” I knew in my heart what I would do, I would go to them and give them a hug, and this was the exact answer that I gave to Jesus. He then asked me another question, “What if the person crying in front of you was a women?” I didn’t even think about it, but immediately answered the Lord saying, “I will do the same.” The questions continued, “how about if it were a man who was crying?” I stopped for a second but believed my answer should be no different, so I told Jesus that I would again do the same.
This is all about His love, His love for each of us from the first born to oldest among us. It is about His love for men, and for women, and for all His precious children…including the four of us, the team He sent. What was it that He asked me to do in His name? Tell the world, “Our God is alive and He is love”
We spent twelve days in Kenya visiting different churches and cities. We met different people who spoke different languages from different cultures. We experienced different ways of living and learned different concepts about life. Through the messages God had us speak and the way He led us to encounter different groups of people, I felt the greatest love and experienced the greatest good of our Father in heaven, and our Lord Jesus. The messages He had us speak to each specific group of people showed us how He knows their hearts, their needs, their desires, and even the hidden parts of them. God knows and He cares. I remember the pastor in Kisii responded after we spoke to the congregation in his saying, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV)
We were led to speak the messages God desired us to speak and we served the brothers and sisters with the same heart we have for Jesus. Through this our flesh was challenged, but by the Spirit of God, and His grace, we overcame all of it. During the whole journey, I continuously held onto His love. I remained hopeful as I looked forward and remained patient through the comforting Jesus was giving to me. I experienced love by speaking the truth and I remained in His peace through the understanding our Lord gave. There were no fake love and no effort to try to please anyone or increase our own reputation. The Bible tells us, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17, NIV) This is my love for my Lord Jesus, and my Father in heaven.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NIV)
By the love of the Lord Jesus I am thankful that His will has been fulfilled even in my weaknesses. Eight years ago He asked me a question, “If a children was crying in front of you, what you would do?” I knew in my heart what I would do, I would go to them and give them a hug, and this was the exact answer that I gave to Jesus. He then asked me another question, “What if the person crying in front of you was a women?” I didn’t even think about it, but immediately answered the Lord saying, “I will do the same.” The questions continued, “how about if it were a man who was crying?” I stopped for a second but believed my answer should be no different, so I told Jesus that I would again do the same.
This is all about His love, His love for each of us from the first born to oldest among us. It is about His love for men, and for women, and for all His precious children…including the four of us, the team He sent. What was it that He asked me to do in His name? Tell the world, “Our God is alive and He is love”