Journey to the Far East / Journey to the World: November 2017

外国人 wàiguórén

Azungu

It’s always the same. We don’t fit in. We don’t look like the local culture.

As white faces in an Asian world, we get called ‘foreigner’ all the time, especially by young children. We accept that we don’t look like the community around us so we play a game with children. We say “不是, 我们不是外国人。我们是美国人。No, we aren’t foreigners. We’re Americans.” In Chinese the words rhyme so it’s a fun game. Usually the children look stunned that we understand what they said and could respond. The adults always chuckle so we have fun with it.

In Kenya, we received the same reception but the word is azungu. Everywhere we traveled, we heard azungu and children appeared out of nowhere and ran to the car to shake our hands and see us.

And yet people are the same the world over. People, children and adults alike, appreciate a “hello” and “how are you?” and a handshake.

Recently Mark and I adventured to a remote village in southwestern Kenya to meet a pastor that he gotten to know via Skype and email and conduct a three-day pastors’ conference. In addition, we worshiped with two village churches then had the pastoral training from Tuesday through Thursday. On the way, we also met up with local pastors about whom our friend Bob Selph told us just a few days before we left for the trip.

Mark, and a new friend Naptally, taught these spiritually hungry men the following topics:

· Why another partnership?

· Exploring the nature of true gospel fellowship

· A vision for theological/pastoral training

· The incomparable Scriptures

· What is the gospel?

· Nine Marks of a Healthy Church

· Where do we go from here?

In addition to teaching, Mark got to know the African pastors (one man traveled six days from southern Tanzania). The heart these men have for Jesus Christ, his message, and his people encouraged and strengthened us in so many ways. These men love Jesus and give sacrificially of their lives for their church and their community. One pastor even told us that each day after Mark and I left for the hotel (1¾ hours away), the men gathered together to discuss what they learned and how to apply it to their churches. They initiated that on their own! He relayed that all the attendees believe their lives and their churches will never be the same after what they've learned. Most of them had never heard such solid teaching from the Bible like they heard this week. Praise God!! They hunger for solid Bible teaching. When Mark put out the vision for a long term certificate level program, they got excited.

Additionally, two women traveled to the conference while other local women came and went as they had time. Local women from the village also sacrificed their time to cook for the conference attendees. Although we might consider the conditions a bit primitive, they served with joy and laughter.

Please pray for wisdom as we seek to develop long-term theological training for these hungry pastors so that they can bring solid biblical teaching to their congregations.

2 Timothy 2:2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.