At the Church and on the Radio

Picture this .....incredible African rythyms ....colorful Sunday ethnic garb ....some of the most heartfelt praise and worship I've ever experienced.... and you are in the International Vision Center (IVC) the church who sponsored the camp. I was well received and they even liked my jokes about thinking I was about to die in the traffic ...and my attempts at bargaining with the merchants. They were so enthusiastic in the participation and I had a blast sharing our music!

The sermon was given by a woman who primarily ministers to village churches ... She was teasing the congregation about their embassy life style .... and invited everyone to come visit her in the bush. She gave one of the best sermons I've ever heard... She was insightful and incredibly funny ... speaking on the 10 lepers who were healed but only one coming back to thank Jesus. What a blessing she was.

After the second service we headed for the radio station. The interview was a lot of fun and I played some live music as well. The interviewer asked some great questions. I'm sure the 17 people listening were impressed. I did some promo lines for them and it took several takes to get those right.

After that I was dropped off with my new friends Marcia and Kathy for the weekly missionary gathering. It was at the home of a man who works with Wythecliff Bible translators.... they shared the story of how it took 12 years to complete their latest translation of an African tribe's language ... It was amazing. We sang some songs and we did silent night each language represented sang a another verse...German... Danish ... it was so powerful. I was in awe of the work these folks are doing here ...from training teachers to taking in orphans ... what a privilege to experience such humble and exciting servanthood!

Then I met up with Pastor Ken and his wife Stella ... He is the incredible youth Pastor at IVC who was the master of ceremonies ...so to speak ...at the camp this week.....and took He and his wife out for Chinese Food... I wanted to thank them for taking such good care of me. We were able to evaluate the camp and just thank the Lord for the 20 kids who made decisions to follow Jesus!

I head to Nairobi today .... and more adventures...

John

It's hard to believe six days have flown by so quickly. I have been blessed to make so many new friends. The pastors who came in to speak to the kids were effective communicators bringing humor and insight into the issues African teenagers face. The younger children ....this age range was aroung 6 to 11 years old... were taught by Kathy Watson who was incredible with her teaching, music and ventriliquism. Her website is www.freedomhmin.org... It turns out Bonnie and I met her in Nashville about 8 years ago ... when we set up a booth at the Children's pators convention. She dedicates much of her time traveling around Kenya putting on workshops for Kenyan Sunday school teachers. I did music with both groups ...sometimes separately ....sometimes corporately .... there was a schedule ....but this is Africa...where you must remain flexible ... and Gumby could be the nickname of the week.

Today in the final meeting the kids were given the opportunity to describe how the camp has impacted their life. This went on for an hour or so and there were some powerful testimonies.....and an encouragement to all of us who were the leaders. My role was to conclude the ceremonies with some music .... so I started with Welcome to the Hood .....a song I wrote about Angels welcoming someone into heaven With Rainey and Ann ...the two wonderful Kenyan teenager singers who worked with me all week ....(first picture)... I reminded the kids by accepting Jesus as our Savior we get to spend eternity with him and by laying down our lives to serve him ....there are reawards! Next we sang Mercy is Falling .... this mercy and grace is the only reason that salvation is possible... then we ended with Jesus Loves me ..... the reason He came for us! If you know Sprout'N Shout music then you know wee were doing some serious jammin'! The enthusiasm of the worship has lifted my spirit... it was a privilege to be here and experience all of this.

Tomorrow ....Sunday .... I am on the Eldoret Christian radio staion called 97.1 Fish radio. I'll be interviewed and will play some songs .....I plan having some fun there! So pray that God will grant me wisdom and my words will be His words!

On Monday I head for Nairobi ..... I will be seeing some of the work some missionairies are doing there and will be doing some music in some of those places....plus taking a few days for a safari. Whatever my role may be I know the Lord will be there .... so as they say here ....Hakuna Matata ... or no problem!

John

A visit to the Market

Shopping in the markets of Eldoret was an experience I'm unlikely to forget soon. There is so much pushing and yelling .... and of course you must bargain for everything ... you must insist on the Kenyan price not the mzungu (whiteman)price. It is pronounced (moo zun goo). It is NOT a racist term. Believe me when I tell you I do not blend into the crowd.... and everyone can see the mzunga coming. The missionaries here love bargaining....I do NOT. I was invited to dinner by Kathy .... the woman who is working with me at the camp.... and her roommate Marcia ...who is Dean of a college here. I offered to buy the ingredients for the meal ....and was able to experience the market. These wonderful ladies ....who are two of my new heroes .... do amazing work here in Eldoret. I hope after my 60th birthday I have the spirit of adventure of these two. They prepared a wonderful Mexican dinner ....even made fresh tortillas .... and had a rubarb cobbler ....along with the icecream I purchased ....Then I settled in for an evening of incredible stories and pictures. Life out in the bush... being adopted into tribes and way to many others to tell here. On Sunday night I will be going to another weekly event for the missionaries ....they use this like a small group ...for encouragement prayer and accountability. They've asked me to bring my guitar so that will be fun as well.

The kids at the camp have really bonded as a group. There is so much kindness towards on another. Just when I thought the singing couldn't get much better ...they took it up another notch. For those of you who know my music....the favorites here are Pharaoh (big surprise there) Ain't Nobody ... I'm a new Creation .. Jesus Loves me ... the favorite worship tunes are ... Tradin' my sorrows (sorry MD) and Lord I Lift Your Name on High ....and of course one of my personal favorites ....Some May Trust in Horses. I've recorded many of the songs on my MP3 player... the quality is surprisingly good. I hope to put a little slide show together with their singing in the background ....but that will have to wait til I return.

There is a sadness starting to come over the camp due to the fact some kids do not want to return home. For many this camp is like a 5 star hotel compared to where they live. So ....pray for the campers to have strength to leave. I must confess it is absolutely heartwrenching to know they have to return to the enviroments I've witnessed here.

Tomorrow is our last day ...and then Sunday I will be speaking and performing at the church who hosted the camp. These services tend to be on the lengthy side and I understand the enthusiasm level is high. One minor disadvantage of my luggage arriving is that I no longer have an excuse not to wear the $5 sportcoat I purchased at Goodwill. You can be certain that a some Kenyan citizen will be blessed shortly after the service is over.

Thanks for your continued prayers!

John

Life in the Camp

My presentation to the teenagers went very well today! After observing several of the speakers .... I had an idea of what they were used to .... and then decided to risk being a little different...or in other words ....being me. I spoke on the acronym LIP ....which stands for God Loves you (the L) He is In Control (the I) He has a Plan (the P) I told the kids to imagine God's lip pressed against their ear saying....I love you ...I'm in control...I have a plan for your life... I was able to work in several of my favorite stories and skits and share the experience of Joseph which is an amazing example of LIP. Bonnie and I used this as the curriculum for our MGM progam at Lakeside. These kids are used to a British system of education which is ... sit down listen and take notes.... my style is more engaging.... music, skits, short discussions with your neighbors. Based on what I observed they were getting the message ...and having a marvelous time as well... the actors in the skits were wonderful and had their campmates in stiches!

I went directly from there to a 40 minute singalong with the younger group ... and I have to say I have never heard more boistrous singing from a group of kids. They absolutely love the song "I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart...on the chorus of that song it says, now I'm so happy .... (I know some of you are humming it now) there is no doubt by the smiles on their faces and the entusiasm in their voices ....they truly are happy .... even in the midst of tougher circumstances than you can imagine. The Lord has challenged me this week to remember that if we are not careful .... material possesions can dull our spiritual senses and make us less dependent on Him. I'm wondering if I lived in such desperate poverty if I could sing the song with the same joy I was hearing it this morning.

I've posted some pictures of life in the camp ...some of the food...the way they wash clothes and dishes and a picture of some participants discussing one of my questions.

Thank you for your continued prayers for unity. Any culture gap there was has been reduce to a crack ... I have remained healthy and so far would not be able to audition for any Pepto Bismol commercials...and am thankful!

John

Kids are kids!

The kids here in Kenya aren't any different than kids in America.... when they get together at a camp they don't get enough sleep and it was evident today as I peered into their tired little faces.... these teenagers were a little sulky....so my work was cut out for me.... But after a verse or two of my Hip Hop tune Under my feet we had the place rockin'

A missionary who lives here in Eldoret came today and she is an amazing ventriloquist...There are many of the kids who think her turtle can talk....and not just the young ones! I am looking forward to working with her the next few days.

My role switches somewhat tomorrow since | am one of the featured speakers. I have had the benefit of hearing the other speakers so I have an idea of what is appropriate and what is not ....The speak very frankly with these kids ...so I will do it as well.

Good news on the luggage front ....I now have it....I may never take clean underwear and deodorant for granted again....

So....please pray for wisdom as I share some thoughts we these kids... I know God will reveal clearly which stories I am to share. Also pray for rest for the kids!

John

Mingle Mingle Mingle and dodging cow patties

For those of you who know how to play Mingle Mingle Mingle you know its a great mixer game with handshakes and then a mad dash to get a certain number of people in your group and then on a knee. Since they had times scheduled for games I volunteered to introduce a few new ones. However .... I have never led this activity in a field full of cow patties..... you see ....this camp is being held at a private school who is not in session. The school owns 5 cows for milking purposes and they freely roam the campus to graze..... Didn't matter though .... I now know Mingle Mingle Mingle is loved universally.

It is amazing how many worship songs these kids already know ....and love. It sure has made my job a lot easier. There are two lovely and talented young ladies who lead the Kenyan songs and they will be helping me ....we had a great rehearsal and they are quick studies on learning the echo parts ....not to mention the incredible harmony they add.

A local pastor from eldoret spoke today and since I've taught leadership and directed leadership camps I feel qualified to recognize a motivator. This pastor had those teenagers undivided attention ....as well as mine .... for over an hour ....trust me when I tell you that is no simple task .... He will be back for round two tomorrow ..... and I can't wait.

Good news on the luggage front ..... it will arrive tonight and I will pick it up tomorrow. At this point I'm just glad they found it.

Those of you who know me well....especially my Lakeside friends.... understand my love of corn on the cob... so there was no way I could pass up the opportunity you see in the picture.... however there should be laws enforcing jail sentences on people who turn an ear of corn into what I tasted ... luckily my cab driver was more than happy to finish every kernel.

Prayer request are as follows ..... continued uniting of hearts and minds. These teenagers and kids are serious about experiencing all God has to offer. My voice is a little tired from several worship sessions today.... so pray that it will hold up!


I hope all is well back in the USA!

John

First Day

After a good night's restI believe I'm adjusted to the time difference. The roosters next door made sure we were up early. Pastor Ken took me to town so I could withdraw money .... my first debit card exchange was a success...then to the travel agency to pay for my in country flight to Eldoret. We then visited prayer mountain where pastor Ken's church is building a facility any church can use for whatever they need. It is a work in progress and they are building it as the funds become available.

We then went to the camp and I was introduced to the kids. They love songs on all levels ....From "whose side" to Lord I Lift Your Name on High" These kids are ready to worship and what a privilege it is to lead them. The Kenyan praise team is fantastic as well and I enjoyed the African groove even though I did not understand the words!

A new taxi driver brought me home and the adventures continue. Since nothing is lit up and there are even more pedestrians .....the excitement level was turned up a few notches. If Jeff Gordon were here he would want this guy's autograph.

My luggage is still not here...the airlines called and said tomorrow (makes me think of a song from a movie I used to watch with my girls)I know some of you are breaking into song right now.

Four days without certain amenities can send your olfactory nerve into hyper speed ...but then again no one here seems to notice.

The camp has started out fantastic! Please pray for continued unity and for the teachers who will speaking on character and destiny.

I'll post again soon!

John