Acts 16:6-10 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
It may well have been perplexing for Paul and his companions to make plans for spreading the Gospel in Asia and Bithynia, only to be overruled by God's Holy Spirit. But when these doors were closed to them, they later saw that God had opened an important door to Macedonia instead. It was an open door that proved to be very fruitful for Jesus' kingdom!
Our recent trip to Kenya and Uganda, January 26 to February 5, was met with many doors that seemed closed to us. Todd Ohlmann and Joel Krafft had to cancel portions of their trip due to visa holdups at the Liberian embassy. Teacher Ted Quade couldn't make the trip at all due to a very bad knee. Pastor Jeremia Issangya had to cancel because he was recovering from an illness. Even our driver had to leave us because his mother was hospitalized (though he provided an excellent substitute). Mission Board Chairman Joel Krafft injured his knee and hobbled through the week. But God also opened many great doors during our visits, in spite of numerous setbacks.
After meeting up in Nairobi, our travels first took us to Moi's Bridge, Kenya. There we were met by the headmistress of Emmaus School, Mary Sagala. On Sunday we joined in worship with Holy Cross Lutheran Church, which is on the campus of Emmaus School. [click to enlarge photos]:
Worship at Holy Cross in Moi's Bridge, Kenya
On Monday we were able to meet with Mary and the school staff, and we enjoyed presentations by the school children. We discussed a number of items of interest to the CLC Kinship Committee, which coordinates support for the school.
The children of Emmaus School in Moi's Bridge, Kenya
Also on Monday we were the guests of Pastor Calvin Luvisha at his home in nearby Kitale. A number of the members of his church, St. Peter's Lutheran, were also present. We made plans for St. Peter's future cooperation with the leadership of the CLCK in Etago.
Tuesday was a travel day to Iganga, Uganda. We were met by Pastor Daniel Mugeni. We had a day-long pastoral conference at Pastor Mugeni's church on Wednesday, with eight in attendance including Joel Krafft and myself. This was in important gathering, since the formation of the Church of the Lutheran Confession in Uganda is still in its early stages. There was lively discussion, and all agreed that the next conference should be longer than a single day.
L to R: Absolom, Norman, J. Krafft, Milton, Wilberforce, Tanas, B. Naumann, Daniel Mugeni
Our day-long conference at Pastor Mugeni's church in Iganga, Uganda
We were given a tour of the Mugeni home, which is also the location of the "Hope Centre Uganda" orphanage which they operate. Besides the children of Pastor Daniel and his wife, Ida, they feed and house 20 orphaned children, while also raising them in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.
The children of the "Hope Centre" Orphanage at the Mugeni home in Iganga
Pastor and Mrs. Mugeni with a message of thanks is HERE.
After another travel day on Thursday, we arrived in Kisii, Kenya which is near the small village of Etago. Friday found us at St. David's academy in Etago, which has an enrollment of 147 students in PreK though grade 6. We conferred with the headmaster and teachers about the operation of the school, and its religious curriculum in particular.
The teaching staff of St. David's Academy
Elder Pius, Pastor Fred, Pastor Enosh, B.N. and J.K.
On Saturday we met again with the CLCK leadership, Pastors Fred and Enosh, and Elder Joshua. Our focus was on the current activities and future opportunities for the churches of the CLCK. We also met with a new contact, Pastor Peter Ombogo, who leads an independent Lutheran church in Kisii. It was good for him to meet the pastors of the CLCK.
We traveled about an hour to reach the countryside CLCK church in Chotororo and to join them for worship. After a lunch at the home of Pastor Fred, we got back on the road for the long ride to Nairobi.
Worship at the Chotororo church - about 20 were present
Pastor Francis was the liturgist, and I preached on "The Poor Man and Rich Lazarus"
Pastor Fred, his wife Eunice, and their daughter. Their son Eubank (not pictured) is
a student at Wittenberg Seminary in Arusha, Tanzania.
I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know our Kenyan and Ugandan brothers and sisters better, and to encourage them in their work for our Lord's kingdom. It was also very beneficial to have Pastor Paul Nolting of Valentine, NE in Arusha during my absence. He taught at the seminary, which was much appreciated by the students. See their brief note of thanks in the video clip HERE.
In short, there were many things about this trip that did NOT go as planned, that is, according to OUR plans. We are confident that everything did, in fact, go according to the plans of our gracious God, and we pray for His continued guidance and blessing for all our endeavors!
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