A Nose for the Gospel in Kenya

In this blog I write mostly about the work we do. If you'd like to get some insights about our daily life here in Tanzania, see Paula's journal entry for September HERE.

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." 2 Corinthians 2:14

Modern science estimates that the average human nose can distinguish more than 1 trillion distinct odor mixtures. Perhaps, when Juliet said to Romeo, "That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet," she was unaware that a single rose scent contains about 275 distinct chemical components. Be that as it may, most anyone can recognize a genuine rose when they smell one.

In the same way, the true Gospel of Christ crucified for lost sinners has a distinct and lovely fragrance all its own. This is the aroma of full and free forgiveness, earned by Jesus on the cross and revealed to us in God's Word, and it is rare in East Africa. Christianity is predominant here, with about 80% of the people professing some kind of faith in Jesus. However, a large number of these are Roman Catholics, and in this church the fragrance is spoiled by the teaching of faith-plus-works for salvation. Many more belong to Pentecostal churches, which also have a different scent, in that they seek assurance of God's favor through supposed miracles and personal holiness along with faith in Christ. We should also pity the ones who gladly breath the stench of the "prosperity gospel" preachers, who promise earthly health and wealth for those who are willing to help make the preachers rich.

I had the privilege of sharing the true saving fragrance of God's Word with our sister churches of the Kenya Church of the Lutheran Confession (KCLC) during two weeks in September. Paula traveled with me and was able to participate in teaching the children at several locations and met with two women's groups. We also had the opportunity to witness to the true Gospel in several churches that have expressed interest in the teaching and fellowship of the KCLC through contact with Pastor Calvin Luvisha. During these mission contact stops, it became plain that the people had great zeal for worship, but a sad lack of instruction in Scripture truth. They inhaled deeply of the genuine Gospel of repentance over sin, trust alone in Jesus' merit, and the new, confident life we now live in Christ...and they asked for MORE. We and Pastor Luvisha left pastors and church members with native-language copies of Luther's Small Catechism and other confessional literature. We pray that we will move toward mutual agreement in the truth of God's Word as we continue to instruct them, with a focus on the fragrance of the true Gospel.

As of September 29, Wittenberg Seminary in Arusha, Tanzania is back in session. Please continue to pray for our ministry partners here, and in Kenya and Uganda, and all over the world where the Lord "leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere."

Some video clips from the trip are HERE.

The route of our trip - shuttles and buses from Arusha to Nairobi to Kisii/Etago to Moi's Bridge/Kitale, a short domestic flight from Kitale to Nairobi, then back on a bus to home

Kimai congregation - new contact with Pastor David Onduso

Paula addressing the ladies at Our Savior's, Kisii (KCLC)

On Saturday, some members of Our Savior's - Pastor Ombogo at right

Pastor Fred in front of the recently dedicated church at Chotororo, KCLC

Worship at Chotororo, with members of Sare congregation also present

Adult members of Chotororo and Sare, KCLC

Arriving at St David's Academy in Etago, KCLC

St. David's children's song 

Students of Emmaus School, Moi's Bridge, KCLC

Pastor (and Wittenberg Seminary graduate) Amos of Holy Cross church, Moi's Bridge

St Luke's Milimani - Pastor (and Wittenberg Seminary graduate) Jasper Musacali at right

Matisi (Misikhu) and other churches inquiring about KCLC, with Luther's Catechisms

(Pastor Calvin Luvisha, 3rd from left)

Matisi (Misikhu) contact group gathered

Kitale Restoration Congregation (an outreach contact), with Catechisms and Lutheran Literature

Pastor Calvin conducting worship at St. Peter's, Kitale, KCLC

Preaching at St. Peter's (Pastor Henry Nyanumba of Moi's Bridge, left)

Paula and ladies of St. Peter's Kitale

St. Peter's and visitors after church - with Catechisms and Lutheran literature

A "puddle jumper" flight from Kitale to Nairobi, then a bus HOME to Arusha

FOR MORE CLC Foreign Missions News,

See Missionary Todd Ohlmann's blog HERE

A Simple Sign, a Greater Purpose

We continue to remember the people in Nepal who are suffering in the wake of devasting flash floods, including many of our own HCLCN members. For Missionary Ohlmann's recent report, click HERE.

 In this blog I write mostly about the work we do. If you'd like to get some insights about our daily life here in Tanzania, see Paula's journal entry for August HERE.

A new sign for the AECT and Wittenberg: Among other recent improvements to our church and seminary property, made possible by contributions to the CLC MDF, we were blessed to install a sign outside the gate of our property. It's a simple thing, but we pray that our Lord will use this sign for his kingdom work:

• It is meant to catch the attention of our community for our Lutheran church and seminary, but the sign itself is not the destination. It's meant to point people to Jesus, for “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
  
  
• In the same way that our sign makes the church and seminary more visible, it reminds us that Jesus calls His people to live visibly -- not for our own glory, but so that others may see God at work. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
  
  
• Our sign is a simple invitation, the same one that Philip told Nathanael concerning Jesus, "Come and see!" John 1:46 We pray that people will find here the saving message that Jesus entrusts to his disciples of all time: "That repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations," (Luke 24:47), and "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth." John 17:17

A few recent photos (click to enlarge):

From time to time we visit retired Pastor Lengutai at his home. L to R: Prof. Thobias Mbise, AECT Chairman Jeremia Issangya, grandson of Pastor Lengutai, Pastor Lengutai, Pastor/Prof. Robert Loskira

Children of Pastor/Prof. Robert and Rachel Loskira: Angel, Zipporah, Innocent, and Onesimo

The front yard of the church and seminary was recently renovated to include a small soccer pitch for the students. Pictured: the winning team of the first "Wittenberg Cup" round-robin tournament

See a video of the winning goal in the championship game HERE.

Wittenberg students at lunch, grateful for the baked treats and beet pickles that Paula made them

Our twelve Wittenberg Seminary students completed the 2nd of 3 trimesters last week, and they are now on their September break. Please include in your prayers our upcoming visit to Kenya. Paula and I will travel by bus to visit our sister churches of the Kenya Church of the Lutheran Confession (KCLC), as well as outreach contacts, from September 3-15. We ask our Lord for safe travel, growth in grace and knowledge for our KCLC pastors and members, and fruitful discussions with a number of pastors and churches who have expressed interest in our fellowship. In all things, dear Lord, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done!"

FOR MORE CLC Foreign Missions News,

See Missionary Todd Ohlmann's blog HERE