NOT ALONEChurch planting in the Kenyan slums is lonely. I used to naively think that it was the new Biblical insights or the “fire” from my sermons that the young church planters in Kenya wanted from me. Or perhaps, just the recognition of grabbing a Sunday for the great white-haired missionary from the U.S. to come preach in their Kenyan church. Those thoughts were from the days when I had a higher opinion of Mike Curry than was ever merited. Now I know, what these young pastors and...

NOW IT’S FUN!Doing what I was born-again to do. Saturday, February 4, 2023—Nairobi, Kenya Airport.I am an average administrator. I have disciplined myself to become a decent mission team leader. But, preaching…that is pure joy for me. The team and I spent the afternoon with a group of leaders from Pastor Harrison’s (Tasia slum) and Pastor Kennedy’s (Mathare slum) churches. If you can’t preach to a room full of Kenyan leaders, then you just can’t preach! The hunger for the Word of God...

Friday, February 3, 2023—Nairobi, Kenya Airport. Now I can really sleep! The team from Mississippi has arrived in Nairobi right on time. Honestly, my long travel experience was creating some big gaps in my faith life on us being united on schedule. But, here they are. We are all settled into our rooms at the Catholic Conference Center in Karen (Nairobi suburb). The “church of Rome” can no longer say silver and gold have I none. But, their great wealth sure makes accommodating teams in...

Thursday, February 2, 2023—Nairobi, Kenya Airport.It’s 11 P.M. Thursday evening in Kenya (2 P.M. in Arkansas). 33 hours later, a great meal at one of Kenya hotels, and a hot shower waiting on me. Teresa kept power through the night, woke warm and rested (answered prayer!). The Mississippi team made a later flight out of Memphis and should be able to make their connection in Chicago. That would be a great prayer point for you guys as you read this. Then, it is on to Frankfurt, Germany for...

Gone! The truck started, the windshield thawed, and not so much as the slip of a tire on the icy trip to the airport. As I finish my coffee the Delta board reads “on-time”.  Delta has lied to me before, but I am trusting their prophetic gifting this morning! Attached is the first read of the Kenya journals. I am still 30 hours, 10,000 miles, and few flight connections away from my assignment.  I am praying I don’t miss any assignments on my way to what...

Tuesday, September 6, 2022—Home, Hot Springs, AR.What an amazing safari of the soul these past three weeks in Kenya has been. Thank you for praying, giving, and sending. Only eternity will tell what really happened during my time in Kenya. I imagine some of God’s greatest work goes unnoticed or recognized by us mortals. We are so ruled by the senses of our flesh, we often fail to use the eyes of the Sprit or the ears of our heart. I know what I saw, felt, tasted, touched, and smelled. My...

NO APPETITE – The reality sets in. Saturday, September 4, 2022—Crowne Plaza Hotel- Nairobi, Kenya Changing gears is one of the toughest parts of ministry in third-world environments. I’m not sure there could be a more dramatic shift than the past 12 hours. This morning, Pastor Harrison and I took breakfast in Lodwar before returning to Nairobi. We had dry toast and eggs with no yolks. We didn’t order egg whites for our health. There is not enough nutrition for the chickens in...

THE PLAN – Passing the baton. Friday, September 2, 2022—Napetet Town/Lodwar region, KenyaMy most common question in America is “what happens to the ministry in Kenya once you are gone?”If you had been with me today in Napetet (Lodwar Region) and heard Pastor Harrison preach and teach, you would answer that question with “it will flourish.” God gifted Harrison to preach. I simply filled in a few gaps at critical times in his ministry in Kenya. Harrison has maximized his...

TURKANA – Ambushed under the tree. Thursday, September 1, 2022—Turkana Desert/Lodwar, Kenya Disclaimer: Neither the writer of this journal, nor any participants or accompanying goats or camels were injured in any way in said “ambush.” We barely got past the greetings in evangelist Florence’s village before the ambush began. When we arrive Lodwar this morning Florence handed me a written schedule for the day’s events. I was feeling so good about my discipleship skills! And then...

MOUNT ELGON – The joy is in the journey. Tuesday, August 30, 2022—Kitale, KenyaI always look forward to climbing into the LandCruiser. It is a beast! I come from the r”edneck tribe.” I have seldom seen a muddy road or hillside that did not beckon me to come give a try. Monday we made our way to Mt. Elgon. It is definitely 4-wheel drive territory. I couldn’t wait to leave the tarmac road so we could lock in the hubs. But, that was not to be. We were still in Kitale gathering...