THE HARDEST PART In order to go…you have to leave. It’s time. Time to go.The bags are packed and loaded in the car. Teresa and I just had our last meal together for the next 22 days. The piles on my desk have gradually found their way into their proper places. Everything is done…except…the going. The last night before a mission trip is always a strange night. I find my mind and heart flowing in and out of home and the mission field ahead. I never want to leave Teresa or home. Who...

The seventeenth movement (year) of the symphony of ministry in Kenya is finished. It is only fitting that this ministry masterpiece composed by Godand conducted by the Holy Spirit ends with “full orchestra up” and rich, full chords of praise ringing in my heart at fortissimo levels.

To the bush. The road from Kisumu to Kisii is in perpetual construction. I have made this trip for years now. It never gets better. I am going to start shopping for clothes in Kenyan red dust colors. Might as well…that is the color you will be wearing by the time you reach Kisii. I love early mornings. The duck hunter in me never flinches at a 4:30 A.M. alarm. Watching the sunrise over the mountains as we climb from Lake Victoria to the Kisii region is the only adequate fanfare a day...

Not everyone on your team can “hit it out of the park.” But, “power hitters” have their role in Kenya as well. Tasia Slum, Nairobi, Kenya—Saturday, February 22 Above is Pastor Harrison with 10 leaders from his 11 church plants. That’s right! I said 11!! I don’t care where you are ministering, that is way above average.

The pastors gathered in Kitale…To be sent out! Kitale, Kenya—City Center Church A full house! Over three hundred pastors and leaders filled the City Center Church in Kitale for two days of intense discipleship and church planting training. From across the street, to the Northern desert region of Kenya, to Uganda they came. These leaders sat under over twelve hours of teaching in two days. I doubt seriously we could see the concentration, intensity, interest and excitement recreated in any...

Not a corn field anymore!Tuesday February 18—Mt. Elgon Training and Conference Center, Mt. Elgon, Kenya Two years ago I stood with a group of pastors and leaders in a corn filed and asked God to bring forth a building to house and care for the young missionary students who would attend this training center.

Does it really make a difference?Monday February 17—Seeds High School, Kitale, Kenya Often I am asked, “Don’t you think it would be better stewardship for me just to give the money I would spend on going to Kenya for a short trip?” My answer is always a resounding….NO! We need your ambassadorship.

We go to them. Saturday/Sunday February 15/16—Kitale, Kenya Much of our team mission work in Kenya is high in travel and intense teaching times. Yesterday, we slowed the pace to enable our U.S. team to add the most important, though often missing dimension of missions—touch.

Spiritual adrenaline. Friday, February 14—CORAT conference center, Karen, Kenya The Bellevue Baptist team arrived Nairobi late last night. They finally laid their heads on their pillows about 2 A.M. At breakfast this morning their bloodshot eyes could not camoflage the excitement and anticipation in these mission team members God has loaned us for a week.