DIFFERENT TOWN SAMEAMAZING STORY!

Every stop we celebrate new disciples trained. At our leadership dinner Saturday night I found out that today was graduation day at Joy Celebration Center. Agnes wanted to surprise me. She said she
could not think of a better surprise for me than to present 25 newly trained disciples. I couldn’t agree more!

Agnes and her late husband Pastor Peter, got the discipleship model right off the bat. As soon as
God relocated them to Kisumu from Eldoret, they got busy about the business of planting the new
church and training disciples and leaders.

Peter’s tragic death over ten years ago took the wind out of all of our sails. It was obvious to me and
everyone else, that Peter was set to become the “standard bearer” when it came to church planting
and disciple making. At his death, Agnes did not flinch. Raising two sons and pregnant with a third that Peter did not know about, she pressed the ministry forward. Life is hard for widows anywhere. But, in Kenya, Widows are “throw away” people. But Agnes was not to be discarded or neglected. The same passion for ministry that first lived in her husband Peter was fanned into flame in her life and ministry. Peter had intentionally planted the church in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Kisumu. Kisumu is a tough town anyway.

The city always has been a political hotspots. During the riots of 2007-2008 much of the retail sector was burned to the ground. Dozens lost their lives. Some of the most threatening moments I have
experienced in Kenya have come while preaching open-air evangelistic rallies in Kisumu. But Agnes never flinched.

For years the church met behind some retail shops along the main highway in hand-me-down tents from other ministries around Kenya. Time after time the frequent storms rolling in off of Lake Victoria would inconveniently relocate the tent church. The members would simply track it down, repair the tears in the canvas, and re-erect it in its place in time for next Sunday’s worship. Their tenacity flowed from the top down. Agnes has no quit in her. When we finally purchased the plot where the church meets today, crooked business men tried to grab the land. What could a helpless widow do to resist them, they thought. But, they underestimated this widow at their own peril. Agnes stood her ground and then some. The church sputtered along. It would grow, people would be saved, and then a more traditional African church would steal her key members away.

As I sat at the table under the remnants of the old tent church, my heart smiled. 25 newly trained
disciples. I remember when 5 members was reason for shouting here.

The old tent church is just used for fellowship and children’s Sunday School now. It sits in the
shadow of the beautiful, newly erected permanent structure. It’s just another iron-sheet Kenyan
church. But not to Agnes and her people. The iron sheets scream permanent to the neighbors who
laughed and scored the members every Sunday they entered the narrow alley between the shops.
Local pastor and Bishops mocked the idea that God could do anything in that little fly-by-night
church.

Well, today 9 visitors who came to see relatives graduate accepted Christ in the morning worship
service. How is that for an immediate return on your discipleship investment?
And then, when the graduate with the highest scores on her studies stood to give the graduation
speech, I lost it. Her opening line was; “I am just a worthless widow in the eyes of this community. I
have been laughed at every time I come to our weekly discipleship training classes. My friends and
family always ask me—-what do you think you are going to do with a discipleship training certificate
anyway? You don’t even have a dress to wear to the graduation. You will embarrass yourself and
our family. Well here I stand. Look at me today. I am wearing the brand new dress that God
provided for my graduation. You can’t see it because it is hidden under my robe and shawl. And I
am giving the graduation speech as the top graduate of this training center. So, mock me if you
want. But, I hear the applause of heaven and my Father shouting WELL DONE!
Well done indeed!.

Today I wallowed in the most indigenous, organic ministry in Kenya. I was as happy as a pig in slop!
Most of you will never have a day like I had today. Preaching my heart out, seeing souls saved,
encouraging new disciples as they begin their ministry adventures to find and make more disciples.
I was born-again for this. Thank you so much for sending me.

I’m too tired to pack tonight. My room looks like a bomb went off in it. If you traveled with me, you
would know who totally uncharacteristic that is of me. Teresa always reminds me when she travels
with me that we don’t have to keep the room neat…there is no company coming over to visit. I’m
going to endure it tonight. I think it is a fitting commentary on the past two weeks. I have poured
out all I have. And now, the reflection of that is scattered all over the floor. There is one clean outfit
left in my bag. That is perfect. I fly to Nairobi in the morning, a brief meeting with American
missionaries in Nairobi, then a late night flight to Paris and my first leg of the journey home.
There’s nothing left in the tank. The fuel gauge fell out on the ground when my driver dropped me at
my hotel tonight. I vaguely remember my meal at The Java House. The wonderful hot shower washed the day off of me. But, there is not enough water pressure in Kenya to wash away the memories of the past two weeks of ministry with our amazing ministry partners here.

I am content tonight. You won’t read that much from this writer. I’m going to bed before I start
thinking about tomorrow and that heavenly contentment begins to fade.

Your prayers = my fuel.
By, grace, your brother,
Mike Curry
Eph. 6:19-20