GRAB A DRUM

Back to basics

The sound of distant drums let me know it was Sunday morning in Kenya. As I sipped my morning coffee and awaited my breakfast, the early worship services (dawn) for those who work on Sunday were beginning in the surrounding communities. It was a prophetic preamble to the ministry day ahead. I didn’t know where we were going until I climbed into the LandCruiser. Richard said we are on our way to Kiminini, our newest church.

I had heard the name but never preached in the village. On the way Richard told me the village was full of drunkards and bootleggers. He said the church was “positioned well” right I the middle of the roughest area. I smiled and said to Richard, “location, location, location!”

Invading the darkness.

Drunkards and bootleggers aren’t beating a path to churches in Africa (or America). If you are going to reach them, you have to go to where they are.

As I stood to preach in the tiny mud church a small 2’ x 2’ window served as the spotlight for my Bible. It also gave me dual vision. I could see the church building straight ahead and watch the growing “congregation” propped against a fence under the shade tree outside. So I kept eye contact with the church folks, but preached to both congregations. Thanks for the strong voice!

The message matched the settings this morning. No electricity, no sound system, no musical instruments, just dirt for the floor. So, John 1 and Isaiah 53…just simple, straight Gospel—no frills. There was great freedom to preach today. I don’t take that for granted. These people are well fed by their pastor. That makes for disciples who come hungry and expectant.

I’m not much for “props” in my sermon illustrations, but God gave me one today. I was preaching about the difference in covering sin (OT sacrifice) and taking away of our sin by Jesus. My eye drifted to the congregation outside the window. So, I set the bottle of water I was using as my prop in the window sill so they could see. As I taught about our trying to cover our sin I covered the bottle with my handkerchief. After making several applications to make sure the translation was clear, I took the handkerchief off the water bottle and held it up. I held it up in the window so both groups could see. As I explained that Jesus did not cover our sin but took them away…I flung the water bottle out of the mud church window. It landed across the road toward congregation 2. The crowd inside the church stood to their feet whistling and clapping in classic Kenyan church fashion. I saw my shade tree congregation flinch at first, thinking something was being thrown at them. Then, I saw them laughing at each other and making my point better than I could. They had sent a “runner” to fetch the water and were retelling my Gospel story. The Lord added to His church today. And quite possibly, started a new congregation under the tree. I love joining God in His work in Africa.