“One who does not move about knows very little.” Haya Proverb
Africans are very aware that those confined to one physical place are in danger of also being confined in terms of growth. Spiritually we become stagnant unless we make deliberate efforts to grow. Assisting people to “travel” spiritually and educationally is a major focus for us.
Vineyard leaders from a number of African countries met in Nairobi a few weeks ago. Costa Mitchell, leader of the Vineyard in South Africa, and informal leader of the Vineyard in Africa, proposed that the pastor’s training material that Doug is preparing might find use throughout Africa. At the same time, Derek Morphew, Africa’s theologian to the Vineyard and beyond, stayed with us for the week. Derek and Doug had conversations about the future of theological education among the Vineyard’s in Africa. We are exploring using the curriculum Doug is preparing beyond the borders of Kenya.
Doug spent this past weekend with four Vineyard pastors working through a course entitled Understanding African Traditional Religions & Worldviews in the Acts of Apostles. One of the inadequacies of African Traditional Religions is the inability to address the fear of evil and the afterlife. People are kept in a perpetual state of terror believing that the hereafter remains filled with uncertainty and one must continually appease the spirits (demons). Jesus says, “But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16.33)" And 1 John 5.4 says “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5.4)
Curriculum Development Team
Our youngest son Matt and his wife Bekah were with us for two weeks just recently. We had a great time taking them around Nairobi, to our church in Karen and to a local Vineyard church in Dagoretti Corner. We traveled to Mombasa along the coast and ended our time with a trip to the Maasai Mara for a safari.
Prayer requests:
- That we would keep “traveling” spiritually
- For movement forward with the accreditation of the Vineyard School of Ministry
- Continued wisdom about how we spend our time
- Renewal of Doug’s Work Permit which expires in August. Have begun renewal process.
- Sue’s efforts in training and mentoring the new treasurer for the AVC Kenya
