1200 +

I can’t even begin to describe the kind of overwhelming experience today has been, serving the pastors of Kenya. We have been preparing for the bookstore, where pastors can receive Bibles, reference materials and inspirational books that have been donated by Christians back home in the States. Yesterday we put in the work and today we began reaping the reward. I was so nervous once we arrived at the center because I didn’t really have a good idea what to expect, but felt confident that we were prepared. Before the bookstores opened, though, we helped distribute new concordances to the senior pastors who are at the conference for the first time this year. Helping pastors learn how to use this invaluable resource that will change their sermons and reach their congregation on a completely different level was humbling. I had the opportunity of helping several pastors and their wives with using the Greek and Hebrew portion, which until today I didn’t even know how to use!
After the session with the concordances I was stopped by a young woman named Eunice who asked me for help. At first I thought that she needed information about something at the conference, but she was sharing with me about a need she has. She is an orphan who is in school, but is concerned about where her school fees will come from. I had the opportunity to encourage her and pray for her, and felt that the Lord is already supplying that need because orphans are close to His heart.
I am right now trying to think of how to explain what I’ve been feeling for the past three days about the bookstore. I ended up in charge of it, which is a daunting task considering the shear number of pastors that have to cycle through in three days time. I found out today that there is in excess of 1200 pastors at this conference, which is a record number for this event. Yesterday, when we were setting up and putting out the Bibles and books I couldn’t help feeling like the little boy with the sack lunch saying, “Lord, this is what we have. Please take it and multiply it to supply your people.” So much prayer has covered these books, but what’s crazy is that it’s not about the books at all, but about the ripples of impacts that will circle out from Rongai, Kenya to the surrounding areas, countries, Africa and eventually the world. Needless to say, I’ve been nervous about the bookstore and its success.
At the end of the second morning session the announcement was made to the pastors about the bookstore, and then they were released. There was suddenly a crowd of pastors running, literally running, for the two tents. The pastors cycled through the tents ten at a time. I was very impressed with Ben, Lauren, Grayson and Carla and the wonderful way in which they helped the pastors find materials that were more tailored to their needs. Barnes and Noble had nothing on us today! In the two sessions that the bookstore was open today we helped over 300 pastors with selecting materials to bless their ministries. Once the last pastor had gone through this afternoon and we restocked the shelves and tables, I looked very skeptically at what we had and the number of pastors yet to receive anything and prayed again that the Lord would multiply to meet the need. I’m looking forward to seeing the Lord’s miracle.
Jordan, Brittney, and Grayson served on the praise and worship team for the conference. What a thrill it is to see our Faith students serving in this way. They have worked hard to learn songs in Swahili. Jordan led the entire assembly in one of the worship songs and I thought I was going to jump out of my skin! During tonight’s service the kids had the opportunity to perform their skit for all the pastors. The reaction from these pastors was just incredible, including the one pastor who was “pulling” at Brittney right along with Jesus (Jordan). It was a sight to behold and the noise in the tent when Jesus (Jordan) fought against all those sins and the devil so that Brittney could be free was deafening. Pastors actually came out of their chairs! Pastor Chola met us at dinner and said that he already had several pastors asking for the website so that they could use the skit as well in their church and in outreach.
We are already dreading saying goodbye on Saturday to our brothers and sisters here in Kenya. Our time here has been too short and our hearts are so full already. God is doing great things here in Kenya in His church and it has been incredible to have even a little part in what He is doing.

This post written by: Stephanie Sloane (Organizer Extroardinare)