GOD IS GOOD

I met a lot of Africans today. They were, without exception, gracious and kind. It's interesting to come half way around the world -- another hemisphere, another time zone, another continent -- and find that the people are your brothers and sisters. They have the same wants and needs, the same hopes and dreams, the same vision for their lives and the world, that you have ... really. They love their children just as much as I do. They love their family and friends and churches just as deeply and as fiercely as we do. And their children, family, and friends are dying.

In Kenya, 75% of the population is under the age of 25. Fifteen years ago the average life expectancy was 62. Today it is 48. I'm 44 ... if I lived in Kenya the odds would be that I would only have 4 more years to live. Such is the reality these brothers and sisters of ours live with each and every day. And yet, their faith is strong. Their voices are sure. Their hearts are full of joy. They spoke today with honesty and clarity and strength. And I was humbled just to be in the room. I would have paid just to come carry their books from seminar to seminar ... just to be in the same room with a people who have suffered so much, but still march on, is worth more than ... well, more than I can afford.

I met Moses today. Moses is a pastor to the Massai people. Fifteen years ago there was not a single Christian among the Massai people. Moses tells me that he, and all his family and friends, are first generation Christians among his people. Can you imagine? No one in the entire province has been a Christian for more than 15 years. In that 15 years the Massai tribe has gone from 0% Christian to 15% Christian. Considering there are about 600,000 Massai, that's an enourmous number of converts in 15 years (about 90,000 have been won to Christ in 15 years!). And Moses has been a big part of it. He is not a rich man. He probably paid almost the equivalent of what he makes in one month to be at this conference. He is a giant for Christ among his people.

God is good. He uses us even in our weakness (especially in our weakness). God is good. He shows us that He is the One who loves us just the way we are, and then makes us more than we ever dreamed we could be. God is good. Every once in a while he gives us a glimpse of His glory. God is good. I'm exhausted tonight ... I'm sad because so many in this country are dying young ... but still, down deep in my soul ... I know that God is good. And God will get the last word.

Blessings,

pastor ellis

Comments

[Dorina Ramos]

Thank you Pastor. God is good indeed. This is just as if I was there with all of you. I will continue to pray for God's purpose to be fulfilled. God bless you.

[Scott Hollinger]

My dear pastor,
I so appreciate your faithful journaling that takes me on a mission trip I would have loved to join. As you suggested, I have made your blog my homepage and every time I go online, I read your latest news and remember to lift up our Africa team to our Father. I'm glad for you that your friends, family, and flock are beginning to post comments. Please know that for every comment posted there are many silent voyeurs! May God continue to bless you and our team, and may He use you in life-changing ways for His purpose in that place!
With love,
Scott

[Amelia]

Reading this blog is incredible, I feel very connected to what is going on all the way "over there". It is good to be able to hear from you all what we need to be praying for and then to be able to pray and then come here and see God hearing my prayers--you are making us here at home a part of this adventure-thank you for that. You all are also inspiring us to look outside our own little world or perhaps look IN our own little world and get off our hands and spread His love around. I guess what I am trying to say is not only is God using you all to touch the lives of the African people you are touching those back home, helping light a fire in us, helping us take off our blinders and look around us to see what our duty as Christians is and I thank you all for that--God is truly using you all for much good---He is so good!

Thanks for the updates!
God Bless!
Amelia

[FLOR COX]

I look foward each time I sign in to our internet to see what you have written and how God is working in your presence. I know what you mean by being humbled by some situation. You are in Africa for a reason and God will allow us all to see what you are seeing your purpose in Africa is not only to make you see God's word but through this time of technology we are all there with you. God has sent you there so we can all see how easy we have our lives and yet there are still times that we question God's purpose in our lives.
Thank you for having the courage to leave your family and allow us to learn through you what is going on in God's world many mile away from us. Maybe this will help our community volunteer to God's will in our lives instead of looking for excuses that WE all have. It is easier to give an excuse than it is to say Here I am God do with me as you Please I am not worthy but here I humbly appear in your presence to do little but much for you.

God Bless,

Flor Cox

[Fred MacDowell]

Pastor, don't believe all you hear. Jim Bisset spent the later part of his life with the massai and even though they chased his family out later on, they didn't leave without fruit.
Fred MacDowell

[Matt Hebbard]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and observations with us Pastor Ellis. Amazing how much we do share with our brothers and sisters in Kenya. They serve in such difficult circumstances. Thanks for reminding us to pray for them and thank you for helping us to be grateful for God's abundant grace and mercy to us here in the Valley. We'll keep praying for the team and for our dear Kenyan brethren. Please let them know that we are blessed to get to know them through your journey and that we are one with them. The photos are great! Thanks!

[Tommy, Esmer & Jordan]

Ellis
I can only "IMAGINE" all that God has done and will continue to do with your sacrifices on this Kenyan Journey. Your daily entries bless me and I look forward to the pictures. I peek through the window of opportunity that God has given you and feel privileged to observe and pray.
Write on! Write on!
In His Service -
Esmer Gregg