HUNGRY

One of the things that has impressed my about my brothers and sisters in Kenya is how hungry they are for the things of the Lord. They sat in the conferences and feverishly took notes. Afterward, they expressed how helpful all of the information was for them. They begged us to come back. They said things like, "We don't have these kinds of Christian conferences available to us very often." "We need more theological training." "Our people need to hear more about the Christian life."

In the U.S. we are conferenced (I know it's not a word) to death. Many begin to feel that if you've been to one conference you've been to all of them. While most of us learn a few new things at every conference we go to, mention the word conference to me and you get a big yawn. Not here. Not in this part of Africa. One man walked ten miles to come to this conference. Others gave up a week's salary to be here. The people are hungry to learn the most basic things about God.

We are not presenting rocket science. We are presenting gospel and Word of God. It's not hard stuff. It's very basic. And they soak it all up with great satisfaction. I was worried that I didn't have much to teach them. They tell me that some of the things I said they have never, ever heard before. And they want to hear even more. They tell me of villages less than one hour away from Nairobi where the people have never heard about Jesus ... never. I can understand why missionaries don't want to leave this field. The field is white unto harvest and the good seed is starving for fresh rain.

There are two things that the Kenyas seem to think about us (Americans): 1. We are all very wealthy (which compared to their standard of living is probably true), and 2. We are very smart and have all the answers (which, of course, is absolutely not true). We are not always very smart. We have our problems. We do not have all the answers. When I survey the mountainous battle that this country is facing against HIV/AIDS and HUNGER and POVERTY and GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION, I realize that I have NO ANSWERS for them ... zero ... zip ... I'm clueless.

Except for one ... you know what it is ... and so do they. It's Jesus. Jesus is the answer to every problem on the face of the earth. I believe that. It is the church in this country that will win the battle against HIV/AIDS. The medical industry will do its part. The government will help (sometimes), and the good will of many around the world will make a difference. But in the end, it will be the Body of Christ rising up to provide the only eternal solution. The people I met last week know this. Their friends and family members are dying every day (some without Jesus). Jesus is the answer is real life to them. As Peter stated, Jesus has the words of life. And they are asking us to help them get the word out.

Blessings,

pastor ellis

Comments

[Tom]

Ellis,
awesome, awesome, awesome!!
Great pics! Thanks for posting those!
Tom

[FLOR COX]

PASTOR ELLIS,
I TOLD YOU SO... I TOLD YOU, WERE THERE FOR A REASON. YOU MIGHT NOT THINK YOU ARE VERY SMART BUT AT THIS TIME IN YOUR LIFE IN AFRICA YOU HAVE THE SMARTNESS (IS THIS A WORD ??? WELL YOU GET IT) THAT THEY NEED. THE TOPIC IS JESUS,JESUS, JESUS AND BELIVE ME I HEAR YOU EVERY SUNDAY, YOU KNOW THIS TOPIC AND ALL YOUR THEOLOGICAL KNOWLEGE HAS BEEN HELPFUL TO US BUT NOW IS WHERE IT IS VERY NEED AND THAT IS WHY GOD HAS BLESSED YOU TO BE ABLE TO GO TO AFRICA.
WELL I WILL LET YOU ON YOUR QUEST OF SPREADING THE WORD...
MISSING YOUR SERMONS..
PRAYERS FROM THE STATES.
FLOR COX

[Marshall]

Pastor Ellis,

We are super proud of you all for the work you are doing and daily we anxiously check your site for updates. Know that you (all of you) are being bathed in prayer - so continue on with courage and boldness.

How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7

As you have taught the Calvary Family, God is Everything!

God's Blessings,
Marshall