| February 2008 | | Print | |
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The recent Kenya election crisis has captured the attention of the western world with pictures of violence and indications of fraud. Having spent a number of years growing up in Kenya while my parents served on the MCC Teachers Abroad Program (TAP) in the 1960's, I've followed the current crisis with interest. Kenya is by some estimates 70% Evangelical. Christian discourse is accepted at every level of society. With the disputed election results running along tribal lines, the resulting tribal violence has deeply affected the Church. On a recent edition of "Listen Up TV" focused on the violence in Kenya, I was asked why Kenyan Christians are struggling with tribal violence. I responded that "tribalism" is a human condition and not limited to Kenya. Our tribes shape our identity and tell us who we are. A study of your local school campus will reveal a number of "tribes" which students identify with. Our ethnic churches remind us that tribes still exist in the family of God. The invitation that Christ offers of salvation is also an invitation into His body. There is only one body of Christ. You can view that Listen Up TV program online at www.listenuptv.com. The challenge for us today is to find our primary identity and citizenship in the body of Christ, the Kingdom of God. I will never forget a prayer time I had with an Iraqi elder and a Kuwaiti pastor in the aftermath of the first Gulf War. Despite their countries being at war, I invited them to pray together during a break in a global mission conference we were attending in Korea. I felt prompted to confess to the Iraqi elder my indifference to the plight of Iraqi Christians. The brother from Iraq then turned to the Kuwaiti pastor and asked for forgiveness for the animosity that Christians in Iraq felt toward Kuwait. With our arms around each other we then prayed for revival in our countries. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" Chosen. Royal. Holy. Belonging to God. That's who we are. Let's live like it. Ministry Highlights- Street children, orphans and "lost boys" are finding Christ through the ministry of our team at the Life Center in Southern Thailand. One 7 year old girl told our missionaries, "I believe you that [Jesus] is good because I never thought I would know such happiness that I know now from living here with you all."- The Matthew Team is celebrating the completion of HADIME (Making Disciples in Mexico) with 16 participants from 5 countries who came together for 10 days of discipleship, training and outreach. Trever & Joan Godard write, "It is so exciting to watch these people grow in their knowledge of God and get excited about their relationship with him." Items for Prayer- Phil & Carol Bergen report that they have recently begun hosting weekly church services in their village in Burkina Faso. Pray that Christians and non-Christians alike would continue to come in increasing numbers to hear the good news and to worship God together!- 12 young adults are now preparing for short-term ministry assignments alongside long-term missionaries in Japan and Peru with the TREK program. 17 TREK participants are already serving in Panama, Mexico, Germany, Thailand and Burkina Faso. Join us in praying for lasting fruit in TREK assignment locations and also in the lives of each TREK participant Randy Friesen |