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February 2008 |
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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
 Click here to download the February 2008 Vision for Mission in PDF format 233.20 Kb
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