Coming Home
nathan.
Jun 03, 2007 · 8:06 AMWe’ve come full circle. I’m sitting at Java waiting for lunch, the same thing we were doing one week ago at the beginning of our trip. We had a fantastic morning of worship and ministry. Steph, Lindsey and I played on the worship team in coordination with the ICC team. It was a tremendous experience and privilege, and similar to the NCC marathon because we played three services. It is indescribable to experience God with Kenyan brothers and sisters, teaching them new songs and learning some of theirs, including some in Swahili. The dramatic folks on our team performed “Portraits of Healing” in all three services in cooperation with the ICC team.
After the first main service, much of our team spread out across Nairobi ministering to various other churches.
Yesterday I spent the entire day at ICC, first meeting with their young adults about small groups and discipleship, then worship practice, followed by a great drama night (that was sort of like a not-so-open-mic night). ICC already embraces drama and the arts, but hopefully we’ve challenged them to push the envelope even more. It’s hard to believe we’re going home. Each day seemed very long and taxing, but our total trip flew by.
There is some sadness but I’m leaving with no regrets. Our team did an awesome job and stepped up time after time. There’s definitely a natural connection between the people of NCC and ICC. It feels like this trip is just a continuation of a powerful and effective relationship between us. Hopefully we’ll be able to send more teams and even have some ICC visitors to DC in the future.
Well, I guess this is it. We’re going to eat, pack, and head to the airport. Thank you to everyone for your prayers. We seriously couldn’t have done it without you. Besides are big planned events, there was countless God-anointed conversations all along our path. I know we’re all leaving Nairobi different people, and hopefully Nairobi will never be the same after we leave (in a good way of course).
Barby Zempel
Jun 03, 2007 · 11:05 AM
Rogue River, Oregon
I’m sure the group will have stories to tell for long to come. God has most certainly worked in both yours and their lives. Actually ours as well. We look forward to your return, and the pictures we’ll be seeing from y’all. (Hope I spelled that right, Heather).
Since you brought up singing in Swahili.....
My husband and I can sing “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” in Swahili. *_*
That’s our claim to fame since his Bible School/Missions class days. *_*
Barby Zempel, aka Ryan’s mom