Project Kenya
May 25—June 4, 2007
A team of 22 NCCers are making the journey to Nairobi, Kenya to work with Pastor Chip Block and International Christian Centre. We will lead discipleship, small group, and leadership training for their young adults ministry and we will work with their worship and drama teams to do arts evangelism. Our primary mission is rooted in Luke 10:27—to love God and love others.
Latest From the Journal
Prayer Challenge: Final Preparation
Heather Zempel · May 25, 2007 · 8:00 AM
Scripture Meditation: “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Prayer Focus: Pastor Chip, ICC, Team Kenya, safety in traveling
Steph’s Nightmare
nathan. · May 24, 2007 · 10:54 PM
I’m doing this because I know Steph can’t be mad at me too long, but I think I just found video of her nightmare.
Look Steph (and concerned parents), nobody was hurt or injured!
“Leaving on a Jet Plane”
nathan. · May 24, 2007 · 10:16 PM
I actually do know when we’re coming back, but it seemed like a fun title since we’re headed for the airport in less than 24 hours. Tonight, as I was thinking about how many pairs of socks I need to pack, I got excited thinking about our team.
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
I Corinthians 12:18-20
I believe that God has each of us going for a reason and I’m excited to see that purpose played out on our trip. I’m anxious to look back and see how God uses our individual strengths (and weaknesses) to accomplish a team mission.
But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
I Corinthians 12:24-27
I’m also excited that Heather and I get to go to Europe tomorrow for our anniversary. Nothing says love like two eight-hour flights, a bag of peanuts, and a layover in Zurich. What can I say? I know how to treat my lady.
Pre-Departure Questions
Heather Zempel · May 24, 2007 · 9:19 AM
Team: Please answer the following questions in your journal before tomorrow evening:
- Why are you going on the Kenya trip?
- Why do you feel that now is the time to go to Kenya?
- What is your greatest fear as you face this trip?
- What are you most excited about?
- What is the most significant wall you have put up (emotionally, spiritually, or otherwise) that could affect your ability to bond with the team or minister to others?
Scripture for the Jouney
Heather Zempel · May 24, 2007 · 8:09 AM
Betty Ann Thesz, encourager-extraordinaire and member of the Ballston prayer team, forwarded me several Scripture verses last night. These are Scriptures that the Lord placed on her heart for our team as we prepare to travel.
Exodus 23:20
See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.
1 Sam. 12:16
Now stand here and see the great thing the Lord is about to do.
1 Sam. 10:6-7
At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you.
Isaiah 30:21
our own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
2 Corinthians 1:11
And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
Numbers 6:24-26
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.
Exodus 4:12
Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.
Psalm 133 (A Psalm for Pilgrims)
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.
Prayer Challenge: Packing
Heather Zempel · May 24, 2007 · 8:05 AM
Scripture Meditation: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Prayer Focus: Packing. We’ve got sound equipment and discipleship resources to take to Nairobi (and I’m not sure how we are going to get all of them packed and over there!) Pray a blessing over these materials and pray that everything gets their safely.
48 Hours
Heather Zempel · May 23, 2007 · 1:16 PM
In 48 hours, Team Kenya will be on their way to Dulles Airport to hop across the world to Nairobi, Kenya. I think we’re all experiencing a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation.
In Acts 20:22-24, Pauls says,
And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
If you take out “Jerusalem” and insert “Nairobi,” I think that’s a pretty good description of how our team feels. We feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to go, even though we don’t know what awaits us there. Hopefully, we’ll be able to avoid the jail part. :) But I’m sure some level of suffering lies ahead. Most importantly, we know that our lives are worthless unless we are finishing the work that God has given to us to do. We desperately want to share the good news and wonderful grace of God with every person we encounter-- from the ticket agents in the airport to the pastors of International Christian Center to the people living in the slums of Kenya.
Please continue to keep us in prayer during this very critical time.
Prayer Challenge: Individual Reflection
Heather Zempel · May 23, 2007 · 7:57 AM
Scripture Meditation: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Prayer Focus: Today, we will focus inwardly as we make final preparations for the trip. Pray for yourself, and ask the Lord to examine you, your motives, and your readiness.
Prayer Challenge: ICC Ministries
Heather Zempel · May 22, 2007 · 7:55 AM
Scripture Meditation: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)
Prayer Focus: Pray for the various ministries of ICC- discipleship, preaching/teaching, children, worship, hospitality, production, outreach, etc.
Prayer Challenge: Zinduka
Heather Zempel · May 21, 2007 · 7:53 AM
Scripture Meditation: “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’” (Zechariah 7:9)
Prayer Focus: Trizzer Mungai and the Zinduka organization on HIV/AIDS awareness and outreach.