So, we went through the teaching on the 'Healing on the Streets' prayer ministry model. Some laughs, which always helps, but the guys seem to have grasped some of the main differences between this method and how they usually do prayer ministry - lots of volume and lots of preaching.
We had a practice on one person which went well - no amazing healing to report, but it was great to see they'd taken the teaching on board. They struggled a bit to keep their eyes open when praying, but even I find it a bit unnatural to talk to God whilst looking at others.
All in all a very positive time, and the preparations continue. Banner should be ready in the next few days, stuff to give to people we've prayed for has been identified and is readily available, and we've got another teaching / practice session lined up for next Monday.
After that it's the real thing. Exciting, and I think I've made up my mind that I will be involved, rather than just supporting from the sidelines. I guess that means I'll be getting my hands clean?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
My fasting is not slowing
So, attempting to do training on the first day back after the Christmas and New Year break was not one of my better ideas. One pastor turned up 1 hour late, the others haven't shown yet. Consequently we have postponed the training till next week.
And that gives me more time to reconsider what I'm reconsidering, that is my decision that I and Emily shouldn't be personally involved in the Healing in the Streets ministry. I have been feeling that my decision may have been based on worldly wisdom, rather than it being what God wants. I've been feeling again that God wants me to be personally involved, rather than just supporting on the sidelines. Much as I would like to, I continue to argue with myself about why I should need to be involved. But maybe that's asking the wrong question. Yes, God can do it through Kenyans. Of course He doesn't need me to be involved. But maybe He wants to bless me by allowing me to see God working powerfully at first hand, through me?
Having fasted every Monday since the start of September, I had a break last Monday when we were away for a few days in Naivasha, and I ate. Interesting - I missed fasting. I'm not quite sure exactly what I missed about it, but my week felt different, not having fasted. And I was keen to get to today so I could fast again.
Having never fasted before, I find I'm still enjoying it, and I feel much more spiritually aware and alive on the days and weeks when I have fasted.
So my weekly fast continues.
And that gives me more time to reconsider what I'm reconsidering, that is my decision that I and Emily shouldn't be personally involved in the Healing in the Streets ministry. I have been feeling that my decision may have been based on worldly wisdom, rather than it being what God wants. I've been feeling again that God wants me to be personally involved, rather than just supporting on the sidelines. Much as I would like to, I continue to argue with myself about why I should need to be involved. But maybe that's asking the wrong question. Yes, God can do it through Kenyans. Of course He doesn't need me to be involved. But maybe He wants to bless me by allowing me to see God working powerfully at first hand, through me?
Having fasted every Monday since the start of September, I had a break last Monday when we were away for a few days in Naivasha, and I ate. Interesting - I missed fasting. I'm not quite sure exactly what I missed about it, but my week felt different, not having fasted. And I was keen to get to today so I could fast again.
Having never fasted before, I find I'm still enjoying it, and I feel much more spiritually aware and alive on the days and weeks when I have fasted.
So my weekly fast continues.
Monday, December 14, 2009
God delights in me!!
Praying for the people of Kibera again today: for God to send those He wants to heal; for God to continue to prepare the pastors on the team for their role; for the practicalities of the right site from which to operate; for God's Kingdom to come in Kibera; for God to be glorified through the HotS ministry; telling Satan he has no place in Kibera and that its people are covered by the blood of Jesus; for God's peace to flood Kibera; for freedom for the people of Kibera from all the things that have bound them; and there was probably more.
Looked at Isaiah 61, as poverty is a form of bondage that people need to be freed from, and God promises freedom for captives. Through healing and freedom, we long to see the whole of Kibera transformed into a place that is known as somewhere that God is glorified, where His peace reigns, where no witchdoctor can practice, where there is hope despite the poverty.
This week I'll be adapting the HotS training manual into something that hopefully will fit in the Kenyan culture. Then on 4th Jan we'll meet with the pastors and go through the training with them, and maybe practice a little on each other, or on some willing guinea pigs. Once that's done it'll be time to do it for real.
I had a wobble a couple of days ago when I started wondering if God would turn up when we do this, and I read Psalm 147. Verse 10 says 'the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love'. And I thought, isn't it great how God uses the Bible to encourage us with the right words at the right time. My wobble lasted no more than 5 minutes before I had reassurance that God was delighting in me because I was putting my hope in Him and His love for the people of Kibera.
What better reassurance could there be than to know that God is delighting in me - nothing else matters!
Looked at Isaiah 61, as poverty is a form of bondage that people need to be freed from, and God promises freedom for captives. Through healing and freedom, we long to see the whole of Kibera transformed into a place that is known as somewhere that God is glorified, where His peace reigns, where no witchdoctor can practice, where there is hope despite the poverty.
This week I'll be adapting the HotS training manual into something that hopefully will fit in the Kenyan culture. Then on 4th Jan we'll meet with the pastors and go through the training with them, and maybe practice a little on each other, or on some willing guinea pigs. Once that's done it'll be time to do it for real.
I had a wobble a couple of days ago when I started wondering if God would turn up when we do this, and I read Psalm 147. Verse 10 says 'the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love'. And I thought, isn't it great how God uses the Bible to encourage us with the right words at the right time. My wobble lasted no more than 5 minutes before I had reassurance that God was delighting in me because I was putting my hope in Him and His love for the people of Kibera.
What better reassurance could there be than to know that God is delighting in me - nothing else matters!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Godly egg
Yesterday's sermon was apparently about waiting. I wasn't around to hear it as I was teaching one of the kids' groups, but Jo reflected some of it back to me. I suppose the last few months have been a time of waiting, but not in an inactive way. It has all been about preparation, getting ready for what God is going to do.
It's been an exciting few months, and I have greatly enjoyed praying and fasting for Kibera, and for God to pour out His healing on the people of Kibera. But now the time of waiting and preparing is coming to an end. We are now only a few weeks away from when we will first offer the 'Healing on the Streets' ministry, and I've got no idea what's going to happen! Will the pastors involved follow the teaching? Will people come for prayer? Will anybody get healed? Will God turn up?
Much as I have the questions, I also have a deep sense of peace that whatever happens, I have been obedient to the part I believe God has called me to play in this. I believe that God really wants to bless the people of Kibera, and that Kibera will become a place where God is glorified, and will no longer be subject to the many evil influences and practices that go on there today. Yes, there will still be poverty, but there will be a spiritual richness, depth and wholeness displayed by more and more people as they are healed by Jesus, and as they come to experience the depth of His love for them.
So if I've got it right, God will be glorified. If not, then maybe I'll end up with egg on my face - but it will be godly egg!
It's been an exciting few months, and I have greatly enjoyed praying and fasting for Kibera, and for God to pour out His healing on the people of Kibera. But now the time of waiting and preparing is coming to an end. We are now only a few weeks away from when we will first offer the 'Healing on the Streets' ministry, and I've got no idea what's going to happen! Will the pastors involved follow the teaching? Will people come for prayer? Will anybody get healed? Will God turn up?
Much as I have the questions, I also have a deep sense of peace that whatever happens, I have been obedient to the part I believe God has called me to play in this. I believe that God really wants to bless the people of Kibera, and that Kibera will become a place where God is glorified, and will no longer be subject to the many evil influences and practices that go on there today. Yes, there will still be poverty, but there will be a spiritual richness, depth and wholeness displayed by more and more people as they are healed by Jesus, and as they come to experience the depth of His love for them.
So if I've got it right, God will be glorified. If not, then maybe I'll end up with egg on my face - but it will be godly egg!
Monday, November 30, 2009
A Lighter Me
Due to Holiday Clubs in Kibera, this week's blog isn't particularly related to our preparations for the healing ministry. But I wanted to blog something that I feel was significant for me that I experienced last night.
The title of my blog - a lighter me - is not a reference to my weekly fast, although that may be a side effect, I don't know. However, last night I realised I was struggling to let go of an issue that had really been troubling me, and was starting to eat away at me. The theme of yesterday's service in church was 'surrender', and I realised I needed to surrender this issue to God, but was not sure how to achieve that. It's not that I don't understand the concept of surrender, and leaving things with Christ, it's just that I find it's all too easy to say the words, earnestly meaning them, and then as I finish my prayer to unintentionally pick the things up again and continue on, no lighter than before! So I was thinking and praying about this last night, and I found myself in Psalm 143, which is another cry for help from David when he's in trouble. I was struck by verse 5 in particular, when David says "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done". It struck me that if I could bring my issues before Christ, then think about the times in my life when He's been with me, helping me, guiding me etc, maybe that would help me to focus on just how capable He is of sorting out my issues, and so enable me to finish my prayer, and turn away, without picking them back up again.
So, did it work? Yes it did. I was able to leave what had really been nagging at my mind, and increasing my stress levels, completely with God. I slept peacefully. Even today, when I've thought again about the issue, it's with a lightness of spirit. It's almost as if, even if I wanted to, I couldn't now pick up that issue and shoulder the burden of it myself again. I've truly been able to hand it over, and it's not my concern, or mine to deal with any more.
And all because I took my cue from David, and when in trouble I remembered the times God had been faithful to me, and in that spirit I handed over my present concerns and walked away without picking them up again.
So I am a lighter me - praise God!
The title of my blog - a lighter me - is not a reference to my weekly fast, although that may be a side effect, I don't know. However, last night I realised I was struggling to let go of an issue that had really been troubling me, and was starting to eat away at me. The theme of yesterday's service in church was 'surrender', and I realised I needed to surrender this issue to God, but was not sure how to achieve that. It's not that I don't understand the concept of surrender, and leaving things with Christ, it's just that I find it's all too easy to say the words, earnestly meaning them, and then as I finish my prayer to unintentionally pick the things up again and continue on, no lighter than before! So I was thinking and praying about this last night, and I found myself in Psalm 143, which is another cry for help from David when he's in trouble. I was struck by verse 5 in particular, when David says "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done". It struck me that if I could bring my issues before Christ, then think about the times in my life when He's been with me, helping me, guiding me etc, maybe that would help me to focus on just how capable He is of sorting out my issues, and so enable me to finish my prayer, and turn away, without picking them back up again.
So, did it work? Yes it did. I was able to leave what had really been nagging at my mind, and increasing my stress levels, completely with God. I slept peacefully. Even today, when I've thought again about the issue, it's with a lightness of spirit. It's almost as if, even if I wanted to, I couldn't now pick up that issue and shoulder the burden of it myself again. I've truly been able to hand it over, and it's not my concern, or mine to deal with any more.
And all because I took my cue from David, and when in trouble I remembered the times God had been faithful to me, and in that spirit I handed over my present concerns and walked away without picking them up again.
So I am a lighter me - praise God!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Team formation
Exciting day! We now have a team of local Kibera pastors, who all seem to be enthusiastic to work together for God's glory. They are Pastors Shadrack, Patrick, Alex, Jane and Justus.
Because of schools finishing this week, and the holiday clubs running for the next two weeks, we won't get together again until Jan 4th, but they are all very keen, and we finished today with a great time of prayer for each other. They will all spend time during the next few weeks praying and preparing themselves for this new ministry.
Some of them will struggle with the Healing on the Streets (HotS) model I'm sure. Some will naturally want to preach, or to pray in ways that don't fit the model. But we'll do some training with them, and some practicing, and then it'll be time for the real thing.
HotS is a very gentle form of healing ministry, and certainly focuses everything on God. So rather than praying long forceful and loud prayers for people, it's more about simply inviting the Holy Spirit to come, and gently but firmly commanding any sickness to go, in Jesus' name. In other words, it's not a naturally Kenyan way of praying!
All the pastors agreed that it would be better to start without any wazungus (white people) so that God and not us will be what attracts people to come. So that means our training on 4th Jan will need to be thorough. Maybe after some time we'll be able to join in too, but not to start with. We'll also try to get hold of a 'Why Jesus' pamphlet equivalent in Kiswahili that we can give to people who've received prayer, and although that's a part of the HotS model, it was suggested by one of the pastors today before I'd had a chance to say it.
Many of them will be fasting for the whole week of Jan 4th. As for me, I don't know - I definitely want to continue the daily fast once per week that I'm doing now, and I'll probably try and extend it that week. It won't be a bad idea after the excesses of Christmas anyway!
Although my fast will continue, these blogs may be erratic over the next few weeks. But stay with me for what I'm sure is going to be an exciting 2010!
Because of schools finishing this week, and the holiday clubs running for the next two weeks, we won't get together again until Jan 4th, but they are all very keen, and we finished today with a great time of prayer for each other. They will all spend time during the next few weeks praying and preparing themselves for this new ministry.
Some of them will struggle with the Healing on the Streets (HotS) model I'm sure. Some will naturally want to preach, or to pray in ways that don't fit the model. But we'll do some training with them, and some practicing, and then it'll be time for the real thing.
HotS is a very gentle form of healing ministry, and certainly focuses everything on God. So rather than praying long forceful and loud prayers for people, it's more about simply inviting the Holy Spirit to come, and gently but firmly commanding any sickness to go, in Jesus' name. In other words, it's not a naturally Kenyan way of praying!
All the pastors agreed that it would be better to start without any wazungus (white people) so that God and not us will be what attracts people to come. So that means our training on 4th Jan will need to be thorough. Maybe after some time we'll be able to join in too, but not to start with. We'll also try to get hold of a 'Why Jesus' pamphlet equivalent in Kiswahili that we can give to people who've received prayer, and although that's a part of the HotS model, it was suggested by one of the pastors today before I'd had a chance to say it.
Many of them will be fasting for the whole week of Jan 4th. As for me, I don't know - I definitely want to continue the daily fast once per week that I'm doing now, and I'll probably try and extend it that week. It won't be a bad idea after the excesses of Christmas anyway!
Although my fast will continue, these blogs may be erratic over the next few weeks. But stay with me for what I'm sure is going to be an exciting 2010!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Hope in the lament
Lamentations. I suppose the title gives it away really - there's not much optimism in there.
However, I like the first half of chapter 3, and can relate to the man of verse 1. He catalogues all the horrors that have happened to Jerusalem, and then in verses 21 - 24 stands on the hope there is in God's faithfullness.
That's where I am. I have witnessed, and continue to witness, the despair and depravation in Kibera, YET I'm standing in faith expecting that God will show mercy and bring healing and hope to the people of this place.
And I'm not standing alone. We now have a small group of pastors joining us today for the first time, all desiring to see God move in power here in Kibera. Today I've got man flu, so I haven't been able to physically join with them, but I'm there in spirit, and it's exciting to know that others are catching the vision.
Next week we will be joining hands together as we continue to break down the strongholds of Satan in Kibera.
I'm glad I'm on the side that's already won!
However, I like the first half of chapter 3, and can relate to the man of verse 1. He catalogues all the horrors that have happened to Jerusalem, and then in verses 21 - 24 stands on the hope there is in God's faithfullness.
That's where I am. I have witnessed, and continue to witness, the despair and depravation in Kibera, YET I'm standing in faith expecting that God will show mercy and bring healing and hope to the people of this place.
And I'm not standing alone. We now have a small group of pastors joining us today for the first time, all desiring to see God move in power here in Kibera. Today I've got man flu, so I haven't been able to physically join with them, but I'm there in spirit, and it's exciting to know that others are catching the vision.
Next week we will be joining hands together as we continue to break down the strongholds of Satan in Kibera.
I'm glad I'm on the side that's already won!
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