Kenya #12 Pastor Brad

Good Morning Everyone!Greetings from the beautiful Kenya. Today is our last day in Kenya and it arrives with a bitter sweetness. I can't wait to see all of you again and be home to normal life, but there is apart of me that wishes I could continue the work we began here. Home seems a million miles away and I am afraid that I might forget what I have done and seen here. But I know that is just my own fears and that God is bigger than my fears. This trip has taught me a lot about myself, my team and this world. I have a renewed appreciation for my own country and wonder why so many Americans complain about the way things are when we have it so good. Not just that we are the most prosperous country in the world, but that we have Rights and Freedoms that the rest of the world couldn't even imagine. Its an amazing thing Freedom is! Speaking of Freedom, it was again such a wonderful lesson of Freedom taking the Gospel to so many people here and seeing God rescue them from the kingdom of darkness unto His Kingdom of Light! "So if the Son has set you free you are free indeed!" Again, there is an immediacy to the Gospel, for we do not know how long we have..."what is our life, it is even as a vapor that appeareth for a little while and then vanisheth away." I have been challenged and renewed in my desire to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all I can. These last two weeks has taught me a lot about community and my team. There is a real sense of community among believers all around the world. There is nothing like meeting someone for the first time on the otherside of the world, from different cultures and languages and having something so intimate in common, that is Jesus Christ. I will never stop being amazed at the beauty of the "communion of the Saints." We who believe in Christ are never alone because Jesus is with us through the Holy Spirit and through other believers. Also community amongst our team has grown. We have seen each other in a different light and learned a love for each other that can only be described from Scriptures..."behold how good and blessed it is when the brethern dwell together in unity." We have already talked about wanted to get together at home and continue on our friendships. The part that saddens me is that I know normal life and schedule will have to be resumed and it is impossible for us to continue fellowshiping the way we have. But there is now a shared experience that will always unite us together, and we will always have that in common. Another thing I thank God for is that Jacob Kroslak and I had a lot of time together. Many of you know that Jacob is one of our Elders at Vesper Lake. We had time to discuss a lot of things from church business, to theology, to life struggles. I know that our friendship has been strengthened and deepened in so many ways. It is great seeing what good friends I have in Jacob and his wife Susan. The last two days we had time to unwind and reflect on our trip as we were on Safari seeking out all the wild animals of Africa. It was just nice seeing the fun and joy you can have with close friends. I am excited that as leaders of our church sharing a common experience, we will have a passion and zeal to continue great things back home as well. I also am thankful for all my team (Jess 1, Jess Also, Doriel, Rebecca, Jacob and Susan) and for the Bells as this was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I am praying that the plan ride will be a good time of reflection that I can fully understand the direction God has for me and the lessons He wants me to gleen from this trip. However, I must remember the word of the Apostle Paul that says "forgetting what is behind, I press on toward the Mark of the high calling of God." Not that I will ever forget this trip, how could I? Not that I will ever forget the people here, for that is impossible. But understanding that this is just the beginning of Christ work in me and through me and He has so much more for me to do. "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto GOOD WORKS which he has prepared in advance that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:10) I know He has a lot of great things ahead and I am ready to come home and prepare for them. Thanks so much for all your prayers and interest in our trip. I will be sure to send at least one final update as we arrive at home sometime after 3pm on May 29th. "For He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above anything we ask or think!" To God be all the glory and honor. In

His Service, Pastor Brad