Kenya: Every Mission Trip comes with “Distractions” of different shapes & sizes!
Pastor Brad Abley: Biblical Educator
Kenya Missions Nov 19 - Dec 5, 2023
Pastor Brad writes…
“Over these two weeks of ministry in Kenya -- I’m trusting the LORD for at least 300 responses to a salvation invitation!
Is. 45:8 “Drip down, O heavens, from above, And let the clouds pour down righteousness; Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, And righteousness spring up with it. I, the Lord, have created it.
Is. 45:22 “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other."
“Distractions”
“A thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.”
Here is Pastor Brad’s story...
‘This ministry trip has probably been the most challenging trip I've ever had, in terms of things outside of my control that I've had to go through.
Left hearing aid went out on day one
Digestive track issue #1
Digestive track issue #2 (for five days!)
Only one decent night of sleep so far
Wake up at 3 am most days
Lost my passport for one day, & then it was returned. Had that not happened...
Chipped tooth. Thankful for no pain or infection
A pinched nerve in my left arm, with excruciating pain day & night
Pastor Brad recalls, “I’m most grateful for the prayers of all of you who saw my post on Facebook on this topic! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. These helped me endure and focus on the Mission. I continually put my trust in the Lord!!
Also a friend reminded me of Colossians 1: 24-29. Apostle Paul wrote this from a prison. This brought me encouragement and faith! Thank you.
“24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: whichfn is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”
Kenya, my daily breakfast while staying at the Orphanage Guest House!
“On the other hand, I get breakfasts like these from Vivian Ochieng every morning, and that makes it worth it all, haha! Helps the distractions lessen in size & shape!…
Before this trip I was studying Psalms 31. The subtitle reads “The Lord A Fortress in Adversity.” On this trip, I’ve daily put my trust the Lord.
Psalm 31:14- 15 “But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.”
Thanks so much for helping send the GOSPEL to Kenya and Beyond!
“A Heart After God, Bible Teaching Ministry: Reaching Africa & Beyond!”
