December 21 - Welcome to the Neighborhood

Driving across Kenya is beautiful. The wildlife, the people, and the landscape all contribute to a fascinating experience, but the best part of this journey is meeting people like pioneer Linus.

The jeep bumps along the road
as Kenyan church leaders

make their way to visit
a Global Mission pioneer.

Driving across Kenya
can be a beautiful journey.

The wildlife, the people,
and the landscape

all contribute
to a fascinating experience,

although there’s always a chance
of running into a problem.

But the best part of this journey

is meeting people like
Pioneer Linus [Lee-nus].

He prayed for God to use him
and was assigned to work in a town

where there were no Adventists.

In time, Linus helped start
a small congregation of believers

who are now in the process
of constructing a church of their own!

Everyone takes part in the construction,
eager to see the building finished.

Today’s visit with local church leaders

includes a Bible study
and member testimonies.

David is a dedicated church member

who was part of
the Mau Mau Uprising decades ago.

Between 1952 and 1964,

there was conflict between the British
and a group of Kenyans.

Before he became an Adventist,
David fought in this conflict.

As he recalls that time,
many negative memories resurface,

but he has since found hope in Jesus.

He shares how God transformed him
and brought peace into his life.

Pioneer Linus studied with him

and welcomed him
into the budding congregation.

Other members share both the burdens
and the joys in their lives.

As they close the meeting,

they pray for God to use
each person in the room for His glory.

The church’s central location in town

makes it easy for people
to see what the church is about.

“Our church here
is in the middle of the community.

If you look around, it’s surrounded
by houses where people live.

The idea why we thought
we would have a church here is

because all the people
who are around here

would associate with the church.

I know it will bear some fruits.”

As the church was being built,
one neighbor named Karumera

saw the congregation’s
construction challenges

and offered to store equipment
in her home to keep it safe.

She’s happy to help her
Adventist neighbors.

She soon became friends
with pioneer Linus

and has started Bible studies with him.

During their visit,

the Kenyan church leaders
get to know the other community members.

The neighbors share that they like
getting to know their Adventist neighbors,

and some would like to visit
the church on a future Sabbath.

Let’s pray for this small
congregation in Kenya.

Pray that their example reflects
Jesus to their community.

As Global Mission pioneers around
the world continue planting churches,

let’s also pray
for the challenges they may face.

Thank you for supporting Global Mission,
making testimonies like these possible.