David Bahn – Reflections

Luke 10:5-6

 ¹After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go… ⁵Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ ⁶And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.

What wonderful people we met and worked with in Kenya! Pastor Mompashi is an energetic pastor who has started two new churches in the recent past among the Massai people of Kenya. He had the experience, also, of baptizing 110 people on one Sunday! God worked through this servant who also works to suppress the practice of FGM a practice that he sees as a threat to not only young girls but to the Christian faith because it is also associated with the Massai practice of polygamy. He teaches the converts to the faith the simple truths of Luther’s Small Catechism, and understands the urgency of evangelizing the people in their cultural and ethnic context. He was quite an inspiration!

We also worked as a team in the eye clinic/evangelism outpost. Evangelist Joshua is inspirational in his zeal and commitment to the gospel. He is studying to be a pastor and walks miles and miles each week to visit people and share the gospel message. We will help fund a motorbike for him to use in his ministry. His brother Elijah is a friendly and enthusiastic servant. Another worker was intern Kenneth who served most often as my translator when we visited one-on-one with the people. He is a serious and conservative young man who especially loves Greek and Hebrew(!) studies. There were  also others: David, Simon, Joeffrey, Gladys (such a beautiful and faithful woman of heart and smile!), and the women of the local church who sang for us on the last day and showered us with gifts.

The team, from Trinity, Klein: Ray and Flora Tacquard, Mike and Suzanne Driskill, and from St. John: Martha Warnasch, Carl Benton, and yours truly. Each one of these folks encouraged, supported, and helped one another in our tasks. I saw people in their “sweet spot” and others venturing into territory they never imagined they could navigate. I saw some become completely dependent on God as they learned they could not do anything on their own strength, and others work tirelessly with energy that can only come from the Holy Spirit. A special thanks goes, also, to our driver Reuben. He was skillful, energetic, always willing to serve, and what a great personality! It was truly a privilege to have worked with such great people!

A special word of appreciation, however, goes to Ray and Flora. They are the tip of the spear for the Kenya Mission efforts from Trinity, Klein. They were inspiring, challenging, helpful, supportive, and tireless in their service of organizing and witnessing to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for them and all who were part of the team!

Other members of the team from Trinity went to another site. They included: Bill and Jeanne Brusick, Corri Eaves, Jennifer Kiel, Amantha Eisenbraun, Bruce and Mickey Martin, and Rudy Zoch. It is a privilege to know them and call them brothers and sisters in Christ and partners in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Luke 10

¹After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. ² And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. ⁴ Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. ⁵Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ ⁶And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. ⁷And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. ⁸Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. ⁹Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’