“As you are going, make disciples…baptizing them…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded…” “Love the Lord your God… This is the first and greatest command…” And this is love for God, to obey His commands… (Matt 28:19-20, Matt 22:37, 1 John 5:3).
Coming to Africa, land of spiritual darkness, we thought we would have a hand in winning souls for Christ as we flew in support of missionaries, but once again, as He did in France, God is showing us otherwise. This time, He’s showing us the necessity of the second half of the Great Commission. Here in Nairobi, the first half is well underway: many, if not most, call themselves “Christian.”
When Slick went to the furniture sales section of Ngong Rd, lined with all sorts of brown wood and black metal bed frames, shelf units, dressers and chairs set out in front of the shacks, he found two “fundis” (craftsmen) – one to build a couch and the other a bed frame. Totally unplanned, we did not have enough cash on hand to pay the balance upon delivery of the furniture and promised to deliver the rest within a day. Bernard and Geoffrey, the fundis, profess Christianity, yet both were amazed when Slick, citing Christianity as his reason, actually showed up with the funds. Geoffrey was so impressed to get his last $10 that he offered Slick a Coke.
In discussing the warranty, Slick and Bernard discussed the wisdom of praying for a long life when one considers how Hezekiah fell when God extended his life in answer to this request. Bernard’s workmen stopped to listen in as this strange, motorcycle-garbed “mzungu” (white person) spoke quietly but confidently on the wonders of the Old Testament.
After waiting a week, Slick arrived to collect his Coke from Geoffrey, again surprising him that a mzungu would show up for a warm, 10 cent sugar fix. Over the promised Coke, Geoffrey asked how to discern God’s will with respect to his potential engagement. Again Slick shared biblical wisdom, showing the Word’s direction to submit to the advice of your parents and elders.
In reflection, we pondered how these men had been “won” (or “baptized”) but how desperately they needed the second half of the Great Commission – to be taught how to obey God’s commands, the biblical equivalent of how to love Him. Here, as everywhere, there is much work to be done to fulfill our commission, especially the second half!
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Now in a fully furnished home with minimal cardboard boxes (thank you for praying about that!), we daily discuss the myriad of directions AIM AIR could take in the near future as it undergoes some significant transitions. Please join us in prayer that the organization find and follow God’s leading and also that we would accurately discern and do the part He desires that we play, both in the organization and in the community, baptizing and teaching.
Dogs and airplanes: Zoe is a Douglass through and through. If you look closely at Chili’s back, you’ll see Zoe’s favorite toy which she found on the playground: an F-117 Stealth Fighter model – Mommy’s previous airplane
PS: Slick has successfully been oriented to maintenance and is now “up on the flight floor.” He eagerly anticipates the test for his Kenyan commercial flying license, which he’ll take sometime in the next couple months. After passing that, he can start flying training.
Spooky and Phantom 