As a new year starts, it is often the time when people like to make resolutions for change. Unfortunately, those resolutions often don’t last very long!
We have a powerful story from Kenya, where a series of changes took place in an isolated and marginalized community. Ema*, a Kenyan missionary and his family resolved to respond to the Lord’s call. This call led them to leave their comfort zone and move to a community in a different and more difficult tribal part of the country. What stands out about this couple is their resolution to persist and stay on task, even when circumstances become difficult and dangerous. The Bible says in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Ema and his family persisted, and indeed saw the first fruits of a harvest, that are still growing. Read it here:
Ema* is a local Kenyan missionary. He lives along the eastern coast of Kenya with his family. He serves a very poor, marginalized tribe. Because of Ema’s dedication to God, he and his family have faced many trials. In 2014, a violent terrorist attack forced Ema and his family to leave the area.
Two years ago, Ema and his family were able to return home. However, sporadic attacks continue, because of Ema’s work as a missionary. Thankfully, the community he and his family now serve, look out for them. However, threats linger from radicals hiding in the thick forest on the border of Somalia and Kenya. Occasionally cars still explode, and innocent people still get killed.
Among all these persistent dangers, unprecedented flooding recently washed away a major road, turning transportation of goods and people into a perilous nightmare. Ema’s wife navigated these floodwaters, moving from a bus to a motorcycle, to a man’s back, to a boat and back again. Feelings of the helplessness of those they were called to serve loom large for Ema and his family, yet they persevere as lights in the darkness, working diligently among the four villages they focus on. Watching them, a local man, who was led to faith by Ema a decade ago, finally felt his faith revive, and slowly started expanding his circle of faith. That little revived light, that started with him and his wife, now includes 13 believers! The Christian principles and discipleship learned from CHE lessons facilitated by Ema and his wife over the years laid a foundation for this small group of believers.
Another powerful testimony of Ema’s influence arose when a group of young men stole several products from his family. The three men were caught by local authorities and brought to Ema to seek his forgiveness. Ema forgave them and offered to meet them weekly for counseling. After the first visit, the young men asked if they might bring some more of their friends. Three more showed up! Ema now meets weekly with them, five of whom have turned to Christ and two among them have started boldly testifying of what God has done in their lives.
From a previous sense of failure to facilitate change, Ema’s journey testifies to the growth and transformation that happens through prayer, dedication, and a life of integrity.
Please pray for Ema and his family, the fledging church among the local tribe, and the young men whose lives have been transformed. Pray for their security, health, and an openness to the gospel in the region. Please do continue to pray for CHE principles to take root in these communities, freeing them from their enslavement to poverty and marginalization. And please, send in a donation to help a missionary like Ema get the help they need to bring others to Christ!
