2009 Mission Trip to Africa

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Group Report: Reports from Bob were posted daily, but he asked the team members who would like to share brief reflections about the trip—here are the ones received so far:

God is good all the time, all the time God is good. God called me to go on this trip, WOW, what an experience He sent me on. It was a time to serve Him doing what He wanted done, and it got done, too. He sent and used seven people to reach a lost place. He helped us to show mercy, kindness, to love from the heart, and to feel compassion for the Samburu people. While prayer walking I could see through God’s eyes what needed to be done and to show Jesus to these people as I became more like Him. I think that I grew closer to Jesus and became more like Him every day by hugging someone that was without hope and giving them a gleam of hope, telling others about our God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and assuring them that they can know without a shadow of a doubt that they can have eternal life with God. This experience was so far past my imagination. You will have a hard time comprehending what I tell you without experiencing it first hand.

In Africa, they say “pole, pole”, slow, slow. There is no time schedule, just sun up to sundown. The women awake and get water to begin their day while the children herd the sheep and goats. The men take it easy under the trees until it is time for food and chai.

We were representatives for Christ from MLBC in Texas in America and were treated like ambassadors every day and everywhere that we went. From the bottom of my heart to yours, thank you so much for your prayers and resources that you gave. God did not waste any part of me including my weaknesses. You will never know all God can do with you and through you until you allow Him to have all that you are. I love each of you and I thank you again. Amen!!

Your brother in Christ, Larry O’Neal

Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. John 4:35b

I am so blessed that God chose me to send into His fields. The trip to Africa far exceeded my expectations. My human expectations limited God’s power. I thought that we would possibly plant some seeds, but I never thought that we would be a part of such a bountiful harvest. The hearts of the Samburu are so hungry for the One who promises them “living water”, which provides cleansing, eternal life, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord spoke of the spiritual harvest of souls for salvation and I experienced this first hand.

There are so many beautiful memories from this trip and I will share one of them with you at this time. Our second day in Maralal, Bob and Karen were teaching at the church and the rest of the team went out into the streets to evangelize. Three of us along with our interpreter walked along the road leading us into town. When we reached town we stopped under a tree and started witnessing to a group of 6 when a man who had been partaking of homemade brew came up to us. With a very loud voice and his finger wagging in my face he was being a distraction and preventing those around us from hearing the Good News. Bernard, our interpreter, said something to him in Swahili and he moved the group away from the man, but he was persistent and was back in my face. By this time, Larry was becoming a little concerned, but we just moved our group again and I continued with my presentation. I had come to the place in the presentation where they now had a choice to make, which road were they going to choose? Each of them professed that they wanted to take the road that leads to God. I began to pray with them and the man who had been so disruptive came close and instead of yelling, he became calm and quiet as he repeated the prayer along with the rest of the group. This was such a beautiful picture of God’s love for all people, and just as He calmed the sea, He also calmed the soul of this man.

The only thing that God expects from us is to show up and He will speak through us. His love flowed through me as I witnessed to the Samburu, held those precious children and looked deeply into their bright black eyes, smiled at the Mama’s and Elders, and walked among them shaking hands and saying “supa”. I must admit that I was moved beyond words and would have gladly stayed there.

Each of us felt the prayers that were voiced on our behalf while we were away. It is a great joy to know that we are part of a praying church that loves the Lord and has a heart for missions. Your prayers were a direct result in the fulfillment of God’s plan. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Matthew 9:37b-38

To Him be the glory,
Carolyn O’Neal

I honestly had no idea what to expect going to Maralal. I mean, I had vague ideas, but had no idea how much I would come to love this country and these people. Everyday I woke up excited about what we were going to do, who we were going to meet, and how God was going to work that day. The day we went to the first village and saw all those people walking in, singing praises to our God, surrounded by his beauty, brought tears to my eyes that I wasn't even expecting. To see these people, who live in such primitive conditions, (ones that would possibly make most people shudder) being so excited to see not only us, but to hear what we had to share with them about our God, blew me away. The Samburu may not have much in the terms of material possessions or in the eyes of the world, but they are so very nice, loving, hospitable, happy, kind and open people that I have ever met. Some of us would do well to learn from them. I can honestly say that I fell in love with them so very much, and in so short a time. The church service we attended was quiet possibly the best one I've been to in a long time. Even though we were crammed on the little wooden bench, surrounded by the Mamas and their children for over 2 hours, and it wasn't quiet the entire time, you could just feel the presence of God. There were a lot of those moments on this trip. Even just standing outside, I knew he was there, it was so hard not to. I feel like I can't even begin to place into words exactly what I felt and learned on this trip, It's too much for me to even comprehend now, let alone try to share with someone. I guess the phrase, "you just had to be there" is relevant here. But I do know that I am so blessed that God allowed me to go on this trip, to meet these people, and share his love and word with them. To get to help Charlie and Sandra (who are some pretty amazing people) in the work that they do was truly a blessing. As I sit here typing this, I'm still surrounded by all the gifts the Samburu gave me, and it just makes my heart soar thinking of all the good we did on behalf of our God, and all the work that is still to be done there. I know for me personally, this trip changed my life for the better, and I found out once again just how good my God really is. I know that I can't wait to go back.

Ashley Yates

At home, one of my prayers was to see that God would use me to win my first person to Christ. At home I share my beliefs at my apartment complex, at work, at the mall, wherever I go. I have had a few that I could pray with for a need, but not for their need for salvation. So the first day when we got to evangelize in town the nerves were jumping as to where to start. So I jumped on board direct to the point. I had come to share God’s love and His Son Jesus’ love and sacrifice for them and me that we might have a relationship with Him. When it came time to accept or reject, not only did one man accept but three others that had been in the group believed, confessed with their mouth, and accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation. This was only the beginning this prayer was answered many, many times over. Thanks to the church and ABF that prayed for safety, the words to say, and how to express God’s love!!! I know your prayers were answered.

:-) PAUL D. CRANE II (-: