Lost In Translation!

Over the last couple of years since I began to communicate with Pastor Benard Mose, 34-year old leader of the SDB Kenyan Conference, and the one with whom I will be closely working with once I arrive in Kenya, we have communicated using e-mail, texting, cell phone calling, messaging on Facebook as well as live chats. 

There have been times where neither of our English was the best, whether talking or typing. However, the other day was a hoot when we were having one of our typing chats on Facebook!

As we were discussing some of the preparations needing to be done for our month together and things I should bring and how I should dress, Benard shared with me to be sure to bring a "nector" and an " aircutting supertaker machine too." 

When I responded with "Nector? Air cutting supertaker machine?", Benard responded with, "Yes a nector on special meetings yes air cutting and beads."

I was "quiet", hoping to figure this out.

Benard then clarified it even further (we thought).

"I think you will love to cut your beads and air at times okay."

It took me a few minutes but then I realized that Benard meant a neck-tie and tools to cut my hair and beard if I wanted to.

We had a good "cyber-space" laugh. I hope you did too!

Just the other day, our son Keith read Benard's letter that he had written to the Verona church (see previous posting). He said that, even with broken English, you could still "hear" Benard's heart and honor coming through clearly. (I will say this - Benard's English is way better than my Swahili!)

While I'm sure that there will be lots of language hurdles to work through, one language that I hope will definitely come through loud and clear is the language of love among all of the SDB Kenyan Conference and throughout all of the country of Kenya! Three days and change remain until I leave!

A Mission of "E"s!

With just 7 days to go until I begin traveling to Kenya, I wanted to share with you in a nutshell what this mission project entails - it is definitely a mission of "E"s! We are sensing that I am called of God to go to Kenya to:

• Encourage the churches in their walk with the Lord and with one another. This will take place through formal times of teaching and preaching as well as through the interactions that will take place by being with one another on a day to day basis.

• Equip the leaders with skills that will bless their pastoral and personal lives. I will seek to share principles that have benefited me as a pastor that are also transferable to their culture.

• Experience the day to day life of our Kenyan brothers and sisters, as well as their ministries for the Lord, one of which is working with those stricken with HIV/AIDS.

• Evangelize those who don't know Christ - sharing His love and life that can give them new life here and now and forever. This will take place through open air meetings as well as personal encounters.

• Establish stronger ties between our Conference (SDBs of USA & Canada) and the Kenyan Conference as well as between their Conference and the other 18 SDB Conferences around the world.

As my sister Marcy would say, this is BIG!

Solomon recognized the "bigness" of the calling of God on his life to lead His people and asked God for wisdom. I too, am throwing myself on the mercy of God, and am asking for the same. Would you join me in asking as well? 

To paraphrase Solomon's prayer: "Now O LORD my God, You have called your servant to go to Kenya, but I am inexperienced, I have never done this sort of thing to this degree of magnitude before. And I as Your servant will be in the midst of Your people in Kenya whom You have chosen, a great people, whose potential is yet to be fully realized. Therefore give to me, Your Servant, an understanding heart, good judgment and discernment, that I may make a difference for such a time as this." (I Kings 3:6-9)

Thank you for taking this journey with me and for your incredibly vital prayer coverage!

Last Sabbath With Verona Before Kenya!

Today's service at Verona SDB Church was very special for a number of reasons! 

 It was our Memorial Day Sabbath service, and so the service had a patriotic feel to it through some of our songs and in the decorations around the facility. We sang "Praise Adonai" followed by "God of Our Fathers" to acknowledge God as sovereign over all and over our country.

With this month's overall theme being that of service, we recognized those who had given the ultimate sacrifice of service for our country, as well as honored those still serving in the armed forces. After our Kidz Konnection and a time of testimony, we sang "America, the Beautiful" to lead into the morning message. In it we reviewed how service factored so greatly in our Savior, the spirit of motherhood and the Sabbath, and then wrapped our month-long focus by exploring the nature of "sacrifice" when it comes to serving. We came out of the Word singing "When It's All Been Said and Done".

Debbie was then able to capture the next two parts of the service on video.

Pastor Benard Mose, leader of the SDB Kenyan Conference, with whom I am teaming up for a month-long mission project starting next Sunday, wrote a letter to our church that he wanted me to read to them today. Sent to me just last night, Benard thanked the VSDBC family for their support during the last 12 years and for sending me to them for 4 weeks. It was especially sweet and yet hard to read the part written to Debbie, as it reminded me of "separation anxiety" (see previous post).

The church's Diaconate, with Pastor Rex Burdick leading, then came up front, gathered around me and prayed over me, committing me, Debbie, and the missions trip to the Lord. It was a very special moment for me to take a knee and have them lay hands on me.

It's now just under  8 days away  when I leave from Syracuse International Airport for JFK, Zurich, Nairobi and finally arrive in Kisii, Kenya. Thank YOU for YOUR prayers and for taking this part of the journey with me! Be sure to check out our church's page on Facebook!

Separation Anxiety!

The other night, when all got quiet, and Debbie & I had just finished watching a movie (yes, a "chick-flick"), we allowed ourselves to ponder the reality of being separated for four weeks starting June 3rd. They were tough yet tender moments as we thought, touched, talked and teared up. It was truly a case of "separation anxiety"!

We've been apart before....6-8 weeks when I joined the Army back in 1983...3 weeks for two summers for some great SDB intensives in '92 & '92, one week each year while I served on staff at Camp Harley Sutton or attended our denomination's annual conference, or two weeks if I did both - without her.

With both of us being "homebodies" and enjoying one another's company greatly, after 34 years of marriage it's hard for us to be apart anymore however. The quiet confidence that God is calling us to experience this ministry opportunity that is the "Kenyan Connection" helped to calm our fears. We resolved to entrust ourselves into God's safe keeping, while discussing practical steps for safety and health.

The next day, the devotion from the folks at Our Daily Bread hit it out of the park for me - it dealt with relying on God's promises to be with us no matter what...through thick and thin. It was a great way to start the day! Here is part of the passage that day's devotion referenced:

"But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;..." (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Debbie & I are relying on God's amazing grace to carry us while we pray for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done. May you and yours also find that same assurance and peace! (Countdown Clock)

Kenyan Connection Countdown

Heading Around the World is Just Around The Corner!

This coming June 3rd I have the privilege of heading to Kenya for a 4-week short term missions project with the pastors and people of the Seventh Day Baptist Kenyan Conference!

Time Until I Leave!

I'd like to share this experience with you, leading up to it now as well as living it out throughout the month of June!

If you'd like, there are 3 things you can do:

1) Pray - I will post regular updates for your prayer coverage leading up to my departure;

2) Participate - in addition to prayer updates, I will post dynamics of what I'm doing/experiencing in preparation for this trip. To stay up on what's up, click "Join" through the Facebook event link or subscribe to this blog; and

3) Provide - while the base funds have been raised thanks to all who have given along with the gracious doubling by the Missionary Society of up to $2,500 - you are still welcome to send support in care of the Verona SDB Church, 6773 Blackmans Corners Road, Verona, NY 13478, and designate it for the "Kenyan Connection"! A full accounting of how the funds were used will be provided early in July.

Thank you for your interest! I hope that what I share up to June 3rd will inform and inspire you!

God bless!
Pastor Steven James
Verona 7th Day Baptist Church

Please refer to some resources in place at this point about the missions trip:

SDB Missionary Society's video, click here: http://youtu.be/l0hzx3FfP44 and to read more about this venture, click here: http://www.sdbmissions.org/pdfs/MiniKenya1202_1.pdf