Prayer Update: Looking Ahead

The beautiful tea hills of Gituru, Kenya

This summer we are returning to the Central Highlands of Kenya for Kamp Tumaini. 

It was here in Gituru where we first held the Kamp Tumaini summer camp program for the orphans and vulnerable children of the Guardians of Hope. Four years later and we are back working with the African Christian Church and Schools (ACC&S) who will be hosting two of this summer's three camps.

This time around, we are working with the new Guardians of Hope project officer for the ACC&S, John Njihia. Prior to his current role, John directed the ACC&S Urban Self Help Group ministries in Nairobi. He brings to his work great energy and a sincere love for people. It has been such a joy to serve with John.

This week, John and Erica are conducting final site visits and logistics for Kamp Tumaini. We are excited for the students and volunteers that will share in this time of fun and encouragement. Over the past few years, at each camp, we have witnessed transformation in the lives of both the campers and the counselors. We are trusting God for another amazing series of camps.

John and Erica getting ready for Kamp Tumaini

In Prayer:

Please join us in praying for the upcoming Kamp Tumaini. We are praying for the SERVE team from Western Canada as they prepare for their journey to Kenya and for the local groups that are getting ready to receive them.

We join all of those who are praying for the tens of thousands of families who have been affected by recent wildfires in the United States, Canada, and Greece.

We also remember the people of Zimbabwe who are voting today in their first national elections since President Robert Mugabe was removed from leadership last November. We pray for peace and renewed hope for Zimbabwe.


Thank you for your support and faithful prayers. To learn more about the work of Canadian Baptist Ministries in Africa and around the world, please visit our website at www.cbmin.org

CBM Update Video July 2018

This month's update is from Kigali, Rwanda, where we had an opportunity to meet with our CBM colleagues and partners. 

We are happy to share a short part of our conversations with Rev. Gato Muyamasoko who has just returned to serve as national field staff with CBM. He will be focusing on strengthening our church partners in East and Central Africa, primarily in the areas of peace and reconciliation. 

Thank you for your support and prayers for our family, team, and the ministry of CBM in Africa.

Prayer Update: "God's varied grace"

CBM/AEBR Rwanda team members in Kigali

This past week, we traveled to Kigali and Kampala to meet with Canadian Baptist Ministries' partners and potential partner organizations. The highlight was being with our friends and colleagues, who are engaged in the many important ministries that CBM is providing support for in East Africa. 

During our time together, we were struck by a phrase that is used a few times in scripture, "God's varied grace." It is such a beautiful way of describing the diversity of giftedness and personality that God has shaped each one of us. Across our partners and team, we have been blessed with such an array of talents and abilities. Each person demonstrating the varied grace of God.

Rev. Emmanuel Ndagijimana, legal representative of the AEBR

Many of our partner churches are taking intentional steps to embrace the giftings of the whole Church. Denominations that have been historically clergy-focused and clergy-led, are beginning to change their structures to encourage their laity to participate more fully in decision making and leadership. 

In Kenya and Rwanda, we are seeing major changes that are drawing professionals and volunteers within congregations to use their unique talents and expertise to help the Church to strengthen its governance and mission. In Kenya, the ACC&S is mobilizing its membership to take ownership and give direction to its properties, educational institutions, and various ministries. Meanwhile in Rwanda, it is exciting to see the newly elected leader of the AEBR, Rev. Emmanuel, creating three lay-run commissions.

We realize that good leadership is about recognizing and fanning the flame of giftedness in others. God has given his people an amazing mosaic of abilities, artistry, innovation, intellect, and sensitivity.     The apostle Peter wrote, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace" (I Peter 4:10).

Aaron with Ken Derksen and Darrell Bustin 

at the CBM Kigali office

We are very grateful for the ministry of the Derksens and Bustins, who have been working together with the AEBR in Rwanda. As Ken and Wendy Derksen complete their assignment in Rwanda, they will be missed by our entire team.

Laura Lee and Darrell Bustin

The Bustins will continue to live and serve in Kigali with the AEBR. We know that it is not easy being so far from children. We pray for their Bronwyn and Caleb who are both studying in university in Canada.

Gato Munyamasoko and Andre Sibomana

Along with Canadian field staff, the CBM Africa team is blessed to have some incredible national field staff like Gato and Andre. Please pray for them as they shift to new areas of responsibility.

In Prayer

* We give thanks for our colleagues, Wendy and Ken Derksen, who have completed their assignment in Rwanda and will be returning to Canada tomorrow, July 17th. We are praying for a smooth transition back for them. They have made such a deep impact upon the AEBR and our team -- they will be dearly missed.

* We pray for the Association of Rwandan Baptist Churches as they complete a round of reforms this month aimed at strengthening accountability and decision making within the denomination.

* Please join us in praying for the health and safety of our team. Several of our Kenyan friends and colleagues are battling illness right now. The temperature in Nairobi dipped to 9 degrees last night which is extremely cold for a population that does not live with heating in their homes.

* On July 30th, Zimbabwe will hold national elections. This will be their first time to the ballot box since the ousting of Robert Mugabe last November. We pray for open, fair, and peaceful elections. We also pray for friends that will be travelling to Harare to assist in the monitoring of the election.

July in Kenya

On the shore of the Indian Ocean in Nyali, Kenya.

The monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean have produced a regular ebb and flow for travelers sailing along the East African coast for thousands of years. The prolonged southernly wind of the Kusi tends to stretch for six months each year between April and mid-September. 

As the Kusi brings cooler air and waters currents to the Kenyan coast, the long grey clouds of winter blanket the highlands of the interior. Our home on the Northern edge of Nairobi will dip down to around 10 to 13 degrees Celcius in July. Without central heating, we will bundle up and light a fire in our fireplace to help with the morning chill. 

This time of year in Kenya reminds us of living in Canada. Along with our July 1st celebrations of Canada Day, we pull-out our sweaters from the back of our closets and spend more time indoors out of the mist and drizzle. 

Our friend Andrew Myers, visiting from New Brunswick.

This year for Canada Day, we traveled to the coastal community of Nyali just North of Mombasa with our friends the Myers family. It was a great couple of days enjoying the breezes and beauty of this tropical region.

A rainy Canada Day at Haller Park, in Bamburi, Kenya

A highlight of the trip was visiting Haller Park, the home of the famous Owen and Mzee. Owen was an orphaned hippopotamus calf that was separated from his family during the 2004 Tsunami. Local fisherman rescued the baby hippo and he was brought to Haller Park where he bonded with a 130-year-old giant tortoise named Mzee. 

If you haven't already read the children's book or seen footage of this remarkable friendship, you may enjoy this video of Owen and Mzee.

One of the many giant tortoises that roam freely throughout Haller Park.

Owen is now far too big and dangerous to share the park with Mzee and the other tortoises. He now lives in a large fenced-in-pond within the park. The heavy rain kept the hippos near the sheltered of a small island in the pond, so we only had glimpses of Owen and the other hippos peaking up through the water.

Despite the rain, we had lots of fun meeting curious monkeys, watching the menacing Nile crocodiles, and monitor lizards. Having grown up reading the story of Owen and Mzee, it was a special treat to bring Lauren and Leah to Haller Park.

A friendly waterbuck we met on our walk

The girls finding some shelter from the rain

Andrew getting out of the rain

Always up for an adventure!

The Myers Family

After a fun weekend, the Myers family returned with us to Nairobi on Sunday evening. We are so thankful for their family and for the opportunity to share with them a bit of life in Kenya. As they return to Canada, we are very mindful that this will be our last July here in Africa. We are savoring these experiences and the unique rhythms of life and ministry that have shaped us in so many ways.

We are truly privilleged to serve with Canadian Baptist Ministries in such an amazing part of God's good earth.

Andrew and Aaron enjoying our backyard

Lauren, Leah, Kelly, Erica, Aisha, and Emma

In Prayer

* Please keep us in prayer as we travel this coming week to Rwanda and Uganda to meet with our CBM team and partners. We are praying for a safe journey and for discernment as we meet with potential partners.

* We are thankful for our colleagues Wendy and Ken Derksen, who will be completing their ministry as global field staff in Rwanda this month. Please join us in praying for the Derksens return to Canada and for the Lord's direction as they transition back into Canadian life.

* We continue to pray for peace in South Sudan. The recently announced plan of President Salva Kiir to extend his term by another three years has been branded as "illegal" and "anti-peace" by the opposition leader, Riek Machar. We pray for humility and wisdom for these leaders.