Check here for Pastor Mark’s updates from Africa!
Pastor Mark and Deone Quist are in Africa as part of 222 Disciple (https://222disciple.com), a program whose vision is to “equip individuals to Know Jesus, Make Jesus Known, and Live a Jesus Life.”
After their week with the 222 program, they will visit our longtime missionary partner, Margaret Njuguna, at En Gedi – a children’s home for children with disabilities in Nairobi, Kenya.
May 11, 2024 With Nzambi!
Hello, Friends – this is Deone with our final update! Mark and I have had the opportunity to spend time with the children at En Gedi these last couple of days. It’s been a rich and beautiful experience – singing songs, playing catch, naming colors, counting, hugging, giggling, and sitting on laps. Each of the children is a blessing – seen and known by Jesus. Yesterday David pulled me close and said, “I have a question for you. America is very far?” He was intrigued that it would take as long as breakfast, lunch, dinner and sleeping to get to America in an airplane. He wanted to learn how to record a video on my phone, and he liked the fact that we would be able to watch it when we got back home.
We’ve enjoyed staying with Margaret at her home. We had the opportunity to worship with her neighborhood cell group from her church on Wednesday night. Mark had fun playing soccer/football with the kids from the neighborhood and we’ve enjoyed going for walks around Margaret’s house.
This is our last day here, and we’re planning to meet up with a Kenyan couple we met at the discipleship conference. We’re excited to have an ongoing relationship with them as Mark will be discipling Mutinda, and I will be discipling Jennifer. We also plan to see Nzambi for a short visit this afternoon.
Our hearts are full! I’m reflecting on many things and will continue to savor the experience as God continues to teach me through it. One thing is sure – the kingdom of God is big! The bond we share with Christians around the world connects our hearts and unites our spirits. Thank you all for your kindness and generosity in supporting us to make this trip. We love you and are looking forward to seeing you all soon!
We have now arrived at Margaret’s home in Kitengela. Our friends from the 222 Disciple and Public Reading of Scripture conference took us directly to Margarets yesterday. It was a delight to be greeted by Margaret and begin catching up. Rose and Rosemary prepared dinner for us and it was a delight.
Prayer: The rains have been so severe and continue that we were unable to go directly to En Gedi last night. We may not even be able to travel there today. We had a lovely breakfast today to kick off our day and the rains have ceased for now, so we will see what the day brings.
We had a wonderful time being updated on the joys and challenges of Margaret’s ministry, the kids who are growing bigger, and dreams for the future too. It was very inspiring. And Margaret shared her #1 source of joy these days – she walks and talks with God every day, with God meeting her tangibly every day. The sense we received is she is walking very closely moment by moment with our Lord. And this was a delight to hear.
Here with a few guests for the week from Bellevue Church. (Pic). More to come! A pic with Rose too – one of our food preparers :).
Asante Sana!
Mark and Deone
It’s raining ‘giraffes and tigers…’ We have arrived in Nairobi, Kenya in the midst of an already extreme rare rainy season – and it continues. Currently, the Kenyan people are impacted by epic flooding and many have lost homes and lives. We arrived after a 24 hour airplane trip – little sleep with our days and nights almost completely flipped. For example, I am writing this to you mid morning here, as it is midnight in Boulder. so our day has just begun as our minds and bodies are ready for bed. But all is well! After an intense day of discipleship engagement we dropped into our bed to sleep last night. Today, Thursday, we are beginning to feel more like ourselves, and that is good!
We have established relationships already with two couples out of the 36 people here, one couple from Kenya, Musyimi and Kavula (Jennifer) Mutinda, and another from Nigeria (Nama and Ruth Emmanuel). With all the flooding, the roads are still open to the Masai Mara, where we are scheduled to travel to tomorrow and resume our training there. Already today, relationships have bloomed – the ice is broken and the conversations are flowing.
Deone and I are rooming with the Mutinda’s in an apartment on the 11th floor of a 12 story building, across from the Gratia Gardens conference area, so we have a view of a section of Nairobi from above. A great view in the morning, even though often raining at present. We are engaged in 222Disciple training and the Public Reading of Scripture for the days intensity of time. We have made contact with Margaret who is concerned with our safety, but have assured her we are doing well. We hope to connect with Margaret on Sunday, taking a taxi ride to En Gedi from here. The following Friday, we plan to meet up with Nzambi Matee and get a tour of the area on her motorbike. Looking good! We ask for continued prayers for us and our group, and the connections being made. God’s will be done, we have plans Lord willing, may we be open to God’s changing of plans as they unfold.
That’s all for now, Christ alone – grace alone, faith alone, the Glory of God alone, Word of God alone,
God be praised, Hallelujah! Asanti!
Mark