Entering the South B slum
Entrance to Kayaba Free Baptist Church
Feeding the community around the church
Pastor Paul's wife and Matt Sekijima sharing a laugh while feeding the community
Singing "Lord I Lift Your Name On High"
Mike Hyodo, Pastor Paul & Trenton praying for the 8 women/girls were born again on Saturday nightFrom the moment I walked into the Kayaba Free Baptist Church, I felt joy washing over me. Sure, the church is in the South B slum, and you still see the sewage and poor living conditions as in any urban slum. But walk through the door of the church and you feel joy.
Real joy. Real, genuine joy from people who love the Lord and love what the Lord is doing in their church and their community. Joy that flows, not *in spite* of the circumstances, but *because* of the circumstances.
Lighthouse and Kayaba Free Baptist have partnered to help reach the community in South B. Two years ago, their church met in a small area with no walls. Last year, we helped fund the purchase of the adjacent property so that the church could expand - we also provided funds to pour a concrete floor and altar area, and provided a number of chairs. In the past year, their attendance was around 50 people - but now, with the larger building, they've been able to increase to 100-120 people.
And they continue to grow. After Trenton's message yesterday, 8 women and girls declared their faith and became Christians! Praise God! They also have garnered favor with the community - which is so vital to their work and protection. The elder for their section of South B was there for the entire 5 hours we were at the church - so we knew we could count on the safety his presence provided.
They are so thankful to our church - they view us as their parent church. And having worshiped with them, served food to their children and shared with them, I see clearly that we all *are* the Body of Christ, the church. Yes, we are separated by 10000 miles and attend two different churches. We live in different countries and have different economic and social problems. But our common ties is our faith, and our love for Jesus, and our vision of the difference that Jesus can make in our worlds.
Our responsibility is to take this partnership seriously. Pray for them as they work to reach out into South B. Have open hearts and respond to their needs as they arise. Bless them with visitors such as us who can be eyewitnesses of what God is doing in their lives. I know I will also remember their joy - real joy from the Lord - and hope that my life back home can reflect that same joy.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Real joy. Real, genuine joy from people who love the Lord and love what the Lord is doing in their church and their community. Joy that flows, not *in spite* of the circumstances, but *because* of the circumstances.
Lighthouse and Kayaba Free Baptist have partnered to help reach the community in South B. Two years ago, their church met in a small area with no walls. Last year, we helped fund the purchase of the adjacent property so that the church could expand - we also provided funds to pour a concrete floor and altar area, and provided a number of chairs. In the past year, their attendance was around 50 people - but now, with the larger building, they've been able to increase to 100-120 people.
And they continue to grow. After Trenton's message yesterday, 8 women and girls declared their faith and became Christians! Praise God! They also have garnered favor with the community - which is so vital to their work and protection. The elder for their section of South B was there for the entire 5 hours we were at the church - so we knew we could count on the safety his presence provided.
They are so thankful to our church - they view us as their parent church. And having worshiped with them, served food to their children and shared with them, I see clearly that we all *are* the Body of Christ, the church. Yes, we are separated by 10000 miles and attend two different churches. We live in different countries and have different economic and social problems. But our common ties is our faith, and our love for Jesus, and our vision of the difference that Jesus can make in our worlds.
Our responsibility is to take this partnership seriously. Pray for them as they work to reach out into South B. Have open hearts and respond to their needs as they arise. Bless them with visitors such as us who can be eyewitnesses of what God is doing in their lives. I know I will also remember their joy - real joy from the Lord - and hope that my life back home can reflect that same joy.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Amen, Steve. Thanks for sharing your heart as you experience South B and other places. Pray and partner. Praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteHallelujah! Glory, God! Glory! More joy! Yes, bring back everything God is filling you with, Steve!
ReplyDelete~celia
Thanks, Steve, for reporting about Kayaba Free Church. I had similar impressions when Tina & I got to visit there in January. I loved the spirit of the place & people, and Pastor Paul is an inspiration.
ReplyDelete