What do you want? The Moderator, Dr William Henry, shares his experience of enjoying God on a recent mission trip to Kenya.
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hat do you want? That was the very stark question posed in a book I read very recently. The writer was keen to point out that it is, in reality, the most fundamental question associated with Christian discipleship. Our wants and longings get to the very core of what we think is important and what we truly value. Jesus’ command to ‘come and follow me’ is really just an invitation to synchronise our lifestyles and choices along with his. It’s putting him first. It’s about wanting what Jesus wants. What do I want to do when I receive the invitation to travel with a group of young talented medical students who seek to work alongside a church in Kenya? That was the question in my mind the summer before I took up my moderatorial responsibilities. This team was facilitated by Rev Paul Bailie, CEO of Mission Africa. Here was a bunch of young committed
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Herald September 2019
Christians who desired to make the most of their summer break from studies and were willing to go overseas to work in a school for the poorest of kids and engage in a variety of other outreach activities. The team was a group of friends, my
Our wants and longings get to the very core of what we think is important and what we truly value.
own daughter included, who approached Mission Africa with the idea for a short-term mission trip. Based in Kikuyu on the mission station of PCEA, these young adults had the incalculable joy of sharing the love of Jesus with kids in a school run by Thogoto parish for orphans and vulnerable children: teaching, evangelising, singing, dancing and having fun. These were long days in the school, making the most of the time and opportunity, getting alongside the children and making a difference for God. It was a joy to encourage the inspirational teaching staff – all of whom were volunteers giving sacrificially to serve God. Time was also available to minister within a care home for the elderly, another expanding role as part of the work of the local church, and to speak to 400 slum children of God’s saving power. As medical students they had time to visit one of the local hospitals and
