AbR: Africa by Radio Continental Convention 2013.

September 13, 2013

Since early Tuesday morning, Blaise, Christina, Laura, and I have been in Limuru, Kenya (a suburb of Nairobi) for an African Christian radio conference. I really had no idea what to expect here, and to be completely honest, I was dreading it a little bit because I hadn’t yet gotten settled in Kampala and was still trying to get over jet lag. I didn’t really want to travel anymore; however, this conference has been completely amazing!

There are the obvious reasons: we know virtually nothing about radio and this has been an amazing educational experience, we have met many other organizations whose main goal is to partner with new radio stations and help them get started, and we have been able to share our vision with others working in South Sudan in various capacities and discuss ways in which we can pray and support one another.

But then there is the added benefit of getting to fellowship with believers from all over Africa and the world. I cannot begin to tell you how encouraged we have been by others who have years and years of experience as missionaries all over this continent–and I don’t mean just White missionaries. It has been AMAZING to hear Africans (I will not share names or countries, because some of them are in very high-risk areas) tell us about their churches sending out missionaries to other parts of their home countries–parts in which there are very high Muslim populations and much persecution on the Church. It has been affirming to hear these seasoned missionaries tell us that the best way to reach the unreached people groups is through one-on-one, face-to-face discipleship. The radios across the continent are incredible in that they get the Word out there for everyone to hear, but the message is clear: nothing can replace actual human beings going out, physically living among the people, loving them in the name of Jesus, and discipling them well. Radio is an amazing tool–maybe one of the most important tools here in Africa–but nothing can replace man in the Great Commission.

And probably my favorite part of this entire conference has been the friends we have made here. The first night, our team shared a table with a man called Tim from Kampala and a man called Robert from South Sudan, both of whom work for the same organization in the two countries and both of whom are indigenous to their areas. We talked about ministry and radio, but we also talked about a LOT of other things. We shared very entertaining stories (mostly they entertained us with their wild stories); we discussed serious issues such as gender roles, homosexuality, and tribalism; we talked about why Americans love taking pictures so much; and the discussion even continued the next morning as we talked about polygamy and the Church.

Another day, we met this hilarious German man and his wife, who have lived and worked in DR Congo and Kenya for longer than I have been alive. We have had meetings with Americans (most by citizenship only, as they have grown up and worked outside of the US’s borders) who have asked us some great questions and given us great advice. We have talked with a woman from Finland who talked to us about her life as a missionary–how much she missed her high heels and how well the Lord has provided and blessed their family. I love her! And we have met so many others who have such interesting backgrounds, and who are so passionate about the Great Commission. It has really been a HUGE blessing to be here and I cannot tell you how encouraged we are by this opportunity.

Finally, one of the best take-aways from this conference is that there are many, many Africans are so incredibly passionate about missions that they not only go as missionaries from their churches to other parts of their own countries, but they are also sending missionaries outside of their borders, even to the Western world. It is just incredible to hear from so many people who are this passionate about our God and about seeing the Gospel literally reach to the ends of the earth. Not only does it affirm our role in South Sudan, but it is just one more way in which I know that the Gospel is true. Nothing is more impactful than praying and worshipping with believers from so many tribes, tongues, and nations!

And, lastly, PICTURES from Kenya!

Our first stop after leaving the airport and traveling for TWO HOURS across Nairobi was Java House, a Western coffee house with amazing cappuccino and breakfast (the memory of the taste of those bacon, eggs, and toast…)!

Here are a few scenes from our drive from Java House in Nairobi to Limuru…

We were told that it would be cool in Limuru, but I had no idea that it is actually WINTER here! We landed and it was FREEZING (not literally) and I only brought summer clothes and my socks. Thankfully, we have a fireplace in our room, which has been lit for us each evening after dinner. Delightful!

The main hall of the conference center. This is where we attend each of our worship services, our plenary sessions, and several breakout sessions. It’s a really nice venue…

We have two, thirty-minute tea times each day (yes, that’s an HOUR each day just for tea and socializing)! I LOVE this aspect of British influence. Also, can you spot the creeper in this picture?

There he is! Little rascal was waiting to steal some croissants!

Wednesday, we attended a session about the African Buffer Zone, the area of the continent where the Christian and animist South clashes with the Muslim North. Where is South Sudan? Smack in the middle of the African Buffer Zone. It’s an important area and we have had numerous people here at the conference tell us that they are JEALOUS that we will be living and working in South Sudan. These missionaries here are PASSIONATE!

Tuesday night (our first night), I was cold most of the night. Then, Wednesday evening someone told our team about hotties (British for hot water bottles). These things are AMAZING!! Blaise gave me his, and I stuck both of them at the foot of the bed and slept SO WELL these last two nights. Here’s our team with our hotties…

Galcom International is one of EV’s partner organizations, and they produce our solar-powered, hand-held radios (the blue ones) that we use in South Sudan. Tim is part of Galcom and he interviewed each of us to air on their radio station in Canada. He asked us about how we felt called to missions in South Sudan, what the process has been like, what types of obstacles we have faced and how we overcame them, and what we will be doing in Nasir. It was actually a HUGE encouragement (not to mention completely humbling) to have him spend the time talking with us. This is part of our job now! Here’s Christina and Laura in their interview…

Christina and I attended a session yesterday about producing stories and dramas for the radio on a budget. It was SO GOOD!

Last night, there was a AbR Gala with an awards banquet, traditional dress, and worship. It was a lot of fun to see traditional garb from the different countries and tribes in Africa.