Habari which means Hello in Swahili

Habari is the greeting shared by the locals here in Kenya. I was able to practice it a lot as we (Elizabeth, Kayla and I) walked approximately 2 miles to get a Matatu (Kenyan mini van transports, usually navigated by crazy drivers). God's grace has covered us while we have been here. We boarded a "safe" Matatu the morning of our travels and safely made it to see the Maasai ladies. We are spoiled in the States! I don't know if you can really see poverty until you've seen it here.

I was able to meet such humble and gracious Maasai women. It is tradition to eat fried fat (as they have nothing else to offer as visitors arrive) when you are invited into their small huts, which in many cases are smaller than the size of one of my bedrooms at home. Thankfully, Elizabeth told the Maasai ladies that only she would be eating what was offered the day we visited. She explained to me how dreadful the taste of the fat was as it "burned her throat" when she swallowed. I was grateful that she saved Kayla and me from that experience.

I was also able to meet with some of the local missionary ladies for a Bible study on Tuesday. One of the scriptures covered was Galatians 6: 9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." I believe this scripture came to life for me as I look at the tremendous responsibility bestowed upon those serving here. I admonish you all to join me in praying for the mission workers and their children here. The need to be strengthened and encouraged consistently is great.

Yesterday, I was so blessed as Elizabeth invited several mission workers and their families over to her small house for a potluck dinner (in the yard) in order to meet Merritt, the children and me. Please understand that the time that the dinner took place was heavy traffic and the roads are so terrible that driving slowly is mandatory. Many of the people made at least a 1 hour trip out to meet us with their children.

I had hoped to come and be a blessing, but I think I have been blessed by seeing the sacrifices Robbie and Elizabeth Gordon make, and the sacrifices made by those who work and teach God's word here. The people are generally kind, but their need is great. Everywhere one looks there is poverty. I pray that those of you keeping up with this blog can help Merritt and me to be a blessing from afar to those of and being helped by Living Water Christian Fellowship.

Our trip here is ending soon, but I know the people here will be in our thoughts and prayers.

May God bless you all.

Carolyn

Micah and Kayla's Notes from Kenya

Hey it's Micah. I'm having alot of fun here in Kenya. Since we've arrived here it has gone by so fast. Last Sunday we went to Pastor George's church and sang a few songs there and we watched my dad teach. We also went on a safari and saw zebras, gazell, hippos, and rhinos. Pastor Robbie took us to see elephants and today we went and fed some gariffes. Me and Kayla kissed one too. It's alot diffent from home but I like it here the people are nice even though most don't know to much English. The time has taken a little bit to get use to so the nights seem long. But basically we are all enjoying ourselves here, the Gordon's have been very nice to us, we're meeting some new people and just having a great time. I wish we had more time here because the time we have had is way to short but im glad God has given us this time to come here and hopefully we'll come back next year. God bless!!!!

-Micah Robinson



Hey it's Kayla. I've had alot of fun in Kenya. I've been to the Maasai village and have talked to the the ladies. It was a blessing to see them and see how they live. It was different from home. It also amazing to see them sing as well ! I have also been on a safari and saw lots animals. I didn't see lions which I hoped to see but I did see other animals such as buffalo, gazzel, rhinos, zebras, and giriffes. Speaking of giriffes I kissed one today it was gross but I did win 20 bucks and the kiss was slobery. On Sunday we went to Pastor George's church and we had to sing in front of the whole church even though it wasn't alot of people it was scary. So that's my Kenya trip hope to see you in a few days or so. Thanks for reading and God Bless you ! :)

Karibu (Welcome)

Karibu Pastor Merritt! This was one of the first things I heard yesterday (Thursday) as I entered onto the premises at Manna Bible Institute. Manna is a training facility for pastors throughout the country of Kenya. Pastors come from many different regions to receive training and then they are sent back to their city, communities, and tribes in order to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. Manna has 1-3 year programs of study. The class I am teaching has fifteen students and seven of the fifteen students were here when I came in September of 2008. It was beautiful to see my brothers and sisters in the Lord once again. It was able to catch up and speak with them about their studies and ministries. The first day of teaching was a blessing. However, I must get use to utilizing a translator again. English is classified as the official language of Kenya but many of the student's primary language is Swahili. In this particular class at Manna, the majority of the students utilize a Swahili Bible and therefore I have needed a translator. Despite the delays of translating from English to Swahili, the students have quickly grapsed some of the major themes of 1 Thessalonians: Holy Living, Thanksgiving, Rejoicing, Faith, Hope and Love, Praise God!!!

I also had a meeting at African Nazarene University which is close in proximity to Manna. I went with the Principal and Director of Manna as we met with the Sports Co-ordinator of the university. I visited the school back in September of 2008 when they were first opening up their newly completed multi-purpose gymnasium. It is truly a nice facility. I thought it would be awesome to hold a basketball-outreach event at the gym. Unfortunately, I was unable to keep in touch with my first contact, the Dean of Students, at the university. However, the current Sports Co-ordinator seems excited about reaching out to the community. We will continue to pray and hope the Lord opens up doors to facilitate an event for next year 2011.

Finally, Carolyn and the kids are doing well. Life in Kenya is much different than the States. There are not the luxuries of home but I think it is good for my children to understand how blessed they are. I also believe they are getting a big picture of what the Lord is able to do and is doing throughout the world. God's infinite grace and mercy are still evident.

This first week has passed by really quickly but continue to pray for us. Pray that we are well rested for the remainder of our trip. I am speaking twice on Sunday so pray that the Lord empowers me for His service and that the messages are well received. Finally, pray for Kenya and its people; it is neat to see so many people from different parts of the world coming here for the sake of Christ but His servants need the power of the Spirit to do the work of ministry. Amen!

Peace and Blessings,
Merritt

We Made It!

At this moment, it is early Thursday morning, approximately 12:11am Kenyan time. We arrived in Kenya Tuesday night at 10pm. It was a blessing to reconnect with Pastor Robbie Gordon and his family. Robbie is originally from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and he has been in Africa for the past 13 years. When I came to Kenya two years ago, it was Robbie and his church, Living Water Christian Fellowship, who hosted our group. This trip my family and I will get to spend significant time with Robbie, his wife Elizabeth and their little girl Abigail as we will stay at their house throughout our time in Kenya. I began the book of 1 Thessalonians with Pastor Robbie's mid-week bible study group today, Wednesday. It was a blessing as I started with an introduction to the Pauline epistle and I also covered the first chapter.

Wednesday morning, I went to another ministry we worked with two years ago, Manna Bible Institute, and meet with George Mugaro. I will be teaching through the book of 1 Thessalonians beginning Thursday and hopefully I will complete the lecture series by next Tuesday. Pray for me as I minister to a new group of pastoral students and also re-connect with some students who were attending the school two years ago. Additionally, I will be speaking at the Sunday service for George's church, Satellite All Nations Gospel Church.

Carolyn, Kayla (my oldest daughter) and Elizabeth went to the Maasai land to minister to the Maasai women. Carolyn and Kayla went into the small huts of some of the Maasai women to speak with them and pray with them. Elizabeth also worked with the women from the tribe, memorizing scripture from Proverbs with the intent of turning the learned verses into a song. The Maasai women are incredible singers and they truly worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth! I pray that the Maasai will continue in their quest to outreach to the surrounding community.

Please pray for the following:

1. Peace within the country of Kenya. There was a recent bombing at large prayer meeting within the city limits of Nairobi. Approximately 6 people were killed with over 100 people injured. In addition, a pastor was killed over the weekend in front of his wife as he returned back to his church from a meeting.


2. The simplicity of the gospel is preached by pastors, understood by the Church and lived out by the saints.


3. That, we as a family, remain steadfast, faithful, compassionate and loving throughout our trip.

Peace and Blessings,

Merritt

Sadducees Theology

Sadducees Theology: Spirits, Angels, Resurrection

By Merritt Robinson

At this present moment, our Young Adult group is going through the book of Acts. We recently covered Acts 23 and there is a particular portion within the chapter, Acts 23:8, which states that Sadducees believe not in the resurrection, angels, or spirits. Someone who attends our study recently asked me “if the Sadducees didn’t believe in angels and spirits wouldn’t they have major issues with the Old Testament scriptures”. I hope to provide an answer to this question by providing some insight to Sadducees theology and additionally providing a biblical perspective from the totality of the scriptures concerning the resurrection, angels, and spirits.

Let me first provide some theological background in regards to the previously mentioned issues based upon scripture. The first mention of angels is made in Genesis 16:7. Most scholars and theologians believe this mention of “the angel of the Lord” in Genesis 16:7 refers to the second person of the trinity, Jesus Christ. Additionally, there are many other references to angel and angels in the Old and New Testament scriptures. The references to ‘spirit(s)’ are vast in the biblical text. As Drs. Guy P. Duffield and Nathaniel M. Van Cleave have insinuated, there is much confusion with the word spirit within the biblical scriptures. In their book, Foundations of Pentecostal Theology, they mention that “unless the context shows that an independent spirit-being is meant, it seems best to take most phrases such as a haughty spirit, a hasty spirit, a spirit of slumber, a spirit of jealousy, etc., to be sins of the disposition of lusts of the flesh, and not demons”. (Duffield, Van Cleave, p 496) Now this does not mean there are no such things as spirits, angels, demons or etc. Jesus mentioned to the woman at the well, John 4:24 that God was spirit and He must be worshiped in spirit and truth. Thus, Jesus confirmed the fact of spirits and the spiritual realm.

Now let us proceed to the theology of the Sadducees. Sadducees were extremely conservative and they only accorded authority to the Torah. They rejected notions and beliefs in the resurrection, rewards and punishments after death, demonology, angelology, and apocalyptic speculations. (Duffield, Van Cleave, p 461) In essence, they felt that the Torah did not adequately validate angels or spirits. Additionally, there was also the debate concerning the resurrection and the after life. The Sadducees believed there were Old Testament books that referred to the resurrection (Ezekiel 37, I Samuel 2:6, Job 19:26, Isaiah 26:19, and Daniel 12) but these references only pointed to the potentiality of the resurrection and not the actual proof or fulfillment of both the resurrection of the righteous and wicked. (John Bright, A History of Israel, p 451) Additionally, other 2nd century writers either knew nothing of such a belief or explicitly denied it. Thus even at the end of the Old Testament period, belief in a future life was by no means unanimous. (Bright, p 451)

The Pharisees brought an alternative viewpoint to the discussion, especially when one analyzed the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes, a Seleucid ruler, who had persecuted the Jews and desecrated their temple. In the eyes of the Pharisees, there had to be a way for vindication and justice to be delivered beyond the grave. (Bright, p 451) Thus, this is the Pharisees reasoning for the resurrection to everlasting life or shame.

Did the Sadducees have an issue with the Old Testament scriptures? The question could be answered in the negative and affirmative. The Sadducees would state they were diligent followers of the Torah but the bible demonstrates their deficiencies in following the clear truth of God’s word in regards to angelology and spirits. Additionally, their belief or lack thereof in the resurrection is reasonable based upon the fact that none had been resurrected before Lazarus or Jesus. However, once Jesus demonstrated His power to resurrect others and Himself, they should have humbled and submitted themselves to the truth of the resurrection.

Now here is the key, what does the totality of scripture state about the resurrection, angels, and spirits? First, angels appear in the scriptures from the first book of the bible, Genesis, to the last book of the bible, Revelation. As stated up above, the angel of the Lord is mentioned in Genesis 16:7. Yes, the angel of the Lord within this verse does refer to Jesus Christ but nevertheless it does not negate the fact of the spiritual realm. Two angels came to Sodom and Gomorrah and delivered Lot and his family before the judgment of the Lord. In Daniel, Michael the archangel of the Lord provided a message from the Lord as a response to a prayer from Daniel. In Acts 12, Peter was rescued from jail by an angel. I could continue but there is plenty of evidence for angels within the bible. Second, there is an abundance of evidence for spirits and the spiritual realm. In the book of Leviticus (Lev 19:31, 20:6), God warns the nation of Israel to avoid spiritists or those who call up spirits from the dead. Throughout the gospels, Jesus cast out evil and wicked spirits such as the man who had a legion of demons physically within him (Mark 5:1-13). Therefore, there is substantial evidence to support spirits and demons. Finally, the fact of the resurrection was the pivotal point within the debate between Sadducee and Pharisee. There were scriptures within the text of the bible that referred to the resurrection but the Sadducees would state there was no actual or physical proof of the resurrection, just a philosophical argument for the belief in the resurrection. Jesus completely eradicated this ideology with his resurrection of Lazarus and finally with His own resurrection after being buried in the tomb for three days and nights. This is why the Sadducees were so upset about Jesus and this new sect called Christianity. The resurrection completely and totally destroyed their religious ideals and thoughts and they had to either reject their philosophy and fall to their knees before the Cross of Christ or dwell within their ignorance, blindly rejecting the truth of the resurrection. They chose the later unfortunately.

The doctrine of angels, demons and etc. is important but more important in my estimation is the belief in the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Paul states in I Corinthians 15:4 “and that he was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”. I hope you are not like the Sadducees, rejecting the truth of God’s word. Instead search out the scriptures and be a Berean, determining if those things which are stated in the bible are the truth of God’s word.

Happy Thanksgiving

This morning I woke up with the thought that today is Thanksgiving. A day of family get togethers, food and all kinds of athletic events on the television. By the way, do you think the 0-11 Detroit Lions will win today? Mmmmm. As someone who loves all those things previously mentioned, I can't help but think that we owe a little more to the creator of the universe besides thanking Him for the multitude of meals we will eat today.

Last weekend, I went to First AME church to complete a project for Fuller Seminary. This was my first time at the historic church located in the heart of Los Angeles. One of the things I noticed immediately upon entering the church was the fact that these people came out to an 8am service to celebrate the Lord. It was evident with the congregants, the ministerial staff, and the Sr. pastor. I have to admit this is one of the things I like about "black" churches. Hopefully you will not be offended by the statement but it is true. I love the fact that they come together to celebrate what the Lord has done, is doing, and what He will continue to do within the lives of those who are called according to His purposes and who love Him. I love the fact that these people came to celebrate not by themselves in an individualistic manner but they came to celebrate together in harmony and unity. When you are in that type of atmosphere, you cannot help but to celebrate with one another but more importantly celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ.

I hope today, that we all can take this same attitude out with us as we meet with family and friends. May we celebrate with our family and truly be thankful to the Lord. May we truly lift up praise, besides the time of prayer for our meal, and rejoice in the Lord (Psalm 118:24). In addition, may we truly enjoy our families today. Let's rid ourselves of the family drama and animosity and enjoy the time that we have with our families. May it truly be a time when we encourage, exhort, and edify one another in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Think about these things and may you praise the God of heaven and earth!

Peace and Blessings,
MR

Return from Kenya

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us-Ephesians 3:20

Well we made it back from Kenya, yesterday (9/22) afternoon at about 3 pm. It was good to land back on U.S. soil and see my family but it was also a little sad leaving Kenya. The Lord did so many things and we were blessed to be apart of His work so it was sad to leave a place where we saw the hand of the Lord.

I can't wait to go back. We are already praying about where the Lord would send us next year. We have been extended offers to return to Kenya but also to go to Zanzibar which is off the coast of Tanzania and to the country of Sudan. What a wonderful opportunity! So we will pray and see where the Lord leads. As my pastor always says, where God guides, God provides. We pray that we will listen to the Spirit of the Lord and be open to His leading.

I've got to give props to my partners in ministry, Miguel, Anthony, Mikey and Luis. They made this a fun trip. I really enjoyed their youthful exuberance, singing, jokes, and laughter. It was fun to go with a group of guys who really want to serve God but also want to enjoy life. So thanks guys.

For those who supported our trip and prayed for us, we thank you (Asante-Thank you in Swahili).

Finally, Lord, thank you for opening this door. We could not have done it without you. You demonstrated how great you are each and every day of this trip. May we continue to seek your face and submit ourselves to your will in order for your kingdom to be accomplished on this earth, Amen.

Merritt