We give thanks for many new Brothers and Sisters who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour during the recent GO Trip to Kenya. 

Ivan Johnston, Region 10 Director, one of the leaders of the trip, is pictured here following his preaching in Lindi Church, Nairobi, praying with someone who came forward to receive Jesus.

Ivan was joined on the trip by several members from Canada and National Office Finance Manager, Martin Lowdon. 

Martin was involved in visiting schools, pictured below at Rysia Bright Academy Primary School, and also working with local church members to share the Gospel. 

Martin shared his thoughts on his first GO Trip: “I was very pleased to join the international team on the GO Trip in Nairobi, Kenya, and I give glory to God for the love and unity of purpose that our team had right from the start. 

In the street evangelism, we were also blessed to have the participation of many Kenyan volunteers from the local churches – most of whom had received the initial training from ShareWord Global, and all of whom were enthusiastic to see people giving their lives to the Lord.  Working with them in small teams or pairs, we encountered all sorts of people in the streets – believers, backsliders, and people who did not know the Good News – and we took time to share Christian encouragement, prayer, and the Word of God.  God is good!  At first I was rather taken aback how quickly people were ready to give their lives to the Lord, if it was the right time for them, and then I was thrilled to feel the surge of joy each time a new brother or sister is born again.  I found our Kenyan colleagues a humbling inspiration in all this. 

As well as street evangelism, we visited a small number of primary schools, and it was delightful to see the teachers and children keen to hear about, talk about, and receive the Gospel.  Even in the streets we had many children clamouring for the Word of God (or at least, for a Spark Magazine!) and we were so happy to oblige.  The good news of the Gospel, Hope magazines in English or Swahili, and Spark magazines, has gone out into thousands of lives and we pray with confidence the Lord will continue building His church there.”

Martin is pictured here in the Kawangware slum area of Nairobi.  Kawangware is reportedly one of Africa’s biggest slums.

Iain Mair, Executive Director, was due to spend some time in Uganda before travelling to Kenya for meetings with pastors and other believers, but due to flight cancellations and flight delays from London was unable to visit Uganda.  God had a different plan and Iain was blessed to be able to join the GO Trip team in Nairobi for two days instead, before visiting church leaders and their congregations in Maasailand (photo below with Maasai believers in traditional dress), along with representatives from ShareWord Global. 

The visit to Maasailand included attending a Maasai Bible school graduation outside under the trees where opportunity was given to share a word from Scripture with the graduates and pray for them.  Iain participated in a conference with other missionary organisations from Africa and around the world to discuss reaching Africa with the Gospel.  One speaker shared that, each day it is estimated that 50,000 people come to Christ in Africa and each day 5,000 churches are planted across Africa, giving rise to a famine that no media talks about – a famine for Bibles!

Iain is pictured with Emukule, a Leicester City supporter in Kawangware.  When asked if he knew Jesus, Emukule, immediately replied, “Yes, He is my Lord and Saviour!”  It was very encouraging to pray with many to receive Jesus but also to hear the testimonies of those who were already following Jesus.