Far Reaching Ministries Blog

It is remarkable that for nearly two-hundred and thirty years the orderly transition of power from one President of the United States to the next has continued uninterrupted, peacefully and without disruption or civil unrest. Even in the worst of days, the country has managed to endure and carry out this official act envisioned by our Founding Fathers with much pomp and ceremony. Yet as the next commander-in-chief, the forty-fifth president has at his disposal the most powerful arsenal, the military might of this nation under their authority. He is also the head of state, a responsibility that carries with it the representation of the American people before the nations of the world. And as the very embodiment of the executive branch of government, he is the upholder of the law, the defender of the constitution, our chief law-enforcement officer. A great weight of responsibility that so few in history have had the privilege of holding, and this person is granted this charge by the will of the very people who entrust him with this sacred duty.

From the Scriptures we understand that ultimately God is the One who raises up leaders to govern the nations. In Romans Paul writes, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1) So if this is the case for the leaders of nations, then what about the leadership that is a little closer to home, our families?

In the case of Abraham in Genesis chapter eighteen, not only was he the patriarch of his yet-to-be born family, but a nation as well. Sometime after the covenant was established between Abraham and God, he receives three visitors whom he receives with typical Eastern hospitality. Afterwards two of the men set out towards Sodom and Abraham travels with them. Along the way the Lord addresses the men concerning Abraham, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” What the Lord is about to “do” is judge the city of Sodom for its great wickedness by raining down destruction upon them.

This is an important test in the life of Abraham, one of numerous ones that God would bring him through. Certainly Abraham knew of Sodom and Gomorrah; earlier he raised up an army to rescue those taken captive which included his nephew Lot. But he was also certainly aware of the wickedness of the city itself. Yet because he knew and loved God, Abraham believed God to be just, and would not judge the righteous with the wicked.

The fact that God knew this about Abraham, that he was jealous to “protect” God’s character and justice that God declares the following about His servant Abraham; “…I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” (Genesis 18:19).

In Abraham there was more than his immediate family at stake. Out of all the nations of the world it was entrusted to Israel to keep the word of God, to be the very expression of God’s justice, righteousness and mercy to all the peoples of the earth. We as Gentiles of course are not descended from Abraham physically, but by faith we are spiritually joined to this one man.

As the days approach for our second-born to arrive into the world, I am impressed with an equal responsibility to lead my family in a righteous and just manner, all the while being mindful of God’s grace being extended to us. "There is nothing particularly special about us as a family, nothing remarkable or exceptional things we have accomplished. Yet simply because God’s mercy and love is extended to us, we are grateful to have the awesome and wonderful privilege of “protecting” God’s character and nature by being visible expressions of His grace and mercy on us, no matter where we go.

Our Ministry this Month

We have settled in after a relaxing Christmas and New Years spent in New Jersey with our family. Being away from Kenya has been difficult but it has kept us all the more on our knees for the people that continue their lives each day there. A few days a week I spend in the office of my sending church assisting in counseling, prayer and teaching. In the next few months we will be visiting numerous churches, small groups and families in the area to share the vision the Lord has given us for future ministry in Kenya.

While we are here though we are becoming adjusted to the weather (still too cold), the church in Old Bridge (Sunday mornings Bible study groups, Children’s Ministry) and being reunited with family and friends (still so many more to visit), we look forward to being plugged in to life here in the USA. We will be filing for Sheila’s Permanent Residency so that we can have more flexibility should we ever have to come back to the US suddenly without obtaining a visa first.

We also need to make arrangements for our stay in California in regards to accommodations and transportation so keep those in your prayers as well. If you know of anyone in Southern California who has room for a missionary family beginning in June please feel free to contact us through the address listed in this newsletter.

Finally keep our family in your prayers as we await the arrival of our second child at the end of March, our search for an OB/GYN for Sheila, and preparation for the delivery. In regards to our financial support we thank you so much for your sacrifice to the Lord on our behalf; we are humbled and grateful for every contribution received.

Prayer Points

• Pray for our ministry team:
  • The Zavala Family
  • The Ramirez Family
  • Joyce & Eunice
• C.C. Bible College Nairobi:
  • For instructors to be raised up at the Bible College
  • For administration of the college including preparation for graduation in 2009.
• Pray for our Family:
  • Sheila’s pregnancy
  • For raising up monthly financial supporter while stateside
  • Accommodations and transportation in California
• Pray for the Church Ministry:
  • The Women’s Bible Study
  • The Men’s Bible Study

ABOVE - Sheila (left) pictured with CCOB accountant Jill Merriman (center) and fellow missionary Pasang (right)