Sunday evening would be my last ministry responsibility in
Marereni and in Kenya. Leaders of those churches founded by Pastor Tsofa came
together for an evening of encouragement and teaching. We talked about some
basic principles in establishing the church, as well as some leadership
principles, character qualities, and the role of their wives in their churches.
Pastor Tsofa loves his wife and he acts like it. In a
culture where public displays of affection are frowned upon, rather than
pretending she’s a stranger, he acknowledges her role in the church and his
life at every opportunity. He loves her. His agenda for our time together often
included some ministry teaching about the role of women in the church and
marriage. I love seeing he and Elizabeth together and remembering that people
who saw Rick and I together knew that we loved one another too.
Several of these pastors didn't even have a Bible in their own language from which to preach. Thanks to Beaverdam Baptist Church, they do now!