Bwana asifiwe (Praise the Lord).
Bwana asifiwe tena (Praise the Lord again).
Jambo sana (hello so much) friends and family,
This is Titus writing and I am excited to share some of the last few days of our trip with you. Over the last few weeks, all of us Glucks have been journaling every day to remember all the great memories we have gotten to experience. I want to share a few days of my journal, telling about our time in a small village that doesn’t get a lot of visitors, where we got to preach the gospel (to many who weren’t previously believers) and encourage some of the congregants in home visits.
“We were stoked last night to hear that we were taking a last minute trip to a remote village (who probably had never seen “wazungu”-white people-before) for an evangelism rally and home visits. We found out that ELI had recently made a connection to this AIC (African Inland Church) church about an hour or two from Kipkaren. After discussing our program for the first time at breakfast, we drove to the city called Ndalat and into a small village called Chebarus.
It took about 2 1/2 hours because we stopped for like half an hour in Turbo for someone to pick up something or someone (you never really know, hakuna matata).
As we entered the town there was a ribbon to cut and a whole line of people on both sides to greet us! The kids were shocked cause I’m pretty sure we were the first white people they had seen. After shaking all the hands, we went to this beautiful church and danced out (I’ve been learning some moves) on both sides with the congregants to form a big circle. They then sat us down on nice couches they had prepared for us visitors.
For the next few hours, we ran a childrens rally (basically a church service/condensed form of our creative arts camp). We did some music-they enjoyed our Swahili greeting song we wrote-George shared the gospel really well, encouraging next steps like church membership and baptism for people accepting Jesus for the first time. Deanna shared an amazing testimony and then Miss Kim led a lion paper plate project with each of us demonstrating on the aisles and helping kids. We joked that we never thought we’d have to teach another art lesson but here we are!
We ate lunch and then played a relay game with the kids. We also brought bubbles and smelly stickers to pass out which the kids loved.
We then went on home visits of neighbors around the church-praying for and encouraging them. This convicted me to learn even more scriptures for different situations. Really cool time!
After the home visits, we came back and talked to some of the kids for a bit-it was great Swahili practice for me, and eventually we met one boy who spoke English well-he helped translate some of the kids’ questions about the US and taught me more Swahili. The kids wanted to hear some American songs so I pulled out the guitar and sang “You are Good” by Israel Houghton and some John Mayer (I had to).
Then we had dinner-with the best mangoes ever-and headed home. As soon as we got back, we went to the children’s home for Bridgeway team’s bye-bye service. We got to process a bit the amazing time we had with them and God providing for our dream of having our friends in Kenya. It was very emotional, even the kids and teachers were crying to see them go. The teachers shared some really kind encouragements, motivating our family for the next leg of this trip.
The next day we woke up early to send off the Bridgeway team, and then travelled back to he village from yesterday to share at their church service. As always we did formal introductions, sang a few songs, and then Dad preached on Zacheus. He encouraged the congregation to be expectant for God and used Zacheus as a model for true repentance.
They also did an Old and New Testament reading and the Apostle’s Creed (which, if you know me, made me happy).
We shook everyone in the church’s hands after service as they circled up and made a line to greet everyone.
They treated us for chai and then we drove back-having some funny conversations with Shadrack, our Driver-and then came back for lunch around 2:00.
We had requested a free afternoon which was nice to have some more time for chilling and processing.”
We have had such an amazing time here in Kenya, and I am so amazed at how God orchestrated all the details for us to be here, and with some close friends! This trip has been transformative in processing my future vocation, understanding the Kingdom or God and expanse of the gospel, and growing me in preaching and sharing. We are so stoked for what the Lord has next and so appreciate your continued prayers for strength, direction, and vision.
Tunapenda wewe, Mungu awabariki (we love you, God bless),
Titus (and the Glucks)
Daniel Gluck 
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