100 Days in Africa

It’s been the most amazing summer ever! There is nothing in the world I would rather have done than spend 14 weeks and 100 days telling people in Kenya and Tanzania the Good News of Jesus Christ.  After all was said and done, I ended up sharing the Gospel in 117 schools, 17 churches, and several days in markets and such. The teams I worked with were also able to distribute about 40,000 Gospel tracts and over 1000 Bibles.  Overall, I was blessed with the opportunity to present the Gospel to over 33,000 people and over 18,000 made first-time commitments to turn from their sin and trust, follow, and give their lives to Christ as LORD and Savior. These numbers are staggering and hard to believe, but I assure you the last number is rounded DOWN in all cases. My father has written a detailed essay about “numbers,” which is posted on his website and which I encourage everyone to read, entitled “Overwhelming Response To The Gospel:”

http://www.davidstockwell.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=20289&PID=760993

While in Africa, I was in urban areas along with completely undeveloped rural or bush areas. I was in areas that were majority Christian, majority tribal, and even several areas that were completely dominated by another religion that I’m not going to mention by name. I went to some areas where people warmly welcomed the Gospel and begged me to stay and speak to the students for hours, and we went to some areas where we faced heavy opposition to the Gospel. I even had the privilege of being arrested for preaching the Gospel for the first time! Anyway, I could write for hours about all that I’ve seen and done during this trip. If you want details about specific events during the trip, ask me in person or go back and read one of the many previously written notes.

I’ve met dozens of indigenous evangelists and pastors that our ministry has been able to train, equip, and partner with, who are continuing the work now that we are back at home. And I would love the opportunity to return and preach the Gospel to even more people; if God has it in His will for me to do so.

Friends, thanks again so much for all the prayers and support throughout this whirlwind unexpected spectacular summer!

Please join us in prayer for the continued discipleship of the thousands who committed to follow Jesus, for provision in the lives of the local evangelists and pastors, and for God to provide the approximately $5,000 still needed to cover my expenses for this mission.

In Christ,
Steven Stockwell
Galatians 2:20

PS:  For more information and photos from our missions in Kenya and Tanzania, visit www.davidstockwell.org.

New Plan

well, the last time i wrote, we were planning to go to Nairobi. that didn't work out. even though the voting went smoothly, it turns out most schools in Kenya are closed for the entire month of august for normal holiday. we have now "confirmed" that Dan and i are traveling friday to a town in tanzania a 10 hour bus ride away called singida to do a week of ministry before heading back to the states. i don't know anything about this town, but i'm willing to bet that there are some people there that need to hear about Jesus :-) after this period of rest, i am very eager to get into some schools and churches to share the gospel. we don't know much about the specific plans, but we are trusting in God and the local evangelists we are working with for the details. please pray for open doors and open hearts in this town as Dan and i begin the lext leg of this wild trip.

In Christ,
Steve Stockwell

Prayers For Kenya

all right, the plan for now is to travel to Nairobi this weekend... if the elections today go smoothly. Kenya is voting today for a proposed new constitution for the country. last time elections happened in Kenya, there was much rioting and lots of blood shed. as long as there is no major problems this time around, Dan and i should leave saturday for Nairobi and begin school ministry on monday. but we need some serious prayer for these elections to be smooth, honest, and fair. we also need prayer for discernment and direction to see if this is actually where we are supposed to go. Dan and i will be teaching a bible study tonight and friday we are scheduled to speak in 2 high schools. we have been trying to keep ourselves busy praying and reading and witnessing to everybody we come into contact with. but this isn't easy here because very few people can speak fluent english. if there is violence in Kenya about the elections we will probably end up just having to come home, so we are definitely leaning on God to put his hand of peace and provision on Kenya during this vote. Thanks everyone!

In Christ,
Steve Stockwell