Day 33 Countdown. Why do we go? To see the future of Christianity

Luke 18:15-17 15 (CSB)

People were bringing infants to him so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 Jesus, however, invited them: “Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

When Jesus sent out the 70 (earlier in Luke 10) he called for more workers. Why? Because the needs were so great and the stakes are so high. Jesus was speaking to the hearts and souls of the communities in Galilee and Samaria and areas surrounding Jerusalem. He new the initiation of a new era of God's kingdom was at hand. The future was coming, and he wanted his people to be ready to receive it.

Thus, we might forgive the disciples if they felt that their "work" for the kingdom was more important than blessing children. But Jesus rebuked their arrogance in this moment. Their work was not just preaching to adults. Kingdom work is not just about present decisions. Kingdom work is also about adding value to those in the margins. Kingdom work is about raising up the forgotten or the invisible. Kingdom work is about the future--which means raising up a new generation that is touched by the hand of God and prepared to take leadership once the current generation has run its course.

Our goal for this trip is to make the good news known. But we are also providing value to the least of these. Working with Russell Academy in Nairobi, we have the opportunity to touch the lives of vulnerable students and families who live in one of the many slums in Nairobi. The teachers and administrators at this non-profit school provide a much needed service for families who cannot afford the bus fees to travel to the designated public school. This particular school was built on property donated by Pastor Nash and his family. The school provides a hope for this community. Russell Academy has provided shoes for each student at the beginning of the academic year. They also provide lunch daily for the students, some of whom my not eat a meal for the rest of the day. Pastor Nash, his wife Joyce, who is the principal of the school, provide direction and guidance for the development of these students. We pray for this ministry and participate with these leaders because their faith will be the future of Christianity in Kenya.

Prayer: Pray that God will bless efforts at Russell Academy to raise up the next generation with a heart for the good news of Jesus. Pray for our teams that will work with this school--that they will be ready to meet the needs of these shy but determined children. Pray for the encouragement of the teachers and administration of Russell Academy--for the finances supporting the school and helping to feed the children when they are at school.