I have never heard such an amazing rendition of this song as I did tonight. The song itself is powerful when you know why it was written. The man had lost everything in the Chicago fire, his son was sick and died and then his family (minus his wife) was killed when their boat sank. He penned the words to the song when the only thing left he had to cling to was his trust in God. When peace like a river attendeth my soul… He knew that his peace only came from God. Well, tonight I heard it sang by someone who has all the reason in the world to sing it. Not only did she have the voice of an angel, she has lived the life of the devil. When an ex-stripper, ex-prostitute, mother in a hospital for the insane, family dead from AIDS, tried to commit suicide, people chasing her from her past and abusive father young woman sings this…it has real meaning. She sang this for us as we were heading home from an outreach tonight. She has a voice that is pure but a past that is not. However, in May, this all changed. She gave her life to Jesus and it has all turned around. She still has a hard time with things, but knows that her peace is in Jesus. We asked her if she would sing us a song (because we had heard a video she made) and she said "I will sing you my favorite song." When she got done, I couldn't help but have tears in my eyes. She understands peace. I will never be able to hear this song again without thinking of this young lady.

We have had a few days of outreaches that have gone well. We were in Imara Daima for a couple days worth of outreaches. Good stuff, hard crowd. Total spirit of fear in the men of that town. They knew they needed and wanted something more, but couldn't bring their selves to come and really make a commitment for Jesus. Be in prayer for Pastor William of the Deliverance Church. Tough town. He is also needing prayer for finances to finish going to bible college through East Africa Theology. This college is ran by the Kenyan Assemblies of God and he will be graduating from Global University, the same University as me! Funny thing happened there though. We had a herd of Massai cows come wander through where we were setting up our breaks. Remember, we were right in town doing this outreach. So, the cows come through and we were worried that they were going to knock down our stuff before we started. Good news…they didn't. Bad news…one peed right where we were having to stand for one of the breaks!

Today we went to a Nazarene school in the Kibera slums. Wow! That is about the only word to describe this place. Think bad and multiply it by a never ending exponent. I will get pics up on photobucket soon. (www.photobucket.com/EldonKelley. And yes, this works now.) We had 200 kids packed into a room that was only about 20 x 60 at most. This slum has well over a million people in it and it is no bigger than Colville proper. The kids were very sweet. I think I want to bring some of these beauties back home with me. Is that ok Amy? The kids taught us the Mosquito Clap! I will have to show you when I get home.

Then tonight we went and did an outreach at Central Nazarene. They had a basketball thing going that we came along side of and did our thing. Met Myke "The Kenyan Connection" tonight. He is part of our team down here in Kenya. What a great man of God. He can play some B Ball! He has played professional basketball for 12 years in Kenya. He brought the Word tonight, and he does that with even more intensity than playing hoops.

Tomorrow we are going to ANU (Africa Nazarene University) to do chapel for them. Cool thing about this school. They allow anyone to attend their school. Anyone meaning Christian, Muslim, Catholic, pagan… Each person HAS to take several Christian courses to complete their schooling as well as go to chapel. They have had Muslims give their life to Christ because of what they learn in their college courses. So, we are giving a complete gospel message tomorrow. Should be amazing! Another great thing about this university…$10,000…………FOR ALL FOUR YEARS! Find that in the USA.

Then tomorrow afternoon, we are going to hang out with the Kenyan national rugby team, Rugby 7. We are going to do some teamwork building with them and also share the gospel with them. Some are Christians already, but the whole team needs a relationship with Him.

This weekend we start the Battle Cry at Central Nazarene in Nairobi. This will be a great time to impact a church who is struggling to say the least. We are trusting for a great time of transformation in men's lives as they step up into becoming the men that God has called them to be. Please be in prayer for this weekend.

Then Monday morning, we are heading to Naaoosura (common spelling) out with the Massai. We have figured out that the final count will be that we are bringing enough food to feed 500 families for 1 month. That is around 3,000 people! We are going to be in the heart of things here. I will give more details in the next few days, but it is safe to say that we are going to need tons of prayer this next week. Spiritual battles. Physical battles. Emotional battles. Like I said, I will give more details before I leave.

Well, it is very late on Wednesday night here and I need to go to bed. I have so much to say that I could write forever, but my eyes tell me not to. I am amazed that God would use a guy like me to minister to the amazing people of Kenya. I say it every time I go somewhere…I go to minister to them and instead I get ministered to. The things that I worry about at home are so little compared to daily living here. My life with Jesus has become so precious that I couldn't consider trading it for anything else. In my times of worry or concern, all I need to do is remember the voice that I heard tonight singing…It is well, with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul!

Until next time

Bearing His torch (in Kenya)

Eldon