Two days to go!

I did most of the packing yesterday and the trip feels imminent - which it is! I'm using my phone to blog for the first time in the hope that I can update from Kenya. So far so good!

The Gospel in a Nutshell

Through the Roof is a Christian organisation and its overseas arm, Wheels for the World, seeks to bring not only the practical gift of wheelchairs but also the Good News of Jesus Christ. There is a Pastor on each trip who works with a local Pastor to explain the Gospel and pray with each recipient, if they wish. A Bible is offered as a gift which is usually gladly accepted. Most clients receiving a chair would not have the means to buy their own Bible. 

This is a photo from my previous trip of the aftercare following the issue of a wheelchair.

It can be a challenge explaining the Gospel, home or away, in such a way as the hearer “gets” it. John 3 verse 16 is sometimes described as 'the Gospel in a Nutshell' – "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life."

A website called Harvest has a simple summary of the Gospel:

The gospel is the message that we are all separated from God because of our sin. The result of this sin is an emptiness, an ever-present guilt, and a certain fear of death. Yet, because God loved us, in spite of our rebellion He sent His own Son to die in our place and to bridge the gap between Him and ourselves.

There are also warnings about a watered-down Gospel and an overly-complex Gospel which you can check out on this page:

http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/new-believer/foundations-for-living/gospel.html

This is only the baseline. If you are interested in knowing more do check out the rest of the page!

Underpinned by prayer

Two weeks to go! The speed at which the trip is looming is faster than the approach of Christmas!

Thank you to all who have donated to Through the Roof/ Wheels for the World through my JustGiving page at http://www.justgiving.com/Christine-Grew Your generosity is greatly appreciated. We're 57% of the way to £750 - that's £430 so far! Brilliant!

Another aspect of the trip which is brilliant is the prayer base. Reninca Hill, who is the
International Mission Manager for Through the Roof is keen that the whole trip is underpinned by prayer and she has done a lot to make sure this is happening. Every week for the last 5 weeks she has sent the team a "devotional" - a short passage from the Bible with some reflections and prayer points. These have been so pertinent and helpful as we prepare for the trip. 

In addition there is a simple bookmark-prayercard which I've been distributing to friends. If you'd like to receive this by email, do email me on cfgrew@gmail.com 

Doing a trip like this is exciting for all those going: Eileen and Rob the co-leaders, Nigel and Ruth, Maggie, Andrew, Charlotte, Lucy and myself. But it is also a step into the unknown - even for those who've been before. Every trip is different with fresh challenges. We are conscious of our human frailty regarding health and safe travel. We want to make a difference as we serve those receiving a wheelchair.  It is great to be able to take all these concerns and put our trust in a living loving God as we head towards the departure date.

I am as grateful to those who are praying as those who are giving financially.

The wheels have arrived - yay!

I heard the good news that the container with wheelchairs which left the Aldershot Warehouse 6 weeks ago has arrived in Kimilili. It's 3 weeks today that the team flies out, and it's getting closer and closer!

It'll look something like this when we get there:

Where we'll be staying 4 weeks tomorrow!

We're booked in to the IcFEM guesthouse in Kimilili. This website has short video to wet the appetite!

http://www.icfem-mission.org/visiting.htm