Birthday Reflections

I normally am not very good at reflecting, but as I breathe the warm autumn air today, I feel a special grace for it.  It has been that in the last couple of years, I have felt discouraged in the days leading up to my birthday.  I’m not sure why – maybe it’s because the devil hates me and the idea of celebrating life.  But anyway, turning 30 was especially easy for it because that was a milestone year.  It was easy to think about how my life didn’t measure up to what it “should” look like.  I was certain that by then, I would be raising my family overseas while doing ministry on the mission field, having already run my first marathon.  The discouragement didn't last long, but none of that was the case.

But this year is different.  This morning, I reflected with the Lord on what life was like at 21.  10 years ago tonight, I had what I thought was the birthday party of my life.  I did foolish things, and my heart was far from Jesus.  At 21, I was incredibly selfish, and you would have been fair to say, “she will never change.”  But these ten years tell a story of God’s loving faithfulness despite my unfaithfulness (2 Tim 2:13).  And they tell of His merciful invitation to be a part of His plan to save this generation.  Much like the Starbucks story (coming soon), it’s all about Him, and I am of no credit.  So in the face of this expected discouragement, I am reminded that when I once seemed nonredeemable, the Great Redeemer saved me.  He set me free and He continues to set me free of sin, and my own pride and my selfishness.  Jesus is the Bridegroom in an unstoppable pursuit of His Bride, the Church.  So while life may look differently from what I expected a year ago, this birthday I have a fresh resolve to live for my King:

Here is my life, have your way.  I trust You, because

You have done far more abundantly than I could ask or imagine, or plan (Eph 3:20).

Cool Highlights

Hi friends,

We had the great privilege of sharing at Philadelphia Church on Sunday morning about intimacy with Jesus, as well as updating the congregation on my internship in Kenya.  The presence of God was very tangible in the room, like an electricity in the atmosphere, and we saw a couple people healed of physical pain and illness.  God did exactly what we asked—He showed up and He had His way.

At the bottom of this post, you’ll find the slideshow I played during our visit at Philadelphia, but before that, I just want to fill you in on a few more super-awesome things that happened in Kenya this past winter.

Souls and more souls entered the Kingdom of God – Soon before the end of my two months in Kenya, I joined a team from Hope Fest to an all-boys school in a town called Kapsabet.  There, we ministered to 1,100 teenagers, and some 450 gave their lives to the Lord during the two day-crusade.

Our last Sunday at Frontrunnerz, many were touched by the word.  I went into the service unsure whether we should do an altar call, but the Lord met me during worship.  He gave me a vision illustrating that He was prepared to heal those that would respond.  Sure enough, several responded to the message at the first service, and again at the second, as I prayed for those responding, I felt the Lord say, “I’m doing it even now.  I’m healing them.”  After the service, I had multiple conversations with people testifying what the Lord had been speaking to them and doing in them.  C’mon Holy Ghost!

Afterward, I had a great time worshiping Jesus with our Connecting Group at a fellowship/farewell lunch, and I pray that this great group of young people continues to grow in the Lord and with each other.

I don’t have much space to say much about them here, but even now I miss my little brothers: Francis, Felix, Edwin, Paul & Steve (and our friend John on the left).  These brothers taught me about family and how the love of God works when we get out of our comfort zones.  How I miss them!

Thank you for your support in this journey, including my wrapping up at FIRE Chicago this past June.  While I have a vague idea of what it is, the Lord’s plan is already mapped out.  Stay tuned as it unfolds.

Nakupenda

On February 4, I joined the Frontrunners worship team.
This song is called Nakupenda / I Love You.

Nakupenda from Chy Robins on Vimeo.

Birthday Washing...A Kenyan Tradition

In February, I had the fun privilege of witnessing the birthday washing of a lovely young lady from the Frontrunners worship team.
Happy 18th Birthday, Laura!

Updates Coming

On Thursday 22 March, I said goodbye to my friends and family in Nairobi, and in 22 hours, my plane touched down in Chicago.

But still, much happened during my last few weeks in Kenya and I'm planning to post updates throughout this week as I'm back in Chicago but have not yet begun classes at FIRE Chicago.
You have played a big part in these events, and I hope you can share in the joy of reflection with me =)

Thanks, and please stay tuned!
Chy

Sunday at Frontrunners

It's 11pm Saturday night in Nairobi, and I'm finishing up preparations for my message for Frontrunners in the morning.  I'm really excited as the end of my time approaches but includes a climax of sowing the word of God into the lives of about 700 young people.

The message is entitled, "Sexy on the Inside," including but not limited to talks about inner beauty and what it means to be a woman of God (also, the title's not mine lol).  The discussion is different from the original topic I was given, but again, the Lord totally knows what He's doing.  He's set me up for delivering this message more than I could have asked for with my life's experience (this may be too vague to understand; I'll update after tomorrow with a fuller explanation of events leading up to this).

Anyway, I just want to ask you to pray for both 8:30 and 10:30 services, that as the word goes forth like seed, and that the hearts of those hearing would be fertile soil to produce fruit.  Please also pray that many would get set free from lies, bondages, sin and the power of darkness.

Onward.
Chy

p.s. check back soon.  I have much to say about the many, many, many souls that entered the kingdom in the past few weeks, though I must finish preparing my notes.

The Narrow Way

On Wednesday, a team of us joined One Hope in four local schools in Mathare, one of Nairobi’s largest slums.  It was a great experience, and yet also challenging.  We met many boys & girls, shared the Gospel (several young people gave their lives to Jesus in the classroom), and distributed One Hope’s The Hope Book.  I loved seeing my students shine when they were given acting roles in a skit.

The One Hope staff briefed the Master’s Commission students on Tuesday regarding what to expect.  Meanwhile, I was working on other ministry stuff, and missed the session.  So Wednesday, as we walked, I learned about the roads in the slums, which are in the beginning stages of construction.  In order for the concrete to take, they must first ay down large rocks where the roads will eventually be placed.  Otherwise, when it rains, the dirt would become mud and create a mess. 

The day was very long, and we walked on these not-quite-complete roads from one school to another.  Since I was not briefed, I wore sandals with soft soles and could feel every rock I stepped upon, so as my students talked about being tired, I complained of foot pain.  In fact, every chance I got, I complained about my feet.

“I’m hungry.  Are you hungry too?” “No, but my feet hurt.” 
“I’m tired.  How are you doing, Chy?”  “I’m okay, but these rocks are hurting my feet!”

During the Discipleship series of Master’s Commission, I taught my students about the Narrow Gate that Jesus talks about in Matthew 7.  The path to it is difficult and few enter it, but it leads to life.  We then talked about setting expectations for people when giving them the Gospel and walking the life of discipleship with people.  We set others up to fail when we give them an unrealistic (though initially more attractive) gospel that promises a comfortable or “better” life.  Yes, His yoke is easy, but the path is narrow and difficult (so much that few enter it).  As we walked, I wanted to turn back (except that I would have for sure gotten lost!), “if only I’d known, I would have worn the right shoes, or at least braced myself for the pain!”

As disciple-makers, we must prepare our disciples.  The road is not going to be easy, and it’ll likely cause you pain, but be assured that it will lead to eternal life.

“Enter through the narrow gate;
for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life,
and there are few who find it.” 

                                                                                      – Mt 7:13-14