FINISHING WELL: JULY 2016 SCHOOL SESSION.

The pastors reported on 17^th July as scheduled. Many came on time to help with a wedding reception that was happening at the camp that Sunday afternoon. This was the last session the pastors were to have classes. The class of 2016 is basically done with studies now. The coming session will be spent in internship.

The classes began on Monday with Paul teaching Discipleship. The first week they studied discipleship and Conflict Development and Resolution by Paul and Michael Mwaka respectively.

The discipleship course explored the great commission and how it is realized in the church or how it ought to be realized.

The Conflict Development and Resolution course was taught Rev. Michael Mwaka this school. The course is usually taught by Prof. John Brown, who could not come this time because of other commitments. The course explored why and how conflicts spark, develop and how they can be resolved.

Helping Hands

Like in May school, the students helped with cleaning the dishes after meals. This has in the past two schools helped reduce the hired labour and has also helped in making the program run without straining the kitchen staff especially.

In the second week, we had Sally teach Old Testament survey. Sally arrived at camp, accompanied by Lori on Saturday 16^th July. This gave them a time to relax before Sally could start teaching. Lori took photos and helped with whatever else she could. Old Testament Survey seeks to walk through the Old Testament with its uniting themes, following the redemptive history. The plan of God gradually unfolds as the messiah’s coming draws near and as his portrait becomes clearer.

In the same second week, we had Stephen teach his very first class at DPTC. He taught Apologetics. The course mainly explored what we believe and the objections raised against it by different people. It also focused on cults and how they twist the word of God.

A weekend with the Paul’s.

It is the tradition of DPTC since 2012 for the school to visit with Paul and his family so the students can spend the evening there having a sheep roasted. We therefore left for Kinangop on Saturday 23^rd after spending the morning in class. We brought Sally and Lori with us too. As it always is, when we arrived we had tea before men got to killing the sheep while the ladies helped with whatever else that needed being done in the kitchen. Most times the Maasai and Samburu men do the slaughtering, but this time it was decided that they watch it being done by men from other tribes.

The sheep was prepared and dinner was served. Later in the evening we gathered in the living area in Paul’s house for fellowship. We heard stories of how God has been faithful through DPTC and how the training has transformed the pastors’ lives. We also got to hear how God called Paul into DPTC and got to know a little more about him and his family.

The following morning we all got a chance to fellowship with Paul’s home church, Glory Outreach Assembly Karima. The church is about 4 kilometres from Paul’s home. In the service, Ruth Makena led the Bible study in the morning. She talked of finding favour in the sight of God and the resulting graces.

Later we had Pastor John Ngatia preach in the service. He talked of how our view of things influences our living and what we are courageous to attempt or not.

It was a blessing to know where Paul and his family attends church when they are home, and where they were members before they joined CITAM Ngong where they currently are members.

After the service and lunch we came back to the camp, ready to finish the second week.

The classes closed on Thursday afternoon and the pastors left for home on Friday morning, though some left on Thursday evening.

Sally and Lori left for the airport on Saturday evening after a short meeting with the Kenyan board where they gave feedback concerning the class of 2016, studies and the camp. It was great pleasure to have them over for two weeks.

We are thankful to God who made the session impactful and who provided. We also thank you for your support and continued prayer.