Blake Cassell

Preacher man

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:34:50 +0000

So, last week was youth week at my church, Ruaraka Baptist. They had me preach in both the English and Swahili services. I am not a preacher, but by God's grace, I believe he used the message. I actually adapted one of Roger's messages from camp this summer and preached over a list of names! That's right, a list of names. I am really more of a teacher than a preacher, but I believe God can use broken vessels.

Malindi mission

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:30:53 +0000

Kyle and I went on a mission trip to the Kenyan coast. (I know, suffering for the Lord again We went with two youth groups we work with, Ridgeways Baptist and Kahawa Sukare (coffee sugar in Swahili) Baptist. While we were there, we painted the police station. The whole town was talking about it.

Another team went door to door witnessing and also witnessed at the police station. We saw around 50 people come to Christ!! It was an amazing trip. I am struck once again by how similar youth in the U.S. and Kenya are.

On a serious note, please pray for the youth of Malindi. The town is a famous tourist destination for Europeans, especially Italians. Unfortunately, many of the youth there get involved in prostitution. Please pray that God will open their eyes to their need for Him.

Another break

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:32:23 +0000

It is already time for another school break! The school schedule here runs Jan-Mar with April off, May-July with August off, and Sept-Nov with December off. During the August break, Kyle, Julie, and I will not be doing school ministry. This will allow us to focus in even more on our church ministries. Also, Kyle and I will be going on a mission trip to Malindi, on the coast, for a week. (I know, suffering for the Lord! ) We are also excited about the chance to spend some time with friends here.

Please pray for us as we enter this month. Pray that we will take time to rest, but also use our time wisely. Pray that we will take this chance to evaluate where our ministries are and see where we need to go.

Global team

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 06:31:01 +0000

We just had a mission team here from the States. The team was comprised of Matt and Kelly Elmore from Global, who are praying about coming here as Mentors next year, and some of the youth from Eagles’ Landing First Baptist Church near Atlanta. This team had some of the most mature youth I have ever seen. We did school ministry in the same two locations each day for an entire week. I was floored as I saw these kids break down some walls around our Kenyan kids so quickly. The Eagles’ Landing youth took our kids through a crash discipleship course. The things these kids were hearing were basically brand new to them. Things like how to have a quiet time, how to witness, etc. I was so impressed with the team. What I witnessed this week was what student ministry should be: youth ministering to other youth.

On a personal note, the team greatly encouraged me. It was refreshing to see their passion and it awakened passion anew in me. Also, it was a lot of fun to hang out with American youth. It was nice to be able to crack jokes and not have to explain every other one! Please pray that our youth here will continue on with what they have learned. Also, pray for the mission team, that God continues to use this experience to mold them to the likeness of Christ.

My parents

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 06:29:21 +0000

My parents came to visit me here on the field. It was so awesome to see them. We had a great time visiting and I know it made it easier for them to see where I live and what I am doing. They spent a few days here in Nairobi with me. They got to meet the Riddles, which was good. Kyle’s parents were here and their time overlapped, so we all went to eat at the Carnivore for Kyle and Julie’s 8^th anniversary. Mom and Dad also got to meet my friends from TFC and see the school ministry here.

We closed out our time together by going to the Kenyan coast for a few days, followed by a few days on safari at Maasai Mara. The coast is amazing! It looks like the Caribbean, with clear water and white sand beaches. Then, at the Mara, we got to see so many awesome animals. God’s creativity is so vast.

Wrecks!

Mon, 28 May 2007 09:27:18 +0000

Last Tuesday, when Moses and I went to meet with the principals in Kayole, we were stopped on the road, waiting for our turn to go, and a huge lorry (large truck) struck us! We weren't hurt, praise God, but it did do some damage to Moses' Honda.

Then, yesterday, Kyle, Julie, the kids and I were coming back from church, and another huge lorry rear ended us! Both times, it was due to brake failure. Both times, by God's grace, we were safe. Thankfully, both drivers accepted responsibility and we aren't having too big a hassle to get the cars fixed. Please pray for us though, that they will get fixed soon and we won't have to be without transportation for long!

God moves at Bahati Student Centre

Mon, 28 May 2007 09:23:12 +0000

On Wednesday, Moses and I got to do our first meeting of the term at Bahati Student Centre. This is a secondary school where Teens for Christ has been ministering since the beginning. There are over 400 students there.

I spoke to the students, who were sitting out in a grassy area, about what to do when they don't "want to" do what they "ought to" be doing. Afterward, Moses gave an invitation. At first, the students didn't do anything. This was the point I was glad Moses was giving the invitation, because he didn't just stop, as I might have. After a bit, 10 students came forward to get saved, and I got to pray with them. Moses also got to pray with over 60 who came down for rededication (or whatever you want to call it). God really moved and we are grateful!

Back in session

Mon, 28 May 2007 09:18:29 +0000

Schools are now back in session, after having been out for school break in the month of April. Here, schools are in Jan-Mar, off April, in May-July, off August, and in Sept-Nov, off Dec. I think it's a really good system, as it spreads out the students' breaks. It also allows for some unique ministry opportunities.

April was really fun, but I'm glad to be getting back into a routine. We have started going to many Teens for Christ school chapters during the week. Kyle is remaining in the Jogoo Rd. area with much of the staff, while I'm focusing on Kayole (a slum east of the city) with Pastor Moses. Moses and I have met with the principals of these schools and we are very excited about the ministry opportunities. Please pray that God opens the hearts of these students and that they catch a vision of God's mission for them.

Recovery

Mon, 28 May 2007 09:14:12 +0000

I am at home recovering. I was in the hospital a grand total of two days. I have quite a bit of pain, but it is getting better. The doctor says I'll be totally fine within a few days. I am walking around and will just be taking it easy for a few days.

(Note: This post was written a few weeks ago. I am fully recovered now. Thank you to everyone who prayed me through

Hospital

Mon, 28 May 2007 09:10:02 +0000

I have been in the hospital for the past few days. It was really not that bad of an experience. I had a kidney stone that would not pass and had to be removed. Needless to say, my mom was worried about me being in the hospital in Kenya.

She needn't have worried. Aga Khan University Hospital is one of the nicest in Africa. My room was like a nice hotel, with wooden floors, satellite TV, and a safe. The food was amazing and the nurses took good care of me and gave me nice drugs.

I have a lot of pain after the surgery, but I am hopeful that I will recover soon. Thank you all for your prayers.