Kenya '05 testimony: Obed-Edom: A Doorkeeper in the House of My God
On behalf of everyone who participated, supported and prayed for Kenya ‘05 to the One who made all this possible, thank You for allowing us to participate in what You are doing.
1 Chronicles 13:12-14
David was afraid of God that day and asked, "How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?" He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he had.
Please pray that I would know, love and serve God and that my cup overflows. These were some of my prayer requests before I left for Kenya, Africa and I feel that God has blessed and spoken to me through the life of Obed-Edom while I was in Kenya. Obed-Edom was an Israelite gatekeeper from the division of Koralites during the time of King David, before and after David became king of Israel. What spoke to me through Obed-Edom’s life was that the Bible says he was blessed by God and afterwards, we take notice that he continues to passion to serve God (1 Chronicles 15:17-18, 21 and 24; 1 Chronicles 16:4-6, 38 and 2 Chronicles 25:24).
Psalm 84 For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
My heart was filled by blessings from God in Kenya and I hope my life reflects the growth and passion I see in Obed-Edom. Pray that my cup overflows in the form of faithfulness, love and passion for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
God blessed me in Kenya, Africa. I had a lot of worries before committing and going to Kenya. I had fears about what I would face physically and spiritually for the five and a half weeks overseas. I am a creature of comfort and from what I had heard about Kenya, it was not the most comfortable place I could visit. Then I heard I had to get vaccinations for some diseases I never even heard of. On top of discomfort and diseases I was also afraid of spiritual challenges I may face.
The weekend before departure was the most anxious I had been in a long time, but I was comforted by God’s Word. My hope was in His promises (Jeremiah 29:11-13). And all thanks be to God for how wonderful the weather, food, people and good health were that I experienced in Kenya.
Spiritually, I saw glimpses of God’s heart for His people in Kenya. I experienced it most in Kwale. The people we met there were mostly Muslim, but when we shared the Gospel, their hearts were open. People of all ages accepted God’s gifts of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. It wasn’t the way we presented or anything we did, but it was the Truth that set them free. Not only did people accept His message, but God showed He would heal their land. The last night in Kwale we had a revival meeting where the church repented and prayed for rain. Literally one second after we ended the meeting, rain poured over us. They have not seen rain like we saw that night for over three years. Praise God!
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land
Not only was I blessed physically and in seeing God’s heart for His people in Kenya, but I was blessed by answers of specific personal prayers. One thing I have been praying about is that God would grow me as a leader. This was because I am noticing different leadership opportunities being presented to me. Even though I have lead in different aspects and situations, I know I lack in leadership and I thought God would answer that prayer while I was in Kenya. Halfway through the trip I was becoming frustrated because I did not think the trip or God would present me with an opportunity to lead anything because of other strong leaders we had on the team. But God showed me! Right away, out of the blue, I was told to lead my first VBS. I was floored by the sharp response and timing. I was a poor emcee and had to repent for a proud selfish heart, but God is good. Throughout the trip God continued to present me with opportunities and lessons that will help me grow despite my deficiencies. What amazing grace!
Kenya ’05 was blessing and I learned a lot. God blessed Obed-Edom, his household and everything he had and it is Obed-Edom’s life afterwards that challenges me now. Obed-Edom’s name shows up multiple times in the book of Chronicles among lists of people who served by worshipping God, even after the ark was removed from his house. Please pray that, whatever God has me do in the future, my heart would be filled and overflow from knowing, loving and serving in the house of my God.
By His grace and mercy,
Gill