World Impact Ministries / Peter Youngren

September 08

A Godforsaken place……?

A week has passed by, and we have returned from our first trip. We spent 18 hours on a bus and arrived in Laisamis, in the north eastern territory, home of the Samburu and Rendille tribes. The area is very remote and the lack is tremendous - they have had no water in over a year; all the river beds are dry, the livestock are dying and the vegetation is burnt by the scorching sun. Outbreaks of Malaria and TB are attacking the children, who are defenseless and impoverished by these brutal circumstances. It breaks your heart to witness, yet the beauty and love that shines from these people overwhelms you! In fact everything about this place overwhelms you: Electricity is only found 4 hours drive away – the closest river also… (- imagine what it takes to travel by foot!)

The sun and the heat is tormenting – the drought disabling! Yet the sound of song travels in the wind; distant drumming accompanying children’s voices. The greetings from the locals welcoming you; the embrace and the hunger for the ‘good news’ – and the ignited hope in their eyes as you minister to them.
The beauty of the rugged landscape and the colorful tribal attire, the minimalistic lifestyle and the beauty of these people leaves you breathless and enriched.
The experience of having no means of transportation, no electricity, no cell phones and no water – not knowing the language and being in such a remote place really allows you to rely on God for everything!
It is like nothing remotely close to what you have ever experienced before – it leaves you vulnerable, challenged and stretched! But also full of compassion and love; it exposes what God has placed in your heart, as you draw on His strength and ability for everything.

The outreaches in the villages, churches and in the bush were all so very welcomed by the locals. Many people came to know Christ as their Savior, receiving new life and abundant hope.

As we leave this place, I know I will return -  and I know that this place is not forsaken, but that it is close to God’s heart.

October 08

News from Taita Hills – Eastern Africa:

Imagine a place surrounded by distant mountain-peaks reaching into the vast African skies; the plains of the valley so breathtakingly flat in contrast…….the earth so red, it looks as if the mountains are bleeding!
Everywhere you turn, - there is beauty; the valley completely embraced by a chain of hills, small clay houses and straw huts inhabited by the most gentle, beautiful people you have ever met…Everywhere, and in all things, I experience His love and His presence in this beautiful place:

I danced with this people…. – worshiped our Lord under these skies – in the village square we danced together; with the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair….!

Imagine a caravan of bicycles (!) taking us to the worship place, - us, sitting on the back of their bicycles: Pastors driving us through the bush; on crooked bumpy paths, created by migrating animals, eventually leading to the small village churches, where we minister to the locals about Gods unending grace and love.

As I am here – I see Gods heart expressed in me and I catch myself constantly smiling: With such joy overflowing from my heart, I know it is Him pouring it into me…So much purpose and love stirred up in me and effortlessly reflected towards the people I meet.

I determine to store every image and impression in my minds eye, - not to mention my heart ….this is unlike anything I have ever experienced before! The work that God is doing in and through us here, is truly amazing ....What a privilege to be a part of what God is doing – the feedback we receive makes it all worthwhile….. the satisfaction is abundant and so rich..!