Saturday was the second and final day of the conference. We knew we would have less people because many told us they had prior commitments for Saturday. So we were incredibly encouraged when we had lots of new people who couldn’t make it on Friday. One of those guests was our old friend Dr. Kisang, whom I have known since my first visit to Kenya in 2007. He decided to set aside an entire day to listen to us and then take us around town after the conference was over.

We decided to start the day with an overview of the previous day because of so many new people. Then we jumped into “needs assessment” This section went very well. It was about praying for the good of your city (Jeremiah 29:7) together as a group of churches. Then there are some complimentary techniques (Listen, Ask, Seek, Reflect). This was all very well received.

The remainder of the day Gary led the brainstorming/creativity workshop. It was very good. Gary did a great little game: draw a roman numeral 9 (IX) on the dry erase board and ask if anyone can make the IX a VI (6) with only one line. They tried and tried but couldn’t get it. One answer is to....

Today we began the day quite nervous.  We had no idea how this kind of workshop would be recieved by the kenyan church leaders.  We were told by our friends that nothing like this had been done before (A conference specifically focusing on local church unity and service in the community)

We did not know if we were prepared enough.  We did not know if people would even come.  So needless to say it was an unsettling morning. Although,my morning was made a little better because I broke out my hidden stash of oatmeal to suppliment the typical breakfast of a glass of chai and a butter sandwich)

The conference was to begin at 9am.  So at 9:30 we were only a little bit concerned that there were only three people there.  T.I.A (this is Africa) and time in africa is not like time in USA.  But when it got to be 10:30 and we still hadn't started we were getting ansy.

But why continue to doubt when we have been shown God's faithfulness time and time again...a self-admitted fault.  We went for a tea break at 10:30 (please note that in africa many times just as work is about to get started...it is time for tea break :)  At 11:00am we started and there were at least 25 people.  By the time 11:30 came we were up to about 50 people.

The teaching went well and not until after the teaching was over and we heard the feedback did we realize just how much God was working in their hearts and they needed this message.  We have been very encouraged to hear so many positive responses.

Tomorrow is part 2 a very practical workshop where we have leaders broken up into groups according to their geographic area.  They will work together to take what was learned today and start action steps for their community.

Please pray for tomorrow's time.  Pray that the pastors will finish strong and that some important seeds will have been planted.

We will finish the Kitale Conference tomorrow and then head to Mt. Elgon for church on sunday and a one day conference on Monday.  Please continue to pray for our strength, health, and joy.

One major blessing is that the internet is so good here that we have both been able to skype with our wives and have no lag in the video/audio quality.

We have had so many prayers answered.  Our travels were long but it is so good to be back in Kenya. The sun, the red dirt, the smell all things that are easily forgotten when living half a world away, but so amazingly refreshed as soon as you step off the plane.

On our layover we were in Amsterdam for 9 hours so we decided to venture into downtown.  Little did we think that we had packed for Africa and Amsterdam was a windy 30 degrees...lets just say we didn't hang around downtown very long before going back to the airport.

Upon arriving in Kenya we hopped onto a small plane to take us up to Kitale.  We landed and were picked up by an old friend Dickson Talam.  It was so good to see him as he is the main organiser of the conference here in Kitale and the first african pastor with whom I spent much time with in 2007.

We rested and went out for a dinner with a bishop who is also a coordinator of the conference.  After a long two days of travel and a meal...we were out cold in our beds.

I thank you for those of you who prayed about my time at the Nairobi airport as that is a particularly horrible place for me everytime I go there. It couldn't have gone any more smooth.

Now we have the daunting task of preparing for the conference that will begin tomorrow (Dec 3) morning. We have been told that a conference like this (teaching about local church collaboration) has never been done and that they are hoping for at least 60-70 pastors to come for the two day conference.

Please pray as our worry and stress is mounting given a big question...is this teaching going to be culturally relevant and what is the best way to communicate it so it is understood.

Over dinner last night we learned about the struggles of kenyan pastoral leadership and that sometimes coming together to serve is more harmful than good if poor leadership commanderes the work.

We appreciate your prayers and look forward to reporting about the conference in Kitale Dec 3 and 4th.

Blessings in Christ.

Sunrise in Kitale, Kenya.  This picture was taken in 2008 the last time that Gary and I were in Kitale, Kenya.  It is a beautiful place. MAP

We are so grateful to be going back to this city. As we prepare to leave there are feelings of excitement to be carrying out God's call on our lives.  There are also nervous feelings as I'm heading back to my least favorite place on this planet--Nairobi Airport.  I've been to Nairobi airport at least 3-4 times and each time I've had major travel issues that have led to dramatically increased blood pressure.

We will be leaving Portland at 4:30pm tonight Monday Nov 29th. We fly direct to Amsterdam where we have a 9 hour layover.  Then we fly direct to Nairobi and arrive at 7:00am Wednesday Dec 1st.   At that point we have a quick turn around in a not so quick culture.  We have to get visas, exit the airport, then walk back in to a small airline that will take us to Kitale at 10:30am.  Please pray for all the travels.

We are very excited to be reunited with many friends from Kitale, some of whom I have known and spent time with since the summer of 2007.  We will be resting for the first day and then start a large conference on December 3rd.

I hope to give regular updates through the blog, but internet is never guaranteed.

We ask for your prayers and nothing more!

God opened the door for me to share a message of grace in the midst of tragedy at a primarily secular conference.  OATH (Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans) is conducting this conference on the University of Portland campus.  I will be sharing once tonight, Thursday, November 4, and twice this coming Sunday.  Will you please pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit?  I want to honor Jesus with integrity and strength.  This is a real honor for a pastor to be asked to speak at this secular event.  It is my hope that God will be honored and the message will stir the hearts of those who attend.

A second speaking opportunity is on November 10^th at a breakfast for Multnomah County leadership (the chair of Multnomah County and several commissioners) and local faith community leaders.  This is an effort on the part of Multnomah County to connect with the faith community for cooperation in dealing with county social issues.  They have asked me to address the need to work together and to create a vision for collaboration.  It is exciting to be a radical Jesus lover given voice in the political arena.  I am fully aware of the tightrope I walk.  Pray for boldness to proclaim Jesus as Lord without alienating the audience.

Much love to you all!

Gary Tribbett

President,
Compassion Connect

On September 7th the Georgine Rice Show invited Compassion Connect to share about the ministry, how it started, and whats on the horizon.

It was a great conversation that highlited churches working together, Multnomah University, and the upcoming events.   Check it out.

Dear LORD,
I’m an intern! I just started a new internship with Compassion Connect, and I am so excited. You know I’ve been interested in this organization for a long time, and now I am actually getting to be a part of what You’re doing through the ministries of Compassion Connect. I feel so privileged! LORD, thank You!
It’s truly amazing all the little things You’ve used to bring me to this place....

Prayer...does it make a difference?  Don't think I have a profound answer for you...only experience.

It hit me upside the head today in a training.  The speaker said first things first organize a prayer team.  He said that was stating the obvious....and we all nodded our heads looking down at the table so we didn't have to make real eye contact.

The Compassion Clinics have prayer teams and that was a fundamental value from the beginning because it was a miraculous work of God in 2006.

But Compassion Connect as an overall organization doesn't have a prayer team...please don't judge us too harshly

That is why I would like to extend an invitation.

We are looking for a Prayer Leader.

• Someone who will cover the ministry in prayer and help others to do the same through email communication.
• This person would communicate with the director to learn of prayer requests and praises on a regular basis.
• Then he/she would communicate that to the people who have said that they want to pray with Compassion Connect.

It isn't time consuming...but it will require a willing heart and a determination to lead through prayer.

Please contact me, we will meet with all interested people and interview.  milan@compassionconnect.com