If there is one thing that continues to amaze me in my travels it is the impact that our church is having all around the world.  Let me give you four quick stories that give you a glimpse into what I am talking about. 

I have a friend here at Tenwek who works in the nutrition department.  She is Kenyan and has a heart and passion to reach people for Jesus.  She related to me that she was studying in India in the early and mid-1990's and happened to hear about a pastors and leaders conference hosted by my dad in New Dehli.  She told how she went to the sessions, was encouraged and taught God's Word and that FOR YEARS after, Lakewood would send books and tapes to teach her God's Word and encourage her in her walk with the Lord.  She said, "We were believers, we just didn't know how to grow in our faith and mature and become strong in our walk with the Lord.  The teaching of Pastor John Osteen is what helped us.  And we would pass those books and tapes around so that they helped so many people all around this area."   Now this lady regularly travels back to India to reach people with the Good News and to teach them to grow in their walk with God. 

Our young adult ministry, Canvas (see above) recently returned from near Kakamega, Kenya where they had been working with a ministry under the leadership of Paul Ligono.  Paul is Kenyan, from that area who was (and still is) a long-time Lakewood member.  Paul grew up under the ministry of my father.  Paul has a heart for the world.  Several years ago, God called him back to his people to build a school and church and Bible school.  He obeyed, came back to Kenya and has an incredible work in and near his childhood home.  He is making a huge difference for the Kingdom.  After our young people spent several days with Paul, they told me, "we have a new hero in the faith—Paul Ligono".  Paul related how many years ago my mom had given him money for his outreach and how he still cherishes a letter from my dad where Daddy told him "as soon as my kidneys are better, I want to come see you in Kenya."  Daddy never got to come, but a team from Lakewood did.   It was such a surprise for Paul when I called my mom on the phone back in the states and she greeted and encouraged him.  One of the "sons" of Lakewood, doing what God called him to do to reach the world for Jesus. 

I mentioned Pastor Elijah Bett and his work at Mosop orphanage.  I spent most of one morning recently visiting with Elijah.  He told me how many times the pressures of ministry can lead to discouragement.  And he related that when he is discouraged he listens to the only CD from Lakewood Church and Joel that he owns—from 2003.  And the message always lifts him and always encourages him and always gives him strength to persevere.  I asked him the title, he didn't remember, but he said, "I remember the stories.  Especially the one about the man who was fishing, and he would throw away the big fish and keep the small ones.  When someone asked him why, he said it was because he only had a small frying pan!"   Elijah went on to say, "Paul, I've thrown away my small frying pan, I am fishing for big fish now.  God has enlarged my vision for Mosop."

One message from seven years ago that is still making a difference here in far western Kenya.  How overjoyed Elijah was when one of our guys gave him a CD with dozens of Joel's messages!

One final reflection, as my family and I were leaving a guesthouse in Nairobi this past weekend, I noticed a young man who was a guard sitting in a small guard station at the gate.  He was holding a book in his hands.  When I got closer, I noticed it was Joel's book (see pic) and it was worn and tattered and obviously had been rained on.  I asked him where he got it.  He told me a friend had loaned it to him and that he was reading the book "to get closer to God, and to be encouraged in his faith."   I don't think I'll soon forget the mental image of that tattered book and the thought of how many hands had held that one book and how many eyes had read that one book.  And I am almost certain that each person that had held that book and read that book had been encouraged to be closer to God and each person had been encouraged in his/her faith. 

What a privilege to be a part of a ministry that is continuing the legacy of reaching people with the Good News about  Jesus.

Paul

Guard with Pastor Joel's book