MOMBASA HERE WE GO!!

 

It’s been 347 days since the Mombasa retreat was conceived as an opportunity for the Hill Voices Choir in the SWOT analysis exercise held on October 20^th 2022. Today marks the beginning of the end, that is, the final week of the planning and the actual retreat week. As at today, we have 4 days to the retreat, I mean 4 days!! Yaani, 1-2-3-4…(You can actually count with your fingers).

As the word of God would say, “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning” (Ecclesiastes 7:8), for sure we are almost into the “better” part. This wouldn’t have been on sight if the LORD was not on our side, and as the Psalmist would write…”If it had not been the LORD who was on our side – Let Israel now say…” (Psalms 124:1). I would like to sincerely thank God for His awesomeness in allowing all that has happened so far (with regards to the planning). He has provided the health, sanity and resources to us and through us thus enabling everything to happen that has happened.

Truly, all of us have been used of God in this. If it were possible, I would have named each and every choir member by name. Thus, as you read this, feel appreciated wherever you are and may God fulfil Philippians 4:19 to you (Please read it). Recounting, a lot has gone into this: individual financial sacrifice, communal (harambee) financial contributions, consecutive leadership meetings, weekly online meetings by the Events Committee members, prayers by choir members…so on and so forth. We thank God for all of this, and thanks to everyone.

I am aware that a lot of expectations exist in our midst as we head for the retreat. I can sample just but a few: Perhaps someone might have never been to the Coast and is happy in anticipation of his/her maiden coastal tour; How about a night of train travel, singing, chatting and laughing the entire night?..(sounds good, huh!!); Swimming in the sunny sandy beach; Writing  someone’s name on sand; Watching the sunset over the ocean; Trying out tasty meals; breaking off from work; enhancing friendships…etc. In view of the aforementioned, you may be having all, some or even yet none of these expectations. Mine is to just wish you all the best, since I can neither add nor subtract to any of your expectations.

I would like to to introduce us to the retreat theme – “Aligned in Christ”. Are you truly aligned in Christ?..(Pause  & reflect..”Selah”). John 15:5 states “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Jesus is calling us to abide in Him and He will abide in us. Perhaps you have wandered further away from Christ. Are you weary from you burdens (sin or any troubles)? Jesus is calling you to rest, please bring your burdens (to Jesus) and surely He won’t turn you away – John 6:37: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

Truly Christ is faithful to His promise of John 15:7 “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Abiding in His word means obedience to His commands. The Great Commandment given by Jesus is that of LOVE (Matthew 22: 37-40), where He further affirms that on this, the whole Law is summarized:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. “

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

My prayer for the Choir is that is that of 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you). As we go for the retreat, may we take time to open up to each other, forgive one another, confess our sins to each other (James 5:16) and pray for one another. May we aim to achieve the following:

·       Create bonds out of the normal choir practice or rather usual church set up

·       Celebrate our diversity and inclusiveness – make each other feel part of the choir (as we are made of many parts but created to fit in one body of Christ)

·       Celebrate serving Christ in oneness.

 

Let’s pray for our upcoming trip, as our prayers availeth much (James 5:16-17), not because of our goodness but because of our righteousness that is founded in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). God has enabled us to plan and I believe He has established and will establish our steps (Proverbs 16:9). We have the victory which belongs to God. (Proverbs 21:31).

 

Yours truly and by: Edwin.

*All Biblical quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV).