Mission to Kenya, February 2006
In February, 2006, we took a team of seventeen from our church on a mission trip to Kenya. Some of our team members had been on previous mission trips to the Philippines or other locations and for some it was their first experience on the mission field. For everyone, it was their first trip to Africa - and it was exciting.
Bishop Opicho had been ministering in our church every year for the previous five years. From the first time we met we became family - there was an instant connection. And our church had been anxious to return the favor and come minister in his country. The people on our team came from a variety of backgrounds and each one brought something unique to the trip. We had evangelists, teachers, medical personnel with lots of supplies, ministers for children, seamstresses to teach vocational training, and intercessors. Everyone on the team did double and triple duty, helping each other out where needed.
This had to be one of the greatest mission trips we’ve experienced. Kenya is truly a place where “the fields are white unto harvest.” The people of Kenya are open and eager to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We witnessed literally hundreds of people healed, saved and delivered.
Every member of our team was forever changed by what they experienced on this trip. Each person not only bore witness to the hundreds of healings and salvations, but they also lived it and experienced God working His mighty power through them. Each person brought back an increased measure of faith, an increased anointing, increased compassion, and a desire to do more for God. They will never be the same and our church will never be the same.
Bishop Opicho and his team in Kenya were absolutely incredible. They have a strong desire to build close and lasting relationships and there has developed a real sense of family between our churches. Their experience in ministry and in working with missionaries was invaluable. They knew what to do and how to get it done. They took great care of us. We even had a day to go shopping and to visit a game park.
If you’ve never had the opportunity to have the Bishop minister in your church, I strongly encourage you to contact him to arrange for a preaching engagement. He never comes to America with a “blanket” message to share in all the churches. He will bring your congregation a “Right Now” word from Heaven that will build-up, encourage, and fire-up your congregation. He is an incredibly anointed man of God.
In His Service,
Verne Wright
Senior Pastor
Shiloh Tabernacle
