late nights

Ok. It is 11:22 pm, and I am trying to finish preparation for my online class so that I can focus on my two Kenya classes. Tell me again why I am doing this?

It was a good day for our church—wonderful lunch put forth by our ladies and men at Reese South Plains College. Enjoyed playing with Michael at the lunch. Dang, he’s really that good.

I know that several of the ladies are excited about their Friday retreat. Kristy A. was up late getting ready for it. Her husband sure does a lot of behind the scenes stuff. Thanks, John. I know there are several people who do many things that others don’t see. You need to pick one of those people this weekend and give them a big hug. They deserve that and much more.

Back to the work at hand . . . . .

Dr. Randolph Rogers

Pastor, Shadow Hills Baptist Church

5911 4th St.

Lubbock, TX 79416

806-792-4438

Teaching schedule in Kenya

Got my schedule set for teaching Monday through Friday. Remember, Kenya time is 8 hours ahead, so 8:30 AM will be 12:30 AM for Lubbock.

8:30-9:30 Christian History
9:30-10:30 Chapel
10:30-12:30 Christian History
12:30-2:00 Lunch
2:00-4:00 Gospels
4:00-4:30 Tea Time (not golf, but British afternoon tea)
4:30-5:30 Gospels
5:30 Professor collapses, students have study time
6:30 dinner
7:30-9:30 Library time

I will be able to access the internet and chat nightly through Wayland or Brackenhurst (at least that is what they tell me). So, put the account shbc07@gmail.com or dr.rog@sbcglobal.net down as a friend so we can chat.

Gifts from Texas Christians

My hands are so dry from all the washing--now that I'm on high alert for swine flu. Boy, that stuff is nasty, huh? Had a children's activity cancelled today for the church--ishine--because the leaders were travelling from elsewhere in Texas and didn't want to make the trip or get all of those children together in one place. Part of me feels like everyone is over-reacting. But as a parent, I would rather be safe then sorry--especially with our history of asthma and RSV (ie Matthew).

So, I am thinking of taking a gift to the 24 students I will have, plus the administrators of the university. Some have suggested some Texas style souvenirs, like pens or some-such. I've also wondered about taking some beeds or the colored bracelets (they love bling, ya know). Anyway--does anyone have some suggestions on some cools gifts to take.

By the way, they would love to get personal notes from believers in the US. So, if anyone wants to send a hand-written note, or if a SS class or Bible study wants to send a signed card of encouragement, I would be glad to take it with me.

I see you--or not

So, this Dell laptop of mine is video-camera capable, and they can install them easily. However, when we ordered it (yup, after our first one got stolen in a hotel in Atlanta) we didn't see the need for a camera. Well, now that I'm going to Kenya, it would be nice to do some video conferencing, blogging. etc. But, I got no camera. Any suggestions out there on a good video camera?

I intend to buy it for myself and then donate it to my mother-in-law so she can see her daughter and grand kids via the internet.

Join the discussion at the blog page at www.shbclife.org.

Thanks for your input.

Randy

PS--I need this info quickly--leaving really soon. yikes.

oh yeah. pray i come home with this dell laptop. ha.

Swine flu

So, everyone has something to say about swine flu on the news. This drug-resistant strain is probably more of a health risk to infants and elderly than anything, and of course those with respiratory illnesses and problems. So it is a serious health issue. It has me wondering about a couple of things.

First of all, that would not be fun--travelling half way around the world and getting nailed by a serious flu bug--and then passing it around.

Secondly, and even worse--getting held in a London airport for who knows how long passing through a quarantine because I'm from Texas--although I am currently six hours from any know Swine Flu cases. Passing through the Dallas Airport will probably not help my case.

Pray for smooth travel and now flu-like illnesses.

What an impact

I just found out that I am going to have 24 students in both of my classes in Kenya. That should make for very constructive group discussion time--guess I better get back to preparing my lectures. . . . .

The most I've had in one class at WBU in Lubbock is 17 for a NT History course.

It is exciting to think that Wayland is making this kind of impact on the Christian work in Kenya. I am so thrilled to be a part of it. I can't wait to meet the students and share in this experience with them.

Thank you, SHBC, for allowing to represent you.

Tylenol PM anyone?

Ever tried to sleep on a plane? I know some people can do it--but not me. Always got stuff on my mind. And I have a lot of prep to still do. It will be tough to sleep.

I have made this trip twice before, and didn't sleep at all either time. The first trip I made when I was a sophomore in high school, I'll never forget the sound or the commotion. We left Dallas and flew to Atlanta for training. After two days, we boarded our plane for Africa. The flight was not full, so we all though we would be able to spread out and relax. As soon as the plane left the ground in Atlanta, the fasten seat belt sign went off. It sounded like this huge rustling forest behind me. All of the seats behind us were immediately taken by experienced travellers who laid down and proceeded to sleep for the next 10 hours. I was so jealous that I was stuck between two guys for the whole flight--bad movies, food, and all.

So, this time I want to sleep, especially on the first leg when it will be night time for me anyway. Tylenol PM, anyone?

So, what I am looking at is two 9-hour plane flights within a 2 day span. I am leaving on a Friday, in the morning. I will be arriving in Dallas, where I will wait for a couple hours before I board a plane to London. I will spend 4 more hours in London waiting to travel to Nairobi, Kenya. After another 8.5 hours, I will arrive late Saturday night, Kenya time (which will be 8 hours behind our own time).

Doing the math, that will be approximately 26 hours in transit to get to Limuru, Kenya and Brackenhurst.

Tylenol PM. Here I come . . . z z z z z z z z

mp3 player

Now that I have another class to prepare for I think I know what I will doing on the majority of the plane ride to Kenya. Reading up on church history for starters. However, I am going to need some music to take with me. So, now is the time to venture into MP3 players. Anyone have any adivce on an MP3 player? I want one that easily downloads onto my computer--wireless would be nice if not too pricey--and I want one that will allow me to play songs in my car (FM tuner). What else do I need? And where do you find one for a good price?

Now there is more to do

Well, I have been so busy trying to be a pastor and prepare for the trip I haven't had time to really post anything.

I found out Saturday (April 25th) that the professor who was handling the other May term class in Kenya is not available to teach. So, Wayland asked if I could teach Christian History. I said I could--and now I am scrambling to pull together notes, etc. I know--don't feel sorry for me--I said I would do it. I'm excited to have the opportunity to teach Christian History--so we'll see how it goes. This will be a test for my voice--6 hours of teaching a day. Wow--that's a sobering thought.

Please pray for my continued preparation. Shots are done. Passport is in hand. Packing is beginning. Money is coming together. Less than 2 weeks away.

Continue to pray for my family.

And pray for my endurance now that I am teaching two classes. This is going to be fun.

Brackenhurst:

Brackenhurst is located in Limuru, Kenya, about 30 minutes NW of Nairobi, Kenya and about 6000-8000 ft above sea level. You can actually spy out the location on Google Earth. Search for "Brackenhurst" or Limuru and it will take you to the compound and even show some pictures. The Wayland Baptist University Website also contains some information about the Brackenhurst Compound. See http://www.wbu.edu/kenya/about_wbu_kenya/brackenhurst/default.htm. In addition, there is a website for the Brackenhurst Compound that shows the layout of the housing and rooms. It really is a beautiful location and blessing for missionaries and others who use it. See www.brackenhurst.com for pics and a history of this Christian compound.

I am looking forward to staying there and sending photos of my own for all to see.

Third time to Kenya

I have been to Kenya twice before. Once, briefly, on my first trip to Kenya and Uganda back in 1984 when I was a sophomore in high school. On that trip we spent a week in Kenya prior to our month long stay in Jinja, Uganda. I did not realize just how difficult a trip we took, too young to know better. I went with a group called Global Outreach, and we spent a month teaching Ugandans how to play organized basketball, and we sponsored revivals and preaching engagements as well. It was a wonderful trip for me, although the majority of students from the states swore they would never do it again. I fell in love with mission travel on this trip--and I've had the desire to go abroad ever since.

The second trip we went to Kisumu, Kenya in 1991 to plant a new Baptist church and train local pastors for a month. I went with several students and professors from Criswell Bible College. Again, I had a wonderful time (would have been better if I had not gotten stomach sick).

The first two trips are related in this way. The second trip was based on a Macedonian Call from Kenya. A young man had received a tract about the Gospel and prayed to become a Christian. He sent a letter to Criswell College explaining to them what had happened. He had their address from the tract. The only other time tracts from Criswell College had been distributed in that part of Kenya was on the previous trip in 1984. So, I wanted to go back a second time and see the results of the first trip. The irony is this: we didn't even go to Kisumu the first time--we only stayed there one night.

So, here I am planning to take another trip to Kenya, this time in a fairly controlled environment, if such such a thing exists in Africa. I am very grateful to Wayland Baptist University and the Kenyan Baptist Theological College for providing the opportunity. This is one of the reasons why I felt God wanted me to obtain a PhD: to train people all over the world for the preaching of the Gospel, and to give accreditation to the education process by having my "terminal" degree (insert your own joke here about terminal degrees.)

Because of the university location, I won't be travelling near as much as I did the last time. But I am looking forward to getting to know fellow pastors in that part of the world. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet a pastor who is working in the Kisumu area and has been impacted by the two previous trips I've been on. Now, that would be something . . . .

Biblical Illiteracy and Worship

I've heard it for years now: The old hymns have so much more theology and scripture in them. The new songs have no depth.

And the complaints go on.

So, today I read in the Baptist Standard: "The widely observed decline in biblical literacy among American Christians has paralleled a growing interest in developing new and enriched ways of worshipping. 'How can these two event--biblical illiteracy and a great passion for worship--be happening at the same time?' asked [Christopher] Teichler who teaches at an evangelical university in the Chicago area and blogs on music issues."

Great question. I have never thought of it in these terms--a relationship between worship and biblical illiteracy. In my Bible learning days, most of what I really learned about scripture was done on Sunday nights and in Sunday school. The worship event itself was more about music and experience. I have to admit that I remember very few things from the mouth of Dr. Criswell (could this be God's protection?). However, I remember many things from Sunday School teachers, discipleship leaders, and peer group discussions. Truly, all of the foundations set in my youth finally found realization in college classes and bible study. So for me, I find it difficult to be critical of modern worship in terms of biblical illiteracy.

Then, the article drops the bombshell: "If biblical literacy is so low at this point in Western history, then the God of the Bible is not the god being worshipped but rather a shallow and incomplete version of him."

OUCH!!!

I don't think it has much to do with worship style as much as it has to do with the overall culture that permeates our society. If we are not worshipping God, but a god who is shallow and incomplete, then it permeates all of our church culture and program and relationships, not just worship. Don't blame the upbeat, simple music of the day. Blame the upbeat, simple discipleship that our marketers tell us we need in order to grow churches. And blame ourselves for buying into a simple, easy Gospel. Now, I don't think we need to weigh people down with burdens we ourselves don't intend to carry. However, don't we all need to bear the cross? I do not want to be ashamed of the Gospel, but we all need to address what is at the heart of our Gospel. If we argue that we only need to carry part of the cross, or none of it, in order to follow Christ, then don't blame the music. We obviously need to read the Bible more and be obedient to it, regardless of the songs we sing.

Bottom line: if our music is shallow, it is a reflection of deeper problem--our discipleship is shallow.

Pray for Revival for all involved--and get involved

Thank you, Robert, for your comment on the impact of this trip on pastor and church. I hope my trip will be an inspiration for all involved. I am so looking forward to sitting with my brothers and sisters in Christ in Kenya and hearing their stories of salvation and calling. I anticipate a very humbling experience when I consider their Christianity apart from my Western materialism. I am praying now that my cultural baggage will be at a minimum while I communicate the biblical material necessary for the class.

If there is any revival to be had, it must begin in us as we pray.

So pray, pray, pray! Pray for me as I travel--that God will be my guide and that my voice will be his. Pray for my family--for safety, sanity, and peace. Pray for the Wayland Campus in Kenya--that communication will not be a problem, that the Bible will be opened up in new ways for professor and students, and that the local Christians will be encouraged beyond measure as spend an intense amount of time in the scripture together. Pray also that SHBC will engage this opportunity and see how wonderful the challenge of missions is.

Thanks be to God for leaders who have already gone before us to make this type of opportunity possible. May he continue to use his people for his glory.

Preparation Time for Kenya

Now that I got the shots out of the way (and I did have very slight flu-like symptoms for most of the day yesterday) I can focus on preparing for my teaching assignment and packing.

As far as teaching goes, I am trying to finish up a syllabus for the class and get it emailed. I keep getting interrupted by ministry (funny huh). We are receiving Angel Food Orders left and right today, and that ministry continues to grow.

Special thanks to Cheryl B and Kathy C for their hard work on that--by the way.

So, if I can ever get this syllabus done, then I can start thinking about packing.

It is going to be the rainy season (they are right near the equator, so they don't really have four seasons). The average temperature is going to be 75 during the day and 50 at night. Average rainfall will be 2-4 inches for the month. The elevation is around 5,000 feet, so it can be arid and cool at night. This is toward the end of the rainy season, so hopefully the rains will be slacking off some. This up and down temps means a need for different types of clothing, including jackets and such. The class rooms are open air (there are some pictures on the Wayland Baptist web site www.wbu.edu under the campus section). And I don't have any idea if they have projectors available. I do know that I will need to bring printed notes for the students and all visual aids and study guides before I come. That is going to be one heavy suitcase (yes, I am going to try to pack just one suit case).

Why? The last time I went, I packed too many clothes. I got sick just lugging around unnecessary things. Most of the people I will work with have far fewer clothes than I have, so having fewer things to wear won't be a problem. Fitting in and identifying with the culture are two things that I think are essential to good communication. Plus, I need room for that jar of peanut butter and that box of beef jerky I am taking--a little comfort food.

Preparation Time for Easter

So, last night was a wonderful service. Lord's Supper. Remembering Christ's sacrifice. Seeing is innocence on the cross. Watching his patience and integrity in such brutal circumstances.

All I can say is WOW, what a wonderful savior.

I've been shot!

Finally got in to see the nurse--turns out a little communication between receptionist and nurse and doctor would have gotten me in alot sooner. Ah, yes. Another lesson in the importance of good communication.

So, now I am vaccinated for Yellow Fever, Polio (booster), Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Whooping cough) booster, and Hepatitis A. The price wasn't cheap, but prevention is worth a ton of cure (or however that saying goes). And it only took me 2 hours--again.

Have you ever looked at the side effects on these things?

Yellow Fever--soreness, fever aches that may last 5-10 days. Some experience life threatening allergies and nervous system reactions that can cause organ failure (1 in 300,000). Of those suffering organ failure, half die.

Hepatitis A--soreness, headache, loss of appetite (maybe not a bad thing); possible severe allergic reaction.

Tetanus, etc--fever, redness, swelling, tenderness, possible vomiting, fatigue; moderate symptoms include seizures and high fever; severe problems include allergic reactions that lead to seizures, coma, and brain damage.

So, sounds like the most dangerous part of the trip might already be under way.

So far, no allergic reactions--although come see what I look like Sunday--could be rather funny. Come to think of it, my nose is running. . . . maybe it is the 50 mph winds and New Mexican dust that is blowing by . . . .

Just Shoot Me

One of the problems with going overseas is getting ready. I always have this feeling I am forgetting something.

Having been on several overseas trips, I have had my share of vaccinations. Seems like I never remember to keep that record of shots, though. So, I go to my doctor last Friday to get shots. I pay my co-pay and wait an hour and a half, only to find out that there are several seriously ill patients and no rooms available. And I had an appointment too!

So, I went to the local minor emergency clinic, thinking I could in, get shots, and be done. Another hour and a half later I finally get in to see the doctor and get prescriptions. He's done this before with several churches, and he's recommended as knowing what he is doing. Then I get word that the nurses cannot confirm that the insurance will cover the cost.

So, I have to wait until yesterday. I went into the clinic, sat for another hour(silly me, thinking you can get in for shots after already having seen the doctor and gotten the medicine ordered). They did confirm one thing: insurance will not cover the cost. Since I was picking up kids from school, I leave again without any shots and little more frustration.

Maybe God's getting me ready for "African" time . . . .

Going to Kenya

Greetings friends! I have some wonderful news. I have been asked by Wayland Baptist University to go to Nairobi, Kenya to teach their May semester for three weeks. I will teaching students who are enrolled in Associates degrees and also BA degrees. I am really looking forward to this journey. I am especially excited about meeting Kenyan pastors and hearing their stories of salvation and their Christian experiences. i expect to learn as much, or more, from them.

I will be teaching a class on the Gospels. It will be interesting to see the cultural differences and perspectives as well.

Thanks for all your prayers and support in this matter.

Pray especially for my family while I am gone!

More later,

Randy