Into Africa
Vickie Parfitt, parent, staff member, and Africa mission team member
In Chasing Daylight, Erwin McManus states, “When you seize divine moments, you instigate an atomic reaction. You become a human catalyst creating a divine impact.”
In February, Landmark carried this vision across the ocean, desiring to impact students in Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya, for Jesus Christ. Teaming up with the Source of Light Ministries of East Africa for a ten day mission trip over winter break, the Landmark group ministered in the Kibera slums, one prison, and eighteen local schools, sharing drama, music, and the gospel to over 6,000 students.
Source of Light Ministries of East Africa is an independent faith mission which uses the medium of printed Bible lessons to spark evangelism, discipleship, and church planting throughout Kenya. Landmark provided the first high school group to team up with Source of Light in visiting the schools of Nairobi and Mombasa. In addition to sharing the gospel through drama and music, Landmark students shared their testimonies and personal stories of how God had worked in their lives, encouraging Kenyan students and showing them that, despite living conditions, youth have much in common world-wide. While visiting students in the Kibera slums, Landmark students had the privilege of assisting in the afternoon feeding of over 500 children.
The Landmark team consisted of students Amanda Archer, Kristin Haner, Amanda Gilkeson, Bradley Eisenberg, Michael Coons, and East Coweta student David Singleton, along with Landmark staff: Kenny Dallas, Fred Gilkeson, Vickie Parfitt, and Mike Titus. We each accepted the challenge to go, stepped out in obedience, and traveled with the reality of uncertainty - but the confidence of God’s sovereignty. Our rewards seemed ten-fold of the work we did there: the kindness and love of the Kenyan people has left an imprint on our hearts forever; salvation decisions were made; and many new relationships were born. The team members all agreed that their lives were forever touched and changed by joining God in this great adventure into Africa.
This article was originally published in Landmark's January 2006 "LCS Connection."