"The People of Mailisaba"

 

Butch and Laurie Mims and their son Dean, missionaries to Kenya had fallen in love with the ministry of the Baptist Children's Center.  God had lead them to this place almost from the beginning of their time in Nairobi.  Soon they would sense God's call to this place and to these children. Butch began to go out each week and teach a bible study to the children, which led to a more personal involvement with the children and the orphanage's director, Pastor David Kiatu.  Through these relationships God began to discern His Will for Butch and his family.   So it was natural for them to pray for ways that they could help these children and the people in the surrounding area of Mailisaba.  Working through their home church, First Baptist of Carrollton, Texas, the Mims began to plan for a medical team to come to Mailisaba. They knew that the needs of the people would be great, and that these needs would be both physical and spiritual.  But their prayers had given them peace and direction.  They knew that their home church was focused on missions around the world, and that God would put together a team of dedicated and focused Christians.  The Mims, Pastor Kiatu and the staff of the Baptist Children's Center were following God's lead and direction.

 

The team was formed through First Baptist Carrollton and various churches from the southwest and southeastern part of the United States .  The medical team was lead by Dr. Ann Arnold, with the evangelistic team being led by Associate Pastor Wade Longerier from First Baptist Carrollton.

 

According to the Regional Volunteer Office, this was the largest team to work in this area in over 50 years.  The team included three interns, three pediatricians, one infectious doctor, one oral surgeon, one dentist, eight nurses and one pharmacist.  The rest of the team was made up of evangelist and church members from several churches in the southwestern and southeastern parts of the United States .  Through these volunteers there were as many as 700 people seen in a single day.  Each taken care of medically, and spiritually, each treated physically, but then prayed for and witness to by this team.  Dr. Ann Arnold, said "Once I knew that God was calling me to take this trip, I began to ask various people to go.  Everyone I ask agreed to go!"  She said, " In addition the outpouring of gifts and donations from friends and colleagues was unbelievable.  Over $20,000.00 was raised!"

 

Once they arrived at the Baptist Children's Center, they immediately set up various clinics that would deal with everything from the most serious diseases to dental work. 

 

Pastor Kiatu said, "I know how poor this community is, there are so many people who are sick, especially children.  We have seen over 700 people, just in one day.  I have seen these wonderful servants of God treat these people both physically and spiritually.  I have seen and experienced much more than I could have expected.  We are really seeing God's Hands at work through these volunteers."

 

Pastor Longerier, said, " I have never seen anything like this in my eight years of being involved in missions work around the world.  Words and pictures cannot describe the spiritual, physical and emotional needs that we are seeing here.  I really believe that through medical needs of these people God is giving us a platform to reach these people for Christ!"

For Butch, Laurie and Dean, it was seeing and knowing God's faithfulness that has been the greatest blessing.  They now know that it was God's will to bring them to Kenya and to the Baptist Children's Center.  They are continuing to follow the Lord's leading in their lives, and they know that God has even greater blessings for them for the Christian family that is the Baptist Children's Center of Nairobi , and for the people of Mailisaba.

 

For the volunteer team, they are excited about what God has planned for them next.  They feel the tremendous blessings that have come from His ministering to the needs of the people of Mailisaba, as well as, His ministering to them as they followed God in Mailisaba.  God is Moving and Blessing through volunteer teams, as they come and share the good news of Jesus Christ in the Central, Eastern and Southern Regions of Africa.