Hands Held, Hearts Changed: God’s Power in an African Mission
Video Transcript
Hello everyone, my name is David Erhart, founder of Christianity Engaged. I recently went on an 18-day mission trip in partnership with Growing in Grace Ministries Africa. This was an eye-opening and truly life-changing experience that I would like to share with you. I hope to encourage you to go on a mission trip someday… and more importantly, to live your life like you’re on a mission every day.
Hands Held, Hearts Changed: God's Power in an African Mission
What if a smile at the right moment could change someone’s life? What if the love of God could be felt through the hand of a child? What if you could have an impact far greater than you could possibly imagine? This isn’t just my story—it’s an invitation for you to see how God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
God’s Heart in the Hand of a Child
The kids in Africa stole my heart the very first day. They were playing in this grassy field by the church. As I stood close by, the little ones would come up to me, one by one, their eyes filled with innocence and curiosity. The first one grabbed my hand, walk with me a few steps, and then ran along to play. And then the next one would do it. And the next after that. It’s as if they saw a father figure in me… or they sensed a love that crossed cultural and language barriers. It was true. God gave me His heart for the people of Africa, but especially the kids. It was absolutely effortless to love them like they were my children. By the second day, they would give me a hug and sit on my lap, and do all the things that my kids did when they were little.
One morning, in my quiet time at the hotel, I was reflecting on the five love languages and how God expresses each of them to us. There are numerous Biblical examples of words of affirmation… gifts… acts of service… and quality time… When I considered physical touch, I thought, “This is the one love language that we don’t experience with God on this side of heaven the way the disciples did.” But at that moment, God spoke to my heart. He said, “This week, I touched you through the hand of a child.” This realization was a bit overwhelming. I really did feel the love of God through them, and I know they did through me as well.
Who is God calling you to love today?
A Call to Teach, A Call to Serve
Led by my dear friend, Pastor Isaack, Growing in Grace Ministries Africa organized two powerful conferences: a leadership conference in Eldoret, Kenya, and a mission in the hills of Bukwo, Uganda. I was the keynote speaker for both conferences and was entrusted with sharing God’s Word for at least three hours a day over 10 days. I also had the privilege of giving the Sunday Sermon at both locations following each conference. The Holy Spirit moved powerfully, and many lives were transformed.
Transforming Lives Through God’s Word
On the first day, I gave my testimony and then established a firm foundation in God’s Word. I shared the Secret Combination to Unlock Understanding the Bible, where we learned how to navigate through the Bible to better understand it’s structure. I then provided an Overview of the Entire Bible so we can see the story of God’s redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation.
In the days that followed, we reviewed the Roman Road, a set of scriptures found in the book of Romans that teach us how to be saved, followed by the Galatian Road, a set of scriptures found in the Book of Galatians that teach us how to live the Christian Life now that we are born-again.
We then took a deep dive into each of the Galatian Road verses and the underlying concepts they represent, starting with Galatians 2:16 and what it means to be Justified by Faith, and not by works. We talked about the stumbling block of legalism. We explored Galatians 2:20 and what it means to be Crucified with Christ or to die to self, ending with a beautiful analogy of surrender from My Heart Christ’s Home. With Galatians 5:16, we learned how to Walk in the Spirit, and that when we do, we will not carry out the desires of the flesh.
Rather than concluding the Galatian Road with the Fruit of the Spirit, we first explored My Place in God’s Plan—a lesson that reveals the many ways in which God has made Himself known and entrusted the Church with part of that mission. We then discovered two unique ways God has empowered the Church to reveal Himself through the Holy Spirit: by producing spiritual fruit and by using our gifts to build up the Body of Christ. Thus, we launched into a detailed study of Fruit of the Spirit, and Spiritual Gifts.
These are the topics I covered in more than 30 hours of teaching in Africa. How can you go deeper in your understanding of God’s Word?
An Eternal Harvest: Salvations, Baptisms, and Discipleship
The conferences in Kenya and Uganda drew over 200 attendees each day. 73 people committed their lives to Christ, and 38 new believers were baptized, and committed to ongoing discipleship with Growing in Grace Ministries Africa.
The fruit keeps coming in. There are people who were not present at either conference, who have been introduced to this YouTube channel by those in attendance, and as a result, have given their lives to Christ, joined Growing in Grace Community Church, and are being disciples by Pastor Isaack.
Friends, missions aren’t just for pastors, teachers, and evangelists. I had just as much of an impact without speaking a word. And you can, too!
The Ripple Effect: How Small Acts of Love Can Change Lives
One morning, I was looking out my hotel window at the city of Eldoret, and I was reminded of 2 Peter 3:9 and God’s desire for all to come to repentance. The Lord spoke to my heart. He said, “I want you to show My love to every person you meet.” From that moment on, I made it my mission to radiate God’s love to everyone I encountered, even if with just a smile and a wave to someone on the side of the road while driving to the conference.
I made friends with motorcycle taxi drivers, the hotel staff, pastors, doctors, and numerous others. I keep in touch with many of these people on WhatsApp and several of them have joined Growing in Grace Community Church and are being discipled by Pastor Isaack.
I went to the store almost every day and got various treats to pass out at the conference. I learned how to say, “God loves you” and “God bless you” in Swahili as I passed out candy, biscuits or ice cream. When I would say this, their faces would brighten, and they would say, “Amen!”
There were over 50 kids at the conference that would play in the grass for 8-10 hours a day without a single toy. Oner day, I bought them two soccer balls. You would have thought I gave them a million dollars. I can’t describe their gratitude. From that day forward, they would play soccer all day, every day, and never get tired.
This is Evelyn. I call her Eve. She is the housekeeper at the hotel where I was staying. One day, she was sweeping this large surface area with a broom without a handle. She would hold the mangled straw with one hand and bend over to sweep the floor. My heart broke for her back.
I told my companions I wanted to buy her a broom. One of the reverends said to me, “David, this is missions. This is just as important as your teaching.” His words provided confirmation that I was fulfilling God’s calling. I can’t describe how thankful she was. Look what she did to the towels on my bed to express her gratitude.
One evening, Pastor Isaack, and his wife, Emma, hosted all of the speakers for an amazing dinner. I bought her some flowers as a gift. This photo was taken several weeks later when I was already back home. Pastor Isaack told me that these flowers left her speechless and touched her in profound way. He said these flowers are the most memorable gift she has ever received.
I share these stories to illustrate the massive impact that a small act of love can have.
What simple acts of kindness can you do today?
Strength in Weakness: Depending on God’s Power
This mission trip was life-changing for me in so many ways. I received personal and intimate words from the Lord almost every day. I felt God’s love through the children. I reflected God’s love to the people I encountered. And I witnessed the power of God’s Word transform many lives. But perhaps the greatest transformation took place in me.
My dependence on the Lord was put to the test in Uganda. I woke up in the morning on the second day, and I could barely stand. I could barely talk. I felt so sick and weak… and I was in a lot of pain. I felt like I got hit by a car… and I know what that feels like. I can almost deadlift 400 pounds and I could barely carry my backpack. I almost cried carrying it up that hill to the church.
I had no idea how I was going to speak for 3 hours day, but I had tremendous peace. I knew God wasn’t pacing back and forth stressed out in heaven because of my condition. I felt led to downplay my sickness to my companions, and follow through with my speaking commitment for the day. I drew inspiration from 2 Corinthians 12, where the Apostle Paul asks God to remove this thorn in his flesh that was given to keep him from being prideful from receiving these profound revelations. God lovingly told him, “no.” He said, “My power is made perfect in your weakness.” The Apostle Paul, bless his heart, fully embraced this message. He said, “well in that case, I will rejoice in my weaknesses. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
I’m not always like this, but God is changing me. That’s exactly what I did that morning. I praised God and thanked Him for making me so weak so that He can display His strength in me and so that I could learn to be more dependent on Him. I told Jesus, “I need you to utter every single word because I can’t do it.”
I almost cried carrying my backpack up that hill to the church. I could barely stand… and as soon as I reached that podium and started speaking the pain went away. It was one of the most Spirit-filled, impactful messages I have ever given in my entire life. Pastor Isaack, in his report, after the conference wrote, “It was a truly divine experience—his face seemed to shine like that of an angel as he ministered to us. His message deeply resonated with everyone present, leaving us inspired and spiritually uplifted.” As soon as I was done speaking, the pain returned. The next day, I felt considerably better, though I struggled with some mild congestion the rest of the week.
In what ways can you rely on God’s strength in your weakness?
Joy, Generosity, and Humility: The People of Africa
The people of Africa amazed me with their joy, humility, and kindness. Though many live in poverty, they radiate happiness that isn’t tied to material wealth and are far more joyful than most people.
I would try to find ways to demonstrate humility and serve them. This became increasingly difficult because they would beat me to every opportunity every time. One day, Reverend David offered to carry my bags. I politely thanked him and declined, to which, I forget exactly what he said, but he made it abundantly clear 1) this was happening, and 2) it was his pleasure. They just have hearts of gold.
They showed brotherly love and extreme generosity in ways that were beyond moving. One man, inspired by my teaching, walked 10 kilometers to and from the conference every day. And on the last day, he gave me a gift, which happened to be one of his most valuable, life-sustaining possessions—his chicken. It was an act of tremendous sacrifice and love.
This incredible couple has a powerful prayer ministry. They would pray for people for hours, even if it meant skipping a meal. They were a tremendous blessing to so many, including me.
There isn’t enough time to share the stories of all the wonderful people I met in Africa.
How can you, like them, demonstrate humility, generosity and love to those around you?
The Mission Continues: Your Invitation to Impact Eternity
I wish there was more time to tell you about the food, the economy, the worship—even the bathrooms. Did you know there is a food dish made out of corn maize, called ugali, that is so important to Kenyan culture, if a Kenyan invites another Kenyan over for dinner and does not serve ugali, the invited guest will likely be offended and never come back! Did you know in Uganda, they can cook bananas to make them taste like potatoes?
Missions will change the way you see the world, the gospel, and your place in God’s plan. You will meet people with different languages and cultures than yours, but by God’s grace, you will love them like a brother and sister in Christ, and be used by God in powerful ways.
I strongly encourage you to prayerfully consider going on a mission trip. But know this: you don’t need to travel to the other side of the world to get involved. The opportunity to make an impact for eternity is right in front of you, each and every day.
Africa changed me forever. But this mission isn’t just mine—it’s yours too. God is calling you to love, to serve, and to make an impact for His Kingdom. Will you answer the call? Your mission starts now—will you say yes?
I hope this video was a blessing to you. Subscribe and click the bell to be notified when we release new videos. Like and share our videos with your family and friends. And if you are able, please consider financially supporting our ministry at ChristianityEngaged.org/donate.
And finally, we are raising funds to purchase a much-needed ministry van for Pastor Isaack and send pastors in Africa to seminary. If you would like to contribute to either of these causes, details are in the video description. Even a small gift can make a life-changing difference.
From all of us at Christianity Engaged, may God bless you abundantly as you step into His calling and the mission He has prepared just for you.
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