Photo - Stan speaks to 200 youth in Kisumu - Dec 2003 - two weeks before he was ambushed.

He would do it all again.

And if he could have

recovered enough to be set

in a wheelchair, paralyzed,

Stan would not have chosen a flight home.

He'd have taught the class!

SPECIAL GO! OUTREACH ARTICLE FOR APRIL 2004

by Stanley Westrom

Who Is Rich?

MESSAGE FROM STAN BELOW

NOTE:

Following are few words Stanley said to our church just days after arriving back in the United States from his first trip to Africa. The ability to describe his experience and impressions help us to understand and visualize the extreme reality of the third world church. 

The clearer our awareness of their struggles, the more responsible we are to the Christians there.  The day Jesus Christ separates the sheep from the goats; He accomplishes this by what measure?  It’s definitely not by whether we have been in 100% attendance in a luxury church. 

He says those who give food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and drink to the thirsty are his sheep, because when we do it for the least of the brethren, we are, in actuality, doing it for Him.  He didn’t say to sell it to them. 

He said if someone asks for our coat, to give also our shirt.  If we’re asked to go one mile, He said to go two! 

What? Maybe the person asking is a scam artist!  How do we know? 

Truth is - it doesn’t matter. We do our part, and then we all stand before a Holy God, faithful, or lacking.

Stan’s talk went well over an hour. It was incredible. He brought Kenya to us. I will include the transcription of some of the parts I think are very eloquently and honestly spoken; words that we need to hear and to act on while there is still time…

to redeem the time. 

Sylvia  (Stan's sister)

Transcript From Stan:

Who Is Rich?

"I appreciated the songs tonight. They were appropriate to the message, especially ‘I Cannot Find My Way Alone.’ The song really tells the story of what Christian life is all about. It’s a big, bad world out there.

It’s my first time to Africa. To see what the majority of the world lives like is kind of a shock, really.  I never knew that level of poverty existed on such a wide scale.

Let me explain what I mean.  In the country of Kenya the unemployment rate is 50% - so people come to Nairobi to try to get jobs, and Nairobi has almost 3 million people – and the unemployment rate is 75% in Nairobi.  Just use your wildest imagination what these conditions could result in.  Then go beyond…

That (the poverty) was the hardest thing for me to experience; then come to the church with these people that are living in this standard; in these conditions; who have walked ten miles to get there – carrying their children – in the rain and the sun.

Then to sit on little slats of wood they’ve put together for three or four hours.

I got up and preached for an hour and a half, apologizing afterward.

The pastor of the church says, “Don’t apologize, because if you preached less than that, they’d feel cheated …they’ve come so far to hear God’s Word. They want a good dose of it.… “

We went to another ladies conference in Eldoret. This is Lelmolok. (Stan points to a slide)  It was flooding and the rain was coming down.

My suit was covered with mud. It was unbelievable.

But the ladies sat there through the dark and the rain and the thunder and the clouds and the cold – for ten to twelve hours on those benches – and they wanted to learn. 

That night we had the lantern – the kerosene lantern – and they’re singing songs, holding their babies and children.  Beautiful women with the love of the Lord – you know – they are rich.

In Revelation it says something about a church thinking they’re rich, but they’re poor – thinking that they’re clothed, but they are naked. 

And … a ….sometimes – I think our wealth… You know, - I’m quite well off myself. I don’t want to brag, but I’m very wealthy.

In fact, I – I – I’m embarrassed about it – I can say with all humility I’m in the top 10% of wealth – in the world;  maybe closer to the top 3% of wealth.  So, ah – here I am! 

Rich! … of course I’m on social security, but ah – that still puts me in the top 10% of wealth in the world.  Maybe some of you are on social security and you’re as wealthy as me.  Or maybe some of you have other jobs and have

other income, and you’re even more wealthy!  Welcome to the rich! 

And the rest of the world is really poor! 

The Africans.  They are rich!  They are naked, but they are clothed with something that I have never experienced.  The joy of the Lord doesn’t

depend on anything else except His Presence within them.  I felt like I was in heaven when I was with them singing.

Anyway, I’m saying that this is the lesson I learned.  I do come from a very wealthy church in Orange County…

…These young students are not just the future of Kenya… It’s going to take Africans to reach out at this point, but they have nothing. 

They need money.  Somehow we must get our resources together – with the calling that God’s given them, and the circumstances He put them in – to get them out to the entire continent of Africa… 

What person here is spreading the Word in the Sudan?  Well – these young men – God is calling some of them to do that…

 At this church (referring to a slide) Raymond asked, “How many people have a Bible?”  Less than half of them have a Bible.  The ones that had them, they were totally ragged and used.

There’s a resource we can put together.  They need text books. 

They need sponsorship at the college.  We can train them, these young men, to go out and die for the Gospel of Christ.  That’s the calling.

Not to live, but to die for Christ…    "    Stanley Westrom    

End of Excerpt from Sermon given just weeks before Stanley died for the Sake of Christ.

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What do the

Africans say about Stanley?

scroll below --->

First.... What does Jesus say?

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me cannot be my disciple…So likewise, Whosoever he is of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple.” 

Luke 14:27, 33  Jesus Christ

"...I know that he (Stan) is going to the best. And even we have
a great hope that we will meet him in heaven with many martyrs,
angels and Jesus, who died for us. I believe he (Stan) died while
he was fighting the good fight of faith...."

Molla from Ethiopia

"... Have courage and pray. God's Will ought to be done.
Happy are those who die in Christ for we shall meet them again in
Heaven. Praise God..."

Benson from Kenya

"...It is my pleasure to send greetings and condolence in the Holy
name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Peace be unto you from our Lord
God... at this time of hardness of losing ...Stan...We loved him,
but God loved most - 2Sam.12:23.
Lamu from Uganda

"...He (Stan) was really a good man. He was devoted to the
work of the Lord. In a short period which he has come to Kenya,
then I can say he has worked tirelessly, particularly in Faith
College. He was hoping to do a lot if not for his death.

We have Stanley...is still living because he has left us with a good
example a Christian should. He has done so many work which can
speak to us.
I think we as human being, we are overcome by loneliness, grieve,
sorrow, but in God side Stanley has gone to a beautiful place
where there is no sorrow, no fear, death, crying and God will make
things new. Rev 21:4-5

Stanley was one of the heroes of faith who fight for the truth."
J N'geno from Kenya      

"...It is my prayer that God gives you grace and power to overcome
this trying moment. John14 1-3

For a short time that Stanley stayed with us in Kenya he has
done a remarkable unforgettable work. He was a man of faith,
vision and of practical character. He was very zealous in every work he
does. He died while busy serving the Lord, as a missionary in Kenya.
....
It is my prayer that God raises other Stanley's to take over his place
that he has left vacant. ....

Brother Stanley has completed his race,
but we are not yet. 11Timothy 4:7,8 "

D. Yaban from Kenya         

"...It's hard for all of us, Stan to me...is a great man, a man who is
always exploring ways to serve the Lord,

a man who goes out of his
way to do more.

And such a man to me sounds like one to be loved, and... we all did
love him, but there was One who love him more that he had to take
him (Stan) to be with Him.

Stan is at a place where we would not want to come back to this
world, resting at Abrahams bosom, he has entered unto that
presence of God; he is singing praises to the Ancient of Days;
he is at home with God the Father..."
S.Maina from Kenya

"...I am feel very regret for our peaceful and spiritual man Stan.
He was good with us in Christ services, unfortunately the accident
came. We will join and pray together, not you alone, but we all
in Christ fellowed together.
D.Y.Garang from Sudan

"...I really thank God for the period of time that He enabled me to
see Stan with my own eyes and even heard him talking to me.

I would describe him as the Apostle Paul. In his devotion for the
work of God I believe that Stan's work, gifts and the tender heart
that he had is very, very rare to be found else where. He brought
about great profit in Faith College. He worked as though he will
never work again, and so it was. I admire his ministry for he
was the blessed of the Lord. He was humble. He could talk to
everyone, and was always ready to respond for the needs of
others.

Stan was called in rest while on the way working for the Lord...
He had a missionary soul, but God took Stan from us while he was
in the midst of his great service. We loved Stan, but God loves
him more.

On 25th of December Stan gave me a ride on my way to the church....
On 2nd of January he worked till late evening.... He was in the
college, coming to collect the carpenter. I did shake his hand
at least, never to see Stan again. I'm looking forward to see
Stan in heaven. I will rejoice with him again..."
Silas from Kenya

"...All that I could pray is may the Lord rest his soul in Eternal
peace and life... The news drained words on my mouth, but I
could manage is tell you to only pray for his soul that could be
the best way.
Arok from Sudan

"... It's with great sympathy and sorrows in this time of sorrows
following the untimely death of our beloved brother.... The short
time that our late and co-worker, brother Stan has been with us,
he accomplished many commendable works before the Lord, both
in the churches where he attended, and Bible Institutes and Colleges.

It's my prayer that I also may emulate his footsteps. A person
who had dedicated all of his life to the Master's Ministry and it
pleased Our Creator to take him while in the ministry for His Glory.

We loved Stanley, but the Lord loved him more.

Please read:
Eccl.3:1-8 ; John 5:28;29; 1Cor.15:50-58; 2Cor.5:1-8;
1Thess4:13-18; Rev14:13, Rev21: 1-5.
J.Musyoki from Kenya

"...I wanted to smear you and your family with the oil of comfort
telling you to stand firm during this period of great sorrow.

Let your ship never get wrecked off. God is with you all...

May God shine His face upon you....

Please read Micah 7:7,8; Jeremiah 29:11.
D.M. Mutunga fom Kenya

"....Stanley was really a child of God. It happen that I saw him
once and the lesson he took was so moving. What I got to know
about him was that he was a man of action. He could not only show
his faith, but he could even practice.

The Bible speaks of faith
and works. That was Stanley's practice.... Just trust in Him,
and He will care for you, and as we will also finish our race we
will be able to be with Stanley in heaven...

Pray for us that God may use all of us to exert the fire which
Stanley lighted. "
R.Kirui from Kenya

"... I'd like to share with you (Stan's) promotion to glory, to be
with Christ. He has fought the good fight, he has finished the
course and kept the faith. 2Tim.4:7.

Personally, I was privillaged to know Stan, when he visited
Kisumu with Raymond. He was a workaholic; very terrific...

When the doors and windows of the Bible School were being fixed,
he was busy painting them... A good painter indeed! ....

What remains now is a challenge to us all who are still alive.
Are we really going to finish our race while we still have faith,
as Stan did?

He will be remembered for years to come for his love of
the Lord, generosity, and the hard work he did to prosper
the Lord's Kingdom. I'm happy because I know Stan is alive
with Christ. "
Kogalloh from Kenya

"...We got to know Stan briefly but intimately.
He was a very friendly and committed servant of God.

We were bonded with him when together with the team of Go International, attended our Ladies Conference here in Bomet last year August and
then again he came tot he Youth Camp last December (2003)
His testimony lingers in our hearts and minds.

Though he is dead,
yet he speaks for God's glory. May the Lord comfort you all.
2 Cor.1:3,4
Jonathan L. from Bomet Bible Institute

"...Please accept my condolences on our brother's death.
He was a devoted servant of God, who had gave his life while he
was serving the Lord God. That should make you proud because
he died in God's field. May I pray that God may give you more
comfort. ...

His death is a big grieve for us also, but when we
think of that he has going to the Lord we should be comforted..."

SamsonW.E. from Ethiopia

"...I have been using some of the charts which Stan brought for my classes.  I am using one on trinity and two on archaeology.

It is true that only our work remains after we are gone. Stan has been a challenge to me because all I see is his work.  As you said, Satan cannot destroy our work though he may try.

Joshua M. from Kenya
-----------------

"Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure;" 

2Thess1:2,3,4