A letter from Bob and Kristi Rice in Congo
July 2012
BereanSafari
The Beach Boys sing “surfin’ safari.” Many venture on African “big game” safari. Let me introduce you to “BereanSafari.” Seventy-five leaders gather for intensive Bible study in Nyahururu, Kenya. This assembly includes delegates from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Ethiopia, South Korea and the United States. Welcome to BereanSafari, an annual gathering of leaders who go deep into God’s Word. This annual gathering’s namesake comes from the Bereans, noteworthy for their eagerness to examine the Scriptures (Acts 17:10ff). “Safari,” despite the touristic connotation, means “journey” in Kiswahili. Thus, BereanSafari is a journey to examine the Scriptures in a deep and meaningful way. Dr. Ron Kernaghan, a professor and mentor-friend from Fuller Theological Seminary, invited Kristi and me to participate in this amazing week!
For five days, six hours a day, we dig deep into the Scriptures. The approach we take is called Inductive Bible Study, or the Manuscript Method. It was developed by Paul Byer, an Inter Varsity staff worker. Byer, trained as an architect, wanted to visually and thematically find the core meaning of biblical texts he was studying. To do so, he developed a method that disrobes the Scriptures of externalities placed upon them, such as chapter and verse numbers, heading titles, and paragraph breaks. Externalities removed, we can see the raw text as translated from Greek. BereanSafari, led by former students of Byer, cultivates an environment of discovery for the Bible student. Each student is given a packet of paper with wide margins and the basic text. Each student is told to first “observe” the text. The facilitator tasks pupils to do four things: listen to the text read aloud, make one’s own breaks where one finds transitions, underline key words/thoughts that repeat themselves, and note any questions that arise from the text. Each student is given brightly colored markers and crayons. Each table has tools for further exploration: a Bible dictionary, a dictionary, a Bible atlas, and a concordance. After working alone and observing, the pupil discusses his/her findings in a small group of four or five. After sharing in the small group, the larger group comes together led by a facilitator.
The Manuscript Method forces the Bible student to slow down and pay close attention to the text. The pupil and the group move thoughtfully from observation to interpretation. New insights come to the fore, not seen before. For instance, in my study group, we discovered that perhaps Jesus had not gone out from Simon’s home to a lonely place primarily to pray. He had gone “out” because he knew that masses were coming in to see him that morning. While prayer is a significant theme in this passage, the primary focus is upon Jesus’ desire to preach in other towns. In another section we observed that Jesus returned to Capernaum after “some days.” Jesus had just healed the leper by touching him. Reflecting as a group on Old Testament Law, we recalled that anyone who touches a leper becomes unclean. This man hadn’t been touched for years! Jesus’ touch not only healed this man but also restored his dignity. Yet, because the leper disobeyed Jesus command to tell no one but to present himself to the priest, it is probable that Jesus was considered unclean and thus had to remain out in the country for "some days" (7-8 to be precise) and could not preach in other towns. Thus, God’s plans were altered because of the disobedience of the healed leper. Is it possible that God gives us the power to alter his plans by our disobedience? The Gospel of Mark communicates thus.
One of the biggest blessings of BereanSafari is the people. Almost all delegates are African. Let me tell you about Pastor Richard and Chacha. Pastor Richard serves his people, the Masai of Kenya. The Masai are nomadic cattle herders, committed to their traditional ways. Eric Miller, one of the facilitators and founders of BereanSafari, invited Richard to come to BereanSafari six years ago. Richard declined because he knew almost no English. Eric persevered, asking him to come as “his special guest.” Richard accepted, but spoke little because he understood little. Now, however, Richard has attended BereanSafari all six years. His English is quite good and he is learning to write. He describes his people as stubborn. They believe in one God, and they offer God sacrifices under a fig tree. Yet it is difficult for them to perceive of an invisible God who doesn’t require animal sacrifices. Richard has a burden to share the good news of Jesus Christ with his people. The Masai are known for their bravery; he also told me a few stories about three lions he and his tribesmen have killed.
Chacha is a teenager from Nairobi. He is also the leader of a Christian rap group. Chacha’s parents died when he was a few years old. When he was 5 his siblings left him on the streets to fend for himself. He was taken into an orphanage, where the pastor abused the boys. Chacha stood up to the abusive pastor, who then refused to pay for Chacha’s secondary school fees. However, God was faithful to provide for Chacha, who just this year graduated from secondary school. Chacha was in my small group. Although he struggled a bit with English, this 18-year-old brought wonderful insights to the text. Over tea breaks each morning he kept us spellbound with his testimonies of God’s faithfulness and goodness to him.
Kristi and I were blessed to participate in this wonderful week of Bible discovery. We look forward to an opportunity to finish the study of Mark in this format. We also hope to lead Bible studies using this Manuscript Method here in Congo. Please pray for us. We feel that this method blesses the Bible student with fresh insights and renewed hunger for digging deep in God’s Word. It is a spiritually enriching experience.
As always, thank you for your prayers. We continue to travel and minister in different parts of Congo as we are learning about the breadth and depth of the Congolese Presbyterian Church. Your prayers and financial support are our lifeblood. “Nzambi anusankishe” (God bless you).
Bob and Kristi
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 102
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