Catalyst-Night for Africa-random thoughts.

Catalyst is over for this year. Night for Africa finished a few hours later. But God is not done yet.
This was an incredible year at Catalyst. I sat in the back with Andy Stanley,Jeff Foxworthy, Franklin Graham, Reggie Joiner, Dave Ramsey, Jim Collins, …the list goes on. and we all chatted at different times about life and God and the financial crises our country was in. We joked around some. Most of the guys came into our little studio and shot part of a rap ….who would think Franklin Graham, Andy stanley or Seth Godin, would even consider doing a rap? Then i went up on the stage with John, Abbu, Gladys, Josephine, Francis and 19 more children from Kenya. This is where i want to be clear.
Andy is one of the most gifted speakers in the world. Dave is helping people all over the nation figure out how to handle finances. Jim Collins has helped more businesses think about how to be successful than maybe anyone. But you just now heard about Francis, and Gladys, and Josephine and John. They all live in houses without doors, with mud floors, have no closets. Their homes are smaller than most of the closets that many of us have. Yet…23 kids from Kenya led 12000 leaders from around the world to a place where we could open our hearts to worship God. The men in the green room stopped what they were talking about and watched these kids…and wept.
Everyone in the back wanted to meet everyone else in the back. People wanted their pictures taken with the famous ones. And i certainly think that is ok. But when i stop to think about it. I see God so clearly in the faces of Francis, and Rodney, and Wanjiru. I love being with ALL of these people but not because of what the world thinks about them. Because of what God thinks about them. He used Jeff Foxworthy this week to make people laugh and cry. He used Abbu to make people stand in awe during a song. He used Andy to make people think. He used little Rodney to shine His glory from a little spot on the stage to light up a whole arena. I am going to post some of the pictures i got this week from Catalyst. I don’t have them all yet but when i post them….here is what you will see.
Earthen Vessels standing beside earthen vessels. Some old. Some new. Some big or small. some cracked and some smooth. They all have been created by a master potter. And there are pieces of Him inside each one.
Until i get the other picts….here is a good one with some of the most precious looking jars of clay lighting up the stage.

Date: Sunday, October 12th, 2008 | Filed under What If?

10 Comments

  • 1. Nick replies at 12th October 2008 um 5:39 pm :

    I could not make it to Catalyst this year, but my friend who went said that it was, “Different…I don’t know really how to say it other than it was different, in a really good way!” - Maybe what you have written in this post is a big reason why?

  • 2. Christine replies at 12th October 2008 um 6:27 pm :

    I was disappointed to not be there for Catalyst, but had you all in my prayers daily. We did make it to Night for Africa, again. It was amazing, and I agree the kids, and Jack, reminded me of how Big our God is and how He is so much more impressed with our hearts than our houses. Thanks for all you are doing.

  • 3. Rebekah replies at 12th October 2008 um 7:24 pm :

    Y’all hit it out of the park. I had such an amazing experience volunteering for Catalyst and NFA this year. I’m want to jump on the next plane to Kenya, I’m ready to serve! Thank you for all that you do. I know how hard you and your amazing team worked to put it all together and you rest assured knowing that it was worth every minute of your time. Thank you for touching my life!

  • 4. Scott Fillmer replies at 12th October 2008 um 9:28 pm :

    It was certainly an amazing few days and the kids choir from Africa was just incredible.

  • 5. amanda metcalf replies at 12th October 2008 um 9:34 pm :

    We talked about the children’s choir tonight at our youth group. They challenged all of our student leaders at Catalyst to memorize God’s word and hold tight to those words when we encounter times of trials (like Jessie’s passing) and times of joy. It was amazing to sit beside Marilyn and Kit Garren while watching the very choir Jessie ranted and raved about. Tears were pouring down our faces. We have so many questions for God, but we know in seeking Him we find Him even more! Praise God for these children! They (along w/Craig Groshel:) brought tears to my eyes and opened my heart!

  • 6. Scott Fillmer replies at 13th October 2008 um 7:39 am :

    I actually had to head back home as soon as the sessions were over but I was so glad I got to see them on Friday. I got some great pics of the choir on Friday, (and you too by the way :)…) and hopefully I will get a few of them posted on my blog soon. I spoke with some of them at the break. Our church hosted the choir several years ago and since we have started an extensive mission program in Uganda.

    Catalyst was certainly one of the most incredible events I was part of this year and I was truly blessed by being there.

  • 7. Patrick John replies at 13th October 2008 um 9:39 am :

    Powerful.. Sad that I wasn’t able to be there this year. I must make it next time.

  • 8. Rich Barrett replies at 13th October 2008 um 11:13 am :

    Lanny, that’s a beautiful perspective. Thanks for sharing it.

    Keep twittering, by the way–they’re hilarious!

  • 9. Kenyon replies at 16th October 2008 um 12:15 am :

    Lanny

    I was there (Catalyst). I saw those children dance, sing, smile, and laugh. I felt the emotion. I had tears stream down my face. I’ve been to Niger and I’ve seen and smelled and heard for myself what it is like. And in those few minutes they were on stage I went back. I remembered what it was like and why I went to Africa. Lanny, I needed to go back there. I needed to be reminded. Thanks for the obedience. Thanks for the reminder.

  • 10. patrowland replies at 28th October 2008 um 11:32 pm :

    When those 40 kids took the stage I was moved by that moment more then anything else at Catalyst. this is what I twittered… nothing motivates me more then to see kids using their gifts for the kingdom… especially 40 kids from Kenya. I texted my wife and we’ve decided to sponsor 2 more compassion children. Thanks for responding to a calling and inspiring others to more then they thought they could.

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