Patterns of Promise 1874-2009

India is the second most populated country in the world (coming after China) with about a billion people. That means that about 1 out of every 6 people living on planet earth are in India.

We just returned last night from Canadian Baptist Ministries' first ever Global Conference "Patterns of Promise". Together with about a hundred Canadian missionaries, national staff, CBM leadership and board members, we traveled to Delhi, the capital city of India, for an intense seven days of workshops and planning around CBM's four strategic drivers. We owe a huge thanks to our friends Mel, Kerry, Judy and Carol who helped watch Tristan, Emma and Ava at home in Nairobi while we were away.

If you've seen the Oscar winning film "Slum Dog Millionaire", you will recognize the shoes left at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the Taj Mahal.

On the Saturday of the conference, we had one day free to tour around the city of Delhi. Many of us took an 18 hour bus drive and tour of the famous city of Agra to see the Taj Mahal. The trip was so long because of accidents and delays on the roads. As much as it was great to see the Taj Mahal, it was wonderful to get out of the conference centre and see more of India.

Carin Guthrie, Suzannah Nacho and Erica

showing off their beautiful foot coverings.

The Taj Mahal

We were glad to be able to spent time together with fellow Canadians serving with CBM, many of whom we had never met before. It was good to discover similar challenges and struggles faced by everyone. As the title of the conference points to, we were looking for patterns. Once you start looking, you find patterns everywhere from the symmetry of a tomb like the Taj Mahal to the ruts and grooves that appear in our lives and ministry. A part of the conference was about getting out of the ruts and into the groove!

Building a god...

We were told that there are an estimated three million gods in India from little shrines to giant statues like the one above that we saw being refurbished on the drive to Agra.

While we believe in one God, it is still a temptation to build little gods out of the stuff of life (the stuff that leaves us always wanting more). Perhaps the most powerful message of the conference, was the call to centre ourselves in who we are as children loved by God. The reality of this relationship is the foundation that all our lives are built upon.

CBM team Africa

Back Row: A. & R. D (Kenya), Aaron & Erica Kenny (Kenya), Tim & Diane Bannister (Kenya), Ana Salomao (Angola), Laura Ward (Kenya), Dorothy Sowden (Angola), Kelly & Paul Carline (Kenya), Bruno Soucy (Rwanda)

Front Row: Jim & Diane McBeth (Angola), John (Rwanda), Malcolm & Patty Card (Kenya), Karen & Colin Godwin (Rwanda), Gato Munyamasoko (Rwanda)

Absent: Kathleen Soucy and Sam Mutisya

Throughout the conference, we heard from many of our colleagues from around the globe. Much of our time was focused around current trends, challenges and best practices within our key drivers of : grassroots leadership development, pioneer outreach, global discipleship and sustainable community development. Erica made a presentation on "Making a Heart Connection" during one of the Pioneer Outreach driver sessions during the conference (she did amazing!). She shared the story of Iftin and some of the lessons that we have been learning in serving cross culturally in Eastleigh. It was a great opportunity to learn from one another and to help shape the course ahead for CBM.


Much of the conference was also given to worship and prayer. Our main speaker, Mark Buchanan, and worship leader, Brian Craig, helped us look to God's patterns of promise for us and the world.

Preparing for Communion as a Present Reality

General Secretary, Gary Nelson, encouraged us and spoke into the process of shaping the direction of Canadian Baptist Ministries. We are so thankful for the leadership and passion of Gary who has been a big part of our own personal journey into cross cultural outreach.

Suzannah Nacho , Erica and Heather Martin

A part of the fun of being in India was the opportunity to share with our national Indian partners. One of our Indian colleagues, Jasmine Jonathan, pulled Erica and a few other women aside so that she could dress them in a traditional Sari. They were beautiful!

Around the table

Standing: Kelly Carline, Erica & Aaron, Paul Carline and Carla Nelson

Sitting: Patty & Malcolm Card, David Sarma, and Gary Nelson

On the last evening, the CBM board organized an outdoor celebration meal where we dressed up in the Indian attire that many of us had found over the week. It was a great time of laughter. Sam Chaise, a representative of the board, encouraged us rather than saying good-bye to say "May the Lord be with you till we meet again!"

Brian Malcolm, Aaron, and David Nacho (No saris for the men)

Holy Cow!

Finally. Although we can't begin to capture the fullness of this past week, we do need to let you know that when travelling in India cows have first priority. They are everywhere: downtown, countryside, crossing the highway, on the sidewalk, in the doorway -- basically where ever they want to go. There are no western fastfood restaurants in Kenya, so we were very excited to see a Mcdonalds in India: I think this is the ONLY place where we didn't see a cow. The Indian Mcdonalds is beef free! McMutton tikka wrap anyone?