Brother and sister team for the Lord

Janet gives Bible quizzing instructions to children in Kiatine while also facilitating the 2009 Youth In Mission team.

Janet and Japheth play a friendly game of Uno!

Japheth is always smiling and enthusiastic. This picture was taken while he facilitated the 2009 Youth In Mission team.

Japheth and Janet Okinyo are a brother and sister team working in Africa East Field, and are on fire for Christ!  In the short year that I have known them, first as facilitators of my Youth In Mission 2009 team and now as dear friends, God has taught me so much through their hard work, commitment to His call, and unselfish love for others. I am so blessed to have them in my life and Africa East Field is continually reaching more and more children, youth, and elders through their determination and focus for their work as Christians and Nazarenes.

Japheth Opondo Okinyo is the Africa East Field Nazarene Youth International (NYI) coordinator.  This position keeps him very busy and his responsibilities include facilitating the development of youth ministry across 12 districts in Africa East Field, which covers the three nations of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. He also gives leadership training on running youth ministry, submits NYI reports to youth across the field and Africa Regional Office, serves as a member of Regional NYI Council, and oversees youth events in the field. He helps to coordinate international teams coming to serve as volunteers in the field. While filling this position seems like a daunting task, Japheth is able to fulfill all of the duties with seeming ease and grace. With his big heart and God’s help, he is changing lives across Africa East Field and beyond.  

Japheth gives all the glory and credit to God. He explains that he felt very unworthy of taking this position, but soon realized that “it was only a matter of accepting the call and all the rest God took care of.” He also takes time to reflect on all the people who have mentored him and served as Christian examples and gives them thanks and credit for his current position. 

His favorite part of being youth coordinator is “seeing how God is changing young people’s lives” and watching them “use their talents and gifts to serve Him.” He also loves and is amazed at how he often finds himself learning from the youth he is training. Oh, the wonders of God! In fact, Japheth has learned much through this job. 

“The most obvious lesson for me is that we serve a great God who calls those that might not, in human eyes, seem worthy or even they feel they are not ready, but He equips them and empowers them," he says. "I have learned to be patient with others and fully trust God.”  

Although it is not necessary, being raised in a strong Christian family certainly helped Janet and Japheth to start out with a solid foundation for their faith and relationship with God. They give many thanks for their parents, Peter and Grace Okinyo, who have always been very involved in the church. In fact, Pastor Peter is currently the superintendent of Lake Victoria District. They always made their wishes known to their children that they would find God’s call on their lives and follow Him no matter where He led. Their willingness to do this is so evident, even upon meeting them for the first time. Their lives radiate with the joy and love of our God!

Janet Achieng Okinyo serves as the Africa East Field Children’s Ministry assistant, working alongside Sarah Reed, Children’s Ministry director. Before assuming this position, Janet was working with children at Woodley Nazarene Primary School in Kibera (where she is still an active presence and role model for children as a volunteer). In 2006, she attended a meeting for district teachers, and because her love for children and devotion to God’s work was so apparent, she was approved to officially work in children’s ministry for the field the following year. Janet’s responsibilities include presenting children’s ministry at district assembly, assisting in financial matters, training teachers, leading international teams alongside Japheth, and giving reports of children’s ministry activities. Like her brother, the ease with which she does these duties is inspiring and encouraging. 

Janet has taught me so much, but most of all, she has taught me the importance of putting everything into God’s hands. She trusts Him completely, and her faith and humbleness has really touched and changed so many lives.  When asked about her favorite part of training, she said, “I get more knowledge on how to do children’s ministry. I am not there just to impact, but also to be impacted. It has given me a lot of change.” She also expressed her love of leading international volunteer teams, meeting with different people, and making so many friends.
  
For me, Japheth and Janet are great examples of how we should be living and leading. To continually see lives changing and hearts being won over to God is the true measure of success, and there is no doubt that these two wonderful people are playing a huge part in doing that in Africa East Field for our children and youth, but also for people around the world who are blessed with their presence and guidance. Our God is so awesome; following His call on our lives will unlock potential that we never thought possible. Janet and Japheth’s lives are proof of this.