September 2010

Last month I attended two weddings. One was held at MPC between Alex Wako and Gladys. Alex is the leader of the cell group that I attend.  It was good to see two people groups being united in marriage. The other wedding was between John and Mary, John being the son of the former Malindi District Overseer. It was held outside under the trees as the classroom where the church normally meets was too small. It was very interesting watching the bridesmaids and groomsmen dancing down the path to where the wedding took place. We then travelled about twenty minutes to the groom’s home where we were given food. There are differences between weddings which take place in the city and those taking place in the rural area. One of them is time!!!!

The class in Mtsumviani did their exam on August 28th.  It took us close to three hours to go as we crossed the ferry, then went and collected the teacher Isabella from near where she and her husband are national missionaries.  We then took a short cut from there and travelled through the bundox to Mtsumviani!!!!! Grass was growing up in the middle of the road where the vehicle was driven through. Then it was over two hours as the students wrote their exams. Then it was delicious food provided by the local church pastored by Pastor Samuel who was imputed into by Isabella and her husband when they were the missionaries in Mtsumviani. “Their fruit is remaining”. Now they have opened a new work in Banga where we are also trying to get a class going. Then it was back to Mombasa. I was so glad for Bro. Orina who gave of his time to take me. He has a missions heart and is overseeing the building of different mission projects out of Mombasa Pentecostal Church. (Isabella, Orina,  pastor Samuel in picture from different people groups working together).

August 2010

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made to God: and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus – Phil. 4:  4 -7.  One Sunday I was invited to a national church here in Mombasa. The pastor in leading the service stood and read this very Scripture. Truly the Spirit of God was leading because he did not know that this was where I was speaking from. Be thankful in every situation no matter what you are facing.

August 4th has come and passed. The referendum took place in peace and calmness. Thanks so much for your prayers.  We can say that the truly the Lord intervened. Now it will be the instillation of the new constitution which will continue to need our prayers.

July was a challenge as I had to twice postpone teaching the class in Mjanaheri as I developed a bad cold which affected my voice. There has been a flu that has been going around. The weather has changed with it being colder and rainy. Cold in Mombasa!!!! In Nairobi, yes but not the coast!!!  The third week I was able to go and teach. The students were faithful in coming in spite of the many changes. I thank God for the people who ministered to me when I was sick both here on the compound and in the community. The body of Jesus is precious.

That  Sunday I attended a church in Wayanani not far from Mjanaheri which is pastored by Bruno and Mercy. The classroom where they meet was full, mainly of young people.( young people singing) They are in the process of building a church. Pray that they will soon be able to complete it as the church is growing. The person leading the service was a lady who is a primary school teacher. She is from central Kenya married to man from the coast whom she met in teacher’s college. What a beautiful thing to see. The Lord is using His people to bring down barriers in situations like marriage. Also in the service were two ladies who were tourists at a local hotel. Bruno works there so was instrumental in their coming. They did not understand Kiswahili but they entered into the spirit of the service. One lady wiped tears from her eyes as we were worshipping and praising the Lord. African people reaching out to others in missions at work.

A pastor of a different denomination who had attended the Barnabas ministries pastor’s conference in June invited me to speak at his church about 60km from Mombasa towards Malindi.  I shared on the above Scripture. A lady in the service was just smiling and agreeing with what was being said. When I met her personally, she told me her story. She had had a stroke when she was about 40 years old. She was now walking with a cane. She could talk clearly. She was the pastor’s wife. She was rejoicing in the Lord and being thankful to Him for His faithfulness.

Pray for the classes to start at Mombasa Pentecostal Church. Another pastor is applying to teach as well so there would be two sharing in this ministry at MPC.

Pray for John and Winnie Kombe as they teach classes at Mishimoroni, Alidina and Jilore.  They have had many challenges and consequently the classes in Mishimoroni did not meet in July as planned. They will meet again in September.

Pray for the continued support for the ministry that I am involved in here in Kenya. The Lord bless you each one for your faithful prayer and provision for the cause of Christ. I appreciate each one of you. The Lord give you strength and courage for each day.

June 2010

June has been a whirlwind!!!! The month started with the Barnabas ministry at Mombasa Pentecostal Church where pastors and their wives from the coast province attended. The speakers were from the US and one was local. The Lord spoke into my heart as He encouraged me through the Word and through interaction with others. We maybe in a valley but we are going through, not staying in it. Run the race and be a winner in the Lord. There was also teaching on the character of a leader which needed to be heard. 

What blessed me also was to see the changes that are taking place in the lives of pastor’s wives. The way they dressed, you would not know that they were from the village. They are being freed and God is using them in ministry alongside their husbands.

Three classes have written exams this month. Two classes were presented with their certificate for the second level of 7 courses.  They were so happy and one of the students shared how the study of God’s word has changed his life. His attitude has changed, the knowledge that he has learned in the Word, he is telling others. 2 Timothy 2:2 – Paul says that “the things you have heard from me………commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also”. This is what Alex is doing now, teaching others.

When I was in Mjanaheri, a pastor from the Garsen area travelled 100 km to see about getting a certificate class started in the area. He says that there are several who want to register so I gave him about 20 registration forms. I am trusting to hear from him in the near future. The father of the two students in the Mjanaheri class is doing well now, is home still with the cast on but the skin on his neck and chest is almost healed. “Sehemu kidogo tu bado – Only a tiny area left”, he says. Thanks for your prayers.

Pastor Makoha of MPC told me this week that his degree certificate has come and is in Nairobi. He needs to go and collect it and then he will be able to apply to teach. Thanks for your prayers and continue to do so that a class will get started at MPC.

Thanks for praying for Esther, the pastor’s wife in Samburu. She is home doing better but is on insulin injections. Pray that God will supply the means to obtain the insulin on a regular basis so that she does not miss a day – that is the finances.

Continue to pray for Kenya re the constitution. Pray for the national church. This week a district conference is being held in the Mombasa District. The theme is “Revive your work” – Hab. 3:2. Pray for the speakers that as they share God’s word that His people will be revived.

I heard that there was an earthquake in the Toronto area, Quebec and into the States. Truly, we need to  pray that God will bring people into His kingdom in these last days. Time is soon running out.

I appreciate each one of you and remember you are precious in God’s sight. Thank you for your faithful support in prayer and finances. The Lord richly bless you.