Excellent or Praiseworthy

As I was waking at 5:30 this morning, I was praying for the Kenyan people Neil will be visiting. In the picture above from a few years ago, Neil had the honor of holding a brand newborn baby. In the midst of a world in turmoil, if we take time to get off the Merry-Go-Around, God will allow us to touch the lives of His precious ones. This was my morning quiet time passage today:

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)

Now, may I introduce you to our son, Joe, who God gave us through a prophetic word many years ago? Our friend, Keith Hazel from Canda, prophesied that although our children were unable to live, the Lord had filled Neil's quiver with arrows that would be shot to distant places around the globe, and that in coming years we would visit them to encourage and strengthen them in ministry. Joe is one of those arrows.

When Joe arrived at the University of Minnesota, Morris in the early 1980's to earn his B.A. in theatre, Joe was suffering from depression and confused by drugs and alcohol. As I helped him figure out how his transfer credits fit our degree requirements, I looked into his empty eyes and it was as if no one was home. Neil was also completing his degree. Neil and I would meet for lunch and read a chapter in the Bible to each other and pray. We didn't notice at first, but there were students who began sitting in the tables near ours so they could hear the Bible readings. Then students began asking if they could join us at our table. Joe was one of those students. I hardly recognized Joe, his countenance had changed so much! Joe had a radient smile and such tenderness and grace. Jesus gave Joe a servant's heart. He met a group of elderly ladies at a cafe who were caring for their mothers at home. Joe soon was taking turns sleeping on the floor of a mother's room to carry the mother to the toilet during the night, allowing the daughter one good night of sleep a week.  

Joe had given his heart to Jesus, having made friends with some of the Christian students. Joe heard that we had a weekly Bible study at our house in the country and asked if students could join us. Soon cars met us on Friday afternoons outside my office building and followed us home where Neil sent me upstairs for a quick nap, while Neil and students put our house in order and made dinner. They enjoyed petting our horses and even conversing with our pigs and chickens before the study began. When we moved to Morris in 1983, the students gathered there several times a week, bringing instruments, playing games, and discussing the Bible. As Neil and I headed to bed, we would ask the students to turn the lights out as they left. Our door was always open, and the keys were in our car in case anyone needed it. My how times have changed. We lock everything now.

Just before Joe completed his degree, he brought the students to our house for one last night of singing and prayer. That was the first group of our college students. Joe and his friend Dave, who had become the worship leader at our church, were graduating. I cried all evening. Joe came over and put his head right in front of mine begging me not to cry. He wanted to remember me happy, but I couldn't stop. I told him I might never see him again until heaven! Then as I made my way up to bed, the Holy Spirit comforted me, "There, there now, Mother Hen. It's time for your chicks to leave the nest and go out to lay their own eggs!" By the time I reached the top of the stairs, I was laughing, but Joe didn't get to see that.

About two years passed. It was summer. I was crossing the campus mall on my way home for lunch as I saw a head of someone coming up the steps from the Science Building parking lot. Then the shoulders, and a tall lanky frame of a young man stood at the top of the stairs slowly gazing at the campus from one side to the other -- as our eyes met -- it was my Joe! Of all the children the Lord gave me from my 34 years working on the Morris campus, Joe is the one in whom we have stayed in closest touch. Whenever he was home for itineration, he spent time with us as he and Karin performed some of their teaching skits in our church. We missed the funeral for Joe's dad, but were able to attend his mother's funeral with his dear college friend, Dave.

Joe joined Covenant Players soon after graduation using his theatre skills to share the gospel. It was while he was practically hitch-hiking in a team of 4 all the way from Nigeria across the African continent to Kenya, praying in provision for travel, sleeping accommodations, and food, that he met his wife Karin. Joe thought he would remain single, but God had better plans. Then the year Joe was turning 50, he called to ask if Neil and I would agree to become the American grandparents of their children. That was their way of announcing they were about to have a baby. Of course, we said, "Yes!" Then Neil and I realized we needed to begin visiting Joe and Karin.

We have visited them in Germany and in Australia as their children have grown. When Joe and Karin completed the years they covenanted with Covenant Players, they accepted a training position to become leaders of the Nairobi base for a ministry training Christians how to reach their Muslim neighbors for Jesus through hospitality. The German founders of that ministry mentored Joe and Karin for a few years before turning the leadership over into their capable hands. 

Joe and Karin will be in Minnesota soon, from May 23 - July 27. If you would like them to come to your church to teach on ministry to your Muslim neighbors:

• send a text to Ruth at 701-729-5697
• or send her an email at thielkeruth@yahoo.com. 

Ruth will help you get in touch with Joe. When Joe heard about the Somalians in Joe's hometown of Minneapolis, Joe began looking forward to meeting them. The war in Somalia has sent many Somalians into Kenya. Our Minnesota tax dollars have funded some of the major building projects in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, where large skyscrapers have been raised in the last few years. 

We can be upset about so many Somalians in Minnesota, or we can see their presence as an opportunity from God to introduce them to Jesus. We get to choose whose eyes we use to see them, because Jesus is sharing His eyes for us to gain a heavenly perspective. There is a saying that goes something like this, "When you are given a basket of lemons, make lemonade." But Ruth, you may be thinking, isn't that going a bit too far? Don't you think Jesus thought that, also, when he asked his Father three times in the garden, "If you are willing, remove this cup from me"? Where would we be if the Father had replied, "Yeah, Jesus, that is asking bit too much. I was just kidding." Why do you think our Father said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him."

When Neil began in ministry, he asked the Lord to send him where no one else wanted to go. There have been times after Neil arrives at a new location, he isn't so sure he wants to go there either. But then the tears come as he sees Jesus making a home in their hearts.

Prayer & Practical Needs:

Joe and his family need:

• a vehicle to accommodate a family of 4 tall people and their luggage from May 23-July 27.
• speaking engagements & accommodations
• help funding Christian education for their two girls that is now over $20,000 a year at the West Nairobi School.

Joe hopes to meet the new principal for the West Nairobi School who is from right here in Minnesota attending Grace Life Church in Marshall, and will soon be moving his family to Kenya. Their new high school principal has borrowed Neil's canoes and canoe trailer to take young people from Marshall on canoe trips to the Canadian Quetico wilderness just across the northern border of Minnesota. Karin has helped teach at the West Nairobi School, so they can help the new principal learn what to expect once he arrives in Kenya. God weaves such beautiful tapestries as he intertwines the lives of his children from various locations around the world.

Pray also for Neil who is hoping to win at least one game of Cribbage before he says farewell to Joe's family and heads into his 3 weeks of ministry. [Tongue in cheek]

Helping Outfitters for Adventure's Kenyan Missions

Outfitters for Adventure Web Site

 

Arrived Safely

Neil arrived safely in Nairobi this afternoon, and hopefully is sleeping soundly after two 8-hour plane trips. Tuesday, Neil was up by 5:30 a.m., loading luggage into his 4-Runner and going over his check-list for the final time. Neil told Ruth that if he dies in Kenya, not to be sad, because he will be doing what God has called him to do, feed the cats, water the seedlings he planted for the garden. He made it to our friend Scott's house near Hudson, WI around noon, leaving his 4-Runner there. Scott brought him to the airport. Neil called Ruth by 2:50 having already made it from the front door of the airport to his departure gate within 10 minutes. Neil said there were no waiting lines in the airport. His 8-hour flight to Paris departed at 5:30. 

In Paris Neil sent a quick text message to let Ruth know he arrived safely, but hadn't slept a wink. The layover allowed only enough time to make it through the airport to catch the 8-hour flight to Nairobi. Ruth watched his progress on the Flight Aware tracker and was thankful when his plane landed around 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, our time. Our friend Joe was on hand to pick Neil up at the airport and bring him to his house for a few days of R&R before beginning the rigorous and demanding 3 weeks of ministry. We will hear from Neil sometime on Thursday.

Prayer Needs:

Rains - The torrential rains of the past few weeks were predicted to end yesterday having caused over 80 deaths in Kenya, washed away many cars and houses, and damaged large buildings. The Nairobi earthen dam is saturated and now unstable. The Kenyan government has given people living downstream of the dam just 14 days to move, and makiing them responsible for the financial expense of removing their homes from the flood plain. This is extremely difficult, of course, because it was the poorest of the poor who were living there, and their homes had been given clearance to build by the housing authority. Angry Kenyans have difficulty reasoning together. Please pray for the Prince of Peace to walk among them sharing His wisdom and vision for resolving this crisis. 

Disease - there have already been outbreaks of disease in the flooded area with breached sewage drainage and contaminated water supplies.

Roads - Roads and bridges have been washed out and damaged in several parts of Kenya. Please pray for safe travel and for needed goods and services to reach the people.

Ministry - Pray for Neil, Francis, and our friend Jim who will be joining them, for strength and clear teaching. Pray for our destitute children who are sponsored through ROCK (Reach Out to the Children of Kenya) to make it to their interviews so they can continue to receive their support. 

Prayer for March-April 2026 Kenya Trip

 

Thank you for your prayers for the following:

1. Neil's travel to Nairobi on March 24th.

Torrential rains have been flooding Nairobi and damaging roads in March 2026. 

• Pray for safe travel, both to and from Kenya as well as on the dangerous roads within Kenya.

2. Overcoming jet lag in Nairobi.

Friends in Nairobi adopted Neil and Ruth Thielke as the American grandparents for their children. The family will visit Thielkes in May and June and will speak at The Church in the Pines, Alexandria at one of our Monday night small group meetings.

• Pray for Neil to have a great visit with our friends in Nairobi as he overcomes jet lag 

3. Reach Out to the Children of Kenya (ROCK) - Sponsor a child for $25/month ($300/year) 

Neil visits each ROCK child and their caregiver every year in Kenya, updating their stories, prayer requests, and pictures. If the children do not attend their interview for 2 years in a row, they lose their ROCK support. We need to stay in touch with them and know that the help we send is actually getting into the hands of their caregivers and being used for the child's needs. After Neil returns, Ruth sends the updates to their sponsors in the USA. 

• Pray for the children to show up for their ROCK interviews so they can remain on ROCK support. 
• Pray especially for good health for the children and their caregivers.

4. Installing Sound Systems in Riverside Ministries Churches - $1,500 each

After the generous response to Neil's Facebook request in November, 2025, funds have come in for 20 sound systems for small churches in Kenya's remote villages. 13 of those systems have already been installed. Pastors have been expressing their thankfulness saying that church attendance, especially among the youth, has grown dynamically. Kenyans love to worship Jesus! Exuberant worship is their gift to the body of Christ! There are at least 30 more Riverside Ministries churches needing sound systems. 

• Please pray for sound Biblical teaching in the Riverside Ministries churches as their membership is increasing, especially among the young people. Pastors are amazed at the goodness of God and are so thankful for the generous contributions from Christians they have never met. Tears of joy are shed as their churches are filled with music, singing, and dancing, as they worship Jesus!

5. Teaching in Churches and 2 Church Leadership Conferences

After completing the ROCK interviews, Neil will be joined by our friend, Jim Hallaway, pastor of Relayt Church in Menagha, MN. They will travel north teaching in churches and 2 Church Leadership conferences for Riverside Ministries churches. One of the conferences will be on a Ugandan island in Lake Victoria, a few hours by boat from shore. 

• Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak through Neil and Jim.
• Pray for strength, healing, and energy for their translator, Francis.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will help the church leaders embrace the key elements of the teachings.

Thank you so much for your prayers! Each time you pray, you are accompanying Neil and Jim on their trip, as the Holy Spirit's presence is released in power, authority, and love.

Helping Outfitters for Adventure's Kenyan Missions

Outfitters for Adventure Web Site

Helping Kenya

Outfitters for Adventure's administrative support comes through volunteerism and other funding sources, and therefore 100% of your gifts go to the people of Kenya. Compare with other world relief organizations where 15 - 25% of your gift is used for administration and fund raising. Outfitters for Adventure is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and will provide giving statements for tax reporting.

Neil Thielke has visted each ROCK child (Reach Out to the Children of Kenya) and their caregiver every year since 2004, updating their stories, prayer requests, and pictures. If the children do not attend their interview for 2 years in a row, they lose their ROCK support. We need to stay in touch with them and know that the help we send is actually getting into the hands of their caregivers and being used for the child's needs. After Neil returns, Ruth sends the updates to their sponsors in the USA.  

The stories of a drunken husband burning the house of his wife and children to drive them away, of a young girl dumping her 6-month-old baby with her sickly grandmother and running away when the baby's father will not take responsibility for the birth, of homeless children wandering from one house to another looking for handouts of food until they find someone who will take them in, of children going without food while their mother is gone doing hard labor working in the fields, break our hearts. We are so thankful for our friends who have sponsored the children over the years.

Outfitters for Adventure helps families and churches in other ways, also, providing roofs, a food shelf for HIV/AIDS patients, medical help, Bibles and study materials, and sound systems for small churches. If you would like to help support our work in Kenya, print this page, fill out your information, and mail it to:

Ruth Thielke
511 E 4th St
Morris, MN 56267 

cell phone: 701-729-5697

email:         thielkeruth@yahoo.com

Your Name: ___________________________

Street Address:  ____________________________________________   

City ____________________ State: ______________ zip code: _____________

Email:  ______________________________

Phone (optional): __________________________

____   I would like to sponsor # _____ children. ($300/yr ($25/month) 

              which helps supply food, clothing, housing and education.

____   I would like to help with the Kenya food shelf for HIV/AIDS patients.

____   I would like to help fund a roof for a destitute family. ($400 per roof)
____   I would like to help fund church sound system ($1,500)
               which supplies components, keyboard, generator, & installation

____   I would like to help with medical expenses for needy patients.

____   I would like to help fund annual Kenya site visits 

                for interviewing children and their caregivers.

____   I would like to help fund Bibles, and Thielke’s Navigating Life
                (mentoring books for church leaders).

____   I would like to become a member of a future Site Visit Team.

Seed Falling on Good Soil

 

Matthew 13:18-23 -- “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” [NIV]

The hope of every pastor, Bible teacher, evangelist, and prophet is for the people they serve to become so excited about God's Word that they would share it with others, pray for them, and help them find their identity in Jesus. How amazing it would be if each person who has put their trust in Jesus for salvation would share the Gospel with thirty, sixty, or a hundred people this year? This month? This week? Loren Cunningham, who started Youth With A Mission, inspired others with a question that went something like this: 

How long would it take for all the people alive in the world today to hear the gospel if one person shared with one other person tomorrow? Then, if both shared with just one more person the next day, and so on, each person just sharing with one more person each day until all the people in the world had heard the gospel? If you are good at working out the math exponentially, it would take less than 2 months. The point being, we can become overwhelmed if we fear we are being called to be an evangelist like Billy Graham, who shared the gospel with the entire world. We just need to share with one person a day. If the soil is well prepared with prayer and the development of a loving attitude of caring about people, it is easier for people to accept Jesus and trust him as their Savior, get excited about Jesus' forgiveness and their newfound freedom from sin, and share that good news with others. Which one person has God put in your path today to share your love of Jesus? Tomorrow? The next day? Ruth asked God as she walked to work at the UMM campus each morning, "Please send at least one person to me today to share Jesus' love for them."

In the picture at the top of this post, the man's face shines with the love of Jesus. He is attending the conference in Nairobi this week with his son George, a pastor of one of the churches Neil visits in Western Kenya. When Neil finished his evening teaching on demons and ministry for deliverance, he headed toward Cosmas' house. George pointed the way, but Neil was pretty sure Cosmas lived in the other direction. As Neil started walking, George and some of the others ran into the church in a frantic search for Neil's translator, Francis. Francis ran to catch Neil and get him turned around on a safer nighttime route. Spiritually speaking, how wonderful it would be if we all cared enough about our friends to turn them around when they head down a path toward sin! 

During lunch breaks, Neil takes naps in the back of the church bus. Lunch was split peas, cabbage, and rice. On Tuesday, Neil and Shawn, from Minnesota, taught the morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. After half an hour of worship, complete with African dancing, Neil would get winded and sit down. Neil said the really good preaching began when the Kenyan speakers arrived on Wednesday, but they continued to work Neil into the conference teaching lineup. In one of the sessions, Neil spoke about Jesus' life on earth as a man, facing the same temptations and trials we face, and yet Jesus was able to resist sin by choosing to obey his Father. He did the things he saw his Father doing. Jesus' Father commended Jesus, both at the beginning and end of Jesus' ministry.

• After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

Matthew 3:17 -- And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” [NIV]

• When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain before he died on the cross. 

Matthew 17:5 -- While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” [NIV]

Amazingly, Jesus lived on earth as a human and yet resisted sin. Years ago, Ruth asked someone how Jesus could live a perfect life. The answer was that Jesus loved his Father above everything else and completely hated sin. Ruth just watched a message from Jack Hibbs on YouTube illustrating this. 

This One Sin Is Quietly Destroying the Church—Jack Hibbs Exposes It!

Today, Neil served communion and then gifted books he brought for the pastors. Neil's teaching tonight was on the gift of healing as demonstrated by Jesus in the Gospels and by the apostles in the Book of Acts. 

Here are some of Neil's friends he visits each year from the Kisii District in Western Kenya.

Nixson is a pastor. Rosemary is a pastor and the headmistress of a school where she helps all the children put their trust in Jesus. Hellen has an administrative job in the chief's office and is a pastor for the large group of HIV/AIDS patients in her city. Hellen has received training as a healthcare worker to administer first responder care for AIDS sufferers. Hellen came forward at the conference to share about the HIV/AIDS group as her watering hole, where she catches many fish for Jesus. You will notice how nicely they are dressed. One year, they presented Neil with a beautiful lavender dress shirt because they thought he could not afford a suit. Neil finds it helpful to travel in jeans and T-shirts to avoid being mugged for being mistaken for a wealthy American. He also likes to travel with just a small carry-on bag to avoid lost or stolen luggage. But he does appreciate his well-dressed friends whose love, honor, and respect for Neil have opened their villages to his teaching. After 21 years of working among them, they treat Neil like a dear family member. There are about 15 churches that Neil has visited, but the ones he has served the longest are in the Kisii District.

If Ruth could be healed of the allergies that have kept her from travelling to Kenya, there would be many tears of Joy when meeting our Kenya friends face-to-face. 

Prayer Requests:

• Continued outpouring of the Holy Spirit as the conference continues.
• Thirty, Sixty, and Hundredfold fruit from the teachings at the conference.
• Grace for Cosmas, Francis, and Neil as they work out administrative details for Outfitters for Adventure's continuing work among their churches.
• Good health and rest for Neil.
• Safe travel home for Neil on Sunday.

How to Help Kenya

Fishers of Men (and Women) (and Children)

 

Matthew 4:18-20 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" And they left their nets at once and followed him. [NLT]

Most of us may have memorized Jesus' invitation to Peter and Andrew as, "I will make you fishers of men." The root of the Greek word, however, means all mankind, which includes women and children. As a woman, Ruth knows Jesus must have meant men and women, because he commended Mary for sitting at his feet listening to him teach, while Martha was busy preparing food for their guests. 

The day Neil was leaving for Kenya, our morning reading was Nehemiah 8, which tells of the Jewish people who had returned to Jerusalem from exile, gathered together to hear Ezra read the law after completing the rebuilding of the wall. 

Nehemiah 8:2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. [NIV]

I had never noticed the phrase "all who were able to understand."  They included the children who could understand. After Ezra read the law, the people began to weep as they realized their sins. But the word of the Lord came that it was a day for rejoicing, not weeping. After the wall around Jerusalem had been restored, the law of the Lord was also being restored.

Nehemiah 8:10,12 — Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength... Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. [NIV]

Jesus also taught his disciples to include the little children. I wondered how many of us thought that children were to be entertained in Sunday School, and didn't consider how much children could understand. Jesus understood that children are the easiest to teach, because what they hear from the people who love and care for them is imprinted on their hearts. As the children crowded around him, Jesus' disciples thought they were bothering Jesus, but he told his disciples:

Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” [NIV]

In the above picture, two new little friends from Kahloleni are walking Neil through their village. Neil has visited Kenya since 2004, watching the infants he held in his arms grow into adults who now have children. He has witnessed children running forward to ask Jesus into their hearts. It is normal for Neil to interact with children, because he was the oldest of 7 children in his family and was surrounded by many cousins. Sadly, for the most part in Kenya, adult men view child care as women's work. Neil has been modeling the importance of healthy interaction with children for Kenyan men. Although some children may later forget and wander away, Jesus never forgets the commitments children make and He helps them return to that home base they established in their hearts when they "were able to understand." 

Sunday through Tuesday, Neil has been sending several text messages. Ruth also received videos showing Neil dancing with the people and another one of Neil's teachings at the conference. The meals consisted of beans and rice. Breakfasts include chapati (like a pocket bread) and even doughnuts. Neil distributed all the books he brought to Kahloleni. He had many copies of our Navigating Life book from storage at Cosmas' house, and several resource books packed in his luggage that enrich understanding and application of Scripture, along with church leadership and pastoral skills to help equip the church pastors and leaders who attended the conference. 

Neil sends a big "Thank You" to those who have contributed to various needs in Kenya. Several homes and churches were built last year, and medical and food assistance have been provided. The books for the pastors and leaders have also come from the donated funds. Individual sponsors for 60 destitute children send support through Outfitters' ROCK (Reach Out to the Children of Kenya). Most sponsored children are in the Kisii District, but some are from Tanzania, and one is in Kahloleni. Neil and Francis completed the ROCK interview of Mary in Kahloleni before heading back to Nairobi.

Rather than drive the busy road from Mombasa to Nairobi in the dark, Neil, Francis, Martin, and Shawn waited until early Monday morning. Two women needing a ride to Nairobi accompanied them in Cosmas' van. They arrived in time for Neil to visit our friend Joe from Minneapolis, the field director in Nairobi of another missions organization headquartered in Germany. Joe and his family have stayed with us in Morris while visiting family and friends and raising support in the USA. Neil made a phone call so Ruth could visit with Joe. Joe adopted Ruth and Neil as the USA grandparents for his children born after Joe's parents died. Joe plans to be in Minnesota again next summer, and we hope to host them. That means restoring our basement apartment after it became a storage area.

Tuesday morning, Cosmas Solamba's conference for pastors and leaders began in Nairobi. This year's theme is Being Fishers of Men (and Women) (and Children). Neil taught two sessions, followed by Shawn Salut from Northern Minnesota. Neil spoke about developing fishing holes: creating a welcoming environment where fish will gather. 

Jesus' first miracle was performed after guests had been feasting and drinking for three days at the wedding in Cana. Jesus fed people, healed the sick, and set them free by casting out demons. Then, after their needs were satisfied and their hearts were open, Jesus taught them. For the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross. Just as in the days of Nehemiah and Ezra, it is through the joy of the Lord that hearts are opened for teaching. Jesus' followers enjoy healing, demon deliverance, and miraculous needs supply. After he demonstrates his goodness, we can trust him for salvation. The joy of the Lord strengthens us to make it through our challenges and sorrows as we participate with Jesus in re-establishing His kingdom on earth.

Prayer Requests:

• That the pastors and leaders would be full of the joy of the Lord to strengthen them for all the challenges their people face.
• Peace in Kenya. There is still unrest after the riots in all the major cities were quelled 3 weeks ago by the police firing live ammunition into the crowds of protesters, killing over 200. 
• Fellowship among the pastors would deepen at the conferences as they are encouraged, knowing they stand together doing Jesus' work as members of his body on earth.

Ways to Help Kenya

The Spirit and the Bride Say, “Come!”

 

Revelation 22:17 -- The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

Outfitters for Adventure sent funds for the roof on the new church building just a month ago. Although work remains on the walls, the roof keeps the sun and rain off the people. It is always warm/hot right on the equator, so the walls are not as essential. However, there is no electricity in the building yet. The sound equipment was powered by a generator, which ran out of fuel before the teachings ended. So, they moved outdoors and continued as an outreach to the village. In the above picture, 4 people came forward to dedicate their lives to Jesus. In the image below, a view of worship time under the new church roof.

Martine (Neil calls him Marty) has a clear teaching gift and is one of the speakers with Neil at the pastors' conference near Mombasa this week. Marty reminds Neil of our friend, Rich Gau, a former pastor of City Hill Church in Eden Prairie, who has been the pastor of a church in Vancouver, British Columbia for several years. Marty is a Kenyan pastor from Kitale, an hour north of Francis Owour's city of Eldoret. At the April pastors and leaders conference in MauMau Market, Martin looked at our book, Navigating Life: A Mentoring Toolbox, and called it "Christianity 101." He asked Neil for several copies for his leadership training school in Kitale. Neil had 500 copies of the book published in Nairobi, to have them on hand at Cosmas' house for the pastors. After the first group of around 20 leadership trainees in Marty's school completed our book, a woman in his class used her copy to start a church in her village. 

Neil taught for 3 hours when the conference opened on Friday. Still on jet lag, Neil was pretty tuckered out. I stayed awake until 2:00 a.m. Minnesota time, hoping for enough news to write a new blog post, but finally fell into my own exhausted sleep. Much was happening in Neil's part of the world. He sent several text messages.

"After speaking for 3 hours today, I am at an open-air crusade. Marty is speaking. Oops, the generator just ran out of gas. I took a half-hour nap while waiting for them to get the generator started again. 

"Marty is preaching about the Samaritan woman. Both Shawn (from Northern Minnesota) and I thought he said, "American." I love you, Honey Bumpkins. I am picturing laughing together about thinking it is a sermon on the "American Woman."

"Marty speaks often about me coming to Kitale sometime. When Martin got the book, he used it to mentor leaders outside his church, most of them pastors. 

"On our way back from the crusade, we stopped by the house of a man who left the church. We talked through his offense tonight. He will be back in the church tomorrow. 

"I passed out some of Don Bartley's (Ruth's high school classmate) tracts to people on the fringe tonight. They really fit. 

"It is amazing the difference it is making for me to be here! Thank everyone for their prayer support, which is such a big part of the effectiveness. Today, when I was preaching about the covenant God made with Abraham, I just broke down and started weeping. The electric current of the Holy Spirit's anointing was just too much for me to retain my composure. I am doing the bulk of the teaching, and I need the Holy Spirit's strength to carry me through. 

"Wonderful morning (Saturday). I ministered the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was wild. About 20 people came forward and 3 gals became just sloppy drunk as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. You can't make this stuff up!

"After praying for the 20 or so people who came forward, I invited people who already spoke in tongues to come up and lay hands on them in prayer. I assumed the rest of the crowd must be filled with the Holy Spirit, but a block of 8 or so older ladies did not respond. I asked why. They didn't speak in tongues. The other pastors rounded them up and said they should go forward to ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Those older ladies looked like disobedient little school children as they ducked their heads and came forward. As we prayed for them, the oldest one moved her lips, but no sound came out. I encouraged the pastor to ask her to speak out the words. She began speaking in tongues, and for a while, she could only speak in tongues when she tried to talk. 

"It is sunshiny today -- about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Their winter. We are on a hill overlooking a valley full of palm trees, with the crickets chirping. 

"The battery on the van is a bit weak this morning. Prayer needed. I pulled something in my ankle, so I am limping. We leave tomorrow after church for the 10-hour return to Nairobi. I slept pretty well last night. I am missing you, dear.

Prayer Requests:

• Conference attendees to continue to grow in the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit as they minister Jesus' good news.
• Electricity for the new church building.
• Workers will complete the walls of the new building.
• Battery restored to full operating strength in the van.
• Healing for Neil's ankle.
• Good rest tonight for Neil and those traveling.
• Safety on the highway as they return to Nairobi tomorrow.