Neil Anointing Pastors During Ordination Service
On Sunday, an extraordinary part of Neil's trip was participating in the ordination of several of the pastors he has worked with in the Kisii District since 2004 and some of the pastors he has recently visited in other parts of Kenya. Cosmas Solamba is an excellent leader of the Riverside Ministries churches. He teaches them through his annual week-long conferences and visits their churches when he can. Cosmas thanked Neil for being his friend and coworker for nearly 20 years.
On Monday, August 19, Neil rested after almost three weeks of ministry in Kenya. An answered prayer is a two-week postponement of the airport workers' strike as they work together with the government toward a mutually satisfactory resolution of their disputes. Their 7-day strike would otherwise have begun yesterday, possibly delaying Neil's flight home.
Ruth is working with the international funds transfer company to reactivate her account. Their customer support team has been understanding, especially when they discovered that Ruth had yet to receive their July email requesting annual documentation for a continuation of her account. International bank transfer companies need to satisfy the banking regulations in over 100 nations they serve globally. They assist families and friends in providing financial support for struggling relatives back home. Ruth thanked them for their vital work in helping genuinely needy families, reassuring them she fully appreciated their efforts.
Although Ruth responded quickly to the customer support team's email on Monday, it may take them one or two more days to review her documents. Ruth has been unable to send Neil even a penny for his trip home. Neil's Nairobi friends will ensure he flies on schedule, but reactivation of the international transfer account is needed to continue supporting our Kenyan friends. Your prayers are much appreciated. God knows how to iron out this considerable wrinkle without scorching the fabric.
On Tuesday, Neil traveled across Nairobi to spend time with Joe and Karin Medley. They will bring him to the airport. His flight departs around midnight on Wednesday night. Neil used Zoom from Joe's flat so Ruth could visit with the Medleys in a video call. They updated Ruth on their lives and ministry in Nairobi. Joe said this has been an exceptionally productive year for all on their ministry team, with many trips across Kenya, even to remote villages. One member of their team also travels to other African nations. Joe made a trip to Mombasa while Neil was there, and Karin will be traveling there tomorrow. Joe asked for prayer for Karin for both safety and effectiveness. The women there need encouragement.
Thank you again for your prayers. We have seen so many prayers answered on this trip, and many of them almost instantly.
Prayer Requests:
- Praise God for the pastors ordained at the conference and for the Holy Spirit to continue teaching and guiding them as He empowers them for ministry.
- Pray for Karin Medley's trip to Mombasa on Wednesday to encourage women there. Pray for safe travel and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to give them strength and greater empowerment for service.
- Thank God for postponing the air workers' strike and for wisdom for the union and the Kenyan government as they work together to resolve issues mutually satisfactorily.
- Pray for healing for our Kenyan friend Esther, who attended the conference and needs immediate medical help for advanced stages of HIV/AIDS.
- Pray that the international funds transfer company restores Ruth's account to continue to support our friends in Kenya.