Joy Comes in the Morning

 

Psalm 30:5b Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. [NLT]

Several of you have sent greetings, saying it must be wonderful to have Neil home again. Yes, that will be wonderful, and yes, he was scheduled to be home tonight. Thankfully, Neil has been staying with our delightful friends in Nairobi, whom we have known for many years. They have been busy this week with training workshops. However, knowing Neil would join them, they assigned some of their other staff to take over some of the training. They also have a friend who has needed medical care for very painful ruptured discs in his back that put pressure on a nerve, making it difficult to walk. But amid their busy lives, Karin brought Neil and their daughter Sophia to a museum and a snake park. Sophia and Neil are pictured above as they make friends with the boa constrictor. Sophia is much braver than I was at that age!

Yesterday morning, Neil gathered his belongings to head to the airport. However, he discovered that he needed to change his flight schedule. At first, it seemed he might need to check with the US Embassy, but the first available appointment was in June. I remember my grandmother saying that house guests and fish begin to give off a foul odor after a week. That was her way of saying, "Be careful never to overstay your welcome." So, we prayed, knowing God orders our days. It's good to remember passages like this one:

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
     do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
     and he will show you which path to take.  [NLT]

In answer to prayer, Neil boarded a plane this morning and is now landing in Paris. His next flight from Paris will land in Minneapolis Saturday at 1:10 p.m. Neil's sister Beth and her husband Dave will be there to give him a ride to Morris. 

Thank you again for all of your prayers. Whenever Neil travels, he feels like he is traveling with you. He can feel the difference your prayers make. We did not send out a general prayer request about his travel schedule change because this happened late and into our night -- which was daytime in Kenya. 

Prayer items

• Praise God that Neil is on his way home
• For Medley's friend to be healed of the ruptured discs in his back
• For Neil to overcome jet lag so he can hit the ground running with a busy schedule
• For Ruth to understand Neil's notes as she updates the stories of the ROCK children for their sponsors
• Special prayer for those who received teaching and ministry that their faith will be strengthened as they continue to share the Good News in Kenya

Love,

Ruth

Helping Kenya

Transplants

 

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

    because the Lord has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

    to proclaim freedom for the captives

    and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]

2 

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

    and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

3 

    and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

    instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

    instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

    instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

    a planting of the Lord

    for the display of his splendor.

While Neil is gone, my two little neighbor girls, who have adopted us as grandparents, often stop by to see if I am okay. They like to see me, but also hope to be entertained. Last week, I needed to transplant the garden seedlings Neil started right before he left for Kenya. After showing the girls to be very careful not to pinch or squash the tiny plants or their roots, they helped me fill pots with dirt and safely tuck them into holes they poked into the dirt in the pots with their fingers. Although they were extremely careful not to injure the little plants, there was dirt all over their clothes, the dining room table, and the floor by the time we were done. A week later, I sent photographic evidence of the fruit of our labors to Neil in Kenya.

This morning, I was thinking about how many of us have been transplanted by the Lord. Each move or life change can be either exciting or traumatic. Neil stayed with our friends, Joe and Karin Medley, and their daughters, Esther and Sophia, this week in Nairobi. They served as regional directors for Covenant Players, a worldwide theatrical missionary organization based in California. When Esther was born, they were directors in Europe and living in Germany. Then they were moved to Australia, where they were directors for Australasia. When Karin's mother's health was failing, they moved back to Germany, where Karin could help her father care for her mother. Now Joe's covenant of 35 years has been completed, and they are directors of a mission organization out of Germany, training evangelistic teams in Africa with their home base in Nairobi. As seasoned missionaries, Joe and Karin have been able to make those moves trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide their steps and provide for their needs.

The transition for their girls has been more traumatic, however. After making dear friends in one location, they have felt uprooted. Neil and I have been encouraging the girls that just as the Lord helped them find friends in their current location, He is already preparing their next location to receive them. The girls have been able to adjust, but it hasn't been easy. Many of us have also come through difficult life alterations. As I was transitioning through a divorce in 1979, one of my staff gave me a little standup cartoon poster that said, "Jesus, there is nothing happening today that you and I can't handle." I displayed that truth in my office until I retired. An elderly Norwegian relative used to say, "That is a surely t'ing." Margaret Jensen wrote a book entitled, "A Nail in a Sure Place." We all need those nails that held Jesus on the cross in our place. Jesus keeps us securely, gently tucking us into the sure places wherever we are transplanted. 

Neil is scheduled to depart from Nairobi at midnight tonight, Kenya time (4:00 p.m. our time), to land in Amsterdam in the morning and in Minneapolis tomorrow at noon.

Please pray:

• Neil will have all his documents to board and arrive in Minneapolis on schedule. 
• Healing of the skin rash that Neil is still suffering from.
• For the church leaders to help the people into their churches to be called Oaks of Righteousness, a planting of the Lord!
• Ruth will soon transfer Neil's interview notes to the reports the ROCK sponsors will receive.

Love,

Ruth

Helping Kenya

  

An Ever Present Help in Trouble

 

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, and the mountains quake with their surging.

The highway pictured above is the Escarpment Road in the Great Rift Valley northwest of Nairobi, one of the world's most dangerous stretches of highway. The grade is steep. It is the main highway clogged with semi-trucks transporting goods from Kenya's seaport of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean to the interior of Eastern Africa. Over the years, the guard rails have been destroyed by trucks careening over the embankment into the Great Rift Valley. 

Now, imagine being unable to see the lane dividers in the dark in a driving rain, blinded by the headlights of the oncoming stream of trucks. Neil was amid that scene when he sent an urgent prayer text to Ruth at 8:20 p.m. Kenya time (12:20 p.m. Minnesota time, just as Ruth's family was settling down for their Easter luncheon). Neil does not give in to panic, but he pushed the prayer button, knowing God is always on the line -- along with some trusted friends and the prayer warriors at The Church In the Pines (TCITP), Alexandria. Neil and the other passengers in Cosmas' van were in grave danger. We'll pick this story up later.

Neil's day started at 5:00 a.m., gathering his belongings, having breakfast, and heading with Jim and Francis in the van to preach at Kakamaga. They set off at 6:00 a.m., in a steady rain. They arrived without mishap at the church around 8:00 a.m. Kenya time. The Holy Spirit anointed the worship and preaching. Neil has been telling Ruth there is a blessing on his work in Kenya this year, after our church in Alexandria sent him out. Ruth marveled that the Holy Spirit gave Jay and Neil the same passage on Jesus appearing to the disciples on the Road to Emmaus for their Easter sermons. God also revealed to each of them his love for humor. After Neil's sermon in Kenya, three responded to the altar call for salvation, but two had already been born again and were encouraged to be seated. The one new believer was joined up front by fifteen who eagerly desired to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and began speaking in tongues. 

Then the Holy Spirit nudged Neil to call two women to come forward. The Holy Spirit showed Neil that the first woman had longed for something. As Neil prophesied over her, she burst into tears of joy, knowing God understood what was in her heart. Although Neil was not given any specifics, the woman knew exactly what God was referring to. She was not asked to divulge any details to protect her from being pressured by her church leaders or others. God will bring his word to pass in the proper time and in God's way when the woman is ready to receive whatever she has been longing for. The second woman was filled with joy with the Holy Spirit's encouragement she received through Neil.

After lunch, Neil texted Ruth, "Morning, deer." [Ruth has tried for 45 years to teach Neil, an avid bow-hunter, never to call her deer.] "Jesus is Risen." Ruth thought, "Yes, dear, Jesus is alive, and is the Lord and giver of life."

Cosmas stayed behind this morning to minister at the church where the conference was held. Then Cosmas brought James and Wycliffe to join Neil, Jim, and Francis on the Kisumu-Eldoret road. Francis planned to continue driving the van, but Francis was totally exhausted. Remembering the close call last year when Francis fell asleep at the wheel, Neil insisted that Cosmas take over as van driver. Cosmas is an experienced driver who funds his ministry by teaching auto mechanics at a junior college in Nairobi. Francis was dropped off at his home in Eldoret at 6:12 p.m. Kenya time (10:00 a.m. Minnesota time). Neil thought they had 5 hours left to reach Cosmas' house in Nairobi, estimating arrival at 11:12 p.m. Kenya time.

In Minnesota this morning, God prepared Ruth with dreams shared by two friends at TCITP. Neil appeared in Holly W's dream, sleeping soundly, peacefully, as Ruth was busy in the background. Ruth told Holly that Neil slept well last night, but Ruth had a fitful night, rising at 4:15 a.m. Later, Deb H, finding Ruth at the front of the church, took Ruth by the arms, looked intently into Ruth's eyes, and said she woke during the night with a picture of Neil flashing across her line of vision and the sense that he was in danger. Deb immediately went into intensive prayer for Neil until that urgency lifted. Ruth reassured Deb that everything had been going so well and that Ruth didn't think there was anything to worry about. Then a little nagging question began to creep into the back of Ruth's mind, "But, what if something is about to?" Ruth shrugged it off and focused on the people at hand. 

Picking up the urgent prayer request from Neil where we left off, Ruth received Neil's text at 8:18 p.m. Kenya time (12:18 p.m. Minnesota time). Ruth was amazed that she was so calm as she fired off texted prayer requests with all the urgency summoned from Deb's dream. However, Holly's dream of Neil at peace put Ruth at rest, realizing God knew all about this ahead of time, and God's got this! 

At 10:44 p.m. Kenya time (2:44 p.m. Minnesota time), Neil texted that they had just dropped James off in Naivasha. The truck traffic was slightly less, but the rain was still pouring, making it almost impossible to see lanes. Traffic had slowed to 30 miles per hour because of poor road conditions. However, Cosmas handled the van well, holding it steady on the road with his excellent driving skills, finally, at 2:00 a.m. Kenya time (6:00 p.m., Minnesota time), three hours later than anticipated, they dropped Wycliffe off at his home in Nairobi. Neil called Ruth at 2:30 a.m. Kenya time to let her know they arrived safely at Comas' house in Nairobi.

Jim will have Monday and Tuesday with Cosmas, boarding his return flight to Minnesota around midnight Kenya time on Tuesday night. Neil is staying with Jim in Cosmas' house tonight and will join our friends, Joe and Karin Medley, tomorrow. Jim has been an excellent team member. Neil will miss his company on the flight home.

Prayer requests:

• Thank and praise God this Easter Sunday for Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, making forgiveness for our sins available for all who trust Him
• Thank God for the outpouring of His Holy Spirit, empowering Jesus' followers to carry on Jesus' work on earth until he returns
• Thank God for safe travel
• Rest for Cosmas, who led the conference; Francis, who made arrangements and translated for English speakers; the worship leaders and their teams; and Neil, Jim, and the other teachers and translators
• Neil and Jim must transition back into their Minnesota time schedules and responsibilities
• Ruth must transfer all the precious notes from the interviews with caregivers and 57 children in the Kisii District to their sponsor's notifications

Love,

Ruth

Helping Kenya

Let the Little Children Come

Mark 10:13-15 - People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He told them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” [NIV]

Neil slept like a rock last night, and thanks you for your prayers. The folks staying in the other hotel didn't sleep so well. There was a loud disco going on next door. 

In the opening session this morning, Neil said that when he learned that several who came forward to be born again last night had already committed their lives to Jesus. That got everyone's attention, and the crowd was hushed. Then Neil explained that we can't be born-again, again. When we are born again, God remains faithful to His side of the commitment. Giving our life to Jesus establishes our relationship when God accepts us as His child through our trust in Jesus. If we fall away, we need to confess our sin. God is faithful and will forgive our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. So they went over the difference between being born again and confession of sin, repentance, and forgiveness that restores fellowship with Jesus after we are born again. The Holy Spirit's work of sanctification, helping us change our actions, words, and attitudes to become more like Jesus, continues here on earth until we see Jesus face-to-face in heaven. 

Ken taught the next session, following up on Neil's points. After the morning session, one of the Kisii District pastors came to Neil to confess things he had done that needed forgiveness. Neil was thankful to work toward a deeper relationship with that pastor. 

Ken greets Maurice Opondo, who had been Neil's interpreter for a few years. Maurice married our friend Ellie, who was on Neil's site visit teams. They now live in Rochester, MN, where they are raising their family and work at the Mayo Clinic. Maurice and Ellie would enjoy participating in the Kenya meetings this week.

The children at the conference followed Neil, hoping he would take their hand or let them crawl into his lap. Today, Jim gathered about 100 children under a tree outdoors and taught them. Neil said it is like Jim has a special gift for teaching children. As Neil listened to Jim's teaching, two little girls were sleeping in Neil's lap with their heads against his chest. One of them was snoring. Jim invited Neil to finish by teaching how God speaks to us.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit has become stronger each day. When Neil arrived at the church this afternoon, it was like the people were in a time warp of the Holy Spirit in God's presence. Neil said it was so sweet. They had a "no-holds-barred" dancing before the Lord. Marvelous! The worship dance teams took turns leading worship. Neil taught on Jesus rebuking the disciples for not listening to the women's report of the empty tomb and about the disciples recognizing Jesus when he appeared with them on the Road to Emmaus. Jesus rising from the dead was almost too wonderful for the disciples to believe, but Jesus appeared often enough after he rose from the grave that the evidence outweighed their skepticism.

Neil and Jim did not stay for the last session, which would end around 11:00 p.m. They must be on the road with Francis at 6:00 a.m. to drive 2 hours to the church where they will preach. Cosmas will stay at James' church, where the conference is held. The conference will end after the morning service. The folks from the Ugandan islands in Lake Victoria will make the 5-hour boat ride back home. Cosmas will drive his van to join Neil, Francis, and Jim and bring them to his home in Nairobi, where they will spend the night. Jim will fly home, but Neil will stay on in Nairobi, visiting our missionary friends Joe and Karin Medley for a few days. Neil will arrive home in Morris on Friday night. 

Prayer concerns:

• Neil, Jim, and Francis are already waking up on Easter morning. Pray for strength and joy, love and peace, and fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit for preaching.
• Safe travels for all the conference attendees.
• Teachings of the week will increase in hearts and not fade as they head home.

Love,

Ruth

Helping Kenya

 

Your Kingdom Come

 

Tonight, twenty young people came forward at the conference to dedicate their lives to Jesus.

Matthew 6:9-13 [Jesus speaking to his disciples]  “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,  on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,  as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [NIV]

Jesus established the Kingdom of God on earth when he died for our sins and rose victorious over the grave, putting an end to Satan's dominion. The Kingdom of God comes to us personally when we allow Jesus to sit on his throne in our hearts. After his death and resurrection, in Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus proclaims his authority with which he commissions his disciples: 

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [NIV]

The young woman leading worship this morning "really hit the ball out of the park," in Neil's words. She was boldly unhinged and brought the crowd into the presence of God. Neil spoke on the word of wisdom and wisdom. He said the wise understood it. Neil also taught about the love of the Heavenly Father, which is expressed so profoundly in the sacrifice of his Son for our sins. Neil couldn't hold back the tears. Any of you who know Neil realize he seldom cries. But while Neil was growing up, he often longed for love from his father. He discovered that love in God the Father, and within the Father's love, Neil could forgive his earthly father and himself. 

In the afternoon, there was prophetic worship. People began singing new songs as they prophesied. A man named Ken is like a Kenyan version of Rich Kao, a dear friend from Vancouver with a clear prophetic gift. Neil quoted Ken, "If God holds us over the fire and puts us in the fire when we do a sin -- I don't want to serve a God like that."

Things have broken free at the conference. James, the pastor of the hosting church, is so thankful. When everyone is praying, Neil said it sounds like water in rapids. Later, things got a little wild up front during healings and deliverances. At 10:30 p.m. Kenya time, there was still no sign of closing the meeting. A little girl had fallen asleep in Neil's lap, and Neil had fallen asleep, too. The mamma woke Neil when she came by to pick up her little girl. 

Rosemary Makori sent Ruth pictures of a house whose roof was purchased with your gifts to Outfitters for Adventure. People in her village had already begun building the house for the needy family. 

Prayer Needs:

• Rest after a long day
• Fresh hope and love for those who were delivered of demons
• Deep understanding of God the Father's love
• For all of us around the globe who follow Jesus to become like Him

Love,

Ruth

Helping Kenya

Give Thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good," appears in many passages in the Bible. In the picture, the pastors at the conference were receiving the soccer balls and copies of Neil's Navigating Life book.  Thank you to the Lord for making the trip possible, and thank you to the church in Iowa for the soccer balls, and thank you to friends in Fergus Falls, MN, for the hand pumps. About half an hour later, the balls had been pumped up with the donated hand pumps, and children were playing with them. Thank you to those who donated funds that made it possible to publish 500 copies of the books in Kenya. There will be more copies to share for churches in Southeastern Kenya if Neil returns in August, and throughout the coming years in Kenya as needed.

Sometime during the day, Neil called. I heard many voices in the background. Neil asked me to say something, and then said I was speaking to the pastors. Neil was holding a mic up to his phone. Of course, I was caught off guard and said only a few words, but they sounded happy to hear my voice. It must have been okay, because Neil said, "Isn't it wonderful to have a wife like that who enjoys supporting what you are doing?" I was thankful they didn't have me on a chat feature putting my face up on a screen, because Thursday is my worst bad hair day of the week.

This morning's meeting began with Neil teaching how to be sure you are going to heaven. With a show of hands, several pastors were not entirely convinced. After the service, many thanked him for showing them passages in the Bible to give them reassurance and instruction on how to put their trust fully in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and not in their success or failure. Neil spoke about making Jesus our identity and not identifying with our sinful nature. How often do we tell ourselves and others that we are just this way or that way? But we forget that the Holy Spirit is alive within us, and we can draw from His nature as we allow Him to flow through us. 

Ken from Cosmas' church, a good friend of Maurice Opondo, was interpreting for Jim Hallaway today. Richard Chacha, the pastor from Tanzania, taught about demon deliverance. In Kenya, pastors are confident when commanding demons to leave. That is something they take on face value in the Bible, and they have seen people set free. American pastors could learn from them in that department. One facet of Jesus' ministry often mentioned in the gospels is driving out demons. Jesus was never shy about telling demons to leave.

In the evening, Neil read the four passages in the Book of Acts where people were filled with the Holy Spirit. After his teaching, people were invited to come forward if they wanted prayer for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Ten came forward, and they all were able to speak in tongues. Neil and Jim couldn't tell because they don't speak Kenyan languages, but the other pastors knew. Several helped pray for the ten. They were gentle and patient, not pushy, and that helped the ten relax and be open for the Holy Spirit to come. 

When they returned to the hotel, those staying there gathered in the lounge to visit. Poor Francis is the favorite translator and works very hard. Although others are willing to translate, they run into difficulties because they are not as familiar with English. Neil and Jim asked what arrangements had been made for them to preach in churches on Sunday. No one thought they might be happy to preach after working so hard at the conference. However, Neil and Jim want to be fully utilized. Neil said making plans "on the go" in Kenya is typical. Jim is used to a structured calendar, but he is becoming flexible on this trip. 

Prayer concerns:

• Neil still struggles with the skin rash that is making sleep difficult
• Energy and Holy Spirit anointing for all the teachers and interpreters
• Shelter from rain for the crowd at the conference
• Strengthening of relationships
• For pastors to be encouraged and strengthened in understanding and knowledge of the Bible and of their salvation and calling

Love,

Ruth

Helping Kenya

 

Can you loosen Orion’s belt? - Job 38:31

 

Orion Image from https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jBaW3ZCr6XK4zM5wRaCUxc.jpg.

Orion is vivid in the night sky on the equator in Kenya, where the length of daylight and night is equal. In the Northern Hemisphere, we can see Orion only for half of the year, but in Kenya, they see Orion year-round. Ruth's mother taught her to recognize Orion as a child, and that constellation has been her favorite ever since. She was surprised to read in Job 38 that God mentioned Orion when he was questioning Job. God considered Job to be the most righteous man of his time. God allowed Satan to test Job. Satan struck Job with financial loss, the loss of his children, and physical pain and suffering. When Job's health was destroyed, God visited Job. In a nutshell, God asked Job where he was when God created the heavens, the earth, and every living thing. Of course, Job was not there during creation. Job asked for forgiveness for speaking as though he were full of all wisdom and knowledge. God restored Job's fortunes twofold and gave him seven sons and three daughters. Job enjoyed his children the rest of his 140 years, and the grandchildren to the 4th generation during his lifetime. 

This week, Christians worldwide celebrate Jesus sacrificial death in payment of the sin of all mankind and His resurrection three days after His death. Jesus is God's one and only begotten Son, who is truly righteous and who was the Word of God through whom God created the universe. 

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Ruth and Neil always consider the creation when looking at the night sky. While Neil is in Kenya, he often tells Ruth if he sees Orion while he is outside after the sun goes down. The night sky enveloping the earth is one of many ways Neil and Ruth stay connected, even when they are a third of the world apart. People around the globe can be worlds apart, even within their own families, as unforgiveness and differences of opinion separate them. But Jesus gave us a ministry of reconciliation by forgiving us of our sins by His blood shed on the cross in our place. Orion is one of the wonders of God's creation, but not nearly as precious as a living person. Jesus is our example that hatred is not worth separating one person from another, when He has offered us the power to forgive. While Jesus was dying on the cross, he cried out concerning the Jewish leaders, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 24:34, NIV)

This morning (Wednesday), Neil called at 6:30 a.m. Minnesota time. The conference is close to the Northeast shore of massive Lake Victoria, so they have lake effect weather. Several inches of rain had fallen during the night. Neil said it was BH (Beyond Holly. Holly will know what we mean.) Neil has learned to adjust the temperature dial on the shower before stepping into it. Jim tried adjusting the dial while taking his shower and discovered it was a shocking experience. The extra jolt wakes you up for all day.

Neil and Jim had already preached in the morning sessions at the conference. They are a good team because one inspires the other, and they fill in thoughts that come to mind while the other is preaching. People from the church on the Ugandan island joined them on Wednesday, swelling their number to about 300, with more expected to arrive on Thursday. The Ugandan island people came in large boats, taking five hours across the water. When they arrived, it looked like a caravan of homeless people with their belongings wrapped in sheets like huge knapsacks over their backs. Then the caravan turned into the church and filled it to overflowing. Some gift funds sent with Neil will be used to feed the conference attendees, because they have no funds to feed themselves, and the church can't feed such a large crowd. The conference is Cosmas' way of providing Bible teaching for the Riverside Ministries church pastors and leaders.

While teaching, Neil asks basic questions, such as, "Does someone need to speak in tongues to go to heaven?" They look at Neil, but are shy about answering for fear of getting it wrong, when it is meant to be a simple question with a resounding, "No" response. Then Neil explains, "Salvation is trusting Jesus' death on the cross as full payment for our sin. After being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, we are given power to be Jesus' witnesses." So Neil had them review that concept a few times until they could confidently answer, "You can be saved by trusting Jesus' blood shed on the cross to fully wash away all our sins without speaking in tongues, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you must follow Jesus." 

After struggling with a few more fundamental Christianity 101-type questions, the pastors asked Neil to teach them discipleship from his book, Navigating Life: A Mentoring Toolbox. Neil is happy to do so, because our book is filled with Bible passages in 73 practical lessons learned over a lifetime. Please don't think Neil is on a marketing tour for selling the book. He invested his personal funds into the first publication, many copies of which were given to those who would make good use of them. The second edition has been published in Kenya by Outfitters for Adventure to make copies available for free to our Kenyan friends. The pastors are brilliant but need teachers, Bibles, and clear teaching tools. Jesus' example of living life as fully human with all of the problems and temptations we face, yet living this life on earth with the Holy Spirit inside of Him, was the first message today, going "boing, boing" in Neil's head. 

The overwhelming response of the people coming to the conference this year reminds Ruth of the passage in Revelation 22:12-17.

"Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

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. 

Neil is still struggling with a skin rash that makes it difficult to sleep at night. After lunch, Neil fell asleep in the house where meals are prepared. The others didn't want to disturb him, leaving quietly and just letting Neil sleep. He didn't awaken until 2:30 p.m., Kenya time, when the afternoon meeting had already begun. The beauty of Kenyan time is that they are never in a rush. Cosmas and a few others have also been teaching. Others took the first teaching slot, leaving a spot for Neil when he arrived. 

Our neighbor's little girls are trying to get their heads around Neil being 1/3rd of the way around the globe. Little Willow was full of questions as she tried her best to help me shovel last fall's pile of leaves off Neil's asparagus now that the ground has thawed. As I wrap this up at 10:00 p.m. Wednesday night in Minnesota, Neil is already awake at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday morning in Kenya, and has called my cell phone.

Please pray:

• Neil has had rash outbreaks again, especially at night.
• For grace when the soccer balls and copies of our books are passed out, because there aren't nearly enough for everyone to receive in the overflow crowd.
• For a break in the rainfall, the church roof has not been completed on their new, larger building. 

Love,

Ruth

 

 Helping Kenya

 

Led Like a Sheep to the Slaughter

 

I was reminded of the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40 as Neil and the pastors traveled to the conference on Monday. Kenya shares part of its northern border with Ethiopia. The Holy Spirit told Philip to stay near the eunuch's chariot, where Philip heard the eunuch reading from Isaiah 53:7-8. Verse 7 is:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
    and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth. [NIV]

The eunuch asked Philip to help him understand what he was reading. So, Philip told the eunuch that the passage described Jesus and then shared the good news about Jesus. The eunuch saw some water and asked Philip to baptize him. When Philip left, he was miraculously transported by the Holy Spirit to Azotus, which is now known as Ashdod, a city in Israel. 

Neil and the pastors were not similarly translated to Port Victoria for their conference. They started out Monday morning around 9:00 a.m., picking up donuts for breakfast and Kenyan French fries for lunch. In Cosmas' van, Atkinson from Sengera drove with Francis as the co-pilot. Neil, Jim, and Clinton (the new convert) were in the middle seat. They arrived at Port Victoria around 5:30 p.m. Kenya time (9:30 a.m. Morris, MN time). Neil's text reported only two traffic tickets (for too many passengers for a private vehicle license). Also, a man darted out into the street before they could entirely avoid him and was clipped by the mirror. Ouch. 

Arriving safe and sound at Port Victoria, they found a hotel accommodation for $15/night. Neil soon found a little child to hold in his lap as they waited for supper to be prepared. Francis said Neil even preached with the child in his arms. The conference opened Monday night. They got to bed around 10:30 p.m. Kenya time and had breakfast together on Tuesday morning.

After Neil and a local speaker named Osborne spoke at the Tuesday morning conference meetings, the team was fed a delicious lunch of boiled bananas, potato chips, lentils (a type of small bean), rice, deep-fried fresh fish, and little fishies (like dehydrated smelt). The worship leader is their "chef" this year. She had a cesarian nine months ago. Neil said she must have recovered because she really moved during worship. Joyce's nephew Clinton, who was just saved, responds well to the messages. 

Wycliffe, Maurice Opondo's friend, sends greetings. Rather than sit in front alongside Cosmas and the "big men," Neil and Jim sit further back with the little people. That has its benefits. The children come to sit in their laps. Eunice Mbanda, the woman pastor from a Ugandan island whose church received funds for a new roof, and Habakkuk will arrive Wednesday. When Eunice's daughter was sponsored by N&N Larson last year, Eunice sent a text with a "Thank You" message. 

Prayer:

• Thank God for Monday's safe travel
• For Clinton, Joyce's nephew, to experience further deliverance and hold on to the teachings at the conference
• For Neil and Jim to adjust to the Kenyan food and to sleep well
• For Kenyan pastors to become role models in caring for their wives and children

Love,

Ruth

Helping Kenya

Every Good and Perfect Gift

 

 

Luke 11:13: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Peter, the man in the picture, cannot walk, but his smile lights up a room. A few years ago, Outfitters for Adventure provided him with a wheelchair. However, he lives on a hill with a dirt road, making the wheelchair of little use. He pulls himself along, dragging his legs behind him. Last year, one of the donations to Outfitters supplied metal sheets for his new roof. After the roofing sheets arrive, the Kenyans build the house. The houses are made of poles cut from small trees. The walls have branches woven back and forth between the poles. The plaster is made from a mixture of straw, mud, and manure, which dries from the sun's heat before the roof is added. Most walls have a rough finish, but this man's house had a smooth finish with an artistic flourish on the outer walls. He couldn't seem to thank you enough for the gift you have given him. 

Last night, Hellen's church service began with joyous worship. Neil was filled with power and energy to preach. Jim followed Neil, filling in gaps to help people better understand the message. Jim and Neil are an effective tag team. This morning, people filled the church again. Neil said the Holy Spirit made it easy to speak. He felt as though he was unleashed as he shared the joy of serving Jesus. Neil found a baby to cuddle.

This afternoon, they continued the interviews with the ROCK (Reach Out to the Children of Kenya) children and their caregivers. Then, Atkinson brought them to pray for his mom, who had a stroke. Atkinson rented Neil his car last year that needed its transmission replaced on the road. Atkinson's children speak four languages. We often hear this joke when we travel. What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual. What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks one language? American.

Tonight, Neil, Jim, and Francis were invited to Joyce's house. Joyce's brother died a few years ago, but his family continues to invite Neil for dinner each year. Joyce's brother-in-law, Jepthah, is quite a farmer raising tomatoes, cabbages, and kale on an immaculate several-acre farm. His produce is sold locally in the open market. One of Joyce's nephews has been living a wild lifestyle. Neil asked if he was ready to turn his life around and live for Jesus. He prayed to give his heart to Jesus. Jim, Neil, and Francis prayed for him to be set free of demonic control. Then, the nephew asked to join them at the pastor/leader conference, where he will receive more prayer and training. The young man reminded Neil of himself back in 1978 when Neil turned his life around and began following Jesus. Joyce cried when her nephew prayed to follow Jesus.

At 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, pastors will join Francis, Jim, and Neil in Cosmas' van along with a rented van full of pastors to drive 8 hours north to the conference at Port Victoria. 

Please pray:

• Atkinson's mother to heal from the stroke
• The Holy Spirit to keep Joyce's nephew on Jesus' path
• Joy of the Lord to Strengthen and encourage the crippled man 
• Safety for the 2 vans traveling 8 hours tomorrow
• Jim & Neil to teach clearly through Francis' translation at the conference

Love, 

Ruth

For those who want to help financially, the link is here:

Helping Kenya

Serving the Least

 Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

After another long day of interviews, Hellen Aberi hosted the team in her Sengera home. The interviews were completed at Mary's village in the morning, and then interviews in Sengera began. Chacha's caregivers and five ROCK children from his church in Tanzania will be with Hellen's church over the weekend. Fourteen interviews remain for Sunday, which will include a long morning and an evening church service. They will also manage to visit a nearby boarding school where four ROCK children live.

In addition to the ROCK interviews, others come for prayer and counsel while the team is visiting. Neil texted Ruth, "I picked up another daughter, Gertrude. Her husband drinks. Poor thing. We both sat on the couch and cried big tears while I prayed for her." 

Neil kept Ruth busy sending international funds transfers for roof replacements, Bibles for George's church, the pastors' bus fare to next week's conference, and funds for Mary to complete the latrines at her Christian school. The picture below was taken a month ago while the work was underway. The Kenyans make bricks-and-mortar, drying them in huts with a central fire. Outfitters for Adventure helped purchase materials and provide funds for the workmen. The children in Mary's school are introduced to Jesus and study the Bible in addition to other subjects. They were given some of the new soccer balls sent from the church in Iowa. Jim played soccer with some of the children, but they insisted on using their old ball. They must want to keep the new balls for more serious competition. Ruth asked Francis to take a picture of the children playing with the new balls, so we will see if they have time before the team leaves for the conference on Monday.

Prayer Requests:

• This morning Neil had a flare-up of the skin rash he is fighting.
• Pray for Gertrude's husband to be able to stop drinking and begin to treat Gertrude and their children well.
• Pray for the roofing materials to arrive and workers to replace the roofs.
• Pray for Mary's school latrines to be completed.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit's strength, enthusiasm, and love to fill the team and the people receiving their teaching tomorrow. 
• Pray for the people to recognize that all good gifts come from their Heavenly Father, not the visiting Americans. Neil and Jim have the privilege of walking alongside Jesus as he does his work there in Kenya.

Love,

Ruth

For those who want to help financially, the Helping Kenya link is given. But please do not give from a sense of obligation. God really does love cheerful givers.

Helping Kenya