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:
