Transfer of Wealth

October 1, 2008 begins a new year of ministry

Please continue to pray for:  traveling mercies, receptive hearts, all financial needs to be met, and that the right doors will be opened and that I will be His servant wherever He leads me.

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The end of my mission year and God has done amazing things. I know He is more than able to do these things and much more in your life as well. It is not His will to withhold anything good from you. I have spent a year travelling by faith and a dime and God has indeed stretched my tent pegs. I am stretch and still I find room to stretch even more. Even with my mother passing at the close of this mission year I am in awe of how God can transform this my future in the wake of her death to do greater things. It is her legacy that I am living. She was an evangelist in her own right and so are her descendents one by one we are coming into this destiny. I include her a memorial one of my nephews wrote about my mother, his grandmother. I end this year on this note. I am a living testimony and legacy of my mother's faith in God.

My Grandmother

I remember my grandmother praying early in the morning for every person in the family. Those that were lost will one day be saved and for those that were saved that they remain faithful to the Lord. She prayed for all family members in Barbados, Canada, New York, England, etc…

One by one their names were called out to the Lord.  

At night I remember her praying again for them all again. As a child I did not understand why my grandmother and mother did these things but today I do. My grandmother did not pray just to be heard or to impress people but she had a strong conviction for the salvation of her family.

Her prayers were not vain words but the words of someone fighting a great fight, waging war and protecting the weak. My grandmother was a prayer warrior. Just as her grandfather and mother before her she picked up the mantle and carried it fearlessly wherever she went.

I remember hearing of my grandmother walking up and down the streets of Barbados praying and witnessing to people she met each day. I did not understand it then but I now know my grandmother was a true evangelist at heart who truly cared for the souls of all men.

I remember my grandmother working with the elderly in New York City. I remember an evening she invited us into a very elegant home to introduce us to a family she was working for. The family was so nice and appreciative of us that I could not understand why they were so happy to see us.

I realize they loved us because their truly loved my grandmother just as many of the people she has worked with over the years. I realize my grandmother truly cared for people. Whether it was opening up here home to strangers as a young woman with children or caring for the elderly my grandmother was a true humanitarian. My grandmother truly loved people.

I have come to realize that my grandmother was not just a Christian who attended church on a Sunday or one who prayed to God when trouble comes. My grandmother was a true believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ. My grandmother believed in the Word, lived by faith, and has passed away to be in glory.

There are many memories I have of my grandmother just as there are numerous memories shared by her siblings, children, grandchildren, extended relatives, brethren, and strangers who came to the Lord because of her witness. We will miss you for now grandma but will continue what you left for us to do.

Karl, Grandson

Home Going Service 9/25/2009

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9/19/08

God is a great comforter. He is our Jehovah-Jireh in every sense of the meaning. My family has been a real blessing tome in more ways than they can imagine or know. I am not falling apart even thought it is difficult to write of this experience. Yesterday I had to end on a short note. Today I am more comforted than I was yesterday.

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9/18/09

I am in London with my family here, Auntie, uncle and first cousins. I am not alone. Here is the closet place to home. I got the news on Tuesday the 15^th that mom had gone home with the Lord. I was alone when I heard the news. I cried not because I am without hope for my mom, but because all that the Lord has been showing to me. My sons, the eldest fiancé and my nephew were with mom when she left this earth for the loving arms of the Savior. I was desperately trying all the while to book a flight to London before mom passed. I got a flight for the next morning but by afternoon of the 15^th Germany’s time I got the news that mom had passed on. The initial shock was difficult but I had a good cry and then the peace of God came. I spent all my time avoiding contemplating her death and tried to call everyone I could to just talk or email or busy myself around my friend’s house, cleaning, washing my clothes, and washing my hair and calling family endlessly. I could not have gotten to London any quicker than I did. I finally reached my auntie’s home and finally the emotional and physical exhaustion was being abated. My mom is gone.

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9/15/09

I am back in Germany and in constant contact with my family every 1 ½ to 2 hours. I spoke to mom before leaving Paris while she was still able to communicate and my mom said I should continue on my mission trip and not return home. I have my mother’s blessings and God’s approval. I move on but alone without my family to surround me at this time. All the issues of my life with mom have been resolved since my mission trip to Africa and the Caribbean. God is amazing to reconciling all things to Him self. While in Africa I spent a great deal of time reading the word and constantly I came across the text that spoke of Israel being plucked as a brand from the burning. This was the verse my mom prayed over my life from as long as I could remember. I always considered myself the black sheep of the family because of this verse. Until Africa I came to realize what that verse really meant. God was plucking me out of situations with a very deceptive pastor time and time again. I really began to see the purpose for my life and the impact the Holy Spirit was making on lives through me. At one critical moment I was able to call m y sisters and my eldest sister encouraged me in prayer beyond my expectation and my other sister told me of how mom had been telling her that she had been dreaming about me all the while I was in Africa. My mom said God showed her how to pray for me all those years and that if her praying offended me that she was only praying as the Lord led her to for me. I understood. Like Israel I was being plucked as a brand from the burning.

The enemy was trying to destroy Israel but God kept plucking her out of the fire of destruction. God preserve Israel and God preserved me. She also prayed that God will remove any haughtiness from me. This too I understand. God did not want me to be proud or puffed up in my personality and ways because He could not use me in this state. I have learned humility through my mother’s prayers because I tried all my life not to be the person I thought my mom was thinking me to be. I am at peace with God and my mom. I had no idea really that God was working in my life for such a time as this. Before I left home I too saw the peace in my mom that all was well with her and me and her and God. There are things that God keeps in secret for His purpose. He holds us in the cleft of a rock while all the while His presence is passing by. Sometimes it is hard to detect God’s grace and purpose on your life when all you can see is the back of God as he passed by. I understand much now. I see so clearly. I am here alone while God is busy revealing all of my life to me.

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9/13/09

I checked my email tonight and my sons had left me an email that my mom was in hospital. When I left home I saw my mom one last time the night before my early morning flight. My mom said to me to have a safe and blessed mission trip and I told her I would see her when I returned. I spent the time with her shifting her in her bed, propping her head up in bed and rubbing her feet with a salve for the ache in her leg. I even spoke frankly to her roommate about allowing my mom to watch her television. Mom likes to watch the Christian channel and meditate on the word. She had come to the time in her life where she liked to retire to her bed by 6pm and often she would not participate in activities but can be found contemplating in her room. On one of my last visits with mom, one of my sisters and youngest son, mom said she was praying and asking God why her daughters were off traveling on missions instead of being at home. She said one night as she was contemplating this, the Lord spoke to her heart and said, “Sheila, your daughters are going and doing what you are not able to do.” Mom said she was blessed with God’s answer and was at peace since that time. My sister went on a year and a half mission trip to the family to remind them of God’s blessings on our family and also to remind them to remember God and turn back to Him. I have been going to the nations to compel them of the gospel of salvation.  Truly my mom was at peace with what we both were doing. We had her blessings and God’s approval.

I made several calls to my family to find out what was happening with them and my mom and as I could not get my sister on the phone so I called my sons and everyone I could reach. I was told that everyone had visited mom in hospital and had just returned. I kept trying to get a hold of my sister and finally got my niece on the phone when she broke out into a sob and told me that the doctors just told her mom that my mom’s kidneys had failed and there was nothing to be done and it was a matter of a few days she had left. Getting a hold of my sister finally I got details and it was as is.

I had to fly back to Germany next afternoon and nothing could be done from my end from where I was. I reflected on what had been accomplished since coming on this trip. I had stark reminders from the get go as to what I had to accomplish. I had a bit over a week in the home of a wonderful Jewish family in need of God’s purpose for their lives and encouragement to my dear friend. How can I say what was accomplished! A tremendous amount! How do you share things that happened and still protect the privacy of those you love and respect? Perhaps I can say this much. I spent time serving those that are a part of the apple of God’s eye. Perhaps this counts on the scale of my two nations, USA and Barbados. I spent an incredible amount of time sharing of my previous journeys with them and with a member of the European Aristocrats. Imagine that for a moment. His word says we will come before Kings. My mother’s daughter, an unknown as I am, had this opportunity to share with Jew and gentile, a tribe of Levi and Royalty so to speak, Priest and king so to speak as I am told my mom is in hospital not long for this earth to much longer. It is in God’s hands. Lord do not cause me to make any rash decisions but wait on you.

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9/7/09

My first few days in Germany I got to know my host family, Renate and her extended family. Her sister, being very competent in the word shared much which was a good reminder to me of all thing pertinent things necessary to be share as I continue this mission trip. As the family is Shabbat keepers it was a blessing to spend Shabbat with them as I would be leaving soon to travel to Paris with my dear friend who is Jewish and her family. My friend is the reason I came to Europe so soon before my trip to China. I am reminded that the Bible says to the Jew first and then to the gentile. I pray God for the opportunity to bless Israel by my service to His chosen before I embark on my ending trip to the East.

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9/5/09

I arrived in Germany safe and sound and although it is rainy and on the cold side all is well. I am just about over my jet lag and so am able to cope with day and night almost to perfection except that I have to stay up rather late to speak to family. On Sunday I will travel to Paris France for about a week. After that I am back to Germany. God is a great provider. I was able to purchase my ticket to China for $750.20 thanks to contributions from those listed on the last entry. Each step I take God fills a need and He does it better than I had expected. I know that He will take care of all my need in China: room, board, transportation and all connections.

I am currently staying at a beloved sister I met in Israel and will stay with another in France. My dear friend Maggie from Austria will come and visit me here in Germany when I return from France and I might go back to Austria with her for a day or so. I will then go to Switzerland from there for 3-4 days and then on to another friend in Germany for the duration of my stay and then on to China. I have been spending my time reading the word and studying the Bible so my heart and mind will be filled with the word so God can draw it out of me when needed.

On October first I was due to speak in Cameroon, West Africa but felt a greater need to reach the unreached in China. They will be other speakers in Cameroon to fulfill the need there. Continue to pray for me and all my needs including safety.

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8/30/09

Visa in hand and only one last plane ticket to purchase $764.20 round trip to my final destination I am almost on my way. Two day more and I am off. Since being home I have been faced with some challenges with the brethren but all is well. I have learned more and more that they are some battles not worth fighting, at least not at the present time. Some battles are for others and the enemy use them to provoke us so we become distracted and embroiled to the point of forsaking the real deal.  For me the real battle is the lost and to save as man as I can. Six billion people in the world and how many can I possible expect to impact with the gospel? That is not my affair that belongs to God. I am only to reach as many as He moves me to meet and share with. The rest is up to Him because it is His Spirit that draws men not mine. The battles at home seems easy to fight but in truth they can rob others of their eternal life if we allow the pretty or petty things in this life to turn as aside from our calling. I was also confronted by one decision, should I speak to the body who already has the saving knowledge of Jesus or should I just go to the lost. The lost is it. While we are busy stroking our own selves the lost is dying. What I have come to realize that as I am going about in the world preaching the gospel God is answering all my other prayer request in ways I never could have imagined. All our needs are not answered at home. Some of our needs can only be answered somewhere else. We are home bound and wondering why God wouldn't answer us. He is trying to get us to the place where He can answer us.

Thanks to those that are seeding into this upcoming trip. Phil & Victoria Ryder, Michael & Yvette Hurley, Pastor Bonnie, Muriel Bowles, my mother Sheila, members of the Lighthouse Church, Roy Thurston, Valley Faith Church.

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8/24/09

These are the things that bothers me. People who profess to be Christians but can call someone the "N" word. Those who say they are believers and still can cheat others, lie, and refused to help people in need - "God bless you" is all you get. Some pretend to be prophetic but they use their testimony and spoken word to divine what a person is feeling so they can speak a prophetic word into their lives.  People who use emotions to prey on people's sympathy and use aggression to bully others. Anti-Semitism, racism, praying for an answer to a problem when it is in one's ability to solve the problem is anti-the character of Christ.

I just ask a friend how can people be so ugly to each other and his response was, "Well Joy, people have been that way since sin came into the world."  Yeah, well what changes are suppose to have happened after Christ came into the world is not happening - this is what bothers me the most. Why would any believer be offended when I give to the poor and needy? Well many are and for lousy reasons. Some think by my giving I am creating a greater problem and others think instead of me giving to the poor I should be grateful to them who have the ability to get for themselves and I should give to them instead. On the mission field I hear and see it all - guess who I get the flack from - believers, fellow laborers, even from a host pastor who invited one place and others in the church house.

If I hadn't been reading my bible all along I would really be at a lost as to what is happening to the body of Christ. There is little discernment in the body so many people are being taken in by charlatans and the likes. I see so many people running behind every so call prophet to get a new word from God. Yet I wonder how many of them compare what each is saying for continuity. Every prophetic word is a new word and the receiver don't have enough life left to live out the prophecies. A few years ago I sat in on one of these prophetic rumblings. The so called prophet had a word for everyone from God. It was all taped and some prophecies went on for ten - fifteen minutes. Some of the words spoken were so unrealistic and sensational that I was befuddled by it all. It almost felt like I was sitting at a tea reading or something I'd seen on the sci-fi channel.

I then began to be more observant of people who are moving in the prophetic when I came into their proximity. The word says we are to try the spirit to see if it is of God. Well, that's what I do - I practice the trying. I practice it in many ways. I observe how we treat each other and how religious our walk is and how un-Christian it is not and whether they lack integrity or not. That is my big plumb line - integrity. I watch it all because they are pitfalls we must avoid and how else to avoid them than to watch. I didn't say anything about judging. I only know this one thing - if it looks like a rose and smells like a rose it IS a rose. Yeah, yeah! we are all still growing into His character. This is true, but don't you think they should be some indication of change at some point that is not rudimental.

Every believer wants God to use them but many are still praying and asking Him if it is His will to use them and how. Well, I see it this way. The world's population is hungry - you don't have to pray and ask God if you should feed them - I assure you, IT IS His will for you to feed those that are hungry and for that matter clothe the naked, visit the sick, etc, etc, etc. Oh yes... back to the opportunity I had during that tea leaf reading. The guy who prophecy over this one man for about ten minutes with all this amazing doing in his future years ahead - the man was dead within 6 months. Not enough life to live out one of those prophecies. How come the prophet couldn't tell him he would be dead in 6 months. Oh yes, I felt when the prophet was speaking to that man that he was truly speaking to me instead. By the way, I am living out those prophecies in my life. So he wasn't a lying prophet. Hum!!!!!! 1 out of 10 is not a true prophet. I believe the bible says 100%. That settles that.

This reminds me of something else I have been observant about. So called healers. This is what I observe. They start prophesying about healing from the crown of the head to the sole of the feet. Well, at some point as you go down that list someone will have that ailment and that is for sure. So when one's ailment is mentioned they believe it was a divine mentioned and it is they day to be healed. Read my article on sickness. I just say an interesting thing on television. A country parson went to the drug store to ask about his congregation and what medication they were currently taking. Interesting way to get a word up from God so to speak. Like I said before, reading my bible has prepared me for what is happening in the body and what is coming.

Matthew 24:4-5
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:8-12
[8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. [9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Matthew 24:22-24
[22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. [23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. [24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:37-39
[37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, [39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

These things are not coming they are here. creeping in inch by inch and little by little. It is time we wake up and realize the season we are in and get busy about what's in God's heart. The lost! It is time for us to stop playing church and be the church. We should be seeing more good deeds done in the church house than not. There should be more encouragement than discouragement. There should be more hope than fear of going out and doing. There should be more truth than lies and action rather than waiting for the next prophetic utterance. I hear so many people say that going to the mission field out of God's timing is detrimental. Well what is the alternative. People will die in their sins. God's timing is that all shall hear the gospel and if it is not His timing He will close the door but today we keep the doors closed and not even God can pry them open.

What does any of this have to do with what I have a problem with. It all hinders the gospel and the lost from coming. What side of the door are you on - opening or closing the door?

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8/20/09

All things, not some things work for the good of those that love the Lord. Keep me in your prayers. Do use the conference prayer line available as of August 22, 2009. God did not save you for yourself, He saved you for others as well. Do not let the blessings of the Lord be selfish, self righteous or self contained. Release the blessings to others. Help someone realize their destiny. Not everyone you meet is intended to stay but you should be prepared to release something good to them. To all the wonderful people that have been a blessing to me on this trip home: Members Judeo Christian Israel Alliance Congregation, Members of The Lighthouse Church, Muriel Bowels, My family, Valley Faith Center, Hacienda Baptist Church, Mike Tellez, Aglow International, Bishop Agbor Bonnie, the Las Cruces, Prayer Network, Members of CCC. In one form or another everyone have been a blessing. Please check the "Catch this Need" page and render your support. Please help Chisomo Kamwendo $1,000 per year for 2 years of school and Olive Musoni $3000 per year for 2 years of school. Please give these young girls an opportunity for a sustainable future.

Kenya is still suffering from a drought going into its 4th year. A lot of help has been given but until the drought is over they will operate at a lost or even in the area of sustainable projects. A little can go a long way to help them. Pastor Nadeem in Pakistan can use support as well. I thank you for any support you can offer for my upcoming trips. Please keep me in your prayers. Andes is in Indonesia and all reports from the many nations we have visited are all positive and many have experience growth, new converts, in the many of the congregations we visited.

Currently while at home I volunteer in the Las Cruces Prayer Network three hours daily Monday thru Friday. I have also been helping to pack food boxes with Mike Tellez Character Kids Food Program. I will spend an afternoon next week cleaning up the Dream Center and preparing for my upcoming trips. I hope to visit some people that are sick and shut in and spend sometime with my family.

They will be much I will not be able to post here until after so be patient and keep praying. Pray for journeying mercies, adequate funds and divine appointments.

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8/11/09

When God says to do something He means it. he also puts His seal on Him and sends His confirmation. China has been on my heart from the last week of the Caribbean mission trip. This is a confirmation for what God has in mind. Audio China1, Audio China 2.

I am currently working on my upcoming mission trips.

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8/7/09

Preparing for speaking engagements, hosting other pastors and next mission trips. Pray for finances and visas,

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7/28/09

I am currently at home and busy updating this website as well as hosting Bishop Agbor Boniface Etta from Cameroon with World Vision Outreach Ministries. He is speaking at 6 ministries while visiting the Las Cruces area. What an amazing opportunity it has been for him to bring a timely gospel message to America. We all have been blessed by his presence. I will be at home for this next month completing books and updating this site. I am free for speaking engagements so please feel free to contact me if you desire for me to share what the Lord has been doing in this ministry and desires to do in your life. Please pray for finances to Germany in September and Cameroon in October. Photos and videos from the Caribbean mission trip has already been posted and I am having difficulty uploading the radio broadcast CD but hope to have the problem solved shortly.

There are many things that I have had to put on the back burner for myself and others that I hope to get out and complete during this month. My latest book, "Debunking Generational Curses" is long over due and I have plan to seed sales from that book into several ministries so pray that I can get it off the press shortly. I have updated and will update later some new articles so please do read them. When I first started this website I had about 1,000 hits a month now I am getting over 2,000 hits a month. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I am hoping to see that number double with your help as you continue to share my site address with others. You will also be happy to know that many of those new hits are coming from abroad. Today, Catch the Wave Ministries is now a global ministries with branches in 3 other nations. The branches are not mine to take the credit for. God moved individuals to start their own ministry and they chose to name it after this ministry. People around the nations are catching their wave and what an amazing blessing to have the name of this ministry go forth in other nations.

It is my sincere prayer that you also will catch your wave from reading these pages and be encouraged to believe that if I can do it so can you. All things are possible and I am proof. May God bless you and please keep this great work in your prayers.

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ANDES' REPORT

The Caribbean Experience (16^th June to 15^th July 2009).

Barbados from 16^th June to 2^nd July and from 13^th July to 15^th July.

Ps 66:8 “Bless our GOD, O people, And sound His praise abroad.” “Commit your work to the Lord. And your plans will be established.” “When the man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” Proverbs 16:3,7 These were the verses that the Lord impressed upon me on the morning before my departure to Barbados, Grenada, Carricou, St Lucia, St Vincent and Bequia islands.

I arrived in Barbados on 17^th June. Barbados is a very small island like Singapore, it has an area of about 166 square miles and is divided into 11 parishes. It has a population of about less than 300,000 that are mainly blacks with their origin from Africa. It has a fairly stable political rule and economy doing well till recent crisis. Literacy rate is about 98.9% and the about 67% are Christians and Catholics. Many of them are very religious and practiced their faith only on Sunday. The Bible is taught in school.

During the 1600s, the Jews were received in Barbados when they flee from the Spanish inquisition. The Jews brought with them the sugar cane industry, windmill technology and started the first development bank in Barbados. They help to establish the economy through trading and built the first synagogue here.

Both Joy and I stayed at her niece, Katrina’s friend’s apartment which is about 20 minutes from the capital of Bridgetown by bus. We bumped into a local pastor who has been travelling to Ethiopia to do mission work and he gladly joined us in giving out tracts on the first day of our evangelistic work. We did most of our outreach in Bridgetown, and distribute about more than 13,000 tracts at the bus stations, shopping lanes, market places, on the beaches and throughout the island. We also did door to door evangelism with Joy’s cousin who is also a pastor of the local church and his church members. He led us to some of the dark alleys, the red light districts where we could reach out to the gamblers, drunkards, prostitutes and drug addicts.

To my surprise, most of the people welcomed the tracts and received them very well. Many read it aloud immediately and were stunted for a moment by the question written on the tract, “If you were to die today?” Some said they do not want to die now. Some said they want to go to heaven, but some stop to check out which denomination we are from, others would debate about the Christian’s practices such as: Do you work on Sunday? Why are Christians wearing make-up? Some asked if this is money… we found out later in St. Lucia, that the Chinese government had once given out money to the people in the streets in order to gain political favor. Apparently the Chinese government had help to build schools and tourist sites all over the Caribbean and had and still has some political influence in the Caribbean.

We also encountered members of the Jehovah Witness who debated with about the deity of Christ and their doctrine on the non-existent of eternal hell. They do not believe that Jesus is God and denied the Holy Trinity.

One morning during our devotion time at our apartment at Worthing we were delighted to see a rainbow when it was not raining at all, we took it as a sign of our Father’s approval of what we have done so far.

On 24^th June, Tyrone, Joy’s first cousin, who is a fisherman has been doing outreach whenever he is not out to the sea. He brought us to a whole sale fish market where we did evangelism. We shared our testimonies and songs while the people were busy preparing their fishes for sale and doing their trading business. May these fishermen heed His calls and become the fisher of men just like what the disciples did in Jesus’ days. In the afternoon we went to a nursing home and there we sang and gave words of encouragement to the elderly folks.

In the evening, we shared our messages at Paynes’ Bay Pentecostal Church in St. James parish. The congregation received us very well and was encouraged by what we were doing. At the end of the service, an elderly couple gave Joy and me $20 BD each. Later, Pastor Payne, his congregation members and Tyrone gave us a love gift of $1080 BD. This is the first time we received a love gift from the church. And this amount served to cover half of our flights to the other three islands, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent.

On he evening of 25^th June, at the Methodist church, the pastor opposed the stand concerning Israel after I shared with the church about the uniqueness of Israel. He claimed that church has replaced Israel and God would not show favor to the Jewish people because they had rejected their Messiah. However, towards the end of Joy’s sharing about how Barbados has been blessed because of the Jewish influences in the early days, he said he might change his view later!

On 27^th June, The Lord also opened the door for both of us to do broadcasting recording over the Christian radio channel. It was a very humbling experience for me as that was the first time for me. I did it so badly that I almost wanted to buried my head under ground after that but Joy encouraged me to trust in the Lord’s doing that He is able to take our weaknesses to bring glory to Himself. Indeed may His Name be magnified through the broadcasting that many who heard the program will be aware of the “One New Man” in Christ.

Grenada – the land of the Spice (from 3^rd July to 5^th July).

We arrived at about 12.30pm and Joy’s contact, Lucille picked us up from the airport and took us to her house which is in the outskirt of Georgetown. Lucille is a business woman and her children live near her. The house is seated on the slope of the hill and had suffered some damaged from hurricane Ivan in the past. Both of us were each given a small room to stay in. My room was facing the backyard it was hot and I could not open the window or door because of the mosquitoes at night. On the first night, It took me a while to fall asleep and just when I was about to do so, I saw a dark huge hand with some spirits in front of me and oppressing me on my chest so much so I could not move or shout. I fought for a brief moment to set myself free from this hand and I finally shouted “Jesus” loudly and immediately the darkness dispel and the hand was gone. I spoke to Joy the next day and we prayed over this. Subsequently the following two nights I could sleep well. This is a reminder that I must not take for granted the spiritual warfare that we are in that just because I am in a Christian family, that everything is going to be ok. I have to be vigilant and watchful, and this is when I recognize my need for my prayer supporters.

Emmanuel, Lucille’s son took us to Georgetown in the morning and that day we gave out about 2,000 tracts at the market area. As I stood there watching the youths, I felt burden for them, they were very secular and lost, even though they were taught bible in school and most of them come from Christian backgrounds but they do not read their bible nor go to church regularly and many do not have a personal relationship with God. Christianity is a tradition, a religion without a personal experience with their Savior.

At the museum, we met a British lady who is against the Zionist because her aunt and family were being chased out during the Gaza takeover when Israel became independent in 1948. We could sense her anger and unforgiving spirit asking why a good God could allow such a thing to happen to her family. We tried to explain our stand for Israel, but she could not accept it. Later on our way home, we prayed for God’s mercy upon her that she will forgive the wrong done to her family and asked God to remove any anti-Semitism spirit within the nations in the Caribbean.

We visited the Fort nearby and there I declared Psalm 2 for the nation. We also saw a Presbyterian church nearby, and I was disturbed that this church has been supported by the Freemason for more than 150 years. No wonder the church looks so dead. I was reminded of the Sardis church in Revelation 3:1 when our Lord rebuked this dying church. We prayed and confessed on behalf of this church for compromising. We asked God to break the connection with these ungodly ties.

On 4^th July, both of us managed to get a cargo barge after missing the ferry to get to the nearby island of Carricou. Upon arrival at 3.30pm, after three over hours of a choppy water ride at sea, we found out that the last ferry to bring us back to Grenada was in one hour’s time! So we spent the next one hour giving out our tracts before we catch the last ferry back again. Anyway, Joy was able to seize the opportunity to preach the gospel on the van that took us near to the ferry point. On our way back on the Orisey ferry, Joy spotted a beautiful rainbow. We were overjoyed to know that the Lord has been with us despite of travelling over 5 hours and just do an hour tract distribution and without seeing much in Carricou. I managed to speak to an Indian couple and a nun of mother Theresa order about the blessings of the rainbow.

While I was sitting at the lower deck of the ferry, a few rows from where I was, I saw a little boy and his father interacting with each other. What caught my attention was this daddy was so loving and giving full attention to the boy throughout the two hours journey. They spoke to each other tenderly, play and just having fun together. This reminded me of Emmanuel’s daughter, Ponsau. Ponsau is about 7 years old, very lively, chatty and fun loving girl. She always wears a short pant and has no shirt on the top. We teased her for being topless but she said she wants to be like her daddy who apparently dressed like her, with bare chest. One could easily tell that she really loves her daddy a lot as she keeps calling out for him. She likes to be around him and would fuss around him to get his attention. She follows him wherever he goes, farming, swimming, fishing, picking mangoes or feeding the rabbits. She especially likes to show off her mini bicycle skills and her daddy would often warn her of the road traffic. She does not seem to demand anything from him except his attention. Obviously her daddy loves her a lot too. This loving relationship of a father and daughter reminds me of how we should loves our Heavenly DADDY, to be able to freely come to Him and drawing attention to Him without demanding for anything but just being around Him and be delighted with Him only. How beautiful and sweet this fellowship would be if we could just be like Ponsau in relating to our DADDY GOD.

St. Lucia – Helen of Troy (from 6^th July to 9^th July).

We stayed at Maria’s (Joy’s relative’s) guest house which is about a short distance from the airport and town. She is a Roman Catholic and a nurse and spends her off days making roti and cakes to sell to patients and staff in Vieux Fort Hospital. Upon knowing what we are doing in her nation, she invited us to join her to do her “roti” rounds in the hospital so she could introduce us to her colleagues and so open an opportunity for us to reach out to them and the patients as well. We were very grateful for this opportunity to share the gospel and to pray for the sick. Maria is such a kind lady and very diligently runs her guest house besides her nursing work. She also allows us to stay at her guesthouse for free, such generosity! What a treat for us after those mosquitoes vested places that we had been in before.

We met Maria’s neighbor, Ann Margaret who attends Bethel Tabernacle church. She brought us to her church after we get to know her by divine appointment and shared her burden to pray as we walk along the road for almost 2 hours. The Lord led us to pray for the wellbeing of this nation that it will be released from the deceptive spirit of “Helen of Troy” and truly enthrone King Jesus.

We went to Soufriere to visit a nurse friend of our host and to do outreach in that town. As I walk into the outpatient department, I saw a young female patient who was crying because she was stung by a jellyfish. I took out the anointing oil and prayed for her healing. That was our brief visit to Soufriere.

St. Vincent (from 9^th July to 13^th July).

At about 8pm, we had arrived at a guesthouse which we someone had booked for us. It was next to the airport and once we arrived we realized that this guesthouse is part of a clinic. The room that we were to stay in was next to the runway; very gloomy looking and we both had a sense of uneasiness when we entered. We guessed it was used as a ward before and now converted to a guest room. We discussed briefly and felt we should not stay there. We searched for the cheapest hotel but it was fully book. We found one which is in town and the man on the phone agreed to send us a cab to take us there as it was getting late by now. On arrival at the hallway, a very hostile man confronted us and intimidated us with words, saying that we have nowhere to go this night and yet we want a cheap place. He claimed that he could give us anything we want and offer us food and wine. We sensed that he is not a decent guy and so we decided to try another place even though it was getting late. We took a cab and found out that the driver was quite drunk. Somehow he managed to deliver us to a decent hotel along the Sion (Zion) Hill road only to find out that it was fully booked. The kind lady manager helped us to find another nearby hotel. Finally we managed to book into one decent place to stay. We got EC$10 discount for each night and we took it as God’s sign of approval for our stay here.

St Vincent is another small island but more impoverish than the rest of the islands that we have visited. The streets and houses look old and dirty and not as organized. On 10^th July, we went to Kingstown market place to do our evangelism. Many of them were very receptive but there are some who said they are alright and believed they can go to heaven. We met some Rasta men who claim they are the lost tribe of Israel; they lived a carefree lifestyle and believed that they should live as naturally as possible. They lived like hippies, unkempt, grew long dredged hair, and took their showers at the beach. Most of them are drunkards and drug addicts; they could not see the pathetic look on their bearded faces. They adamantly believed that they can go to heaven despite of their sinful lifestyle.

We finished our last bit of tract at Bequia Island which was a 1/2 hours boat ride from St. Vincent. We managed to do some sightseeing as the van driver took us around the island and also visited the turtle farm. On the last evening of our stay in St. Vincent, we saw another rainbow as we were swimming at the beach near the hotel. It is so reassuring at the end of our islands outreach that we saw the rainbow.

When we return to Barbados in the afternoon and on our way to visit Joy’s cousin Girly, we saw the fourth rainbow.

Isa 45:8 “ Rain down from, you heavens from above. And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together, I the LORD have created it”

On 14^th July, the day before we depart Barbados, we were able to revisit the synagogue and present them with the gifts of a prayer shawl, J.’s out reach book “Why me?”,  gospel tracts and some donations for the building. Joy also presented some of the coins which we had picked up on the streets as a prophetic act of returning the blessings back to the Jewish people. Our prayers were that the Lord will advance His Kingdom from here and all the way to Israel, the Apple of His eye. We were thrilled when after this act, we met a Jew from Atlanta at the synagogue and we took some pictures with him. That afternoon we saw the 5th rainbow. By then Joy has gotten her Barbados passport and her ID card and is a full pledged Bajan again!

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Praise Update CTWM Caribbean Mission Trip: God met all needs as he always do. Payne's Bay Pentecostal Congregation, Courtney and daisy Ford and my cousin Tyrone Haynes gave us a donation each that paid for one trip to all the island and Andes and myself split the cost of the other tickets. We had 20,300 tracts to distribute and we distributed all on 6 islands. We completed two 1/2 hour radio broadcast which was aired on 97.5 Monday June 29th at 9pm and Wednesday July 1st at 8:30pm which was paid for from the donation of Philip and Victoria Ryder. We were given an apartment to stay in during our stay in Barbados free of charge. We also received accommodations in Grenada and St. Lucia free of charge. We had to pay for hotel accommodations in St. Vincent but the hotel manager knowing that we were missionaries gave us a generous discount. We also had the privilege of speaking in 7 congregations (Pentecostal, Methodist, Anglican, Wesleyan, Baptist and Independent) in the islands, participate in an open air service in the Barbados Bridgetown Fish Market Complex, preach on a bus in Carricou, encourage residents in St. Jude Nursing Home in Barbados and distribute tracts and pray for patients at Victoria Hospital & Soufriere in St. Lucia.

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6/30/09

Yesterday Andes and I went to the travel agency to book our flights for the other islands. The donation we received from those on the island blessed us to purchase one ticket to all the island and we only had to pay half each for the other ticket. God is a great provider. (I will post receipt once I get it scanned)

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6/29/09

Saturday 6/27/09 we joined forces with the Love Assembly Church in Bridgetown to evangelize the community. Andes and I took about 2,000 tracts and went out with Pastor Sammie Stevenson and 7 members from his congregation to distribute the tracts and invite members of the community to visit the next day. It was a very enlightening time. We came to realize the flavor of the community and the challenges that are present. Many people from the Rasta religion live in the area and there are many rum shops that are frequented by people from the community and outside the community.

It was certainly not uncommon to see groups of men in side alleys rolling and smoking joints. This culture is simple to me just that, a culture. One rarely finds two Rastas with the same belief or answer for the same question. I am at a lost as to what it is exactly that they fundamentally believe in. I am more at a lost as to what draws sensible people to such a crude lifestyle. This ideology seems to promote a natural way of life but yet it does not seem to promote health and cleanliness. Their dread locks on the whole are unkempt, unwashed, and foul smelling. The body odor on most is a strong smell of perspiration and their clothes are unwashed. This is not to say 100% of them are this way but usually it is more than not. I find it difficult to see what would attract people to such a culture as the members look more like bums and derelicts.

Why anyone would be attracted to a so called religion whose god can do so little for them to raise their standard of life. Any god that lowers the standard of living and expectation of those that worship it is truly a cruel god. Why isn’t common sense kicking? I believe it is because the bible is true when it say they fail to believe the truth and so they are turned to a reprobate mind. It is one thing to live a very simple and back to nature kind of life. But this goes beyond that. It seems that once reasonable people have now become bewitched.

This is the environment we shared the gospel in. Often before you can stretch out your hand and share the tract you are already met with opposition. No two will say the same thing but yet they say nothing. They speak in generalities skirting the issue of every subject yet defending nothing. They speak of love but it is not love if it chastises them of their wrongs. Yet the bible says the Father chastise those He loves. As long as willful people can have their own way and continue in their evil acts they will believe any seducing doctrine that religiously obliges them. If a religion is willing to absolve one from penalty of actions one is apt to subscribe to the tenets of that ideology.

Sunday following we taught in the congregation on Israel and the nations and islands of the world. In the evening we were invited to speak in the Wesleyan Congregation up Crusher Site Road. We are most thankful for all the opportunities to speak encourage the congregations here to seek the lost for Christ. After service a gentleman came to greet us and showed us a tract Andes had given him in Bridgetown. He said he had just picked up the tract and placed it in his bible before coming to congregation and what a surprise it was to see the very people who gave out the tracts when he came in.

We have 7,000 tracts left to take to the other islands. We will go first to Grenada, St. Lucia and on to St. Vincent, Bequia and Union Island which are part of the Grenadines.

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6/26/09

Today Andes went into the radio station to prerecord her session to be aired Monday night on the Christian station 97.5 at 9 pm. We also gave out tracts in the ZR bus station about 1000 and yesterday 1,800. So far to date we have distributed 10,000 tracts.

All things work to the good of those that the love the Lord. Andes and I went early in the morning to the Synagogue on Synagogue Lane and Magazine Street. What an experience it was. We learned some amazing facts about Barbados.

• Tyrone Hanes contribute to our trip
• Courtney and Daisy Ford also sowed into our ministry
• Pastor Victor Payne sowed in generously on behalf of the Payne’s Bay Pentecostal Church congregation
• All donations will be used to purchase airline tickets to the other islands
• The radio broadcast cost $690 Barbados - $345 USD
• I will prerecord my session on Monday morning to be aired Wednesday night 8:30 pm.
• On this coming Saturday we will help my cousin with evangelism in the vicinity of his congregation. There are in a new location and the congregation is quite small so we will help with door-to-door and tract distribution

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6/25/09 Thursday

Andes and I had an opportunity to speak in a congregation last night. Actually, it is a congregation that we did not solicit to speak in but was given an invitation by the pastor to come and share what we are doing. As you all know by now that Andes teach on the nation of Israel and I teach on the nations and the islands of the world. God has a plan for all of us. Israel being the Olive Tree and the Gentiles being the wild olive tree engrafted onto the “Olive Tree,” none the less has become one tree. There are many in the faith today that claims a theology called “replacement theology.” This means to say that the church has replaced the Jewish nation. This theology promotes a hatred for the Jews and propagates lies that God no longer has a use for His people. They claim that the Old Testament heart of God for the Jews is passed and now the church made up of gentiles predominantly has become the “Olive Tree.”

This is God’s answer to such doctrinal error:

Romans 11:1-36

    [1] I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, [3] Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. [4] But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. [5] Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. [6] And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

    [7] What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded [8] (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. [9] And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: [10] Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. [11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

    [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. [15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? [16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. [17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; [18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. [19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. [20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: [21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. [22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. [23] And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. [24] For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

    [25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: [27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. [28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. [29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. [30] For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: [31] Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. [32] For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

    [33] O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! [34] For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? [35] Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? [36] For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

 Has God cast away Israel – the answer can not be clearer than this. No! Read again verse 25. God has a plan for Israel because He said in his word that His covenant with Israel is for eternity.

Genesis 17:7-8

   [7] And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. [8] And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

God does not change His mind. “Everlasting” means just that – everlasting. After Andes shared about Israel the pastor asked her, “What do you mean when you say we should bless Israel? Andes’ response was that we can pray for Israel, find ways to support Israel and such things. The pastor’s response was that “Israel is a wicked people and he cannot see himself blessing a wicked people. Butr God indeed said to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” These are God’s words not man.

We know from reading the bible that every nation that rose up against Israel suffered greatly.

Zech. 14:12-19

    [12] And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. [13] And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour. [14] And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. [15] And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.

    [16] And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. [17] And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. [18] And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. [19] This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Isaiah 60:12

    For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

            One day, God shall remove His remnant from the nations and the islands of the earth. He will gather the Jewish people from around the globe and begin to complete all that he purposed in them to do. Yes, God will gather his elect and it will be a sad day for those nations and islands that have not cared for the remnant that had stood in their midst.

Isaiah 11:11

    And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

            What sadden me the most of in hearing a pastor promote outright disdain for the nation of Israel. A pastor who lives on an island that has been living a legacy of blessings because Cromwell of England gave Jews fleeing from the inquisition a haven on this island of Barbados. Imagine such a thing – such flagrant disdain for a people whose blindness has given us Gentiles an opportunity to come in. But Romans 11:1-2 is clear, “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew…”

            This is the indication of the times we are in. Anti-Semitism is on the up rise and it has become a theological belief. So does any believer have an excuse to fall into this theological error? Surely not! If we are capable of reading and searching the scriptures for ourselves then we have no excuse to believe in false doctrines. I said in my last posting that secular Barbadians has no excuse to believe in false ideology because from the time we were all children in school we learned the basis foundational principles of the Bible. But now I am confronted today with the errors in some congregations on the island. Do we as a nation so learnt, 98.9% literate, have an excuse for doctrinal error? Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…

            So far for Andes and I we have had it good. This is our first outright opposition to the word of God on this note. But the word of God reminds us in Jeremiah 12:5, “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” We are only now experiencing the footmen but the horses are on they way. The contention with the horses will be fierce and the swelling of the Jordan will attempt to consume us but we must persevere.

            I believe that the more prideful a nation considers itself to be it is more apt to spiritual error. One begins to see one’s self as self-sufficient and think that one has gained favor by one’s own self-righteousness. The church is not blessed because we receive the gospel but rather that through Israel’s unbelief we have the opportunity to receive our blessing as well. In Israel’s stumbling we have truly been blessed to be preached to. But to say that we have done better with our salvation than Israel has done with their selection by God as the eldest son is to speak error. Even this prodigal son shall return.

            We continue the work that God has sent us here to do. We are only messengers and co-laborers of God. The end results are not for us to bring to pass but for the Holy Spirit as He bids others to come. It is also the Holy Spirit that reveals the truth and it is up to every man to receive or not. This pastor last night said that if he is in error He wants God to tell Him. Yet the bible says blessed is he who has not seen and yet believes. I think God has spoken. God sent the prophets yet the people did not believe whom he sent. If you will not receive the word of God from those He sent you will not believe either if an angel descend and deliver the same message.

            What else can be said! We continue and are not dissuaded. Yesterday we gave out 700 tracts in Bridgetown. We also visited the island’s synagogue which was built in 1654. It is now a museum and today we will visit it. I had the most incredible experience walking around the grounds yesterday. Have you ever felt so blessed that you get so excited and you could feel the anticipation of something good? I feel like a baby had just leap in my stomach. It was an over whelming feeling of blessings. Truly this island is blessed and do not realize the legacy here on the island. God is blessing us because this island has been a refugee for a remnant of Israel.

            May the peace of God be with each of you and He shows you your task for the day. May you stand on His word and not be shaken no matter the opposition. Run with the footmen so your will be able to contend with the horses.

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6/24/09 Wednesday

Every nation who’s God has been the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has been blessed nations as far back as history records. Each has in its turn crumbled not because of their faith but because of their turning away from their faith. Even as we look at the history of Israel we can see the evidence of this very thing. Each time Israel had been faithful to their God and lived according to His laws and statues it prospered.

Every empire in the world that had called the Lord God Jehovah, Yahweh God of heaven and earth and had exalted Him above all others lived a statehood above the status of other nations.

After Nebuchadnezzar had spent many years in the pastures eating grass like the ox because he exalted himself above God he came out of his stupor and acknowledged the God of Daniel as the true and living God. His nation turning to God after experienced its greatest height of success until his son Belshazzar came along and defiled the objects taken from the temple of Jerusalem and drank from them. Hence was the demise of the great Babylonian Empire.

Even in recent decades we had the British Empire that exalted the Lord God as the most high. Yet once the British Empire entered Palestine and partitioned Jerusalem for the Palestinians they began to experience their demise. America now as the leading world power who originally fought for independence from Great Britain to worship God in freedom now is beginning to experience the same demise morally, educationally, spiritually and politically. Prayer was removed from the schools, then abortion legalized, and homosexual marriages have now become the forefront of politics. Yet Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

A nation whose God is the Lord is a blessed nation. I think back about the years growing up in Barbados and my memories are filled with the blessings of growing up in such a culture and society. As I reflect back I don’t really recall many families whom I knew as a child that did not attend a congregation. All the children I knew attended Sunday school, prayer meeting with their parents.

In school we all learned about the bible and were required to memorize and study scripture. Actually the memory verses I learned as a child are still the key verses that have remained steadfast in my faith even today. We learned the Ten Commandments, the Psalm’s, Proverbs, the Beatitudes and many verses from the Gospels and all throughout the bible.

If one attended school in Barbados it is a given that they learned about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is a given that the foundation of his faith was laid out on a bed of Education, well rounded and established. Nonetheless, I am finding there are many things in Barbados that are a contradiction to what I remembered.

At times the very things we come to depend on can also be our undoing. Eighty percent of the economy of Barbados is based on tourism even more so since Barbadians are forsaking the land as a means of producing for ourselves. We are dependent on importing all we consume from abroad. Now we are truly dependent on what comes in from oversees. A nation that is this dependent will soon fall sway to the trappings that comes along with meeting their basic needs.

Coming on to the island with the tourist and with the influx of immigration are ideologies from many nations; ideologies that have never been a part of the Bajan mindset. Since being in Barbados this past week I have meet many Bajans, mainly men, who have given up their childhood legacy of faith in God to take on religious ideologies such as Rastafarism, Islam, the many branches of Buddhism, Mormonism and other new age ideologies.

As has always been with Barbados, we have been a nation that has excelled in the Caribbean and even in the world although we are only a small island nation currently of a population of about 275,000. We have always has a literacy rank of 98.9% or higher. We have always been a people who could reason and do so with clarity and wisdom. We have not suffered economically to the point where like most of the other Caribbean nation we have not had to devalue or dollar. Currently we are two Bajan dollars to one United States dollar.

Barbados has not suffered any natural disasters as other nations have. As the most eastern island in the Caribbean the hurricane seasons have been kinder to us than other island. Hurricanes often bypass this island wrecking havoc on the others while we escape. Per square mile we have more houses than any other nation in the world yet we remain disease free. We are not afflicted by malaria, cholera, and typhoid and such.

 Most Barbadians have lived a reasonably good life at home and abroad. We have not had a history of war, even though crime has increased on the island over the years due to some elements due to immigration. This is not to say that Barbadians in general do not commit crimes on the island. Barbadian is a peaceful people. We might be argumentative due to our educational system that thought us to reason for ourselves and not to just accept any idea without reasonable deliberation.

Yet I am at a lost as to why any Bajan would fall sway to unrealistic ideologies filtering on to the island. Reasonably when I look at the basic foundational level of these ideologies I am convinced that the tenets of their beliefs are anti humanity. First of all I look at the nation from which these beliefs are originating from and I look at their economy, their culture, their health, their educational ideology, their successes and failure – usually the quality of life for the masses are demoralized and impoverished.

So with this said, the Rasta movement irrupted from an island where the majority of the population is in poverty. That addresses the economy, the educational system, the culture, the health issue etc., etc., etc. The ideologies of Buddhism originated in the Far East, India and spread to places like Thailand, Taiwan and in China.  Any improvement in these nations has been vastly due to those coming to the Christian faith which has illicit persecution from people of other religious ideologies. I recently read a report of persecution in India of Muslims who were burning Christian churches because their resented the quality of life the Christians were experiencing.

Mormonism being a new religion yet a bit older than the Rasta religion is one of polygamy. There are often reports of child abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and many women escaping from the abuse of that religion are impoverished and suffer from psychological trauma.

I lived in Israel for five months and visited nations in Africa that have vast populations of people of the Muslim faith and I can tell you that I have observed much poverty and suffering of women and children. The tenets of this faith do not protect its children or women.

The life style and quality of life of religious ideologies so vastly different from the Christian faith are far below the standard of living of the civilized world. First of all, I must ask myself the basic question, why would I even contemplate entertaining belief in a religion or ideology where their god cares so little for their wellbeing? Why would I broach in my mind the thought to convert to a belief that would be detrimental to my physical, spiritual and mental health? This is at the grassroots level of humanity – quality of life and survival.

If the evidence of what these ideologies have to offer are inhumane and degrading to human life I reject it without further consideration. History has shown that every people group who have converted to Christianity have lived a life vastly improved from where there where before faith in the true and Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I must first be convinced of the basic outcome of life before I would entertain anything else at another level.

I am not convinced by any other religious ideology that their god is capable of giving life more abundantly than the God of the Bible. When I now look at Barbadian who have fallen into bondage into these above mentioned ideologies I think to myself,

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3:6-9 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

This is the situation as I see it. Many Barbadian are forsaking common sense and becoming as the foolish Galatians. It is time for this island nation to rise up and take back what has been a legacy of blessings. We must do as young King Josiah did and tear down every idol and graven image from in our midst and let the Lord God be our God – on God, one faith, one spirit in unity.

Yesterday 6/23/09

• Conducted open air meeting in the Bridgetown fish market with Tyrone Haynes my cousin. Andes and I had an opportunity to share with the workers and those coming to the market to buy and sell fish. We were challenged in the areas of defending our faith by Muslims, Buddhists and Rastafaris.

• Distributed tracts in the fish market and the bus stand in Bridgetown

• Distributed tracts in Speightstown

• Visited and encouraged residents at the St. Jude Nursing Home. We told them that even though they are not physically able to go out and evangelize with us they can help us by praying for those that are still in the field laboring for the lost souls. Andes taught them how to pray effectively using their fingers as a guide. The thumb because it points upward at God – glorify Him first. The pointed finger because it is the one that we wave at others for correction so pray for those that give us direction and teachings like teachers, pastors. The middle finger because it is the tallest so we pray for our government and leaders. The ring finger we pray for those that we love and the pinky finger which is the weakest finger – we pray for those that are weaker than ourselves like children, the disabled, the mentally challenged etc.

• Taught on Israel and the nations and islands at Payne’s Bay Pentecostal Church

• Total tracts distributed 6/23/09 1,000

• Total tracts distributed to date: 7,200 out of 20,000

• I reported in updates before that we only brought 14,000 tracts but after counting them we realize we have the full amount I had hoped for of 20,000. Over a third of these have been given out – Praise God!

• Yesterday I gave a tract to a little girl but her mom asked what denomination we were and I said we do not promote denomination but the entire Bible. The women sitting across from her said that we could not be trusted if we did not promote a denomination and so they did not take the tracts. God has his way of getting His message out with out our help and arguments. The little girl began to read the tract out loud and praise God they heard it and was amiable nonetheless.

• I am still finding an abundance of cents everywhere I go.

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6/20/09

I have been in Barbados since Tuesday and Andes since Wednesday. The jet lag took a couple of days to get over as Andes traveled 27 hours from Singapore and from Dallas, Texas I arrived after 25 hours with all my layovers in Nashville and then in Miami. Certainly the heat and humidity didn’t help much but now we are off to a good start. Since being here we have given out about 1000 plus tracts and have visited some of my family. We are currently trying to connect with others to arrange for speaking engagements and the radio broadcasts.

We spent a day in Bridgetown giving out tracts and sharing the gospel with a few people. We take them with us when ever we leave the house and there are always people about to give them to whether on the bus on in the streets. Last night we went to the Oistins fish fry and there were many locals and tourist whom received tracts. They readily accepted even though a few refused.

Barbadians are very knowledgeable in the bible since it is still a part of their school curriculum and they must study and memorize scripture. I don’t believe that they is any household on the island that does not have a bible. There is something to be said about a nation that knows about God and have read His word but does not submit completely to His will.

I was born and raised in Barbados and so I know all the verses that are being quoted to me in pretext of knowing God personally. These are the same verses that I remember today from my childhood. They are all the key verses of the bible. They are all the familiar text. I can truly say that they were not taught to us as a way of fending off a relationship with God or to defend faithless existence. It was a sure foundation of faith that has become a crux to some. Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. But these are not the days of our youth but the days of our maturity. These are the days that the matter should be settled because we did remember the creator from the days of our youth.

            Imagine using this text to deflect having a relationship with God. Not enough knowledge of God is good, but too much knowledge can be just as damaging if one is of a secular mind. How do you share the gospel with a people who are cleaver and intellectual? Barbados has a 98.9 percent literacy rate among the population. A people that are educated and most capable of reasoning can often reason away good sense.

            Since being here I had notice that everywhere you walk there are many cents on the ground. Some obviously has been there for years and others only now fallen to the ground. I began picking up cents in every country I have been in. In Israel I picked up shekels, in Peru I picked up soles and in Africa I picked up maybe two shillings obviously lost. Africans value their lowest denomination of money unlike other nations; when you are that poor a single cent is still worth something. What I have noticed is that the better off a nation is the less value it has in the little things.

            A cent still has value whether one desires it or not. I began right away to pick up the cents as I saw them. I picked them up from the beach, the streets, in stores, on small little dirt paths and even in my relatives backyard. It is a given assumption that the cent in Barbados is of no value to the populace even thought one can pick it up and complete a purchase with it. Since last night we have even found dimes and quarters. In three days we have found about two Barbados dollars in coins.

            I like to look at what is happening in the natural when it is this stark and ask God what He is trying to show me. I was on the beach yesterday morning and I was meditating on having found so many pennies and this is what came into my heart. Barbadians are like these pennies. They are valuable because they have received an awesome opportunity to be schooled in religious education but like the penny tossed away, they have done that much with what has been given to them. Religious education might just appear to be the least denominator in the curriculum. In this regard I speak – They have been given a cent but think it only of little value and have thus neglected it. But like the cent, when making a purchase or monetary transaction and short a few cents they will hunt it down valuing it of grew worth when short of it. Without it the transaction cannot be completed.

            After school many may not pick up the bible again and read it but when challenged they will hunt it down to settle the issue. God has taught me this simple lesson like one of Jesus’ parables, Barbadians has much value as a cent but they do not see and realize it. Like the cent, they too must be recovered from where it was tossed, dropped or lost.

            These are not people one need to preach to but rather give a nudge here and there for them to recover what is lost. The tract that I wrote and have been distributing in Africa and now here in Barbados says, “If you were to die today where would you go, - heaven or hell? I have heard many comments after giving the tracts to Barbadians, “Where would I go, that’s a good question.” One woman even said, “Wait, you want to scare me? The cent is being rediscovered. In order to answer the question one must rediscover the cent to find the answer.

            Please do not be presumptuous and say that I have valued the bible at a cent worth. A parable is not to devalue but to enlighten. How am I enlightened? I see all my people who have strayed from the truth of the word of God or who have laid aside the teaching they received as a child as a cent of value needing to be rediscovered. In Africa the lost are the very image of God needing to be reclaimed and in Barbados the lost are like the value of God needing to be recovered.

            The other thing that is significant to me is the idea that the cent has the Barbadian flag on it or at lease the symbol of Barbados. I feel that the careless disregard of the cent might be prophetic to the nation. Any one stepping on their flag or tossing away an image of their flag can at some point find themselves growing a flagrant disregard for the value of their nationhood.

            I am encouraged being here in Barbados after all these years. I am encouraged that God gave me Psalm 40 for Africa and He has also given me Luke 15:8-10 for Barbados, …what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

            Barbados will indeed find her lost cent is it is diligent to search. These tracts are like the light being shed on the lost coin. There is so much hope for Barbados. I know that we have a great legacy here in the island even though many people do not realize it. I did some research a while back and found that Cromwell of England gave some Jews from Portugal a means of escape from the Spanish inquisition. He allowed some to come to Barbados and settle the island, hence the first synagogue on the island or in the Caribbean was built. My facts might not be clear but this is what I remember.

            An island that has been salvation for a remnant of Israel has found themselves blessed among the islands. Is it possible that we are most blessed and don’t know it. Can it be that we think it is all because we have devised some means on our own to be so successful without the help or intervention of God? Barbados has been most blessed. It acquired independence earlier than most of the other islands; it has maintained economic stability and have not suffered any political instability or by means of natural disasters and such. The populace has lived a relatively good life and Barbados has been considered truly a gem of the Caribbean Sea.

            God told Abraham that those who blessed him will be blessed. Truly this island that had been a haven for a Jewish remnant has been enjoying this legacy left us by Cromwell. Yet, how long can one live on a legacy? God said in Isaiah 11:11, And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

            Isaiah 40:15 says, Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. In relation to Israel this is how God sees the nation and the islands. Yet as little as we are we still have value though as a drop in the bucket or as a very little thing. Nonetheless, as a very little thing Barbados has been blessed and as a cent we are very valuable. There is a legacy from the foundations of this island and the foundation of our education.

Dear Father, help us to recover every cent that has been lost.

Today Shabbat Andes and I are resting. My niece brought us a box of vegetables for food. The cost of food and many necessary items here on the island is expensive. A can of mosquito spray in the supermarket was 24.99 which is about 12.50 USD. Basic food products are too expensive for Andes and I. We have been eating oatmeal for the last few days here and my auntie gave us a real Bajan lunch yesterday that kept us full all day. Although we went to the fish fry last night to hand out tracts we could not afford to buy any to eat. We came home had oatmeal and tea and went to bed.

Tomorrow we will meet my brother-in-law who will make some arrangements for us.

Yesterday we visited some of my family and prayed for their healing as many are sick.

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6/15/09

I am currently in Irving, Texas visiting my eldest son for the weekend. I will tonight to Barbados even though I have an over night layover in Nashville, Tennessee. I have finally gotten most of my African photos posted. Made finally arrange for Bishop Bonnie from Cameroon to speak in Las Cruces and completed some final touches for ministry in Pakistan. Still have to set up a book template for Olive in Rwanda and need to work on outline for radio broadcast in Barbados. Time is precious but all is coming together well. I am still in need of funds but God has all the bases covered so I will yield to His provision in His timing. Keep this mission trip in your prayer.

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6/10/09

New updates are in from Masielo, Kenya.

Tracts will be dropped off today and ready for cutting (final count 14,000). Thanks to Paul Wynne, shown below, who has spent the last five days burning up his printers to get me these tools for evangelism.

My borrowed suitcase filled to capacity with tracts

We received contributions for the radio programs and only now lack $100 to complete 4 1/2 hour sessions.

Still need air fare to Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Lucia from Barbados and back.

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6/9/09

I spent the weekend with the Prison Doors Inc. ministry in a tent revival setting in one of New Mexico's prisons. What an amazing experience. I have created a new link for local ministries to post some of the ministries I am involved with when I am home. Most people think that  am only involved in ministries abroad. In truth I am involved on every level of ministry. This website is my personal ministry including ghost writing and personal writing. I work abroad and at home in all aspects of ministry. Teaching, preaching, evangelizing, feeding the poor, prayer, visiting the sick and whatever God puts in my path. What I am trying to say is that there is something for all of us to do. The very purpose of this website is to demonstrate that all things are possible with the Father. If I can do it, so can you!

Too often I hear pastors tell their congregations that evangelism is only for those who have a calling. but Jesus Himself said, "Go ye therefore." He didn't say only the call or the chosen few. He said it cart blanche - Go! The going is for all of us from the place where we are. From the point of conversion first and then from the point of being made a disciple. Let God direct you to your place of sharing the gospel. if you are an ex-addict then witness to addicts. If you are a teenager then witness to teens. If you are divorced, then witness on that point to those who are experiencing the same situations.  God does not expect you to operate with what you don't have. Yet the more you labor the more you learn and then you can work in many areas of evangelism and with diverse people but you will never get there unless you use what you already have.

I hope you will be encouraged to step out on your faith and speak the good news to someone and let God develop your spiritual resume.

As I prepare to leave for the islands, please pray for all my need for this trip. I have already been blessed with funds for 1/2 radio broadcast (contribution made by Philip & Victoria Ryder) and am hoping for another 1/2 hour of air time $250. I also need funds for my flight to the other islands but I believe God will make all the connections I need. I do not travel with what I always need but He has His way of providing exactly what I am in need of before and during. Praise God!

Please pray for my mother's health as she was admitted into the hospital last night.

My friend Paul Wynne will only be able to print for me 10,000 tracts rather than 20,000 as I cannot afford the cost of additional ink to print and his printers are being exhausted.

I found someone to cut the tracts since there are 4 to a page. This is a blessings, thanks Benny Baca of Las cruces, New Mexico.

My friends Norman & Ralph Molina will allow me to borrow two suitcases to travel with so I don't have to purchase any.

Pray for good weather as I now understand that the hurricane season has an early start this year.

Praise God Andes has her flight booked.

Pastor Stewart is leaving for Malawi tomorrow - pray for safe flight.

I am leaving on Thursday to visit my son before leaving for Barbados on the 15th.

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6/2/09

Praise Report:

Ticket purchased for Barbados - some contribution from my cousin Beverly Moriarty in New Jersey. Praise the Lord!

My friend Paul Wynne Jr. is currently printing 20,000 tracts for me to take to Barbados and he is only charging me for the ink ($146 - God will provide). I was quoted $450 and above all day to have these tracts printed. Thank my Father in Heaven for blessing me with a man of God that have always been supportive and have no qualms about releasing his resources to the work of God. Paul last week donated his laptop to Pastor Stewart with a lovely carrying case.  A few weeks ago Paul purchased about 10,000 sheets of paper thinking it will last him a life time and now here he is printing tracts on half of those - he is printing to spread the God of eternal life for someone else.

Begin to pray with us for the distribution of these 20,000 tracts that will be distributed in the islands.

Now I am believing God for the funds for the radio broadcast ($250 per 1/2 hour) and plane tickets to the other three islands (Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia).

Since I donated my laptop to a ministry in Kenya I am indeed of one but I just got a good price for one so hopefully I can get it tomorrow. Of course this takes away funds from other projects but I must be able to publish my website on the go. This is a necessity for me because my ministry is catchthewaveministries.com

I spoke to Andes today in Singapore and she is busy getting all her ducks lined up. The trip is coming together and I believe we will have exactly what God intends for us to have. We need nothing else but His essentials.

I've received an invitation to do ministry in Ghana today and praise the Lord for all the work published on this website that opens doors.

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6/1/09

12:38pm - Praise the Lord - I have my ticket for Barbados (My cousin Beverly Moriarty made a contribution a portion of this). Do believe with me for the tickets for the other islands and radio broadcast expenses and other needs.

Pastor Stewart from Malawi is leaving today and then I will turn my attention to completing some work for Pakistan ministry and the trip to West Indies. Currently I must secure my ticket first to Barbados and then see about raising funds for hops to the other islands. I hope to have printed about 20,000 tracts to distribute there. It is high tourist season in the islands and I am certain the tracts will go quickly. The one strategy about evangelizing in the islands is that many people are there from the nations and if a soul is won there they will take back the gospel with them. It is an incredible opportunity to win the lost, make disciples and send back missionaries who came as tourist. You say, how can such a thing be? Well, if all you  have is a testimony of being saved, you have enough to start with to win the lost. This is the 11th hour and God will move quickly in these days to till the ground, sow the seeds, water and harvest in the blink of an eye. It is time for the nations and the islands to take advantage of the opportunities open to us. While the beaches are crowded and your historic sites and amusement parks are crowded with visitors, a tract to ponder on can bring forth much fruit.

God has placed into our hands strategies but we don't seen to see them because we are distracted. We think we have to plan an event or make some arrangements beyond our ability but all we have to do is hand someone a tract and let the words sink in. The results of the working of that tract is not our affair but the Holy Spirit's. I set about the work in the islands today and pray that you will at least be supportive prayerfully if you can't do so in any other way.

First I will spend the week in a New Mexico prison ministering this weekend and then soon after on to Barbados as the first port of call. Please pray for receptive hearts, people to tune in on the radio broadcasts and more than 20,000 tracts to be distributed. Pray that we will have tracts in other languages and make the right connections with the local congregations to further the spreading of the gospel.

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5/31/09

Nairobi Update:

Dear Joy,

God is great, He has kept us good and I thank Him for His faithfulness. We are on the move as per the teachings you left us with in Kenya. We have set up a date to meet with pastors from various churches to start what you had advised us to do. The venue for the meeting will be at Mathare Church as from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The theme or agenda for the meeting will be to baptize those who got saved and to see how we can feed the children that God has blessed us with.

We shall also meet on August 21^ST 2009 to 23^RD 2009 at Ngong Church in Nairobi. This is the church where the 25 members that I had informed you are located at. We shall be joined by 8 churches purposely to carry out door-to-door evangelism. If God will do miracles, we will print tracts. We shall send you a copy. These are only some of the arrangements that we have so far.

Much Thanks for the encouragement you are giving us. It is wonderful and great to read the word AWAKE. It is really amazing. Sure indeed we are supposed to wake up.

Oh! Before I finish, Joan’s picture in her school uniform is attached. She’s coping and doing well and she has sent regards. We changed for her the first school because of the demands and difficulties of transport and time. Her new school is BRIDGEWAY SEC. SHOOL. She‘s grateful.

Thank you and may God bless you!

Pastor Caleb Osunga

Nairobi, Kenya

Catch the Wave Ministries provides Joan with her school fees (she is the tallest girl standing on the right). Her father died 4 years ago and her mother was not able to send her to high school. She is about 20 years old attending high school with students much younger than she is. She has a desire to learn and have hopes of a good future. Joan wants to be an accountant. There are many such children in Africa and around the world that we are all able to assist. School fees for Joan is about $200 a year. Many people in the west can do this easily. Imagine giving to a nation an accountant, a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, etc. To help others with such needs click here.

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5/29/09

While Pastor Stewart has been visiting me in Las Cruces, I have been busy taking him about while he was a guest speaker in many of the congregations here. Today we spend the day at the Character Kids Food Bank boxing food for poor families. Praise God we were able to pack boxes for 700 needy people and families. We labored from 10am - 5pm. Pastor Stewart and Mike Tellez who founded and operates the food bank and the Las Cruces Dream Center hit if off immediately. Mike and Pastor Stewart has been speaking about Mike going to Malawi and starting a food bank program as well as building a Dream Center. How amazing God is to make such connections. The Dream Center is designed to offer children skills for good character development, assist with school work, provide skills for poor and need families to get them self-supporting and take young people off the street and get them ready to be contributing members of society. We are all looking forward to what God will accomplish.

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5/25/09

Pastor Stewart Chawinga is currently in the Unites States and speaking in congregations in Las Cruces. On Sunday he spoke in The Lighthouse Church here in Las Cruces and was well received. Indeed life in America is much different than life in Malawi Africa. Pastor has visited friends and congregations and they are blessings him to meet some of his most challenging needs in Malawi.

I am currently at home hosting Pastor Stewart for one week. After Pastor Stewart returns to Oklahoma I will spend the following weekend in the Prison Door ministry at a New Mexico prison where the work is great and the responses are tremendous. I believe the Lord is hiring those to be employed in the harvest at the 11th hour.

Matthew 20:1-16
[1] For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. [2] And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. [3] And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, [4] And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. [5] Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. [6] And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? [7] They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. [8] So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. [9] And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. [10] But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. [11] And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, [12] Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. [13] But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? [14] Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. [15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? [16] So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

The 11th hour hirers will work swiftly and bring in as much fruit as those hired earlier in the day. The amount of work they will do will be of the same value as those hired on earlier. They will be willing to share their testimonies, labor in fields the average Christian Joe will not labor in and they will bring in as much in the last hour as those who labored from early morning. The work will be so highly valued that they will be paid first. Around us there are many such 11th hour laborers if we would only put in the sickle and bring in our own harvest. Many congregations are lacking the people needed to do the multifold ministries that the church is in need of completing but because they will not release the congregations to labor they remain lacking.

Some congregation need youth leaders, missionaries, preachers and teachers of the word but they can't see that they must go to the field and harvest that youth leader or that missionary. They cannot see that out of their harvest will come the person or persons that will meet that need or fill that gap. The world is aborting it future doctors and teachers and the church is allowing its harvesters and laborers to rot in the fields. The harvest must be brought in and it will be done by those the church and the world have discarded. Pray that the hearts of the inmates will be receptive to the gospel when we go and that the fruits will remain.

I am also working out the details for the West Indies mission trip and need your prayers. I will purchase my ticket to Barbados on the 1st of June. This is during the height of the tourist season so prices will be high. I am hoping to got Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada. Andes from Singapore will join me on this mission trip. We are hoping to purchase air time on the radio to get the message out and utilize tracts for beach evangelism. If you can help us purchase or print tracts please contacts me at kjsandiford@msn.com or use the donation link available on this page to make support this endeavour. If you will like to help purchase airline tickets or pay for air time please contact me. As soon as I get the specifics amounts I will post.

The bible states that the island will disappear from the earth. We know that there are many rumblings in the earth and as a result we are faced with Tsunamis and other natural disasters that are changing the face of the earth. Let us hope that the laboring remnant of the body of Christ will be swift to bring in the harvest on the islands of the world before they disappear from the earth while yet in their sins. The harvest is plentiful especially during the height of tourism. It is an opportunity to reach many people from many nations. Imagine people from many nations receiving Christ while on vacation and taking the gospel back to their respective nations. It is like working in many nations all at one time. Pray that those believer on the islands will awake and see the need to evangelize and that they will be spurred on to do their own work.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

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5/9/09

All of life's lessons are to teach us and prepare us for what is to come. Since returning home a situation occurred that was a stark reminder to me of what God wants to do in my life and how He is preparing me to do it. As human beings we can become so oversensitive to the words and accusations of others that we take them personally and  become offended that we can't go on for the sake of the gospel. In actuality, God is really preparing us to see what He can entrust to us because what is to come is by far more sensitive than what presently is. In other words, Yeshuah said that we are to expect uncertain collateral damage from the work we will do for Him. As a matter of fact all saints are to expect collateral damage carte blanche. He said that households will turn against each other and not just your blood household but also the household of faith will turn against one another. This is found in Matthew 24. Yet, there is still a work that must be done during such difficult and dangerous times because His words says many will be killed and persecuted for His name sake. That means we will still be expected to labor during those times.

How then will we survive or stand the test of what is to come if He does not start thickening the skin on our spiritual and physical bodies. God is now separating the thick skins from the thin skins. Most of my life I was a very sensitive person. I could cry at the drop of a bucket but I find now that I am able to take much abuse and am being passed through the fire time after time in an area that have always caused me to react the same way time and time again. Now I realize that God is taking me to my places of defeat to give me my door of hope which is also my door of survival. The more I am tested in this area the greater I stand and the thicker my skin becomes.

The body of Christ is not ready for what is to come. Our skin is thin and we are to defensive. I spoke somewhere the other day and found the one in charged making excuses for what was said  - in actuality the person watered down the word of God to the point that when they were finished speaking one could not recognize the hand of God in what they said. Even though the remarks and rebuke was harsh and intended to inflict shame on me I found myself not being impacted by the words but the revelation of God was so profound in the midst of the act. I realized also that what once would have sent me recoiling into myself and what would have caused me to abandon my hope in the body did not in the least bit offend me because I had said exactly what the Spirit lead me to say. Then the Spirit gave me understanding - if I can't be trusted with God's word to speak as He gives me utterance and not to take the fall down never get up again for His sake position, how then can He release to me the greater works.

When I was in college studying to be a missionary I travelled to another nation on missions and became offended by the harshness of someone's words that I walked away from the faith for 5 years.  In those five years I made the worst mistakes of my life. Those choices kept me out of full time ministry for 20 years because my life had changed so drastically. When I finally recovered my senses I vowed that I would not be so impacted again as to walk away because of thin skin. But vows are soon forgotten and it takes God's confidence in you and His hope in you to remind you and to preserve you in your vow. Yes, God works this way also.

I do not say that I am not shaken, but what I am saying is that when I become rattled God has a way of recovering my spiritual sight so that I would not blindly walk away from my hope in Him and His hope for me. This is conversion. Revival means that we keep making the same mistakes over and over again and need to be revived, but conversion means we don't keep doing the same thing the same way over and over again we just do the right thing once and it is settled. Conversion means the ways of the world fall away and the grace of God takes hold. I have finally allowed God to take hold although there are one or two moments that I might try to handle something on my own and then once the notion of God take hold I abandon my reaction to His actions. That moment that was lost He will redeem.

So, the point is this! If God can't trust us to suffer for Him and abandon all for the sake of the gospel He will remove His anointing from us and He will chose another ram from the thicket. I had decided before I went on my African mission safari that God will not have to choose another ram because I am willing and will indeed stay on the altar. The altar is not a comfortable place to be but it is the greatest place to be. In that position of being offered up as a sacrifice you are always looking up. I have learned that once your eyes are fixed on Him and His purpose none or nothing can deter you although they try and try and connive and try to placate, or try to distract, waylay, water down the truth or even try to outright attack you, God is in control of whether the knife lays in or the hand is restrained. God wants to trust you with His work because we are co-laborers with Him and we are also His building 1 Corinthians 3:9. Who are you laboring with and whose building are ye? That is the question.

Too often we think we are in God's camp doing God's work but when reality kicks in we find that it is the other camp we are in. Are you sure who your employer is? Once you are sure your employer is God then you are in a position to give way to His orders. How do you judge what His orders are: grace, justice, compassion, hope, mercy, love, preach, teach, toil, etc. His orders are also to stand your ground, be still and know that He is God, cast your cares upon Him, abide in Him as he abides in you, blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, walk by faith and not by sight, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, etc.

So the intent of this message is that God wants to entrust more and more of His Kingdom work to us. How can He release to us the work if every time we are offended we strike a blow at His kingdom or run from His presence. The great American Indian Chief Joseph once said, "I will fight no more forever." I say we must be liken to these words. every wrong action is a fight against God - I say, "I too will fight no more forever." How can one say these words, because the battles are the Lord's and not ours. Don't take things personally and run away with your tail between your legs. Don't succumb to the emotions the enemy is trying to exact in you, give up the ghost of self preservation and foolish pride and learn that every lesson of life is to prepare you for the next step on the journey. I am already putting the lessons I learned from Africa into practice and although it took a moment to reflect and realize the significance of what I have learned I am on my way to stepping through my next open door.

If you are doing something or have done something that is preventing you or have prevented you from entering in the door open to you, it is time to stop, reflect, and summarize what God is teaching you and move ahead. If God can't trust you to overcome the moment of despair He can not trust you to enter in at the door. It is time to recover what is God's. Let Him release His kingdom work to you and so put you into the harvest, spurring others on to labor while you yourself labor and provoking others to jealousy after Him.

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5/8/09

On Forgiveness

I was just asked the question, "How can you forgive someone who killed your relatives in genocide and have never asked pardon."

My answer:

If forgiveness requires an action first from the offender, then it is not forgiveness. "In while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." While we were sinners He forgave us - He extended forgiveness whether we accept it or not - whether we act on it or not. If you are waiting for an apology before you forgive then there is no grace in that. Forgiveness means never having heard "I am sorry" but walking in forgiveness. It means laying it aside and live as though nothing has happened.  It is the hardest thing to do but in the long run it is the best thing to do. If you let the offense take hold of your mind it will soon take you to limits the offender never reached. Forgiveness is not about the offender it is about the person who was offended. "For God so loved the world that He gave." Can we so love that we give up our need to hear "I am sorry" spoken by the offender. That is no different than what the world offers its own. Walking in forgiveness means being still and knowing that He is God. As long as we try to play God or be our own God of judgment we will never arrive experience forgiveness and be made whole.

I have learned that it is better to walk in forgiveness rather than seek a response from someone who has offended me. I am still learning because each person is different and the levels of intensity of each person who offends is different. Each in its own turn you must learn how to walk again and again until it becomes second nature. How long is again and again - as long as there are no two persons alike on the earth. But in Yeshuah all men bears the image of God and so we first forgive the image that is within and then forgiveness comes easier because you stop seeing the person and you see the image of God.

I am seeing the image of God even though it doesn't look the way God should look - but never mind we see by faith and not by sight.

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5/8/09

The greatest lesson I have learned while on missions: If God can't trust you with His words He will not trust you with even the little things. When God send you to the nations He expects you to speak on His behalf. Speaking for God is the most challenging thing you will ever encounter. Actually the prophets could attest to this. Some were killed because of it. Others were persecuted to the hilt. Nonetheless, they did as they were told. How often do we do as we are told. Even when God ask us to do something simply like praying for someone else consistently. I realize what God's word means to others but I am just now realizing what it also means for me.

I woke up on morning saying these word, "Pray for mercy on this house." To me those words meant that I should pray for mercy for someone else that God might have mercy on them and saved them. It is only now that I realize that praying for mercy for someone else might also be the way God delivers us form those same people. Have you ever been in a situation and didn't know what to do and you ask God to help you and He said pray for those who mean evil against you? Well He means just that. While you are praying for that person God is having mercy on you by restraining them from the evil they could have done or have purposed in their hearts to do to you. God not only answers prayer He restraints evil.

The harvest is definitely the place to be but it is also the most dangerous place to be in. It is after all the territory of the enemy and he is not going to be pleased. It is imperative that we get a hold of God's intent for us as well. But God's way is not ours. We expect the enemy to come at us one way and flee a thousand ways but we never think that we might be the instrument God uses to cause them to flee as well. I am not trying to discourage you from going into the harvest but rather to show you that God has all the bases covered if you only allow Him to open the eyes of your heart so you can see clearly.

While in Africa I read the entire book of Acts along the journey and found myself experiencing many of Paul's hardships. I found solace in the fact that what I was going through was common to the Apostles. No one is impervious to the attacks of the enemy. Some times we feel we have to defend ourselves but God is always saying, "I will fight your battle for you, just go on with your work, I have this covered." In the midst you can surrender and let Him handle the underlying stuff because you at some point think it to be inconsequential. Yet when the work is done and the time of reflecting comes you realize He was handling the big stuff and you were just doing the basics.

I know that my Redeemer lives because what He has done is life to me. The battles were raging in the heavenlies while I was teaching, sharing the gospel, meeting a need and all the while the angels were in battle for the kingdom of men. The vision I just had is that of the angels exhausted in battle, swords clashing and devils being defeated as I stand in the natural teaching God's word unconscious to the heavenly forces released to battle for me. A hundred were falling at my side but I could not see them. Where the spiritual and the natural portal meets I only see a shadow of a red line that one day will split open and the host of heaven will return with my Redeemer riding upon the clouds. Until then, the host of the heavenlies are at my side doing battle when I think I only am standing teaching, speaking, preaching the mercies of God. They are also waiting to do battle for you.

Don't hesitate, be bold and step where you can be sure where angels dare tread on your behalf.

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5/7/09

Soul winning is the most powerful work you will ever do. It has eternal value. It is one believer pursuing the image of God on the face of the earth to turn it back to its creator. Soul winning is most effective when it comes form one of your own or someone who has been through what you have gone through or is going through. In other words it makes an impact by the "word of your testimony." Most importantly it makes the big bang theory seems like the sound a pin makes when it falls when one uses the word of God to share the gospel. Every nation has it soul winners already equipped from the place they are at if only they would see that where they stand is a door of hope not only for themselves but for someone else. if only people could see that form where they stand God is more than able in them to do His will in them and through them the harvest would be a day's labor - even labor from the 3rd hour on - more so, at the 11th hour. Payday is almost here and so many of us choose not to be employed. Many preferred to let the one penny pay go thinking that they is more to be had.

Matthew 20:1-16
[1] For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. [2] And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. [3] And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, [4] And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. [5] Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. [6] And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? [7] They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. [8] So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. [9] And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. [10] But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. [11] And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, [12] Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. [13] But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? [14] Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. [15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? [16] So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

If the least among the laborers could receive the same pay surely the least pay is also the greater reward. God will use the least among us to do a great work. He will use the least persons we expect, the least nations, the least continent, the least congregation, the least family, the least town or village. Why? Because when you have absolutely nothing a penny is more than you could have hoped for and so the work and the pay is welcomed. All things are possible in God. In all nations there is a remnant, in all houses of worship there is a remnant, in all families there is a remnant, on all of the face of the earth there is a remnant. Are you a part of the remnant that God will use? How can you be a remnant? Just let Him use you where you are at. Let Him use the little things you have to offer and watch God do something masterful. Let Him do things his way. If you give God out of your want or need rather than your abundance He will do mighty things. He can do all things so what are you holding on to when there is always a ram in the thicket waiting to be the ultimate sacrifice.

The harvest is white and the enemy knows that his time is near and he is working over time to ensure that the image of God dies away form the earth, he is counting on us doing nothing and so Christ has fewer brides on His wedding day. But I say that the hour is at hand and we should by faith move into the harvest. It is time that each nation move into the harvest and get a hold of the fruit. I do not say it will be easy but no matter how difficult the reward will be great. Do not look for it here on the earth it will only be fleeting. The enemy is one step ahead of you but the word of God says that "Paul planted, Apollos water, But GOD that giveth the increase." God does it not us. What God has harvested Yeshua says no one can take it from Him. The harvest belongs to the Lord and no man and no devil can take it from Him. So what is there to worry about. You have nothing to lose because it is God that is the Lord of the harvest. It is His fruit and His fruit shall remain.

So, Go! Don't let people water down the word and tell you that you are not called or have a calling. Don't let people convince you that you are not equipped, anointed, have a covering, do not have sufficient fund etc. I went to Africa on a prayer and a dime. I had a ticket that was purchased by my son. I had $3000, $1000 per month for a budget (my personal funds which is normally my rent and my utilities when at home. I do not receive support from any organization or congregation), a donation from a brother in the Lord (Henri) who paid for Pastor Titus to travel with me, and a few other donations (which are not the least) for the entire trip to Africa for 3 months. You only need scroll down and see all that was accomplished on such a small budget. See your assets as a few fish and loaves and what God fill basket after basket with fragments. You can do it. This website has been about  demonstrating how evangelism can be done and how if I can do it on nothing you can do the same. But many of you have more than I have you are just afraid and you think the work belongs to those that are eloquent and versed in the Bible. But God says he will write His words upon your heart and as you go you grow. YOU CAN DO IT!

I have seen people in Africa live on next to nothing and are contented. Not because they don't know better but because they have the good sense to know what is important. They have children that extends their generation into the next 10 generations but we in the west have settled for one or two children that will end our generation in 3 or less generations. We prefer the big house and the cars and the televisions, and the fast food and the, and the, and the... To bring a child into this world is to give birth to the image of God. Imagine that, when we have children it is not just having mini me, it is having the very image of God with our reflection on their faces. We give birth to eternal seeds. The only thing on the earth that is eternal is the souls of men. This is what we are asked to redeem in the earth - the souls of men. 

We have given way to seducing spirits that have convinced us to see things in a different light. We waste time defending ourselves, our actions, our personal agendas and so little time on God's business. I hear men of God take powerful moments and that could have impacted peoples lives for the better and watered them down to the point of no trace of salt that when God could have given birth to a warrior a miscarriage occurred.  It is because as one pastor said last night we can't seem to detach our emotions from what God is trying to do and so we end up sabotaging His work.

While in Africa I met a so called missionary who when asked what he did said, "I don't know, I just live and enjoy life." He acknowledge that once a year for two months he returns home and raises his financial support for the next ten months so he can live in Kenya. Yet he said he had no idea what he does but just enjoy life. We went to him for help in getting a project that could help dozens of villagers but he refused our help because what was his was his. I have said time and time again that we are wasting God's resources. People like me have to count on the widows mite but thank God that He deals in collecting fragments. If this so called missionary could just detach his emotions from what God is trying to do he would do the work that for 11 years other people have been supporting him to do.

You have a sincere desire to do God's work. For everyone out there that is trying to use the name of God to achieve their own personal kingdom on the earth you might just be a drop in the bucket. But with 300 of you sincere people God can create a Gideon force and take back from the enemy what is HIS. Many of you have told me you wish you could do what I am doing and you call me a globetrotter and so forth.  Before I surrendered to God my widow's mites I was a stuck at home, bill paying, run of the mill disappointed with my life person.  Now I go where he leads me and if you think I have money, guess again. I told you, I serve a God who deals in fragments. He takes what is left over from my few fish and loaves and does amazing things.

I am not saying that things will be easy or that things will always go well. People will try to use you, try to harm your reputation, try to sabotage your what you are doing, try to hinder you, lie about you, spit on you, beat you up and do all manner of evil against you. But, as God told Samuel, It is not you they are rejecting but I the Lord God. So learn to shake the dust off your feet and don't give the victory to the devil. The battle is not yours it belongs to God.

Give of your fish and give of your loaves and see what God can do in your life. I am not saying that you will go to Africa or Peru, I am only saying that The earth is the Lord's and He can do with you as He thinks best and profitable. surely it is much better than what we hope for ourselves. Take courage and step out in faith as I did my first time on October 1st 2007. I stepped onto a Grey Hound Bus heading to California to do ministry and since then I have gone where I had only dreamt of going.  Imagine that! I think God gave someone the vision of Grey Hound Bus Service for such a time as October 1, 2007. Is there not a train or a taxi waiting for you to step in? How about that old wreck of a car that you wouldn't be found dead in? How about putting some tracts, food and some bibles in it and just drive around and see who you could possible feed spiritually and physical.

I caution you, don't lose sight of how and why your got started. Don't get caught up in what is around you.  I went to Africa for 3 months to evangelize and of the three months there I did not have one day of sightseeing. What little I saw was as I was going about His business. One day Andes' friend from Singapore took her, me and Titus's wife Hilda to a prayer garden in the town of Karen in Nairobi. Karen is the name of the town named after the story from the movie "Out Of Africa." That was our day of sightseeing. Did I miss anything or have regrets - No! From a distance God is watching and from that same distance when we all get to heaven I will see all I missed and more. There will be a new earth and what could be more beautiful to see but then.

Beloved, know where your treasures are and it will be well with you. trust God and go where He leads with courage and hope in His good keeping. I am home form Africa and am now looking to God next open door - the West Indies Islands.

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5/6/09

There is nothing more eternal than winning the lost

It is difficult returning home and trying to adjust to home life especially when you  have been on the road for 3 months working daily in ministry. It was not a hard thing but the most common occurrence to get up in the morning leave by 8 am or 9am and head out for evangelism. First they might be a brief teaching or prayer for those coming along, then we evangelized door-to-door until about 1pm or 2pm. After lunch then teaching in the afternoon and then in the night. Before Andes joined me for a month I did it all myself with Titus translating for me so we did it in unison. Andes was a blessing from God because she gave me time to rest and sit and be taught as she would open the teachings on Israel and I would close with teachings on the nations. Andes lead an evangelism door-to-door team and I lead one and the Kenyan believer sometimes had one or two teams out with us.

When you were use to such rigorous schedules it is hard to get use to the normal run of the mill daily lifestyle again. When you consider your schedule was on a different continent with a challenging climate and a difficult diet and so on it takes time to adjust. I am thankful for the work God gave me to do. Although at the end I did not have sufficient time to update and post photos which I am now trying to do. It is like living every aspect over again. I now have a desk top that I am working form and it does not have all the software programs on it that I used on my laptop so I am hindered a bit.

My body's time clock is trying to adjust but I am trying to adjust. I have not been out of the house but once since being home and perhaps that is is why I am having a time adjusting. I am also trying to sort out all my receipts and finding some things missing and it is getting frustrating trying to remember all the details.  I have to remember the Swahili words for slowly, "poly poly" and tell myself I need time. I am trying to find the time to encourage all those I left behind in Africa and look to my future mission trip in the West Indies next month. How can one go to the nations and not their own nation of origin?

Interjection: I just now received an email from a friend in Pakistan that said, "I also want to tell you that in Pakistan all people still call him Mohammad Obama. They think that he is still Muslim."  What does that tell you about the times we are living in? Every nation in Africa I visited Obama's picture covered vans and buses, t-shirts and all types of clothing -lassos, magazine covers, newspapers, calendars in many of the houses I visited. It was impossible to move around in Africa and not see his picture. He is the great black hope for all of the world. But I caution you that God will not share His glory with anyone, He is a jealous God. Read this newspaper exert:

5/5/09

I am now home from Africa and trying to get some much needed rest. My friend Paul Wynne just installed my desk top so I can get my postings done. I have a lot to report so on to it.

Andes and I completed our work in the Bungoma and interior area on April 19th ending by teaching in Bumula. We spent the final day posting updates and teaching Titus how to use the laptop and camera. When God releases to us tools that can be effective in the ministry it is important that we release them to people who will be effective with them not out of personal gain. We cannot expect God to release to us future blessings if we are careless with what He has now entrusted us with. I have learned a great deal about right motives and wrong motives. There will always be people who come into our lives that means the gospel good and those that will use it to further their own personal gains. We must always be vigilant or else the enemy will come in and devour all we have. It takes courage to make a right stand. It means doing what God commands you to do and forsake what people expect you to do. God will always allow you to see the heart of man if you stand on His principles. He will confirm even at the last minute what He has already placed in your heart. Integrity is most important for a person to have in the ministry. Where God has given me wisdom on protecting what He has placed in my care He has shown me the folly of others who fail to take care of what God has given them. You can see from the photos and travel updates what I have spent 3 months in Africa doing. Most of the time I spoke two or three times a day not including time spent evangelizing. When not doing this I spent the days posted at the internet updating which you well know was not daily or often. The proof of what I have done with what God has given me is here to see. I have said time and time again if you are supporting someone overseas you owe it to yourself and to good stewardship to al least go and visit and make sure they are doing what they claim to be doing. Demand receipts and stop relying on your check stub. Throwing away God's resources released to you is encouraging pastor's in third world nations to steal and sin. You must hold them accountable.

This one particular so called pastor was sent thousands of shillings to Bungoma to purchase 28,000 tracts for evangelism and because of greed and wrong motives is taking the money sent to him in good faith and buying television and chairs and other items that is outright thievery. He was given a small love offering and now is telling others that the person gave him millions of shillings and he is on a spending spree with a servants released finances while lying and saying it came from someone else.  I thank God that He gave me insights before my trip so I can be mindful of His blessings to me. During the last three months in Africa I watch God do miracle after miracle with the little I had. I demanded receipts when possible and will soon post as soon as I get them scanned. I refused to send what God gave me foolishly and at the whim of others. I did not hesitate to give where a need arose but not feeding a man so he became dependent. There are many issues to be dealt with in Africa and here are some.

Internet Abuse:

When I go to the internet to post my updates or check my email it is nothing to find the same individuals there time and time again surfing the internet. Many pastors and so called bishops here spend a great deal of time on the internet looking for people to come to Africa to so call hold crusades that never come off. They are asking for support and so on but no intentions of preaching the gospel. They are what other pastors of integrity call briefcase pastors and bishops. They have no congregation but will gather some people together the last minute to pose as a congregation to entertain a visiting evangelist. I praise God that I was led by the spirit of God to Africa and God shielded me and protected my work from such as these. The word that God gave me before I left for Africa was this, "Your fruit shall remain." 

If you are being invited by someone then do a simple internet search and find out who else they are inviting and how many times guest books they have signed, how many websites they have, how many email addresses they have and how many times they name shows up with different names of ministries.

Unsavory Motives:

Imagine yourself getting an invite from Africa or some other third world nation thinking you will come and hold a mega crusade and then taken to a crowded market place and the work is done. They take your money your spent time raising and spend it buying cars, land, and household good and yes, travelling to other places. I have seen it with my own eyes. These so called men and women of God spend hours and shillings surfing the net looking for targets to bring to Africa. When you fail to release to them your finances they try to cut your reputation to the quick. But God who is on your side will teach you how to be sustained in the midst of such actions if you are lead by the Spirit of God. You must be weary when you receive such invitations and only go if the Spirit of God compels you to go. Financial Assistant Abuse: I had a situation which the Spirit of God close the door and use it to teach me how to open my eyes to such unsavory opportunities.

If you are invited in such a situation, look at people's reactions to what you do. If every time you give to a cause and they are upset because it was given to them personally something is wrong and that is a hint to examine their motives. They expect you to give to them only and what you bring with you their put personal claims on it. If they abandoned the work in the midst of the journey something is wrong with their motives. If you are sent with God's blessings He will give you a Silas in place of Barnabas.  Stay faithful to the calling and God will deliver you in the midst of their trifling spirit. God's word says when you go somewhere you are to stay there until the duration and when you leave shake the dust off as a witness against them. That is God's word. Do not give in to pressure and abandon the work also.

People will invite you to visit on the pretense of doing God's work. I caution you to ask for references from others who have visited them and for evidence of their past work. Do not - Do not send ahead funds to be used once you arrive. Do not because also if something happens to your and things change you will not receive back what you already released. I am speaking from what I have seen happen with my own eyes. I have been writing about this type of situation for quite sometime and I have experienced it in other situations of other people. I had one situation where I gave money for one purpose and finally had to write a letter rebuking the pastor for not releasing the funds. finally he released 90% of the funds. Experience is worth a thousand words. I went to Africa with my eyes wide open as the Lord gave me wisdom. How many do you guest are going without eyes?

Support Abuse:

I caution you not to send monthly support to any organization without verifying the ministry they are requesting funds for. This one so called pastor told some Nigerian Pastors that he has an orphanage and a congregation and a computer school that is teaching street kids but in fact he has nothing. I believe the reason he is purchasing the chairs is to set up a make believe school to impress the Nigerians that are due to visit in June. I have found some information this pastor has posted on the internet telling lies about what he is not truthfully doing. he is soliciting support for him and his wife to purchase land and so on. He is obviously getting support from somewhere and as soon as he receives it he goes on a travelling and shopping spree. A fool and his money will soon be parted.

Give a man a fish, give a man a fish, give a man a fish and you will feed him for the rest of his life. Teach a man how to fish and he will feed himself. Too many so call pastor's are getting monthly handouts and they can feed themselves. It is the norm in Africa that a pastor should not work. Even if their clothes are falling off of them and their families are starving they will not work because they are under the impression that it is a bad witness for a servant of God to work. Believe it or not they are getting this message from visitors from other nations. A pastor in the USA will sooner get a job and support his family than let them starve to death but in Africa and other nations it is ok for a pastor to let his family down? If you really want to help go and visit the situation first unannounced. This is the year 2009 and there really isn't anyplace you can't visit.

I have only given as a start up project to communities and congregations that can be used to support more than one project. The income form the project will generate more income to start more projects making a community or congregation self supporting. Accountability is not just on one person but many. When you give support to one individual there is no accountability. I am not saying don't help but for goodness sakes don't create more problems and cause someone to err. You are creating support addicts.

Be aware of the tactics of the enemy and protect yourself and your ministry from such unsavory exploits.

Nairobi

I spent the last two weeks in Africa in Nairobi with Pastor Caleb and his family. Andes returned to Singapore on 24th April and I stayed on one more week. I had hoped for a few days rest before leaving for the America but it was not to be. I spent the entire time ministering as it has been that way from the time I arrived in Africa. The night before Andes left we met with eight pastors to teach about Israel and the nations. From that meeting I received many invitations to teach. Andes left the next day and on the following day Pastor Caleb's family and I spent the day together on a family outing. It was good to have such a time enjoying each others company. The next day, Sunday, I taught at Pastor Caleb's congregation first to the congregation and then to visiting pastors. At the end they committed to join Caleb's growing pastor's ministry of evangelism. After that I was taken to visit a family on one husband and two wives. Much was said in humor but the message was gotten. On the way to this family we saw my first African rainbow. I trusted that it was God's way of confirming my work in Africa.

Monday I spoke at a prayer group. On Tuesday and Wednesday I taught at a bible school. On Thursday I had two pastor's groups one after the other right through to about 1am. On the day I left Kenya I spent some time at the internet cafe helping Hilda seek medical care for her sister, Linet, who is suffering from sickle cell anemia and complications of an enlarged heart.

To date these are the results for Nairobi ministry:

16,000 tracts purchased and distributed

101 families fed

13,000 shillings for school fees for Joan Aciendo Ondiala at Lili Vision High School Nairobi, Kenya

16 plus pastor have formed a coalition to evangelize and build up each other's congregations

1,000 shillings to a stranded woman who was robbed

$50  to a congregation

Marked growth in congregations - sorry no statistics on how many saved - God is keeping track

30,000 shillings goodwill offering

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4/22/09

Maliki:

Fed two families, repaired 4 roofs, gave out 10 bibles in Swahili, distributed vitamins to 15 individuals and donated a total of 20,000 shillings totally. About 29 individuals came to the Lord

Bungoma:

About 8 souls came to the Lord, 8 street kids fed and 2 families fed, 2 bibles given away, 2,100 shillings donated for an individual to attend a conference in Nairobi, Wedding video and photos taken and pictures printed 3,200 shillings, not including new memory card purchased for additional capacity on camera - 3,000 shillings, one door fixed and clothes donated, shoes, and all items brought to Kenya donated: laptop, camera, memory stick. 30,000 shillings for ministries. To date gas for evangelism vehicle 7,400 shillings, 2,600 shillings for driver's pay.

Bumula:

This is the congregation of Titus' brother Ruben. Andes and I taught to a full house congregation. No evangelism was done as time did not permit.

Masielo:

Peanuts are coming along well. We still did not get the opportunity to go out to Masielo to help plant the peanuts because the weather did not permit. As of April 30th a report was received from Masielo that another cow waiting to calf was purchased for the helps project so now they are expecting 4 cows for the price of two. I had a prescription for eye glasses for a child but I lost it. I am hoping it can be sent to me quickly so that this last obligation in Africa can be taken care of. clothes donated for cooperative ministry

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4/20/09

It has been a while since I was able to update as I have been on the road and not able to take along the laptop. Andes and I have spent a great deal of time in some small villages and also spent four days traveling and working in Uganda at a home orphanage. Much work has been done and needs has been met. To date over 28,000 plus tracts have been distributed and since the last update we had about 29 new converts in the town of Maliki, Kenya, about 56 new converts in Masielo, 8 new converts in Bungoma and several people who rededicated their lives to the Lord. In Maliki we were able to give a donation to replace 2 roof and repair 2. 1 mosquito net will be donated to a cripple man and some food given to him. 1 iron sheet was also donated to another man and 10 bibles were purchased and distributed in Maliki. Two bibles were given to two families in Bungoma. A cow was purchased from a donation given by a friend of Andes in Singapore to help the congregation in Masielo earn income to purchase bibles and feed the widows and orphans etc. The Friesen cow which cost $400 donated by Carol Siow. We are hoping we can do the same for the small interior town of Maliki.

We visited Masielo on Resurrection Sunday to teach in the congregation and had the opportunity to visit the plot of land that has been planted with peanuts. What a blessing to see the plants growing from all the recent rain fall. God has not allowed one seed to go on nourished. The leasing of the land and the purchased of the peanuts to plant was donated by Johanna Halinen and her family from Finland. The help that we have provided is meant to be a starting point for the people we help to sustain themselves. It is a start from which their will continue to grow and expand. Too often many visitors come from the west and other nations and think they are helping by giving money and such which is not often used in the way it was intended. No one was given accountability to ensure the funds were utilized in the right way. So much money and resources has been lost here in Africa because of careless people who give the wrong impression of westerners and then when people with good intentions come it is difficult for them to be effective because people expect us to have wealth and expect unrealistic things. Thank God that he has given us wisdom on how to teach and then demonstrate and make people accountable for their actions. We have been sure to get receipts and then follow up with photos of the projects and so on. Pastor Titus has proven to be a man of much integrity and very accountable. Every action has been recorded in congregation records. He will continue to keep us posted as they projects come to full fruition and expand.

The congregation are learning that they are simple things they can do for each other to help the body of Christ shine as a bright light in the community. They have learned that if they have no finances they can bring whatever they have to the offering plate. Some bring eggs, sweet potatoes, cassava and bananas. this is good so if members come to congregation who have no food they can take from the offering. Titus said that the believers in Maliki said that they did not realize that they are simple things they can be doing to help each other. Of course the unbelievers do not want to be a part of us because we don't even help each other. When people just come to the congregation and sit next to each other Sunday after Sunday and sing and are preached to when trouble comes they will not stand with each other. This is what happened in Burundi, Rwanda and even last year in Kenya when tribes turned against each other and many murdered each other. I have heard many stories that many believers who attended the same congregation were doing harm to each other. You see, if you never fed a person or prayed for them when sick or cook or clean for them all  your are to the other person is just a body. We have a saying, " A dog never bites the hand that feeds it." If you never fed a soul or clothe anyone our visited them during their infirmities your can expect loyalty. Change is coming to small communities in some countries in Africa, "poly poly" slowly, slowly.

Andes and I visited the woman in Bungoma yesterday whom we helped repair her door. her husband had broken down the door and it was hanging off the hinge. The neighbors wouldn't help but we fixed the door and showed her and them how easy it was. Her children has returned home with her and after telling her she can start her own business helping her self we found her yesterday in the market selling cassava chips. How amazing this was to see her with her two small children cooking and selling the chips. She was happy to see us and said she has been looking all about for us. It was exciting watching her happiness and to see people come and buy from her. She said she was grateful for the help and the advice that she can do her own business. This morning at about 6:30 she came to the house to say goodbye. She brought her aunt with her. She wanted to know if we could assist her with money to expand her business and her aunt want our help in supporting her children and grand children that were dumped on her. I told Jenny, the one with the business that we could not help and would not help because she was doing well on her own and she needed now to learn how to manage her money so she could expand on her own. I also told her aunt that they could both work the business together and rent an apartment together to help save money. The aunt was a bit resistant but in the end realize giving her a hand out was not really help. She said she wanted them to sell some small cakes so Andes give 100 shillings for flour and Jenny said she will help with the oil. Jenny realized that she can put aside some of her small earnings to eventually buy some land for a house and to put in the offering plate at congregation. We gave her some clothes and shoes. Now the idea has been solidified in her mind that now she can advise her family and friends on how to come out of the situations they are in. Jenny whom when we met seemed dejected and given up now is vibrant and hopeful. The aunt no longer wants a handout but has a sure plan for a business. I told Jenny don't tell anyone we helped them because it was God's work not ours and to always point the praises to God only.

UGANDA

The trip to Uganda exceeded our expectations. Pastor Titus, his mom, Andes and I made the trip together. We stayed at Bishop Isaac Buyi and his wife Allen's home with a household that is about 40 people. The Buyi's have six children of their own. The eldest recently died about a month ago. All the other members of the Buyi's household are orphans whose parents died of HIV. The Buyi's are putting them through school, feeding, housing and clothing them. Their home is an extension of their Christian walk. They have evening fellowship together as a family and the children from four years old to college age all participate in the evening fellowship. It is so amazing watching and hearing the children bring the teachings, leading the praise and worship, testify and encourage each other. The Buyi's home is a work in progress as they are still adding on to it to house more and more children. The home is ran efficiently and orderly with everyone taking a part. Allen has just completed her master's degree in social work and has just started a preschool in the congregation building during the day for poor orphans free of charge. They desire to pay the two women who volunteer their time teaching the children the fundamentals of education. Bishop Buyi pastor's a congregation of about 200 members and he owns and operated a welding business. He is the sole breadwinner of the household and he has much responsibilities on his shoulders to provide for some forty members of his expanding household. We were able to leave $100 to them which is about 214,00 Ugandan shillings to help care for the children.

Everyone in the house work together on every household activity from cooking, to cleaning to laundry. Imagine washing is a daily task for so many people. many of the clothes needed mending so Andes and I spent an evening darning the children's clothes. What a blessing it was for us to do this small task. We spent several hours at the church school helping the teachers with about 30 children. Actually Andes did most of the work as I was too exhausted and busy taking photos. Andes is awesome with children an she told them a story and taught them new songs with the actions and played games with them. The photos will be posted soon. This family provided three meals a day for us and even took our dirty clothes and had them washed and ready for us in the evening. We were greeted and treated with much hospitality. Allen showed us the five pigs that were purchased to help some widows earn some income. This is truly a grassroots ministry. We all had wonderful opportunities to bless each other by sharing our experiences and encouraging each other. this family needs much encouragement as they are now about 4 or 5 children in university and all the others with school fees as well to be paid.

This is the situation here where the Buyi's live. Many of the families here are Muslim and they men have some four or more wives. The wives often have up to 10 children each all living in the same house. Many orphans now live in these houses because the husbands have died of HIV and the wives having contracted HIV from the husbands who also live a promiscuous life are also dead. If one wife is left she is having to care for all the children alone. Many are now with the grandparents so it is no small thing to have a house that has 40 plus children who are orphans. Imagine that! Some of the children also have HIV and with no money for school fees and food and such they are left to a future of hopelessness. Many of these are the children the Buyi's have taken into their homes. A business, a congregation of 200 plus members with needs and 40 plus in their household is certainly more than any one can ask for. yet, the Buyi's are managing day by day as the Lord provides. If every family who has sufficient would do enough so many little needs can be met in a big way.

ALMOST AT THE END OF THIS JOURNEY

Tomorrow morning at 8:00am Andes and I are leaving Bungoma for Nairobi. She will leave for Singapore on the 24th of April and I will leave a week later on the 1st of May for home. We have faced many challenges but praise God we have not been defeated or given up. There are many challenges in Africa that truly only God can sustain us through. Many people who have come before us have made it difficult to go the easy way but we have managed by the grace of God to complete this work. We have both learn difficult lessons and have gone above and beyond our limits. God sustained us all the way. I have learned that not everyone have the right motives and not everyone cares about the lost. They are many people who says that they have a burden for the work of God but in truth they only care about advancing their own selves. It takes being in the center of God's will for Him to sort out the mess and make your path straight and clear of all the stumbling blocks. God is more than faithful to complete the work He has began. That is how you know you are in His divine will, what he starts He finishes. If the work is not complete ask yourself who really is doing it. This work is finished even though some who started with me abandoned it. God gave me a Silas when Barnabas abandoned the mission. I am most thankful to God for His completion of this African mission trip. I have yet one more teaching in Nairobi on Sunday and I shall be finished with all my teaching engagements. I will have a time of rest with Pastor Caleb and his family before returning to the USA. I will spend the remaining time updating this website and then leave the laptop for greater works here in Africa. Thank you all who have helped in one way or another and for your prayers. Bear with me as I post photos and videos.

Joy from Kenya

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4/12/09

Andes and I were blessed to attend Doreen and Benson's wedding in Bungoma yesterday. Benson is Titus' cousin. An African wedding is incredible. There is a lot of negotiation, singing, gift giving and dancing. It is definitely an all day thing. The groom goes to the bride's house to collect her and any last minute negotiations are done then. Ben gave 3 cows for Doreen.

On Wednesday morning Andes and I left for Katali near Mount Elgon in Kenya to spend a few days at the Prayer House Tazamia. We went for a few days rest but God as usual have His own plans. We were able to share the teachings God gave us for Israel and on the nations with several people at the prayer house. What an incredible time of sharing it was. And yes, in the midst of continuing the work there we got rest but in our spirits although not physical rest. One pastor we share with told us the next day that he went to a meeting of about 20 pastors and shared what he was taught that night. He said the pastors asked him to come and bring us to the meeting but he felt it was too late in the night to disturb us. We would have gladly gone. The next day up until the hour we left Tazamia were had the opportunity to teach again. It was never ending. God presents us with opportunity after opportunity to teach in many venues and on various topics.

While on the bus going to Katali I had the chance to speak on the p0hysical and political and spiritual issues in Kenya. One of the most frustrating things to deal with in Africa especially Kenya is the horrible habit the people have of throwing all their trash outside, on the streets, on the highways, in the vehicles, and everywhere you go. Kenya is the dirtiest place I have every travelled to. This man engaged me in conversation and I spoke my mind. he was taken back by my words but after he realized I was black and not a white woman he readily listen even at times he seemed down right anti what I was saying. In the end he agreed that I was saying the right things. I told them all on the bus that the way they exist in their nation was not reasonable. For example, the man said that tossing their trash out the windows of the bus was of no consequence because the government pays people to come along and cle3an up after them. I said point blank that such reasoning was "Jinga" foolishness. Why would they desire to spend money having someone clean up after their mess when the government could use that money to fund inoculations for their children, or improve their schools and more needed aspects of their lives. Another problem in Kenya and most of the nations I visited is the problem of transportation. There are no set prices for the vans most people have to use to get about. The law says only 14 passengers per vehicle but they manage to squeeze in 20 plus people in a 14 passenger van. Most of these extra people and crammed onto one side of the van. I detest paying for a seat on a vehicle and having to share it with 2 more people. Yet I find that I am the only one complaining about the situation which they themselves detest. They would say something to me about it but never to the drivers or the conductors. It seems it is easier to kill over a problem than to discuss the issues that might prevent bloodshed later on. I do not get on a crowded bus but once additional passengers are forced on I will say something. They do not understand that they contribute to the problem because they get on the bus and give in to the situations. They do not pay half the fair when they have to share their seat with 2 other persons. Fairness is not a word that is understood by many here. For example one could go to the supermarket and is owed change of 62 shillings. Because the cashier does not have the 2 shillings he will give two pieces of candy instead. They do not understand that they are being forced to buy what they did not come into the store for. If this is done 5 thousand times a day imagine how much the store is making. This happened to me until I realize what was happening and so I began to ask for my change rather than the candy. I was told that most people like receiving candy but not affirmed that they did not come to the store to buy candy. I demanded my change and my change I received. Soon after I went back to the store and since then I have always gotten my change. I read in the papers that a supermarket tried this in Nairobi and the people said no way.

Returning home from katali we encountered the same issue of overcrowding. It was beyond me to endure such cramming. We got on and after the vehicle was filled and ready to leave, many people jumped on and it was so over crowed that one drunken man practically sat on top of me. Andes was in no better shape with two practically sitting on her lap. I protested to be let out but the driver drove off. I continues to protest to be let out and he still continued. I protested until the other passenger rebuked the driver and I began to shout, "This is kidnapping and you had better let me out or I will call the police." The van came to a stop and the door opened. Andes got out and I was being prevented form getting out by this drunken man who refused to exit the vehicle and kept his hand in the way that I could not exit. The conductor of the van finally have to pry his hands off so I could get out. God had a better transport waiting for us just right there where we were let out.

This van we now entered seemed well but at one point began to take on passengers over the limit. I told the driver that it was wrong of them to conduct themselves this way. He said God was blessing them with a full load of passengers and Andes and I try to tell him that God could not bless his mess. These vehicles have the name of God and scripture written all over them, yet they violate all the laws of the road. God gave us the opportunity to teach basic biblical principals whether they accepted them or not. They have no excuse. Africa has many problems and indeed they need an African solution because the solution of the west does not work when coming face-to-face with African traditions. For example, the early missionaries coming to Africa told new polygamist converts to put away their extra wives. The moral implication this added to the African continent was detrimental. The wives that were put away many ended up on the streets, some as prostitutes and many starve to death with their children. The answer is top go and sin no more and take no more wives. But these men had an obligation to care for these women and children and instead of being guided in this direction they were told to dismantle a system of generations that would also take a generation to dismantle. Instead, we had aids and other sexually transmitted diseases run amuck in Africa because some foreigner felt their way was better.

What have I learned? Sometimes God gives us rest so we can think clearer and see things the way they really are. It takes courage to speak up where ever you are but when the Lord refreshes you you find boldness in ways that you never imagined. I came back from Katali ready to turn my attention to every aspect of the African dilemma. If the only problem you can see as spiritual you will never do anything but make spiritual gluttons of the believers and so they continue to walk in error. "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." It means we must walk both in th4e spiritual and the natural in righteousness. There are not two rules to live by but one rule render what is right.

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4/6/09

Since Andes have arrived in Keya we have spent two days in Masielo evangelizing. The two day was very fruitful and indeed the harvest is plentiful but not enough laborers. We have also been evangelizing the Bungoma area every chance we find. Andes have brought new energy to the work here. She is fresh into Kenya and since the climate in Singapore is akin to Kenya she is full of energy and eager to work.

Mabuusi

Yesterday we both taught in a small congregation in Mabuusi. Andes taught about Israel and I taught about the nations and God plan for each. It is a frightful thing to realize that many who have come to Kenya do not seem to speak well about Israel or about Israel at all. It is not that Kenya was taught a replacement theology doctrine it is just simply that Israel just disappeared from teachings or relevancy. How can such a thing happen? The enemy has blinded the church and it is time the light comes in. It is not either that congregations don’t care about Israel it is that they do not have the foggiest about Israel’s relevancy for the church or the end times or surely God’s plan for her.

Even so, many do not understand that God also has a plan for the nations. Most people think salvation is only about the individual believer, us four and no more, God the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. They are not even thinking that God will pass judgment on the nations and that as long as they are a part of a tribe on the earth they are considered part of that nation and will be judged accordingly. The word “nations” is mentioned 334 times in the Bible both Old and New Testament. The first time nations is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis 10:5 after the flood and the nations are divided up by the descendants of Noah’s sons. The last time the word nations is mentioned is in Revelation 22:2 where it tells us that the leaves from the tree of life in heaven will be for the healing of the nations. Isn’t that interesting that it starts with division of humanity and ends with the healing of humanity as nations.

In between all of that the bible tells us how the nations will be judged. Isaiah 60:11-12 tells us that those nations who will not serve Israel will perish, shall be utterly wasted. Zechariah 14:16-17 tells us that those nations that came against Israel will not receive any rain and there shall be the plague wherewith the Lord shall smite them. Matthew 25:31-36 tells us that those nations that are benevolent will be separated (sheep) from those nations that withheld benevolence (goats) and the goats will go away into everlasting punishment. The Bible also tells us that all the kindrens of the nations shall worship Yeshua found in Psalm 22:27-28. The nations in the last days shall flow into the Lord’s house in Jerusalem found in Isaiah 2:2. The nations shall gather unto Jerusalem the throne of the Lord found in Jeremiah 3:17. The nations will go up to Zion to be taught of the Lord found in Micah 4:2. Also the nations shall be joined to the Lord found in Zechariah 2:11.

The Bible also tells us how the nations will be saved. Matthew 28:19-20 tells us that we the believers must “Go ye therefore teaching all nations…” Mark 13:10 tells us that believers must publish the gospel among all nations. Also Luke 24:47 tells us that repentance and remission of sin must be preached among the nations. You see the nations have a part in history and if you are a part of a nation which we all are unless you live on an island all by yourself. Even so, that island will be considered a nation and you stand in judgment on your own. Many of us seem to think that after the earth has been purified and we then enter into heaven that the nations will disappear but this is far from the truth. The nations are mentioned in Revelation 21 being found in the new city. Revelation 21:24 tells us that the nations which are saved will walk in the light of that new city. Revelation 21:26 tells us that the glory and honor of the nations will be brought into the new city. So you see, nations will not only be judged but will be in heaven as well.

So why is it that we fail to win our nations to the Lord or evangelize our communities, cities and pray for our nations? We think that we are saved unto our own selves. This is far from the truth. You will both stand as an individual and as a nation. When you fail to participate in your governmental elections and allow unsavory people to take office or vote on the side of evil doers you are helping determine the judgment of your nation. Because you are personally saved does not let you off the hook. God intended for us to be our brother’s keeper. Do you understand how important it is to make a difference in your nation by winning the lost to Yeshua? Do you understand that God desires the nations to be found in the final count? Do you understand that your silence in matters impacting your nation will finally impact you and where you stand in the end?

What does all of this have to do with a travel journal or evangelism? It has everything to do with them. As we are about our Father’s business He brings revelation and such revelation belongs to all. Out of this teaching there are now congregations that are being stirred to consider the salvation of their nation and their elected officials. The decisions of our political leaders may in the end have a great impact on whether we perish or not as a nation. I had a young minister ask me during the last Presidential election, “What does spiritual insight have to do with the election?” Well we now have a President that is pro abortion, pro gay marriages and attempting to render aid based on whether a nation legalizes abortion or not.  America can easily be found among the nations that perish if such a thing goes forth. Imagine how many babies being murdered by abortion can tilt the scales of the many years of aid America has rendered to the nations over the years. Imagine that in a matter of months more babies could be killed verses millions of people that have received humanitarian aid from us.

Jesus tells the parable of the householder who hired laborers in the morning giving them a day’s pay of one penny. By noon he goes out and hires more workers and gives them a day’s pay likewise. Then one hour before quitting time he goes out and hires still others, the unemployable, and pays them a day’s wages. When the householder went to pay the laborers those hired in the morning protested saying why should they which were hired at the last hour be paid the same amount. The householder said to them that they agreed to the price and that as the householder he can pay whatever he chooses. The mighty nations think that because they have been at giving for such a long time that they will be given more, but God is saying that we each should have the same reward whether we started in the morning or at the last hour. Read this story in Matthew Chapter 20.

Africa has been a third world nation for this long while but surely it is not too late for her to earn a day’s wages. If your nation has been late in the day getting started because you lack the resources to render aid, don’t worry, it is not too late to earn your day’s wages. Remember the widow’s mite that was considered by far more valuable than those who gave out of their abundance? Look out prideful nations, God is about to unseat you.

So I digress again! The work is amazing here in this field. The harvest is plentiful. Just on Saturday afternoon Andes and I were out to take two bibles to believers who were in need. On the way we were able to share the gospel and we prayed for several people. When we were half way there Andes prayed for this old lady. Then we gave tracts out to some women taking an afternoon rest in the sun. Then an older woman came to us and said she was drunk and wanted us to pray for her. She knelt down and we prayed right there in the open field and she got up and went her way. Immediately as she got up this man came up behind her and as she moved out of the way he just simply knelt there in that spot and asked us to pray also for him. We shared the gospel with him and he accepted salvation with a repentant heart and then we prayed for him. I was totally amazed by how he presented himself before us. It turned out that he was the first old lady’s son Andes had prayed for. We gave him the tract with the congregation information on it and then at that moment it began to rain. Isn’t that like God to send showers of blessing at that moment? I take it as a sign from God that the spiritual drought in Kenya is over as well as a shower of blessings on those that came to salvation.

Andes and I made a mad dash for the house we were delivering the bibles to. The couple was not home but it was raining so hard the children invited us in. The next door neighbor’s children came into the house as well and Andes began praying for each child one after the other. Soon one boy went out and came back a bit after with his sibling and neighbors for Andes and I to pray over. The house soon had about 8 children being prayed for. Andes lead the children in several songs with actions and explanation of their meanings. It was truly a divine appointment. The rain abated and we left to return home.

It is like this in Kenya. Even last night we were on our way home from the store and ran into Moses, Titus’ brother. I invited him to walk with us a bit so we could speak to him about getting his life back on track with the Lord. He said he wanted to change and confessed his failures to God and we prayed for him. A drunken man came to speak to us at the same time and said he too wanted prayer. He knelt down and we prayed for him and he confessed his sins but we felt he was to incoherent to understand what happened. We told him to go home and he turned around and went back the way he came.

Today we spent the day visiting David’s parent’s home and Andes gave a teaching on Israel. Pastor Gladys translated for her and after words said she got a great revelation from Andes’ teaching about Israel. She said indeed Israel is the end time countdown clock for the world. We had a long day but a good visit. The animals were all skin and bones due to the lack of rain. Gladys said that it only now started to rain the last two days and so there is no food for the animals to eat. It was a frightful sight but I lack the pictures because at times pictures are not always on our minds. We do our best to keep our priorities straight. I pray that you will also do your best to keep your priorities straight. There is much to be done but so few to do it.  I hope from these travel journals you realize that if I can do this so can you. God is a great provider. You might think you need thousands of dollars to do what we are doing but you must realize that the same God who feed 5,000 on two loaves and five fish can do greater than that even today.

Are you tired of the same old routine day in and day out? Are you tired of punching someone’s clock?  Are you not getting the benefits you need? I have a new job for you and there is always a vacancy. The health benefits are only a prayer away. The retirement package includes a mansion and an eternal day of rest. The insurance was bought and paid for 2,000 years ago. You will be a co-laborer with the employer and he gives us the easiest yoke to bear. I invite you to step out in faith and sign on with my current employer whose fields are white and ready for the harvest. There is enough work for all. At the end of the day you SHALL receive a day’s wages.

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3/3/09

Yesterday Andes and I were invited to attend a funeral. A uncle of Titus's wife was murdered and found in a cane field leaving behind a wife and 6 children. Unfortunately many promises that are made at such times never come to fruition and soon the widow will have to fend for herself and children. He was only 39 years old. There are many conditions in Africa that need to be addressed but it must be done with relevancy to the nation not with outside influences and answers. There seems to be a spirit of indifference in this nation. When there is a need to be met most people will turn a blind eye as though it is someone else's problem. People do not seem to get involved in situations and gape mostly when there are simple answers and solutions. Today Andes, Susan and I were out evangelizing when we met a lady whose husband came into the house and broke down the door. She did not feel safe keeping her children in the house so she sent them off to the husband's aunt to live until the door gets fixed. When I heard of the situation I fell immediately it was a simple problem that can easily be fixed, the door. We went back to her house and I asked some men working there building a cabinet if they can just fix the door. One said he would but later when he found time. Susan said he was just making excuses and that he will not do it. Women are really not respected in this place. He said she had to get the landlord's permission to fix the door she pays rent to live behind. It was truly an attitude of indifference as Andes said it to be. I asked him if I could use his hammer and some of his nails and in a few minutes the door was completely restored. She will go and get her two children and bring them home. She also did not have food so we got her some rice, flour, bread, eggs, butter, oil, soap, and toilet paper.

Three people accepted the gift of salvation today and that was the highlight of our day as well. we went to the Christian Bible School to purchase two bibles for people who requested them. When we were just leaving for the internet so I can post my updates Andes spotted Violet's husband from the town of Masielo. He had accepted salvation just only on Tuesday. Now the third day and he is working selling charcoal for cooking. This man who has been reported never to work or help out with the home and responsibilities has been helping his wife at home on the land farming and now selling charcoal. He said thanks for the bible him and his wife violet were given and that they are happy. Please pray that the enemy will not come in and robbed them of their joy in the Lord. Pray a hedge of protection around them and revelation when they read the word.

we were suppose to go back to Masielo yesterday to plant peanuts but it rained and today the field was not yet completely prepared for the seeds. we shall go another day. This small interior community of Masielo has really been a fruitful field to work in. Many are being saved and the community is even working together and asking for us to come back and visit their home. The transformation in that place is amazing by God's grace. We are hoping to contribute a milk cow so the children and elderly can have some milk along with the food being planted. Part of the milk will go to feed the needy and the other part to sell to buy whatever might be lacking in the congregation and community. Most of the donation will come from a friend of Andes in Singapore. Whatever donations are being made will be one time contributions only so the people can be self-sufficient. We do not want them to be dependent on others but reliant on God to continue what has been started. We pray that other communities will catch on and do likewise. The gospel is being spread also in this way. The people are learning to help themselves and help others.

Matthew 25:31-32
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
 

Kenya will be counted in the nations who are on the side of the sheep because there are learning how to care for each other. It is the nations that will be gathered on this count. If they feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to those that thirst, visit the sick and those imprison and take in the strangers. Jesus tells the story about the owner of the vineyard who sent out his laborers in the morning and paid them a penny and then at noon hired more and paid them a penny and the last hour of the day he hired even more and paid them the same penny. I believe the third world nations will put all of us nations of wealth to shame. They too will earn their penny at the last hour.

Oh Father, give them the ability to care for their own for their needs are many. Lord, if they keep looking to other nations to meet their needs they will never labor in the last hour. Turn their attentions to their own needs and let them see that they too can be on the side of the sheep. Give them the tools and skills they need to bee counted in the sheep at the end. Lord, raise up the third world nations and do not let them any longer see themselves small in their own eyes. All the praise, glory and honor be unto you Oh God. Amen!
 

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3/31/09

Masielo

Pastor Titus, Andes and me spent the last two days in Masielo evangelizing. So far these last two day 48 souls came to salvation. We had an opportunity to see Anna’s house which is still being built as the workers in the congregation is waiting for the rain to come so they can make the bricks for the walls of Anna’s new home. She is currently living in her son’s house until hers is completed. Lord let it rain so Anna can have her house to enjoy. She is fighting a bout of malaria and Andes gave her some vitamins to help her body fight off the malaria. We visited Susanna who takes care of many of her grandchildren in the evening as well as maintain the congregation building. She gave Pastor Titus some eggs and Titus gave her some food which each month he gives on behalf of the members of the congregation who make sure eight elderly members receive food once a month. Susanna was very thankful. We also visited her daughter who also takes care of her grand children, ten of them. She too is elderly and makes a living farming and selling porridge in the market place in the evenings to earn her meager income to support the children that were all abandoned by some of her children. It was time to harvest some of the cassava so she cook and feed us.

Two people reported being healed since our first visit back in February. On woman who was suffering with anemia and another who was suffering with a tooth ache and stomach pains. One woman whom we prayed for her husband to be saved accepted the gift of salvation today as by a miracle we actually caught him at home.  On the way back to Bungoma we saw him in the field working and we were told that his believing wife has done all the work herself all this while. Praise God for answered prayers and changed. Another member of the congregation requested prayer for her wayward husband and he also showed up at home right after we anointed their house. He also accepted the gift of salvation. Four bibles were given out today. They were entire families that were saved. Andes being a nurse brought donated vitamins and supplements with her and distributed to several people. Muslims, Catholic and never attended congregation unsaved people were all saved. 5400 shillings was presented to the congregation to be used to lease a plot to grow peanuts. The money form the sales will feed many people. The donation was given by Johanna Halien and her family who are from Finland. Pastor Leonard wasted no time purchasing peanuts to plant and on Thursday Andes and I will return to help him sow the seeds. In August about an acre and a half of land will be leased for planting corn which will also feed the widows and orphans and give Pastor Titus a small income. Titus worked as a part time teacher and when asked for leave to travel with David and I to the other countries he was let go once he returned. I do not believe that God allowed him to go to cause him a hardship. He will provide for Titus and his wife.

There are other projects in the making that will be effective means of helping the members of the congregation and people of the community. Some of the children in the congregation are not attending school because lack of school fees and uniforms. This congregation is forming a cooperative so that the women can sell some goods in the marketplace to ensure no child in the congregation has to miss school because of lack of fees or uniforms. The startup money will be donated. 

New believers have been added to this small congregation. Today we met a pastor who was let go by his members because they said he was too poor to be their pastor. They complained that his clothes were torn and tattered and that he had no shoes. His heart is for the lost but they will not have him. Pastor Titus extended to him an invitation to come and join with his congregation and he accepted. There are so many situations I can go on and on about. Helen is 31 years old and very intelligent and would like to be a nurse. She is married with 3 children and helps her husband farm. As a nurse she can do so much for her community but it is a matter of finances. We are hoping to find a school that is affordable to help her become a nurse. Another pastor had his home demolished because of bad blood in the family. He has built the walls of the house but needs $290 to buy tin roofing to finish it. One of his children needs glasses and a hearing aid as well. He spent the money to complete the house on medical expenses for his father who suffered a broken hip and other emergencies which came up. None of these people have asked for anything but I see the needs and how can I not enquire. Some of you are able to help and I pray that you will make a difference in someone’s life. These are all people who are working in the harvest as well. Their lives are making an impact on their community. Wouldn’t you consider making an impact too.

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3/28/09

Bungoma

On Saturday we spent part of the day in Bungoma proper showing Andes around. We took some tracts that Andes brought with her and handed them out. She brought 200 tracts in English and we distributed about 50 in the market place. We prayed for two business establishments in town and a few people said they would visit the congregation the next day. The night was spent preparing for Sunday morning service. Andes spoke in the early teaching and I did the later teaching. Andes spoke about Israel and how important it is for any nation to support and pray for the nation of Israel. At the end of her teaching she invited the members of the congregation the knee to repent of any sins toward Israel from their government pass and present. David said he had no idea how important Israel was and still is and that they had received teachings in the past from visitors who taught otherwise about Israel.

I taught on the book of Hebrews and that God has a better plan for all of humanity as there are 10 betters mentioned in the book of Hebrews:

Better things: Hebrews 6:9

Better hope: Hebrews 6:19; 7:19

Better testament: Hebrews 7:22, 25

Better covenant: Hebrews 8:6

Better promises:  Hebrews 8:6

Better sacrifices: Hebrews 9:23

Better substances: Hebrews 10:34

Better country: Hebrews 11:15-16

Better resurrection: Hebrews 11:35

Better things: Hebrews 11:40; 12:24

In all that we teach and hold dear to our hearts it is important to have a balance in our service to God. Sometimes when a new teaching is introduced many times people will drop what they have learned and have been participating in to be consumed with something new. It is important for believers to know that balance is necessary in the believers walk. The most precious thing a believer should be involved in is soul winning. To neglect the harvest for a life of prayer does not serve God or His kingdom because god already know what you are asking for before you ask for it. He sent His son into the world to redeem it and to give humanity which was made in His image to return into His presence. Yet we think that e greatest thing we can do is pray, organize programs, be involved in social issues, sing in the choir and such. Yet God is still after what he has been after since the fall of man, the human soul repenting and returning to Him.

It is important to realize that if anything we do distracts us from soul winning we have lost focus. Some people have made the mother of Jesus a god and others have made the cross Jesus died on an idol, some others have turned Israel into a form of idolatry and others still have even made the bible a holy relic to be more reverent than the true and living God of the Bible. No matter how we look at things god desires a relationship with His creation. He desires man to be restored to Him and we are them that are called to sow and water. As long as the enemy can distract us from the work more and more people will continue to die each day while we are on our knees praying for the lost. Prophecy is to edify us as to what is to come but not preoccupy us and take our attention off the harvest. Jesus said to His disciples that He has meat that they do not know of (John 4:31-38). He was speaking of the meat of the harvest, flesh and blood.

John 4:31-38

    [31] In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. [32] But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. [33] Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? [34] Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. [35] Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. [36] And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. [37] And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. [38] I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

He said his meat was to do the Father’s will and to finish the work. The Father’s will was to lay down His life for the sins of the world and the work was to bring in the harvest. Except the seed first die it cannot be quickened (1 Corinthians 15:36). Jesus had to die so that the harvest could come in. His ultimate goal and mission was to bring in the harvest. “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” This was Jesus’ priority – anything else is a distraction. Do not let anything distract you from the harvest. Jesus was not distracted. He laid it all down so that the harvest can be brought in. The apostles were focused on the harvest and laid down their lives for the harvest. Today we are preoccupied with other things like taking dominion, prayer even though we are told to pray without ceasing – a heart always in communion with the Father. Anything we do that does not bear fruit is unprofitable. Paul spent a great deal of time trying to address the day-to-day issues of many of the early church members while precious time was being lost in the fields.

Look to the harvest. God is waiting for you to rescue His image from the flames of hell. It is ultimately God’s image that is perishing because we are created in His image. That is what the enemy is really after, God’s image. Every time someone dies in their sins, it is God’s image in them that is finally eradicated. Satan wants to wipe out all of God’s creation and ultimately it is His very image and likeness he is after. We are allowing him to do just that. Distractions and preoccupations! Israel was meant to live as a light to the world in the land God gave them as an inheritance so the gentiles would be drawn to God, but they failed to continue in the way. Believers: Jews, Gentiles, male, female, bond, and free, is meant to be a light to the world. We are to take the torch of the gospel to the utmost parts of the world. Today we believers have also failed. This was and is th4e purpose of Israel and the purpose of the church, the self same purpose to turn the lost to God. The mission has not change for Israel nor has it changed for all believers in Jesus. Only if we can continue as Jesus did, doing the Father’s will and finish the work. Jesus did not come to start a new religion nor did He come to change the work.

We are here for the harvest and in our teachings we hope not to distract but to bring balance and to finish the work. Jesus went after the meat in the fields, so must we. In the evening Andes, I, Susan and her next door neighbor Carolina went our evangelizing and it was very well received. We distributed about 900 tracts and one person accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. One couple and one lady requested bibles.

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3/26/09

Nairobi

David and I travelled to Nairobi to pick up Andes Poh from the airport on March 24, 2009. She is in Kenya for one month to help with the work. Andes arrived on time after a ten hour journey at 2:30 pm on Thursday, March 25^th. Andes had a day of rest and David and I went to the bus station to get our tickets back to Bungoma the next day.

Pastor Caleb and his family hosted us for the time we were there. This family has been a blessing to now on these three occasions in Nairobi. There are gracious host and are extremely opened to spreading the gospel in their nation. Pastor Caleb’s niece, Joann lives with them because four years ago her father died and her mother has not been able to pay for her school fees to attend high school. Joann has been out of school for the pass four years now but has a strong desire to attend high school and graduate. There are now looking into the cost of schools where Joann can attend day school to earn her high school certificate. We are hoping it will not cost more than $150 per year. If this is possible Joann’s tuition will be paid for during the next 4 years.

So many children in Kenya and all the countries I visited that are home because they do not have uniforms or school fees. To a westerner the cost of such things is hardly anything to bat an eye at. Even a college education is within our reach for many of these young people with promising futures. They only need short term support which is possible from many retired believers who are disappointed with sending financial support to organization that produce nothing in return. At least this way the results are seen and one can have the pleasure of giving to a nation a productive citizen that can be the next leader of that nation. Please pray that they can find the school within the cost range that is affordable for me to help Joann. Surely if one of you are willing to support Joann in this endeavor for the next four years you will be gladly welcome to do so. There are many projects I am currently working on which can use short term and one time contributions. I do not believe supporting any one on a long term basis is the answer. Teaching someone to be dependent one you is not good. There are some pastors I have met who are interested only in connecting with people from overseas so that they can receive support but yet they are more than able to earn their own living. One time ventures, start up cost and so on has proven to be the most effective means of offering effective help. Something that one can turn over to sponsor the needs of others is good. Sending money thinking you are doing someone a favor by giving them monthly support is not the answer. Giving a man a fish on a continuous basis is not good but teaching a man how to fish is much better.

We travelled to Bungoma which is a 9-10 hour drive on March 6, 2009. It was long but we travelled during the day so Andes had the opportunity to see the African landscape. We actually saw many herds of zebras on the way. The rift valley was also quite beautiful. Many fields were being prepared for the rainy season. When we had come as far as Elderot which is about two hours form Bungoma we were delayed because the president of Kenya’s motorcade was due to drive through. Certainly that was an appointed time for us. David and I left Bungoma the day President Kibaki was to arrive there but made it back to meet up with him in Elderot. Andes and I crossed the street to get a quick glimpse of him and were fortunate to see his arm waving out of his vehicle. Kenya now has a shared government of both a president and a prime minister. We arrived in Bungoma a bit over due but all well. Andes experienced her first boda boda ride and we were warmly welcomed back by Susan.

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3/24/09

Mission Updates

Malawi:

Nairobi: Nairobi Evangelism Photos

How are you doing? I hope you are fine. Are you still in Malawi or did you move on? I am still praying for you.
     On Sunday we had 7 new members; 5 women and 2 men and they have already registered with us and we are now arranging how we can start feeding programs. We agreed with some members that we are going to provide school uniforms for the children every year so we are moving on.
     We really appreciated what you did for us. The entire church is praying for you. They are very happy for you. We really miss you and you are always welcome.
     Please greet David, and your translator and tell them we miss them too. Be blessed till we meet again.

Pastor Calleb 

Burundi: Burundi Evangelism Photos

Sister Joy Sandiford,

How are you ? I hope you made a good and safe journey back. We are as well too. We thank God. We can’t forget the good days we had together here in Burundi. Surely, you've set on the fire of evangelism severally in the hearts of the church members. The transformation is underway in the church. We are waiting to do the house by house evangelization through tracts as we planned together. And from April 2009 we are planning to start feeding one day per week 10 street kids and visiting sick people in hospitals. We will keep you informed.

Be blessed.

Pastor Boniface Okalo

Masielo:  Masielo Evangelism Photos

Pastor Titus reported that the congregation in Masielo is on fire for the work of the Lord. There have many families joining the congregation each week and the program of helping each other continues. The house that was rebuilt for Anna is almost completed as the rainy season is not yet here and they need water to finish the exterior of the house. Anna was a Muslim convert and with all the work of helps some of her family members have also joined Pastor Titus's congregation. This weekend Anna blessed him with a egg laying hen.

Titus said that the Priest from the Catholic congregation asked him what is he doing at his congregation to win so many of his flock away from him? Offering them salvation and a true relationship with the Son of the Living God. There is now a report of healing and due to that the person and her family joined the congregation. Titus said so many people have joined that now they have to purchase chairs for them to sit on rather than the floor. He is soliciting one chair from each of his friends. Last night one offered to donate 2.

This weekend with 1,000 shilling donation he bought seeds for planting for a family, and gave money to others for food. Since being on the road with David and I for the last month his congregation was most happy to have him back.

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3/23/09

Yesterday I returned to teaching in the congregations and doing door-to-door evangelism. We distributed 1000 tracts yesterday in Kimilili, Kenya about one hour from Bungoma. While I was teaching in the congregation a man came to the window and was attentive to what was being taught. I walked over to the window and handed him my bottle of water to demonstrate how easy it is to meet a need. He took the bottle and went away but then came back. After I got through teaching I went to the window and asked him if he wanted someone to share the gospel with him. I asked one man sitting close by to take go and share the gospel with him. I don’t know what happened to the man I sent back there but when I came to the back of the building this onlooker was sitting alone. I went over to speak to him and asked someone who understood English to translate for me. The gospel was preached and he received salvation. It is just like this.

Today I am rushing to post my updates as people have been asking me about the trips to the nations. I am hurrying but the internet and computer is not cooperating -so much to post and to write, and so many people praying and looking to hear how things went. May you all be blessed and inspired to go and do likewise. Start where you are at. It is God’s will for you to go. This journey continues to be one demonstrating to you that it is also possible for you to do the same. God is a great provider. Our money lasted and we made it on what we had. We missed some meals but God is taking care of that even now.

Printing 1000 tracts for Kimilili                              1300 kenyan shillings

Food donation                                                         650 shillings

Printing 2000 tracts for Bungoma                         2600 Kenyan shillings

Food for Masielo                                                    1000 Kenyan Shillings

Money donated for food & clothing                       1500 Kenyan shillings

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BUNGOMA, KENYA

It was late and we arrived at David’s and Susan at the beginning of Shabbat.  I ate very little and went to bed. I felt sick, alone and homesick. I got out of bed packed my suitcase and told Susan I was leaving to go home. Well, David came home, Titus came over, I called my sister in NYC and she prayed for me, they prayed for me and I went to bed. I rested all next day. I spoke to most of my family that day. Next day I went to congregation and after teaching for 30 minutes I returned to my seat and listened to the sermon. There was lots of screaming and shouting from the preacher. I felt nausea, my head ached, and I slumped over and fainted. They took me home after praying for me. I rested and the next day saw a doctor who told me I was having side affects from the anti-malaria meds I have been taking. I spent the week resting and recuperating.

I asked God how long should I stay in Africa and as I was reading the book of Act from the beginning of the journey I had now reached the chapter and verse that said, “And three abode three months,” Acts 20:3. This was the amount of time I was scheduled to be here. I then asked how long to rest and I read further on in Acts 21:4, “And finding the disciples, we tarried there seven days.” I did exactly that, I rested 7 days and now here I am.

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UGANDA

3/12/09 – 3/13/09

We spent the first day travelling through Uganda which was much better than in Burundi and Rwanda because the roads were not curvy or winding. It was actually a pleasant drive for me. After passing the Uganda immigration we travelled about half hour and a very nice lady got on the bus and sat next to me. Her name is Mary and we spoke all the way to Kampala Uganda’s capital city. David has said when at the bus depot in Kigali Rwanda waiting for the bus to Uganda that he did not feel it was worth while to continue on. I on the other hand was open to whatever God placed on my heart to do. I did not realize until later that night that God was confirming to me what I had heard Him say just the night before that it was finished. I questioned what was finished and a took no time at all for God to show me exactly what He meant. Not everyone have the heart for the gospel or the right motives in ministry and can often be a hindrance rather than a help. God will always make a way to separate those with a vision from those with ulterior motives. God's work is never finished but those unprofitable connections will be removed and new alliances will form.

On the bus I had the opportunity for five hours to share all that I had taught from Kenya to Rwanda with Mary. She said her family attended the largest congregation in Kampala. They recently changed congregations because they felt lost in such a crowd of people and that she and her husband had a desire to serve god and not just warm a pew. This was an incredible conclusion to a month on the road. I felt like I was pouring all my being into sharing all that the Lord had given me into Mary. She was receptive and attentive for four – five hours. At the end she said she will teach all that she heard to others. It is all in God’s hands. We sat next to each other for a purpose and I believe that purpose was fulfilled. Uganda had been reached and if God only chose one person to speak to who am I to question Him. It was at that moment of conclusion with Mary that I finally felt spent. I could go no more. Having arrived very late in Kampala we looked for a guest house for the night. We found a hotel that was more than we had intended to pay as other places were already full or unsavory.

It had hot water, regular toilets, a television, and comfortable beds with nice clean sheets. There was room service so we ordered chicken and chips as we had not eaten since breakfast and it was now about 10:00pm. Breakfast was included so we could look forward to that. We had no Ugandan shillings so I had to pay with my American dollars and thank God I was left with the exact amount I needed to cross back into Kenya. We made a deal with the receptionist to give her Kenyan shillings for our room service until we can get our money exchange in the morning. David called my room at 6am to tell me he was going then back to Kenya. Titus and I were left. At breakfast we tried to reach an orphanage to work at for a few days but the phone was disconnected. We told the Lord if we had not made contact by 12 noon we take it as a sign to go home to Bungoma. We made no contact and so we went home. It was long, hot and cramped. It was good to be home. I was exhausted and felt completely done in. God always have a better plan and better promises. Paul started out his missionary journey with Barnabas but ended up with Silas. When some abandon the quest God will indeed form new alliances because His work must be done.

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RWANDA

3/9/09 – 3/11/09

On Monday morning 3/9/09 we took a bus from Bujumbura to Rwanda. It was one of the most whining roads I have ever travelled on. At the end of the trip we all had a headache and were nausea. Burundi and Rwanda is almost the self same land. The landscape is quite the same. The land is very hilly and mountainous but the people farm on every inch of the land. The landscape is a patch work of produce of all types, some recognizable and some not. It looks as though Rwanda will have one harvest after another.

The main city of Kilgali is quite modern and much goings on. The city seems crowded and although there are many slums visible we understand that the government has already made plans to demolish all of them. The government gives the people the price of the cost of their slum homes and encourages them to return to their villages and build their own home and farm the land. The new apartments being built are quite modern but I do not know if affordable. We also understand that they are many street kids and the unemployment rate is very high among the population.

We met up with Pastor Augustin at the office of Hope Rwanda in downtown Kigali. Hope Rwanda is an organization that brings many festivals to Rwanda. It also helps organize gospel crusades and such for well named world evangelists. They are currently working on a sports festival. I am always amazed at the silly things of man. This is an extreme sports exhibition and I see no relevance to it. They bring in all the exhibitioners from around the world and get all the congregations involved who only end up bringing all their members and hardly any unbelievers. It will cost five million to rent just alone the stadium for the performances. Imagine how many people this ministry could feed on that amount of money in Rwanda. Imagine how many homes could be built for the homeless and how many people they could pay school fees for. No, instead some one had the bright idea to bring an extreme sporting event to a country like Rwanda where such extreme apparatuses can’t be found or even afforded. Why isn’t the money given to the nation where they can have their own cultural exhibitions to unity the fragile instability of tribalism. Rather than some extreme sports no one will even have a hankering to participate in. Well, that’s my opinion for what it is worth. I have seen too much poverty here in Africa to be compassionate to the folly of so call Christian ministries.

I understand that the last crusade held almost a year ago about 600 people were saved and only about 120 can be accounted for that were baptized and absorbed into a few congregations. Millions were spent then and only 120 gained. How cost effective is all this? The Father’s millions are being squandered by big named evangelist while his image is starving in the streets of third world nations. Many of these evangelist fly in on their private jets with a large entourage and I understand bringing with them large off road vehicles to ferry them about. They stay in the most expensive hotels and the money they spend on the crusades is plumaged by many local organizations. I understand that many pastors’ organization gain responsibility for one or more projects and when the time comes to produce they say there are not enough funds available to do all that was requested. The event evangelist raised millions to hire choirs, a stadium, instruments, sound systems, build platforms and such but rarely are all these things available for the actual events. I heard an American evangelist sent thousands of dollars to one country for a crusade but when he arrived they took him to the market place and gave him a megaphone.

I digressed once again. Pastor Augustin took us to his town about one hours ride on the bus. We arrived in the district of Koyonza extremely late in the night. Titus and David stayed with a family from the congregation and I stayed at the Pastor’s home with his wife, Joy, and their four daughters and other members of their extended family. Like many pastors in Africa, Pastor Augustine also has opened his home to strangers whom they assist with school fees and lodging. Most of these pastors barely have enough to feed their own but they go above and beyond their means. There is nothing like African hospitality! Karibu means “Welcome” and they really mean welcome.

The next morning I took a stroll about the town with Xavier a church worker staying in Pastor’s home and with a new friend and daughter, Olive. Olive is 19 years old and desires to go to the university to study to be a doctor. She does not have the finances to even take the entrance exam so we left her the money to take the test and travel to and fro to the university. Pray that she does well and that they will pay her tuition. I have made her a commitment to try and get her a sponsor if she has to pay herself and I as well will help. It would be good to give Rwanda a doctor and a nurse to Malawi. Anyone interested in supporting Olive when the time comes please do not hesitate to contact me.

Olive and Xavier took me to the Koyonza District Genocide Memorial. This is the place where all the skeletons have been collected and placed in a common burial for viewing once a year in April for 11 days. It is really a heart wrenching site. Xavier said his wife’s entire family was killed and she alone is left. He said that in April during the time of memorial he has to stay with her constantly because it is very painful for her.  Many Rwandan fled to Uganda, Tanzania and the Congo during the genocide. In Burundi more Hutus were killed and in Rwanda more Tutsis were killed. Imagine a nation were the people were all one people with no distinction and then the Belgians and Germanys come in and make a physical distinction eventually leading to mass killings. Imagine within 100 days more than 500,000 killed and in the course of the entire genocide between 800,000 to 100,000 people killed. As like in Burundi, so called Christian forgot their faith and murdered each other because some pastors preached organization and not organism. The funny thing is, they say they can tell which tribe a person is from by the way they look but I can’t seem to be able to make a distinction. They are all black, beautiful and very talented. So, why does the devil want to destroy these people? Do they have a hope for the world to come? What can they teach us about how to survive in the end of days? I think Africa on the whole has a part and a major one to play yet.

I remember seeing many young men working on the roads cleaning and planting landscaping shrub. They were all dressed in blue overalls but I only supposed that they were government employed laborers. It wasn’t until my last even there that I saw from a distance hundreds of these men coming in close proximately to where I was. It looked like a parade of people and I asked Olive who was these people. She said it was the people who committed the genocide and they are put to work by the government working on the roads. I was very surprised to see how many and how young. Imagine the very people who did such atrocities being paraded each day in your streets and before your very eyes. Imagine seeing the person who murdered your family and friends.  These people were openly accused by their neighbors and found guilty. It is one thing to lock someone away from the society they have injured but to parade them daily in this manner takes much courage from them and their accusers. What grace it takes to live in restraint. Yet the people continue to recover. Perhaps I have no right to comment on such things. I remember only the day before greeting some as they labored on the roadside and then to me they were gainfully employed laborers. Here is a link to the Human Rights Watch report on the genocide less we forget and it happens again:  http://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/1999/rwanda/

All the people I met in Rwanda I liked very much. I spent part of the morning visiting a new motel in the town and upon asking for a business card and discovering they had none; I was permitted on their computer to create one for them. It was a good connection because I understand that the first day of opening Pastor Augustin went there and preached the gospel to the staff. The next day they manager of the motel, Home Land Motel, allowed us to use his computer to type up our tracts in Kiwandi. I went back that night after teaching in the congregation to also teach an employee how to make a brochure. We completed it and the manager gave us a ride home. Perhaps at a time we know not of this hotel will be a blessings to the saints of God. The organism of the body of Christ was at work there and not the organization.

The first day about 11:30am we went to the congregation and I did a short teaching and two groups went out to do door-to-door evangelism. That day nine people received the Lord into their hearts. The harvest was plentiful but the time was short. This is how it has been in Africa. People are hungry for the gospel and to be saved unto eternity. While Olive and I shared the gospel in one lady’s home a young man happened upon our conversation and stood outside listening attentively. The lady and her friend gladly received salvation and upon their profession of faith we asked if we could invite the young man in. The owner of the house said yes and we invited him in. he said he heard all we said and that he too wanted to receive salvation. Isn’t God good?

The next house the lady there also accepted salvation readily. The next place, a maize mill the lady said she had no time and left but we went to speak to the young men working there. They allowed us to share the gospel with them and soon we had other on lookers and the lady came back and sat to the side very attentively. They received the Lord and others were coming but our time was drawing near for me to return to the congregation to teach. The new believer said they will now share the gospel with those who had then arrived. It is like this. The harvest being plenteous is now quickly turning around and laboring while the folks in the pews keep on preaching to each other a gospel of complacency. Those hired on at the end of the day will reap the same reward as those who have been long employed and did hardly much.

The body of Christ is receptive to being taught the word of God by revelation ad not interpretation. Too long have we rendered our opinions in the pulpit about what God’s word means. We have failed to realize that:

Teaching is for the saved so that they might be equipped

Preaching for the lost that they might hear and believe by the preaching of the word

Evangelism for the lost going two-by-two and door-to-door

Doctrine for the church to unite the body and help it to defend the faith

Prophecy is for all – it a guide to trying the spirits to see if they are of God and to know exactly what is to come

Healing is first spiritual “Thy sins are forgiven thee,” and secondarily physical. A sick person can die and go to heaven but a health unbeliever will die and go to hell

Miracles are for the unbelievers that they might see and believe. The believer is compelled to walk by faith and not by sight

Reasoning is to provoke understanding

Exhortation is for edification, encourage and to spur on the body of Christ

Tongues must be interpreted so not to cause confusion

The Word Of God is for revelation because the word of God is the revelation of God about Himself and His creation. You cannot interpret God you must receive His revelation of who he says he is

I recently asked one evangelist where do he go to evangelize and he said he is invited to congregations to preach. I must admit I was a bit livid with my response to such an answer. Perhaps it is true that may church goers need to be evangelized but isn’t the reason they need to be because the church organization lacks understanding. If teaching went on in the congregations they would be no doubt whether you are saved or not. Far too many western ideas about God’s word have infiltrated Africa and so they are reaping the same result the west has reaped. There are many lukewarm believers, those who cannot defend their faith, those who warm the pews and yes, pastors who are preaching a prosperity gospel for personal gain. The church even here has adopted an entertainment organization of the church. Christian television in Africa is a carbon copy of American and European Christian television. Mega churches are being built and people are starving, dying of HIV, malaria and common childhood diseases long ago eradicated in the west.  Why don’t such pastors use this money to vaccinate its membership? Why aren’t they interested in building orphanages and providing for the widows? It is time for missionaries around the world to go home and leave the nations to tend to their own harvest. This includes me. I have said this much and more in each congregation I have spoken in while here in Africa. I have told them that God has fitly framed each body together as much as he has fitly framed together the believers gathered in the entire world together. As long as we have the Holy Spirit we are all able to do the work.  We were sent to the uttermost parts for the world and so we have done just that. Now we must turn our attention to our own. If we have made disciples as we were told to do then the nations are in safe hands. I grow tired of meeting people on the mission field who say they are they for church planting. That would be the building. But what of the organism that is being neglected. No evangelism being done but everyone is in bible school. Now I see clearly how the tides are changing.

More and more I see in the nations that the orphanages and feedings and care of the widows are being done by the nationals themselves. The foreign missionaries are focused on the organization.  Africa does not need another so call church building. It needs food, clothing, and shelters for the homeless and people who are willing to walk in the hot African sun from door-to-door sharing the gospel. Africa does not need another generation of missionaries from the west teaching them how to study the bible in an African relevant way. Far too many come to Africa and carve our small compounds for themselves and have no connection with the locals. Most locals do not personally know their local transplanted missionary. They have an arrogance of superiority and know it all attitudes. Ok, so this is not all of them but far too many. They have lost perspective, motivation and vision. Those they came to preach the gospel too they only now have disdained. They crawl out of their compounds into the internet cafes to post their updates home about all the great work they are doing - monthly newsletter that tell about how wonderful their children are doing and how difficult it is to preach to “these people.”

Yes, I digress again!

Teaching continued in Rwanda on the second day and because it rained much and the roads were quite muddy we did not go door-to-door. The teaching was well received and all committed to continue door-to-door evangelism. We left behind money for printing of tracts and assistance for Olive. Two days and the work in Rwanda had come quickly to an end. After my final teaching we had sometime of prayer and I heard distinctly a voice saying it is finished. I wondered at exactly what was finished but I continued to praise God for all he had done on the road. Much had been accomplished and I was feeling sick all the while and was in need of rest although I told myself I could continue on and was ready to. God has the final say on all that we do.

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BURUNDI: Burundi Evangelism Photos

3/6/09 - 3/8/09

Pastor Boniface and his family hosted us for three days while I taught in his Pastor’s Seminar and David and Titus both preached. We had the tracts translated into Kirundi to be used in evangelism. The first day I taught in the afternoon and in the evening. We also went to town to do some banking as we wanted to print some tracts and purchase food for distribution. While spending a good deal of time waiting for bank service we happen upon a mega protest in the streets. I was amazed by the amount of people marching for their cause. I was a bit taken back because I had not expected anything to this magnitude not did our host. I actually did not think such a protest would be permitted. I stood for about five or more minutes videotaping the demonstration not knowing exactly what it was all about. Pastor Boniface enquired and found out that the people of Burundi were protesting a new law that would allow for abortion. He said in sum that President Obama agreed to give aid to Burundi if they would sanction abortion in Burundi. The people rose up in a considerable number to speak out against such an action. There were young and old and representation from every walk of life in Burundi protesting. It is good. How can you ask a nation who has lost so many to genocide to abort their future generations? Why would they. Perhaps he meant to suggest as well that one tribe in particular offer up their innocent unborn for the price of aid. What has the world come to? They are trying to put out the very image Of God.  Every unborn baby sacrificed to abortion is the very image of God being snuffed out. The enemy wants to utterly annihilate the existence of God from the face of the earth. Man is that very image and hence annihilation of the kingdom of man whom God ruleth over. They act as though God, the creator of all things, cannot even redeem his very own image from the apparatuses of abortion. All life goes back to God from whom all life comes. Indeed, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh.

Pastor Boniface invited 12 pastors, evangelist and prayer intercessors to the seminar for teaching in the area of evangelism. Is it possible for a nation to win its own people? Yes! The world has been evangelized and now it is time for the nations to work in its own harvest. Who better can speak the language, understand the culture and it is cost effective, no need for others to spend years support missionaries in the field who have carved out for themselves compounds of grandeur with maids and a life style comparable to the rich and famous in other nations. So many missionaries in Africa and I have yet to meet one. Every one of them say they are evangelizing and church planting but I wonder who they are evangelizing and church planting for. Pastors here will tell you they do not see them or have contact with them. 

The nations must be spurred on to do their own work. This is my purpose here in Africa. I have spoken this much every place I have spoken in. The nations must look to its own harvest as God has given to each remnant the ability to labor. These pastors have made a signed decision to labor together in evangelism and in feeding the hungry of their nation and taking care of their orphans and widows. They have agreed to stop preaching in the congregations and start teaching so that the believer will be prepared to evangelize. They have agreed to seek out their membership and utilize every gift in their congregations to do the work of kingdom building. The believers are stirred up and rearing to go. Because of the tight schedule of teachings we did not have opportunity to go door-to-door. We did purchase 50 kilos of rice and bagged it into 1 kilo sacks for distribution to the needy. 50 families were feed. Seeing how easy such a task is, they have agreed tot continue what has been taught and demonstrated to them.

We had the opportunity to meet a young evangelist who also works with the young people teaching them how to evangelize. He spent two hours on Saturday morning teaching us how to evangelize Muslims as he was once a Muslim himself. What an incredible teaching. Titus is currently working out the details to take Willy to Malawi and Nairobi, Kenya to do this teaching as it is so necessary. I will post my notes from his teaching as soon as I find the time to transpose them. Willie is a very knowledgeable and effective instructor. He speaks Kirundi, French, a bit of English and a bit of Swahili. I believe what God has placed in my heart; Africa has everything it needs to win its lost. The gifts only need to be stirred up. We are praying that as Wily travels about teaching others will be trained and each nation will be equipped with its own resources in all areas of evangelism.

Pastor Boniface is the head of his family. Currently there are 48 people who live in his household that he is responsible for. He and his, Ann, have 7 children and all are in school so there are school fees to be paid. His wife took on the responsibility of raising her brother’s 3 children after he was shot in the Burundi genocide. His sister and her family also reside there and his brother as well. Other assorted family members and their family as well as some other non-relatives lives in the Boniface household.  You could not imagine the great burden this man is under and how committed he is to his responsibilities. So many people are dependent on him but I told him it did not have to be a burden. God does not mean for our life situations to become our personal burdens but for us to lay all our cares upon Him for He cares for us. I had a few opportunities to speak with Pastor Boniface about his experiences during the war and I was very happy to find him open to share. These are some of the things he shared with me.

He said that during the war his neighborhood was overrun with military tanks only a few meters from his front door. He said that when things got so bad his family fled into the Congo where they stayed for about 4 years. His mother got ill during that time as refugees in the Congo and died. His wife’s brother was shot and killed in Burundi. He said that once he came back to Burundi it was a few years before gaining access back to his property as it had all been destroyed and long overgrown again like a jungle. He had to gradually rebuild his father’s home and he became head of the household. Pastor Boniface said that he was quite amazed when he returned home and a neighbor came to tell him he had some of his property in his house in safe keeping for him. He said the looters during those days after he and his family fled came to his house to take his possessions. This neighbor of his got to the house first and started to remove some of his possessions. He told the looters that the things belong to his brother and he was keeping them for him. Pastor Boniface said he thought that that was quite an amazing thing to happen to him and he pointed out some of the household furniture that was returned to him.

I asked pastor Boniface how is it that he is able to forgive for all the atrocities committed against him and his family during the war. He said, “Who do you forgive when you do not know who did what?” You have no choice but to forgive when they is no face or name to blame or point the finger at. One thing stood out in my mind that I have heard repeated even in Rwanda. I asked, “What did the Christians do during the war? He said they killed just like everyone else did. People forgot about religion, it was a matter of tribe. In genocide there is no religion only tribalism. One thing he said that hit home. He said that the church failed because no one considered the issue of salvation, faith or being their brother’s keeper during the genocide. You were either Hutu or Tutsi. Yes, the church failed and as Pastor Boniface said, pastors failed their flock as the flocks all became wolves. I believe it is because the organization of the church was preached rather than the organism of the body of Christ, therefore the organization collapsed and the organism killed and was killed.

I ask myself the question, “Why does the devil want to destroy Africa so bad. Why does he want to destroy Burundi to the point of extension?” My answer is, in Burundi there is a door of hope. God took Israel into the Promised Land at their door of hope and I am now asking myself where will God take Burundi at their door of hope? Haven’t you notice that the devil tries the hardest to destroy those that God uses or desires to use the most. When I finally realized the devil was after me for a reason, I got right in the center of God’s will. It is always at our point of failure that God will bring change for our destiny.

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THE LONG WAY BACK ACROSS TANZANIA

3/3/09 – 3/6/09

The long journey back to Dar-es-salaam and on to Burundi! We boarded the bus for Dar-es-salaam late in the evening among farewells from Pastor Stewart and his wife, Lenata. They ensured we had all we needed for the long journey back and on to Burundi the long way. The bus ride was quite uneventful and so we slept through the night. By early morning we reached the border. I went into exit from Malawi and then walked over to have my passport stamped back into Tanzania. Upon entering Tanzania the first time I was charged $30 for a transit visa since we were only traveling through. Coming back the immigration officer charged me again $30 to pass through even though it was within the 14 days extended to me. Transit means transit – passing through and not staying. I challenged the additional $30 charge to transit back through Tanzania and was met with opposition so they took me into the lead immigration officer’s office where I continue to challenge charging me to reenter on transit again. A regular visa would allow me to stay up to 90 days in Tanzania. I challenged that a transit visa means exactly that. I could pass through the country within 14 days. To this Tanzania Officer transit means a toll fee every time you come in and out even if your time is not up and you do not stay in the country except to take transportation in and out. We had only exited for 3 days. Well, they wanted their money and it was no use to make sense out of such practices as money speaks louder than reason. Remember the Somalians?

Before leaving the officer’s office I shared the gospel with him and asked him if he wanted to receive Christ and he said yes but then he hurried me out of his office stating the bus was leaving. This was the only real opportunity we had to share the gospel in Tanzania and such was the result. I asked God several times about the state of spiritual affairs in Tanzania and why we did not make any connection there. I felt for sometime that Tanzania was not on God’s agenda for us on this trip and said so to my companions.  I thought it strange that such should be the case but as I was reading the book of Acts on this journey at the time of deep questioning I was then reading Acts 16:6-7, “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” God knows His own divine appointments.

I believe that what we often see in the physical is every indication of what God is doing in the spiritual. If you operate with a spirit of discernment you will see the things God is doing. In Kenya I find that many fields had only now being plowed waiting for the rainy season to begin so their can plant. Often when we asked people if they wanted to receive salvation they would say, “Not now, later.” They were just like the fields they had plowed and were waiting for the rain so they could plant. We noted that in the areas where had already been planted that people were more receptive all around. It was funny about travelling through Tanzania. Much of their harvest had already come. The corn was brown and the bananas were puny or already harvested. Unlike Kenya, most of the land was not being farmed. I told Titus and David the only thing I felt travelling so many days west to east south to north was a void – actually it was like alack of something. It was the strangest feel like something in the land was lacking, missing, or void of. Once when travelling from New Mexico to Arizona I felt my van go through a force which startled me. I asked my friend what it was and she said, “Joy, you’ve never been through a wind tunnel?” It was like travelling through a vacuum or a void. This is what it felt like travelling through Tanzania. It was the longest wind tunnel I had every gone through. Even the buses were moving quite fast, too fast for the pothole ridden Tanzanian roads. It was a time for reading the word, meditating on the word and reflecting on the God’s timing. Everything seemed to happen in Tanzania. The bus broke down; we were every taken advantage of for whatever we had to pay for. There was too much time on too long stretch a road. There was too much time stopping in every market and dusty roads, going to the toilet by the side of the road. Even a fight that caused a weigh station guard to pull his gun out and fire a shot into the air to restore the peace only a few feet from the bus. We ate less because they tried to charge us double or triple the cost. There were a few good moments – we passed through the Savannah Grasslands and saw elephants, giraffes, gazelles, zebras and other such animals in the wilds. We were going to fast to get proper pictures. Nonetheless, it was amazing. God has a time for Tanzania. Perhaps it is for another time or some other. All in God’s time!

Once we arrived back to Dar-es-salaam it was again too late to go to a guest house. We spent the night sleeping again in the bus depot. Believe me it is not the most comfortable or clean place to rest. Titus was resourceful to find us a cheaper bus to the border and a direct one at that. It was a long journey to the Tanzania / Burundi border. We were told that once we arrive to the town near the border we could walk so we set out for the walk which took us about 40 minutes. We got our exit stamp and proceeded for the Burundi immigration office which we felt was also within walking distance. Outside the office we were approached by someone on a boda boda which is a bicycle used to carry people. Then a motorcycle boda boda rider approached Titus and they were negotiating a price. I on the other hand was determined not to pay and so I had started to walk. Since it did not take us that very long to reach the Tanzania immigration office I felt we could also walk to the other side. Little did we know that people were trying to tell us the way was quite a ways off. Actually it would have taken us about five or six hours walking and dragging our suitcases to reach the border. A UN official was heading in the same direction and offered us a ride. I thought to myself, a ride just around the corner. It took us about 20 minutes by car around corner after corner, uphill and down hill and quite steep at that. The locals would have had a good laugh at us. My visa was $20 and we were off.

Titus arranged for us to take a taxi to the nearest town so we could get the bus to the city of Bujunbura but by the time we got there we missed the last bus for the day. After much haggling Titus was able to get us a quick taxi ride to another taxi that was heading back to Bunjunbura. It took about three hours on the most winding, narrow ledged, up hill and down steep inclines, maneuvering pass trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians. Sometimes the speed of the vehicles cased me to apply imaginary brakes from the back seat of the vehicles which we were also toting live hens looking for some place to roost namely on top of David’s and Titus’s suitcases. Finally, arriving at his company’s taxi station it was good having Pastor Boniface, our Burundi host come and fetch us.

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MALAWI PROPER

2/27/09 – 3/2/09

There were the incidences on the road with the Somalian boys. It was nerve wrecking at times but finally the issues through prayer abated. While travelling on the bus late at night we happen upon a wreck apparently with a bus which killed two people from a village. It was a somber and aerie situation as we drove through the site. Enthralls from the victims were still on the road and the villagers were all lined up on both the shoulders of the road sitting with their back away form the road. The bus was off the road with the interior lights on and people just sitting as though in a daze. We drove on through but it left one with a sick numb feeling. By early next morning we arrived in Lilongwe and said goodbye to Stella as pastor Stewart came to pick us up. Stella is a catholic but not a practicing one. She heard the gospel and had many questions but she is keen on the right on the way to go.

We travelled with Pastor Stewart to his home and they allowed us the morning to rest and have breakfast. In the afternoon we worked on translating the tract into Chichawa and took it to the printer on the way to town. What I have seen of Malawi is beautiful and much cleaner than Kenya and Tanzania. Kenya I found that the people plant mostly corn and sugar cane. In Tanzania they plant lots of corn and bananas. In Malawi they plant corn, sugar cane, bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes and other ground produce. The roads were not the greatest but they were not the worst. They sell many things in the market place that I had not seen in Kenya or Tanzania. The buildings are quite modern and the layout of the city had rhyme and reason to it. Malawian money is quite cumbersome as with all of the nations I visited. Your change purse that can hold a few hundred US dollars is worthless. You need a large bag just to carry a few thousand of their Kwacha which might only be about fifty or so dollars.

The ministry in Malawi was incredible and fruitful. We ordered about 1500 tracts but only about 1000 were ready when we returned from town. It was a bit late in the evening so we return to the house, ate and went to bed because the next few days would be hectic with teachings and evangelism. Pastor Steward and his wife have 15 people living in their home that they support and care for. They have five children of their own and themselves included. The others are children whom their pay school fees for who came from the villages. The oldest student is Patrick who is studying to be an engineer. They is one lady who is HIV positive who came from the village because they would not care for here there. She was married and her husband had left her and got HIV. She came back home she got it and he die and now she is living with it. They have 3 children who are still with relatives in the village.

One of the pastor’s children is developmentally disabled. Everyone in the house hold work together to maintain and meet the needs of all. Pastor Stewart and his wife support about 70 or more poor children from the villages, widows and orphans. They travel to the villages and when they find a student that is bright and that they life will be wasted in the village they take them to their home and provide for them. One young girl, Chisomo Kamwendo, just returned back to the village recently that they are concerned about because they do not have the money to pay for her nursing degree. They fear that once back in the village she will get marry and so her life will be one of village drudgery an unproductive.

Pastor Stewart has a vision that most might call crazy but he and his wife who supports him 100% are laboring together to make this vision of helping the poor succeed to a self-sufficiency is reality. Singly handedly they have help about 130 people already.

Saturday we started out early for the congregation where we would work in the vicinity evangelizing. I gave a teaching and then we were divided into groups. It was amazing as that day proved fruitful and the tracts were well received and people were reaching for them and begging for them. We knocked on every door we came to and shared the gospel. That day 44 people I heard about gave their hearts to the Lord. Many were Muslims, Catholics and some church goers who could not say for certain that they were saved. I know they were others but as I said, I am not interested in the number that is God’s business. This was all done in the rural areas where evangelism is often neglected. It was a long day but so rewarding. Pastor Stewart reported distributing tracts in the market place and so many people wanted the tracts but he ran out and some made him promise to bring more. How would you know what the harvest is like unless you go to the field? I taught that evening in congregation and again on Sunday AM and Sunday PM services. The congregation was filled and they were about 6 new members not including their children from Saturday’s evangelism.

One thing we never do is insist that a new convert come to a specific congregation but they are invited to attend services at the congregation we are working with. Some have been attending congregations for all of their lives but were not saved. What an opportunity for them to return saved and making a difference. The Muslims we encourage to read the bible and if possible attend the services. We do not press the issue as they face challenges that most other converts from other religions do not face. God is most capable of leading them at the appointed time. For some of them it is a matter of life and death and being ostracized. Many evangelists try to do the work of the Holy Spirit and create many unneeded problems. We must learn to trust God for divine intervention in to the lives of new believers. We must trust the increase to Him.

It was exciting to watch so many members of the congregation take on new roles as evangelist in the field and making commitments to continue the work. What a testimony Pastor Stewart and his wife Lenata were to us showing us how on so little they can accomplish so much. Everyone in his community knows where to come to when they are in need of help, prayer and encouragement. Do people in your community know where you are, who you are and that they can come to you for help? Are you willing to take in someone with HIV or pay school fees for children that are not your own? Are you willing to owe a debt so that someone else can have a chance at a better life? Are you willing to take on the responsibility of educating others at a lost while trying to help someone who has also suffered their own lost? Are you willing to build a home that will mean always having it filled with the children even long after yours are grown and gone?

I see couples in America living in more than 3,000 square feet with no one to care for but themselves. Certainly many are not will that they own children should return home and hence there is no room in the inn for someone else’s who is desperately in need of help. We prefer a foster care system where we can be paid. A time will soon come when on our much we will not know how to survive and we will look to the third world nations to show us how to survive. Those we refuse to help and have given our castoff to will be the caregivers of tomorrow’s world.

How many of us know how to cook food with firewood. In our stainless steel pots the wood would be consumed long before the pot gets hot. We live in a Christian society that preach a prosperity gospel and is trying to sell it off to others. I was so amazed on my first day in Malawi when we happened upon a noontime service that takes place everyday in Malawi in its parks. We sat down a bit to hear what he was preaching and I was rather surprise to hear him preaching the doctrine of prosperity. I was a bit shocked, why I don’t know, but I thought I hear him wrong and asked three times to other people, “What did he say?” each time it was the same answer, “He said Christian should have a lot of money in the bank it is the will of God.” The daily income of most of these people is less than $1 a day.

THIS IS THE DOCTRINE OF CONTENTMENT

1 Tim. 6:3-12

   [3]  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. [12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Philip. 4:11-13

    [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

THIS IS THE DOCTRINE OF PROSPERITY

John 14:2

    In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

I digress once again. Well, I was a bit flabbergasted that such as one living in the economy along with those he was preaching to could command such people to attain such wealth. This is how desperate people are made. We know that desperate people do desperate things. He is telling them the very same thing the serpent spewed out to Eve in the Garden. What we have is never enough even when all along we have been living in contentment. There is always that serpent waiting for us. Well, back to the story. Once I was certain what he was spewing out I jumped up and said to my pastor companions, “Do you know what he is saying, how could they listen to this?” I said I was leaving and they got up and left with me. Then I thought, how could I leave those people to hear such things when I knew better. I felt a sense of “dropping the ball” and I turned to David and said, we can’t just leave like this and we went back and sat not far from them and prayed that God will give each listener wisdom and discernment. Sometimes it is too late after leaving the scene of a crime to return and make it right. A crime was being committed against the spirits of those individuals and I let it happened.

Soon we passed a lone elderly man preaching the gospel of salvation in a nearby market place and I stopped to offer him words of encouragement. Here was a man telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth and no audience or anyone stopping to hear him, but not far a way one man spewing unsound doctrine and he had near sixty people heeding his nonsense. I think from a distance God was watching this man.  We must learn to cease the moments.

On Monday before we left, we began evangelizing the community around Pastor Stewart‘s home. We gave out all the tracts we had remaining and still we got a great response.  He took us to the school he hopes one day he will be able to operate fully giving a good education to those who can pay and those who cannot. (See photos) We visited three little girls about the ages of 7, 4 and 2. The mom died when the baby was a few months old. The six year old has been caring for her sisters since then. I understand that the 7 year old also took care of mom when she was dying of TB. The dad had taken the girls back to the family in the village but he came back for them and id desperate for consistent work to keep the girls with him and care for them. He works wherever he can so the 6 year old cooks and clean for the younger ones. The two older ones are not often in school because they have to care for the baby. When we arrived to the house the girls had no food in the house to eat and the conditions were deplorable. We gave them 250 kwacha to go to the store to buy food to prepare. Later I gave Lenata 1,000 kwacha to buy each girl a new dress and more food. The Chawingas said that the dad is a godly man trying to do his best to keep his children and to serve God but in Africa the best is not always the standard. The Chawingas said they are willing to take the three girls in but there is no more room in the house. They need the orphanage desperately. I think when we finally said the last word on it they will take the little one in so the older ones can go to school.

We continued on to see the location where the Chawingas desire to build an orphanage. His brother-in-law offered to help build it at no cost. They only need the materials. Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”  The Chawingas have a great vision for helping many of the poor and impoverished of Malawi and have done and are doing all that they are capable of doing. One young man who lives in their household now has a small business selling a few products to earn a living which the Chawingas helped him established. While staying in their home I had opportunity to see what they do first hand. The second night a young mother of three children came to the house asking for assistance with her rent because he husband had just left her to marry another woman. This is a common occurrence in Africa. Some men will start one family and have many children and when the responsibility becomes to much they leave and marry someone else and start all over again. These other wives are forced to go it alone. The husbands take all the possessions and leave the wife in a rental she can’t afford and the care of all the children. This young woman was making a business of making some small cakes to sell but her husband took all her money and so she had no way of buying the ingredients she needed to continue her business. She was given money to purchase the ingredients necessary to start her business again and the next day was given some assistance for rent. The very next morning another woman came for assistance. Her husband had been gone for the last four years and is suppose to be working in South Africa but she has not been getting any money form him but on few occasions. She continues to hold out hope that he is still her husband and that he will send money yet she has not seen him for four years and she has been managing on her own. She also is in a rental she can’t afford. She was given some assistance and money was given to the Chawingas to start a woman’s cooperative where they can all pool their resources and create a business that will support them all. They can work in unity together and create something that can have a long lasting impact on such women, self-support and a sense of accomplishment.

Assistance Given

Print Tracts                                                                                    2,533 Kwacha

Rent Assistance to Pastor Stewart                                            32,000 Kwacha

Assistance for Woman’s Business Cooperative                      1,150 Kwacha

Food and clothing for girls                                                           1,200 kwacha

Medicine for sick woman                                                             50 Kwacha

Destitute woman for business assistance                                 150 Kwacha

Destitute woman for rent                                                              200 Kwacha

Assistance while evangelizing                                                    450 Kwacha

Assistance Needed

Nursing school for Chisomo Kamwendo                                    $1000 a year for 2 years

Build orphanage                                                                            $30,000

Currently Pastor Stewart Chawinga has the land for the orphanage but no funds to build. They own a piece of farm land that they current plant on to help feed themselves and others. They are working on a proposal to    start a women’s cooperative so the many women who have been abandoned by their husbands who have taken other wives can sustain themselves and their children. Some women will make food goods to sell. They need one or two sewing machines so others can sew to sell. They need merchandise for resale among other creative things they hope to come up with. The women will woke in a joint effort and split the sales with some of the money to go back into the business. Pastor Stewart is hoping that they will be able to use some other land to plant as well for cash crop sales for support.

Presently there is a school that the Stewart’s are trying to purchase to operate. At this time they are doing so at a lost but it is needed. The current owner of the school husband died and his relatives came in and took possession of all the computers and removable property of the school. This is quite common in Africa. Women have no rights and the husband’s relatives can legally snatch and run. The buildings are in ill repair after several years and the woman was forced to move back to her village with nothing. She hopes to sell the buildings and so pay off her previous staff but the Chawingas are not able to do so. (See photos). They is much that we can do to help them as a one time donation to establish and implement some of the ideas he has to improve the lives of his people. He was four months behind in his rent but we were able to give about $200 to help. He needs an additional $200 and some temporary support until he can build the orphanage and no longer have to rent. The young lady who was sent back to the village needs only $2000 for her certification as a nurse. Village life is hard and often the men can abandon the family and go off to start a new life with someone else. We can look at helping this young girl this way – we can give a nation a much needed nurse and a young believer a better way of life while having the opportunity to reach so many more lives. The crux of the matter is this, whatever we do for any one we do unto the very image of God – His offspring.

Acts 17:28-29

    For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

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TANZINIA – MALAWI BORDER

2/26/09

The next day we stayed at the Malawi immigration customs check point all day and did not leave until 7pm that night. Stella, David, Titus, and I were taken to the health inspector’s office to have our immunization cards reviewed. While being questioned the inspector asked me why I was going to Malawi and I told him to preach the gospel. He jokingly asked me to preach the gospel to him and I sternly told him it was no joking matter. He got serious and I took advantage of his demeanor and preached the gospel to him. I then asked him if he wanted to accept Christ into his life and he said yes. I lead him in a pray of repentance and acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice for his sins. I asked his co-worker next to him is she wanted to do the same and she said “Not now, later.” I told here she was not promised later but that remained her resolve.  That was the most unexpected thing to happen but not the last. Stella was told to remain for further questions and we were told to go.

Not quite knowing what to expect we wandered about looking for some place to get some water or breakfast but not being sure were we could venture to we were just standing idle. We were joined by a man from Burundi who was not sure either. A police officer came over to enquire what our problem was and we asked him where we could go and he directed us. I then asked him if he knew about Jesus and he said he wanted to speak further to me about Jesus but he will come along later and find me so we could talk. We went to the area he directed us to and met some other people and got into a conversation about church, the gospel and salvation. There were about 10 people. What an opportunity. I spoke for about half hour and one man’s faith was encouraged but others just seemed curious.

We spoke at length to the man from Burundi and enquired the best route to get there, the buses, the cost and the length of time. It was like God just sent him to us. Exactly as he said it was so. We were able to follow his instructions to the letter to complete the longest length of our journey. I found Stella after a bit and we went to the Tanzania side of the border to get us some food. When we returned the guys went to eat. Everything form the bus was unloaded and was just sitting out so we had to take turns keeping watch. As Stella and I waited the Intelligent Officer came to us and told us to come to his office for interrogation. He asked one of the guards to keep watch on our things. We entered his office and I noticed on his desk was a bible and an inspirational book. He invited us to sit. Stella was first questioned and while I waited I asked him if he mind if I continued to write in my journal. He said as long as I did not write what he was saying. I wrote in my journal and waited for him to complete his questions to Stella.

He turned his attention to me and asked me some questions including why I was coming to Malawi. I said that I was a writer and a speaker and I was going to Lilongwe to speak in a congregation. I showed him the letters of invitation from Malawi and Burundi and he read them. After a few more questions he said, “I am satisfied with the questions and answers,” and I said “That’s good but I have my own questions I need answers to.” He seems a bit startled and I continued. I said, “Do you know the Lord Jesus as your personal savior.”  He replied he did and pointed to his bible on the corner of the table. I told him I had noticed it but that means nothing. Having a bible and knowing Jesus as personal savior are two different things. He then said he know Jesus as his personal savior and I began to expound to him that it is necessary for him to share the gospel with his fellow Malawians. I stressed the importance of believers reaching out into the harvest and the condition of Africa with many dying from HIV, and many other diseases, war, ethnic cleansing, malnutrition and such. He said he understood the seriousness of what I was telling him and that he will make an effort to share the gospel. Finally I said, “Sir, I am through with my questions and am satisfied with your answers, we will go.” It was good!

Stella and I returned outside and I continued to write in my journal. An Anglo couple came to the immigration office and the woman left and the man sat on the ground. I turned and asked where he was form and he said the Netherlands, He asked me where I was from and I told him and he said he just came from Malawi and there were many Americans there that he ran into. He asked me if I was on holiday and I said I was going to speak in a congregation. I then asked him if he believed in Jesus and he said he was an atheist. I told him he might not believe in God but God believes in Him because he is his creation. He insisted there was no God and so the conversation came to an end as he was defiant about his conclusion. I sat and continued to write when the woman returned. I hear him tell her that I was an American and get this I am one of those preachers going about saying there is a God. She laughed and said “Who do they think they are going about telling people about a XXXXXXX God who does not exist. I spoke up and said, “You should know that I can understand what you are saying.” They were speaking in Dutch or something, but clearly I understood every word. She said, “I was speaking to my boyfriend and so now you understand my language,” and a few other words she said. I said, “I just thought it is polite to tell you I understand what you are saying.” It got silent and then I look behind later and they were gone. They were a few times like this when I was able to understand things people were saying in a language I had no clue about. I was always dead right with the translation and people were surprise. I didn’t hear English I heard the language and understood.

I completed my journal entry for the day and Stella and myself when by the shrubs to rest on the grass. We still had about seven hours before the bus would leave. I found out after that the bus does not operate on Thursdays and so it was the reason we stayed all day parked. Also, the bus is more of a commerce bus than a passenger bus. It stopped at every market and took on all manner of goods. We had sacks of produce everywhere. All cargo must be unloaded at customs for inspections and to pay duty. The many passengers who use this specific bus company are merchants traveling to and from Tanzania to make purchases for their businesses. What should have taken us surely 2 days turned out to be 3 ½ days. But the fare was quite cheaper than others.

While Stella and I rested under the shade of the shrubs three Somalian young men, about the age of 16-20 came and sat with us. We understood from them what they have been going through the entire time on the road. Every check point they have been pulled off the bus and their papers checked. At the immigration offices entering and exiting they papers have been scrutinized. Stella thought the three young men have been travelling together all along, but they each sat away form each other. This did not help them to avoid difficulty. They were Kenyan born travelling on their Kenyan passports but they were being charged excessive amounts to enter the countries when other Kenyans were paying nothing. They were being harassed to the point where I truly began to fear for their safety. Sometimes they were taken off the bus and taken away to the police building in the dark but eventually they would emerge less some of their money. They were prepared for such treatment as they had brought enough money to satisfy the takers. Once I hear one of the conductors on the bus say some thing about a “mazungu” and I thought to myself I am the only one they call that on the bus. I thought only that if they could not get money form these boys would they turn their attention to me next. I prayed earnestly and then sent out some text messages for prayer. I began to pray out loud and Stella who had sat next tome heard my prayer. At the next checkpoint it seem that form that time on the boys were not bothered and Stella said, “Joy, your prayers were heard.” I know the saints were interceding as well.

As a mother of sons about their age, it makes one angry to see such things happen. I understood from others that Somalians are not accepted in other nations of Africa. They are a close knit people who have learned to depend on each other. Certainly there is no fault in that. I have digressed once again. I am now typing the events of this journey after the fact so I reach ahead a bit. My handwritten journal is long and not very legible to most.

At the border late in the evening the police officer I met earlier came to find me. He finally had sometime to speak. It was very encouraging to see him and hear what was on his mind. He said he was a believer and he wanted me to pray for him. He said one he wanted prayer concerning his job and prayer concerning bible school. We spoke at length and then I prayed for him. He seemed to be a vey quite man but the scars on his face spoke volumes about his work. One of the things I prayed for was that the deeds of yesterday will be forgiven and forgotten and he will have peace at night when he sleeps. He was in contact with someone from Swaziland about attending bible school there. We were now preparing to board the bus and finally leave the border area for Lilongwe, Malawi.

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TANZANIA

2/24/09 – 2/27/09

We boarded the bus in Nairobi on Tuesday 24^th of February to travel through Tanzania to Malawi. We were told it would take two days travelling from Nairobi to Malawi by way of Tanzania. The bus companies in Africa will normally tell you a day here to there to encourage you to take their bus even though they know it will take sometimes 3-4 or more days. We left on a two day journey that took us over four days by bus. It took us two and a half days just to travel the distance across Tanzania. The first night on the bus it blew a tire. Imagine no street lights and you are sitting or standing on the night roads in Africa with other vehicles zipping by. Some of us stood up, some sat, and some lay down on the road for several hours while repairs were being made. How come I was the only one being eaten alive by mosquitoes?

After getting on the road again we came to the first town where we waited for a replacement bus to com and take us on to Dar-es-salaam. I must say the roads here and in Kenya are not the greatest. Actually they are horrible. Potholes are more than the actual road. Some roads were not paved and it was nothing but a dust storm while travelling the length and breath of them. Toilets were the customary third world variety – a hole in the ground, no toilet paper except what you bring along yourself. When toilets were not available we used the bushes by the side of the road. I have no complaints. When in Rome do as the Romans. This is the life here and I accept it. There were times in Tanzania we did not get to eat because once they say me people assume I was white and that means rich so I was being charged doubled and triple the price of the other travelers. Once they realize David and Titus were with me it was the same for them. Needless to say we had occasions where we did not eat meals because we could not afford the extorted prices. We were on a tight budget and since we had no idea how far and how many buses we really need and if we need hotel and so forth we chose to sacrifice meals and necessities to conserve what finances we had. We were then travelling from Bungoma to Nairobi, to Dar-es-salaam in Tanzania to the Tanzania/Malawi border to Ligongwe in Malawi, back to Dar es Salaam, to Kahama on to the Tanzania/Burundi border to Bujumbura Bunrundi and then to Rwanda’s capital Kigali and to the district of Koyonza. Then back to Kigali and on to Uganda’s capital of Kampala and on to Bugoma, Kenya. Each nation we desired to print tracts, feed the poor and help out where ever the Lord led. We were on a tight budget.

Each country we had to concern ourselves with hanging our money into their currency and sustaining a lost at every turn. We were blessed because David and Titus did not have to pay for visas but they charged me come entering and returning so it was good that David and Titus did not pay as I was in need of the funds. All visas have to be paid in American dollars and of a certain series. Banking is not the easiest thing to do in most African nations. It is not that you can go up to an ATM machine and American dollars come out. Sometimes you are accessing your money in their currency and I often have no idea how much it is in dollars because the few machines or in the bank you can not get a balance. It is operating on your funds blindly. On day I need 40,000 Kenyan shillings, another I need 120,000 Tanzanian shillings, another day I need 80,000 Malawi Kwacha, another time Burundi Franks which I was able to go to the bank and get in American dollars and then to the money changers to get franks. Then we needed Rwanda money, I forgot if it was franks or shillings but I was able to get American dollars at the bank still operating blindly and change. Next were Ugandan shillings and then back to Kenyan shillings. But you always have to keep some American dollars on hand just incase of an unexpected visa fee. It was not until I got back to Bungoma that I was able to access my balance. The ice was thin but it did not break.

My friend Henri blessed us with a donation which we used to bring along Titus on the journey with us. Titus was my translator and he became our greatest asset as the coordinator of our travel plans. He negotiated and haggled all our travel needs like a true lawyer in a most godly and effective way. He got us the best deals. Of course I had to be out of view because once they thought I was with him the prices were quite unreasonable. We travelled in all manner of buses. Sometimes we travelled in such confined cramped space that our legs would be swollen from 10 or more hours on the bus.

Once we had to put our luggage behind the seat in the back of the bus only to find that the locks were tampered with but nothing taken as we had clean and dirty clothes in our luggage only. Titus had to eventually get a new suitcase for the return journey. We did not get to see any sites except for the animals we saw from travelling on the bus across Tanzania.

We entered Dar-es-salaam very late after midnight so we slept in the bus depot each one of us keeping watch over our stuff. Our first time we met a lady on the bus, Stella, who had made the journey before so she clued us into which bus and how much to pay. I know she was a God sent. Titus learned much from her. From her we learned that what they bus offices say and what really happens is different. We ended up getting to the Tanzania/Malawi border about 8pm and so we had to get a guest room. Stella and I shared a room and the guys shared one.

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NAIROBI:  Nairobi Evangelism Photos

2/21/09 – 2/23/09

When I first arrived in Kenya I was looking for some tracts to assist in evangelizing. None could be found so I created one entitled “Where Would Your god If You Died Today? We managed to find a printer and had 12,000 printed in English. The first day receiving the tracts we handed out approximately 2,000 in the vicinity of Caleb’s congregation. During the time I spent in Bungoma doing evangelism, Caleb had a young man hand out about 500-1000 tracts in the market place where he and his wife Hilda work.

Now being back in Nairobi to continue the work we had about 9,500 tracts remaining. We arrived on Saturday February 21, 2009. On Saturday we rested from the ten hour trip from Bungoma to Nairobi and since I was sick, Hilda took me to her doctor who finally gave me the right medication. I had previously seen a doctor in Bungoma and the meds were not working. I spent the evening preparing for the next day’s long event of teaching and door-to-door evangelism.

The next morning we had breakfast and headed out to take the bus to the congregation but I fell sick and had to be taken back to the house so I could rest and recover. After about an hour and a half and Hilda taking care of me we headed out again to the congregation arriving very late but praise and worship still in progress and the building completely packed. This was in the Mathare Slums. Caleb invited about 16 pastors to attend the service for the teachings and for evangelism. First I taught in the morning service and then everyone stayed for the afternoon teaching for the pastors. When asked who would stay for the door-to-door evangelism, about 90% of the hands when up and indeed they did stay.

The day was long and after the first teaching we distributed the food Caleb had purchased when I first left Nairobi for Bungoma. He was given money to purchased two 50 kilo sacks of maize flour to be put in one (1) kilo bags for distribution. We ended up with 101 bags. First we distributed in the congregation to those who did not have food in their homes. Then some of the families from the slums outside came in to receive a bag of maize flour to make the customary ugali. What we had left we would take out to the streets during door-to-door evangelism. By this time it was almost about 2pm and so Caleb said there was no reason for people to go home hungry to try to come back out later to evangelize so he pilled out of his pocket a thousand or more shillings to buy food to feed the congregation. Other pastors were invited to do the same and the results were amazing. I don’t think this has ever happened before. Everyone was feed with a soda and bread sufficient to fill us all.

Everyone stayed and then this was the time I did the afternoon teaching for the pastors. Everyone benefited. Since just about all had agreed to go out to evangelize we gave out the remaining 9,500 or so tracts and divided into many groups with people leading us who knew the area. We all had tracts and bags of the remaining maize flour for those we come upon without food. We all spread out in the community sharing the gospel, feeding the poor and inviting people to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus the Christ of God. It was amazing having this many pastors form different parts of the city come together to do such a labor all in common agreement.

I understand from Caleb and as some of the pastors testified that they were amazed at the day’s happening and they are all anxious to continue to work together to do this work. They agreed that they will get together monthly to feed the poor and do door-to-door evangelism in each area of the city. They could not believe the impact the tracts were making and how readily people were receiving them, asking about them ad the congregation. How people were ready to accept the Lord, dialogue about the gospel and agree to come to the congregation on Sundays. It was quite an amazing site to see not only the people being won to the Lord but the pastors and congregation being converted to evangelism.

Our tracts were printed on pink paper and it was truly amazing to look around and see a sea of thousands of people reading and carrying the tracts. Even after all the tracts were distributed many people were approaching us fro a copy and we resorted to giving out the tracts that were too faded to read or difficult to read. One Muslim young man came to me to ask about the gospel. He said he was completely dissatisfied with what he was learning from the Koran. I introduced him to Caleb and we share as much as we could with him at the time. He promised to come to congregation. He also said to Caleb, “Please don’t forget to follow up with me. This is the table here where you will find me where I work.” Imagine that, the wheat telling the laborer to come back and follow up with his harvest!

This is how it is here. The harvest is ready and plenteous but truly the laborers are few. More money, more tracts, more food, more laborers, what an impact we can make her in Nairobi alone – millions receptive. There is simply so much to tell but in this day and age who really cares to read? Why don’t you print up the tract from this website and use it in your community as a tool to sharing the gospel. Why not send some money and a copy of the tract to congregations in Africa and encourage them to print them and go door-to-door. Since being in Africa now a month and a half we have literally distributed 20,000 tracts and have seen more than a hundred give their hearts to the Lord, practicing Catholics, Muslims, people who said they were Christian but didn’t know what it meant to be saved and the run of the mill sinner never-been-to-congregation person. I know there are many more because we do not run about asking for number we only try to keep track of the ones we hear about or personally have lead to the Lord. It is not our business who comes to the Lord in that sense as Paul says that it is “God who gives the increase.” It is up to Him also to keep count; after all He is the keeper of the book where the names go, “The Book of Life.” I do not have privy to that book and God is the only one who can judge the content of man’s heart so I cannot say until I get to that place in eternity when all is revealed. I do know that the congregations I have evangelized at have reported an increase in membership. Praise God! To His honor and glory and power!

So many things happen on Sunday it is so much to say. Perhaps I shall have time to write about my African Safari from my personal hand written journal at a later date.

The next day on Monday, I was given the opportunity to speak to the high school students at the school in the Mathare Slums. I spoke to about 130-150 high school students. Religion is taught in the schools in Kenya and so the students receive a bible foundation as well. Since this was the slums and the majority of the students come from there I try to convey to them that their environment does not determine the outcome of their lives only God does that. I told them to don’t just think about themselves but try to help each other as well to succeed. I told them that God indeed has a destiny for each of us and that they can access their God given destiny through a relationship with His Son Jesus. The students were receptive and quite amaze upon seeing the photos of my sons Alex and Matt. They clapped their hands and shouted with glee when I told them Alex is an engineer and Matthew studying to be a journalism/film maker. Seeing my sons as successful young black people gave them hope of their own accomplishment. Education in Kenya is based on theory and packing knowledge into the student’s heads so they can pass their KCSE (Kenya’s Certificate of Secondary Education). There is no time in studies for application. The students have much to memorize and study and retain but no one is teaching the students or challenging them to be inventors – look at a problem and find the solution for Kenya or Africa for that matter. Kenya does not need an American solution or a UN solution it needs a Kenyan solution. This is true for each country in Africa.

This is one of the messages I have been teaching while here. Conditions in Africa are quite unique from the rest of the world as the rest of the continents are also quite unique. Jesus came to His own! He was also setting an example to each of us. We must first look to our own first. We must find our own solutions before looking to someone else. Some of the greatest inventors in the world were black Americans whose roots are in Africa. I have been challenging teachers here to challenge their students to find African solutions instead of looking to the world for handouts that are not their best, and is not in their best interest.

Why is it that the nation rape Africa of its natural resources but no one is saying of the nations, give us the technological training to develop our own resources in return for our resources. Fair exchange is fair. The world gives Africa the treatment for its diseases but we keep the cure for ourselves. We know that sanitary conditions will improve the quality of life and cut down on the spread of diseases but where are the so called humanitarian aids who go to the utmost parts of the world to teach and retrain people. No, they rather treat the affects of the disease because some big pharmaceutical company is making billions – no trillions from the cure. Why aren’t we sharing our technological advancement? It is because we are a world of greedy people. What does this have to do with the evangelizing? Everything! Jesus said we are not only to preach the gospel and make disciple but also to feed, clothe, visit, take in, heal, and all these have to do with such things. He said it is as doing it unto Himself. Whatever did Jesus mean by this? He meant that as we are created in the very image of God, His image, what we do for each other it is as we are doing it to His very image.

I hope some of you who are retired teachers in the sciences and math and who are retired engineers and so on will consider coming to places like Africa and train their students in your field of expertise so they can find solutions for their nations. It is not right that your knowledge should die with you but it should be left as a memorial to the nations. What you have spent a life time acquiring should be left as a legacy in the minds and applications of students of the world who are the very image of God. Take a vacation and go to some village or town in Africa or India and sit with their best students and teach them how to solve a problem. Don’t give them the answer – train them how to come up with the solution as their environment has a need. Your solution might not be their solution because you have access to technology they do not have access to.

I know someone who is building a great building someplace quite remote almost single handed for the indigenous people but when he dies no one will know what to do to maintain and many parts were manufactured in America and how will they get it or be able to afford to pay for them. God help our ignorance. I say, “Don’t give them a gift they can’t duplicate or maintain, give them one that they can recreate and maintain at little or no cost.”

We ought to stop feeding Africa on our rejected food and teach them how to rotate their crops, plant many varieties incase one is lost to disease, teach them how to compost and reuse their kitchen waste. We need to teach them how to recycle plastic and other materials they import form other nations. The land in Kenya is littered and covered with plastic bags and plastic bottles and such. I found a young girl in Burundi burning a plastic bottle to start her fire for cooking. She is standing over the melting, burning plastic bottle breathing in the fumes. I was told this is what they do to kindle their fires. Oh – but I have not reached Burundi as yet, I a only now reporting on Nairobi. Such is Africa.

Pray for the harvest in Africa that is very ready to receive. Pray that others will come as teachers and instructors of the gospel and education and allow these beautiful images of God to find their way as we have. Amen!

2/19/09

        K. JOY SANDIFORD'S MISSION TO KENYA, AFRICA.

                          FEBRUARY, 2009-NEWSLETTER.

• Sis. K. Joy Sandiford arrived to Nairobi aboard a Kenya Airways flight no. KQ 117 on the day of Thursday 2/5/2009, morning hours, at 7.29 am. Pastor Caleb Osunga and I received the woman of God when she landed at our country’s renowned Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.
• I had already hired a taxi to take us to Pastor Caleb Osunga’s house that is situated at Saika; one of the posh residential estates in Nairobi for rest.
• We stayed at Caleb’s home for 2 days. Sis. Joy Sandiford was guided of the Holy Spirit to write a gospel tract and had some 12, 000 copies of it printed in Nairobi to be handed out to people for the work of evangelism. The 12,000 copies of gospel tracts were produced for Pastor Caleb’s Wisdom Celebration Ministry Centre, Mathare 4A slums area-at a cost of 4,700.00 Kenya shillings, as the actual printing price, which sis. Joy paid for in cash money.
• After the gospel tracts were printed, whose title, is/was , “If You Were To Die Today?” in English, and in Kiswsahili, “Ukifa Leo?”  We went out to the Mathare slums of Nairobi where Pastor Caleb’s congregation meet to worship God and Joy started to evangelize souls there by handing out the tracts for about 5 hours, and  giving out about 2, 000 tracts, and above. Thousands of people got the tracts as we did door-to-door evangelism and also prayed for the sick and the unbelievers. After being out for about 5 hours,  Pastor Caleb received several phone calls from people who got convicted with their sins through the powerful and anointed message in the tracts.
• The following week , after we went to my home in Bungoma town of Kenya we received reports from Bro. Caleb Osunga that several people attended his church service on Sunday after they read the transforming message in the tracts that sis. Joy had dished out for them.

• On Saturday 2/7/2009, Sis. Joy and I travelled to my home in Bungoma town about 450 kilometers away from Nairobi the Capital city. We boarded an Easy Coach passenger bus to Bungoma town which is situated in western part of Kenya. Sis Joy paid 2, 100 Kenyan shillings for our transportation to Bungoma from Nairobi. Nairobi to Bungoma takes about 10 hours on road.  While in Nairobi, we went and stood outside the KICC, and Joy, Caleb  and I made fervent and Holy Ghost powered prayers for my country at the time my country’s leaders and the public were having a conference at the very KICC and debating on the Kenya that we want.

• After we had made some powerful prayers at the foot of the famous Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) we headed to the scene of the old American Embassy which terrorists bombed in 1998 here in Nairobi and many were killed and majority were the causalities. We took some photos of that scene of the 1998 terrorist attack within the Nairobi Metropolitan City.

• On the 2/8/2009, Sis. Sandiford preached and taught the word of God at the Bungoma  town “Tabernacle of Praise church,” Christian Reformed Ministries. We, her hearers, were very much touched, and converted, transformed, changed and edified by the word that the seasoned servant of God taught to us.  Joy taught and preached the word of God from the revelation the wisdom of God  in her.  She is  such a wonderful, faithful servant of God, always talking truth and dividing the word of God  rightly.

• On Monday 9/2/2009, Sis. Joy, Augustine and I, went to a printer in Bungoma town to have more  of the gospel tracts printed for Pastors; Titus Nakassangah and Augustine Opili. Pastor Titus Nakassangah is of Oasis of Hope Tabernacle, Masielo church, Christian Reformed ministries. Rev. Titus is also Secretary General  of PVMK, as well as co-labourers in the work of evangelism in this part of Africa . We had some 4, 000 copies of gospel tracts printed for his area of ministry operation. Pastor Augustine M. Opili is Vice President of PVMK of Kenya, and co-pastor of the LORD’s, Nambale area, Malanga church. We had some 2,000 copies of gospel tracts printed for the work of evangelism in our Nambale-Malanga region of my country. Sis. K. Joy Sandiford paid in cash some USD$ 100.00 for the production of the 6,000 tracts in total for both Masielo and Malanga areas.

• On Wednesday 11/2/2009, Sis. Joy, Titus and I went to Masielo to do some door -to-door evangelism for the purpose of spreading the word of God and winning souls for Christ. In the process of evangelism, the woman of God sis. Sandiford dished out tracts to as many village folks as possible, while I took photos of those people who were given the tracts to read for themselves. Bro. Titus was interpreter for sis. Joy as she boldly taught and preached the gospel of the kingdom of God in one house after the other. She preached and also prayed for sick people and the Lord touched to make whole all them that believed the word, in the name of the Lord Jesus.
• Several people surrendered to Christ their personal lives as we made house to house visitations, while other people received Christ into their individual hearts, just in the waysides, as we witnessed for Christ. Some 2 drunken men, and a sober woman, got converted by the Spirit of the Lord, just in the wayside that very day. Praise the Lord!
• Sis. Joy also made prayers for several sick persons in the Masielo village homes and the Lord touched to heal them (Psalms 103:3). She prayed for a young woman at pastor Leonard’s house. That young woman had had an unfortunate miscarriage and we believed that the Lord made her whole again after our prayers for her in the name of the Lord Jesus. 
• The servant of the Lord also made healing prayers for a young girl who had a bout of malaria and the Spirit of the Lord touched to heal her. At the Masielo village of Bungoma we visited Anna’s house. Anna is a widow. She was a Muslim before she converted to be a believer in Christ. Everyone, among her relatives, who are still Muslims, turned against her after she became a believer in Christ Jesus. Her grass-thatched and mudded wall house was without cover right in the center of its roof since the thatches had been torn off, leaving the roof gaping.  And when I was asked to pray for the old lady and a widow, sis. Anna, the Spirit of the Lord directed me also to pray for her roof that was horribly gaping.
• After I ended my prayers for her, Sis. Joy, asked how much it would cost to thatch again Anna’s house, and Brother Caleb, one of Pastor Titus’ church elders said it would cost some 1,500 Kenya shillings to replace old grass thatches on Anna’s house with the new grass thatches. So, the woman of God sis. Joy was moved with compassion for Anna and she took out the 1, 500 Kenya shillings from her purse and she gave it under the stewardship of Pastor Titus to see to it that Anna’s house is repaired as soon as it was possible.
• So, Pastor Titus gave duty to his assistant Pastor, bro. Leonard, and to one of his church elders, bro. Caleb, and to one of his elder women in his congregation, to make sure that the work on Anna’s house is being carried out with immediate effect. Anna, heartily appreciated for sis. Joy’s benevolence towards her and she praised the name of the Lord for all His goodness. The work on her house is in progress now and it is almost getting finished. The whole house has been pulled down and the building raised up from the ground. Glory be to God. Faith without works is dead, and it is like a dead body without a spirit. Sis. Sandiford is one servant of God, whom we very well know in Africa that is seasoned, loving, understanding and truthful, always practicing what she teaches and preaches to her hearers, everywhere she goes. Blessed be the name of the Lord God.
• At the Masielo village, we went to yet another old lady’s house. One of Pastor Titus’ members in the congregation. Her name is Antonina. Sis. Karen Joy spoke the word of God to her and she was enlightened in her spirit. She has some multiple problems that need solutions in her life and in the lives of her grandchildren, whom she is catering for. She is praying that God will unfold for her doors of blessings so that she will be able to purchase some piece of land for her lovely grandchildren before “Nature” (God) calls her home to rest.
• She fears for her grandkids. In that, if she happens to die now, before her grandkids have settled on their own piece of land, there would be perhaps no one amongst her people to take up her grandchildren, but that the relatives probably would disown them, and cast them away for street beggars. Moved with compassion, Sis. Joy gave to her some 65 Kenya shillings as an act of benevolence to help her. Sis. Joy also gave some 550 Kenya shillings for the purchase of a Kiswahili bible for Roselyn, whose dwelling is in Masielo village, and who gave her life to Christ at the hearing of the word which was preached to her by this committed servant of God.
• We ended the Masielo village gospel outreach by having sis. Joy speak the word of God in an evening fellowship to some of Pastor Titus’ congregation who gathered together to hear the word of God at the house of bro. Leonard and his family. We began the fellowship at around 3.00 pm, Kenya hours of the afternoon. The fellowship took about 45 minutes and Pastor Titus, Joy and I journeyed back to our homes in Bungoma town. Sis. Joy is staying with Susan and I at our residence in Bungoma town. We are having such a wonderful time together with one another and with the Holy Spirit.
• On Friday 13^th-Sunday 15^th, February 2009, trip to Nambale. We made some door-to-door visitations in the neighborhood of our Prophetic Vision Ministries of Kenya-Malanga church. We also handed out tracts to as many folks as possible at the Malanga shopping centre. Sis. Joy was chanced to speak the word of God to as many as 100 primary school pupils who gathered about her as she boldly spoke the word of God to them after dishing out some tracts to them also. We did the work of evangelism in the Malanga village from Friday to Saturday.
• We had a wonderful Sabbath day worship at our church on Saturday. I taught on keeping the Sabbath day holy even as the inviolable and immutable word of God exhorts us to. Thereafter, we divided ourselves into two teams of evangelism. One team went to a different direction in the company of sis. Joy and bro. Titus, her interpreter. The other team went to yet another different direction deep into the Malanga village in the company of me and my co-pastor, bro. Augustine Opili. Several people gave their individual lives to Christ in the process. And on Sunday, we also had a big meeting at our worship venue, whereby, sis. Joy was speaker.
• She taught the believers in the holy scriptures of the bible and at the end of the service, Joy donated some 1, 500 Kenya shillings towards the purchases of food stuff to be shared among 13 families who had none at their respective homes. After the meeting, we posed for photos with the whole congregation by the church venue. Great was the day, and great was the work of God at Malanga area. God did accompany us in His Divine work of winning souls, and in edifying the believers in His word.
• Everybody was happy and enlightened in the Holy Ghost. We went back home in Bungoma town from Malanga after we ate lunch at my bro. Augustine Opili’s home at the Sibembe village within Malanga location. We still have lots of mission trips to make in Kenya and in other African countries as the Holy Spirit will often continue to guide our hearts. We are praying for more financial breakthroughs for us to accomplish the will of God in Africa.
• Do, please, pray with us. Sis. Joy has been having a churning stomach and we believe God is at all times continuing to make her whole again. Also, my beloved wife sis. Susan has been experiencing some abdominal pains for sometime now and yesterday I took her to the doctor and some meds (Glevonix) was prescribed for her. We went to the chemist and bought the meds for 1,200 Kenya shillings a dose of only 10 tablets. So be praying for my wife too. She is pregnant. Find some photos of the work done in Kenya in the photo gallery.

David Muyoti.

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2/18/09

It is Wednesday morning and I spent a wrestles night up in the bathroom. I am not able to keep down or keep in anything I eat and am hoping that the anti-diarrheal pills I am taking will take effect today. We are on the road to Nairobi tomorrow which is a 10 hour bus ride or longer. We are greatly blessed to receive a five hundred dollar donation from a dear French brother i met while in Israel last year. Now it is for sure that Pastor Titus is travelling with David and I to at least four or five other countries. Titus spent the last two days trying to get his passport renewed for the trip, normally it should have cost 1,000 shillings but they charged him 5,000.shillings instead. This is how things work here. This was a great deal of money for Titus.

Right now our funds will take us the next step with money for food on the way and incase we have to get lodging while making bus transfers we shall be okay. Today we will have some 2,000 tracts printed for the trip to take to each country as a tool for evangelism. The tracts have been very effective here in Kenya and I am certain that these will be as effective in other countries as well.

Monday and Tuesday has been days of preparation and internet service to post the last weeks occurrences. This take all day as the internet services here are slow and what should normally take about an hour takes all day and is costly. I have made many attempts to download updates to the laptop so I can work off-line and then post but the connection is not allowing me to do so as the changes I made before leaving the States did not save and I could not remember all the changes I made. Monday was at least five hours in the internet café and yesterday 2 hours. Today I hope to be there for a few minutes only.

David took Susan to the doctor yesterday for the pains she has been having in her abdominal for a while now. She has a bacterial infection which the doctor say is common in pregnant women here in Kenya. Her medication was a bit expensive and David did not buy all. Today we shall return to the pharmacy to purchase the remainder of meds for her. Titus is also returning this afternoon from getting his passport renewed and then we are going to Masielo to see how the work on Anna’s house is coming along and we will take pictures to post. I spent part of the early night packing for the month’s trip on the road and am happy that it is out of the way. Normally, in the evening, at the congregation here in Bungoma, I have been teaching but not these last two nights as the last weeks work in the interior in Masielo and Malanga was exhausting. But, praise God, much was accomplished and even though we are not there the work continues.

Upon our return from the other countries we will visit these two places to see how things are coming along and to have a women’s teaching, a pastor’s teaching and a youth teaching along with evangelism. I have spoken to David about having the members of each of the congregations bring food to share on Sundays with members that have no food. This is an ideal situation as these people are impoverished and do not have the money. What they have are chickens, goats, pigs, cows, vegetables, extra corn, eggs and such. Out of the abundance of what they have others can be blessed. It is not possible for me to feed these people each time I visit and this will enable them. Each person and congregation must start with what they have. The congregation in Masielo learned very well what it means to do what they can. Rather than just put a new roof on Anna’s old mud house they have pulled the old one down and all the members are helping to rebuild it from the ground up. To make the mud bricks does not cost anything just some physical labor to make the bricks out of mud and then allow it to dry in the sun.

Acts 2:42-47

    [42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. [43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. [44] And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; [45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. [46] And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, [47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The early believers studied the word, broke bread together and prayed. They provided for each other’s need and then the Lord added to their number new believers. There was a progress of things that happened. How can God add to our numbers when we do not care for the ones we already have. The believers here in Masielo and Malanga were already studying the word and praying, but they were not meeting each other’s needs and so they were not growing. Now that they have started to care for the needs of each other the Lord is adding to their number. When we give, God adds. This is God’s principle of multiplication – casting your bread upon the waters and it returns upon every wave.

God is returning to these believers upon every wave. In Kenya it is easy for a person like me to do much on so little of American money because the exchange of the dollar into Kenyan Shillings is great. So I am mindful of what these people are doing on the meager that they have. In actuality they are sharing more than I am because they are using the last of what they have. Families that have invited us to eat at their homes not only fed us but others as well. They have had to kill a chicken to feed us or spend make extra food which normally would have lasted for other meals. They would be offended if you refuse to eat what they provide and so one must eat and eat with a grateful heart knowing that it is putting them out somehow. I am truly amazed at what I am seeing.

Please pray for the continued work here and wherever we go that the vision catches on from country to country. I am not certain I will be able to accomplish all that I hope to do this day but I am pressing on. Pray for my health as this is most before me at the present time. Pray for journey mercy back to Nairobi where we will do some more evangelism, speak in Pastor Caleb’s congregation and speak at a school this weekend and coming week. From there we travel on to Malawi and other places. We are using the cheapest means of transportation so pray for our safety and that we will have opportunity to share the gospel along the way.

My friend Andes Poh from Singapore will join us toward the end of March to help us with the work here in Kenya. We still have hopes of Ghana and Nigeria in April but should this not come about we hope to go in October after I speak at a conference of about 5,000 – 7,000 participants in Cameroon. The doors are opening for opportunity to evangelize, teach and care for the body of Christ.  I hope that all who read this journal will become converted the way of Christ. For too long now the church has only being interested in being revived but not converted. Revival means each time I have fallen faint I have someone to resuscitate me time and time again. Conversion means that I realize what it is that is causing me to faint and repair the damaged organ once and for all. This is truly conversion. It is a change of your mind set to last a lifetime. The church does not need a revival but to be converted.

Acts 3:19

    Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

This is my message in Africa that the church here will be converted and thus no more need for revival because they will be in a perpetual state of being the body of Christ, evangelizing the lost, caring for the needs of the believers, breaking bread together and being in one accord. We can keep on praying “Revive Us Again Lord” or we can be converted and do the work that Christ began. A converted believer does not need to be told to meet a need, it comes naturally. One does not need to be asked or told what is right they just do the right thing. A converted believer knows the will of God and the mind of God. The Holy Spirit can reveal the word to them unhindered. The kingdom of God will come because the believer becomes the very kingdom itself. We want to be in the Kingdom but few want to be the very kingdom of God itself. We pray, “Thy Kingdom come” but we really mean is just give me the kingdom blessings. It is time to be converted! Only a converted believer can bring in the harvest. The harvest is waiting and scorching in the sun. Be ye converted so you will not faint in the heat. 

Matthew 18:3

    And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Joy from Kenya.

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2/16/09

We are receiving reports about what is happening in the areas we have visited. Pastor Augustine told us that he has been receiving calls about the tracts they have handed out and that they have been new members to the congregation by his house as well due to people receiving the tracts. They want to know where the congregation meets and what time are the services. People are receiving salvation and the Kenyans are amazed to see their own out and about for their sakes.

Just now Pastor John from the congregation in Bungoma and Pastor Leonard from Masielo just left us at David and Susan’s home giving us the reports of the weekend. Pastor Leonard will be taking back the bible for Roseline who received Christ while we were in Masielo and some vitamins for one lady and pain relievers for another. We discussed that at future services believers should be encouraged to bring extra food so that those in need can take home. They are encouraged and all faces are beaming. Something is happening here in Kenya. I am amazed because they have caught hold of a vision and they are not slow at it.  Every person is doing something and is amazed that out of nothing they are capable of doing something. I left for Africa with little over 1,700 dollars and seven additional countries to visit and so far we have done amazing things with so little. With so much doings we can not afford to travel by air so we will travel by bus on the African roads to each country on the east. It appears because of lack of funds we might not make it to Ghana or Nigeria this trip but we still believe for a breakthrough by April. David and I have invited Pastor Titus to accompany us on the road as this is preferable as Titus has become my official translator and he has actually taken on the actual preaching of the gospel. We are two preachers in one. People are actually amazed to find someone from the west travelling as they do and going to places that others refuse to visit. The preachers that are invited to come here will only stay in hotels, the nicest ones, and will not go where there is no running water or flushing toilets. So in actuality they are withholding the gospel from thousands in need.  You will be amazed to find that here in Africa I am not seen as a black American or West Indian but white. The people stare in amazement to see me out and about and using their facilities and eating with them what they provide even with my hands as they eat. Paul says to all people he becomes as they are for the sake of the gospel. One day in town in Bungoma Susan and I were walking together and Susan was holding the umbrella over us from the hot sun and some men spoke ugly to her. “Why are you holding that umbrella for that white woman?” David and Susan would not tell me this but I guessed and I was right. I tried to take the umbrella from Susan but she refused and David said they are just speaking in the flesh and so we continued. Susan and I often walk hand-in-hand as this is so much a part of the African culture. Even men here hold hands. People are amazed but to me it is so natural when it is not in America. We take turns holding the umbrella and I know it is a witness of the love of God. David always walks ahead of us looking back to ensure we are ok or have conversation with us. He beams at the thought that Susan and I are as sisters. Indeed we are.

Catch the Wave Ministries is about catching something new God is doing and riding that wave and even finding your own and riding it to completion and spurring on others to find their own wave. I must be honest and say that I rode this wave that God has given me but it has also taken on a wider aspect. First I started one way and then I caught a hold of someone else’s wave that merged with my very own that now is making an impact in Kenya. I have been encouraged to be a small part of Alpha and Omega Ministries of Pakistan. I have been very pleased to see what Pastor Nadeem Saleem has been doing for his own nation in his own way. I have merged his great care for Pakistan into this great my personal care for Kenya. His vision has become my very own vision. Catch the Wave Ministries is now part and parcel of the works in Pakistan and the works in Kenya. We are all becoming one and the same. This is how God grows his church and spread His gospel. The pastor’s here are releasing their members to the harvest and to act as God speaks to their hearts without micro-managing God’s kingdom. Pray for us as we continue to grow and reach heights we did not expect. Pray for finances, for my health and safety on the road. Pastor Titus is now at this moment going to get his passport renewed as we plan to leave on Thursday the 19^th of Feb. 2009 and will be gone for a month. We are travelling with bus funds and a bit of money for food on the road and maybe lodging as needed. I think we shall be fasting along the way as the current budget is sparse. Never mind, God will see us through. First we go to Nairobi, then on to Malawi, on to Burundi, then Rwanda, Uganda and back to Kenya all by bus and each a day’s journey on the worst highways possible. We shall have dust for many meals. 

Susan is over three months pregnant and she has not seen a doctor as yet and she needs to be on prenatal vitamins. We shall go today and buy some at the pharmacy. So many needs can be met with so little money. You can see the pictures that I am doing what I say I am doing.  I have receipts for 95% of these expenditures as most little shops do not give receipts. As soon as I can have them scanned I will include them here. Integrity is most important to this ministry. I am teaching those that I work alongside that it must be the same for them as well. Susan is resting as this pregnancy is not easy. Previously she miscarried and now she is trying to take extra care during this pregnancy. Pray for us all. At this moment I am not keeping food down or in as I have been ill from something I ate. Pray for me because there is much to be done and we travel in a few days.

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2/15/09

Malanga again

We attended service at the Malanga congregation and I preached the day’s message. After the service we presented Gasper with 500 Kenya shillings for his school registration. Samson gave a testimony about how wonderful it was to receive his bible. He holds it as though it is his greatest treasure. At the end of the service David asked how many families in the congregation did not have food to go home and eat. Three people hesitantly raised their hands. Then he asked again and five raised their hands. He persisted and seven families raised their hands. Finally at the last count twelve families raised their hands. It took ten minutes for this to happen. People are afraid, a shamed, or not certain if their needs will just be prayed for or met. We took 1,500 shillings and David and Joseph went to the shop and bought 12 measures of corn to be grounded into flour for “ugali”. They only spent half of the money so they were scolded and told that people can not eat money. We took the bags they bought to put the corn in and instead of twelve measures we got thirteen measures. David and Joseph returned to the store and came back with ten bags of rice one kilo each and four buns. We kept the buns for the ride home and David sent someone else to go and purchase more rice to go with the corn. So, thirteen families went home with spiritual food and physical food. This is how it should be. In the book of Acts the believers sold all they had and shared until all needs were met. Then we read that God added to their number. How can God add to our number when we do not even take care of the ones we have. This is how the body of Christ should be. Today a youth leader from one of the congregations asked for an English bible and he shall have it. Titus received a report from the congregation in Masielo and they said that because of the deeds done this past week in Masielo the congregation has grown. Anna’s roof which is to be repaired will now be torn down by the believers in the Masielo congregation and rebuilt entirely from the ground up. The congregation decided to do this extra deed. They are amazed at what is happening. I am amazed at what is happening.

Expenditures since 2/12/09

RECEIPTS KENYA

Food for street Kids                         406 shillings

A new mouse for the computer       455 shillings

For Titus                                            1,000 shillings

2 Bibles: Samson, Roseline           900 shillings

For Moshe – Driver                          500 shillings

Gas                                                    2,300 shillings

Gasper’s school registration          500 shillings

Food for 13 families                        1,500 shillings

            Everline Wabwire

            Roseline Apondi

            Bernard Okoth

            Praxicedes Wandera

            Everline Jemimah

            Jesse Nyende

            Maryceliner Awino

Electine Nasambu

Agnes Ochieng’

Sorofiner Adhiambo

Josephine Okwara

Mathew Sakula

We did not get the name of the last family.

Water                                                  1,500 shillings

Other Benevolence for food             200 shillings

Food                                                   333 shillings

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2/14/09

Malanga again

David and Titus just returned from getting the bibles. Today Samson receives his long awaited Bible after two years. They cost 450 shillings each and one goes to Samson in Malanga and the other goes to one of Titus’ members in Masielo. Todays events were incredible. We went back to Malanga and spent the day evangelizing but it was very hot. David taught about what it means to keep the Sabbath. We split into two groups and went out to evangelize. In my group we met an elderly lady wearing shredded clothing to the extent that her breast was hanging out. I was wearing two shirts so I took one off and gave her. We also left her and her husband with 100 shillings to buy food. It is easy to see the need of the world when you visit and see a need but when you are with the body of Christ you do not often see such needs. One of the sisters who took my group around stopped at her house so we could pray for her family. She had many concerns which we prayed for. Her husband does not get many hours at his job to keep putting food on the table and such. We left her also with 100 shillings to buy much needed food. It is amazing how Kenyans do not readily say they have a need. David says it is fear, shame and that people will not understand. They also think that the other person might need more than they. Again we met people that said they will receive Jesus another day and so on. But praise be to God now they have no excuse. As we were returning from visitation the young man that was with our group took Pastor Titus aside and said he wanted him to pray about a matter for him. I really wasn’t trying to listen but I did overhear him say that someone has provided for his tuition at school but he lacks the registration fees. So I asked him, bro. Gasper, how much was the registration and he said 500 shillings. So I told him tomorrow he shall have it. We all met back at the church building and I gave a teaching on Psalm 24. Reports of the day from the other group is that two people received salvation with one group, and my group they all heard, some were believers and others said they will wait until another time. Needs were met. Elder Joseph invited us to his home for dinner and then we returned to Bungoma.

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2/13/09

Malanga

We spent the day in Malanga about 45 minutes from Bungoma evangelizing. Kenyans are very hospitable people and love to serve tea to their guest. One of the pastors invited us to his home in Nambale and then from there we went on to Malanga. People are quite receptive in receiving the tracts and the message is good and gets their attention right off the back. We started out in the small market area as Malanga’s homes are spread out more into the interior. I went through the market area and handed out tracts to everyone by which time the school children were coming out for lunch time. A crowd of them had gathered around reaching for tracts and I began to give them out. Soon a man said look behind you there are all coming you will not have enough so I gave the older children and then turned my attention to sharing the gospel with him. As I sat on the ground to share the gospel some children began to gather. I asked him if he understood and if he did desire to accept Jesus as his Savior. He said out right not now on Sunday I will come and do it then. I told him we were not promised even this even but he insisted on Sunday.

As I looked up from speaking to him there were a crowd of children around us. David said maybe about a hundred but I think maybe a bit less. As I stood up David asked them if they wanted for me to also speak to them and in unison they said, “Yes.” I began to share the gospel with them and told them that even as a child they can have salvation and that Jesus desired for them as well. David interpreted for me and tried to take photos at the same time but it was impossible. My usual interpreter Titus was no way in sight. God did an amazing thing. I asked afterwards if any of the children wanted to accept Jesus into their hearts as savior and amazingly all said yes. Of course I had to ask again to ensure they understood and so they did. We had a crowd of child under this tree confessing that they were sinners, acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God and receiving Him into their hearts. And all but one adult there afterward said he will wait until another time to receive salvation.

I told Titus that if we took time to look around us the natural will give us some indication of what is happening in the spiritual. When we were in Masielo so much had already been planted and sprouting up. However, in Malanga the ground around had only now been plowed up and nothing yet planted. Masielo the people received the word unto planting, watering, and harvesting and in Malanga it was like plowing fallow ground. God is always trying to show us what His heart is but we do not look or listen to the sign He is showing us. We want Him to shout from heaven, “you there, they are not ready, plow here or plant there or water there or there is one ripe for the harvest.” It is not so.

It is amazing to see how one family member would run to another family member’s home to tell them that we are coming. The communities are like little villages within villages; families are not far apart and interact on a daily basis. One woman asked for 20 shillings to buy a soda and I gave it to her. I spoke to one family about how the Bible is our eye glasses to seeing the SON while my sunglasses were for not being blinded by the SUN. I left my sunglasses there as a reminder to think of the word and read it if they wanted to see the SON clearly by reading the Bible. The next house we went to the woman readily accepted the gospel with understanding but she insisted that the congregation she was attending had instructed her that she could not accept salvation until she completed a course of studies. I tried to explain that if she died before completing the course and not accepting Jesus she would certainly be destined for hell. I fell upon her insistence to leave the matter in God’s hand but David was obviously praying while we were speaking. Then He spoke in her dialect and at one point Titus translated that David was speaking to her further on the matter. Then Titus said she will accept salvation since it will not hinder her studies. Praise God for those who watch and pray.

Going back to the church building we gathered for a bible study with about fifteen people, pastors and church leaders. I spoke about having the mind of Christ and how that mind of Christ should cause us to reflect on how the church is managed and how the body of Christ is or is not being utilized to the furthering of the gospel. On pastor spoke after and said he did not realize that every member had a part and truly the members should be released to work freely in the kingdom. He said he will do things differently. Another man stood up and said he would have had more knowledge of God had he only had a bible all these years. I gave him the money for a bible. As a matter of fact I had told a new believer in Masielo that she should have a bible as well so I gave David the money instead to buy two bibles for these people. The pastors also invited me to come back and have a conference for the women. I spoke to David and Titus about doing a couples conference rather and a singles separate also. I think in my heart this is preferable. It was a good day. The women fed us “ugali” (cooked maize meal) and beef. It was delicious even though we eat with our hands. We headed home a bit late than we should and so the road was dark and many dangerous potholes and it was much longer than coming. We have to get an early start tomorrow.

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2/12/09

Bungoma Street Kids

Today we went into town to check on fares and publish to my website. We didn’t get much done in town about the tickets, but we came across some street kids as Susan and I waited in the shade for David to go into a store. There were about six kids sitting on the sidewalk each with a bottle in his hand and to their mouth. Susan said it was oil of some sort. It was some sort of petroleum product. The boys had the bottle nozzle in their mouth and taking steady breaths of air from the fumes. It was soon apparent that the boys were not sniffing but inhaling through the mouth the fumes. They seemed dazed but cognizant and at a moment one of the boys got up and then another and came over to us and asked for money. Truly David had whatever money we had and had gone into the store to get us some water. They were a bit insistent and I insisted we had nothing. One of the boys turned to the others and said they should beat us up and came closer to us. Susan moved on the other side of me and soon David came back.

I told David to go back to the supermarket and buy some bread and he suggested milk as well so we could feed the boys. We accompanied him across the street this time and waited. We soon returned with a bag of six loafs of bread and six pouches of milk. Another boy joined them so David divided the loaves in half and gave each boy one and they shared a pouch of milk between two. The cost was 406 shillings. On the way back we met one boy so we gave him what was left of the bread and milk. He called his friend and it appeared they would share the meal. There are many such boys in Kenya. David said it is because of poor parenting or abandonment by parents. We spoke about doing something for the boys to feed them. Perhaps once a week we can buy some bread and milk and take it out to the streets to feed such children. We are going to look to doing this. So the Kenyans are learning what they can do themselves for each other. Much of this is within their means to do.

We also priced the sewing machines and they cost $100 USD per machine with sewing table. Perhaps six of these can be purchased to start the Catch the Wave School – Kenya of Skills and Arts to teach discarded people how to earn a living. Currently the church of Pastor Titus’ father is not being used but two times a week and during the day they can operate a skills and arts school. Now David said he will form a committee to see what Kenyans can do to reach and help Kenyans.

We are not arranging to travel to the nations in West Africa by bus which is cost effective and long and tedious. David is learning how to manage organizing outreaches and travel and speaking engagements for his guest. He has a vision for a school of evangelism so that Kenyans can evangelize and help their own. He wants to invite guest trainers in to Kenya to train Kenyans. His needs are specific. He does not want preachers but instructors on how to create Kenyan evangelism tools specifically geared to the Kenyan culture and language. I have only been in Kenya today one week but I have seen much growth. The people are hungry for a vision and it is here.

God is truly doing something here. Most of the congregations have bishops as their heads but not much work is happening. The American church culture is part and parcel of the churching it in Kenya. Why is it that we think we are doing God’s business by building buildings that are closed at least five days a week while the world is going to hell hungry, sick and sinners. I can’t get anyone in America to let me preach in their congregation and here I am in Africa and all the doors are open to me. No one is threatened by the word of God. God’s church has been hijacked by jealousy pastors or church leaders who are only concerned about you giving your 10% faithfully but they will not give you a revelation from God or cannot.

 Jeremiah 23:1-2

    Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. [2] Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.

The lost and the sheep are dying and the pastors have not a rod or a staff to guide them safely through the valley of the shadow of death nor will they allow the GOOD SHEPHERD to do so. Kenya shall arise and do a work unto the Lord and they shall say no more that Africa is the Dark Continent.

Whether anyone contributes further to this mission trip or not God’s work will go forth. Already we are doing amazing things on nothing. We are putting on a new roof for an elderly widow, feeding hungry people in Nairobi – Mathare 4 A slums, Bungoma Town and Masielo Village and Busia (K) - Malanga Village, printing 18,000 tracts and seeing people come to faith, taking care of widows and orphans and spurring pastors on to do the greater work of the kingdom. You can either be a part of this great work or not, God’s will be done with this meager budget. Onward we go for we are casting our bread upon the waters and we are seeing it return upon every wave and people are truly catching each wave. I do not have a salary or spending money but all my need are being met as David and Susan have gladly given me a roof over my head with food and good friendship as was agreed to before I left for Kenya. I only wish I had something to offer them besides my services in the ministry. When I leave Kenya I have purposed in my heart to leave them with a bicycle whereby David can earn a living running a boda boda, (bicycles are used to ferry people about), to support his family. Susan is expecting a child in about six months. Everything I brought to Kenya I am leaving here including my laptop to be used in ministry. Susan is learning how to use the computer.

Do pray for David and Susan and Pastor Titus and his wife, Metrine, that they too can be in agreement to continue this work that has started here. Pray for all the pastors mentioned in my journal that they will indeed hold on to the vision of Kenyans winning Kenyans for the Lord.

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Masielo:  Masielo Evangelism Photos

2/11/09

Today we journeyed to Masielo about 30 kilometers in the interior of Kenya. This is considered the most rural areas and most impoverished in this area. I understand from David and Pastor Titus that missionaries and evangelist visiting for crusades and such will not venture out into this area. They say they will not go where there is no running water and flushing toilets. Because no one comes out here to evangelize the people that are neglected and so many false teachers of the word preach strange things and charge them the cost of their live stock and household goods which are very sparse. The people living in these areas do not have one luxury item. They have a home made of mud with cow dung dirt floors, a few cooking utensils, tables and chairs if they can afford it and sleeping mats or a bed if they can afford it. They are no extra food items stocked up in a pantry or such as we might have in the United States or other countries of means. They live from hand to mouth. Imagine some charlatan coming along and taking their basic things for payment for telling them lies. They will easily give what they have because as we are they also want answers to life’s questions and problems.

I had no problem going to this area although there is not running water certainly the people have existed in this condition for centuries and will continue to do so until change comes. They are all alive and well. I had no problem using their outhouses as they were clean and although some flies were about so what, they are everywhere. I have never met more hospitable people than these Kenyans who will immediately on seeing you arrive, hurry quickly to fetch chairs from neighbors so you can sit while they squat on the floor, all for your comfort. Their hearts are receptive and sincere in the telling of their own story. Even their neighbors come in and join them with their guest. We can all learn a lot from people who have so little materially, they have learn exactly what Paul told us to do – be contented in whatsoever circumstance they are in. I am most humbled by the hospitality and kindness I received.

The first house we visited was that of one of Pastor Titus’ pastors who conduct the services when he is not able to come out to Masielo. Pastor Titus is currently translating for me so where I have gone so has he. We are hoping that funds will be available or the cost will be affordable to take Pastor Titus with us to the other countries since he can translate for us. In truth, this is really Titus’s ministry because it is he that is being used to be God’s mouthpiece to the Kenyans when I speak. Bukusu is also one of the other languages spoken here and Titus at times will be translating in Swahili and also Bukusu back-to-back. Look how God is working! Back to the telling of the story – We were warmly welcomed into the house of Pastor Leonard from Bungoma, but he was not there as yet. Titus did some introduction of everyone and then he asked me to share words of encouragement to the people gathered there. He introduced the matriarch of the family who is a widow. Titus explained that when he first started coming out to Masielo due to some crusade David had done there in the past he stayed with a family in a room that was used for livestock. It was only a mat on the floor. Coming from Bungoma was costly and time consuming so he would often stay more than one day at a time. This family of Pastor Leonard decided the man of God needed a place to stay and so the family unknown to Titus built a room onto their house for him. When he returned to Masielo form school he was pleasantly surprised to find such nice accommodations. It truly is the Shunamite’s prophet’s room.

Leonard and Caleb-an elder in the same congregation, also got Titus a bicycle so he can travel back and forth to Masielo from Bungoma. It takes Titus 1 ½ hours to arrive and 2 hours to return because of the hill. Imagine riding a bike in the hot African sun to go and preach the gospel to a place that foreign visitors of the gospel refuse to go to. All for the sake of the gospel! Out of nothing these people have given everything for the servant of God. They are a giving people but they receive so little from the world and those that come among them with so much. Such as I have I give unto them. For those of you who have donated to this trip, it is you also who have given. So, in Leonard’s house we heard how they blessed Titus and gladly received the word of God from him. I was asked to pray for one young woman who had recently had a miscarriage and was in pain. I instructed her to get rest and for the others to take good care of her as they do for Titus. She had a painful tooth ache that cause her bleeding and consequently a miscarriage. By the evening when I returned to the house she was washed up and dressed in her church clothing for the afternoon fellowship. I did not even recognize her as she spoke to me. She said that she will indeed recover and get her rest. I was so amazed because that morning I saw a woman sick but in six hours I saw a woman whole.

I also prayed for a woman who is a believer but her husband spends his time drinking. I told her that he is not her responsibility but God and to leave him in the hands of God. There is no better place to place those that we love who are unsaved than in His hands. She was to continue to pray for me, be a godly wife and mother and live a life pleasing to the Lord and not to nag him about salvation. It hasn’t brought fruit so far so why continue on a path that is going no where. This woman was worried and in despair for her husband that is consumed her. This is not God’s will that our Christian walk is worrisome even if it is because of those we love. “Lay our cares before Him.” Lay it down and cease from picking it up. This is how the devil distracts us with worry and we say it is a burden yet the burden belongs to Jesus in His capable hands.

We continued to visit many houses. One was the house of one of Titus’ first members of the congregation. They use to meet on her property under a tree – four of them.  Suzanna an elderly widow, and I met many elderly widows, talked one of her sons into giving the property for a church building. The members built the structure themselves. They started with four members and now there are about forty and growing. Susanna takes care of her grandchildren in the evenings and teaches them the word of God. She has a one room hut with no bedroom but at night she lays the bed rolls down so they can all sleep there. We visited another widow by the name of Anna who was a Muslim until about a year and a half ago when she received Jesus as personal savior. She has been harassed by her family who is upset with her for leaving their faith. She is faithful in praying for them but at times as was today she was discouraged. I told her to remain faithful and be confident that God will bring the work of salvation to pass. Paul planted, Apollo watered, but indeed it was God who bring the increase – not man but God. She was encouraged and David prayed for her. Looking up at the ceiling David mentioned in his prayer for God to mend this widow’s roof with the gaping hole. I asked after the prayer how much it would cost to patch the roof and was told that a grass roof must be replaced not patched. It will cost 1,500 shillings about to get Anna a new roof. I gave Titus the money and he instructed his elder Leonard who was with us to get the work accomplished. We shall have pictures hopefully before I leave Kenya. Prayer without works is dead.

We also prayed for Anna’s daughter’s family. Many of the women that attends Titus congregation are married to unbelievers but they have their permission to take the family to congregation. Thank God for such favor. We prayed for her child that has problems with her eyes and on to the next house. Across the way we visited several houses. One lady didn’t know whether she was saved or not so I shared what it meant to be saved and she said then she was saved. She attends a catholic congregation but said she will visit Titus’ congregation. The next house the mother had just lost a daughter to illness and a son to A.I.D.S. We prayed for her and she said she was saved. Another house a mother had also lost a child. She was not saved but accepted Jesus into her heart and was invited to congregation. She said she would ask her husband and she would come with her neighbor who is Catholic as she attends the catholic congregation as well. I prayed for her daughter who is suffering from Malaria.

We continued on down the road and were stopped by two men who wanted to speak to Titus. While Titus spoke to one the other seemed curious with me being there and enquired of David why. Then he said, “Give me the bait I am ready to bite.” WOW! I grabbed the Swahili bible from Titus and I said to him, “Look, this is the bait”. So I told him the plan of salvation and he readily accepted Jesus into his heart. Titus and i were so amazed at how his countenance had changed so radically. While I was speaking to this man another lady in her yard heard us and came over to listen. While I was sharing with this man David shared the gospel further with her and she accepted Jesus. It turned out to be Caleb’s sister. We continued to visit Titus’ members and encouraged them in the Lord but there were only so many houses we could go to in six hours because of the distance between them. It was a good day. We walked the entire time. At one house we met Suzanna’s daughter, Antonia, who was concerned with raising her grandchildren born out of wedlock. If the parents get married the child still will not be allowed to live with them. She was concerned that at her age if she died the children will be put out on the streets to fend for themselves. She is well into her 70's and cares for 10 grandchildren. We prayed that God will extend her life to see them grow up. We left all the change we had with her, about 65 – 70 shillings.

We turned back and went to Leonard’s house as we had an evening fellowship planned and I spoke on the Lord’s Prayer. All the while I am now hearing that these people are crying and amazed at me being there. The school children had never seen anyone like me from abroad come to their community. The people said how this is possible that she would come to us, it has never been. I am here for this appointed time. Now I understand so much. I understand why God made me exactly the way he made me. I had to come to Africa to be accepted in this manner for such a time. They consider me to be white, but a white person would not do what I have done. But a black person looking like me would. God has made me accessible. Isn’t life funny? I am fearfully and wonderfully made as we all are for such a time as we know not.

We hurried back to Bungoma for my evening teaching but it was late and we had not eaten all day so Titus cancelled the teaching for tomorrow. I understood that the building was full. We started out with thirteen and now the teaching is growing in number. God will redeem that time I am sure. God is good all the while. Tomorrow we go to get the cost of the bus tickets to Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. Pray that the $1000 we have left will be sufficient for the moment. Pray that there will be enough for Titus to come with us. Pray for money to make more tracts as these are effective in sharing the gospel. All week long I will be evangelizing with my Kenyan pastors and teaching and preaching in congregations. I am feeling a bit ill and weak but I know God will enable me.

Please, please consider donating finances to this effort. Soon David will write his version of what is happen here to share with you on the Kenya world link. Some pictures are posted but not the ones of evangelism in Nairobi because we can’t seem to find a plug to down load them from David’s phone. We spent several days trying to find a converter so I can plug in my computer and camera for recharging.

David and Susan have taken very good care of me and have provided me