Dear Praying Friends,
Many are aware of increased terrorist attacks and rising tensions in East Africa due to Islamic extremism. But, the Lord has mercifully kept our people safe, and our ministries are moving forward. Pastor Stephen Ngunjiri, one of our faithful Kenyan Pastors, recently commented that the Sunday after 16 worshipers were killed in a church bombing in another town, his church was packed to over-flowing!
Also the annual Sports Evangelism tournament in his region has seen 51 souls come to Christ so far! Next Saturday, October 6th, is the championship game, and Pastor Onesimus Kibera will bring the Bible message to the crowd (which was over 1,000 last year!). Please pray that many souls will be reached for Christ on Saturday, and that God will protect this high-profile event. Activities like this are valuable in building inter-tribal, cultural and religious tolerance, as kids play together and develop good sportsmanship and character through Church sponsored leagues like this.
Another program which is changing culture is the annual “Passage to Manhood” camp which Pastor Stephen and his team of youth workers of Timau Bible Baptist Church conduct every year. Last year they had a total of 142 boys go through the 6 week camp, with 117 accepting Christ! Even though the church members sacrificed greatly to fund this program, they still had to turn many boys away due to lack of bedding and other supplies. They are praying for provision of bedding and food to be able to accommodate at least 200 boys this year.
The extra cost of one boy is about $48, and this includes bedding which can be used in future years. We have recently received some special undesignated offerings which will be applied to this worthy program. Another $2,000 would put us over the top in helping this great local church impact their entire region. Literally hundreds of families are being touched in multiple ways through this great program. Most of the boys themselves find Christ as Saviour during the camp, and whole families and networks of friends and neighbors are touched in a positive way with the Biblical principles which serve as an alternative to the unscriptural traditional rites of passage which various tribes practice.
2 Thes. 3:1-3 is in my mind a lot these days. We humbly and gratefully ask you to join us in this prayer.
Thanks and God bless,