I’ve just returned from a tiring but blessed visit to the most Northern town in Kenya -- Moyale. The town straddles the border with Ethiopia, and I visited both sides in surveying the spiritual needs and humanitarian needs in this forgotten primitive outpost.
Can you believe that there are NO orphanages in Moyale! I was stunned! I guess it's too far out -- two hard days of crossing the most desolate landscape you've ever seen!
Ethiopian Pastor/Evangelist Berhanu Yoseph was a key member of this survey team. Brother Berhanu has helped plant dozens of churches in Ethiopia. I’ve visited his ministries in Ethiopia twice, and I assure you that he is a quality man! He has several Ethiopian men who are very burdened for the Southern border region of Ethiopia. The vision of a dual-national team of Kenyans and Ethiopians to partner together in planting churches in this needy trans-border region is taking shape. (The same ethnic groups straddle the border. We are looking at “people-groups” rather than political boundaries).
We took Julius Korir, the young evangelist who lost his eye about a year ago in defending the Naibor orphanage from cattle rustlers. He is studying the dominant tribal language of this border region, and is very enthusiastic about moving up to to Moyale as our field man there.
Finally, I would ask you to pray about an urgent need: I’ve been invited to participate in the Bible College Graduation of, and teach a modular class for, the Ethiopian Bible College which Brother Berhanu leads. This would be a great opportunity to meet with the potential Ethiopian “missionaries” with whom we are seeking a partnership in the Kenya/Ethiopia border region.
This is a last minute opportunity, and I had not planned adequate finances. I would need about $1,000 for this trip. Please join me in praying that if this is indeed God’s will, He will provide the funds.
In His Grace,
Jerry (and Sherry)
March 2010
Wamba
Three pastors who face daily struggles in their remote ministry areas recently conducted a fund-raiser among the Maasi congregation in Dol Dol. With some help from a Bible Study group in South Florida were able to obtain a sacrificial gift of eight sheep which they took to John Lekumpai, the pastor of a new church in the extremely remote and needy village of Wamba.
Over the weekend trip they had services at the little church in Wamba and also did public evangelism and house-to-house soul-winning. Eleven souls accepted Christ as Savior, and a struggling pastor and his "forgotten" flock near the end of the earth were encouraged!
After a long and crushing drought the El Niño rains have brought another set of difficulties and the trip to Wamba was held up for several hours waiting for the floods to subside. But overall the people are happy to see green again!
Julius Korir is an orphan who was raised by Pastor John Chirchir in the Tumaini Orphanage in the poverty-stricken village of Naibor. Julius is an adult now, and is one of our most productive evangelists.
Last Christmastime, around midnight, a band of cattle rustlers invaded the village and and attempted to steal the orphanage’s few cows. In trying to repel the rustlers, Julius was slashed in the face and lost his right eye.
Most young men would have been very bitter over such a tragic loss. However, Julius has had a very godly spirit throughout his recovery. His humble testimony of faith in God’s plan, and his forgiving spirit, has been a wonderful testimony to his community and to the churches in which he preaches. What a fine young man!
We took Julius to a mission eye hospital last week. They discovered that the retina in his good eye had also been damaged. The surgeon perfomed laser surgery to reattach the retina, and Julius’ vision is much better. Please pray for this fine young preacher! If you’d like to contribute something small to his eye treatments and installation of an artificial eye, that would be a welcome encouragement to Brother Julius, but in any case, please pray for God’s hand of protection upon this fine young evangelist.
Julius is just one of many fine young men which are emerging from the ministry of Pastor John Chirchir at Naibor. Please pray for Pastor John, also. He carries a heavy burden - but always has a smile on his face!
In November, two Kenyans pastors, led an evangelistic and “reconciliation” team to the troubled area of Baragoi, in the Northern Frontier of Kenya. One pastor/evangelist, John Longisa, is from the Turkana Tribe. The other, Stephen Lepakin, is a Maasai, which is the same broad ethnic group as Samburu. Turkana and Samburu tribesmen have been fighting in Baragoi District for a long time. Many have died, and tensions are very high. The town of Baragoi is divided sharply into Turkana and Samburu sections.
Our two faithful evangelists, one from each of these tribes, made their first trip to Baragoi last June. They saw many come to Christ and a small church was planted. They followed up with another trip in November, baptizing, and teaching, again, on reconciliation through God’s love.
John and Stephen have brought a light of hope to this troubled, remote area where many souls need to hear the message of Salvation. Pray for them as they travel this very rough road again in about two weeks. They want to meet with Government officials this time, and arrange a major meeting which will include tribal leaders, government leaders, and the general population of the whole area. Their aim is to preach reconciliation! Of course, as we know, the only permanent reconciliation begins in each person’s heart as he/she accepts God’s plan of reconciliation between sinners and a holy God!
In December, we had 15 Students graduate from the Mt. Kenya Baptist Bible College. Next month, we are opening two new branch Institutes in more remote places. We appreciate your prayers and support for this important part of the ministry — producing future Christian leaders for Africa.
May God bless you all for your faithful support and prayers,
We are so grateful for all who have been praying for the Isiolo Project! That’s the unique ministry in the largely Muslim town which sits at the entrance to the vast Northern Frontier of Kenya. We made the June payment of $11,000 just within the grace period! Praise the Lord! May God richly bless all those who have been praying and GIVING towards this unique project!
It’s hard to believe that we have managed to make each of these TEN payments in time, up till now! When He led us into this project, I was a real “Doubting Thomas” – but He has proven His power!!
The final payment is due in September. We have about half of this final payment in the bank! So, we’re praying for another $5,500 in the next few weeks.
We tend to get so caught up in the financial pressures that we often overlook the people pressures! We need to ask you to pray for Lucy Mwaniki – the pastor’s wife in Isiolo, who has been carrying a very heavy burden for several years non-stop. As Pastor’s wife, mother of 4 – with one daughter in her first year of boarding high school, nursery school teacher, and COUNSELOR to their orphans, and to community yourth, as well as a growing number of AIDS mothers, she is showing signs of burnout! Please lift her up in your prayers. There’s not much we can do to relieve the pressures of the ministry in a practical way, except try to make more frequent visits to Isiolo to encourage her, and to keep the funding stable for the various community programs. Thanks so much for your prayers for the Mwaniki family! They are doing a tremendous work, and the enemy is not happy. But, God is greater!!
God is answering prayers concerning the clashes
in Samburu District.
During the 4 months of violence between
Pokot and Samburu tribesmen, the death toll reached 168. Many
Samburu lost their herds, and many
were displaced from their homes.
But relative peace has
returned. The Kenyan government is conducting diplomacy aimed
at reconcilliation. We pray
that this will lead
to permanent peace and stability in the region.
The best
news is that souls were saved during that tense time! Pastor
Lepakin reports that his church alone experienced
47
professions of salvation. Our missionary partner in
that remote area, Eric
Bohman,
recently held a baptism service and sent me the following
encouraging message: “The place where I
baptized was the very place a week ago they had a
small battle
and the
Samburu killed a couple
of Pokot! I thought it was kind of neat that a week
later we baptized ten Samburu tribesman in the very
spot! The Gospel
does overcome!”
January has been a very busy month
here in Kenya! Our new School year opened with many new students.
We are praising the Lord
for over 50 students who accepted Christ as their personal
Savior during the first two weeks of school! God is good!!
I went out to the Maasai Region where we are building the new
Youth Camp and Bible Institute. What a priceless tool this
is going to
be in reaching the next generation of Maasai for Christ! The
believers out there are so excited. The Maasai culture is rapidly
changing
in these modern times. Many of the young people who were following
traditions of their tribe just a few years ago, are now coming
to Christ. Others are just coming into the modern world with
all the trappings that involves. We are so thankful to have
dedicated
Pastors out in this remote region of Kenya who are concerned
with reaching these young people for Christ and training them
to follow
Him.
Thirty new students just entered our Bible Institute, and we
no longer have room to accommodate all of the students in our
main
B.I. facility. Therefore, the Maasai Camp complex is badly needed
so that we can open a branch Institute to relieve the overcrowding.
Many of our new Institute students come from our Maasai churches,
so we can see God’s perfect timing in this project!
I also traveled out to another remote area where our newest missionary,
John Longisa and his family are laboring. I visited with them
in their home and was thrilled to see the joy of the Lord in
their
faces as they told about the work God is doing in their area.
They have sacrificed such good jobs with good incomes in answering
God’s
to preach the Gospel in this remote area! They’ve already
filled up the temporary church facility in Rumuruti trading centre!
John also travels to several other Centers during the week, conducting
prayer meetings and evangelism. He has been there less than a
year and is already discipling a number of young men who are
candidates
for further studies in our Bible Institutes.
We desperately need financial help to continue with these two
important new projects. Thank God for many praying friends of
this ministry
around the world!
The
new work in the remote area of West Laikipia District continues
to grow. 30 people have been saved in the new
church in Rumuruti Town, with 9 people baptised recently. We
deeply admire John Longisa and his family, our missionaries in
that difficult
area. They left the comforts and security of good-paying jobs
in Nanyuki to follow the Lord's call to the bush country. God's
hand
is upon John and Lucy. In addition to the town church which they
have planted, John preaches in many other settlement areas, and
has established several other mission congregations. John is
a natural leader, commanding peoples' respect. He has a dedicated
group of young men whom he is discipling. Lucy's health has been
adversely affected by the move to that harsh climate.
Construction
of the Youth Camp/Bible Institute in Maasailand has
progressed well. The first dormitory is finished and the dining/assembly
hall is almost finished. Our funds are finished too!!! So,
we will have the wait for the Lord's provision before continuing.
What
a blessing this camp has already been to the Maasai youth!
We know that it is going to make a huge impact on that whole
area, with far-reaching effects beyond.
1.
We have purchased the land adjoining the Timau Bible Baptist
Church, which Muslims were trying to purchase for a Mosque
and Islamic "education" center. This plot will
now be used by the Timau church to expand their multifaceted
ministry!
We
were very heartened by the rapid response to our appeal
for funds to purchase this critical plot of land. May God
bless
all those
who responded!
2.
My swift recovery from surgery has been remarkable! Many people
were praying, and God answered!!
3.
The Maasai Youth Camp & Bible
Institute construction has started! The walls of the first
dormitory building are
up! The
Maasai believers are very excited to see their dream
finally materializing.
PRAYER
NEEDED! Funds are urgently needed for completing
the first phase of the Maasai Youth Camp. A major camp
meeting
is scheduled
for August. We desperately need to get the roof on
the first dormitory building by then. I was compelled to
give the contractor
another
$4,300 out of our personal savings just to keep the
project moving forward.
May
God reward all those who are willing to sacrifice time and energy
in special prayer for this important
need.
Missionary
sent to the Bush:
After
months of preparation, John
Longisa and his family were formally
sent out as missionaries from the Mt. Kenya
Baptist
Church to
the wild bush country of West Laikipia District four
weeks ago. MKBC members gave them a wonderful send-off, giving
John a new
bicycle, other household items and a large cash offering.
The church is supporting the Longisa family monthly.
It's not enough
to live on, but the Longisa family are confident in
God's provision. They found a small two-room house to rent in
Rumuruti, the
main town in that large expanse of bush country. It's
like an old "wild
west" town, with constant insecurity. The second
week in their new home, the Longisas were startled
by bandits,
who swept
through the town, killing and robbing. Still, John
and Lucy are radiantly happy to be in the place God
where
wants them
to minister!
They
have already started Sunday services, and are looking for a larger
place for the new church
to have
more room
to grow. They
need lots of prayer as they look to the Lord for their
daily protection, provision of their financial needs,
and fruit
in this new ministry
in such a difficult place!
New
Government trying to keep commitments:
The newly elected President of Kenya seems to be making
every effort to follow through on his campaign promise
to end corruption.
There
are positive signs at every level of government! We continue
praying for a "new Kenya," which will rebound
economically and be able to send out more missionaries
around the world!
Timau
Mosque situation update:
Thank the Lord that there have been several good responses
to our appeal to purchase the plot next to the Timau
Bible Baptist
Church
which will prevent the establishment of a Mosque on this
strategic ground, and also will enable the Timau Church
to expand their
vibrant ministry! We know these are difficult times economically,
and most
responders were able to "only" assure us of their prayers.
But, "only" prayer is still the greatest weapon
in our arsenal!! Thank God for all of these prayer warriors!!!
Others have indicated their intention to send financial
help. We have
been so encouraged that we have moved forward and signed
the
purchase
agreement!
One
of our strongest churches, the Timau Bible Baptist Church, is
under attack from the forces of darkness. The church is strategically
situated on the main road to the vast Northern Frontier region
of Kenya, serving all the traffic going to Ethiopia and most
of Somalia. Islam is very strong in this northern region, and
is moving South rapidly.
Muslims
with wealthy Arab connections have been negotiating for a choice
2 acre plot of land right next to the Timau Bible Baptist Church,
on a hill which overlooks all of the northern slopes of Mt. Kenya.
Their intent is to build a huge mosque which would dominate the
skyline for miles, and to start Islamic brainwashing classes.
Surely one can read between the lines and see what the long range
implications are. Kenya has suffered four major terrorist attacks
in as many years, not to mention numerous incidents which have
not made international news. Kenya is bordered by two dangerous
regimes which have openly declared their determination to force
radical Islam upon the peoples of Kenya. The strategic high-ground
plot at Timau would give them a major foothold affecting a large,
influential region.
The
owners of this property have offered first choice to the Timau
church, but there is no way that this poor congregation can come
up with $6,500 on such short notice. The church is very committed
to missions as well as youth ministries and caring for orphans.
It is a strong church with the largest percentage of faithful
MEN of any of our churches! No doubt, this is why the evil one
has targeted this particular church!
Actually,
the ministry of the Timau Bible Baptist Church has been growing
rapidly, and this strategic plot is genuinely needed for their
ministry expansion. We know that God is in control and that He
has a plan — but we also know that His heart is moved by
the prayers of His people.
I'm
praying that many who read these words will take time to pray,
and, as the Spirit leads, send a donation for
this strategic "Timau Plot Purchase"! I know God will
bless them for it!!
As the old year came to an end, we saw some awesome
movement of God's hand here in East Africa! Just to mention a few
of the recent blessings:
Kenya's National Elections came off unexpectedly peacefully
two weeks ago.
We've just sent out another fine African family as missionaries
to the harsh interior bush region about 100 miles Northwest
of Mt. Kenya.
Our African missionary in Tanzania (Joel Muli) has started
a new church.
The work in the radical Muslim stronghold of Isiolo is progressing
well.
We are beginning to see God's hand moving in the Coastal
ministry.
The Maasai Youth Camp/Bible Institute property has been
secured and we are ready to build!
The new year promises to very exciting! But, with
every opportunity, there are obstacles which only God can overcome.
God's heart is moved by prayer. Therefore, we plead with you to
remember the following needs:
Maasai Youth Camp/Bible Institute building project.
Property for the Isiolo Project.
Expansion into the deep bush area of western Laikipia District.
Financial
stability in Kenya — the exchange rate
is FALLING after the elections turned out so well. That might be
good for Kenya's
economy, BUT it means that our support may not go as far.
God's continued blessing and guidance upon the Coast ministry.
Pockets
of Famine which still remain North of Mt. Kenya. (A wonderful
opportunity to reach people for Christ — IF
resources are available.) Pray for rain and provision in the meanwhile.
We thank the Lord for all those who are praying around
the world!
In
the midst of many trials, such as famine and political unrest
as the elections approach, God is proving that He is still working
in marvelous ways!
A
second generation "Laibon" (Maasai witchdoctor) was
recently baptized in Dol Dol. The old, faithful pastor, Daniel
Kalasinga requested the special prayers of all of our 30 churches
in the Mt. Kenya Bible Baptist Fellowship the week before the
new convert was scheduled to be baptized. He was fearful that
his father, also a traditional medicine man, would bring some
opposition to his son's conversion to Christ. But, praise the
Lord, the young "Laibon" was baptized without a hitch!
The
young man had been showing up at various church functions at
Pastor Kalasinga's church in Maasailand from time to time for
several years. Originally, he tried to stir up opposition. But,
over the past few months, the prayers of the people, and the
love of the Lord touched his heart, and he started to listen
to the Gospel message. One day, he asked Pastor Kalasinga to
explain Salvation to him, and then accepted Jesus as his personal
Savior! His baptism was another difficult step. But, God gave
grace, and, finally, he submitted to this important act of submission
and testimony.
We
are now praying that his father will see the Light.
Your special prayers for the drought
situation in Central Kenya is bearing fruit!!!
We have sent out about $1,300 worth
of famine relief food thus far. Our churches use this as an opportunity
to share the love of Christ with the whole community. Thus far,
I have received preliminary reports of 14 people accepting Christ
as Savior. We do not pressure people to make decisions - but we
ask that they listen to the Gospel before they receive the food.
I'm sure there will be much more spiritual
fruit as the sincerity of the love of our people has time to penetrate
the hearts of the unsaved in the various villages.
A special blessing: I discovered that
the Kenya Government had 300 bags of maize in a warehouse, and
was able to convince them to release it to us for distribution.
So, for a mere $200 in fuel costs, we were able to get food to
thousands of people, and get the Gospel message out - at Government
expense! I haven't received the reports from this distribution
exercise yet - but I'm sure that there will be much spiritual fruit
added to our heavenly accounts.
Great
things are happening in Maasailand. Pastor Daniel Kalasinga has
been faithfully preaching the Gospel for 20 years, and we are
now seeing the full fruit of this ministry. In fact that there
are so many young Maasai men wanting to join our Bible Institute
that we are now planning to open a branch in the town of Dol
Dol (The focal point of commerce, education, and communication
for one of extensive areas of Maasailand known as Mukogodo).
Maasai
society is experiencing a radical shift away from the traditional
warrior culture, and moving into the modern world. As Maasai
youth embrace western education, technology, and ideas, we see
a window of opportunity to fill their open hearts and minds with
Biblical truth. The Maasai value system and world view is undergoing
a mammoth change. Our Maasai Pastors have seen that this is the
critical time to reach an entire generation for Christ!
This
year’s Maasai Youth Camp went very well, although the number
of campers was a slight disappointment. Only 150 youth attended
this year - about half of last year's attendance. We reckon the
reason for the decrease was (1) The increased fee per camper.
The Fellowship of churches and some individuals subsidized the
camp's costs heavily. But, the camp leaders felt that the campers
should pay a nominal $1.30 each. However, for many, this was
apparently prohibitive. (2) The current drought has caused many
of these semi-nomadic peoples to move away from the permanent
settlements in search of grazing for their animals.
But,
God knows the beginning from the end, and perhaps the lower attendance
was best for this year's camp. Pastor Kalasinga, the senior pastor
and keeper of the vision for our Mukogodo Maasai area, said that
the spiritual impact on those who attended this year was much
deeper! Over 60 made serious serious decisions of repentance
and resolutions to go on to a higher level of devotion to the
Lord. Perhaps the Lord knew that He could work more intimately
in the hearts of these fewer youth, bringing them to a deeper
walk with Him - which will pay even bigger dividends in years
to come. Nine precious souls were also saved!
We’ve
been given a choice 3 acre plot right in the heart of Dol Dol.
The story of how God provided this land is a great miracle in
itself!
Pastor
Kalasinga, has instilled a vision in the younger pastors which
gives me goose bumps! Their goal is to conduct THREE MONTHS of
camps every year, so that during the School breaks the Maasai
youth will be constantly under Bible teaching! The potential
for future leaders in Kenya is unimaginable!! Jeremiah 33:3!!
God
has given our Baptist Churches a window of opportunity to change
the direction of an entire generation of young Maasai men and
women in Central Kenya! Those who would like to be part of this
pivotal moment in history are welcome to contribute to the “Maasai
Youth Camp/Bible Institute Fund”. (See our Contact page
for instructions). Surely God will reward this kind of concern
to have a part in shaping a new emerging culture!
Pastor
Ron Williams, and 8 men from the Palmetto Avenue Baptist Church
in Sanford, Florida had quite an impact on our ministry in Central
Kenya in a very short time this Summer.
They built a church
building for a very poor congregation in a nearby village.
The community was amazed to see how hard these men worked! They
were real troupers, accepting hardships, and even eating African
food! (Well, most of them, anyway :-)
They also conducted Sports Clinics and other evangelistic meetings,
as well as ministering in our Christian School, various churches,
and the Timau Orphans Project.
They were a great encouragement everywhere they went! Souls were
saved and believers were encouraged and challenged!
We are truly honored to part of the world-wide missionary team
of this great church! May God bless these nine wonderful men, and
the great church which they represented so well!
We
have just returned from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
God gave us a wonderful Bible Institute session with all of the
advanced students from sister churches all over Tanzania. I was
a bit nervous about my Swahili because the Tanzanian coast is
where Swahili originated, and where it is spoken in it’s
purest form. Well, God answered the prayers of many people who
were praying for me back in Kenya and my Swahili rose to a new
level! It was exciting to see the eager response of the Tanzanian
students. God’s grace is marvelous!
Our
hearts were touched by the great need in the sprawling city of
Dar es Salaam. This key East African city is at a crossroads, and
our missionaries down there are looking at what might be a brief
window of opportunity to plant new churches in this stronghold
of Islam! How exciting that our Kenyan churches in the Mt. Kenya
region have just sent our first foreign missionary to this needy
city! Joel and Pauline Muli had been on the field for just six
weeks when I visited their simple, but happy home in Dar es Salaam.
They were glowing with excitement over what God is already doing
through them to reach Tanzanians with the Gospel. I was wonderfully
surprised at how quickly they have made the adjustment from a quiet
rural life in Kenya to the big city of Dar.
Back in Kenya, another fine African man with a wife and four children
has just surrendered to leave our town church and go out into the
wilderness of West Laikipia District as a Missionary. John Longisa
and his wife, Lucy, both have good jobs in town. He is one of our
fine deacons. But God has touched his heart for the neglected areas
of Kenya, and he is willing to give up all the security of his
city job and comfortable life in order to respond to God's call.
Whew! That kind of commitment is so rare!!
How wonderful it is to see our people maturing through the steps
of discipleship, reaching that all-important step of full commitment
to world missions! It gives me goose bumps! God is so good! And,
we are so blessed to have such wonderful supporters back home which
makes all these victories on the field possible!
There
have been so many blessings in the work since the first of the
year that we feel truly overwhelmed! Haven’t even had time
to prepare our monthly letters!! Folks getting saved; new churches
being planted; and a continued growth in spiritual level and
leadership skills of our African believers!
A
very special blessing was the salvation of a MUSLIM man to whom
we have been witnessing for TWENTY YEARS! Several other Muslims
are asking questions which show that they are definitely seeking
the true God. God is moving, and we are so grateful for the privilege
of being here in East Africa at this time of harvest!
Therefore,
it's not surprising that there would be attacks from the adversary:
The roof of our house is starting to fall in! The foundation
has shifted, our bedroom wall is cracking and the roof is starting
to buckle. It'll take about $4,000 to repair the foundation and
reinforce the walls, etc. Well, this is a temporal thing which
is not worthy to be compared to the many spiritual blessings
we are seeing. The Lord will provide as He see fits. He’s
promised to provide the basic necessities of life — Matthew
6:33.
We
are so grateful for our faithful supporters which enable us to
continue laboring for the Lord in this wonderful harvest field.
Our hearts were filled with gratitude over the Thanksgiving season,
as we reflected on recent blessings in Kenya:
(1) The terrorist threat in Kenya has dimished greatly as the Kenya
government has taken a tough, no-nonsense stand. By deploying troups
and police, and by arresting many suspected terrorists, the government
seems to have dimished the momentum of vocal anti-American/anti-Christian
elements. We know that many concerned friends around the world
have been praying for peace and safety in East Africa and we are
so grateful for their sacrificial prayers!
(2) The new church at Karimba is growing. The Bible Baptist Church
in Timau has sent one of their men and his family to this village
as missionaries, supporting them 100%. The new church is growing.
Recent photos can be viewed here.
(3) The Timau Orphans project has been blessed recently as some
special funds were given by two concerned men in the States, enabling
the purchase of food, school uniforms, and financing the education
of some of the orphans which the Timau church has lovingly taken
in. Recent photos can be viewed here.
In
the wake of the terrorist attacks on America, it has been heartwarming
to see the great outpouring of sympathy and support for Americans
from our church members in Kenya in spite of the pain and suffering
which anti-American terrorism continues to inflict upon innocent
Africans. Over 200 Kenyans lost their lives in the Al Qaida bombing
of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi three years ago.
Now, Muslim extremists have just burned two churches in the Kenyan
town of Isiolo, and are threatening to attack more “American” targets
in Kenya.
Francis and Lucy Mwaniki — our Kenyan missionaries in Isiolo — have
not been harmed thus far. Danger is nothing new to the Mwaniki family.
A few years ago, there was an attack on their village (Ngare-Ndare)
by a band of marauding tribesmen from the North. Homes were burned,
and one of Mwaniki’s church members was killed. Last month,
even before the worldwide outbreak of Islamic hatred, Francis was
attacked, as he was preaching in the marketplace, by an angry Muslim
radical. But, Brother Mwaniki is courageously continuing his ministry
and the Lord is protecting his family and our believers in that hot-bed
of Islamic hatred. There was another uprising last Friday, which
riot police and military quickly brought under control. It appears
that the Kenya government is determined to take a strong stand against
terrorist threats in Kenya. Praise the Lord! Prayers are being answered!
But now, Anthrax has just been detected in Kenya’s postal system.
Kenya continues to need much prayer!!
About 10 years ago, an underground missionary in Islamic Sudan told
me that the Muslim Fundamentalists, which had “colonized” Sudan
from Iran, had a stated agenda to target Kenya next. At that time
it seemed that this missionary was a wild-eyed alarmist. But, obviously,
he knew what he was talking about.
How comforting are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in this terrifying
age: “...I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18. This is the time to
go on the offensive, armed with the powerful message of salvation
in Jesus Christ!
What a fantastic two weeks we have just finished! Chuck Madaus,
a former Kenya missionary who now pastors in West Virginia, brought
a group of 27 people from his church. My head is still
spinning with the flurry of activities!!! What a busy time!
His people really were a tremendous blessing! They conducted
teacher training workshops for over 100 Sunday School teachers
from our fellowship of churches in the Mt. Kenya region.
Three of the group were nurses, conducting medical clinics
in two rural locations. You can't imagine the crowds which
thronged them. They dispensed suitcases of medicine! More
than 1500 people were treated for medical ailments, which
served as an opening for sharing the Gospel.
The team ministered to over 600 public high school students.
They also worked on two building projects in the bush, in addition
to passing out tracts and preaching in schools, orphanages and
along the roads. At least 107 people were saved in the many places
which the team ministered!
We capped it all off on the last day by taking them out to the
Maasai area where they were adorned with traditional beadwork
and had a nice goat feast. (Sadly, for me, there was no traditional
sour milk because the drought has diminished their herds and
dried up the few remaining cows. In fact, the Maasai are really
suffering again, and already, they could use some famine relief
assistance.)
The vehicle broke down on the way to Maasailand. Out in the wild
bush country, Rex and Tim showed true “missionary” adeptness
at patching the broken steering mechanism sufficiently for it
to hobble back to town, while some of the more adventuresome
hitched a ride in the back of a passing truck which took them
to the meeting in Maasailand.
At dusk we had to make a final stop at the Naibor Church in the
bush. The people had waited almost all day, and we couldn’t
let them down, even though it was dark and everyone was dead
tired. What a blessing as John Chirchir’s group of 30 children
recited Bible verses for us under a kerosene lamp! After the
service, they had to walk home through the wild African bush
country.
What a day, and what a blessed two weeks! God is so good to allow
us to be ministering here in this wonderful harvest field!
About
15 years ago, we attempted to plant a Bible believing church in Isiolo — a
key town at the edge of the heavily Muslim and Animistic “Northern
Frontier” of Kenya. After some initial success, persecution
discouraged most of the believers. Two short-term
missionaries succeeded in reviving the work. A plot was purchased
and a small building was erected. A young pastor was installed and
the work grew slowly for a while. The pastor had no outside funds
to rely upon, so he had to struggle to find various jobs in this
economically depressed town. With very little encouragement, constant
persecution, sickness and poverty, he finally gave up and moved back
to his home village. The small congregation has managed to continue
meeting, but the work has stagnated and there is no vitality.
God, in His timing, has revealed an exciting plan to us. A fine young
man has stepped forward and surrendered to be a missionary to this
spiritually dark town. Pastor Francis Mwaniki, although he is only
35 years old, has been a faithful evangelist, church planter, and pastor
for more than a dozen years. He has been through the fires of testing
and has emerged as a man of high moral fiber and great wisdom and experience.
His home village (Ngare-Ndare) is not far from Isiolo town, so he is
familiar with the hostile climate. He and his church have experienced
persecution. I stood with him on the burned-out homestead of one of
his faithful members not long ago. The husband, who was one of the
faithful men of the church, had been killed in the raid, and the house
was burned to the ground. The church, with some aid from other churches,
has helped this widow and some of the other affected families rebuild
their meager lives.
Francis Mwaniki and his precious wife, Lucy, are preparing to move
to Isiolo, with their four children, to spearhead a revival of the
Isiolo ministry. It is hard for us, who live in such relative comfort,
to comprehend the depth of the Mwaniki family’s sacrifice!! Hopefully,
many believers around the world will be burdened to pray for the Mwaniki’s
as they take this bold step.
We're so thankful that the intercessory prayers for Sherry's recovery
from Malaria have been answered! May the Lord reward all those concerned
friends around the world who were praying.
Jerry
and Sherry Daniels
"The Daniels in the Lion's Den"
Sherry's
hemoglobin continues to rise, and it seems pretty certain that the
Malaria has finally been eradicated. Praise the Lord!
We KNOW that this is a genuine answer to the prayers of many of God's
people! May God give each one a special reward for their prayers and
concern!
We just received an encouraging Email which emphasizes and important
aspect of intercessory prayer:
“The oddest thing is that my husband and I were praying a week or two ago
and he was burdened to pray for you and Sherry.... Well that night when I checked
the Email, I saw your message concerning Sherry's condition. God is truly awesome.
He burdened us for prayer before we even knew the urgency of it!”
I personally believe that this is an example of what Paul was referring
to in Ephesians 6:18 where he urges us to pray “in the spirit”.
The context is intercessory prayer - especially for missionaries!
In His amazing grace,
Jerry (and Sherry) Daniels
"The Daniels in the Lion's Den"
What
a hectic month since our last letter! We arrived in the States on
April 19th. On the 26th Sherry was admitted to the to the ICU of
St. Joseph's hospital in Kansas City with acute Malaria! Her fever
had reached 106 by that morning causing us to realize that she must
have malaria rather than just the virus which was going around.
It took me over 2 hours on the telephone trying to find a doctor who
had any knowledge of malaria. Finally, the Lord led me to a doctor
from South America who was somewhat familiar with Malaria: MIRACLE
NUMBER ONE!
In the following tension-filled days, God performed a series of true
miracles! Without going into detail, I'll just list a few of the miracles
which the Lord performed in response to prayer: Finding a lab in Kansas
City which could do a Malaria blood test immediately. Locating enough
intravenous Quinadine to start the treatment immediately, and then
coming up with the follow-up dose of Quinadine, which couldn't be found
anywhere in the USA (even at the manufacturer). It suddenly "appeared" at
just the moment it was needed!
Things were happening so quickly that I didn't have opportunity to
get the word out to all of you, but I did send out a few hurried Emails
along the way. Perhaps some of you heard the details of the astounding
miracles which followed. (If you would like me to send a more comprehensive
report by Email, just drop me an Email)
Sherry did fantastically well for about 5 days after she was released
from the hospital. But, the Adversary never quits! The headaches and
fever revived and she became weaker over the next 10 days. Several
doctors have examined her - but nothing shows up in the tests except
a radical drop in hemoglobin (7.2, which is dangerously low! — in
fact, the doctor insists that she needs a transfusion. We are resisting
that idea, and are praying that God intervene so that it won't be necessary!)
In consulting with our Malaria specialist in Nairobi, we have all come
to the conclusion that she has probably had a relapse of the malaria,
even though it is not showing up in the blood tests. Sherry has just
started taking another course of malaria medicine (pills this time),
and we are praying that this will bring a turnaround. Please continue
praying! — Especially that she won't need a transfusion!
I'm embarrassed to have to mention finances at a time like this. Our
BBF Medical Fund will cover all but about $1,500 of the actual medical
costs. But, right now, even $1,500 is difficult for us to handle, not
counting the non-medical expenses. Thanks for standing with us in prayer
during this crisis. I will update you right away as soon as we see
the next miracle which we are trusting God for!
Our
tenth grandchild, little Kevin Michael Daniels, was born in Saudi
Arabia three weeks ago. Sherry went in January to help our daughter-in-law,
Mona, who was experiencing a very difficult pregnancy. But, praise
the Lord, little Kevin was born healthy! Many of you were praying
for this special ministry trip, and we are so grateful!
I
joined Sherry and Tim's family in the Kingdom for two weeks in March.
In addition to enjoying the family, we also had chances to minister
- not only to Tim's family but also to a fellowship of believers.
This little
fellowship even gave us a love offering which was such a blessing at
time when we really needed special funds, not only to cover some of
the trip expenses, but also for a couple of pressing projects here
in Kenya. The Lord supplies in very unexpected ways sometimes!
Back
in Kenya: So many good things have been happening so fast that I
haven't even had a chance to get this prayer letter written! We have
started some new ministries and revived others which were sinking,
and one particularly great blessing was the opportunity to teach
a short seminar to group of pastors in Western Kenya.
Good
rains have finally come to Kenya and the crisis is over. For those
of you who contributed to the famine relief project over the past
8 months, only heaven will reveal the full extent of the lives which
were touched and souls saved through your generosity! May God bless
you richly for caring!!
Please
receive warmest Christmas greetings from the heart of Africa. We
do pray that God will bless you all during this special time of year
during which we reflect on God's amazing grace expressed in the incarnation
of Himself as our Savior.
We
are just leaving to spend Christmas with our son, Russ, and his family
in Western Uganda. Though they live in just the next country to the
West of us, we don't get to see them as often as we would like. It's
been a year. Still, we thank God for His special grace in allowing
us to spend time with each one of our sons' families during this
year - even though they are spread out across the world.
What
a special blessing to visit to Tim's family in Saudi Arabia early
this year, and then to visit Stephen's family in Kansas City shortly
after the birth of our ninth grandchild - sweet little Kiersten.
God
has been so wonderfully gracious to our family, and we just wanted
to share our thanksgiving with you through this short Email.
We
pray that the Savior's richest blessings will be poured out on you
during this Christmas time, and may the coming New Year be your very
best year ever - filled with joy, prosperity and the best of health!!
In
God's grace,
Jerry and Sherry Daniels
East Africa
Countless
times over these 26 years in East Africa, I have gone out into the
bush to preach and baptize at a Mission Station, Preaching Point,
or to encourage an immature congregation. These trips are usually
rigorous and uncomfortable, but it’s always been thrilling to
see the spiritual fruit which comes out of such excursions.
However,
it might even be more satisfying to see one of the young men whom
we have raised up in the faith stepping into my shoes and going out
on a similar mission. I was away on safari when Onesimus Kibera,
Pastor of Mt. Kenya Baptist Church in Nanyuki, wrote me this letter
with such spontaneous enthusiasm that I thought it might be an encouragement
to you also. Here are some excerpts which I have translated from
Swahili:
“This
past Sunday was a day of great joy at Milimani Baptist Church where
we baptized 40 people! Also, seven people were saved in the service!
“Even though I and my wife were very tired after walking for five hours
(round trip) to visit this remote church, it was a great blessing to see these
seven young adults receive Jesus Christ into their lives! One of the great needs
of the Milimani church has been more young men to get saved, be faithful, and
surrender for leadership in the church so that they can join our Bible Institute.
“I
think that due to baptizing that many on Sunday my left arm and
the left side of my back is really painful, and I am moving somewhat
like a robot today!!! Number 40 was a huge lady who almost baptized
me into the river! She was so afraid after I put her under, and
she took me off my balance. I was struggling to gain mine and hers
in the water while those watching laughed and laughed. It was quite
a day!!!”
This
was Pastor Kibera’s first time to baptize in a river. It can
be very tricky! Anyway, I hope this testimony will be a blessing
to all of you who have faithfully supported our ministry over the
years. Your investments make fruit like this possible! Thanks! May
God bless you all!
