Will there be a Harvest?

Every farmer wants a harvest. It is the purpose of all his planning and hard work. And it is the desire of every laborer in the Master's vineyard to see fruit. Yet it is not guaranteed. It is possible to spend weeks and months, even years, of labor and be disappointed at last. Do we value the harvest enough to keep contending for it?

Much spiritual sowing and laboring continues in the fields Brother Lawrence and his wife have been called to. Although the meetings mentioned in the last post were cut short, it soon became evident that God had appointed the change in plans so they could go minister to some elderly people in the Mount Kenya area.


Lawrence (standing with his wife) held several meetings for these dear folks, with a large attendance. "Please,pray for these old people and the neighborhood," he writes. He is also thankful to report that an elderly couple nearing death seemed clear with the Lord. Others, like the fig tree in the parable, are found with a fruitless profession. Please pray that God's faithful digging will bring a response.


The physical needs of the Makindu area are also much on the minister's heart. Though the maize and bean crops have grown well, a final rain is very much needed. We see in the green fields the hope of next year's food supply - if there is a harvest.


Because of the replenished water supply from the earlier rains, this brother has been able to irrigate his fruit orchard. The maturing oranges (above) and mangoes (below) promise sweet reward for his labors.



Like in most temporal cares of life, the spiritual effects are not far away. The pressing needs of life bring us to the end of our resources and require us to seek for help. We know the parable Jesus told of the poor widow and the unjust judge. Though it illustrated the need to "pray and not to faint," how often does the "unanswered yet" prayers seem in vain? Listen to our Lord's conclusion: "Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily." (Luke 18:7-8) Do we believe Him?

Will we neglect to pray for these dear people? There is expectant, faith-filled patience for us to learn in our labors. "Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until they receive the early and latter rain." (James 5:7)


"Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?"

The Water of Life

Praise the Lord, another season of rain has been given to the Makindu area! To those familiar with the barren outlook of continual drought, these prospering fields are a vision of hope and promise:




Though the rains were heavy enough to collapse a meeting house roof, they were a much-sought-for answer to prayer. In this land of continual struggle to survive, water is truly the source of life. Please remember them in prayer as they continue to tend their crops and trust God to supply their daily needs.

I am reminded of Ezekiel's vision (chapter 47) that describes the river that flows from the sanctuary, bringing life wherever it goes. We are told that the banks are lined with trees that produce a continual supply of fruit. Such bounty is enjoyed in the Mt. Kenya district which the minister visited recently:

Bananas

Pawpaws

Mango, Avacado, Macadamia nut trees

and Passion fruit flourishes. The possibility of having such abundance for the picking seems ideal, but it is sobering to note that it hasn't produce spirituality in the soul. Instead of the fruit of godliness and faith and love, spiritual corruption and mere profession abound in the Mt. Kenya region. How many forfeit spiritual life for the comforts of earthly wealth and prestige!

Beginning last Friday, an extended meeting began in Makindu with many traveling to attend. Let us remember this effort to offer truth to the spiritually thirsty, as the Lord lays it on our hearts. Brother Lawrence writes: "Opposition in various ways is very high, but we know the Lord never lost a battle. All is for our good. Praise the Dear Lord !!"

The potential for a fruitful harvest is possible because of the Water of Life, which is not limited by the barren circumstances. It is Jesus that makes all the difference, for He came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

A Time to Root

This season of "Thanksgiving" is a time to appreciate the abundance in our lives. Not just the plentiful food, but the comforts of home and the love of family and friends. These blessings don't just happen, do they? Many are suffering from the lack of them in very real ways. All around me I see people living in starvation in the midst of a land of plenty. Why?

It is a question worth digging into. Like in many other problems of life, the answers are buried for us to search out.

Take a look at the situation in Makindu for instance. As I marvel at the flourishing landscape, so transformed by the recent rains, it is hard to image that the famine conditions are becoming more severe.

"This is an expansive plain with an underground river that is used for animals in the dry weather," Lawrence explains. "Cows, goats and sheep graze here freely, with each person caring for his own. There is plenty of fodder coming up in the rainy weather. See how green the shrubs have become already? If the rains continue the bushes will grow higher and become more succulent."

"Goats are the main source of income for the average person here. Adult goats sell in the market for about 3000 Kenya shillings (around US $ 40)."

Grazing livestock on green pastures. Is there anything more beautiful or inspiring? This picture of abundance, like so much that is good in life, isn't mere chance. It is made possible by the unseen millions of rootlets that have thrust deep into the soil to drink. What difference would the rain make if there were no roots to claim it? It is also the result of investment and sacrifice. Please pray for the families in this area that are seeking the Lord for the means to become more self-supporting.



Here are the new maize crops after the first weeks of rain. But now the land is drying up again. The precious seed was planted and the water brought it to life, but unless it roots deep what hope does it have? Like the seed sown in the rocky ground, will it be scorched in the Kenya heat and wither away for lack of being established? "Please, pray that God returns the rains back and gives us enough. Otherwise the famine in the area will be long and painful."



I can't but think human souls are in the same condition. Unless we take hold of the water of life that God has sent our way, and root down deep, today's successes don't have much meaning. We may endure for awhile, but in time of trouble and persecution because of truth we will become offended and wither away. (Matthew 13:21) It is easy to grow when the "going is good," but the farmer knows his crop isn't established until it can stand in the heat and hold up in the wind. Now is the time to root down, so let us be praying both for ourselves and the many seekers out there.

Consider the Lord's intentions: "For as the rain comes down... and waters the earth, and makes it to bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater: so shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth... it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11) Do we believe that Word and let it bring life eternal to us? Here is the secret of flourishing, for what we receive at the root-level will be produced in our lives.

Delays of Mercy

The work on the center building has been making slow progress recently. The roofing timber that has been ordered from Tanzania is costing more than expected and taking longer to arrive. Meanwhile, the much-needed rains are here, slowing down construction.

Here you can see how the walls are being built up between the pillars, while the roofing is being waited on.

It was a great blessing that the sewage hole has been completed! The masonry lining will prevent the heavy rains from eroding the sides, so all that is needed is the concrete cover now. Praise God!


Other inspection doesn't seem too heartening, though. Here the "ringto" is cracking, due to mistakes made by the mason. It will have to be rebuilt again.

At this corner you can see the joint is weak. Surely not strong enough to support the heavy roofing timbers! As we learn to trust the great Manager of our times and seasons, we see His hand of mercy in it all. "It is good that the timber is delayed," Lawrence acknowledges, "because if the roofing was done when this weakness was not noticed, the roof might have crumbled. It is a blessing."


Isn't this true of our lives? In mercy God sends adversity and set backs. While we might see these troubles as needless delays, they are often critical for our growth. That is, if we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal our need and restore us. I don't like having to "redo" things anymore than you. But isn't better to humble down and receive correction and alignment in our lives, than to ruthlessly pursue high attainments - only to have our building come crumbling down about us later?

"Therefore will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy u0pon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him." Isaiah 30:18

Rains of Mercy

The rains have come to Makindu!

Do we thank God for rain? Do we stop to consider the life-giving source sprinkled so liberally upon us? Drops of mercy, every one. Sent from the One who knows our smallest needs - "that maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust" - the One who truly cares.

The reservoirs fill with with water again.

And rivers appear in the dry gullies, where marsh vegetation flourishes.

Wells brim up with a life-giving water for the dry months ahead. "Praise God and thank Him for the rains," Brother Lawrence writes. "We have had heavy showers and the crops have begun germinating where seed has been available."


God's mercies can be overlooked. The day-to-day needs are still pressing. There are many suffering in famine, hardly able to see beyond the need of the present. They come to the meetings, glad for the food hand-outs twice a week.


Yesterday's meeting was packed with visitors. Pray that more may come hungry for the Word of life and invest in the hour of their opportunity. The heavens have been opened upon the barren Savannah in more ways than one, bringing hope for the future and a witness to God's everlasting faithfulness. Who will prepare their heart for the gospel seed?

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till He come and rain righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12

Thank you for your patience

You probably have noticed the missing photos from past posts. Thank you for your patience as we work on correcting this problem!

Brother Lawrence and Sister Joyce are up in the Mount Kenya region visiting family members who are in serious affliction at this time. The work on the Makindu "home front" continues on with many needs and demands. We hope to have more updates soon. Please pray in the meantime!

How Hungry are You?

It is a wonderful thing to sit down to a full meal three times a day. That is, if you have a good appetite. True hunger is a sense that most of us have little aquaintance with. To eat until we are satisfied and renewed in energy is a great blessing. How often do we take it for granted?

I was reminded of what hunger means as I viewed some recent photos from the ministry in Makindu. Last Sunday a group made the trip out to the Kalembe settlement to hold a meeting and bring some food supplies. "Famine has now began to bite in this area as they did not harvest enough food last season," Brother Lawrence reports. "The congregation has to depend on donated food."


Daniel, along with his wife and four children, are the contact family for this area.


Here Brother Benjamin measures out the "relief maize" (white corn) which is a staple in Kenya. They will grind it into flour to cook as a porridge (called Ugali) to be eaten with vegetables, or cook it with peas, beans, and bananas as a hearty stew.


A group picture of the children. Many are priveleged to have others carry the burden of providing for their needs. A few are not.


Josphine and James are siblings that have been abandoned by their single mother. They are under the care of their old grandmother, and waiting in line for their share of maize.


These families have received their rations. "How grateful we are to have some brethren who care and love us. May the Dear Lord bless them more and more."


"Bidding us farewell after service and sharing of the relief food."


Not far away stand Josphine and James. It is noted: "They are clinging to their share of relief food given to them by the saints." Do we value our spiritual food as much, no matter how simple the truth or rough the packaging? May these precious little ones learn to claim the promise: "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." (Psalm 27:10)


In Makindu the work on the center progresses slowly as they await timber for the rafters. Here is a gathering for a Bible lesson in the yard of one of the families. "Studying under a tree is normal here when there are no houses of worship," we are told. "The resident houses are so small that a congregation cannot usually fit in. So we hold services in the open."


As seen in the far right of the previous picture, here is "a man and his family who are keen on knowing the truth. But they are not yet saved," the brother writes. "Please, pray for them."

Yes, let us be praying. Is it not a time to be hungry, dear ones? Hungry for those lost in sin to receive the light. Hungry to see God's work prosper in our midst. Hungry to take hold of the words of life and live off of them, as Jesus did. Did not He say, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6)? The Father holds the eternal supplies. The question is, How hungry are you?

When the demands get greater

In the midst of the construction of the new center building, the work of the ministry in Makindu has been expanding. Besides many people in the local vicinity needing physical and spiritual encouragement, Brother Lawrence was recently called out to the edge of a game reserve to hold a meeting. He made the trip on a rented motor bike and found a small settlement of thatched huts where a group of hungry souls were seeking God.


The couple on the right with their children were glad to host the gospel minister, and the meeting was held in the "house of prayer" shown below.

The people of the Kalembe settlement have built temporary houses on the edge of the game reserve because they have nowhere else to live.

Their income comes from selling firewood, which they collect from the surrounding countryside.

Despite their poverty and the risk of meeting up with the wild animals that roam this territory, these people have put their trust in God. Let us be praying for them.

Meanwhile, the work on the center is progressing as rapidly as time and resources will permit. The drainage pit is nearing its 20 foot limit, as the diggers are chipping at rock now:

They are planning to line it with cement walls to keep the sides from caving in during the heavy rains.

The building itself is looking more substantial now. Here we can see the cooperation and labor needed to construct the cement-and-wire beams that are being placed on the wall pillars:

"One, two, three, lift!" The wooden form for the cement beam (locally called a "ringto") is hoisted into place.

Mixing the concrete. The water has to be hauled from a distance.

"A real busy time competing to get the roof on before the rains. Please pray for us."

Here the "ringto bars" are put in alignment over the pillars.

Ready for the cement...


More willing workers.

Alvin is exhausted, but hopeful that they will be ready for the roofing soon. The roofing materials are expensive (nearly 4 thousand in US dollars), but the Lord is not limited.

Yes, the needs are abounding, and many demand time and strength and resources we don't have. In the face of such overwhelming odds, let us lift our eyes above it all to the One who supplies our help. In the words of Psalm 121 we can say boldly "the LORD is my keeper" and rely on resources and power that are unlimited. What a privelege to live in the care of the invincible God!

Built Up Together

This past month has been busy for the ministry in Makindu as they work on the new center building. Their goal is to get it completed before the prayed-for fall rains arrive. Though the work is tedious and hard, the Lord has blessed this time of laboring together. Here are some snap shots of the progress.


The building is being constructed with volcanic stone cemented with clay soil, since these materials can be obtained cheaply.


The stone is gathered from a quarry 30 miles away and hauled to the building site in a rented trailer, pulled by a tractor.


"Carrying the stone blocks to the masons is done by hand, one block or two at a time," Lawrence says. "We do not have equipment such as wheel barrows." With all the heavy hauling going on, he is thankful that no one has been hurt working on the project so far.


Three-foot trenches have been dug for the perimeter of the building.


In the trenches a hired mason has been laying the foundation...


...arranging the stones as the workers bring them.


What a great blessing to have a wheelbarrow loaned for the work!


Here you can see the foundational walls emerging, as the mason mixes the "mortar" to cement the stones together.


At the end of September the stem wall is up and the corner pillars begun. This 30x60 building will be internally divided into rooms, providing a place for the training classes and other activities to be conducted in.


Brother Lawrence at work on the walls. "We mean to go right on until the crown is won..." he says.


It is a blessing to work together in unity and have so many volunteers pitching in.


Near by a drainage pit is being dug. Using simple hand-picks and shovels is hard work. The finished size will be about 20x8x6 feet, which is about as deep as they can get without tools to brake through rock.


By the end of last week the corner pillars had been erected. The building is located on a small lot (100x100 feet) purchased earlier this year. "The owner has reserved for us other 3 plots of equal size and says they will wait for at least 6 months for us to raise the needed money (equivelent to $4,800.00) for them," Brother Lawrence says. "Our God owns every thing and we trust He will provide, if it pleases Him to have that size of the property for the center."


Two of the brothers that have been daily and consistently working at the site are Benjamin, a young minister, and Alvin, Lawrence's son. "Thank God for the young people who seem so dedicated for the service," Lawrence writes. "This frees me for other duties."


In the building of this simple physical structure there is a striking parrell to how God is working to build His church. We that were once "strangers and foreigners" have the privilege of being "builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22) What a wise and able stone mason He is!

If our part seem small or the weight of our responsibility too big, let us remember this is God's building. (1 Cor. 3:9) Praise the Lord, He knows what He is doing! If we rest on the sure foundation of truth, aligned with Christ, our cornerstone, it matters not what place He has chosen to put us. We can rejoice in being a part and let the Lord do the building!