Preparations

What are we preparing for? In this busy time of year with winter holidays and family gatherings, there is plenty to do and get ready for. Our schedules fill up. Our finances drain low. But why? What purpose drives us?

I was reading today about a voice that once cried in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!" (Matt. 3:3) How have we been responding to that call? Are we ready to acknowledge that One greater than all our best efforts and ideals has come, and that He is seeking entrance in our lives? Are our preparations cluttering the path - or clearing it for God to have His way? It is a sober thought.

We prepare for anticipated blessing, don't we? The work on the residential building at the Center in Makindu is progressing steadily, spurred by the desire to have a place for visitors to stay while attending meetings. Here laborers work on the interior walls:

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Lawrence reports: The walls have gone up about five feet now, but it is a wonderful blessing. Glory to God.

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Certainly God's preparations far exceed what we can do. Brother Lawrence shares: We are praising the Dear Master for His wonderful gracious works around here. We have had rains and the area is starting to look green and very beautiful. It coincides with the "Christmas" season here when many talk of changing their lives anew. The new green leaves remind many of the new birth...... Oh, that God would be given His due right to change and reign in each heart!

The children are active in their free time from school and are getting instructed in Christianity in the center. It is simply wonderful, and the second time it has been done around the center. Glory, glory to God! We look forward to His glorifying Himself a lot more. Praise the Lord.

As the busyness of the season fills our time and attention, let us not forget that it was a simple stable and faithful shepherds that received Christ first. God isn't looking for the great and accomplished, but the yielding hearts. Are we prepared to receive Him?

He Sees, He Cares

How often does it seem like He doesn't? If we go by the look of things, by our circumstances and feelings, we don't see the Presence of a loving God. It doesn't appear that the needs are being met or the situation is changing. Our minds ask for evidence. But God asks for our confidence. Our faith.

It is when we hold on to God and rejoice that He is seeing, He is caring, that we will see the way opened step by step. Faith isn't something that comes from evidence. It comes from a relationship - from knowing God. And, as we live to know Him, God's love and mercy can be seen in every detail...

There is glory in piles of sand

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And stacks of bricks

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And in working together that more may come and experience the mercy and grace of God.

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Lawrence writes: The walls of the building are now going up at long last. Praise the Lord. God is so good. We have been praying for a residential building for a long time. But now, the Lord is making the dream come true. Glory to His name!!

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As excited children, do we jump through the maze of God's promises and rejoice in their fulfillment - by faith?

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The future of this work is in God's hands. They are good hands. Two and a half years ago this work was still a dream in the heart of His people. Surely God sees and He cares about this little congregation of believers in a barren land. Praise Him!

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And, for those that have been caring about their desperate need of rain, brother Lawrence wrote today:
Thank you very much for prayers, Dear Ones. We have had two nights of heavy rains--yesterday night and the day before. It is a wonderful blessing from the Lord. We need prayers that the rains continue long enough for a good crop this season.

Laboring On

The famine conditions have continued to press in on the congregation at Makindu, but the labors in the Lord's work continue. Besides the spiritual labors, efforts have been made to provide meals and begin construction of a second building.

Lawrence writes: We have not yet built the kitchen to prepare meals for the destitute children and the congregation in times of severe famine. We do it outside, by the back of the building.

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Since the Center has been built and used for studies and teaching, the need for a boarding or residential house has become apparent. Here is the 60 x 100 foot plot that was purchased recently for this building:

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Here are the trenches laid out for the foundation:

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With stone bases for the walls:

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Praise the Lord for all His goodness. The bricks are ready and are being sorted and arranged in readiness for building.

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Let us keep these dear ones in prayer, as they labor on "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." If you also face great needs and few resources today, don't lose hope! Ask God to transform your perspective and strengthen you with His joy for the work - and your labor will not be in vain.    

Possessing the Promise

A promise is one thing. The Bible is full of promises to those that trust in the Lord. But possession is another matter altogether. It like the difference between holding a thousand dollar check, and actually buying something with it. The money is valuable, right? Only when it is used. 
 

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Consider John for a moment. He lives in this rented room with his mom and five siblings. He's only twelve, but he daily experiences the struggle for survival. Why is he so happy? Because he knows the power of God's promises.

Updating from our last post, here is John's testimony, shared by brother Lawrence:

John's father left the family many years ago. He took another woman, whom he lives with and has another family, though he serves as an elder in a religious sect here in Makindu. John’s mother, sister Dorcas Mueni, works to feed her children as a laborer in the farms around Makindu, or in the homes as a dishwasher/clothes cleaner, whenever work is available. They rent a single room near our Center.

Dorcas had found consistent employment on a farm nearby and had developed a habit of getting to work at 8 AM daily. But the famine brought other job seekers around and they reported to the farms earlier. One morning, as usual, she reported to work at 8:00 but found that her place had been taken by others. So she returned home feeling depressed, not knowing what to feed her children with that day. 

There was no school and the children had developed a habit of praying every morning for their mother. This particular morning, when she returned home after a few hours and told them that her position at work was taken by another person, she said that they would have nothing to eat for the day. That is when John responded and reminded her of Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them,” a scripture he had learned and memorized. Then he told her that they had prayed, and asked her to go out again, believing that she would get a job. 

It was late in the day, but she went out in a different direction and found work at the first place she asked, as John had said. She was told to report to the job regularly, and up to this day, she works in that place and feeds her children. 

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Consider the promises given us in God's Word: Peace which the world cannot give. Rest for your soul. Grace for every good work. Joy as your strength. Do you realize how valuable each one is - backed by the eternal treasures of heaven? If you haven't put them to use, ask the Lord to show you how to possess them and make them your own. He didn't give them to look at or long over wishfully. Real needs demand real answers. Our heavenly Father knows that. Don't you believe that He wants you to prosper in your soul and delight in His goodness today?

Not Forsaken

God is good. Do you believe that? What about when things don't look hopeful? When your prayers and desires aren't fulfilled like you had counted on? When you feel forsaken? It is time to look higher - to lift up your head and consider the Eternal One.

God is faithful, and it is for us to believe Him until faith is lost in sight. What does this mean? In the midst of famine conditions, brother Lawrence's current report from Makindu reveals hope and victory:

This month has began with heavy competing burdens and we are praying that the Lord  guides us as to what is best for now, with the building work challenging us and the personal survival efforts pulling on the other side, in the face of the famine and the ministerial burdens. The distribution of written lessons has ground to a stop. The production and distribution of CDs has also stopped as the funds have dwindled... But in all these things, we feel encouraged to go on with what the Lord has put in our hands. He is not dependent on us or on our strength. We are just what He has privileged us to be and we are contented to fill the place He has put us in. All I need is "go in full trust." He will do the rest. Please, keep praying for us.

The Lord is faithful and keeps His promises to us: "...God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore...be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Cor.6:16-18). We have experienced several miracles. The oldest lady in the congregation (over 70) had been attacked by disease, including swollen legs, etc. She has been healed and is undertaking personal evangelism to other older people. Her mother is still alive and she came pleading that we pray for her to be delivered of a demonic attack. The Lord delivered her, for which we are so grateful. After my healing, Wife was also taken ill and could barely make it to the house of worship for services. She was prayed for and now she is leaping and shouting as we walk the distance, and as she visits the homes with us. A mother of several children lost her job and had nothing for her family and herself. Her young son prayed for her to get a job and told her to go out in search for it. She testified that she started out late in the day and the first home she went to took her in and kept her at work, paying her daily. She came to church beaming with joy and gratitude to the Lord.... 

The Lord has never forsaken His children and He is not about to start it now.


Do you know this Father? God didn't mean for us to struggle and worry our way through life. "Come unto Me," Jesus said, "And I will give you rest." First come. Then you will receive the assurance, the peace, the goodness God has abundantly promised. If you are standing on the street in your troubles, it is time to forsake them and come knocking for admittance! It is your privilege to know the One who will "never leave you, nor forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)

Needing Another Miracle

Have you faced any extremities recently? In a life of faith we always look at impossibilities, but sometimes they seem to come in like a flood. 

That's been the situation recently for the brethren in Makindu. In the midst of the usual needs and responsibilities Brother Lawrence was brought low with a severe toothache. In answer to prayer the Lord has given him complete healing, and he testified today, "I am praising the Dear Lord... He removed one of my molars that was aching so bad. My jaw is healed and I don't have any more headaches or even side pains. We serve a great God... Glory, glory to God!" 

But being raised from a sickbed brings this dear servant of God face to face again with other necessities. The famine conditions have increased, and so several families are scattering to look for food and jobs. The burden to provide is weighing heavily. With limited resources and strength, what can be done to support his family and the needy around him? "I ask for prayers for another miracle," he writes. 

We all feel a need for miracles. The limits we have and the obstacles we face often feel overwhelming. It is time to call for help! We need to see the Supernatural in action. The path through the sea, the water turned to wine, the few loaves multiplied to meet the great demands... we need miracles, don't we? 

God is a miracle-working God. The Bible is full of evidence, isn't it? And God delights to do the impossible in answer to faith. No, He doesn't often work in the way we expect Him to - but the way that reveals to us that He is God. That He is unlimited and all powerful. And even more, that He knows us completely and is able to work all together for our good. The miracles He delights to do go far beyond the temporal and natural. They reach the hidden, untouchable and eternal needs that lie in our hearts. His miracles produce humility, patience, courage, faith, and Divine love.

Yes, let us ask our God for miracles today. We need them more than we know.

Laboring to Give

Jesus... Paul... the church at Philippi... they all labored to give. We like to think of miracles and a life with "every need supplied" and forget that work is involved. But suffering, drudgery, exercise, weariness - all gain a new purpose and beauty when we consider the Master's words: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." 

Our most recent update from brother Lawrence shares this practical aspect of ministry, as he has been laboring to find self-supporting opportunities for the congregation at Malindi: 

The fish business has been blessed of the Lord and we are trusting Him for the desperately needed deep freezer(s) and a pick-up van for transportation. Once we have these, more profits will be released. Please, pray for these needs. Apart from the marketing of the things we do to keep the family fed, the fish business is the only business venture we have tried that has been much more greatly blessed of the Lord. It combines with church planting in a new area, as we wait for the fishermen to deliver the catch. And it does not deter us from ministering, for which we are so grateful to God. It is wonderful to witness to a community that is not polluted with erroneous religions, and which is so receptive of the word of God. Thank you, dear ones, for help and for prayers. 

We are praying that God allows this to raise enough funds for the ministry at Malindi, and also for the rest of the work which has so many needs. The Makindu Center is not generating any income (until, perhaps when we transform it into an education center - but for now I an not led in that direction, as it slows down spiritual work as it demands more from us). It is in an area that is very poor and has few opportunities for people to make a living, except in the market and small water resource area. But Makindu is a rich "spiritual catchment" center of the Savanna areas of Kenya. People come here for Bible studies with us, and this is very good and encouraging.

At this time, Makindu has entered into a painful season of famine for food. It will last till the next rains (October to December) if God blesses us with enough rains. But we have learned that famine and other hard things bring some people closer to God where His word is mostly ignored. 

(This photo reveals the upcoming August drought conditions - current photos are still unavailable due to the lack of a camera at this time.)

Let us continue to uphold these labors in prayer and seek the Lord to be diligent in the work He gives us to do!