Rejoicing in Hope

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another... rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." - Romans 12:10-13

What does it mean to live out this life of love and faith? It is certainly more than feelings or our natural disposition. But how wonderful to see what God's grace will accomplish hearts that are humble and filled with Jesus!

Brother Lawrence is rejoicing that his wife is now "back home, healed and ready to carry on with the service for the Master. Please, pray for her to be given the needed strength  and grace to walk the long trips to the house of worship. Knowing her, she will never want to stay home at service and meeting times." When the new residential building is complete, the Lawrence family is planning to move to the Bible Center. At this point they have a two-mile walk to get there. Please also pray for the need of a refrigerator for fresh vegetables and fruits, which will be important for sister Joyce's health.
 
Lawrence continues: We are praising the Dear Lord for His love and care all the time. Thanks, Dear Ones for the prayers we felt were going up on our behalf. The congregation at Kirege (Mufu) where my Dear wife has been staying, and where I have been coming and preaching several times as I attended to her [during the time of her recovery], is undergoing a wonderful shaking. A good number show a great change and the ones who have been persecuting us have apologized and asked for forgiveness. Please, pray that each individual goes all the way for God. 

We are looking forward to the meeting [starting tomorrow] at Makindu and expecting saints from Meru, Malindi, Nairobi and Embu, besides those from this area of Makindu. Please, please, pray on for this meeting. It is the first big meeting we have held this year. Those we have been holding, in the midst of my travelings to Nairobi and Embu to attend to my wife, are only short Bible studies with the local saints and ministers. Again, please, pray.

We have been plastering the walls of the residential building whenever we are able to afford a few bags of cement and sand. So it is going on slowly. The other big (expensive) undertakings are the drainage, electric wiring and connection, and doors and windows. The Lord has been so good to us and brought us this far and we are so grateful to Him. Praise the Lord.

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He That Waters

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. - Proverbs 11:25

It is a blessed thing to stand on the Word of God and see His promises prove out. In the midst of the recent needs and pressures, the Lord has enabled brother Lawrence to make a trip out to the coast for a gospel meeting at Malindi. It is wonderful to hear the joyous report of God's work there:
This young man, Kazungu, son of Naphtali (the pastor of the Malindi congregation), was enslaved by the devil all through his years. We have been praying for him since 2006. The Lord answered prayers this time and he gave his heart to the Lord. Glory to God. Please, pray for him.

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We met Naphtali in 2006 at Mombasa, where he was a preacher in a denomination. The Lord showed him His will and he decided to obey the Lord. The Lord told us to move to Malindi, and both our families relocated. Since then, the Lord has been progressively adding to His church. Naphtali has made some good progress and has been used of the Lord to reach others. Through him, the Lord has delivered some from the bondage of evil spirits, disease and sin. Please, pray for him and the work at Malindi.

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This is sister Peris Wanje (Naphtali's wife). Miraculously healed several times, her testimony has touched several hearts around Malindi.

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Daudi and his wife are helpers to Naphtali and Peris. Their work is blessed. Please, pray for them.

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The Lord sent Bro. Edward (from Mount Kenya area) to help us on this trip. He was very helpful and blessed. We thank the Lord for his humility and love for souls. Glory to God.

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Sister Joyce, instructing a newly saved soul.

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Some of the young people.

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Shadrack is leading a new congregation far inland along the valley of the Galana (Athi) River. He traveled many miles to attend this meeting. Please, pray for him and his congregation.

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Back in Makindu, the much-needed April rains have arrived. Praise the Lord! As these dear laborers return to their fields of duty, they are looking to the Lord to supply seeds for the spring crops. In freely giving of the spiritual riches entrusted to them, they are surely promised to be "watered also themselves" in their temporary needs. Let us be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

Laborers Together

The Spinks have returned from their Makindu mission trip with much to tell. Sunday evening was spent recounting their experiences with a photo slide show, and we rejoice to see God at work. It is a privilege to share in His labors in this far corner of the vineyard.

The blessings flowed in little ways...

Excited children hold up their colorful "Jesus Loves Me" bookmarks.

Almonds proved to be a favorite treat.

The literature table was crowded after every service.

The intensive week of meetings brought the ministers close as they shared burdens and labored together.
Standing together in the new Bible Center building.
Inspecting drying bricks, handmade with the local clay soil.
Brothers Lawrence, Mark, and Alvin working together on technical details.
A special kinship developed with Winnie and Melvin, as the Lord united hearts for the spiritual burden-bearing.

The trips to three outlying congregations gave more insight into the great needs these people face, while providing experience in spiritual warfare.

At Mbisu Mbiu on Friday...
Brother Melvin interprets the message.
Interceding for those that came forward with prayer requests.
As typical of these places, food was cooked over a simple fire pit in the kitchen hut.

And James Benson's congregation on Saturday...

A sister shares her testimony. Here and there were those overflowing with God's goodness.
An aged man testifies to being saved from witchcraft, which is a common recourse in this land.
The simple brick meeting house and kitchen hut.

Sunday was spent with Anastasia's congregation...
There were many children and youth at the meeting here.
And the burden for spiritual substance was very heavy on the preachers.
A special meal was served outside... and Anastasia asked for a prayer of dedication for her new meeting house.

Back in Makindu, they enjoyed last visits and good-byes.
Kenyan hospitality includes handwashing before meals - here at the Lawrence home.
A family photo: Josephine & Alvin (parents of oldest boy and twins), Wilma (and son), Mike, Evalyn, Joyce and Lawrence.
Dominic with his family - the youngest a new baby that his wife was told she could never have. They praise the Lord for His healing power!
Winnie and Melvin wave good-bye. Soon it is time to leave the dusty roads for the highway north to Nairobi and the flight home.

"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." - Psalm 126:6

Let Them Come...

The gospel meeting at Makindu this week was held in a rented hall, with daily services Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


People traveled from as far as Meru, near Mount Kenya (here brother Edward leads the service)


and the coastal city of Mombassa (a new young couple, Winnie and Melvin).


Some were curious, some hungry.


By God's blessing, there was food to nourish the body...



and Bread of Life to feed the soul. Here brother Lawrence translates for brother Mark. He reports, "He has been so blessed of the Lord that he preached for two days walking about in the rostrum and even jumping in praise to God. Thank you for prayers."


The ministers' wives, Joyce and Elois, served together in the kitchen.


Others shared the blessings of salvation through song.


The youth and their teacher were especially blessed to participate in the meetings.


James (center) has asked that a meeting be held at his congregation at Kawala, on Saturday. On Sunday the doors have been opened to go out to Anastasia's (in green) congregation at Kibwezi.


It is a joy and privilege to be one of those who have tasted of the living water and eaten from the tree of life. But it is even more wonderful to be able to share such blessings with the needy in the world around us.

"And the Spirit and the Bride say 'Come!' And let the one who hears say, 'Come!' And let anyone who is thirsty come. And let whosoever will take of the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17

And "let the little children come, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Love of God Shed Abroad

It is a great privilege to know the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. Certainly it is a treasure too good to keep to ourselves, and we can say with Paul "the love of Christ contraineth us." It calls us to consider the needy, to extend our energies to distant lands and cultures, to rejoice with others who "know the joyful sound" and pray for those who are distressed and afflicted.


We thank the Lord for the report from Makindu this week. When the announcement was given for the upcoming meeting, there was "a great stir among the youth," brother Lawrence says. "They wanted to come together to learn songs to use in the meeting. They came in, and for a week they had been in prayers and preparation for the meeting."


Though the building is still unfinished, it gives opportunity for classes to be held. This young sister has consecrated to help teach the youth.


Here an older sister (already a great-grandmother) gives instruction to the class. Brother Lawrence was encouraged to see his youngest son, Mike (seated in white), participate as well. For the last few months he has been seeking God and now testifies of the Lord's salvation. Certainly, "we love Him because He first loved us." Praise Him!


From experienced teachers to enthusiastic youth, seasoned believers to babes in Christ, this week's camp meeting has been much anticipated and planned for. Thank the Lord that He is able to meet the needs of the human heart and shed abroad His love in every soul that will yield to Him!


Sunday's message was given by the visiting minister from America, Mark Spinks, on God's perfect creation and the fall of man. Here the ministers and their wives pray with those that have come forward to seek God. Please pray for the Word of God to have free course in the meetings, and that the Holy Spirit will empower and illumine human hearts.

The desire is to hold meetings all this week, as God provides. Please pray for this field of labor. We are trusting the Lord to multiply the limited resources to meet the need!

Our Little in His Hands

The multitudes were hungry. They had come long distances and the wilderness didn't offer much to live on, but they had pressed out to hear Jesus. Now it was getting late and there was nothing to eat. Nothing? Well, only a little boy's lunch. Not enough for a hungry man. Certainly nothing to meet the need of the masses. But the Master said, "Bring it to me." And He gave thanks for the little that was placed in His hand, because He knew what He could do with it.

Today, as two dear children of God in America board their plane for Kenya, the image is the same. The need for these meetings in Makindu is too great for any person or group of people to ever reach. But we serve a great and mighty God. His power is not limited by famine or drought. His love is not stopped by culture or nationality. His Spirit is able to reach the deepest and most complex needs of society - and to divide between the thoughts and intents of every soul. How precious to put our little in His hands and sit down in expectation of what He can do!

Ask of Me

Asking. It seems a simple thing to do, but how often do we desire enough to really seek an answer?

Sometimes we are too busy to care.
Sometimes we are ashamed of being needy.
Sometimes we are afraid of being turned down.
Sometimes we think we've asked enough already.

There are limits to asking, aren't there? We've been taught that being dependent on others is avoiding our own responsibility. It isn't their job to carry our load, after all. And other people don't have all the answers, either. We all come to the end of our resources at some point... all of us humans, that is.

But there is one who says "Ask" and "Ask largely" and "Ask of Me and I will give..." Do we know that loving heart of generosity? Have we come close enough to see His vision of our need? Do we really desire to receive what He has to offer? Do we care enough for the need to ask, and ask largely?

As the needs for the August meeting in Makindu pile up, let us be asking God for what He has to give. He is not limited. And His vision of the need goes so much farther and deeper than our own.

We see the unfinished building, completed to rafter height and awaiting a roof (which cost seems prohibitive right now).


We see the people, spiritually and physically needy.


And those eager to share truth, yet still so young in their faith and understanding.

Here Alvin testifies - he is "living by his Bible" and speaks of God at every opportunity, but still needs God's equipping and sanctifying for ministry

Brother Dominic Malonza, who ministers at Mbisu Mbiu. The Lord has healed his wife, and they are now expecting a baby.

Dominic introducing the congregation to prophesy.

Brother Philip and his wife, sister Niomi, leading the singing in the Kimooini congregation.

In all these needs and burdens, what does our God see? What is possible in Him?

"Ask of Me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession." Psalm 2:8