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!
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
