| | SERV Ministry Update As many of you know, Don is continuing our work with SERV Ministries International (www.servintl.org) to distribute food to the needy in conjunction with Glory Outreach Assembly churches and orphanages, Baptist Mission of Kenya, The Moi Foundation (started by the former President Moi), and Share International. It's amazing to see whole communities coming together because of this tangible evidence of Christ's care and compassion for the poor. Many times, the pastors in Kenya struggle with their own survival and yet their hearts break when congregation members are starving or being kicked out of their homes. These pastors are very grateful to have something to give to help the very poor in their churches.
We've also been able to help give food to individuals. We've had many friends of our struggle with rent and food and because of SERV Ministries, we been able to help them. Unemployment is 40% here and there are many good people, even those who have been to college, that are struggling to find some way to feed their families.
The 410 Bridge's (www.410bridge.org) ministry in Joska, where Christ Compassion Rehabilitation Center is located, has also been very helpful in organizing events in conjunction with the distribution of this food. John Mutahi, Director of CCRC, and the 410 Bridge Leadership Council in Joska decided on the best way to distribute the food - to have a crusade! We arranged a meeting with the pastors of the community to see if this was even a good idea. They were very happy, and they gave great advice on how to proceed. They'll help with singing, testimonies, preaching, and music, and we'll show The Jesus Film in Kenyan Swahili. (Thanks, Brother Bob Sweat for giving us this DVD and a projector that works where there's no electricity!) The CCRC older kids are also very excited. They've written and been practicing some contemporary Kenyan gospel music - even rap. Poa sana (very cool!).
Now I hear from the leaders in Joska that over 500 are expected! I've heard many are curious to see the Americans and others are in desperate need for food. May God use whatever tool He wants so that people will hear His Good News! | | New Ministry on the Horizon We're embarking on a new ministry, one that we were not expecting, and perhaps even resisting, but that God has literally brought to our doorstep -- a ministry to single mother families. We've all read of the overwhelming orphan situation in Kenya and Africa, but most mothers, given a chance, would never want to give up their baby. There are always extenuating circumstances where that is the only option, but most absolutely love their children.
We have our first family already living at our home - a mother, daughter and son.
Some ideas in the very early development stage:
1. Teach these moms a skill. We have found a female missionary from Uganda that's been living and working in Kenya for many years, and her "tent-making" is beautiful embroidery. I've never seen such beautiful work! She's agreed to help teach. Though, since not everyone can embroider, other ideas are needed.
2. Build-out of a half-way house. These families are bumped from one place to another, unable to pay rent, and are usually underweight and often with medical complications. Their children are also suffering physically. We have an unfinished home on our property that can be used for such families that are in dire need. Long-terms plans might include purchasing land and building low-income housing to give a family or village atmosphere instead of the sort of "warehouse approach" of large orphanages or rehab centers. There's even a free public primary school across the creek behind our home (free after paying entrance fees and school uniform).
3. Bible study and counseling to build crushed self-esteems and encourage them that they, too, have a purpose. We've met a group of Kenyan women pastors who are dedicated to educating the church that oppression of women is spiritual oppression of the whole church. They've agreed to extend their ministry to our place and we hope to help them hold conferences and seminars to leaders, schools, and the general public. And, when you think you're worthless and a man shows you attention, it's easy to succumb, resulting in more babies and deeper poverty results. Many of these women have stories of a life-time of abuse and neglect, though only in their 20s and 30s. Also, there is a sort of poverty mindset that's hard to break.
4. Teach how to build "kitchen gardens". This was an inspired idea by Glory Outreach Assembly pastor Peter Muchiri. We could use our property for growing food for these families, teaching also about planting, cultivating, etc. We've already harvested lots of maize and some bananas, so the soil is good. Our property also butts a small river so we could carry or pump free water for the gardens.
5. Medical care. When you can't find food, taking care of your health is way down on the list, though, the worry is always there! We have spent so much of our donor funding (I'm talking thousands of dollars!) on doctors and medicine for the needy. They have come with intestinal blocks, severe asthma, junky coughs, yellow eyes, and HIV. General healthcare is needed as well as testing for HIV, TB, typhoid, worms, amoebas, and malaria. These women and kids have been neglected. We need help to get them healthy again. The Lord has set before us a ministry that's really about family preservation and our personal investment in people's lives. And, yes, though this whole idea is fraught with risks, but it's a ministry we can no longer ignore.
We ask for help: - PRAY and pray some more for Holy Spirit guidance
- Help us with ideas and encourage us
- Challenge our thinking so that this develops into a strong ministry
| | CCRC Update - Laura is still facilitating "Walking the 12-steps With Jesus Christ" each Saturday. It's a Bible study to help overcome anything that is out-of-control in your life. These guys (and 3 girls) are incredible young people. One young lady told me that understanding the Bible has always been difficult, but now using our book, she is teaching devotions at night! (I asked if she wants to be a pastor. She said, "No; a bishop!" and gave the most beautiful smile!)
- The church at CCRC is still going on each Sunday. The pastor, Mary Mugo, is doing a great job and the church is growing. Every Sunday there are new visitors.
- The 410 Bridge (www.410bridge.org) is doing lots of construction! Their most recent project is to build a wall around the center for more security. (It's also a requirement by the Kenyan government.) On a recent visit, they held a big community feast and over 200 people came for fellowship, games, and food. I heard one woman say, "I never knew there were so many children in this area!" They're helping the people of Joska to become a close-knit community.
- Bright Point (www.BrightPointforChildren.org) is working closely with 410 Bridge here in Joska and is helping toward the basic needs of the children (food, clothing, school, and staff salaries). They've paired each child with an American couple or family. Now, we no longer struggle for finding enough food and the children now are actually beginning to think about their purpose in life!
- Partners For Care, affiliated with International Leadership Institute (www.iliteam.org) helps with fresh vegetables, milk and fruit. Recently, they gave funds to build a pig project. Construction is already underway! CCRC will raise the pigs, which can be a profitable business here; PIC is helping us toward our goal of self-sufficiency.
- Along The Way (www.alongthewayministry.com), a new ministry that is also helping Merciful Redeemer, is trying to raise money for cow and a cow shed. This will help us tremendously because the children drink so much milk! This is another way to cut on costs and maybe even sell the surplus.
- A Sunday School class at Roswell UMC just recently sent money to finish the floor of the big hall! Now, we'll have smooth floors for church, bible studies, youth group, meetings, and meals!
- We're still trying to find land to grow vegetables. The owner of land adjacent to CCRC changed his mind about selling, so keep praying about a plot nearby.
- Local churches and individuals are always gracious to spend time at the Center, helping with various ministries, visiting the children, and acting as mentors and godly role-models.
- AND, there are so many others who've helped through individual donations, prayers, email correspondence with the children, planning business ventures for the older boys, and more. I can't begin to list everyone who has helped. But one thing is obvious - God must love these children so much and He must have a great purpose for them!
| | Friday Bible Study Our Friday bible study continues. Some recent topics are what the Bible says about suffering (based on Suffering and God: A Theological Reflection on the War in Sudan by Isaiah Majok Dau - very interesting book!), facts surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection, identifying false authorities, and Genesis 1-3.
We recently had new visitors come, about 5, from a local church. After their second visit, we realized they had cult-like doctrine and prayed using majin, or a type of evil spirits. We prayed SO much about how God wanted us to handle this situation, and God asked us to love them into the Kingdom - warmly welcome them, gently correct, but also not allow them to pray during our Bible study. Help us pray for these new comers and please pray for our own protection! (We know, too, that the Lord has anointed our property as a place of prayer and peace, and the aim of the enemy is to destroy.) | | Family Update Zack just celebrated his 12th birthday, about two weeks before Laura celebrated her 42nd. His passion is soccer. Zack plays for the 14 & Under soccer team at his school West Nairobi School (WNS) and practices with the 17 & Under soccer team. His first position is right wing with an occasional stint at striker. He recently scored a goal in a victory over opponent Rosslyn Academy.
Drew began the school year as a trumpeter in band. However, he recently moved to saxophone and now plays quite handily "Mary Had A Little Lamb". Drew has improved scholastically. We thank God for this progress and are pleased to see Drew accomplishing higher scores with a greater interest in his subjects than the preceding year. And all this on top of the time required practicing his sax and, of course, visiting his friends. Thank you all for praying! Laura and Don are back in language school. Our previous instructor provided us with a foundational knowledge of Swahili vocabulary and grammar. Our new instructor, like our old, is also a minister. He is theatrical in and out of class which tends to enliven our interest in the language and culture as never before. | | | May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forever more,
Don and Laura Dickerson
www.DickersonMissions.com | | |
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