 Personal Message
After two years of trying to soak in the Kenyan culture, the Dickersons can finally call Kenya a home away from the Motherland. It has been two years of learning the Kenyan culture, the people, their circumstances and the country's spiritual condition, as well as being a period of observing, listening to God's voice and establishing ministry rapports. "The more I learn, the more I realise how little I know about Kenya. I have been here for two years but a situation can arise and I just will have no idea how a Kenyan would respond," confesses Laura. She is very excited about the direction God is taking their ministry in Kenya. To her, it is a confirmation of what God had spoken to them after arriving in Kenya through the book of Isaiah 37:30. "This year you will eat from what grows by itself, and in the second year, what springs from that. BUT in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat there." This is the beginning of the third year. It is time to dive into ministry - full swing! | | | Empowering the woman A new dawn, a new ministry On several occasions, the Dickersons have worked with women in Kenya but God is now leading them to move an extra mile and embark on a ministry dedicated for women-especially single mothers. A single mom of two is already living with the missionary family in their property at Karen. Her story of anguish reflects what majority of single mothers experience in their day to day life. Much is spoken about the plight of the orphans but not as much is said about the single mothers- many of whom, given a chance, would not abandon their children. Many married women are not spared either. Some feel caged in traditions that tend to oppress and undermine a woman. Some still feel comfortable in their traditional roles. They feel they have no power to do anything about it. They feel abused and short-changed but are fearful to make any change. However, there is a crack of dawn through the walls of this old-age prison! Some women have realized that they too are created in the image of God and have a part to play in His Kingdom. These pioneers of Kenya have a great spiritual sense and are committed to reinforce the change that would see every women enjoy the freedom that God intends for his children. It is the battle for respect and identity, a situation that reminds one of America in the late 60s and early 70s. God is at this time awakening and equipping the Kenyan woman so that she can serve Him fully, without any fear or doubt. And as this takes place, it will be interesting to see what God has in store for women through the Dickersons' new ministry, a ministry that intends not only to serve the spiritual condition of a woman but empower her to be the way God sees her. Keep praying and sharing your ideas with the Dickersons as their ministry continues to take shape. The single mother is the beginning point, offering her some job skills, low-income housing, family counseling among other empowerment programs that God may enable them to put in place. The more you speak the more you are invited Recently, Laura spoke at a women conference in Nairobi's Umoja estate. She spoke on the power of prayer and later prayed for the women. They had a wonderful time of worship as the Holy Spirit was present in a powerful way. The invitation to minister at the conference followed an earlier visit to a woman-led Church in Kayole Estate. The Gospel Minister, Pastor Margaret, is one of the women preaching Christ's love in the sprawling slums of Nairobi. The vulnerability of slum dwellers to cult exploitation tends to make their job more difficult but they are committed to teach God's word as it is. Still, many of the people calling themselves pastors in the slums seem to be happy when their congregations remain poor so that they can remain dependant on them for prayers and other kinds of help. They fear that by freeing their congregation from the bondage of poverty, they will leave their churches for a better life else where. But there are those like Pastor Margaret who have been to Bible school and are willing to keep Christ the focus of their ministry and set the captives free. Laura will this month be speaking at another womens' conference in the Western part of Kenya between 12th and 13th. Keep her in prayers. She was invited immediately after ministering at the Umoja conference. The lives of CCRC boys and girls continue to improve and flourish. And it amazes one how far little can go in changing someone's life. Some times we wish we had so much in order to do so much but a look at CCRC children today proves that a little here and a little there is enough to put someone back on track. "One thing I love about Kenya is the people's sense of community. At Joska where CCRC is situated the community has rallied behind the children. They make them feel they have brothers and sisters," notes Laura. She is a mother's figure to the CCRC kids although she has nowadays learnt to be more realistic and not so romantic as some children are still struggling with fundamental issues like telling lies and drug dependency, "but that is exactly why they are at the centre- to be rehabilitated," she adds. She resumes facilitating the"Walking the 12 steps with Jesus Christ' the first Saturday of January, following soccer games held for the children the previous two weekends and other forthcoming events. The Friday Bible study is still on at the Dickerson residence. This Friday we learnt about how to live in respect and harmony. We learnt that it is bad to judge others and that all of us shall stand before God one day. We were reminded of how Jesus treated the tax collectors and pagans, with love and humility to win them over. Last Friday we learned that it was scientifically feasible by divine interposition of a strong wind blowing out of the east, for the Red Sea to part, enabling the Israelites to cross in their escape from the Egyptian army. Testimony Leah Mumbi has a testimony about God's faithfulness. She is age 58 and a single mother of three. She recalls how she got a job with the Dickersons after two weeks of prayers and fasting. "Two years ago, I was in a situation where I really needed God to intervene. My son Maina had tested HIV positive and I had no money to take care of him. When I met the Dickersons, God provided the money to pay a huge bill at Kenyatta Hospital besides giving me a job with them. My other son, Mathenge, suffers from asthma and has been having serious eye problems. He is a bright young adult but he can not proceed with his college studies due to this problem. Our Friday Bible study fellowship has been praying for him and I believe that God will eventually heal him. He was scheduled for an eye surgery last weekend but the surgeon said his eyes were not ready for the operation. He now has to wait until March. Please pray for him. "May God bless the Dickersons and all those who stand with them in ministry. God has used you greatly to bless my family and demonstrate His love and care to us and many other people. Maina lives with us here and God has always provided for his medication and meals." Leah is the Dickersons' domestic help. | |
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Thank you Dear donors, as a humble extension of your heartfelt generosity, the Dickersons continue in this ministry together with you. Thank you for all that you pray, do, and give through us on behalf of those who may be the least and the lost but are, most importantly, the loved ones of God. | |
