Newsletter Title Dickerson Missions Update July 2009           Someone's life will never be the same again   The hour has come for the Dickersons to say good-bye to their friends in Kenya and return to America after four years of serving God in Africa.   Their obedience to God's calling was not in vain as every chapter of the four years has a good story to tell - children who had no hope of ever going to school are now singing, "God is good"; mothers who had given up all hope are now saying, "God is merciful."   Those that society had rejected found consolation in our gracious Lord, when the missionaries broke into their loneliness with the message of the unfailing love of God.   But there were challenges too which, fortunately, helped in the process of transforming both the missionaries and those to whom they had been sent.    "I always knew I was a little gullible but I have had to develop a sense of discernment over the years to be able to know the truth while listening to people, as well as knowing God's direction in ministry." Laura Dickerson.   There were many advisers; some misleading, others God-led. But relying on God for direction always gave them the sense of focus they needed.   Earlier in ministry, they used to get overwhelmed by peoples' problems but have now realized they just needed to know their part and do it well.    "So many people here were pushing us to start our own church but it was clear that God was not calling us in that area. We instead saw a gap in ministry, of churches ignoring single mothers and their children. It also seemed that God kept bringing single mothers and their children to our gate for help." Laura.   As they began to embrace single mothers and widows who came to their home for help, God led them to do more than just giving a packet of unga (flour).   In their obedience, Turning Point Ministries (TPM) was born to wholly help the mother and her child, not just financially through training or business, but emotionally and spiritually. While many micro finance programs are doing their best to fight poverty through small loans, the spiritual component of poverty is frequently not addressed.   TPM is not just empowering mothers financially.  The ministry is helping to free them from dysfunctional behaviors and sometimes demonic oppression. TPM works with their beneficiaries one-on-one to help free them from over-dependence upon others and learned helplessness, commonly referred to as the 'victim' mindset. We partner with area churches that are biblically sound to provide additional mentoring and accountability.   The family that meets TPM's criteria for enrollment goes through the following empowerment stages:               Phase One - Rebuilding Phase (Up to one month) Many moms and their children enroll in TPM suffering from malnutrition and treatable diseases. -          Physical health -entrance physical exam, Voluntary Counseling Test (VCT) for HIV, vitamins for one month, and necessary medications. -          Emotional/spiritual health - pastoral counseling and/or psychological counseling, prayer, mentoring, Bible studies, and building self-esteem -          Scholastic - get children into school (admission fees, uniforms, school supplies)   Phase Two - Equipping Phase (Month one through six) As the physical health of the mother and her children improves, the mom moves into a business or job training so she can later provide for her family. -          Job training or Trade school - increases chances of finding a better paying job that will sustain the family -          Starting a business - once training is finished, some assistance may be required to start a business (such as hair-styling, selling vegetables, or selling second-hand clothes)  -          Emotional and Spiritual encouragement and counseling is continued -          Join a Bible study or prayer group -          Coordinating with the mom's pastor for continuity and accountability.   Phase Three - (Six to Twelve Months) It may take up to 12 months, and sometimes more for special situations, for a mom to graduate the TPM program. -          Accountability visits to home and business -          Assistance, if needed, to connect to surrounding community through established women's groups, local Bible studies, and church programs. -          Emotional and Spiritual encouragement and counseling is continued -          Continued coordination with the mom's pastor and church   Five women have so far been assisted by TPM. Four have successfully graduated to live independent lives.   Following a longstanding mutual relationship between the Dickersons and SERV Ministries International's top leadership, TPM has now become a project of SERV in Kenya.   One of the roles of a missionary is to mentor and empower the locals and work with them to run the ministry. Amos Mirera and Margaret Mumoki will be managing TPM in Kenya while and once the Dickersons leave.   As they settle back into the United States, the Dickersons will be involved in fundraising and marketing for TPM and SERV Ministries International in America. Laura will resume her M.Div. online with Asbury Theological Seminary. Don will resume a career in environmental engineering.   "I will miss Kenya. It took me more than three years to be comfortable with the title of Pastor...I have now accepted that I am, having realized that it is not me but Christ working through me to accomplish His work. The hardest part was when it came to say bye. I found myself avoiding most of my friends just to avoid saying goodbye     - but saying bye was a good and important thing to do but tear-jerking." Laura.   "Some Kenyans are devoted to family and community. Still others - politicians and 'pastors' - so love themselves and money that they steal the very funds, freedoms, and lives of those they profess to serve.    Narcissism, demagoguery, lies to uphold false reputations, and blame avoidance-just a few of the highly predictable sins I have seen played out in Kenyans who live apart from the will of God. Of course, these same sins are daily exhibited in people from my homeland who make international headlines. Worse, temptations to commit them creep into my own life, being efforts by Satan to ruin my witness for Christ.   But sin can also serve as that level ground upon which both the lost and redeemed have equal footing. On it, the unsaved Kenyan and I can commiserate with one another over two important aspects of our realities, however different they might otherwise appear.   First, that sin exists and second, that apart from Christ, we are powerless to stop it in our lives. Operating on this premise, I can truthfully say that while learning much more than I ever taught here, Christ has used me to better the lives of a few Kenyans and them to better mine." Don.   Other accomplishments made possible by donors in the United States: Helped build, support, educate, and encourage churches in Burundi, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda Lectured hundreds in Kenya, DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda Christian community outreach, crusades, and evangelism all over Kenya Personally gave and managed micro-finance loans and grants to the poor and the extreme poor (those making less than $1 per day).   Turning Point Ministries PO Box 15297-00509 Langata, Nairobi.

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May 2009 TPM Newsletter Updates and Testimonies Hope returns after years of agony   There was great havoc in the city when his father and grandfather were slain in ethnic clashes. His nurse picked him up and fled but as she hurried to leave, the five year old fell and became crippled.   He was later consigned to a remote village where he grew feeling isolated and worthless.   Yet, God had a good plan for this man, Mephibosheth.   The plan began to unfold when He stirred the heart of King David prompting him to ask whether there was any one left from Saul's family. "If so, I'd like to show him some kindness in honor of Jonathan."   When he heard that a lame man living is some village was the only one left, he immediately sent for him.   Mephibosheth was brought to King David and he consoled him saying, "Don't be frightened. I would like to do something special for you in memory of your father Jonathan...I am returning to you all the properties of your grandfather Saul. Furthermore, from now on you'll take all your meals at my table."   The lame man was baffled and humbled to imagine that such a thing could happen to 'a dead dog' like him.   But the Anointed One of God, who has such a heart for the hurting and those considered outcasts, brought a Turning Point in the lame man's life.   His doors are still wide open to those the society has isolated today; that they may enter His rest and experience Him.   This is the area of Ministry that God has invited us (Turning Point Ministries) to participate in, a call to reassure the starving, homeless, widowed, wounded single moms and the orphans of His love, through Word, Deed, and Sign.   "When you put up a dinner next time, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks.   "You'll be, and experience, a blessing.    "They won't be able to return the favor but the favor will be returned-oh, how it will be returned!-at the resurrection of the Just." (Christ in Luke 14:12-14)    Inspired to follow Christ "I was inspired to follow Christ by His true followers when I observed them practice what they teach. With time, I strongly desired to teach and walk like them.   "When I shared my observations and desire with my mum Laura [Dickerson], she encouraged me and gave me a chance to do a devotion at the Eternity Missions Bible College where I often accompany her as she goes to teach.   "I did not quite enjoy standing before keen adults the first time, but was encouraged when they said they were blessed.   "Little by little, I have gained confidence and developed passion for the work of God. If this is how He desires to work through me, I am ready." Carolyne, Dickerson's foster daughter aged 17.         Community Work "Having worked in the pediatric ward of Kenyatta National Hospital(Kenya's biggest), I understand the bond that mothers have with their children. It gave me a lot of pleasure to see children go home with happy mothers, after getting well. With time, I developed a desire to work in the community with mothers for healthy living. Many live in unsanitary conditions that make them take their children to the hospital frequently and later struggle to pay bills.   "Many too live in ignorance of the saving grace of God.   "As a nurse with TPM, I really enjoy my work since I am now able to meet them in the community and share much on family and health  matters, as well as the word of God." Margaret Mumoki, TPM's Nurse and Laura's assistant in the TPM ministry to women.       Challenging but  Cool "Life in Kenya is a little challenging especially if you are living away from the people and the things you love in your home country. It has been for three and half  years!    "Although there are many differences between America and Kenya, I can say that Kenya is my home away from home. I have learned many things in this country, like to be happy with what I have; like getting three meals a day-some people are happy if they just manage to get one or two meals a day.   "Other than that, I have had a great time playing soccer with my friends. Over all, being a missionary kid has changed my life forever." Zack Dickerson, age 13         Dawn after Night of terror Rose Night is a 31 years old single mother of three, with no vocational training but talented in hair dressing. The gift has been her source of income since being battered and divorced by a cruel husband seven years ago.   "This was the most devastating moment in my life. I felt like someone heartless had rolled up my life and damped it in the middle of a valley strewn with dry bones. The feeling kept hurting me until the day I received Christ and joined Pastor Margaret's church at Soweto. It was like a lucky dawn after a night of terror"   Rev. Margaret is one of the pastors TPM supports in Kenya. Her church is in Soweto slums adjacent to Nairobi's Kayole estate.   Though a hard worker, she is still unable to make ends meet. Rose believes her diligence could be more rewarding if she owned a salon.   "With my own salon and more hard work, I will be able to pay house rent on time, dress and feed my children properly as I grow to realize my vision and encourage others to put their trust in God."   After a considerable relationship with Rose, TPM  feels led to help this lady start her business. A single mother, disciplined Christian, and proven hard worker, Rose becomes the fifth woman to qualify for TPM'S rebuilding and equipping program for single moms and widows in Kenya.   Below is a list of what she needs to start her business.                     Hair dryer $109                     Blow dryer $58                     Chemicals $39                     Hair oils & shampoos $32                     Treatments & neutralizers $19                     Showercaps/earpads/drapers $19                     Rollers & combs $13                     Towels $19                     Large water can & basins $13                     Water heater/coil $7                     Water sink $19                     Trolleys $13                     Mirrors & pins $26                     Six plastic chairs $58                     Shelves & Carpenter $39                     Office paint & signboard $13                     Business license fee $67                     Office rent & deposit $308                                                   TOTAL $871   Be a blessing to Rose as the Lord may lead you. Send donations with 'Rose' in the 'For' line of a check to:                    SERV Ministries International                Turning Point Project, Rose Night                500 Arnold Mill Way                Norcross, GA 30188   100% of your donation goes to the actual recipients of TPM!                                      Conferences   TPM partners with churches in both rural and urban Kenya to reach God's people through conferences.   Don Dickerson recently gave a five day bible exposition on the book of Nehemiah during a life-transforming conference held at the Eternity Gospel Church and Ministries at Karen in Nairobi Kenya.   "It was the first conference to attend since giving my life to Christ early this year. The teaching on the book of Nehemiah was particularly very interesting to me because of the illustrations and the humor the teacher used to help us understand.  I left the conference a "new Nehemiah", ready to participate in what God is doing in my family and the community. I was reminded that I have what it takes to participate in rebuilding the broken walls in my generation" Daniel Chege, East Land, Nairobi.   Laura Dickerson had a chance to rest through the Nehemiah seminar after ministering during a women's conference in the countryside of Kenya for three days alongside Rev. Margaret from Soweto. They also preached in crusades for two days and visited the sick in the evenings at their homes.   "I was pleased to see the Mzungu (white) preacher dressed just like a local woman and speak on things we are going through on this side of Kenya and share familiar experiences with us.  I thank God for giving me the opportunity to attend the meeting." Sophia Wangare, Nyeri town.   "Rev. Margaret has moved me. That despite all she is going through, she chose to join Laura in this very involving mission...ignoring her afflictions to come here for Christ.  It has challenged me." Rev. Paul Wanjohi, conference host and the pastor of New Life Church in Nyeri.    Shortly after the conference, Rev. Margaret lost her beloved son, Luke, to typhoid fever. Luke led her mother, sister and one of his two brothers to Christ. He has been a great source of encouragement to his mother, a woman who has suffered so much in the hands of his unbelieving father. But it probably had to take Luke's death for the father to turn from evil and give his life to Jesus. He received Christ a few days after his son's burial on 2nd May this year. One can almost hear the Master telling Luke,"Well done, good and faithful servant."   A Team of East Africa Missionaries from Uganda and Tanzania is praying with Margaret's husband for his deliverance, a process that continues even after his receiving Christ. The Team, led by missionary Elizabeth, comes to Kenya occasionally for rest and replenishment at the Dickerson residence in Karen. We thank God for answering our prayers for Rev. Margaret's husband.                                    Food Evangelism   About 1000 families have so far benefited from SERV and USAID Food Distribution Initiative for the starving families in Kenya.   Besides being a fight against hunger, the program is an evangelism effort from SERV to touch lives for Christ.   Lodwar is among the most severe hunger-stricken areas in Kenya but local as well as international well wishers have come to the rescue of the Turkana people and the neighboring tribes, such as the Pokots.   SERV is also reaching the Turkana community through House of Hope Orphanage, which now shelters 15 orphans and seven Turkana workers. Inviting the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind and other easily forgotten people to Christ's great supper remains the main business of Turning Point Ministries as well as other projects of SERV International Ministries here in Kenya.   Thank you for your continued support.   "..Go out at once into the city streets and lanes and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame...compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled." Luke14:21-23      Don and Laura Dickerson SERV Missionaries to Kenya   Don@DickersonMissions.com Laura@DickersonMissions.com

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Feb 2009 Newsletter

February 2009 Victories and New Directions We thank God for whatever He is doing through you, and through our little works of faith to shine His glorious light in this world He so loves.   As we witness desperate cases surrender to His everlasting hope and bondages give way to His power, our hearts abound with more joy while we praise Him for the opportunity and grace of serving Him by serving others here in Kenya.   Think of the desperation of a mentally disabled orphan in the hands of her ailing grandmother; fighting for survival through the desert life of Lodwar. A starving grandmother, with no strength left to fight for her own life, let alone her granddaughter Topos.   Yet in their situation, Christ Jesus chooses to demonstrate His absolute love for all humanity. All, including Topos and others, whose plight He is always ready to bear.    In This Issue HOH update TPM Expansion New Directions With Original Purpose "The Garden Beyond" Many Thanks and TPM Update Relief Food Distribution   SERV is still distributing two containers of food to starving families in Kenya. Two more containers are on the way to the country from the US.   The House of Hope, a project of SERV Ministries International, is now the place that Topos, alongside 14 other orphans call home; a place of rest and healing from hurts of life.   Turning Point recently visited the Orphanage and the children are, glory to God, radiating with hope!   Topos improvement is especially amazing. She is less noisy, able to walk uprightly, get water when thirsty, as well as feed without assistance. She also, unlike before, knows her bed plus her name.   When you call, she smiles back, underscoring the fact that indeed, a miracle is turning her life around. A special school  for the mentally handcapped has been identified in Eldoret and she will be admited as soon as funds for her tution and upkeep are available. There is hope and destiny for this little girl of Lodwar as well as others that SERV is reaching through TPM across Kenya. TPM Expansion   Meanwhile, the Ministry to the orphans and widows is in the safe hands of Margaret Mumoki, TPM's nurse with over 20 years work experience as a professional nurse in Kenya's leading hospitals, like Kenyatta National Hospital. We pray that as TPM's ministry scope expands, we shall through grace and God's provision, effectively transform lives for Him.                                    New Directions with Her Original Purpose Laura was connected to Etermity Gospel Church after an experience she had one January morning of 2009.   As she woke in early morning, Laura was struggling to do an easy thing-open her eyes. It was weirdly difficult. She attempted to lift her head off the pillow but it was like breaking a coconut on her knee. Everything was moving in circles in her head, an experience like none she could recall. Every time she opened her eyes, the room would spin and she'd become nauseous.   Normally when she has headache, she is still able to read a book or write but this morning, she couldn't move or open her eyes without getting sick. "I know this is just the Devil trying to keep me from going out for missions!" she thought to her self. She began to summon some strength for a warfare prayer but suddenly, a voice came, of God speaking to her heart. It was about the noble work she has been doing for Christ by helping the widows, orphans and struggling women pastors through TPM.   But now there is an equally noble work she has not been doing as much as He needed, which was using her gifts of teaching plus healing and deliverance to edify the church. The encounter turned out to be the first Turning Point of the Turning Point Ministries.   When it ended, so did the grip of dizziness on her. "At that point I realized that God had put me in that position to speak to me. I had been so busy for Him that I had no time to spend some good time just listening to Him."   Immediately, God directed her to call Reverend Kaloki, the senior pastor of the Eternity Gospel Church and Ministries.  Amazingly, her gifts of teaching, healing and deliverance turned out to be like a prayer answered for the church.   Laura is now, besides teaching at EMBC, visiting and praying for the sick with Pastor Miriam, the residential pastor and wife of R. Kaloki. On Saturdays, they minister to people at the church through the healing and deliverance ministry.   "While teaching, the most interesting part is when the whole class discusses a question from a student on his or her personal life."  Laura. [The following is a satire written by our TPM Communications Director] The Garden Beyond by Amos Mirera   As one body the birds of Karen fly, just scant meters above the lush crops of the Mbagathi River Valley. Smoothly they negotiate sky and forest like a single squadron on the mission of their lives.   As they swoop into the Dickerson compound to perch upon corn stalks before feeding, the squadron leader chirps a ballad meant to mock both man's best friend and man himself. Nearby, the Dickerson's Dog-In-Command, Daisy, is subjected to the humiliating song without relent.   Though she sports the jaws of the lion And can swipe with claws like the bear Our champion lacks any wings to fly on And so resorts to flailing her paws in the air.   Though she rivals the speed of a cheetah And the dread tenacity of the bull, The chain of the tree keeps her from using either, Regardless how tightly she pulls.   Even the black-faced monkeys scoff at her plight Between their theft of the best beans and tomatoes Every season we birds make this flight Growing fatter on the maize and potatoes   As they sing in a language that she seems to little comprehend, the German shepherd, Daisy, barks at them while straining on the chain just as the birds describe it in their song. Engaging her in a ground attack at the same time are a troop of black-faced veret monkeys who debase her with a sardonic chattering laughter, at which she can only howl in retaliation.   Soon, Daisy begins to wail hysterically under the Armageddon tree as the monkeys hasten their steps through the rain forest in their assault on this 'scare-dog' and the crops she miserably tries to protect. For what it is worth, she is Dog-In-Command, the only thing standing between monkeys, birds, and the coveted Dickerson crops.   Whenever they wish, the birds fly in from all points of the compass to spoil food meant for humans. Their desire is to eat what they can and ruin the rest.   The ravaging primates are part of a lawless cartel that has pressed for two years a military campaign to evict the 'squatter' missionaries from the monkeys' garden beside the river. Their propaganda effort has included persistent newspaper adverts that the Dickersons lack compassion for the desperate conditions of primates, birds, and other animals subject to the severe food crisis facing their kingdom.  The source of income for these adverts is yet to be identified but information is forthcoming. .   Many thanks We are so thankful to God for the far we have walked together, putting smiles on His people; all those women and children that Christ has delivered, restored, encouraged and equipped that they may live victorious lives in Him.   Judy Judy is one such restored case; after one year of proper feeding, all necessary medications provided plus pastoral and psychological counseling with TPM, she is now leading a normal life on her own!    Kadija Widow Kadija and her seven children have also successfully gone through the rebuilding and equipping phases of our program. She too is on her own; able to pay house rent, feed her children and pay their school fees while spreading the love of Christ to her Borana friends and relatives!   Pauline Pauline is pursuing a hair styling and beauty course which ends in April. She is also living on her own, while taking good care of her 3 year old son Gearge ! In the meantime , She does part time jobs to help cater for her child as well as pay house rent. Before, she was always sickly and extremely apathetic about living. Thank God she is now healthy and strong enough to pursue God's purpose for her life.   Pastor Margaret Turning Point Ministries is still standing with Pastor Margaret, the preacher in the slums of Kayole.The ministry pays for her house rent and church hall rent which are paid monthly.   TPM is considering helping her family start a small business, which will help her be self reliant. Her congregation is not able to support  pastor Margaret financially in any way considering that these are also poor people who need financial assistance.   "But though their pockets are poor most of the time, their hearts are always rich all the time because they can still encourage one another! We offer ourselves to God who through grace, uses and sustains us in the slums." Pastor Margaret.   Miriam and Carolyne Carolyne recently did devotion in a bible college where Laura is teaching on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, after requesting for a chance to encourage students. She became a blessing to the students of Eternity Missions Bible College the day she got the chance.  The college is at the Eternity Gospel Church, just few kilometers from the Dickersons' residence.   The school's curriculum has been prepared by.... Church members give their money, with some selling what they own to train pastors and lay leaders for missions.   Miriam is getting baptized the first Sunday of March! She accepted Christ about 8 months ago and decided on her own that she was ready for such a public proclamation of her faith.     Upcoming Events Laura and Pastor Margaret, the slums' preacher, will be ministering at a conference organized for women by New Life Church in Nyeri, a town in the Central Province of Kenya, about 200kms away from Nairobi city. Jesus promised his disciplines three things -- they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.   GK Chesterton, British writer and Christian apologist  1874-1936 Don and Laura Dickerson, Amos Mirera, and Margaret Mumoki Turning Point Ministries Team

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2009 Kenya Calendars are Ready!

Our 2009 original Kenya calendars and notecards are now available!

You can securely purchase calendars and notecards from our store.

www.cafepress.com/dickerson316

Remember, profits contribute to the needs of single mothers, widows, their children, orphans, and the hungry and destitute of Kenya.

After each mission trip to the remote northwest outback of Lodwar, Kenya, missioners of SERV Ministries International enjoy a well-earned rest at the Maasai Mara. It is there that the Dickersons took the photographs found in the 2009 Calendar.

In buying one of the products shown on the shop page, you are contributing to the needs of single mothers, widows, their children, orphans, and the hungry and destitute of Kenya, where 500 children die each day of disease, starvation, and severe neglect.

In Christ's service,

Don and Laura Dickerson
DickersonMissions.com

Dispatches from Nairobi Kenya

Dispatches from Nairobi Kenya

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has not
forsaken his mercy and love for us all, as we continue to proclaim his
surpassing works to one another and to the world He so loves.

For the joy and peace since return from furlough; for every good result we
can observe in lives here in Kenya and for your unwavering support to our
Ministry, we continue to thank God.

The Dickersons continue supporting orphans, widows, single mothers and
stressed women pastors through Turning Point Ministries (a project of SERV
Ministries International) and all the generous donations they brought back
from the States. They brought back TNIV bibles, NIrV bibles, fabric for
dresses, 350 pounds of second-hand clothing and shoes, second-hand
computers for the office, Experiencing God bible study books, a
scholarship to beauty school, as well as financial support for the
Dickersons and the women in their ministry. People committed and
re-committed to pray for the Dickersons and the women and children in
Turning Point. Lives are being transformed and these women are shining
Christ's light in the world. Praise God!

Girls like Miriam and Carolyn who had no hope of ever joining High School
after years of abandonment are now in school and working hard.

"I always yearned for a better life away from the streets of Nairobi but
nothing surrounding my life at that time indicated such a possibility.
Thanks to God, I am not only in school but with loving parents, Don and
Laura, fond brothers, Drew and Zack plus a tender sister, Carolyn. I hope
that one day I shall treat someone with love the way mum and dad (Laura
and Don) have treated me." Miriam.

"I am happy to be part of a family that loves God and for secondary
education. I now see hope ahead; not gloom and misery like I used to. I
want to work hard. I would like to demonstrate Christ's love to those who
feel hopeless and rejected and the lost.' Carolyn.

Don and Laura have arranged day-schooling for the girls (instead of being
boarded like most Kenyan children) hoping to raise their grades through
helping with class work and homework. They have been tutoring and
motivating them in the evenings - hopefully they will have improved enough
to be able to resume boarding come January. And they are doing great!

More passionate and effective

We greatly appreciate our American brothers and sisters in helping to
support a number of women pastors through our ministry. They are now able
to serve God more passionately and effectively.

Reverend Margaret
Reverend Margaret, one of the women ministers, pastors a congregation at
Nairobi's Kayole slums, called Glory to God Ministries. Rev. Margaret and
Laura were among the teachers at a 3-day women's conference in August,
when Laura felt the Lord leading her to pay the rent for Rev Margaret's
church for six months, even before knowing how much the rent is. She found
out that the church was three months in arrears. The debt was paid as well
as the next three months! This was a prayer answered to the church since
they were praying and trusting God for provision.

Turning Point and SERV Ministries are encouraged to see such trained
pastors who preach Christ in the slums where many pastors tend to avoid
due to the financial reality on the ground. It's difficult for a church in
the slum to get financial independence because the members rarely have
anything to spare.

Rev. Margaret is now teaching her congregation without stress from hall
payment arrears. One month rent is only $20. We know someone could pay an
entire year's rent.

Pastor Mercy
Mercy Muthoni, a minister working with Laura in Wednesday's fellowships,
was once in a similar predicament, three months behind in house rent.

But when she was about to be kicked out of her apartment, Laura arrived
with good news. Some American brothers and sisters had bought all the
jewelry she had given the Dickersons prior to their recent visit to the
U.S. She not only managed to pay the house rent but save enough to buy a
gas cooker, no longer having to cook with fire wood outside her house.

And despite her tribulations, Mercy is always encouraging the women who
meet at Kadija's for fellowship; forever assuring them of how much God
loves them despite loads of trouble. Experiencing God Bible study has made
this Wednesday fellowship very interesting indeed.

Wednesday Women's Fellowship and Bibles
Thanks for the women's group in Cartersville, Georgia that has adopted our
Wednesday fellowship! Every woman has a copy of Experiencing God manual
and a fabric to fit a dress! A group of pastors from seven different
churches were also given two manuals which they are using together every
Friday. They describe the experience as life transforming.

The women at Saint John United Methodist church in Florida who donated
many bibles for their Kenyan brethren did a noble thing; they have been
very helpful especially because the TNIV is gender accurate and the NIrV
is easier English, especially for young readers and others for whom
English is not their mother tongue. Laura gives the TNIV to pastors during
conferences and the NIrV to individuals who hope to improve their English.
Recently, she gave one to a friend who closes her vegetable stall on
Sundays to attend church, unlike many of her colleagues in the market
place.

Prophet Elizabeth
Still on victories for women, Elizabeth, a missionary from Uganda, has
been able to sponsor her missions to Congo and Rwanda after selling her
quilts to the Dickersons. The Dickersons then sold them in the USA, with
all the profit going to Elizabeth. She hand makes each item, buying
special batik cloth from a single mother in Uganda. She sells the items as
part of her tent making. She has left more quilts and embroidered items
with the Dickersons, which they hope to sell to Americans. She's raising
money for her next mission to Mauritius, an island off the coast of
Madagascar (which is off the coast of Kenya).

Widows and Single Mothers

Kadija
Also doing great are widow Kadija's four children who are receiving school
fees, food and shelter through Turning Point Ministries. Abraham enters
high school in January with the requirement of 80,000ksh (1143 US$) for
first term admission and school supplies. We still have no sponsor for
him, so please consider helping! The youngest two are yet to join school
while her eldest son is looking for a job.

The 350 pounds of clothing and shoes from Trinity on the Hill UMC in
Georgia went to open Kadija's second-hand clothing business. She was
ecstatic! And because these clothes were from America, she has so many
customers. Currently, the customers come to her home to purchase items, or
Kadija carries a few items along the street, hoping to attract passers-by.
With her success, she's even helping other Borana single mothers in her
area with food and clothing. The Lord Jesus has multiplied this blessing!

Laura mentioned that Kadija couldn't read or write while in the USA, so a
member of Trinity on the Hill UMC ordered a CD from Faith Comes By
Hearing, an organization that records Scripture. He was able to get
several copies in the Borana language and Turning Point passed them to
Kadija and her Borana friends. Kadija was so excited; she stayed up all
night long listening to the entire New Testament!

Pauline
Pauline, a single mother with a two-year-old child, dreamed of styling and
braiding hair. So Trinity on the Hill UMC donated a scholarship to Talent
Beauty School. In four months, she'll have a certificate and a way to feed
herself and her child.

House of Hope, an orphanage in the desert

The most dramatic change in the SERV House of Hope revolves around a young
girl called Topos that the orphanage is taking care of in Lodwar alongside
ten other children.

She is mentally disabled and was unable to walk when SERV adopted her from
the hands of an ailing grandmother. The grandmother was unable to feed
herself and Topos at the same time for life there is survival for the
fittest. There is nothing extra to take care of those considered weak in
this land of endurance. But thanks to God, today Topos is walking around
by her self and smiles back when you call her. She even motioned with her
hands that she was hungry!

And for this purpose, the House of Hope was birthed in Lodwar; to put
smiles of Christ's love on orphans and the neighboring community.

Laura was recently on a three-day mission to the House of Hope alongside
Amanda Smith (a Mission Society missionary and pediatric nurse) and Jackie
Brantley (Director of Gifts on a Mission, a project affiliated with SERV
Ministries International). They taught about healthy living and how germs
spread through hands. They also trained the staff on mentoring the
children as well as how to recognize signs of stress in themselves. Jobs
like these can have a high burn-out rate.

Don, as part of a SERV team that will include Executive Director Steve
Kasha and Board Director, Lee Johnson, will be traveling to Lodwar at the
end of October to present the House of Hope's registration papers and do
more training.

These things the Lord has brought to pass and in Him we trust and serve
together in unity. God bless you.

In Christ's service,

Don and Laura Dickerson