Kenya: A church planted in Mikinduri

This is a testimony by REVEREND PETER MURUNGI IMURU OF WORLD ABUNDANT CHURCH, IGEMBE NORTH. He says that their distribution day was great in church and in town. They distributed the gifts to over 300 children who were brought by their parents. He noted that their Sunday school before distribution of gift boxes had 87 children but after distribution, its has grown to 120 children. Their church membership has also grown from 100 members to 187 members.

They also planted a church in a place known as Mikinduri and on that day children were invited and gift boxes distributed to them which in turn attracted 40 adults to be members of that church and 30 Sunday school children. He also noted that gift boxes are effective tools for evangelism to both children and parents.

(2011)

Gathered from Samaritan's Purse Impact Stories

Kenya impacted by shoeboxes

Elizabeth lives with her single mom in a remote village in Kenya. When her parents separated, she became sad and withdrawn. A friend invited her to a festive outreach event where she received a gift-filled shoebox. Elizabeth was overjoyed with the gifts and felt God's love. She then attended The Greatest Journey where she learned how Jesus gave His life for her. The Gospel message she heard was so powerful that Elizabeth gave her life to Christ and started regularly attending church. Soon, she invited her mom to come with her, and she also gave her life to the Lord! Now, mother and daughter are actively involved in their church and are no longer isolated from their community.

Swahili language

As I am progressing in my duolingo lessons, I have completed Section 1 and I am very pleased with how the lessons are progressing.

The most important phrase I will learn and use will be Yesu anakupenda meaning Jesus loves you.

Partner in Prayer

 

DuoLingo Swahili Lessons

 With my trip in June 2024, I want to learn some of the Swahili language, at least as much as I can so I can attempt to communicate.

I can feel the answers to prayers as my studies are going much better than I anticipated.  When I started these lessons I just jumped right in.  It wasn't until the end of Unit 1 that I noticed the notepad in the upper right corner

Even though I did not see this, I did very well.

I proceeded onto Lesson 2 doing my thing, then I noticed the notepad (tips on what lessons would be)        

Even so, I was able to complete the October challenge

Doing pretty good.  Learning lots of words, not sure I could initiate the conversation, but I have lots of time, just need to stay on track and continue the momentum.  Some lessons are listening and then choosing what words were said, both in English to Swahili and Swahili to English.  Some lessons I type out the words.

It's funny I am almost finding Swahili easier to learn than the Spanish.  

Session 1 - Rookie with 8 units

Session 2 - Explorer with 20 units

Session 3 - Traveler with 10 units

Session 4 - Champion with 10 units

Session 5 - Daily Refresh 6 levels

Patience and God's Timing

Every year I receive a key word from the Lord.  The year 2024 has a word and that is courage.  Oh my, what will 2024 bring?

This year was all about perseverance.  When the Lord gave me that word I thought, OH MY, what is this year gonna hold?

Not gonna lie, this has been a crazy year.  It has been a year of waiting on the Lord and HIS perfect timing.  When we are serving the Lord, and in HIS perfect will and we are desiring what HE has for our lives it is HIS desire to give us our desires.  

I am reminded that many years ago I read a book that was LIFE CHANGING.  While the Bible is the book that is life changing, sometimes we are able to read other books that have a huge impact on one's life.  I have read many books that have impacted me, but none so much as a book by Bruce Wilkinson entitled "The Prayer of Jabez".    I read this book while on a mission trip to Honduras with my church.  

I Chronicles 4:10 says: " Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request."

In the book one is challenged to describe the best thing that happened to you in the last three months.  James 1:17 states "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows".  

What would my life look like if I asked for blessing?

Jabez name means "Because I bore him in pain".  Jabez didn't let his hurtful past or unpromising present keep him from asking God for a huge blessing.  We typically see our negative life experciences as a disadvantage that God can't use, nor will He bless.  Do you sometimes feel unworthy of His calling on your life?  Do you feel like nobody cares or sees you?  Many times that will affect how we see God.

What would my life look like if God enlarged my territory?

What keeps me from reaching more territory?  The territory could be your family, church, business, school or community.  God is ready to expand our territory for a purpose, so we have more influence for HIM.  How does this line up with Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

My territory = my spheres of influence = my potential ministry

Everyone has a ministry, did you get that?  EVERYONE!  Bruce states that "God carefully crafted you for a specific purpose.  When you pray for God to enlarge your ministry, He usually matches opportunities to your gifts and talents, if you were to describe the way the Lord could use you most effectively for Him what would it be?  

In Matthew 28:19-20  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

That being said, I have exciting news.  I received a text on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, just the kind of text I like to receive, especially this time of the year!

Vision trips are back on.  I will get email from Anita in the next couple of days.  They are doing it differently this year.  I will be in phase 1 since my trip in 2020 was cancelled.  I will have the opportunity to chose from 1 of 5 trips depending on dates, finances for my schedule.  I will have one week to pray about it, then phase 2 opens and others get to choose from trips as well.

Then, later this afternoon I received the following email.

Dear Barbra,

We are so excited that you will have the opportunity to participate in a 2024 Vision Trip!

Our goal for Vision Trips is to allow you to observe how God is using trained Ministry Partners to share the Gospel message, utilizing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts and discipleship materials. This makes it unlike a mission trip or distribution trip.

As a reminder, because your 2020 Vision Trip was cancelled, you will have one week to register for the Vision Trip before registration opens to the rest of the 200+ volunteers. You will receive a registration email during the week of October 9^th, inviting you to select the trip you would like to participate in (all locations, dates, and costs are below). You will have until Nov. 10 to register or decline the invitation, but please note that all trips will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and once a trip is full, it will be closed.

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

Lima, Peru

Quito, Ecuador

Nairobi, Kenya

Asuncion, Paraguay

My choice is highlighted in Green.  I have always wanted to go to Kenya since I can remember.  I know that this area of the world needs Jesus and there is so much persecution for Christians in the neighboring countries.  

I covet your prayers as I prepare for this journey in life and how the Lord is preparing me for HIS plans in my life.

Currency Exchange Rates for USD to Kenyan Shilling

 https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=OU11DF&PC=OU11&q=kenya+currency+to+usd

The Kenyan shilling is the official currency of Kenya and has the symbol KES. It is sub-divided into 100 cents. The Kenyan shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par.