Category Archives: Africa

What is in your hand?

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For years I have been a typical “faithful christian”. You know the type…church going, tithe giving, word speaking, sign up for the comfortable and safe things at church, but not really stepping out of my safe zone with true Kingdom intentions in my heart. Don’t get me wrong, I have had my share of involuntary exercising “Great Faith” moments, but they were more growth pushes from Father than unconditional “trust Him” steps according to His will. Even now I can’t believe how challenging it is to just do, walk and GO where He leads. Most of my reservations were fear and pride motivated. I’m sure you can relate…“what if I didn’t hear right”, “what if I fail”, “what will people say about me”, “I don’t have enough”, “I’ll do it when I am at a certain position or my finances are at a certain place” “blah”, “blah”, “blah”. Until recently, I still struggled with this in my walk, as I’m sure you have too.

The past 2 years Becky and I have just been bombarded with the Kingdom. Our missions last year took us to China, Haiti, Uganda and Kenya. We were exposed to poverty, disease, brokenness, destitution, corruption, hopelessness and even death. The pictures of God’s people, especially widows and orphans, remain permanently etched in the forefront of our minds, where they had been nothing more than fleeting glimpses of a world that we couldn’t believe really existed outside our comfort and safety in San Marcos, TX. Our cry has often been Lord do something or give us what is needed so we can do it! Even though we traveled and saw first hand the need for not only the Savior, but the Healer, Deliverer, Comforter and Provider too, we somehow managed to find contentment in the fact that we have done our part, or enough by going.

This year, we have made some Kingdom decisions that we have no idea how they will be accomplished, but GOD! I keep hearing “What is in your hand?” We no longer have the luxury of waiting until the conditions and resources are perfectly aligned. Each moment we delay…a life, physically and spiritually, hangs in the balance. It is not up to me to provide for the Kingdom, that’s the Lords, but it is up to me to go and be an ambassador of His Kingdom. Having said that, we have agreed to provide spiritual oversight to several pastors and churches in Kenya, distribute bibles translated in the native tongue of these pastors, and provide care for 5 widows and 14 orphans.

This morning as I was sending the funds we have raised so far to our host, this is what I was praying and hope you will agree with us:

  • as the pastors read and teach from these bibles, God’s word will come alive in the hearers; conviction will convert them from sin to light; children will be healed, families restored and communities changed for the glory of God
  • the food purchased to feed the widows and orphans will be abundant, nourishing and even healing; lack and poverty will begin to diminish; disease and fear will flee; the light of Christ will restore hope and reveal His promises

I pray you will continue to stand with us in prayer and support.

In Christ,

James

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Religion that is pure…

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“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” ~ James 1:27 (ESV)

Meet ELISEBA YEGO (a widow). 3 of these children are her grandchildren and the other 3 are orphans she cares for.

First of all, let me start this post by saying we really hate showing pictures; however, we also know people associate better through visual interaction. Having said that, we share these pictures not to stir emotion, but challenge us into action. We recently have engaged with the care of 5 widows and 14 orphans in the country of Kenya. Currently, the widows have their own biological children and grandchildren they care for, as well as several orphans. The cost to provide these women and children daily food is roughly $300 per month, or $0.50 per day, per person. I know my grocery bill for a family of 5, including 3 teenagers, is at least that much bi-monthly. Currently, Pastor Lawrence (pictured with James below), assist with the care of these widows & orphans. He raises barely enough to provide a single meal per day for each. Many days, he goes without himself to insure they are provided for.

Meet Golvin Kipchumba. He is one of the orphans we are endeavoring to care for. This adorable little boy, along with his brother (not pictured) is HIV positive. Golvin lost another brother recently to AIDS

We have partnered with Pastor Lawrence in other endeavors since 2005. James was in Uganda & Kenya last year, December 2010, providing leadership training to pastors and ministers. We are standing with him not only in caring for these, but in spiritual and ministry oversight as well. Please pray for these women and children in their affliction, and consider supporting them in their daily fight for survival. As we are endeavoring to care for them physically, we are providing spiritual enrichment as well. Visit our Donate page to give now, or Contact us if you would like more information concerning this effort.

Pastor Lawrence & James at the Bujagali Falls on the River Nile, Uganda.

Mile Long Dollar Bible Campaign

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During our visit to Kenya last month, we had the privilege of distributing a small number of bibles, translated in the native tribal tongue, to the pastors and ministers in the rural village of Sikalame. Most of these men and women of God came to the meetings without a bible of his or her own. To see their joy and gratitude to receive the gift of God’s Word was emotionally overwhelming. Sadly, we did not have enough bibles to give to everyone who came without one, and I was deeply grieved. As a result, I came home determined to provide bibles to everyone we missed.

While planning to raise funds to purchase bibles for these men and women, I realized many pastors in these rural villages can’t afford a bible, especially one translated in his or her native tribal language. Some have pages of a bible they preach from, and others preach from memory of what they may have read or heard. Looking around my own house, I have a KJV, NIV, ESV, Message, Amplified, etc., not to mention commentaries, dictionaries and parallel references, as well as exhaustive electronic and online resources are my finger tips. These only account for my personal library, and not what my wife and children have. I’m sure you can count the plethora of biblical resources at your disposal too. Frankly, it’s pretty disgusting.

I’m not trying to judge us; merely putting in perspective what we have an abundance and take for granted, they have little to nothing. These men and women of faith are on the front lines of the gospel. They face cultural, political, religious and demonic opposition, oppression and persecution every day. They truly know what it means to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” I don’t believe it’s too much to ask they have the fullness of God’s Word in their hands.

We are kicking off a “Mile Long Dollar Bible Campaign”. To anyone in youth ministry this may look familiar. I admit, I am tapping into the archives. Here is an explanation for those who don’t understand: 10,320 dollar bills laid end to end = one (1) mile. Our goal for 2011 is to purchase and distribute 1500 bibles to the rural pastors in western Kenya. To accomplish this, we need to raise about $10,500. So to make it fun, I figured we could start with a mile of dollar bills.

We would love for you to partner with us on this project. Although this is ongoing project, we wanted to start out small with a target. Remember, no donation is too small or insignificant, that’s why it’s called the mile long DOLLAR.