May 1, 2007

Dear Praying Friends,

Another month has passed into eternity, and the Lord’s coming is closer than before. God’s faithfulness and blessing were very evident to us this past month. For over a year now, there have been two ex-prisoners who have been faithfully attending Bethel Baptist Church every Sunday. They live about 28 kilometers from the church, or approximately 18-20 miles away. They would get public transportation each Sunday in order to come, and were there on time for the services. In March, some of our church leaders from Bethel began going out there each Saturday to start a youth Bible club in the area. Last month, Pam began going out there with Rose, the pastor’s wife of Bethel, to teach the ladies in the community about health issues. Each lesson has a spiritual application, so she was able to present the Gospel to these ladies as well. While Pam was teaching the ladies in the community, two church leaders from Bethel were going to teach the youth, and later, to visit homes in the community to share the Gospel with the people there. Pam and I have been praying for some time about another preaching point, so this past Sunday, April 29th, we began our third mission point, which will later become a church. One of our Bible Institute students is pastoring the church, and we will begin the Sunday School classes this week. For the first Sunday, there were thirty-three adults and children in the service which was held in a rented mud building. I preached, and we were very pleased with the interest shown by those attending. The former prisoners have asked if they could meet together each Wednesday evening to pray for this new endeavor, so we have great hopes for this area, and what God will do. The church is in a village where the people are extremely poor, but the spiritual interest and hospitality are such a blessing to us. Please do pray for this new ministry that it will be a light in this village, that many will receive Christ as their Savior, and will live for Him.

Our other two churches continue on well. The attendance at both is increasing slowly, as our pastors are faithful to visit. There have been some who have really tried to discourage us, especially at Imani Baptist, but we are continuing on. Each church has two Bible clubs that meet at different times on Saturday, so we are praying that these young people will begin to come to church. It is our prayer, too, that the members of the churches will see their responsibility to financially support these men who are so faithful to preach God’s Word to them, and to visit and be a good example before them.

Pam and Carrie really enjoy the ministry at the local hospital in the premature nursery. They are able to bathe the babies, and give them blankets, diapers, and some clothes. Pam is teaching the mothers about caring for these who have been born so early, and weigh between 2-3 pounds. We could really use some sleepers for these small ones if the ladies of the churches would be willing to take this on as a project. We know that there are yard sales this time of year, so if your ladies would be willing to purchase these sleepers for newborns or premature infants, we would really appreciate this. We need one piece sleepers with the feet in them, as well as cloth diapers, if they can be found. Lord willing, we will be coming back to the States on furlough in August until late January of next year, so if you are interested in helping us, let us know, and we can make arrangements to get these clothes here to Kenya later on.

Our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter will be here with us soon. They are arriving this weekend, and will be coming with a team of nine others from the University of Michigan, and all will be staying here in Kenya for six weeks of ministry. Melia, our granddaughter, is four years old now, and she first came to Kenya when she was eight months old with her parents. We are looking forward to ministering with the team in our various ministries, and praying that this trip will be a life changing one for those who come.

Thanks to each of you who so faithfully pray for us, and E-mail us with words of encouragement. With each blessing comes discouragement as well, so this keeps us ever dependent on our Lord for His help. Your interest, love and prayers are so necessary to the ministry here, so keep on praying for us for wisdom, and strength to keep on serving. May all of us be more aware of our responsibility to be vigilant to live for our Lord as we see our freedoms shrinking away. God bless each of you until next month…

Your servants in Kenya,

Mike and Pam
Philippians 1:3