Praying for Peace

It is happening in churches all around Kenya – the prayer for peace.

Monday, March 4 is the day Kenyan voters will walk to the voting station and cast their ballot for a new president.  As long-term visitors in this country, we have no opinion about who should win – we are praying for a peaceful process and a peaceful result.  Pray for peace.

Finding safety. Refugees fled violence to a Nairobi church.
(January 2008)

The last presidential election held in December, 2007 resulted in horrific acts of violence pitting tribe against tribe, tearing apart families and destroying lives; the consequences of which continue to be seen and felt today.
Pray for peace.




Folks have commented to us about the process of electing a U.S. president marveling that the losing party/group does not seek retribution through violence for the loss.  In many parts of Africa politics is so intertwined with tribe/people group – the perceived power and wealth that is associated with political positions – the process is often marred with violence.
Pray for peace.

Helping unload donated goods for refugees fleeing
 post-election violence. (February, 2008)

The post-election violence of 2007-2008, a time of terrible upheaval which sent the country reeling, in disaster mode, for more than six months afterward saw the church lead out in relief efforts.  Today we see the church praying.
Pray for peace.





Unscrupulous individuals take advantage of these uncertain times to ramp up violence -- to loot and destroy their only agenda.  Accusations of bribery and paying for votes are already flying. The atmosphere is tense --intimidation is likely.
Pray for peace.

Life as a refugee -- eating what you can find
when you find it. (January, 2008)

We received this message forwarded from a colleague here in Nairobi:

    Just saw this verse and thought of you and your Colleagues in Nairobi:
1 Peter 3:14-15 "But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.  AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you, yet with gentleness and reverence;"  
   Will be Praying that God will remove the fear from your associates and help them to function in the face of danger.  God's Word has so many verses saying "Do Not Fear"!  "Be Strong and Courageous".

A good word; people around the world are considering these elections.
Pray for hearts to be free from fear.
Pray for peace.

... part of the family of God

Imagine -- not knowing who you are or where you came from…

He took a little child and had him stand among them.  Taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the One who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37

Today is the day! The members of the English service, along with the youth of Mwimuto Baptist Church are going to Vijiji (Vee-gee-gee) Children’s Home and excitement is high.  Vijiji, located in the town of Mwimuto, is a ten minute walk from the church, so we will be “footing it”.


Cornmeal, fat (lard), biscuits (cookies), and a big bottle of dilute-able fruit drink are bought with the contributions which were given earlier. A soccer ball, balloons and a few smaller balls are brought to give the children along with a loaf of sweet bread and two big bags of caramel popcorn which will be consumed at the event.



Twenty-three orphans currently reside in the home. Out of those, only five have documentation and known family living somewhere in Kenya; the others, most of whom don’t even have birth certificates, have no one to call family.

Institutions such as this one are springing up all over Africa – a witness to the foothold of Satan in society today, for in Africa, family is or was of the uppermost importance. Knowing who you are and where you are from, to what tribe you belong, your home village, this was your identity, your history. But the moral fiber of society is disintegrating resulting in children being thrown away, left in a basket on the doorstep of society – without even a written note.



Undaunted, these children still have hopes and dreams.

Stella, pictured on the left, wants to be a musician.  She has talent and the personality which is evident at her young age.

Meet Ester. She is ten years old and in the 4th grade.  She likes Science and Math.  Good for her!  She is learning about crops in Science and the home is a good learning ground as they have their own garden in which they grow maize, beans, tomatoes and greens.

Here are Gordon and Arnold. Gordon is sitting in front. He is seven years old and in the 2nd grade.   Arnold, sitting behind, is 11 years old and in the 5th grade. Both boys love football (soccer).  They were especially thrilled to see that the home was given a soccer ball today.  Now they have something to play with.



Each child, while they may not have a history, has a future.  Each one has potential; each one could have a room in God’s mansion.

Join us in praying for the orphans living at Vijiji Children’s Home.

Pray that God would send His messengers to minister to these children teaching them about the kingdom of heaven.

Pray that these young ones would realize that even though they may have no earthly family, they can be a child of the living God and a member of the family of God if they trust in Christ alone.

Jesus, the Bread of Life

John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life…”

We had been excited to discover that wheat berries were sold at Limuru Market.  Some may know that Debbie became interested in baking 100% whole wheat bread while we were stateside.  She went so far as to get a grain mill and grind her own wheat.  Our boys just rolled their eyes – they couldn’t believe Mom was baking bread in the States AND grinding the wheat as well – with a grocery store right across the street!

Limuru, a small town about 30 minutes from our house is located “up the hill”. Surrounded by tea estates and dairy farms, it is a beautiful area; geographically it is at a higher elevation and one feels very much “in the country-side” after the congestion of Nairobi.

This little one was corralled just inside the entrance to the market area.
Amused and befuddled, we couldn't quite make out what was holding her. Then her mother lifted her up and we saw that it was a four-legged stool which had been turned upside-down and covered with several large woven sacks previously used to ship grain. What a good idea – however before too long she will figure out how to escape and Mom will have to come up with a new plan to keep her eye on this little one!

We are greeted by the vendors as we walk around the market. The prices on each commodity are the same, so price-wise it doesn't matter who we buy from; we are in search of the cleanest looking wheat.

Because Limuru is located in the countryside the produce is cheaper and fresher than we would find in Nairobi so we also purchase dried beans, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and other fresh vegetables which are in season. However wheat is the reason why we came and we bought 45 lbs. of it. That should do us for a while!

As we left our grain mill stored in the U.S., we now need to locate a miller to grind our wheat berries. Not hard to find, the millers are conveniently situated near the market.

Milling mostly maize (field corn), this particular lady is also willing to mill our wheat. We ask her to put the wheat through twice to get a finer flour. When she is finished milling the wheat, we buy an additional bucket of maize to grind as a courtesy. This will clear the wheat flour out of her mill and the next customer will not complain about wheat flour mixed in with their maize meal. Besides this stuff makes great cornbread!

We are so blessed. Homemade wheat bread is one of the things we missed during our time in South Sudan; wheat doesn't grow there and only white flour is imported.

However, this bread will only strengthen the physical, temporal, body.   Jesus Christ is the bread of life.
In John 6:40, Jesus says, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise Him up at the last day.” Then Jesus speaking to his disciples in John 6:63 says, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.  The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”

Oh that we all would believe!

Beseech the Lord today on behalf of those in your circle of influence who do not believe.  Ask God to give you opportunity to bring a word of testimony about Jesus Christ the Bread of life.

Let us love one another!

The church, as a community of believers, has several mandates given in God’s word.
The example found in Matthew 25:31-46 is one of caring for those who cannot care for themselves.  Verse 35 says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”  The question was given, Lord, when did we do these things?  The answer is found in verse 40, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

 What a glorious picture of how things should work; however, often times ‘the world’ gets in the way.  I don’t have time… I don’t have the skill… I don’t know anyone to help (yeah, right!)… I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MYSELF – HOW CAN I GIVE ANY AWAY!

Here is the little church we attend in Kenya. There are two services, one in English and one in Swahili.  Some of those who come to the English service stay for the Swahili service. Many are seeking to improve their English language skill as an added benefit. We are the only mzungu (foreigners) who currently attend; although missionaries have flowed in and out of the church throughout the years.

Our little church is made up of school teachers, security guards, students, house maids, unemployed… there is no one in attendance that does not live a hand to mouth existence; yet, these folks take the Matthew 25 mandate seriously.  After much prayer, we have a “mission” to a local orphanage scheduled for Feb 17.

You see, this is the key to experiencing joy and peace of circumstance; look beyond yourself. These folks live below the poverty line. But don’t tell them that – they are thankful for God’s hand of blessing in their lives and they want to share with others.

These missions are not at our instigation, nor do we fund them. We participate as equal members of the body of Christ.

Here, the body is discussing the upcoming visit, organizing the details, and giving toward the need.   The collection will be used to buy what we can, food, clothes and maybe a toy or two to give the children.  Mostly, we give our time.  We know that God will provide and bless; we have seen it in previous “missions”. We go intending to be a blessing, but we come away with so much more!

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”  1 John 4:7a.

As you remember Mwimuto Baptist Church pray that God would plant His word deep in our hearts.
Pray that we would gather strength both spiritually and physically as we serve Him.
Pray that we would continually recognize God grace in our lives and live with thankful hearts.