Friday; The last day of the conference. Jeff and Annette spoke again, and then Deenie thanked everyone for coming to the conference and encouraged them to keep up the fellowship with each other. The ladies gave us a present in thanks, a lovely dress each, and Jeff got a shirt.
Then we had some testimonies of God touching them and what they have learnt over the last 10 years. The ladies, Deenie, Glenys and I sang the song we had been practicing, the song was, We are worthy of You Lord.
And lastly, we celebrated communion with them. It was only a half day with lunch at the end, but there were so many testimonies from different people that lunch was rather late! They were enjoying the fellowship so much.
On Thursday, we prayed for a lady who was accidentally shot in the eye 10 years ago. We would like you to keep praying for complete healing for her. Her name is Wilikister
On Thursday, when we visited the farm, I asked if they got any rain from the downpour we got the night before, Nelson said, no. So last night when we had a thunderstorm I prayed that God would send the rain to Nelson’s farm instead of where we were. Today I asked Nelson if he got that rain last night. He said Yes!! I did a happy dance.
Jeff and Annette continued the sessions from yesterday. Nelson and Rael took Deenie and I to see their farm. Nelson has maize crops and kale.
It hasn’t rained for 6 weeks and the crops are thirsty. Nelson would like to put in an irrigation system. He employs people to help him, and he supplies a school and hospital with vegetables. Nelson also has some medicinal plants, Aloe Vera and Morenga
This is their old home and new home.
Nelson gave us some lemongrass to take to our accommodation.
Rael’s has a small shop.
After lunch was another session, and then we split the men and the women, and Glenys and Deenie spoke to the ladies and finished off with another singalong and Jeff spoke to the men.
The team went to a conference in ……. Deenie, Glenys and Cheryl introduced themselves, but they already knew ‘Mama Deenie’. Jeff spoke first on the Trinity, and after morning break Annette continued on the same subject.
During lunch, Deenie spoke to the students
(A pic of what we ate and the lineup, )
A picture of Deenie with the students.
Glenys and Cheryl ate lunch with the people and fellowshipped with them. They are happy to have us come and minister to them. After lunch Annette spoke again, continuing from the earlier message. While Jeff continued with more, Deenie, Glenys and Cheryl spoke with the ladies, and taught them a song. The day started at 9 and we were home again at 4:30. A busy day but a blessed one.
Wednesday – Busia Conference day two
Today, Jeff and Annette taught me how to understand God’s road map. The congregation are enjoying the message. They first start with singing, which is beautiful, their voices are so melodious.
After lunch, Deenie, Glenys and Cheryl spoke with the widows. They appreciated our words of encouragement, and we appreciated their testimonies of how God sustained them when they became widows. We gave them our gifts from our Church, and avocados from one of the pastors.
Our team have arrived safely and after an adventurous weekend (see our previous post) they are all set to start a busy week of ministry. Please see their itinerary below.
Week Two
Wednesday June 19th : Busia conference Day Two – -Hammonds taking 5 sessions
Women’s session in the afternoon and property visits
Personal ministry
Thursday, June 20th: Busia Conference Day Three – As above
Friday, June 21st: Last day of the conference, women’s choir sings & farewells
Saturday, June 22nd: Samia Bible College graduation and team resting in the afternoon
Sunday, June 23rd: Team ministering in various churches
Monday, June 24th: Sioport committee business meeting
Our trip to Kenya took us nearly two days. Everything was going well, met Jeff and Annette at the Bangkok airport on our way to the next stop, Nairobi airport, where we transferred to fly to Kisumu. We picked up our luggage and were met by Ronny who drove us for over two hours to Mundika. Upon arrival, Annette discovered that the suitcase she thought was hers was in fact not! When they called the airport they were advised to bring it back. So another driver was asked to take Annette to the airport and back again. Not what was needed after all that travelling. Jeff, Glenys, Deenie and Cheryl each went to a Church on Sunday morning. It was lovely to see the Lord working amongst these people. Their praise and worship was beautiful to see and hear. We were all greeted with enthusiasm. After the services we were picked up in the order we were dropped off, but stopped where Jeff was and was greeted by the Church members, they were very happy to see Deenie again and sang a song to her that she taught them.
After lunch, we returned home, where Annette had heard they had located her suitcase and were flying it to Kisumu. Monday morning there was a meeting with the Pastors here where we were staying.
We heard testimonies from the different Pastors about what the Lord was doing. They also discussed their dreams and the need to fulfil them. A lunch of fish and vegetables was provided for all after the meeting. Annette had to make another trip to Kisumu to retrieve her case.
Our team for Kenya is in the final days of preparation. Please see below for their itinerary for the first few days from which to glean points to pray.
Week One
Thursday, June 13th to Saturday, June 15th: Deenie, Glennys, and Cheryl depart from Australia and travel through Thailand to Kenya, meeting Jeff and Annette Hammond on the way and arriving altogether.
Sunday, June 16th: Team ministering in various churches in the region
Monday, June 17th: Busia committee business meeting in the morning and a time of rest in the afternoon.
Tuesday, June 18th: Busia Conference Day One: introduce the team to the conference, with each team member having a few different tasks and roles for the day.
The Hammonds are taking four sessions of the conference.
Deenie speaking to a women’s prayer group
Glenys and Cheryl ministering to widows
Women’s session with Glenys, Annette, and Deenie
Cheryl property visits
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Our annual Kenya mission trip is fast approaching. Our GVCF community is invited to partner with our missions team as they prepare and while in Kenya.
Our Kenya Mission team for 2024 has five members: Jeff and Annette Hammond, Glenys Norris, Cheryl O’Shannessy, and Deenie Rensford. Our GVCF mission trip dates this year are June 14th to July 2nd. The team’s work this year will focus in the area of Eastern Kenya, where our team will be facilitating two conferences for local pastors, ministering with widows, praying in the community, and assisting in the development of local agricultural businesses
Prayer
Please be praying as our team makes their final preparations in the coming weeks. There are many practical and prayerful things that need to fall into place.
Please continue to pray for Jeff Hammond’s recovery. Jeff has experienced damaged ligaments and sinews in his foot. He is receiving medical care and is confident in his recovery. Please pray that this will heal fully so that his ministry plans will not be hampered.
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Well, that’s a wrap! What a trip we’ve had. The second conference finished on Friday (last week), with some great testimonies of God speaking, challenging and encouraging.
Josiah, a legendary 95-year old who has been ministering to Maasai tribesmen since 1991, said he has been praying for this “conference of all denominations” for over 20 years. Praise God! He got home late due to rain. He was riding his bicycle…
Josiah on his bicycle.
Pamellah and I visited some homes. A lot of dairy farming, some poultry, security services and a tailor. We really believe these businesses are worthy investments.
On Saturday, we had a grand old time at Anne’s family home. 30 or so of her relatives came and cooked up a great African feast. They killed Tom’s goat. It was delicious. So special to see where she grew up, and the close-knit clan she belongs to. Felt very blessed to be a part of it all. 4 generations present!
Sunday was the typical church visits. Got Deenie slightly lost whoops. Left church early to drive Deb and Deenie to the airport, while Jeremy and I pushed onto Maasai Mara for a short conference and some safari.
Very fruitful time with the pastors in the famous region. Some of them walked 40km to be there. Completely different life down there. Everyone walks around with little sharp clubs, ready to take down any lion that tries its luck. The lions actually know not to mess with these guys. They tattoo little marks on their wrist to show how many lions they’ve killed…
I’ve once again learnt so much on this trip. I feel like because it was my second time, I was less distracted by the newness of everything, and could spend more time watching and listening. It’s no doubt a unique, strange but special place. Apart from the daily grind of survival, one of the hardest things to grapple with is all the corruption. It begins at the top, and trickles down to every level of society. It is having a destructive effect on Kenya. There are also no jobs. So many parents have spent a fortune on educating their children, only to see their doctors and engineers return home and try to earn a scrap filling in pot-holes. Gee I’ve got it good.
The distinction between the unbelieving and believing Kenyan is vast. In one town, you have a united group of faithful Christians full of life and joy, praising God for his goodness, and counting their blessings. They have an extremely tough life. Their blessings aren’t THAT obvious.
10 minutes down the road, there is a faithless and idle town fully addicted to opioids, riddled with AIDS, and highly prone to suicide. They have no hope.
The Gospel enables us to find joy and hope in the little things, because we have ultimate joy and hope in the biggest thing. Who’s to say this united body of Christ in little Sioport and Mundika cannot show the life to be found in Christ to a region that is so desperately crying out for it. Let’s dream big!
… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. – John 10:10
P.S. see you all on July 16 at GVCF for a mission spot.
This trip just keeps getting better and better. The second conference is on the go and the Lord is making a way.
We had a significant meeting on Monday with the leadership of the Mundika pastor’s fellowship. They have been busy starting their own businesses over the last year, such as horticulture, dairy farming and pig rearing. Pamellah and I went and visited their farms to investigate and see what resources they need most.
It is very difficult to earn a living as a pastor here. With the majority of congregations unable to support them financially, the pastors must look elsewhere, putting a lot of strain on their time and energy. With the proper strategic investment, these micro-businesses have a real potential to take off. This will free up a lot of their time for doing ministry. But it doesn’t stop there. They are committed to building up their churches and communities through these businesses. For example, Albert – an avocado and banana farmer – donates his proceeds to a church fund that pays for the education of children in their church. It could have a mega trickle-down effect, and potentially transform a region.
Albert and his bananas
In other news, the second conference is going strong. Deenie has been meeting with and encouraging the women, and Jeremy is speaking on unity between denominations.
It was Anne’s birthday today!! Things are going so well within our team. It was a special chance to celebrate, eat some cake and have a laugh.
A Kenyan tradition is to soak the birthday girl in water. Tom got around this.
Pat Cummins is a legend.
Please pray for wisdom in how best to support the businesses of these pastors. Pray for continued revelation during the conference. We thank God for fertile ground.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
