Category: Blog

Introducing the 2023 team that is heading to Kenya in June.

During a recent GVCF Sunday service, we had an exciting Missions update for our church community. Including details of the upcoming trip to Kenya, how our community can be involved and stay updated with what is happening. You can watch the presentation brought by Deenie below. Stay tuned as we count down the weeks until our team leaves for Kenya.

Habari asubuhi (good morning).

We have once again come to the end of a conference. It was a very powerful time and God really spoke. Not only to the church leaders but to Jeremy and myself as well. I think my biggest takeaway from this week is that God really is good. He provides us with all we need. The last 4 days have been an incredible example of the joy to be had in Christ despite ‘trials of many kinds’. It puts a whole new perspective on Jesus’ teaching on ‘don’t worry about tomorrow… for today has enough trouble of its own’, when you don’t even know where tomorrow’s meal will come from. Yet, they will still sing, they will still dance, because they know the God they worship is the God who provides. 

Take the Busian widows for example. We had the chance of meeting this fantastic group of ladies, who shared their stories of how they (try to) make a living. Combining the little Shillings they have, each year they plough and sow a one-acre block of maize. However the combination of months of drought coupled with months of torrential rain, the crop rarely yields anything profitable. Yet they still meet once a month, pray together, support each other, and thank God for what he has done. Pretty inspiring stuff. 

We met with more Bible students, who were very grateful for the financial support they received in order to complete their studies. I would like to pass on their gratitude to GVCF, Parramatta Church and Bethany CF, Your giving is not in vain. 

There was a touching moment at the end of the conference where a ladies’ prayer group gave us a few hand-made gifts, accompanied with a live performance from all the women at the conference. Didn’t have a clue what they were singing about but it sounded good. 

Jeremy called himself a Mamma. 

But then had a great chance to pray for a drunkard who was brought by a friend just as Jeremy was teaching on victory and alcohol. He then prayed with his friend for Salvation. His name was Victor. 

There is a legendary 90+ yr. old great grandfather named Josiah who dances like a Maasai Mara tribesman (he has spent 30 years ministering to them so it makes sense). 

I really thank God for the opportunity I’ve had to go on this trip. It’s a real privilege to be able to experience these things and learn so much at a young age. And thank you for your prayerful support. Jeremy and I were reflecting yesterday that the smoothness of this wouldn’t have happened without the ‘prayers of the saints’. 

Tomorrow we’re having a little rest, then our last church service on Sunday. Please pray God will use this opportunity to speak and encourage, and that we can finish this trip strong. Also that the Bwana (Lord) will make a way for these widows to secure a stable income. 

Blessings. 

‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds’ James 2:1

Nina langu ni Samweli”. (Introducing myself at this morning’s session. Everyone laughed at me)

Today (Tuesday) we began the West Busia Pastors’ Fellowship Conference 2022. Pretty much we are doing the same thing as last week, but about 40km north. It has already been so much fun! Everyone welcomed us into the church with singing and dancing, and have made a real effort to get to know us. 

    We had a great weekend climbing the prayer mountain and eating more peanuts. On Sunday we spoke at a couple of local churches again and shared meals and fellowshipped afterwards. Kenyan church really is the best. 

    Since being here, I’ve realised the average Bible literacy amongst church members in Kenya is very high. Even though we have access to more resources in Aus, I feel they have a really rich understanding of the stories in the gospel. I wonder if part of the reason may be that their lifestyle and culture is very similar to that of Jesus’ time. And so many of his teachings and parables may relate to them in more familiar ways than perhaps the West. For example, this area is full of impoverished fishermen, hand-sowing farmers, yoked oxen, shepherds, cripples and the demon-possessed. Of course, we have this in Australia, but it is rare for a great number of them to all be in the same place, “living to survive”, under the corrupt leadership of the ‘Romans’. We drove past a market yesterday and literally saw a lady separating the chaff from the grain. Anyway, just a thought. 

    Today’s sessions went really well. Jeremy’s style of teaching works really well to inspire and encourage the church leaders to consider a vision for themselves and change the perhaps colonial mindset that Mzungu (white man) are here to provide all the solutions. God is into empowering the poor and downtrodden. They have been very interactive seminars – see pics – and it is so encouraging to hear testimonies from those God is ministering to. Bwana Asifiwe. 

Jeremy called pastor Nelson a vegetable. 

Restaurant food always comes glad-wrapped. 

Hope everyone is enjoying winter. It was 26 today, quite pleasant actually. The trip is going very smoothly, thank you for all your prayers and support. Please pray that if there are things about this culture (and ours too) that God is wanting to change, that people will be open to accepting the truth bombs Jeremy is dropping all over the region. 

Blessings.

‘Then he [Jesus] told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed…”’ Matthew 13:3.

Greetings – please find a short video update from Jeremy and Samuel from their Saturday. Apologies for the delay in this update we had a few tech issues.

PS. There was a little bit of background noise in the second portion of the video – we have worked to fix this as best we can – you may need to adjust your volume a little. Thank you.

Mungu ni mwema (God is good).

HUGE couple of days. Sadly today was the end of the first conference, but as usual, it was awesome. Some great testimonies from the pastors about how their mindset regarding church, marriage, poverty and community has slowly been shifting from cultural traditions to biblical truths. Bwana asifiwe! It’s a great affirmation that God has revealed the same plan for this place separately through Jeremy and the leaders of the fellowship. We really do share the one Spirit. They are very humble people and spend a lot of time trying – and succeeding – to hear God’s voice. Pastor Hezekiah is right, they “know God”. Amen.

I met with some incredible ladies yesterday. A few years back, they were encouraged by Deenie to start a prayer group, and have been meeting once a month ever since. They take turns to host the group in their homes, praying for one another, hearing one another, and encouraging one another.

Kenyan women are pretty tough! These ladies wake up at 3am every morning and, prompted by a text from Adelaide (group leader) pray for an hour. Then they are out of bed, cleaning, washing, preparing breakfast and “chasing chooks out of the house”. Plough some fields. Make lunch. Cook dinner. Clean some more. In bed by 10 pm. Troopers. They wish for the ability to support their widows and orphans in ways other than just spiritually. Please pray God will make a way.

Yesterday we handed out some of the donations we brought with us to the church members. They were looking snazzy as this morning in their new kits. They’re VERY grateful and have asked me to pass on their asante (thanks). See pics for more 🙂

Ate some freshly dug and roasted peanuts.

Jeremy somehow initiated a spontaneous dance sesh.

Hope everyone is well at home. Appreciate you checking out the blog. We’re having a rest day tomorrow by climbing a mountain… then visiting some local churches on Sunday. We would still really appreciate your prayers as we begin to prepare for next week’s conference, and that God will make ready the hearts of all attending.

Blessings.

‘Now this is eternal life: that they KNOW you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.’ John 17:3

Bwana Asifiwe! (My new favourite phrase, means praise the Lord)

We are two days into the annual Sioport Pastor’s conference and it’s actually awesome! God is moving. Jeremy has spent the last 48 hours teaching non-stop, four sessions a day. Solid effort. Even more impressive is that 120 church leaders from over a dozen different denominations are meeting together to develop a common and united vision for the future of this area. 

A few cool moments from today:

We had the chance to meet some of the students studying at Samia Bible College. They’re awesome and very grateful for the financial support from GVCF and Parramatta Church to help their studies. We had the privilege of letting them know their sponsorships will continue for another year. They seriously value education. Feeling a little guilty for the times I’ve taken mine for granted…

We also had the chance to pray together for the healing of Jeff Hammond. This was extremely powerful. These people pray as if they’re standing at the very foot of God’s throne, which they are, I suppose. We have sent some footage to Annette (Jeff’s wife) in the hope it encourages them both and to know they are very much loved by their family in Kenya. 

I made a new best friend. His name is Jacob. 

Found the first recommended recipient of the donated glasses: the pastor who told Jeremy he’d lost weight.

Other than that, thank you all again for your continued prayer. The pastors here need prayer. Please for their safety on the roads, for radical cultural transformation, for corruption to end, and for Jerry’s eyesight. 

And of course for Jeff. 

Blessings. 

‘Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord’ James 5:14. 

Habari tena!

Another amazing couple of days.

We have arrived in Sioport, western Kenya. Although a small town, I feel it will be the beginning of something great. Yesterday (Sunday), Jeremy and I were welcomed and invited to speak at a couple of local churches. I love church in Kenya. AUTHENTIC. The singing and dancing is awesome, the prayer and praise is genuine and their love for God is unbridled. There were many encouraging testimonies (I think) from members of the church during the service. Couldn’t understand a word they said (I still Amen’d and Hallelujah’d). 

They really are very faithful people. We were having lunch with the Dean of the Samian Bible College, Francis, and there was a mountain in front of us with a tiny shack on top. He said many believers will climb the mountain in time of need, and pray and fast for days before coming down. What devotion. 

Today we met with the 10 executives of the Samia Pastor’s Fellowship. They are a group of leaders passionate about transforming their poor, Nazareth-like sub-county, where “to live is to survive”. As well as pastoring their churches, they also somehow work full-time in order to support their families. Serious troopers. 

Straight away, I’m blown away by the unity of the churches in this area. 29 pastors meet from 29 churches every fortnight, to pray together, share meals and develop a vision for their area. I could not believe it. From all different denominations too. One of the pastors said today “the church I pastor is not my own, we are all one church”. I have never seen anything like it. Australia is further developed than Kenya in many ways, but not all… Testimonies of the church growing every week through evangelism; pastors, teachers and bishops travelling around and sharing their resources. The fruit that comes from unity in the church is profound. 

Jeremy dedicated a child named Immaculate. 

Funny story: We are on the banks of Lake Victoria. The other day, two Hippos are fighting. One dies. So everyone grabs their knives and cuts off chunks of Hippo. And eats it for dinner. Tastes like beef apparently. 

Thank you for your prayers. Tomorrow we begin the first conference. Please pray for energy and that Jeremy will be able to communicate God’s plan for Samia well. 

Blessings

‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!’ Psalm 133:1 

Jambo! Karibu kwenye blogu yetu! (Hello and welcome to our blog)

Greetings from Kenya! What a week! God is good. 

This is the first update from our trip since arriving in Nairobi at 2:00 am on Tuesday morning. Since then we have been enjoying fellowship with friends – new and old – sharing meals together and enjoying some of God’s amazing creation. Already we have felt very welcomed by the locals, and I have been blown away by the hospitality shown to us. 

Something that struck me quite soon after arriving was the Kenyan Christian’s awareness of God’s blessing and provision despite trials. We have heard many sad stories from Christians hurt by their families and friends and of course COVID, yet their faithfulness during these Job-like periods is a real encouragement. My own complaints at home quickly pale in comparison. There is also a real sensitivity to the spiritual warfare so prevalent in this country (and ours too!), and has caused Christians here to rely heavily on prayer and fasting to break strong, and sometimes generational bondage. And surprise surprise, it works! Another great encouragement. 

As we have not yet reached Samia (flying there tomorrow), this week has been a great opportunity to prepare. Jeremy and I haven’t worked together much before, so it has been a good chance to get to know each other and figure out how we will best work as a team. We’re very excited for what the next three weeks hold, and would appreciate your continued support through prayer. Please pray for safe travels, for freedom for those still impacted by spiritual trauma, and that God’s purposes for Samia and its surroundings will come to fruition.

Blessings, 

Jeremy and Samuel 

‘Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ Hebrews 4:16

The next few days see Jeremy and Sam having a few days of rest and preparation before they begin ministry in the coming days.

There will also be time for catching up with those in Kenya. A time of putting plans forward.

Please continue to pray for the unity of spirit and vision.

Pray the very word and anointing of the Lord would be confirmed.

Pray against any spiritual walls, barriers or attacks. 

Pray the word of the Lord would be well received and hearts released.