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.
As the team spends the next two days travelling here are a few points to remember in prayer. These will be sent out via text message to those that signed up to receive updates. You can sign up using this form HERE.
Jeremy and Sam will be travelling from the 12th to the 14th of June. They will arrive and meet the Kenyan team on June 14th.
Please pray for safe and relaxed travel and that the Holy Spirit will cover all details with divine coverage.
Pray that they would travel in good health and arrive fresh, prepared and anointed.
Please pray for a receptive anointing on those who are preparing to receive our team. Pray also for their health and travels to be able to attend sessions.
Subscribe below to receive updates via email.
This morning during our worship service we had a time of prayer and commissioning of Jeremy and Samuel before they set off to Kenya. You can watch that portion of the service HERE.
This year we have the option to join a list and receive prayer updates via text message. Please let us know if you would like to receive these by signing up via the form HERE.
Meet Samuel Taylor, he will be travelling with Jeremy to Kenya.