Street Ministry with Alejandro and Dennis

Its been great having Alejandro and Dennis here for two weeks.  Alejandro  has a amazing ability to minister  to almost everyone he meets.  He ministers on the streets, and invites himself into peoples' houses and ministers to them there.  Time after time, I see people that seemed difficult to reach break down in tears as they experience the presence of the Lord when Alejandro prays for them.  

I really wanted Alejandro to minister to our neighbors here at the school, both for the sake of the neighbors and to expose the students to a kind of ministry that is quite different from the typical Kenyan style of ministry.  

So many things happened during the past two weeks that it is difficult to write them down here.  I will try to mention a few, however. 

Ali is wearing the red headband.  There are between 500-1000 heroine addicts within a few kilometers of our school  Most of them are Muslims.  Ali is the leader of this "gang".  During the past two weeks, Alejandro spent a lot of time with Ali, praying with him, and ministering to him and his family.  Ali made a serious commitment to Christ during this time.  Please remember him in your prayers, he is a key person for this area.  

A Day to Remember

We had quite an interesting day last week.  Alejandro and Dennis were here, leading the students in street ministry.  We went to visit the drug addicts who gathered nearby.  We prayed for them and helped them were we could.  Many were open to the gospel, in spite of their religious background.  

Alejandro decided to plan an entire day to minister to the addicts at UMS.  Alejandro often plans 3-day retreats for hundreds of new converts in the USA.  These retreats are very intense, with a lot of teaching and deliverance.  Many of the attendees are right off the streets, never having attended church before.  By the end of the three days, their lives are radically changed.  

Here in Ukunda, we weren't able to plan a three day conference, so we planned a one-day meeting instead.  We invited all the addicts.  Ali, the leader of the addicts promised to bring 20 of his friends, those who he didn't think would cause too many problems.  Others heard about the meeting, and more than 70 ended up attending.  

Alejandro, Dennis, and myself taught during the day.  Our visitors listed attentively.  When it came time for prayer, many were powerfully touched by the Lord.  Ali, the gang's leader, began leading the others in heartfelt prayers and worship.  It was a remarkable time.  

Two by Two

Luk 10:1-3
(1)  After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.
(2)  Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
(3)  Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

The Students have received a tremendous amount of input during the past months.  I have been very happy with the ministry of all the teachers, including Samson Wamunga, Anthony and Cindy Holland, John Harris, Enos Martin, Katana, Tony, Joa and others.  All ministered effectively and powerfully.  These past two weeks,  Alejandro Colindres and Dennis led the students in powerful street ministry, with numerous healings and salvations taking place in the Muslim community surrounding the school.

Of course, it is one thing to listen to powerful ministers of the gospel and follow them around as they demonstrate the power of the Kingdom. It is another thing to do it yourself, with nobody to trust in except God.  So last week, we divided the students in groups of two, and sent them out to minister for three days.  In such a small group, you can't just follow a leader, you need to stir up your own faith and do the work yourself.

Each group was given freedom to pray and to choose where they wanted to go.   Last Thursday, the students spent the day in prayer, praying about where they should go.  When they received an answer in their prayers, we prayed for them and sent them out.

Each team was given $25 to help with their expenses.  In many cases, this was not expected to be enough to cover all the costs. The students were expected to walk in faith, and to see God's provision as they ministered.

As it turned out, the students chose towns reaching up and down the coast of Kenya, from Lunga Lunga at the border of Tanzania, all the way to Tana River.  I believe that in the future we will plant churches in all of these towns.

Here are the different teams:

Angel and Helen took a longer journey.  They received a clear instruction to go to Tana River, a day's journey from here. They were willing to go even if they didn't know how they would pay for everything and get back.  I expect good things from their faith.

Gladys and Beatrice went to Kwale to preach the gospel there

Outreach

Its been a busy week here at UMS.  Sometimes when a lot of things are happening, I forget to make posts.  Alejandro Colindres and Dennis Perdomo are here, and the students have been involved in a lot of outreach.  On Sunday we will hold our "Grand Opening" of Ukunda Mission Church.  Yes, I know that we held the opening of the church a few weeks ago, but we decided to have a bigger event as well  Rose Jeffa, a well known singer from Tanzania will be here, together with Baya's family gospel band.   

We've been doing a lot of outreach this week, with the students and Alejandro.  It has been a good time.  There are hundreds of heroin addicts within a kilometer or so of the school who are desperate to see a change in their lives.  Tomorrow some will be coming for a day of teaching here in the school, it should be interesting.  

There have been a lot of testimonies from the past week, here is one:

This is Eric, one of the drug addicts we have been ministering to.  When we met Eric two days ago, he could hardly walk because of a severe foot infection.  When Alejandro prayed for him, he was immediately healed.  

Can't really see it well in this photo, but after receiving healing Monday evening, Eric had one of his friend carve a cross into the hair on the back of his head.  His way of honoring God, I guess.

 Here is Eric preaching to some other addicts yesterday, telling them about his healing, and asking them to come to the meetings tomorrow and Sunday.

Harvest

A few days ago I wrote about Timothy, who met a gang of drug addicts on his way home.    Tonight, fifteen members of this gang showed up at one of our meetings.  We had a great time worshiping the Lord together.  Some of them were Rastafarians, and at least one was a Muslim, but we had a great time worshiping the Lord together.  They all prayed to receive Jesus into their lives.  

I feel like we are in the beginning stages of a great harvest.  There is potential to reach thousands of young people, from all backgrounds and religions during the upcoming months.  In two weeks, we will focus on outreach, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the streets and homes of this area.  I expect to see hundreds of people turn to the Lord.  

My biggest concern is not the evangelism itself.  I know that many, many people are hungry to know the living God.  I know that many will open their hearts to him.  Many will call on the name of the Lord and be saved.  But what happens then?  Are we ready to disciple this great harvest?  Are we ready to pay the price that is required?  When people turn to the Lord, they often come from terrible backgrounds.  Helping them is not always easy.  The harvest is ready to be reaped, but are the laborers ready to bring in the harvest?

Thanksgiving

Well, another week has come to an end here at Ukunda Missions School, and it is a good time to stop and thank God for what He did this week.   Here are a few things I am thankful for:

First of all, I am thankful that two students were rescued from drowning this week.  Their story is described below.  I am thankful for the joyful atmosphere that was in the school that night as we worshiped with their rescuers. 

I am thankful for the teachers here at UMS.  I think that God has sent us better teachers than I could ask for, men who demonstrate what they teach.  I have been very happy with each teacher who has come so far, and with those who are coming.  Enos Martin, John Harris, Joa Ephraim, Alejandro Colindress, Dennis Perdomo, Katana Baya, Tony Ngwatha, Anthony and Cindy, and all the others, thank you.

I am thankful for the Sunday morning worship service this morning.  About 70 people attended, many of them new Christians.  I listened to one man testify about how God had healed his leg.  He was a drunkard who was unable to go to work because of his leg.  Now, he demonstrated his healing to his coworkers by lifting heavy stones as he testified to them about Jesus Christ.  There were many similar testimonies this morning, by people whose lives have been changed by the Lord.  Even Moslems are beginning to turn to the Lord. 

We faced other serious issues this week, which I will not describe here.  Now, at the end of the week, I see  them settled, and peace and unity among the students.  The students are now taking a few hours out in the community, following up with new believers.   

I am thankful for Timothy. a student here at UMS.   Sometimes I think Timothy doesn't enjoy classwork very much.  Written tests and Timothy don’t always match very well.  But no written test can measure the faith that is in a man’s heart, or his true potential.

Timothy pretending to study

This week Timothy needed to go home to pay the school fees of his children.  He asked permission to leave school for a day, and set off on his journey although he didn’t actually have any money to pay the school fees. 

Somehow, Timothy got lost.  As he followed the footpath through the bush, he saw that ahead of him was a group of nearly 50 young men taking drugs under a tree.  Timothy felt fear.  He was convinced that these men were likely to beat him and rob him of the little that he had.  But as he walked closer, he felt the Holy Spirit stirring in his heart, telling him to get out his bible and preach to these addicts.  So Timothy took out his bible and began preaching.  Instead of becoming violent, the young men listened intently.  They started telling him how tired they were of the life that they were living.  In the end, ten of the young men prayed a prayer of repentance with Timothy, as they gave their hearts to the Lord. 

Then Timothy felt that the Holy Spirit was leading him to give what he had to the young men.  So he emptied his traveling bag, giving away his shirts, socks, and other items.

Afterwards, the group of young men escorted him to the place where he needed to go.   As Timothy approached the bus stop, people stared at the gang that was accompanying him.  So Timothy traveled to his home.  When he reached the home, he resecved a message on his phone that someone had just deposited a gift in his “MPESA” account, enough to pay the school fees for his children. 

I am thankful for the presence of the Lord this week in the school.  I taught this week about the love of God, and the cross of Jesus Christ.  The cross is the ultimate example of God’s supernatural, agape love.  The cross is extreme humility, for the sake of love.  It is obedience unto death, because of love.  I am thankful for the clarity of God’s word that came forth this week.

I am thankful because God is doing something here at Ukunda Missions School.  Every day, I can see God’s mighty hand, if I can just open my eyes to see.  

I am thankful that this week, I am going home to be with my wife and children.  .  

I am thankful for Ilona and the children.  When I call home, my wife tells me about the steps of faith that they are taking.  Sometimes Elisa moves under an amazing grace as she leads worship and plays the guitar.  Ruby has been praying for her friends and testifying about Jesus.  Julie is doing great, riding her huge horse Woudschap without fear.   As much as I am gone, I am very, very thankful that God takes care of my family in such a wonderful way.  

This lady looks absolutely gorgeous after I've been traveling so long. (and also when I haven't been traveling)

 I am thankful that this week, I am going home to be with my wife and children.I am thankful for powerful, committed staff who will keep things going while I am gone.  I am thankful that the Lord has supplied the finances that we needed to get this far, and that he will supply all of our future needs as well.  I am thankful to be working in such a beautiful part of the world.  I am thankful for the faith and commitment of the students who have been so dedicated to doing the work of the Lord.

And I am thankful for you, friends and supporters who read this blog and pray for us and support us in what we are doing.  May God bless you abundantly.  

Sincerely,

Vaughn Martin

Grace

I am very glad tonight to be worshiping together with the students and their visitors, instead of holding a funeral.  On Sunday evening, several students took a walk down to the beach.  Penina and Matthew Chege walked ahead of the others.  The tide was out, and they were able to walk far from shore in the sand and shallow water.    The other students didn't see where they had gone.

Many of the students of UMS come from "upcountry", far from the seashore.  Most of them had never seen the ocean before, and most of them don't know how to swim.

As Chege and Penina became distracted by the coral reef, they didn't notice that the tide had begun to come in, and the water was deepening.  By the time they realized what was happening they were in serious danger.  Panic set in, and they began struggling to stay above water.  As time passed Penina found herself in a place in which  she was completely unable to hold on any longer.   She released her life into the hands of the Lord, and sank for the third time under the water.

Three Danish tourists were relaxing on the beach nearby.  They noticeda commotion was taking place far from shore.  Eventually they realized that something terrible was happening, and they rushed into the sea with a raft to try and rescue the students.  By this time, Penina had been completely under water for more than 20 minutes.   They dragged her lifeless body to shore, and began giving her mouth to mouth resuscitation.

Penina came around, and began breathing again.  Eventually she regained consciousness, and she and Chege began to speak to their rescuers about their Lord, and about the school that they attended.

Today, the three Danish tourists  who rescued Penina and Chege visited the Ukunda Missions School.   They ate dinner with the students, and participated in the evening worship time.  It was a time of thanking God and them for saving the lives of Matthew and Penina.    They seemed to really enjoy the time worshiping with the students, and of course the students were very grateful to the three Danes for saving the lives of their friends.

Chege with Michael and Bruce.  Both are soldiers in the Danish army

Penina and Luga (Bruce's sister)

God works in mysterious ways....

The Opening of Ukunda Missions Church

This morning we opened Ukunda Missions Church here at the school.  It seems kind of strange.  25 years ago we came here and tried to open a church.  We arrived with no money, not even a shilling or a return bus ticket.  The first night we had no idea where we could sleep.  Finally, as darkness set in, someone gave us a room.  We preached the gospel for several weeks, and saw God touch many lives.  But no matter how hard we worked, the church never took off.  

Now, 25 years later, we were not trying to start a church, but one has started anyway.  Many people are turning to the Lord, and it has become necessary to start a church in the area.  So this week, we decided to officially launch Ukunda Missions Church.    This morning, there were about 60 people or so in attendance as we opened the church. Last week, John Harris prophesied that there would be a church in Ukunda of not less than 2500 people, so we still have a long way to go.

This woman attended church for the first time this morning.  She was powerfully touched by the Lord, and determined to give her heart to the Lord.  After the meeting, she insisted that we go with her to her home to help her destroy her business.  She was brewing a form of illegal alcohol, and felt convicted that she needed to destroy all of it.  Nobody mentioned this or asked her to do this, she was just absolutely convinced that she needed to do it.  

School Workers

Here are the workers that help the school run properly.  They cook, clean, and guard the school at night. 

Mama Rose is a cook at the school

Juma works as a night watchman

Worship Time at UMS

Here is Katana Baya banging on a badly out of tune guitar and singing spontaneous praise songs with some students:

A Few Student and Staff Pics

Tony Ngwatha.  Tony is a powerful teacher of the word on staff here at UMS. When he teaches on intercession in a place, often the entire church will begin weeping for hours as the Spirit of God moves.  Also serves as a pastor to the students here, and works with Katan to organize outreaches

Katana, leader of a poweful worship band, small businesman.  On staff at UMS, leads students in many hours of worship and intercession and organizes the outreaches

Testimony of Wilson Maina

For many years, I lived on the streets of Nairobi.   I was a Rastafarian deeply involved in drugs, alcohol, and the criminal life.  Our gang used to mug people at night.  In Kenya, when a criminal is caught by a crowd, he is usually subjected to “mob justice”.    He can be beaten to death, lynched, or soaked in gasoline and set on fire.   I was caught and “mob justiced” four  times, each time barely escaping with my life.   I buried several of my friends who were killed by mob justice. 

Anthony and Cindi Holland

Anthony and Cindi Holland have been missionaries in Kenya for 13 years.  They teach a course in foundational doctrine in such a way that the students of their course are trained to teach the same course.  For the first week of school  Anthony and Cindi came to UMS to teach the students. 

Starting in this way has several advantages.  First of all, Anthony and Cindi have worked in an African setting for many years.  They helped advise us on the best ways of running a school  Secondly, when the students at UMS become missionaries, they will need to be teaching courses in basic Christian doctrine, and this course gives them a tool that they can use.  Finally and most important, this course  helps the students to better understand the foundational doctrines of Christianity, ensuring that we will be building on a good foundation.  

Phase One

We are in the process of completing phase one of construction at UMS.  Phase one included the construction of a makuti multi purpose hall, a stone wall surrounding the entire property, a septic system that can supply all present and future needs of the school, the construction of public toilets,  the development of a reliable water supply for the school, and the remodeling of a house for the students to live in.  Most of these projects are completed, although the school still owes a substantial amount of money to the builder.

Here is the stone wall that surrounds the property.  It is made out of stones imported from Ukumbani, a days journey away, because the local stones are soft and porous.  Such a wall might seem like a luxury, but it is very necessary for the purposes of the school.  It brings peace with the neighbors, and gives a sense of security and privacy for the students of the school.  It is an attractive wall, strongly built.

Student Dorm

Maybe you remember this house which bordered the plot of UMS. The former owner had some problems, and was selling the iron sheets, windows, doors and timbers piece by piece.  We decided to buy the house  and use it for a student dorm.

Original kitchen

Here is the same house after Mbali's construction team worked on it.   It still needs some finishing touches, but it is turning out nicely.

Makuti multi purpose hall

The coast of Kenya has a hot climate.  Because of this, we decided that our first building should be a makuti multi-purpose hall.  This open-style hall stays cool even in the hot climate.   There is usually a breeze blowing through it.   We are using this hall for many purposes.  Right now most of the school's activities are taking place in this hall.  Students eat their meals here, pray here, and study here.  It is also their classroom.  In the future, we will use it for conferences, and will start a church here to minister to the surrounding community.   We modeled this hall after a beautiful hall that one of the beach hotels had built.  It is not quite finished, but it has already been a blessing.

Water Supply

A school needs water.  As we researched the problem of water supply, we received estimates of $25000 to dig a deep borehole that could provide the school with an adequate supply of water.  Next to the school there is a fairly shallow, hand dug well but we were assured that it couldn't supply enough water to supply the school.  We purchased the small plot that contained this well. 

Mbali had his workers deepen this hand dug well by about ten feet.  When they did, they discovered a plentiful supply of clean water, enough to supply the entire school.   The water problem was solved for less than $2000, including the cost of building a small water tower and installing a water tank.

Water tower

Raising the water tank 

Kombeni Girls' Secondary School

Here the students are gathered for their Sunday Morning Service

Well, I'm back in Kenya.  Yestereday I visited Kombeni Girls' Secondary school.  They were holding a "Challenge Weekend" and Katana and his band were leading the worship there.  About two thirds of the  700 girls were part of the Christian Union that was holding the challenge weekend.

I don't really know how to describe to you the atmosphere in these Kenyan schools.  The students are so motivated, so competitive, so excited about everything that it feels like an alien world compared to American or European schools.  The girls were screaming in unison the scriptures and slogans they had learned together.  

Things calmed down on Sunday morning when visitors from other schools arrived, including a few hundred boys from some boys' schools.  I ministered on Sunday morning to the students.

Here Pastor Samson Wamunga ministers to some of the girls.  He described their lives and their problems in amazing detail, with very accurate words of knowledge.  I was impressed by his ministry.

In these schools you see the potential of Kenya.   The students are so highly motivated to do their best in everything.  Sometimes it feels like things have gone to an extreme, like education is almost idolized.  In spite of this, there is a very positive side to the situation there.    When the youth are so motivated to do their best, it brings about a change in the country.  Youth who are rebellious, lazy, and focused on seeking pleasure never accomplish much for themselves or their nation.   In contrast, those who are disciplined and motivated have tremendous potential.

Teenagers have tremendous energy that accomplish great things if it is channeled in the right direction. Youth who are as motivated as the young women I met this weekend can transform the economy of Kenya and East Africa.  They can build a strong nation.  More importantly, as the fire of the Holy Spirit consumes their hearts, they can become a spiritual army that can be sent into the nations of the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is why we are building a missionary training school in Kenya.  If we are able to mobilize these young people into missions, the effects will be world changing.

Jonah and the Fire of God (Part One)

The book of Jonah is not only story of past events.  The book of Jonah is also a prophecy of the end times.    If you understand the book of Jonah, you will also understand the end times.    Jonah is a symbol of the end-time church.  In the book of Jonah, we find a prophetic picture of many end time events, including the purifying of a victorious, end time church, the rise of the beast, and the final harvest. 

This message is part one of a teaching about Jonah that I have been giving in conferences in Africa.

Jonah Flees the Presence of theLord

Jon 1:1-17

(1)  Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

(2)  "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me."

(3)  But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Jonah represents the end time church.  In the story of Jonah, we read that God called Jonah to “Arise, go to Nineveh…and cry out against it..!”   When this call came to Jonah, the Bible says that he arose and fled from the presence of the Lord to Tarshish.  

Update on Ukunda Mission School

Well, I have not done a very good job of keeping this blog updated.  People have been asking me about how the school is progressing.  Unfortunately, we have faced a number of delays that have kept us from starting the school as quickly as we desired.  Fortunately, everything is still moving forward, in spite of the delays.

In September  I took my wife Ilona to Kenya for the first time.  This trip was partly our yearly holiday together, but it was also an opportunity for Ilona to meet the ministry team that will be working together to start the school  Ilona has a real God-given ability to "read" people.  She can almost immediately tell me more about people than I would ever discover on my own.  She often tells me who to trust, and who to be careful with.  She helps me understand the character and giftings of people that I am working with.  She often predicts what people will do before they do it.  This helps me know how to better work with people in a good way.  So it was a great to have her meet the team, and to have her give her "seal of approval" to each of them.

Ilona at airport in Frankfurt, Germany

Ilona and I eating dinner at the beach in Kilifi, Kenya

Ilona stayed a more than a week with me in Kenya, before returning to Belgium.  We enjoyed our time together.  After she left, I held a pastor's conference in Eldoret, and continued to work on starting the school.

We were planning to start the school with a small number of students in a house that I bought that was adjacent to the main building plot.  Unfortunately, we have faced a lot of challenges in obtaining the title deed for that house.  I won't go into details, but it seems it will be a rather drawn out process before we can rebuild the house and use it for our purposes.  At this moment, we are making plans to proceed with the school with or without the use of that house.

The Lord spoke to us clearly about the need for united intercession to see this school birthed.  What we are starting is not a small things.  If this vision is fulfilled, many poweruful ministries will be birthed that will imact Africa and other parts of the world.  There is a spiritual battle going on around the school, trying to stop the vision from becoming reality.  The Lord instructed us to bring the entire minsitry team together to hold united, focussed intercession on the plot of ground where the school will begin.  When I return in Jenauary, I will bring the entire team together to do this.  I believe that as we do this the Lord will open up a way for us to go forward.

As we reach the end of 2012, could you keep us in your thoughts and prayers?  We need financial support, prayer support, and other kinds of help.  If you would like to give towards this ministry, you can do so simply by clicking on the paypal button on this blog.   Any help you are able to give is much appreciated.