Temporary Facilities for Ukunda Missions School

As we plan to start the missions school, we are faced with a number of challenges. We are planning to build a nice facility, with classrooms, dormitories, apartment, office and kitchen.  However, this project will take time.  If it is possible, we would like to start the school very soon, possibly even this year.  Therefore we need to find temporary facilities that can be used to begin the school with a small number of students.  

As we were coming to inspect the building plot, we found a group of young men sitting outside this house that borders our property, playing cards and smoking dope.  Actually, it is likely that harder drugs were involved, because the young man who owned the house was gradually tearing it apart to sell piece by piece. As you can see, he has started tearing iron sheets from the roof to sell.  Windows and doors have also been torn out and sold.  

As we talked with the neighbors, we discovered that the young man wished to sell his house.  The price he was asking was very, very reasonable. 

Welcome to Ukunda

Diani Beach at Ukunda

Welcome to Ukunda.  Ukunda is the town where  we will be building our new school.  Ukunda is near some of the world's most beautiful beaches, as you can see.  People come from around the world to visit these beaches.  Ukunda is the town where many beach workers live, including hotel staff, prostitutes, and "beach boys."

Storms

Here is a video Elisa made for her grandmother containing some scenes from her trip to Kenya and one of the songs that she wrote and recorded: "Storms"

Why Kenya?

During a recent trip, Dennis Perdomo received a vision from the Lord.  He saw a map of Africa.  On this map, only one nation was outlined and named.  This nation was Kenya.  It was shaped like a keystone.  The Lord told Dennis that Kenya was the key to Africa.  If we reach Kenya, we will be able to reach Africa.

Meet John Mirara, Kenyan Missionary

On my very first trip to Kenya twenty three years ago, I met John Mirara. John was a school teacher in those days.  We only talked a for a few minutes together, but I still remember our conversation.  John told me that he had received a vision from the Lord.  He had seen a map of the world, and on the map was the name "Gujarat".  He felt that he was called to become a missionary to that place.

Last Days in Kenya

Ruby and Elisa flew back to Belgium early this morning.  I think they really had a great trip.  During the last few days, Elisa finished working on her CD.   We spent some time with my old friend Abednego Kanyia and his family. I gave Elisa her first driving lesson in Nairobi National Park, letting her drive down the dirt roads of the park as we looked for animals.  And of course, no trip is really complete until you have ridden an ostrich. 

New Experiences

This trip to kenya has provided a lot of new experiences for Ruby and Elisa.  they experienced new foods, a new culture.  They have met  a lot of new friends.  Especially for Elisa, she has been involved in public ministry much more than ever before, and has really conquered some of her fears.  

Today Elisa and I were given nearly an hour to sing and speak on Baraka fm, a popular Christian radio channel that broadcasts along the coastal region of Kenya.  Elisa planned to play some tracks from her new CD on the show, but when the CD was inserted, the tracks didn't play properly.  So Elisa needed to sing her songs live on the radio, playing her guitar in the studio.  

In fact, everything went very well, and we received a lot of positive responses.  We also ministered in a church today.  Tomorrow morning we will take the bus to Nairobi.

The studio at Baraka FM

The Public Testimony of Jesus Christ

My oldest daughter Elisa received an amazing ability to write songs that touch hearts.  In spite of this gifting, Elisa never seemed to be able to speak in public.  Every time she was asked to say something, it seemed like she couldn't put three words together.  Yesterday Elisa preached for the first time.  The setting wasn't ideal.  Katana stopped the van in the middle of a dirt road.  Rose Jeffa got out and began to sing.  A crowd soon gathered, and then Elisa sang and shared her testimony.

The quality of the following video is pretty terrible, it was taken with my not-very-smartphone. Everything sounded much better live.  Many people were touched by the Lord.

After stopping here for about one hour, we moved on to the center of Mtwapa. here the crowd was much rougher, many drunks and prostitutes.   After Elisa sang, and Rose and  I preached, there was a real heartfelt reaction from the crowd.   Many people were touched by the Lord and began to  call upon his name.The police came, trying to stop the meeting because our permits weren't in order.  Nevertheless, many people experienced the presence of the Lord and received His word.

It has been a long time since I participated in this type of ministry in Africa.  I must say that I enjoyed it.  There was no need for advertisements, and the ministry didn't really cost much at all.  Yet many people who would not step into a church were reached.  May God give us grace to find ways to participate in the public testimony of Jesus Christ in Europe and America also.

Kenya Trip Update #2: Traveling with Rose

This is Rose Jeffa.  Rose is a well known musician in Kenya.  She likes to preach the gospel.  So she loads up a van with a few powerful speakers, and drives around looking for a crowd to preach to.  Then she gets out, sings a few songs, and starts preaching.   We joined her for a few days.  I admire her simplicity and boldness in preaching the gospel.