SURVEY TRIP TO SOUTH SUDAN

In a few moments I will be boarding a bus along with Pastor Justus Oloo and Brother Peter Kosgei.  The bus will take us west through Kenya where we will cross the border into Uganda.  We will continue west until we reach Kampala, then head north up through Uganda until reaching the border of the Republic of South Sudan.  Once we are in Southern Sudan we will continue north until reaching the capital city of Juba.

The purpose of this trip is to make a survey with brother Peter Kosgei of South Sudan.  God has called the Kosgei family to missionaries to this needy, war torn and almost forgotten land.  Lord willing, sometime next year, the Kosgei family will be moving to this country to fulfill the great commission.  Brother Kosgei has been serving as a missionary intern for the last 18 months at the Grace Bible Baptist Church as a continual preparation for this move.

Peter Kosgei family

It was a few years ago that God began to burden the church concerning the great need in reaching our northern neighbors with the gospel.  We did not know when or how, but believed God wanted us to be part of taking the gospel to that country.  As we prayed, God began to send us Sudanese students in our Christian school.  The burden continued to grow and God continued to allow us to minister to the Sudanese refugees in our community.  Today we have nearly fifty Sudanese students in our school, we have seen a number of them saved at least five Sudanese have joined the church, and some are teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir. God then called the Peter Kosgei family to South Sudan!

This is the third country of the Regions Beyond that God has allowed us to be a part of reaching through our mission’s team here in Kenya.  The other two are Burundi and DR Congo.

Please pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit on this trip, safety while traveling and while we are in South Sudan, and for our families who remain behind.

RIFT VALLEY BAPTIST COLLEGE

This past week we had a session of the Rift Valley Baptist College. It was a fruitful, full week with 83 students meeting from various places of Kenya to study the bible together.  Amongst those 83 students were 50 men who are either pastors or preachers in training. It is exciting to be part of training a generation of preachers who will impact their culture for the Lord.  We have over forty men who have gone to our college that are pastoring a church somewhere in Kenya. 

During this college session we offered six classes: Church History, Pastoral Theology (Men only), Dressing for the Lord, Sowing and Reaping, Women of the Bible 3 (Ladies Only), and Hebrews 1 (Swahili).  I give huge thank you to Pastor Oloo, Bro. B.J. Cormier, and my wife for helping teach these classes.

Wendy teaching the ladies class

Rift Valley Baptist College Students

Besides the college in Nakuru, we will soon be starting a branch that will be meeting in an area about five hours from us.  The branch college will be meeting in Masaai land at the Lighthouse Baptist Church pastored by one of our graduates, John Nkome.  We also have a branch that meets weekly in Burundi, one that meets weekly in Congo, and one that meets every other month in Congo.  Soon we will be starting a branch for the deaf that will be headed up by brother B.J. Cormier.  This will be the first Baptist bible training institution for the deaf in Kenya.

We thank everyone who has prayed for and financially supported the Bible College ministry and the Mickey family.  This ministry is one of the most important that we are involved in, and it produces much fruit that remains. 

Pastor Oloo preaching chapel

Pastor Matthew Mogire and Neema Baptist Church

This past Sunday morning Pastor Oloo and I left at 4:30 am and drove to Masimba to preach at the Neema Baptist Church.  This church is pastored by Matthew Mogire and is a church plant out of the Grace Bible Baptist Church.  You can read about the beginning of this church at this link  http://mickeystokenya.blogspot.com/2011/05/new-church-off-to-great-start.html

Pastor Matthew opening the service in prayer

Masimba is in a staunch SDA area and Pastor Matthew and the church regularly receive ridicule and even persecution from those in the community.  It has been very difficult to find a building to rent because of the SDA influence and the fact that they do not want a Baptist Church in their area.  We have found one woman who has been willing to rent to us because of financial hardship, but she has made it clear if she was not desperate for money, we would be gone. 

A young lady named Judy walked forward during the invitation for salvation, on the very first Sunday the church met, April 24, 2011.  A short time later she was obedient in baptism and became determined to grow as a Christian.  Her mother, who happens to be the landlord of the building, gave her an ultimatum… return to the SDA church or find another place to live.  Since she would not turn her back on Christ, she was thrown out of the house.  To this day she has not slept in her mother’s house, but instead has had to live with relatives.  It has not been easy for her but she has remained faithful to God.
 

Judy has remained faithful in spite of being thrown out of her home

The small building they use was full with around 30 people in attendance.  The joy of the Lord was evident in their life and it was obvious that they have a great desire to build a church for the Lord.  

Small building is full

Pastor Matthew has been reaching out into the communities around him desiring to see the gospel penetrate into his region.  He has begun training a man that he has reached by the name of Job Nyangau, even beginning a bible study in his house.  Brother Job has joined the bible college and has shown a great desire to see a church started in his village.   

Pastor Matthew and Job. Job has joined the Bible College.

 

The area around Masimba is one of the more difficult areas of Kenya to reach with the gospel because of the strong SDA hold in the area, and the extreme pressure put on people to not leave their cult.  But as the Bible teaches, the light of God’s Word can penetrate even the darkest of areas.

NEW WORK PERMIT

Last week I drove to Nairobi to the immigration offices to get my new work permit stamped into my passport. This permit allows us to legally live and do the work of missions in Kenya for another three years.  At times dealing with government regulations and requirements can be a hassle but it is necessary in order to be proper.

This is sixth work permit that we have been issued since arriving in Kenya in January 1998.  Our initial work permit was special in that it was our first and the beginning of our calling here in Kenya.  However, this current permit has a meaning that surpasses any others.

In order to receive a work permit you must be invited to work on behalf of an approved “society” that has been recognized by the government.  When we first came to Kenya there were very few options for an Independent Baptist to get a permit.  The government had for years closed the registration process which made it legally impossible to register any new “societies”.   We are thankful that the BBFI graciously allowed us to use their registration in order for us to be legal with the government.

A few years ago the government of Kenya re-opened the registration of societies.  When this happened we began the process of registering the Grace Bible Baptist Church with the government.  Final approval was given to the church in late 2011. Upon receiving this approval it also allowed the church to “invite” people to work on their behalf here in Kenya. It allowed the church to be the legal cover for missionaries to reside and do the work of missions in Kenya.

When it was time to renew our permit, instead of having it issued under our old paper work, we applied afresh under the registration of the church.  Last month we were informed that our permit was approved and we are now officially missionary/evangelists residing and working in Kenya on behalf of the Grace Bible Baptist Church. 

In these days of ecclesiastical weakness and compromise, we are excited that anyone desiring to do missions work in Kenya can if they so choose use the registration of the Grace Bible Baptist Church without fear of doctrinal shortcomings.

Our first permit will always be special because it was the first, but now they will have a new meaning because truly we are now working as a team with those we love the most.

MARCH-APRIL PRAYER LETTER

Dear Praying Friends,                                                                                                       

 CONGO REBEL LEADER GETS SAVED

Last month I took a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo that culminated in the salvation of a captain in the Mai Mai rebel army.  I understand that the miracle of salvation is the greatest event in anyone’s life and everyone’s soul is equally precious to God, but having a part in this man coming to the Lord is without a doubt a highlight of my Christian life.  It is a privilege beyond measure to team up with our national men and take the gospel to the REGIONS BEYOND.  I have written in detail concerning the salvation of this rebel leader in our blog mickeystokenya.blogspot.com.  I encourage you to take a few moments to read the February 24th entry and remember to pray for our men serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the newest nation in the world after a referendum that passed with 98.83% of the vote.  After decades of war with the northern part of the country, millions killed, and millions more displaced there is now hope.  In spite of the hope of freedom from war, we know that REAL HOPE will only come through the Lord Jesus Christ.  During the last few years God has given the Grace Bible Baptist Church a burden and call to take the gospel to South Sudan.  We have nearly forty Sudanese students in our school, we have seen a number of them saved, and some join the church.  We have been able to establish a relationship with them that has increased our desire to get the gospel to their country.  One of our families, the Peter Kosgei family, has answered God’s call and has surrendered to go to South Sudan as missionaries.  Brother Kosgei has been receiving additional training for the last year as a missionary intern, and has spent much time in Congo learning how to serve in another culture.  In early May Pastor Oloo, brother Kosgei, and I will be taking a survey trip to South Sudan in order to begin the process of sending the Kosgei family to one of the neediest countries in the world.  This will be the newest country served by GRACE TO THE REGIONS BEYOND.

KENYA ELECTION

Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto have been elected as President and Vice President of Kenya.  The election results were challenged in the Supreme Court and validated as free and fair.  We praise the Lord that for the most part peace prevailed throughout the country with trouble only being reported in isolated instances. However, it is a matter of concern that the new president and vice-president were elected in spite of being indicted by the International Court for crimes against humanity.  They have been accused of rape, murder, and being the masterminds behind the chaos in the last election.  They were successful in joining forces and further dividing the country along tribal lines in order to be elected.  Their cases are due to begin next month and the fear is that at some point they will no longer cooperate with the court, which would then in turn make it very difficult for the Kenyan people because of the real threat of economic sanctions.  The fact that Kenya would elect such men as their leaders shows the spiritual depravity and need for the gospel in this country.  Please keep this a matter of prayer as in the future it could bring problems.

His for Kenya and the Regions Beyond,

The Mickey Family