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

WINNER DECLARED IN KENYAN ELECTION

Early this morning Uhuru Kenyatta was named the winner of the Kenyan presidential election.  He avoided a second round runoff with Raila Odinga by 4700 votes.  Odinga immediately indicated that he would not accept the results and would take the issue to the Supreme Court.  He urged all of his supporters to remain peaceful and allow the court process to go forward and to put their confidence in the judiciary.

I woke early this morning hearing the beginning of a celebration and knew that Kenyatta must have been announced the winner.  We live in an area that is strongly in his favor.  I left the house at 6:15 this morning to go to the church building for our men’s prayer meeting.  Halfway there I had to turn around and go back home because the roads were blocked with thousands of people dancing in the streets, celebrating.

Riot police charge towards demonstrators as tensions rises after Uhuru Kenyatta is declared election winner.

Demonstrators chant slogans as tension rises in some areas.

A couple hours ago we received a message from the American Embassy that protests have broken out in various parts of the country and that these protests have turned violent.  At this time they seem to be isolated events and the violence does not seem to be directed at anyone. 

Kenya is deeply divided down the middle and mostly along tribal lines.  Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto have both been indicted by the ICC for being directly involved in the planning and financing of rape, torture, and murder during the last election.   They have denied the charges and their cases are scheduled to begin in two month time. 

There were a number of suspicious things that seemed to be happening during the counting process that have the losing side suspicious of the outcome.  I have not formed an opinion yet if there was indeed someone playing with the results or if it was just general ineptness by those in charge.

I believe that people want peace and that restraint will continue to be shown by most.  There will be some trouble spots, but if the judiciary does its job it shouldn’t spread.  The judiciary has been completely revamped since the last election; people have a lot more confidence in it then before and should be willing to let them handle the discrepancy –  this is our hope and prayer.

Please continue to pray for us and the people of Kenya.

ELECTION UPDATE

Please continue to pray for the Kenyan election.  They have been counting the votes for 72 hours and we still do not know who has won.  Officially they have released the count for about half of the vote. 

At this time Uhuru Kenyatta has a lead of about 400,000 votes over Raila Odinga.  Odinga’s party has already issued a complaint and has asked the vote count to stop because of irregularities. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/kenyan-presidential-hopeful-calls-for-halt-to-vote-counting-says-process-lacks-integrity /article9444446/

Honestly, it is hard to know exactly what is going on. There has been a few suspicious things happen that has caused some to ask a lot of questions.  It seems that regardless of the outcome we are in for some tense days ahead.

The Kenyan people have been very patient and for the most part peace has prevailed throughout the country.  However, the longer the results are delayed the greater the chance people will start to believe the rumors which will in turn cause the tension to rise.

Some have asked who I would like to win. The truth is I do not believe either of these men would be good for Kenya.  Kenyatta and his running mate, Ruto, have both been indicted by the international court for crimes against humanity.  Indications are that they were major players in the past election violence.  Odinga, in my opinion, is tainted by corruption and by the violence in the last election.

We thank you for your prayers and concern and ask that you continue to pray!