Day 2 – An incredible day at the Deliverance Church in Mwiki
DAY TWO: OUR FIRST DAY OF MINISTRY
Our first day of ministry this morning began by visiting the Deliverance Church in an area of Nairobi called, Mwiki. In recent years this church has hosted several of our medical camps and we have visited there on a number of occasions. I have visited a lot of churches in Kenya over the years, but the Mwiki Deliverance Church is a rare find and a place where the presence of God is very powerful. The driving force behind the church is a dynamic and loving pastor named Peter Waweru. He and his wife Grace are very special people. He has created a culture of love and passion for the Lord that is something special. I am particularly attracted to Peter and to his congregation because of the love, but also because, more than any church I know in Kenya, they have a heart for poor and the needy. The number of programs and events they have to help people are astounding. All of us were touched and deeply moved by the events of the day.
On this particular morning a wonderful woman named, Beth Geoffrey Ng’ang’a, came to share with the church about a ministry they have started for street boys. Her husband is an elected county counsel member and a very influential politician in the area. She shared how there were literally thousands of young boys who are being victimized and corrupted all over the Mwiki area and no one cares for them. As a matter of fact they are hated and treated like garbage. She referred to these boys as “The man child” (a reference to the “man child” in the book of revelation, that the dragon wants to devour). Her passion to help these boys was truly touching and inspiring.
As she shared Valerie was reminded of an email she had received this morning from her friend, Liz Stubbs. The email contained news from the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem announcing their prayer initiative for the week. She was commenting on how appropriate it was that they have a call to prayer for the exact thing WorldComp is engaged in in Kenya. It is so relevant and powerful. Here’s what they said:
Church in the Nations
This week we will pray for the Africa country of Kenya. Most of the west and south of the country consist of a fertile plateau, in the north there is desert. Kenya has a population of 40.8 million with 82% who are Christian. Kenya has very poor slums with men, women, and children living near the brink of starvation in poverty-stricken areas. Many of the children suffer from malnutrition, living on only one meal a day. As a predominately Christian country there is a deep reverence for the Lord even amongst the poor. These hungry people cry out for help to the only One whom they can trust, Jesus. This week as we pray for Kenya, let us ask the Lord to harken unto the cry of the poor, orphans and widows and that He would release the funds and resources to those whom He has called to bring restoration and provision and love to the people of Kenya. Also pray that God would send out more laborers who would be the hands and feet of Jesus to these people. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”. (Psalm 34:18)
How reassuring to know that we are not only being prayed for by our prayer supporters back in Seattle, but that Christians in Jerusalem are praying for this work as well.
During the morning service this morning Valerie felt led to read this announcement to the congregation at the Mwiki Deliverance Church. As she read these words she we interrupted several times as the people applauded and cheered. After the announcement Pastor Peter stood up to share a word. He told us that several months ago a prophetic word was brought by a speaker from America about Israel. He said; “Here in Kenya there are two countries that have made offers to build roads and infrastructure, one is China and other, is Israel. “Choose Israel”, he said; “they will build better roads and give you an honest deal.” “Pastor Peter said that when the prophetic word was given the people stood up and said; “we chose Israel”, and now we find the people of Israel are choosing us and earnestly praying for us.”
After reading the email Valerie shared a prophetic word with Beth from the platform. It was powerful and Beth was deeply moved and greatly encouraged. Following the service we had great fellowship with Beth and her team and we know that God is somehow joining us to this ministry. The thought of seeing young boys being delivered from corruption and destruction to a life of love and fruitfulness is a dream come true. When I think of the boys who are incarcerated at the Shikusa Boys Detention Center I can see how this is the type of preventative ministry that we need to support, because it will stop the problem before it starts.
Today the Lord brought a whole lot of people together who share one heart and one mind for the lost and lonely. Everything seem to intersect; the message and the fellowship were something never to be forgotten. God is good! All the time!
Pray for us! Tomorrow is a very busy day. We will visit three of our projects: The Kibera Kids School and Feeding Program, Lenana School and our Home of Grace kids
Blessings to you all
Richard and Valerie and the Team