Kenya Videos

Below are some random videos taken in Kenya!  For pictures click here:  http://imageevent.com/aalchurch/kenyatrip    Also, see an article by Chad K. below.

The first one is Pastor Simeon.  A wonderful man who has a wonderful smile!   God has given him a wife and 5 boys.   And oh, by the way, in Kenya, they pay usually 3 to 5 cows for their wives, sometimes more.  When I told them we do not pay for our wives, they were so shocked!

So many people wanted to send messages to America!  They were so thankful that we came to visit to share the Word of God with them!   These are just a couple of these messages!

Sorry about the Darkness! Chad and I were already in bed one night, when we heard singing.   I went to investigate.  This is what I found.   I was then asked to hold a sermon in the dark for them.....  That was different to say the least!!!!! 

Chad K. was teaching the children to sing in English.

 

 GREETINGS FROM OUR MISSION TRIP TO KENYA, EAST AFRICA
Written by Chad Kuivanen

I feel that it was a special calling from God that I was not even aware of, starting earlier this past summer. It happened that I was motivated to speak to some people from Kenya here locally, not realizing that this was the beginning of a journey to a far-off land. As time went on, we, as a Foreign Mission Board, talked about Kenya and perhaps someone going there to answer the call that had been made by these groups of people who had no actual church name but were searching for the truth of God's Word. They had found our website and had read about us there. Hence, the call.


When I volunteered to go there with Dennis Hilman, that was our original plan. As Dennis had to go back to Finland, I, therefore, asked John Ruotsala (our FM Administrator) to go with me. There was only one week for John to get ready to go with me; even the Lord was with him in that, for all was accomplished and he was ready to go.


So, John and I left, and then met in Amsterdam to continue the journey to Kenya together, landing in Nairobi and being met there by Pastor Charles and members of his congregation. They welcomed us with open arms, and we spent the night there. Then, off to their part of Kenya, southeast from Nairobi. John and I had no idea what we were getting into; everything was so different from what we've experienced before.


When we arrived at Pastor Charles's congregation, the love and kindness that was shown us surpassed anything that we could have expected. These people live without electricity, running water, or any kind of refrigeration; they live from land to mouth, preparing meals anew each day. The land was totally cultivated, lush and green beyond imagination. John and I began to take pictures of the area and the people, which we did for the two weeks of our stay.


We visited two different congregations which were some distance apart, keeping devotional services and instruction each day, to guide them in the way that they should go. John and I were so amazed at their reception of the Word that we both said that God had prepared their hearts for the receiving of it. It warmed our hearts to no end, as we journeyed through the Word as God led us. There was so much thanks given unto God on our behalf, and they themselves said that God had sent us to them. So it was with pure joy that we served them, as God led us through His Word, preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins in Jesus' name and blood. This is the command of Christ, to go unto all nations and preach this Gospel message, that they might come to know Christ and His love for them, also. Many were the repentances, as God gave them faith to believe the mighty work of Christ on the cross and His glorious resurrection, even in their behalf that they might know the true God and how much He cares for them. John and I were overwhelmed at the joy and happiness of these people at the receiving of His Word.


These people live in such humble surroundings that it was hard for John and me to believe that people in this world yet live under such circumstances -- poor and without earthly possessions, but yet with great love in their hearts. May God be praised and glorified for sending us there, for truly John and I felt His hand upon them and us as together we worshipped.


In conclusion, they were in awe that "this old man", as I was called, came from so far to preach unto them. It was at times kind of humorous the way they spoke of us, but they didn't want us to leave, either. They said they have a "home" for us in Kenya, and even gave us each a key to it. This was such an opportunity that God gave to us that it will live in our hearts forever. We pray that God would continue to feed them and water their hearts with the Water of Life. Their desire is for the second coming of Christ, and they want to be ready.


On this trip, John and I went by faith, God leading us, and how wonderful it has been. May God bless and keep these wonderful people, that their journey through this life will be successful to that Eternal Shore.


God's Peace.

Pastor Chad Kuivanen

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FROM THE MISSION FIELDS IN RUSSIA!
Written by Gregory Greve  

Shane Juuti, Brian Niemaitalo and I all arrived safely to rainy, warm Moscow last Friday and have since spent 4 days holding services and meetings in Schekino, Pervomaisky and Bogoroditzk, cities a few hours south east of Moscow. Other than Shane’s baggage not arriving with him to Russia, all has been very blessed... (We will pick up Shane’s luggage today as we are heading back to Moscow and on to Izhevsk)



My wife wrote to me this morning via the Internet from Vancouver Island, where she says they have had a blizzard and much snow.. seems a little ironic that they our mild coastal rainforest are getting snow and cold and we in Russia are having warm, rainy weather…

 But it has been anything but mild for us as far as the Spirit is concerned. Our meetings have been very blessed. During our visit to the Boy’s Detention centre a few nights ago, for instance, we met and spoke with about 30 to 40 boys between the ages of 12 and 17. I only recognized two of the boys from my meeting with here last summer. The rest were new to me. Brian, Shane and I all spoke to the boys about life, about Jesus, about what He as done for them and about their need for repentance. At the end of our service I asked the boys if any of them wanted to hear the blessing of forgiveness of sins in Jesus name and blood. Some boys put their hands up right away and began to come forward and then the whole group of them came up. We prayed with and blessed each of them! It was really a blessing and though only our Lord knows what was going on in each of their hearts, I have no doubt that eternal seeds were sown.. and now we pray. It is just such a difficult life for these boys, both in the prison and when they get out.


In the city of Bogoroditzk, we preached to about 20 people, mostly Russians of German decent. At the end of that meeting, after Brian, Shane and I spoke very similar sermons of repentance, I asked the group if they wanted us to pray for them or if they wanted to hear that blessing of forgiveness of sins. About 6 or 7 ladies came forward and we laid our hands on them, asking them if they believed that Jesus had died for them, praying mightily for them, assuring them of God’s love for them through the remission of their sins in Jesus name and blood. Many tears were shed and again we saw the Lord working and planting his eternal seeds of love in their hearts.


Our short time in Schekino was packed full of services and home visits. We held a meeting with many of the youth in town, praying for them, blessing them, assuring them of God’s love for them. Some of the kids were new to the word and confessed their desire to know Jesus!


My friend and Christian sister, Lyubov Timofeyeva, from Ryazan also came to Schekino by bus to visit with us. Lyubov has a full time prison ministry for girls in Ryazan. I first heard of Lyubov and her work through mutual friends who sent me articles she had written, which impressed me very much, and so I contacted her, then went to visit her the summer before last with Amanda and Leona Matson. Since that time I and some other friends have been contributing support to her wonderful ministry. Unfortunately, the government has really cracked down on any foreigners visiting the girl’s prison, and in fact only a few Russians have any access to the prison at all, but Lyubov says that despite this, the Lord has blessed her with much freedom for her to personally work with the girls. She holds bibles studies for both the younger groups and the older groups of girls in the prison each Sunday, and also visits them different times during the week to talk with and counsel them personally. Lyubov has seen many of the girls come to the Lord and continues to help them, not only with spiritual things, but with material things as well. When the girls leave the prison, for instance, Lyubov buys them needed jackets and clothes and makes other arrangements to help them survive on the outside.. and survival is not an exaggeration. So many of these girls have come from abusive backgrounds, or are orphans, and so when they come from prison, they are extremely susceptible to being caught up in that abuse again.


I want to thank you all so very much for your intercessory prayers. The Lord has truly blessed us by them. Now we are heading for Moscow and the night train to Izhevsk where we will again hold services and meet with as many people as the short time will allow us.

. As our train approached Izhevsk this morning we woke to find a winter wonderland passing by out our compartment window. It turly is beautiful to see; certainly much better than the rain in Moscow!


Now we are at Diana Chetvertnikh's home (arriving only about two hours ago) which will be our base for work here in Udmurtia. Please do keep us in prayer as we reach out with the gospel here in Udmurtia,


God is Good!
Gregory.. with Shane and Brain, from wintery Udmurtia:)...

Kenya!

A picture story will be posted here this week!   In the meantime, please click on the following link to see pictures with captions from the recently completed trip to Kenya! 

http://imageevent.com/aalchurch/kenyatrip

Here are some notes sent from the Kenyan's since we arrived home! 

Subject: MANY THANKS TO THE BOARD AND OUR DEAR REV,JOHN AND CHAD


Read 1 John 3:1-10
Dear beloveds,

Grace to you and peace be multiplied .We are so happy to hear that you arrived safely at your place well, we give thanks be to God ,for this love he has to you and us ,we are praying God to take of your health and give you a lot of energy upon your bodies and souls .


We give thanks to the board of the ministry in U.S.A. to allow our beloved brothers to come and hear the wounded hearts and bring them back to life .And as Moses uplifted up the serpent in the wilderness,even so our dear Rev.John and Chad uplifted the son of God here in the nation of Kenya .And many we believe that the word of life to our hearts now as they ministered to us in the congregation .


We also thank God for the entire community ,church believers and well wishers from the USA for the great support for making this trip very successful here in Kenya ,we a lone we couldn’t make it but through your hand of mercy God made the trip very successful .


We can not forget to thank the family of our dear and loving brothers allowing them to come and minister here in our nation ,may God bless their families abundantly .Rev. John and Chad they shared your faith with us and it became very effective by the acknowledgement of every good which is in you in the name of our savior Jesus since we were been like orphans but we have parents now .

Nevertheless, God used our brothers in the first day every one opened their hearts to allow the spirit of God to move into their hearts, how beautiful God is ! for we know that this a stand to our salvation through prayers and the supply of Jesus Christ as they were preaching and teaching the large multitude here in the church .

God is God ! and all His promises are through ,Yes ,wonders and miracles were perfomed by God ,by using our Rev. John and Chad through their preaching’s and teachings the congregation of which more and more members were coming to receive the word of healing from God .And the third day our beloved brothers in one faith prayed for the sick ,the lame and the non believers to confess their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior .


In the second day our dear brother John managed to preach the gospel in my parent’s house where believers and other pastors were gathering and sharing the word of God and he pared for them for everyone `s burdens to be loosened from the chains of Satan .Again the following day they ministered at night in the church which is made of three branches .During the day times we experienced how the spirit of God led among us through their teachings ,blessings and prayers ,and every face smiled of love ,also the same days at night brother Chad minister to some leaders ,on how they should be strong in faith and how one to be called in ministry .


If you could be here you could have seen on how busy our brother Chad and John ,because many wanted to feeded with the word of God ,good teachings and preaching which has broken Satan rooms and build the good foundation in Jesus Christ the son of the living God .

In the Sabbath many came to Jesus ,and the lame kid was being prayed, is something which was not as usual became happy and started playing by shaking head wonderful .

On the same day the orphans shared their love to their fathers Chad and John ,also Rev.John taught them how to speak in English and gave them some of the small balls and sweets ,his children were happy and he shared his love at length Luke 18:16.

On Sunday ,many people come as usual to the church service and two of our brothers gave us heavenly food ,brother John preached first sermon and brother Chad preached last sermon ,therefore ,me walked as we sing to the River and many were baptized in fire (water) for elimination of sins ,and 29 person were baptized in the name of the Father ,the son and the Holy Ghost .Amen .

On Monday we tried to visit three of my churches and they managed to preach ,and encourage the church members to trust Jesus Christ and leaving everything to Him ,many people including old and youth children were happy to hear the word of God .


We hope that God will sustain them and add the years to win the many lost souls as we hope that,the left agap of which they are supposed to fill it by next year.

We give thanks to the board and friends there for your support to our dear brothers and know that we love all of you and whatever you decide to do,do it knowing that you are doing for the lord.Soon and very soon we are going to see the king (Jesus).Give our love to all the saints and tell them we love them and we need them here again.

Yours In Christ,

Pastor Charles  chair person
Pastor Simion  -treasurer
Evangelist Daniel  - secreatery

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To: Foreign Mission


Subject: Thanks and comments.

Dear Pastor,

First I thank God for coming to visit us here in Kenya and i belief you were blessed as we were blessed from what you taught us from the Bible.
I wish you to include Pastor Samuel in the list I gave you as he has still called to ask for it.
The following are my comments:-


I have indeed been blessed by very much by the word of Gods that you brought to mus which contains the true doctrine of the Bible, God and Jesus Christ Himself and by this let our lord and savior Jesus Christ bless you indeed.

Also Jesus brought you and has connected us with a purpose that the world may see the truth about salvation because what you taught us truly is full of salvation and how to stay in the lord .I thank the lord through you for the mighty work He did by using you to teach the church about the completed work in the cross .I individually was blessed by the teachings concerning Creation, Redemption Sanctification and finally the Lord's prayer.

Also the sermons were a great Revelation to my life as a christian since i was encouraged by what you said concerning a potter and the temptations which comes to us as fire which makes us strong in faith and after that we are able to see Jesus shining in our hearts.

I was encouraged by the sermon which you preached and said that as we travel the christian life there are rocks on the way but we should focus only to Jesus Christ who is the perfecter of everything.
The word of God is pure and the promises given are true i am now able to to come out of any temptation through Him who strengthens me Jesus Christ.

It is my request that my dear brother you come back again to continue to teach us and the churches we have this very good word as we wait for the coming of our lord Jesus Christ.Greet all of our brethren in Jesus name.Amen.



PASTOR DICKSON KENYATTA

It is another good time i want to thank our lord Jesus who has answered our prayers in our country Kenya,Kisii at large through His mighty power He has given His servants from USA pastor Chad and John who have really encouraged us and sharpened us spiritually by teaching us the biblical truths and denying heresy and false teachings.

As they came they started teaching us topics like Creation, Redemption Sanctification and gave sermons as many as they could and by this i saw that desobedience led to the fall of Adam and Eve and thus made us all sinners but by Jesus coming to earth we are redeemed.

 was encouraged to be taught that God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth and this is very powerful .John 4:23-24.

In conclusion i saw the hand of God through our brothers thr5ough the teachings and the sermons they preached and taught us and was encouraged by the yrs of our brother Chad which have given me a challenge that i should serve the lords strongly and without ceasing.Thank you and may you come back again .

Be blessed in the name above all names of Jesus Christ.Amen.


PASTOR CHRISPHERUS MATACHA.

I greet you in the name of Jesus.Brothers i belief that you are doing well in the lord Jesus.I want to give thanks to God who sent you to Kenya and may i say that it is God's hand for sure .

According to the teachings i have received i have been so much blessed by our lord through you brothers .The teachings by my brother John concerning Creation ,Redemption and so forth have indeed lifted me up spiritually.More so the teaching on lord's prayer was so encouraging on how to get to pray properly.

I want to assure you that i must share the teachings with my family and the church members plus doing the work of God without ceasing until His second coming.

Please brethren remember us in your daily prayers and may our heavenly Father bless you and don't miss to come back again.Remain blessed in Jesus name .Amen



PASTOR JOSEPH MATARA.

First of all i give thanks to the lord for the good work you have done here in our country Kenya for the gospel and teachings you had wit us while you were here.

Secondly your coming has blessed my heart very much since you are indeed men of God sent by Him to do His work here and help us and our people to grow in the knowledge of God.

Another point is when i try to look at the yrs of my brother Chad am very encouraged and challenged to have great respect to the word that they shared with us and as you gave us the word then i have to fulfill the book of 1Timothy 5:17.

I was very much blessed by the teachings and the sermons you gave us continuously because they pointed directly about the salvation done by our lord Jesus Christ and His completed work in the cross.

I am sure the work you started while you were here sent by Jesus will grow as we prepare ourselves to meet Him in the air as He comes back as a great Judge and will be with Him forever.

Greet all pastors ,leaders and your families for me .Be indeed blessed in the name above all names of Jesus Christ .Amen

N/B Thank you and wish to be hearing from you as we preach the whole word to the whole world AND AS WE FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION MY DEAR BROTHER JOHN.

Much love .

Pastor Fredrick



Dear beloved,

Praise be to God!

We greet you in Jesus name the son of the living God.

Millions of blessings to you all,we thank God for you all allowing our two brothers and innermost heart brothers for coming and heal the broken hearts,many people received Christ as their personal savior as they accepted and loved them so much for the work God send them to do here in kenya,we shared the love together and many were baptized in fire and even we wanted them to be with us even one year but due to some avoidable circumstances,we leave the lest to God,Now they are back to you while they are well and next we need them and you add more brothers and sisters to come,there is more work of harvesting souls.Give our love to all the saints and tell them that hairs of the family of God,and we hope to see you all here in Kenya.

Am going to write more what God has done through them.

God bless you all.

We hope to hear from you as soon as they arrive.

Pastor Charles

Kenya

Greetings from beautiful Kenya!    Please continue to pray for us, as we minister in the highlands and jungles here in Kenya!   We (Chad K. and John R.) have been so amazed by the sincere desire to hear God's Word that the people here have..    They are going to their neighbors to let them know that men of God are hear preaching the Way of Salvation through Jesus Christ....!!    God has blessed us here with so many new friends, that are taking wonderful care of us.  (this the an exploratory 1st trip here for the FM, and it surely has been wonderful so far!!!)    

I have not been able to post, because we have been living in mud huts and only after 1 week we got to where we could take a shower and have a regular bathroom!   However, all the love and joy we have had sharing God's Word, so much makes up it, that it feels like time is flying by!    Please look for more postings the Tuesday after Thanksgiving!   (only an internet cafe every many days here!)

Please continue to Pray!   May God Bless you all!   John R.

November Foreign Mission News Report

(If you are looking for the Dennis Hilman article on Ghana, it is right after this one!)


November 2010 Foreign Mission News Report

(Note: Please feel free forward this email to your friends.)



Dear monthly readers! God’s Peace!



Romans 10: 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.


14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?


15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.

Let us go forth together to bring this gospel of peace to the world!

Below in an updated list of mission trips with new information to help you decide if coming along on any of these trips is an option for you. Please always remember, these trips are mission trips, not vacations. The focal point of all trips taken, is the spoken Word of God!

Updated trip information


End of November and Early December 2010: Ghana (complete) Liberia 1st 2 weeks in December, Kenya (November 9-23) Russia (Nov. 18th – December 9th.)


Late January 2011: Philippines, Vietnam (January 17 – Jan. 28) NOTE: DEADLINE FOR SIGNUP IS DEC. 1st.


Late January and into Feb. 2011: India (Jan. 25 – Feb 14) NOTE: DEADLINE FOR SIGNUP IS DEC. 1st.


April to June 2011: 2 trips by Dennis Hilman to areas To Be Announced (as the doors open up!)
Dates TBA but probably early 2011: Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Russia (2nd trip): August 16 to Sept 6th (Youth trip)
Late August 2011: South Africa - dates TBA.


The Foreign Mission is looking forward to being joined in the Vineyard of the Lord by Christians with a heart for this important work.


Feel free to email John at foreignmission@comcast.net for more trip details.



The Foreign Mission Monthly News and Prayer Requests


• We are so thankful that Pastors Bob Maki and Dennis Hilman have safely returned home from Ghana. This particular trip was challenging, since there were some congregational situations to contend with. However, God’s presence was there, and the problems were resolved through many meetings that allowed both love and fellowship to be restored! Forgiveness was asked for and received by all parties involved, and for this we are so very thankful! An article on this trip is posted at http://www.foreignmissionnewsblog.blogspot.com/

• Leona Matson will be completing her tour in South Africa before the December report. Please pray that God would continue to be with her as she reintegrates back into western society, (a drastic change) and that God would reveal to her what she should do next!


• Chad Kuivanen will be going to Kenya on November 9th. There has been a last minute change in traveling partners since Dennis Hilman, who was scheduled, could not go at this time. Therefore, John R. will be going to Kenya with Chad, as time remaining to arrange this trip was only one week. Thankfully, all the arrangements have fallen into place! However, the yellow fever shots, although required, may not work due to the lead time being so short. Please be in prayer for even the health dangers posed. You prayers are urgently requested for this trip, since this is an exploratory 1st trip to this area, so we do not fully know what lies in wait there for us! (picture is of the Kenyan’s receiving Bibles from the FM.)

• Pastor Dennis Hilman and Paul Somero are Lord willing going to Liberia soon. They leave at the very end of November for about 2 weeks. While there, besides the preaching of the Gospel, they will be distributing books and Bibles that were donated by individuals though the newly set up Book Fund.

• Gregory Greve is scheduled to go to Russia on November 18th. His partners on this trip will be Brian Niemitalo and Shane Juuti. We look forward to hearing reports from this trip!


• Skype sermons are planned again for November to at least India. More countries are requesting these now. This is an inexpensive way to spread the Gospel!


• We are very encouraged by the fact that some of our young people and many of our Sunday Schools have stepped forward to support orphan children. …. Train up a child……… Jesus loves the little children…….


• The Lead Foreign Pastors that we work with, are each filing monthly reports, and have recently completed an annual survey to give us feedback. Your Foreign Mission desires to have spiritual wisdom and discernment, and be good stewards of the Lord’s resources.


• Please remember the FM store, which can be found at www.themissionsite.com for CD’s, books, and other gift ideas.
• Other options to think about while deciding upon your gift giving during the upcoming Christmas season of love and sharing, are listed toward the end of this email.


Emails of interest received by the FM!



(edited for length)

……..We are still praying for you that God lay the day of your coming to Kenya to share with us the word of God. My church members wants to see you brother, face to face and share with them the heavenly food on one table. Pastor Charles KENYA, Africa
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Dear Brothers and sisters in the lord,
I am happy for you writing to me and always blessed to hear from you . I do understand that you are not a financial helping organization and also i know that we need to work for Him has called us to the ministry of reconciliation to reconcile the world to Him, our lord.
The gospel is needed to reach all parts of the earth so that no one will say he never heard of it.


May the will of our Father be done as we connect with each other in the gospel, not In any other business.
I wish to hear from you, Much love, Pastor Fredrick KENYA, Africa

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Dearest friends in Christ,



In April 2010 I went to one of our congregations and found that the journey took us 3 days to reach. The people were then so happy to see us because I went there for Christ’s Words. Therefore, I let you know that it is very difficult to me to visit people because of no transportation. Please let me know if you can help with a bicycle which will help us to spread the Word of Life………………God Bless you, Pastor Daniel, Malawi, Africa
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Dear most respected Sir in Christ,

God’s peace Greetings to you in the most precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We as Church in India thank you so much for your prayers and support. As you continue to pray for PERSECUTED CHURCH in India, I would like to place the miserable situation of the Congregations in India. To pray for a shelter (Church) to worship the Lord .

We have a Congregation where we gather in Open place to worship the Lord. This Congregation has been existing for the last 10 years. These believers were converted from very strict Hinduism. Unfortunately, all the Christian converts were very POOR People. When they received Jesus, they were excommunicated from the society, they were not called to work in the fields, were not allowed to drink water, sent out of the village. This congregation has been gathering in rainy season, summer season with temperature over 120 degreesF, and also in the winter season, in an open place.

There is a service on Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 4 SERVICES ON SUNDAY. Many times people STAND in the rain with rain pouring from ABOVE , WET RAIN water below. In summer Burning Sun with Temperature above 120 degrees F above and burning heat below their feet.

This year, In this rainy season almost it was rained every day for the last 3 months, we have Cyclone(Depression) had heavy rains for more than 4 days on 29th, 30th,31st October and 1st November still it will rain., but believers were gathered to worship the Lord in pouring rain and wet ground under the feet. Because they had faith for the Lord. When OLD PEOPLE, CHILDREN, WEAK PEOPLE are gathering they are getting sick. By your fervent prayers, One HINDU LADY WHO WAS HEALED FROM CANCER WHEN WE PRAYED CAME FORWARD TO DONATE A PIECE OF LAND FOR THE CHURCH CONSTRUCTION. We humbly request you to pray for a Church SHELTER to worship the Lord for all these poor believers. PLEASE KINDLY PRAY FIRST AND SUPPORT THIS POOR CONGREGATION THE WAY THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES YOU.



MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU AMEN.

Thanking you,

Yours in Lord Jesus Christ,

Dr.KUMAR AND JEAN MARY.
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Regular Support Options and Programs

Here are various ways that you can help in the mission field!
• Foreign Mission General Fund. (any amount welcomed!)

• 12 Month Pledge Program ($10 per mo. and up)

• Indigenous Pastor support ($30 per month per pastor) Names and pictures given.

• Full time Missionary support ($200 per quarter) Dennis Hilman

• Orphan and children support ($30 per month.) in ALC Home in India Pictures and videos supplied.

• Bible and other book purchases ($30 min.)

• Bicycles for pastors ($80 ea. picture given)

• Memorial Funds

• Endowment Funds

• Mission Hospital in India



Email: for more info if desired at foreignmission@comcast.net

To donate automatically by PayPal or PaySimple, just go to http://www.themissionsite.com/  and click on the button of your choice!


To Donate by check in response to this email: The Foreign Mission 1601 NW 4th Avenue, Battle Ground, WA 98604

Website: www.themissionsite.com

Please help by emailing about this report to all of your Christian friends!


May God Bless your Month!

GHANA - UNITY AND RECONCILIATION

On October 13, 2010 Pastor Bob Maki and I embarked on a three week mission of peace, unity and reconciliation in the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Ghana. The four congregations involved had been badly split. Already the day after our arrival a meeting of all the church leaders was called to address the issues. Imagine 20 vociferous Ghanaians trying to be heard, often at the same time.

 But progress was definitely made. A surprise election had been held replacing the former president (chairman of the board) Pastor Frank Famiyeh and voting in a new board. It was finally decided that the elections had been held legitimately and that the new board would be installed in ten days with Pastor Mike Basie as the chairman. Later a formal apology was given to Pastor Famiyeh for the way the elections had been handled and a great deal of respect and appreciation for his time of service was expressed. He will remain as the Senior Pastor.

Installation of four new board members where I was asked to deliver the sermon and Pastor Bob Maki officiated. Senior Pastor Frank Famiyeh, on the left, is translating - and then from left to right, new board chairman Pastor Mike Basie in white alba with the red stole, Mr. Ben Green, Mrs, Joselyn Ackwood, and Rev. Asari. This installation service by all accounts contributed greatly to the unification process in the ALC in Ghana. We have met with the board and they seem resolved to lead the church in a more peaceful and constructive direction.

Pastor Bob Maki teaching students at the Good News Theological Seminary in Accra. The pastors in our ALC congregations in Ghana have mostly come through this seminary. Pastor Frank Botchley, who invited us to the seminary and is a lecturer there, also invited us to preach and teach at his congregation the following Sunday. This was a gesture of goodwill since his congregation has been split from the others for some time.

　

Emmanuel Apostolic Lutheran Church in the Liberian Refugee Camp near Accra. Speaking of reunification!! To the right in this picture we have a lady called Elizabeth with her four children beside her. Her husband David (who of course is not pictured) just happens to be a member of Pastor Bob's congregation back home in Worcester, Massachusetts!! His family had a great reunion with Bob, though!

We also held a very intensive reunification meeting in that congregation together with their Pastor Billy (holding the Bible) and Mr. Freeman (behind him) who is chairman of the congregation and many others including Pastor Frank Famiyeh (center, in the tie and smile). That meeting took almost 4 hours and if you think the Ghanaians are vociferous you should hear the Liberians. Bob chaired the meeting and I was the whip! But it all came to a peaceful conclusion. God was clearly in control.

Posing with a couple of lovely Christian ladies from the Lakeside ALC Congregation in Accra, Ghana. Dig those hats!


I have now returned to Finland temporarily to be with my family for some pressing reasons, but I should be back in Africa and on my way to Liberia at the end of this month.

Your prayers are coveted.
Dennis