Here, in the largest slum in Africa, we’ve not lost hope that God is doing a great work and will continue to, in spite of any adverse circumstances.  This hope keeps us moving forward with Him, for Him and through Him.  He is great and mighty to save (Zeph. 3:17), His name is a strong tower (Prov. 18:10), the gates of Hell will not prevail against His church, or His work (Matt. 16:18). 

“…and hope does not disappoint,”  Romans 5:5

Of course, the ultimate hope is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as stated in 1 Timothy 1:1 which says, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and of Christ Jesus, Who is our hope,”  The people of the Old Testament hoped for the coming of the Saviour, and today we can read about the fulfillment of that hope.  Now we wait in joyful hope for His return -“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:11-13).

So be in hope!  He always fulfills His promises to His people.  We don’t need to despair because of the darkness in the world in this hour in which we live, He will carry out His every plan and purpose for our lives, until the great day when He comes to take home His bride.

Promises of Healing Fulfilled

Here in Kenya we have seen the fulfillment of many promises since we returned almost 2 months ago now.  We’ve seen people be healed of sickness and disease, as He’s promised in His Word.  One such person is a girl we prayed for earlier in the year.  I am very blessed to have my nephew, Justin with me again.  He was here for 3 weeks at the beginning of this year.  Now he’s here for 3 months.  In January we prayed for a girl who was at the time very sick with HIV, and depressed to the point of suicide.  Not long after we arrived in September she came to our church on a Sunday and we almost didn’t recognize her as she was so healthy and happy.  She had gained weight and has started back to college.  We praise God for what he’s done in her life. 

We also had a chance to pray for a man who was crippled by getting hit by a car.  He said that the pain went away from his leg and that he could see better out of an injured eye.  Our helper, Eva, was suffering from burning feet and leg pain and has received much healing from that.  Some of the street boys have also received healing for various ailments.  God has been so faithful to fulfill His promise of healing in many. 

More Street Boys

Our hope is always that all street boys will leave the street, and we’ve seen many of the group which we’ve been working with for the past few years leave – we thank God for that.  Unfortunately, new ones have appeared. Thankfully, they’ve started to attend the feeding program, so we hope that they too will move on to what the Lord has in store for them and leave behind the danger and hopelessness of life on the street.  So, we work to get to know them, pray for them, teach them the Bible, and show them a way out of street life. 

We’ve had to tend to several injuries and help them with clothing they need.  At the first feeding program after returning here, our friend Peter (before and after shown above) was cut badly by another boy and has healed well.  Then this past Sunday his arm was dislocated in a fight.  He had recently decided to return to school this coming Jan. and the enemy seems to be working hard to impede that progress.  Please pray for safety and strength for him.  Many have been attending our UTWA Church and we plan to start an organized worship team with them. 

A Very Happy Mama

That’s me!  I’m so proud of our school boys.  They continue to work so hard at school.  One has received certificates for being a leader in his Christian Union at school, another is still number one in his class, others are prefects (or the leader of designated areas of their school), many are great at football (soccer) and best of all they love Jesus.  Two of the boys will finish high school this month, and Simon is our first boy to finish technical school and get a great job and his own apartment (shown in the hard hat below). 

We recently were blessed to attend a school that many of them attend and watch 2 of them perform acrobats and dance.  One boy was Washington, who recently graduated the Teen Challenge drug rehab, so to watch him do such was amazing, as he was so sick just a little over a year ago.  We also had the privilege of meeting the US Ambassador to Kenya that day.  He’s a Spirit-filled believer and humble guy.  Unfortunately, he had to leave before the boys performed, but it was a great day all in all.  We also survived some close encounters with baboons.

Prayer Request for Upcoming Election
 

Right now we’re hoping and believing in God for protection for our Center, kids and staff during the election about to take place tomorrow, the 7^th of Nov.  Unfortunately, the former MP of Kibera passed away earlier this year so a new one must be elected.  After being robbed during the presidential election in 2017 we were grateful that we had 5 years before the next election, though now this has come up.  The race has been slightly heated and we’re praying for the wisest measures to take to keep everyone safe.  If the favored candidate wins there will probably just be a big celebration, but if a candidate from another party wins there may be some problems.  So, we’re asking for prayers for that.  Also, if the favored candidate wins our area will be governed by a Muslim, and we’re not sure how that would affect the ministry.  We’ve already been asking the Lord if He’d like for us to get land outside of Kibera where it would be a better environment for the boys to rehab, though we want to keep a presence in Kibera too. 

Thank you very much for your prayers!

Asante Sana!

We also thank you for all of your love and support of the work the Lord is doing here and for the kids and all of us.  It’s a tremendous blessing to be able to partner with the Lord and with you in His work!  I pray that you are all exceedingly, abundantly blessed – above all you can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). 

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Please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or prayer requests.  We love you all very much and pray for you!  Be blessed!