Journey to Nairobi
�Last Thursday we traveled to Nairobi’s Kenyatta Airport to pick up our beloved Haddasah Briggs (Dossie) flying in from America. Dossie works for an international ministry called ‘Heaven’s Family’ and she oversees their widows and abandoned women ministry in different countries. She is passionate about her ministry and very dear to our hearts. We partner with Heaven’s Family in our work in the Kibera slums.
�We have known her for a very long time and have come to love and respect her work. When she told us that she was going to check on and photograph a school in a rough part of Nairobi for a co-worker in Heaven’s Family, we decided to accompany her and help take pictures. As always, the children were delightful and the teachers seemed dedicated to the children’s education.
When we arrived back at the AirBnB, several water pipes had broken and had flooded two rooms. Then Dossie received a call that her father had passed away. It was a devastating blow to her so we suspended our scheduled visit to our churches in Kibera, to help her find a flight back to America.
We ended up sending Njeroge and Wangui, who were traveling with us, to Kibera, and they handled speaking to one hundred of our Kibera family like pros. That we could not come ourselves was a disappointment to our family there, but they understood the need for us to stay and help our friend make arrangements to get back home.
�Sometimes, when you are doing our Father’s work, the adversary will oppose you with everything he’s got. Don’t be surprised, just become quiet so you can hear what’s next, remain flexible, and be patient so you can adapt to the existing situations. Our Father knew what the devil’s intentions were before he did them and already set in motion the solutions.
Spending time with Dossie, Njeroge, Wangui and the school children was delightful.
StoneHouse
Siaya Kenya 2023 Outpouring of the Spirit
Our trip to Siaya was exceedingly fruitful and rewarding. The six hour drive went by relatively quick. Our last trip there was very hopeful, as people were very hungry for the Truth. We were persuaded our Father wanted to establish His family among the people in Siaya. George doesn’t have access to water or electric in his house but drives a small motorcycle miles for water. Despite those challenges his house is very hospitable. We love being there.
When we arrived we spent time with our brother and sister George and his wife Christine. Their hearts were very receptive and encouraged us to … ‘give all we have’ to those who would come the next day. So … we did. Saturday morning there were 20 or so people and we taught … all day amidst the hot weather under a small tent.
We taught our hearts out and prayed it would be enough. The next morning there were double the number of people that came on Saturday. After sharing our hearts we broke bread with all who had come, and it was awesome. This took place in the middle of farm land.
When we broke bread, it was not in the same way most churches do. Each person will break off a piece and serve several others. Same with the juice. As we began, suddenly the joy of the Lord began to fall on everyone. It has been quite a while since I have seen such a response.
Everyone danced and shouted at the joy of the Lord that fell upon them. Old men and women, young people, and even the very young.
As we drove home our hearts were overflowing with excitement as we contemplated what Our Father would do in Siaya.
StoneHouse
Church Under the Umbrella
Those who follow us, know of the ‘church under the tree’ in Ponda Mali, Kenya we formed 3 years ago. Here is an amazing fact. Since we began that church has met under a tree on Sunday morning.
For 3 years it has never rained on them when they met, even during the hardest rainy season ever. Not once! The church is primarily made up of ex-alcoholics who have begun to follow Jesus and they are very dedicated to their meetings.
Last Sunday it did rain but did not discourage their members. Thank God for their faithfulness, and if you think about it … it might erase some of the excuses that folks come up with for forsaking our assembling together.
Blessings … StoneHouse
Here is one of our favorite StoneHouse slide shows. It covers our 2022 Youth Camp which lasted 3 days and 2 nights of fun and fellowship. Then it ends with pictures from the Ingathering which is our end of the year Gathering of Saints. My mother was with us and loved it. The last picture is a man who no longer needed his crutches due to an operation which was provided from our medical ministry. Blessings on the heads of all who covered us with prayer and assistance.
StoneHouse
Leaders Council April 24 2023
A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Prov.16:9
O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. Jere.10:23
Our leaders seminar was nothing short of amazing.
Those of us who have served the Lord for any length of time can sense the guiding hand of the Spirit when we begin ministering. Sometimes He agrees with our intentions and sometimes … not. Many times, at least for me, all my plans, notes, and research need to be thrown out the window as I sense Him changing direction right before I open my mouth. Let me say with all sincerity … when that happens it’s terrifying.
What I had prepared and was utterly convinced I needed to teach, suddenly became empty and like cotton in my mouth. For me …. in the past …that was utterly terrifying.
Yet, nowadays when that happens, I have learned to fearfully and expectantly comply. When I do (in the end) I am so grateful. When I don’t obey … its terrible … and disaster always ensues.
When we departed from our scheduled teaching and started asking for questions they might have had concerning what was previously taught, the leaders began to respond. For three hours they opened up and spoke the Word of God to each other. It was amazing and ministered Life to every single one of us.
Teaching interspersed with discussion is for the most part superior to the ‘just-sit-and-listen’ versions. There are times when at the beginning of teaching/preaching sessions that one must press through those ‘cotton-in-the-mouth’ feelings, but when that happens … be sensitive to the pressure of the Lord re-directing the direction of your planned steps. His plans are always better.
StoneHouse
Food Ministry has yielded much fruit! We dedicated this baby girl last year, and one year down the road … look at the very beautiful and strong child! We thank SMI partners and donors for their support and a job well done! God bless you abundantly!!
BRIAN ANDUKU
In a family of eight, being the second born child, at eight month, when the mother
was pregnant with him. She was critically sick, which affected the child, earlier
they diagnosed him with mild cerebral palsy which led to delayed milestone. Later
on confirmed to be deaf. Due to poverty and culture he was somehow sidelined in
the community, disability is not inability, him being the vision bearer, he is
focused that his destiny is bright, therefore in Christ Jesus, he knows his dreams
are not shuttered.
He was lately admitted in a special need senior primary school for the deaf in
Kiambu County. He is now 19 years, in grade 8, for the deaf. Taking care of his
school fees, has been a dream and burden to bear, thus pushes him to be away from
school most of his time. None of the family is in good position to help. Only the
mother who does manual jobs to help, it is pathetic situation, why?
The mother Mildred Mboone is widowed, chased away by husband’s family, all her
belongings were looted and destroyed, thus led her to venture in the Kibera slums
hoping that life will be easier but unfortunate.
TRACY AKINYI
She was among the children that could go around picking the remains of food at
the dumpsite, but God is gracious, she no longer does. Kindness and love through
SMI and Heavens Family, she is always hopeful for something, for her stomach,
whenever she goes to Sospeter and Lilian’s home, apart from benediction program
at the church. She has both parents, who are living under violence and conflicts,
these all revolves around because of poverty and they don’t trust in Christ.
According to the interview with her mother, their stronghold is in culture and
ancestral beliefs. But they have allowed their 1 st born child to be parcel of us. Our
prayer request is that through this little damsel, may the Lord bring forth light in
the home. Currently the mother has abandoned the family, also another prayer is
God to bring her back. It is tough for her to stay with the father who comes in late
night or doesn’t appear at all, making her to come and seek for refuge at our home.
The father also is a best customer for illicit brew ‘changaa’ and sublingual weed,
Swahili word “kuber’.
OMONDI
We are grateful to God, Omondi has shown an excellent response healthwise, when
he came in for the first time, he was feeble, he can afford now to have a hopeful
smile.
Through beloved brethren of heaven’s family, he is able to be fed at the church. He
is the fourth-born child in a family of seven. The father abandoned the family,
addicted to drugs within the slums, these has left the mother to take care of the
family basic needs. Whenever Omondi is free, he also goes about, searching for
food at the dumpsite.
He could always come to church barefooted, with love of Christ, there was a
brother who bought him some leather shoes so that, he can use for schooling,
because of the environment, which is filthy.