Living Word MinistriesMinistry trips 2019
KENYA- January 2019
| |
Africa Living Word Ministries is the hub of LWM’s ministry in Western Kenya, run by two local missionary pastors, Nashon Ooko and George Odour (pictured). They organised a number of conferences in Kisumu, and further north in more rural areas, and with the orphanage at Seme. It was encouraging to see the progress maintained by the team’s efforts from just over a year earlier, and how the pawpaw trees (papaya) had taken root and begun to flourish. They are pleased that they now have clean water to drink, and a well that is safe.
The most striking parts of the trip were what the Lord is doing in some of the prisons. Inmates, many of whom are there for capital crimes, are clearly finding the Lord, and growing in their salvation. In two of the three prison visits, the Holy Spirit’s presence was so powerful, making ministry there easy. Conditions are very, very basic, and far from what would be considered the prisoners’ “rights” in the West. Gifts were taken in for the prisoners – toilet rolls and soap – which are always gratefully received. It’s what they really need! About 1,500 rolls were donated in all, and an equivalent amount of soap, and then Bibles and Christian materials for pastors, and food for orphans.
ISRAEL - May 2019
Visiting
Israel for the first time was a profound experience. To actually see the
settings of many of the events described in the Bible adds colour and depth to
accounts of those events. The team saw Syria and Lebanon from the top of Mount
Hermon, and appreciated the strategic significance of the Golan Heights.
Whoever controls this has a stronghold for either attack, or defence! We stood
where Jesus Christ asked the immortal question, “Who do men say that I am?” at
Caesarea Philippi, which of course comes down to you and me, through His
turning to the disciples and applying it personally: “Who do you say that I am?”
Many other
sites were of great interest, such as Nazareth, Megiddo, Masada, the Dead Sea
and others.
Most
sobering, however, is what few have done on their visit to this extraordinary
land; we stood on ancient Gomorrah, one of the sites of God’s judgment, as
recorded in Genesis 19. There was an eerie silence, as we saw the sulphur
remains (biblical brimstone) and felt the ash. In many places we could hear
that the ground was hollow underneath. Remember, it was a city full of
buildings that was instantly judged.
How wonderful to be in Jerusalem, the place of another sobering judgment; this time upon the Son of God Himself, when he went to the cross for our sins. Jerusalem – the “City of Peace” – where a humble sinner can find forgiveness with God, and an escape from the judgment to come, because of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. Thank You Jesus!
ZAMBIA - June 2019
This Mission
trip had its major focus near the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo,
in the town of Serenje and the Chitambo district (near where David
Livingstone’s heart is buried.)
The pastors’
conferences were well attended, with teaching on one’s personal life as well as
doctrine. In that region the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ presence is strong, so
teaching on why we believe the Trinity was very well received.
The prosperity gospel continues to be a major problem, as in much of Africa,
and it has to be refuted biblically, with such passages as Hebrew 11:33-39 and
Philippians 4:10-14.
It is always a
profound experience, involved in Gospel outreaches, to be outdoors under the
stars, seeing the Creator (Jesus was also involved - John 1:1-3; Col 1:16-17)
willing to come to earth, and die on a tree He made.
Especially in the rural areas, many are open to God, and hungry for the Word. Two pastors (right) cycled 45 km to attend a conference.
MALAWI - September/October 2019
It was a wonderful privilege to be at the ordination of seven pastors in Salima, central Malawi. The occasion was the annual conference for a number of churches in the region, at which Mark preached through the early chapters of the epistle to the Hebrews. In the ordination ceremony, led by Bishop Lapson Mbewe, the pastors’ wives, parents and in-laws were all exhorted to honour the call of God on the pastors’ lives. Traditionally, a special offering is taken up for the newly ordained pastor, where he and his wife hold opposite ends of a wrap and the believers bring their gifts and financial contributions. There was a most extraordinary sense of the Lord’s joyful presence, with a spirit of cheerful giving, (see 2 Corinthians 9:7) the fervency of which was a wonder to behold. It was all the more noteworthy considering the great poverty of the people in this region
Mark was unable to go to the next scheduled conference, in Mozambique, due to the official paper work which didn’t come through in time, (probably due to the civil unrest just before the election). There was a clear sense the Lord had shut the door, for a purpose. A hastily organised conference in southern Malawi saw many pastors attend, with messages on the spiritual battle over nations. Over sixty Pentecostal pastors prayed fervently each day for the UK, with its political turmoil in the run-up to a general election.
[Post Script: the election two months later saw the biggest majority in forty years.]