Ken also taught about water supply safety and agricultural techniques.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Update from Ken in Dadaab, Kenya
These are photos from a recent evangelism training at United Nations refugee camps in Dadaab, Kenya. It's truly incredible that Ken has access to these camps and is able to teach nearly 100 refugees about evangelism!
Ken also taught about water supply safety and agricultural techniques.
Ken also taught about water supply safety and agricultural techniques.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
DADDAB REFUGEE CAMP UPDATE (Ken in Garissa, Kenya)
DADDAB REFUGEE CAMP UPDATE
I did training on evangelism and discipleship last year at Ifo camp and over fifty refugees graduated at that time. Since that time the refugees have been making Telephone calls asking to be taken on Training of trainer level. They also mobilized other members that had not taken the training to do so. This kind of training is a very expensive venture and as you might know I am a Man of faith who doesn’t have material endowment and have to trust God on everything. The good thing is that My God doesn’t disappoint. So on 7th August, I set out to Daddab together with other six trainers to go and run the evangelism and discipleship programme. These programme is normally suppose to take three to six months depending on the amount of time you take daily. The refugees decided that they wanted to do the training in about ten days and that meant we had to start our lesson from morning to evening—thank God we had carried a generator. It was a tight programme but the refugees have gone through so much and they can cope with anything.
I decided to divide us in three groups---I was handling training of trainer. Three trainers (Cheres, Keith, Ambija) were taking new class in IFO camp while three others (Peter, Lawrence and Cecilia) were taking new class in DAGAHALE camp. The two camps are about ten kilometers apart. We were almost overwhelmed by the number that came for the training----33 for TOT and 80 in the new class. We however made sure that Quality was not compromised—this meant we had to spend extra ours coaching some that needed help.
One great thing about this training is that it was a training for the trainers I went with. I had insisted that we were going to eat the same food the refugees were taking and sleep in their houses. They were initially scared but later confessed to have liked it. Now, in refugee camp we just have beds made of mud---raised like a half a meter from the ground. Those are wonderful beds that kept our back straight—I guess it is a good thing for those with back problems. Many trainers I went with tasted some of the foods the refugees provided for the first time. It was strange hearing foodstuffs like Injera, shirowat, alichawat.
I am so excited that from the previous training, 19 refugees were won to the Lord and are actively involved in small group bible study. This time round, I am expecting much more. The “Jesus film’ was also screened at Dagahaale camp on Friday and two refugees received the Lord!
The generosity of the refugees is something that amazed all of us—it is a classic example reminding us of the church in Macedonia that gave so much out of its poverty. These people took care of all the meals we took while there.
The refugees kept giving me even a higher challenge—to take the training to their brothers and sisters back at home. We had a representation of different countries in the training: Sudan, Ethiopia, Congo (formerly Zaire), and Eritrea. By the way, according to a friend of mine who works with organization that help persecuted believers, they say that Eritrea has one of the highest persecution index and things are becoming worse with time.
One disappointment was that A (Somali believer) never attended TOT (training of trainer). He was one of the best students in the previous class—in fact during the last graduation he brought in another Somali he had won to the Lord during the training. This time round, he is changing camps because he is concerned about his security—Pease pray for him.
We will be having graduation ceremony on 9th September 2006. I hope to send lots of pictures then. Blessings
I did training on evangelism and discipleship last year at Ifo camp and over fifty refugees graduated at that time. Since that time the refugees have been making Telephone calls asking to be taken on Training of trainer level. They also mobilized other members that had not taken the training to do so. This kind of training is a very expensive venture and as you might know I am a Man of faith who doesn’t have material endowment and have to trust God on everything. The good thing is that My God doesn’t disappoint. So on 7th August, I set out to Daddab together with other six trainers to go and run the evangelism and discipleship programme. These programme is normally suppose to take three to six months depending on the amount of time you take daily. The refugees decided that they wanted to do the training in about ten days and that meant we had to start our lesson from morning to evening—thank God we had carried a generator. It was a tight programme but the refugees have gone through so much and they can cope with anything.
I decided to divide us in three groups---I was handling training of trainer. Three trainers (Cheres, Keith, Ambija) were taking new class in IFO camp while three others (Peter, Lawrence and Cecilia) were taking new class in DAGAHALE camp. The two camps are about ten kilometers apart. We were almost overwhelmed by the number that came for the training----33 for TOT and 80 in the new class. We however made sure that Quality was not compromised—this meant we had to spend extra ours coaching some that needed help.
One great thing about this training is that it was a training for the trainers I went with. I had insisted that we were going to eat the same food the refugees were taking and sleep in their houses. They were initially scared but later confessed to have liked it. Now, in refugee camp we just have beds made of mud---raised like a half a meter from the ground. Those are wonderful beds that kept our back straight—I guess it is a good thing for those with back problems. Many trainers I went with tasted some of the foods the refugees provided for the first time. It was strange hearing foodstuffs like Injera, shirowat, alichawat.
I am so excited that from the previous training, 19 refugees were won to the Lord and are actively involved in small group bible study. This time round, I am expecting much more. The “Jesus film’ was also screened at Dagahaale camp on Friday and two refugees received the Lord!
The generosity of the refugees is something that amazed all of us—it is a classic example reminding us of the church in Macedonia that gave so much out of its poverty. These people took care of all the meals we took while there.
The refugees kept giving me even a higher challenge—to take the training to their brothers and sisters back at home. We had a representation of different countries in the training: Sudan, Ethiopia, Congo (formerly Zaire), and Eritrea. By the way, according to a friend of mine who works with organization that help persecuted believers, they say that Eritrea has one of the highest persecution index and things are becoming worse with time.
One disappointment was that A (Somali believer) never attended TOT (training of trainer). He was one of the best students in the previous class—in fact during the last graduation he brought in another Somali he had won to the Lord during the training. This time round, he is changing camps because he is concerned about his security—Pease pray for him.
We will be having graduation ceremony on 9th September 2006. I hope to send lots of pictures then. Blessings
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
UPDATE THAILAND from the Hilderbrand's
NEEDED:
Native English speakers willing to be trained as language teachers.
Website address: http://www.worldbasethailand.org/
SET BACKS AND PRAISE REPORTS
We also have been hit with a large number of illnesses. Almost half of our staff has been in the hospital for various illnesses this past month, including pastor Dton who fainted. The staff has been working so hard, night and day doing outreaches and has not been getting enough rest.
On a positive note, Good News Church is growing! In July we had over 200 college freshman attend our annual “Freshy Camp.” Teams from New Hope Montana and Florence Avenue Foursquare in California came to help. They were a big blessing. Several made a commitment to Christ and we will be baptizing seven of these new believers in a couple of weeks.
We are also looking at starting another Burmese church by the end of the year. Pastor Tommy has started a group across town in an industrial area. The factories in that area employ around 50,000 Burmese workers under harsh conditions and for a very low wage. At present there is no Burmese language church any where near this area. We are still looking for funding to make this happen.
BUILDING
We still have not broken ground for the building. There has been one problem after another to work out, zoning problems, access to electricity and water. But all indications are that we should be granted permission to build very soon. We are still short about $200,000 needed to finish the project.
THE SOUTH
The whole family traveled to the south of Thailand the first weekend in August to celebrate the second anniversary of one of the largest Foursquare churches in Thailand. Pastor Borvorn is a strong pastor raised in the south and the southern people love him. That Sunday we witnessed 26 people being baptized. We traveled by overnight train to arrive early Sunday morning in the city of Had Yai, a southern city with a strong Chinese influence. Just to the south of Had Yai, Muslim separatists have been fighting to form their own country apart from Thailand. There have been many terrorist attacks and a neighbor of ours was injured in a bomb blast there about one year ago, but generally Had Yai is quiet.
One of the girls being baptized was recently healed during a Friday night prayer service. She had pain on the right side of her body for many years. But one day, members of the church went to her neighborhood to talk about Jesus. They talked about how Jesus has the power to save and heal us. So the young girl traveled to the church on a Friday night. She sat in the church from 4:00 p.m. until the service started at 7:00 p.m., but nobody asked her why she came so early. Finally, someone asked her if she needed prayer. She explained her condition and the whole church prayed for her. She is now completely healed and out of pain. Because of her healing many of her family are also now coming to church.
TEACHERS
New teachers are coming to help, but we are still short. Pray about joining us.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for several new English teachers to come soon. The school has grown to serve over 800 students in two locations.
Please pray that the government will approve our application for a Foursquare Foundation very, very, very soon. We need to foundation to legally own property and to carry out our various charity activities (orphanages, schools, tsunami relief) under the Foursquare name.
We have applied for a building permit to begin construction on our new facility. Please pray that the application will be approved. We still need to raise $550,000 to build a seven story facility that will house two churches, WorldBase, Language school and several social ministries and offices.
Please pray for our language teachers by name: Anna, Evan, Gary, Josh, Michel-lyn, Norma, Paula, Ty, Kelly, and Angie. Pray that our teachers would develop friendships quickly and be effective in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that these “seekers” and new believers can be discipled in the Thai church.
Please pray for the upcoming Eastern Conference of Foursquare Churches Convention held in Bangkok this November, 2006. Our church is helping the ECFC Committee in organizing this international conference which is open to everyone. The cost is $150, which includes hotel, food, and seminars. Dr. Jack Hayford is the main speaker. Please pray that God would give us wisdom and discernment in all matters. For more information, please see our website.
Pray for the Ram 2 church.
Continue to pray for everyone’s health. Also pray for our continued protection, especially as we travel.
Let us know how we can pray for you.
Native English speakers willing to be trained as language teachers.
Website address: http://www.worldbasethailand.org/
SET BACKS AND PRAISE REPORTS
We also have been hit with a large number of illnesses. Almost half of our staff has been in the hospital for various illnesses this past month, including pastor Dton who fainted. The staff has been working so hard, night and day doing outreaches and has not been getting enough rest.
On a positive note, Good News Church is growing! In July we had over 200 college freshman attend our annual “Freshy Camp.” Teams from New Hope Montana and Florence Avenue Foursquare in California came to help. They were a big blessing. Several made a commitment to Christ and we will be baptizing seven of these new believers in a couple of weeks.
We are also looking at starting another Burmese church by the end of the year. Pastor Tommy has started a group across town in an industrial area. The factories in that area employ around 50,000 Burmese workers under harsh conditions and for a very low wage. At present there is no Burmese language church any where near this area. We are still looking for funding to make this happen.
BUILDING
We still have not broken ground for the building. There has been one problem after another to work out, zoning problems, access to electricity and water. But all indications are that we should be granted permission to build very soon. We are still short about $200,000 needed to finish the project.
THE SOUTH
The whole family traveled to the south of Thailand the first weekend in August to celebrate the second anniversary of one of the largest Foursquare churches in Thailand. Pastor Borvorn is a strong pastor raised in the south and the southern people love him. That Sunday we witnessed 26 people being baptized. We traveled by overnight train to arrive early Sunday morning in the city of Had Yai, a southern city with a strong Chinese influence. Just to the south of Had Yai, Muslim separatists have been fighting to form their own country apart from Thailand. There have been many terrorist attacks and a neighbor of ours was injured in a bomb blast there about one year ago, but generally Had Yai is quiet.
One of the girls being baptized was recently healed during a Friday night prayer service. She had pain on the right side of her body for many years. But one day, members of the church went to her neighborhood to talk about Jesus. They talked about how Jesus has the power to save and heal us. So the young girl traveled to the church on a Friday night. She sat in the church from 4:00 p.m. until the service started at 7:00 p.m., but nobody asked her why she came so early. Finally, someone asked her if she needed prayer. She explained her condition and the whole church prayed for her. She is now completely healed and out of pain. Because of her healing many of her family are also now coming to church.
TEACHERS
New teachers are coming to help, but we are still short. Pray about joining us.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for several new English teachers to come soon. The school has grown to serve over 800 students in two locations.
Please pray that the government will approve our application for a Foursquare Foundation very, very, very soon. We need to foundation to legally own property and to carry out our various charity activities (orphanages, schools, tsunami relief) under the Foursquare name.
We have applied for a building permit to begin construction on our new facility. Please pray that the application will be approved. We still need to raise $550,000 to build a seven story facility that will house two churches, WorldBase, Language school and several social ministries and offices.
Please pray for our language teachers by name: Anna, Evan, Gary, Josh, Michel-lyn, Norma, Paula, Ty, Kelly, and Angie. Pray that our teachers would develop friendships quickly and be effective in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that these “seekers” and new believers can be discipled in the Thai church.
Please pray for the upcoming Eastern Conference of Foursquare Churches Convention held in Bangkok this November, 2006. Our church is helping the ECFC Committee in organizing this international conference which is open to everyone. The cost is $150, which includes hotel, food, and seminars. Dr. Jack Hayford is the main speaker. Please pray that God would give us wisdom and discernment in all matters. For more information, please see our website.
Pray for the Ram 2 church.
Continue to pray for everyone’s health. Also pray for our continued protection, especially as we travel.
Let us know how we can pray for you.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Update from Evangelism Training in Dadaab, Kenya
Greetings in that great and mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are doing fine as a family and ministry and experiencing the love of our God.
I came from daddab refugee camp to Garissa to get more training materials. The training is great---we are having about a hundred refugees attending in three different venues. The third venue is actually training of trainers (about thirty five of them). They are already applying the principles of the training and are winning fellow refugees to the Lord.
Pray for the remaining topics and that this explosion will be sustained untill all refugees have had opportunity to say Yes to Jesus. I will be going back on sunday--pray for safety and protection. Hope to update you once i am back. Blessings
[Ken Ochieng]
I came from daddab refugee camp to Garissa to get more training materials. The training is great---we are having about a hundred refugees attending in three different venues. The third venue is actually training of trainers (about thirty five of them). They are already applying the principles of the training and are winning fellow refugees to the Lord.
Pray for the remaining topics and that this explosion will be sustained untill all refugees have had opportunity to say Yes to Jesus. I will be going back on sunday--pray for safety and protection. Hope to update you once i am back. Blessings
[Ken Ochieng]
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Update from Ken in Garissa, Kenya at a refugee evangelism training
Just left daddab today briefly to come and collect materials needed for training. It is already wonderfull--over a hundred refugees are attending the training and they are busy evangelising as part of their practicals. I will be back on sunday. Many of them still remember you and Tyler.
Blessings
Blessings
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Update from Ken in Garissa, Kenya
Scott
I have been in Mombasa (second biggest city in Kenya after Nairobi) speaking in a church that invited me.I have spoken in four services within the three days i have been around. It has been nice only that The journey from Garissa to Mombasa took more than twelve hours and that was exhaustive. Starting next week , i will be running three trainings on Evangelism and discipleship at the different camps of
Daddab refugee camp--Pray for fruitfullnes.I will basaically be passing the same principles that you taught here on bringing people to the Lord, discipling, mentoring and sending them to be spiritual multipliers. I am following the modell of pullman foursquare church. There are about a hundred refugees that want to attend the training that will be running from morning to evening for ten days. I will be accompanied by others that i have taken through the training--Pray that they will adapt to the live of staying in the houses of the refugees and eating the same food for those days. I am hoping that after the training, the refugees will be on fire reaching out to their colleagues with the
gospel. Thank you for praying.
Blessings
I have been in Mombasa (second biggest city in Kenya after Nairobi) speaking in a church that invited me.I have spoken in four services within the three days i have been around. It has been nice only that The journey from Garissa to Mombasa took more than twelve hours and that was exhaustive. Starting next week , i will be running three trainings on Evangelism and discipleship at the different camps of
Daddab refugee camp--Pray for fruitfullnes.I will basaically be passing the same principles that you taught here on bringing people to the Lord, discipling, mentoring and sending them to be spiritual multipliers. I am following the modell of pullman foursquare church. There are about a hundred refugees that want to attend the training that will be running from morning to evening for ten days. I will be accompanied by others that i have taken through the training--Pray that they will adapt to the live of staying in the houses of the refugees and eating the same food for those days. I am hoping that after the training, the refugees will be on fire reaching out to their colleagues with the
gospel. Thank you for praying.
Blessings
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)