Ken's trip to U.S. and return to Garissa (including attack by...)

(below this post there are some great photos - check them out!)

Everything about the trip was a miracle—right from the process of getting the visa to booking the flight.

On 12th April, I left for Seattle where Scott was to meet me. I arrived in Seattle at 16.35—it was a warm reception from Scott, his wife Hillary, daughter Emma and sons Grady & Gavin. We managed to spent a few days in Seattle at the house of Scott’s brother—Jason. The good thing was that all of Scott’s family was there. I felt like I was co-opted into the family.

You talk of Seattle and all that comes into my mind is rain—no wonder the all place is dotted with star bucks. I already noticed the difference between where I came from and America. Here, roads are really nice (Americans should be faithful in paying their taxes) and buildings are really planned. I also realized that Americans drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road—this scared me to death because I thought we were going to collide with the oncoming vehicles. Many times I would enter the side of the driver (when I was supposed to be a passenger).

After few days of recuperation in Seattle, we started our journey to Pullman. I was able to see nice sceneries on the way but what excited me most were the sites of snow covered land—I had never experienced this before. Scott was gracious enough to allow me step out of the car to touch and taste the snow—great experience. Landscape kept varying from mountainous to flat land.
On the way to Pullman, I started experiencing something new—‘Drive through”. If we needed a meal or coffee, all we needed was “drive through”—Life is really made easy.

We finally made it to Pullman—one of the most beautiful sites of the world (it was actually ranked top 10 best world sites for photography—I was told but I don’t know who ranked them—I believe it anyway).

The programme that Scott came up with could not have been better. Mine was to meet with people and share my story—I enjoy doing it.
Below is how my itinerary looked like:

Stayed with Scott’s family for most part except below. Among the foodstuffs that I ate for the first time included: Tacos, Lasagna, Salmon fish. Off course there
were all these strange juices (apparently they were nice) like Crane berry, blue berry etc. People (read Dan) like diet coke—I have never seen them in Kenya.
20th April 07—was with Pastor Dan (he is so funny). We went to see a movie (Amazing grace).

I spent in the house of Jamie & Sherry Hawes.
21st Apr—Visited Kamiak national reserve with Jamie, Sherry, Cole, Addison, Clay. Very exciting to do this kind of exercise. It is here that I realize that Americans love there dogs. Scott has one too called “Lu”

22nd Apr---Spoke at Pullman foursquare church. The topic: “the way up is down”. In the evening, I spoke on the book ‘prayer that works”.

23rd Apr—Stayed with Caleb and Stella (together with their children—Brian, Lauren, Andrew). It is here that I ate ugali & Kuku (this reminded me about home).

24th Apr—Stayed with Jeff & Angie Feuerstein (together with Annie, Tom, and Rosie). I felt like I was President Bush being in this beautiful house.

25th Apr—Stayed at Jeff’s place. Dan, Scott & I drove to the top of Steptoe—the guys who designed the road must have been genius. We had great lunch in Colfax.
I joined Jeff in conducting the gospel survey at WSU. I think the guy we talked to was philosophy major—very interesting talk indeed.

26th Apr---Stayed at Jeff & Angie’s house

27th Apr---Arrived at Springfield national park for Men’s encounter week. Joe talked on “Lost Son returns home”

28th Apr—second day of encounter. Went out together with Jamie and Ryan to Snake River—I think it was five hours walking. Experienced two rattle snakes on the way. Great experience for me although I was really exhausted.
Jan Busboon talked about “the transcedency of God”
Chad Jeffrey talked about “Forgiveness”
Jeff Feuerstein talked about “deliverance’.
We later lit the fire and burnt what was written against us.
Great teachings.

29th Apr—Scott taught on “The Holy spirit”
Dan closed the meeting. We drove back to meet the rest of the congregation at Pullman foursquare church. Ryan and Bruce cycled (it doesn’t sound real especially for Ryan who walked five hours the previous day).
30th Apr—Visited Oliveto’s (Stephen, Tiffany, Zach & Connor). I had Vietnamese dinner!

1st May—Attended Jan Busboon’s cell

2nd May—went with Scott to Eastern Washington state university. I briefly shared what we are doing in Garissa. Scott shared the message—he is a great speaker. Many students showed interest to come over to Kenya.

3rd may—stayed at the house of the Salvadalena (Russ & Janie, Shianne, Nick).
Attended my first bowling game (courtesy of Russ). Won the second match (out of five of us—can’t share about the first game).

4th May—Stayed in the house of Joe and Sue Watson—beautiful place to view other sites in Pullman

5th May—Joe and Sue took me to watch their grand son Jessy play baseball—my first time. Great game although Jessy’s team lost.

6th May—Attended Church—Reinhardt Bonke’s series.
Stayed with Bruce & Laurie Heimbigner. Got to meet two of their sons and their daughter in law. Had good talk around the great meal.

7th May—Traveled together with Bruce & Laurie to different parts of Eastern Washington. Got to join Bruce’s brother plough his huge trucks of land. Visited Grand Coulee, salt lake among other places. Had dinner in Spokane.

8th may---Visited different places at Washington state university. Saw Labs for Victor, Bruce, and Masaro before linking up with Jan

9th May—Spent most of the time at the church

10th May---Visited Jan & Janice Busboom—cut trees, fed sheep. Ate dinner

11th May—Visited Steve 7 Serena Bravard. Tried moving the boat. Did shooting---using different guns (The noise was really scary). Great dinner.

12th May—on Steve & Serena’s four wheeler meandering through the steep hill—great excitement for me. Fed horses.
In the evening, I joined Victor, Lupita & Jeff—we went to Jeff’s deck. We passed through India reservations. Great experience as Victor 7 I tried a game neither of us was familiar with. Sad that Victor Beat me.

13th May—Attended Sunday service—Reinhardt Bonke’s series.
Did preparation for the following day

14th—18thMay---Las Vegas, NV

18th—24thMay--Virginia

24th—30thMay--San Jose, CA

31st May—Preparation for the following day

1st June—Drove to Okanogan/Omak

2nd June—Attended Okanogan centennial celebration

3rd June—Spoke at Omak’s foursquare church

4th June—traveled back to Pullman. Great Dinner at the house of Pastor Dan, Patty, Bowen

5th June---shopping & saying bye to those who came to bid me farewell
GREAT, GREAT, GREAT EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU ALL WHO MADE MY STAY A SUCCESS.
THANK YOU SCOTT FOR ALLOWING GOD TO USE YOU TO
BLESS ME.

6TH –9TH---NJ
9—12TH---PN
13TH---WARM RECEPTION FROM EUNICE, TIM ANN.

I MET THE OBJECTIVES OF LAUNCHING THE BOOK & RAISING FINANCIAL SUPPORT---TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

I am now back to Garissa where there seems to be plenty of work
Already. My wife Eunice worked so hard in my absence. She did organize a
Prayer seminar that was well attended by members of different churches in Garissa--it was very successful.
In my absence, some Muslim thugs invaded our school at night where
They slashed our watchman leaving him for the dead--God spared his
life and is recovering--this is now a police case. The intention of the attack is still not clear. The thugs managed to break into our school offices and made away with lap top computer amongst other things. Please pray for safety of the school children who are borders and also ourselves

Ken on Tour

Ken in Cougar Country - Sorry couldn't find a live one.

American Bison / Buffalo

Visiting a Wheat Farm in Eastern Washington - No cougars here either

Dry Falls Washington

Grand Coulee Dam

Fun in Spokane

My wife even gave him a haircut

More later, Bruce

Ken (from Garissa, Kenya) is in the United States for the first time!!!

Ken is in Pullman, WA, USA until June 6th raising awareness of the work he does, building relationships, raising prayer & financial support, releasing his first book (click here to buy a copy online), and seeing snow for the first time! Below are from the Cascade Mountains in the state of Washington where he saw (and tasted) snow for the first time. We will be updating the blog with news from his trip, so check back often! Also, yesterday was his 35th birthday!!!! Happy Birthday, Ken!!

Ethiopia vs. Somalia Soccer Match in Dadaab, Kenya at refugee camps

When you talk of Somalis and Ethiopians the next thing that comes in mind are enemies that cant see eye to eye. This is worsened by the recent war that was in Mogadishu (capital of Somali) in which the Ethiopian troops helped to remove Islamic courts that had ruled Somali for a number of months. Around that time, we had a lot of influx of Somali refugees to daddaab refugee camp.

I have trained quite a number of Ethiopians on how to do evangelism and discipleship. We needed something that would bridge the gap between these refugees who are neighbors and yet enemies. Having talked with a refugee from Ethiopia who is taking care of the church in the camp, we decided that a match between these groups was going to be the bridge to use to share the love of God to them.

We hade two categories of matches: under 15 years and Adults.

Saturday 10th match: Ethiopians under 15 beat Somalis two goals to nil. We had about 1,200 Refugees watch the match.

Sunday 11th: It was a match of the adults between Somalis and Ethiopians. At the end of the 90 minutes they had equal goal aggregates two versus two on each side. They went on penalty and both scored three more goals. It became dark and a deal was made for the match to continue the following day. About 1,500 Refugees watched the game.

Monday 12th: They decided to have full match again. Somalis emerged the winners having beat Ethiopians two goals to nil—it was real celebration time for the mammoth of Somali supporters who had cheered their team all through. About 1,600 refugees watched the match.

As I think about it, I realize that adopting relevant strategies in reaching out to the hurting world is going to go along way in bringing people to the Master —sharing HIS Love in multifaceted ways is something we need to boldly do.

Giving smiles and joy to faces of some of those people who have seen death so close is something I would not trade with anything.

Here are a few photos so you can have a taste of what happened:

Look at that—Somali players (in red) with Ethiopian Players (light blue)

Ethiopians holding the two cups that were being “fought” for & Ken holding the cups before giving the leaders

N/B: most Ethiopians who played are from Gambela region—they are called Anywak—they are river-Lake nilotes. We also have other Cushitic Ethiopians in the camp (I have trained quite a number of them) only that it was tricky involving them also. Thanks for being apart of this !

Myanmar update

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for the in-depth and encouraging update on what is happening with you guys and the church. My apologies for not responding sooner. I was in the States for ten days of meetings and my inbox is very full (still 75 messages to go!).

Let me say that your continued partnership in Thailand and Myanmar are making a difference and bearing fruit. I am in regular contact with P (talked to him last night) and the ministry there is mushrooming in every direction (its now up to 58 church and doors opening all over). Our big challenge now is to help them get some buildings up! The evangelism is going great but the government and economic situation are very tough and they need our help. I will be there in two weeks for a graduation of the students who have now finished their course work since the Bible School was closed. P is using the church to continue the training and we are looking at finding a way to reopen the Bible School as a vocational training center.

Another need is additional room for the orphans. As they get older, it is essential to separate the boys and girls and they are looking for a way to build a dormitory that will allow for this. The church property is pretty maxed out but P manages to find a way!

You may have heard about increased persecution from the government. Six churches have been closed in Mandalay and officials have been cutting the crosses off of church buildings in the Golden Triangle. So far, none of our ministries have been impacted but the situation is tense.

One thing I have discovered is that places where we have missionaries get a lot more attention and help than the places that do not. That is one reason I pound the drum for Burma a lot. Our involvement with some very solid and proven ministries will greatly multiply the fruit and I have a strong sense that it is God's time for breakthrough in this nation. I have been north to Chin State where the revival started in the 70's and south to Moulmein where Adoniram Judson began a ministry that has left a lasting legacy. In Yangon, Mandalay and the Golden Triangle, a young generation of leaders is rising.

Please convey my thanks and those of the Pastor Philip Ahone, P and the leaders in Myanmar for what you and the Pullman Foursquare Church has done.

Philip and Mie Mie Ahone are in the Seattle area now. Their daughter Charis will be graduation from Seattle Pacific U. in May. I would encourage you to contact them. Philip is the founder and leader of Foursquare Myanmar and I would love for you to be able to spend some time with him. They have a daughter in Portland, Glory.

Thanks again Bruce. I will be happy to work with you and the 20 something's who what to come to SE Asia! Sounds like a great trip. I would love to spend some time with you and this group. Let me know dates, etc and I will help you set this up.

God bless you,

George Butron

Cornelius in Burma

BREAKTHROUGH IN BURMA

The news out of Myanmar (Burma) is often negative but God has a way of getting redemptive work done even when things are looking bad. After hearing about increased opposition to Christianity in some parts of the country, I paid a visit this once prosperous SE Asia nation which is still known as, "The Beautiful Land." After visiting several ministries that are growing under difficult conditions (the economy is weak, the spiritual atmosphere is heavy and the Buddhist religion and world view is pervasive), a unique opportunity came to meet with a highly placed government official.

While not a believer, this man is like Cornelius from the book of Acts chapter 10. He is a man of peace who fears God and genuinely wants to help people. He has a greburden and spoke with compassion of needs in his nation regarding health care, orphan care and other areas where development and transformation are needed. The health care system faces huge shortages of medicine and supplies with increasing spread of diseases. Regarding orphans, he stated that when poor children and orphans are taken to the Buddhist temple to be raised by the monks it dooms them to a life of poverty and begging with no education or future advancement.

After hearing about Foursquare orphan care, medical teams and development projects in Cambodia and other places, he was genuinely interested to see these things happen in his nation. He said they need the help, offered his assistance and said that many of these projects could be run through local churches--a most unusual opportunity.

After all the negative news--there are powerful players who are actively opposing Christianity-- this was certainly a positive and unexpected conversation! God has a way of arranging divine appointments and opening doors. He is also putting a burden for this nation on the hearts of many people who are banding together for a breakthrough in Burma!

Help is needed and if you are interested in being a part of this project, please contact me at:
fmisea at singnet.com.sg

Thanks!

George Butron
Foursquare Missions International SE Asia

News from Myanmar

I've found several news articles on this, but it difficult to know the accuracy.
http://english.gospelherald.com/article/asia/959/section/more/1.htm
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/95502.aspx
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2005/003/1.42.html
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/9490


Dear Friends,

The News from Myanmar recently has been a mixture of both good and bad. On the good side, churches are growing like never before and three is every indication that God is doing something unusual and wonderful in this impoverished nation. The bad news is that there are indications of a severe campaign against Christians that has already resulted in the destruction of several church buildings and caused believers to flee for their lives. According to an official document that was recently published in London, there is a “Program to destroy the Christian religion in Burma,” (Charles Colson, Breakpoint Commentary 1/31/2007).

I travel to Myanmar on Monday Feb 5th and return on Saturday the 11th. Some strong prayer support, intercession and warfare would be much appreciated.

Thanks for caring!

George Butron
Singapore

Garissa/Dadaab Ministry Update from Ken Ochieng

Hi Scott
Greetings from a hot and meatless Garissa. Meatless because we have had an animal disease outbreak called Rift valley fever. Mosquitoes transmit the same disease to Human beings. The government slapped a ban on eating meat in this place (the locals love to eat meat). We have learnt to be vegetarians—I think I am enjoying it.

The year is getting busy and you can join me in praying that more laborers will come here and join us in reaching the Muslims with the gospel.

The exciting news to report is that God enabled our school to top 83 other schools in our district in the 2006 national exams whose results came a month ago. This being our fifth consecutive time to top the district has made many parents flock our school to bring their children (majority are Muslims). We decided to increase the number of streams (classes). The school now has >400 students. Continue praying that they will see the light of the Lord.

The year started in a very tough way—what of with the conflict in Somali and the Rift Valley fever. Garissa not being very far from Kenya-Somali border is seen by many people as not a very safe place to live in. many people expected us to leave the place when things were tough in Somali. We thank God that now things are much better.

Somali is one country in the world that has very few missionaries reaching them. Because of lacking a government for the past one and a half year, the place is so unsafe to missionaries that many decide to keep off the place yet the God I serve whose ways are not our ways has opened a great door here in garissa and daddab for me to mobilize believers to reach out to them. Somali people are more open to the gospel when here in Kenya as opposed to when they are in Mogadishu. I am planning to organize a football match between Somali and Ethiopia soon in daddab refugee camp. As you are aware, people are so idle in the camp such that they prefer to play football every time the temperatures go down. We have over 150,000 refugees in the camp and many are coming in. I have tried to equip believers especially from Ethiopia and Sudan with skills on how to reach out to there Somali colleagues (they freely mingle in the camp). Pray that the football match I am organizing will be successful and that the believers will use that to connect with Somalis and plant the word of God.

Through out this week, I have been teaching the word of God to our workers—two of them are Muslim. The study is such that even the non believers can attend. These studies are laying foundations that are going to help these two Muslim colleagues know the Lord—in fact one of them came to me asking me to spend more time with him explaining to him some things that are not clear—please, pray that the Lord may bring them to the knowledge of truth.

People that were affected by floods are still in camps although many of there places are dry. We continue to help them with medications and clean water. The government has come to appreciate our work the more through our intervention in this situation. It is true that everything works for good to those that love the lord and are called according to his purpose.
I plan to run training on evangelism and discipleship starting this match here in garissa. We believe many will be equipped. One of the things I will train on is how to do Muslim evangelism.
Keep praying that God will fulfill his purpose in this place through our lives.

We thank God that you are helping us lay foundation of the word of God here where deception has reigned for long. I am looking forward to seeing you in US this April so we can strategize further on how to accelerate the process of reaching out to our friends here.

Blessings

Urgent prayer items from Ken in Garissa, Kenya

Other than the impact of the flood that is still with us, there are two urgent prayer items:
1) The fight in Somali is causing a lot of influx of refugees here (we are not very far from the border). Pray that Christians will share the love of God with them. Pray for a lasting solution in the conflict in somali
2) The outbreak of "Rift valley fever" is causing many deaths here. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes from Animals to people. Victims die after 48 hours--signs are fever, bleeding etc. Pray for God's intervention.
Thanks for standing in the gap
Regards to Hillary, the children and the church

Highlights of 2006 from Ken in Garissa, Kenya

Ken, Eunice, Tim, and Anna
















Life Frontier School
















Ken training teachers














Flooding














Anna
















Tim




















OUR PRAYER FOR YOU IN 2007 IS THAT:
You will walk with God --- you will not loose strength
You will continually talk to God –you will not loose breath
You will wait on God—you will loose no time
You will Trust in God—you loose no faith
WISHING YOU LIFE GUIDED BY ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE IN 2007

N/B---We are having ‘Pamoja Africa” conference at Kabarak University where University + other tertiary students from all over Africa are gathering (We expect over 3, 000). Ken will speak on two topics: Building prayer movements and reaching least reached people groups. PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL RAISE A NEW BREED OF LEADERS FOR AFRICA AFTER THIS CONFERENCE

More pictures & update from Ken in Garissa

So far five people are dead because of the flood—thank God because many more lives would have been lost.

There are thousands of people marooned in an island---I have learnt that ten elephants and a number of Lions are also in the island and as the flooding continues, the animals are getting closer to the people and this is a great threat.

Not far from our place, crocodiles and hippopotamus are freely moving around enjoying the blessings of rain.

We have all moved from our house—I initially remained but finally decided to move out after our house was surrounded by water.

It is really hard for our children Tim and Anna who don’t understand what is happening—being away from there familiar house is also complicating the issue.

We have to move to a better house which means more money which we don’t have. We purpose not to complain or ask questions why this is happening. If anything, we are now helping out people who are in more serious situation than ours(At least we have a place to lay our heads).
We thank God for giving us opportunity to go through this kind of things—they cannot compare with the eternal weight of glory awaiting us and all those that are living for him. Greater love has no one than this, that one should die for his friends--Amen


Tana River Overflowing














Flooded House















Eunice outside their house

People fleeing the flooding

Flooded Ministry

URGENT: Tana River Causes Mass Flooding in Garissa, Kenya (Update from Ken Ochieng)

So here we are in a serous situation. I have heard of tsunami, Katrina etc but never thought it would be that close to us. We have serious disaster of flood caused by the overflowing river bank of tana river. I evacuated my wife and children on Thursday and remained in the house hoping that things will become better—it has not. Below is our house











Things are bocoming worse—about 25,000 people are affected. Much as we are victims, we are trying to see how we can show the love of God in this. Below is a muslim friend helping to shift our furnitures











People are in great crisis here and buildings including churches are submerged. I was suppose to preach in a church today but could not because the church is under water and besides, I had to be rescued.




Please Pray

Update from Kennedy Ochieng in Garissa, Kenya

Greetings in the matchless name of our Lord. Below are photos of our standard eight students who are did their national exams last week---please, pray that they will glorify God with good results














We had music festival for our school—it was amazing seeing muslim children dancing Christian songs. Pray that they will embrace the truth \ Lots of love from us

Update from Ken Ochieng in Garissa, Kenya

Scott
Greetings in the matchless name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I trust that it is well with your soul. we thank God for you and pullman foursquare church because of keeping us in the mission field through your faithful giving and prayers.

As you are aware, this has been the month of ramadhan when muslim pray and fast--this is one of the five pillars of islam. About fifty christians joined in fourty days of prayer and fasting asking God to save the descendants of Ishmael. Eunice has been the one giving leadership to this group. Many chose to survive on breakfast only or lunch only and only eternity will reveal what has been happeneing in the spiritual raealms.

We have been praying that people will become disatisfied with what Islam has to offer and that they will meet with Jesus who only can satisfy the thirst of our souls as he did to the samaritan woman. We have seen the answer to this prayer as many young muslim people have not been faithfull in the fasting. They also prefer to watch English premiership matches in the television than go to Mosque.

Last sunday evening, a sheikh(equivalent to a pastor) came into the church where our team was screening "jesus film" and actually stayed there for quite sometime--we believe that God will convict him to come to the way, the truth, the life.

We are at the moment very busy preparing our standard eight students for National exams that will be taking place early november--please pray that we will glorify God with good results.

I ministered at the teachers training college last week. After the meeting,a young man who was a muslim until last month was brought to me so i can disciple him--please pray that i will have time to help establish this man in the faith.

In early November,I will be speaking at the only Medical training college in the province. Pray for God to use me.

Pray for God to send more missionaries as the number that is here isnt enough although i also know that God doesn't depend on numbers
Lots of Love from us

Kaarin Swanson in Australia

Whoa.
So, here I am, in Australia. The flight went well, so much better than i expected. On the LAX - Sydney flight, in the morning, they handed me a hot washcloth with tweezers... I pretended I knew what to do with it, but not before laughing at the confusion. It's not hot, just warm, like an early summer day and the geckos are pretty cool and make this chirping sound. There are some stowed away in this computer room whom were chirping last night and we thought it was a bat and even identified a peice of wood as that bat. But we were corrected and told that the bats won't come around until about april and they have a wing span of about two feet. HA.

There are two schools going on at the base right now, a Frontier's DTS and my MAD DTS. The Frontiers focus on underdeveloped countries and reaching those who havn't heard the gospel, so while my school is practicing music/art/dance they will be learning about medicine and stuff. They're leaving for the weekend to stay at a cabin but my school is staying here and we have some classes and are going to go into the city. My school (the Art part) leader was talking to me this morning about some photographers she's been looking into and art events around the city that we'll go to... there are only 4-5 of us art students which is AMAZING. I'm so glad there arn't many of us.

We have breakfast and morning tea, lunch and dinner and there's always a bin full of bread if we get hungry inbetween. So that's good, I'm glad it's bread and not something unsatisfying and lame! :)

I just wanted to drop a note and let you all know what's going on and that I REALLY appriciate your prayers!

Where the money goes - Myanmar

Brother Bruce Heimbigner

Praisethelord !

Thank you very much for your letter and I receive all the money safely today. This is our difficult time. I will buy Rice, oil, Exercises book {for school}, Pencil, slipper, ....Ect. God will give Many blessing to you and all the brothers and sisters in your church. Every mornning and Evenning we are strongly pray for your team will coming safely in our church. I am so joyful in my heart. Today I arrive form Mainsat mission field today.

In christ
Rev.P

Church building update in Fang - and recent events

Just a short note to let you know that we have received the funds. Thank you very much and we greatly appriciate it.

The church building is up and we are still waiting for any one who want to help us complete the building. Its has now wall stage rooms but the roof and ths drop ceiling is not up yet. They are the most expensive. As of now we have to stop working as we are waiting for more donations.

Attach are some of the latest picture of what happens last week. Rivival are taking place in the North Thailand KEEP PRAYING FOR US. You might want to share the picture around.

Thank you so much again .

I God Blessings
Timothy

From Bruce:

Here are photos one of the Largest Churches in North Thailand. We broke ground on it in March 2006, and with the help of other churches it continues to be built.



















Orphanage, revival meetings, and our friends:

Update from Fang, Thailand

From Pastor Timothy, Fang, Thailand.
Hi Bruce,Laurie.

Greeting to you in the Mighty name of Jesus.

Just a short note.
We will be praying for you all.

This week have been very busy as the team from Georgia is here since early this week and we have been doind Pastor conference and night crisade as well. Some how did not expect is that we have so murch rain and yet people still come to the rally.

This afternoon we will be heading to Mae-sai to do another Pastor confrernce with Pastor P for two days and than to Chiangrai Pastor confrernce/Revival at the YMCA.
We will be very busy till the end of the month. i WILL NEED YOUR PRAYER.
By the Grace of God , we might see 600 soul added to His Kingdom and one new church planted.

Update from Myanmar

{Since the pastor in Myanmar has been arrested and beaten and had his bible college closed for a year we don't list his name or town on our web page.]

Brother Bruce Heimbigner:

Thank you very much for your letter and you love in our ministary. By the grace of God, all the kids is have a good healths but eatting is very poor. This time is very difficult all in T {his town}. The rain is very havey and some part of T is many water and stop school one week already. Please pray for our orphanage Kids in this difficult time. All the goods is very high {expensive} then Thailand. Because all the goods is form {from} Thailand. Many water and rainning everyday then all the way of T and M {a neighboring town} can not cross.

I am very welcome you and all your team. How many days all the team can use their time in our church? We are free time when they coming in T. What I need to preparation for the team? We are ready for Leadership trainning, bible seminor, Childern ministary and teaching orphanage kids.

When your team coming I will call in bible college and see 740 books over I receive form Timothy and put already in our libarary. All this books is form you and all the team bring when they coming early{er} this year. All the staff and me, we need to say heartlity Thanks to you and all the team. God will give many blessing to you and all the team. This is our prayer. We are still hope bring more books for our libarary. All the christian books is very useful in our land. Christian books is very very few books in {this area}. So please bring more books , When the team is coming in T.

I need to write long letter but my poor English is not enough write letter. Please read slowly my letter.

Pastor P.

Ken in Garissa, Kenya - Sept. 19th

Hi Scott,

God is helping us do exploit for his Kingdom. Yesterday, 6 military officers who took several months going through training on evangelism and discipleship graduated at the Garissa military camp. It is good to have this people equiped because thay can take the gospel even in dangerous places---they have been helping us show Jesus film even in hostile places. Once in a while we make use of their helicopter in taking the film to remote places of the province . We were blessed to have the seniormost officers in the region grace the graduation. The 1st attached photo are the graduates and myself, the 2nd attachment are the graduates, officers (including military chaplain) and myself.

On another note, Yesterday,I was privillaged to have Attended a wedding of muslim couple. I had recieved an invitaion by an influencial local leader to attend the wedding of his son---this was a purely muslim affair but Eunice and I were there. Attached photo is the bridegroom, myself, the father and best man.It is amazing what God can do

Update from Ken in Garissa, Kenya - Sept. 19th

Hi Scott,

God is helping us do exploit for his Kingdom. Yesterday, 6 military officers who took several months going through training on evangelism and discipleship graduated at the Garissa military camp. It is good to have this people equiped because thay can take the gospel even in dangerous places---they have been helping us show Jesus film even in hostile places. Once in a while we make use of their helicopter in taking the film to remote places of the province . We were blessed to have the seniormost officers in the region grace the graduation. The 1st attached photo are the graduates and myself, the 2nd attachment are the graduates, officers (including military chaplain) and myself.

On another note, Yesterday,I was privillaged to have Attended a wedding of muslim couple. I had recieved an invitaion by an influencial local leader to attend the wedding of his son---this was a purely muslim affair but Eunice and I were there. Attached photo is the bridegroom, myself, the father and best man.It is amazing what God can do

Update from Ken in Dadaab / Garissa, Kenya

Greetings in the matchless name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hope you are fine. God is moving in unprecedented manner here.

The graduation of the evangelism and discipleship class on saturday at dadaab refugee camp was great. 113 people graduated from a course that we took them through.Through their efforts, 101 people came to the Lord and are in discipleship groups. Before the graduation ,i had told them to bear fruit by investing their time in evangelism and discipleship. This result is amazing.

There are certain somalis( from Mogadishu) who have been won to the Lord by the same people that we trained---one of them is standing next to me giving testimony when i was preaching in the attached photo.

The story of Ogut (refugee from Gambela--Etrhiopia) is a moving story.I had been given one of the refugee rooms to sleep in next to his room and he was attending the training. He developed some problems that Doctors could not tell since tests had to be done in Nairobi ( i suspected kidney problem because of the swelling legs). While the issue of tests was still being pursued, he died. When his pocket was being checked after his death, the witnessing material we gave him was found in his pocket---he was ready to witness even at the point of death--he died a soldier in the army of the Lord.

Quite a number of people who have given their lives to Christ had opportunity to share about their new found faith during the graduation. God bless you for being apart of what is happening here. We thank God for pullman foursquare church
Attached are pictures that were taken at the camp

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.