SEEDS ARE STILL SPROUTING

Pastor Maunda called from Kibwezi this week, very excited. He said that every Sunday since we showed The Jesus Film he has had new people attend his church. Just this past Sunday, three more showed up and received Jesus as their Savior!

Praise God - seeds are still sprouting!

Please join us in praying that the new believers in Kibwezi will become well grounded in the Word of God, grow strong and win others to Christ!

It is so exciting to see "fruit" from the "seeds" that were sown in Kibwezi.  It only happened because people prayed and gave so we could take The Jesus Film to this village!  We are honored to be part of what God is doing!!

Serving Christ in Kenya!

Don and Becky Cameron

OUR SUFFICIENCY IS FROM GOD.....

Last Saturday Don and I headed out on our first long distance trip alone. Our driver Jeremiah resigned, but Don said he could make the nine hour drive. I wasn’t so sure but I prayed and felt God saying “I’ve gotten you this far in Africa, trust Me.” Remarkably I was not fearful and for the most part I didn’t “help” Don drive!

Our destination was Carry the Light Orphanage in Usigu Kenya on the shore of Lake Victoria near the border between Kenya and Uganda. Our friend, Rachael Howington from Rockwall spends 3 to 6 months at a time there. The orphanage cares for 97 orphans. We took The Jesus Film equipment along to show the movie to the children and the community.

Saturday evening Pastor Joshua asked if I wanted to teach Sunday School to the adults. At first I declined because I was afraid I wasn’t prepared. Don said he would teach the class and preach in the main service as well. Later that evening I felt God telling me that I could teach what He has taught me about Bible study. So I began to outline what to say and He gave me illustrations and even a visual aid! Sunday morning I was eager to teach the class. I left them with the tools God had given me back in Texas last year! We reviewed and practiced. I now know I am sufficient because my sufficiency is from God.

Don preached on the Kingdom of God and that the Kingdom of God is here on earth. He told them the parables that Jesus taught on the Kingdom of God. God has given him such an insight into Kingdom living that is applicable to life no matter where you live.

Sunday afternoon Don and Pastor Joshua walked through the village. On their way to visit Elijah, a member of Joshua’s church, they saw a group of about 15 men sitting and talking. Don went and greeted them and introduced himself. He then said that he wanted to ask them a very important question. He asked them if they knew Jesus. They said yes. He then asked if Jesus was Lord of their lives. One man spoke up and said they were all Muslims. Don then replied that Jesus is the prophet “Isa” that is in their Koran and Isa is alive to this day! He invited them to come and learn more about the life of Isa from The Jesus Film we were showing the next night. Two or three of the men said they would come.

When Don and Joshua arrived at Elijah’s door, he invited them into his small house. They sat down and after the usual greetings Elijah looked at Don and said “I want you to teach me Bible." So Don sat with him and began telling him the story of Elijah’s life. When Don finished he showed Elijah in Elijah's own Bible the scriptures he just taught him. Don told him to read for himself, because when he reads for himself what the Word of God says, no man can lead him astray.

God truly showed Himself sufficient during our trip to Usigu. He was sufficient to provide the Sunday School lesson, when I was not. He was sufficient to share with the Muslims about their prophet Isa and use that as an opening to spread the Gospel. He was sufficient when a man just asked “teach me Bible."

“And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that WE are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything being from ourselves but our sufficiency is from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5

Please pray that our time in Usigu will reap much fruit. Also pray for the 97 orphans and those that care for them that they will grow in the knowledge of God and His Kingdom!

We pray you will all have a wonderful celebration of Thanksgiving next week. We have truly added to our list of what we are thankful for this year!

Blessings,

Don and Becky

Kibwezi Report

We stand in awe of all that God accomplished during our short time in Kibwezi. We began on Saturday morning with a training session for pastors and church leaders. Don taught on how to do follow-up with individuals after the showing of The Jesus Film based on Jesus’ parable of the sower in Mark 4. He discussed how to share your testimony and discipleship training for new believers.

The first showing of the film occurred that evening. The film was shown outdoors in the town center of Kibwezi. We had an estimated 800 people in attendance. This was a great surprise to us because we had expected a crowd of no more than 300. The film began at 7pm but was cut short at 8:15pm due to rain. We were forced to take measures to protect the equipment from moisture. Also, people were beginning to leave because of the rain. We did, however, cover the amplifier with a blanket and umbrella so that Pastor Maunda could explain God’s plan of salvation and call for anyone wanting to follow Christ to come forward. He then led them in a prayer for salvation. About 70 people responded (not counting the younger children).

Don remembers watching a young boy, perhaps 10 years of age, with his head bowed and eyes closed. As the rain fell on his head and ran down his face, he repeated the sinner’s prayer as led by Pastor Maunda. Tears fell from Don's eyes as well.

We had been specifically praying that the gospel message would reach some of the Muslim population of Kibwezi. The next day, we heard a report from one of the churches that a Muslim man showed up for worship testifying that he had been saved at our meeting the night before. We do not know how many more Muslims had been reached because the rain made the afterfilm follow-up more difficult, but if we heard the testimony of one, we feel certain that there were more. Also, some of the people that our team talked with after the film were very hesitant to give their names which would be typical of Muslims that were concerned about subsequent persecution. Please be in prayer for these new believers.

The second showing of the film occurred on Sunday evening.The film was again shown in the open area in the town center of Kibwezi. We had an estimated 1,700 to 2,000 in attendance. Again, the numbers were a tremendous surprise to us.

When we were shopping for the audio equipment, we tried to size it for a crowd of 2 or 3 hundred, so we were looking at a 100 watt amplifier. Before the purchase, we decided to increase to a 250 watt amplifier and add speaker stands to project the sound better. This turned out to be the correct decision. We had also purchaed a generator and DVD player. The total cost (in American dollars) for this equipment along with the cost of electrical connections came to almost exactly $1,600.

During the film, Don was sitting on the ground (there were no chairs or benches provided for anyone) so that he could be close to the projection and audio equipment. This was very near the front so he could not see more than a few hundred of the crowd that had gathered. About half way through the film, he decided to get up and walk around to stretch his legs and to get a better idea of how many were in the audience. He was astounded at what he saw. This large open area, which was much larger than a soccer field and which could hold several thousand, was half full of people. From the rear of the crowd, the sound was not loud, but could still be readily understood, and the screen was small, but could still be easily seen. Don whispered to himself, “Thank you, Jesus. There has to be at least 2,000 people here”. The final estimate was between 1700 and 2000 in attendance that evening.

We stopped the film at the end of the movie, as the film depicted Jesus’ ascension to heaven, and before the film presented the final salvation message. Pastor Maunda, very concisely, summed up the message of salvation, called for those wanting to receive salvation to raise their hands and then led them in a prayer to receive Christ as their savior. Pastor Maunda estimated the response (excluding children) to be about 200 people. We had nowhere near enough altar workers, so we handed out flyers to many of the people explaining how to find Pastor Shadrack Maunda’s church along with meeting times for services and Bible study.

We know that we serve an awesome God and yet He continues to amaze us. We appreciate each of you who prayed for this weekend ministry!

Blessings,
Becky & Don

“PLANTING” THE WORD IN KIBWEZI!

Friday morning we loaded our generator, speakers, amplifier, projector, screen and microphones and headed out to Kibwezi, Kenya!!!

The rainy season has begun in Kenya. As we traveled we noticed farmers walking behind two oxen and a plow preparing their fields for planting. We actually saw five different farmers along our route. This was significant because of what happened BEFORE we left for Kenya.

Last March, Pastor Ghiorghi, a pastor friend of ours from Romania attended our home church’s Missions Conference. He looked Don in the eye and told him that as he was praying for us the day before God gave him a message for us. “Just like Elisha, you are to slay the ox and burn the plow.” Don was stunned. He knew exactly what this meant. For several months, he had been teaching on the life and ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. God was confirming that our planned 3 month mission this fall was just the beginning of a much longer time working for His Kingdom in the nation of Kenya.

Then in May, our adopted son, Sastry Meesala’s brother and father came from India to see him graduate  from Dallas Baptist University. We had “adopted” Sastry after we met his family in India in 2008 on a mission trip. His brother brought gifts to those who had helped Sastry in the U.S. When Don began unwrapping his gift we were amazed! It was a man behind a plow pulled by two oxen! (see photo). Sastry’s brother told Don that as he was shopping for the gift in India he felt God urging him to bring this as being symbolic of Don’s call to Africa and India, just like Elisha has been called by Elijah! He had no way of knowing how significant his choice was!

So Friday as we were coming into Kibwezi, and seeing the fields being plowed by oxen, I was reminded that we are working in the fields of our Father God. He has prepared us to come to Kibwezi. He supplied all the things necessary for the showing of The Jesus Film. It is just like God to bring us here at planting time so we can plant the seed (The Word of God) in the hearts of these villagers!

Thank you to everyone who has partnered with us to make this time of ministry possible! We appreciate your prayers and financial investment. Please continue to pray the next two days for Kibwezi! We will let you know what great things God does here!

Don and Becky
Biblical Life Ministries

ON ASSIGNMENT IN MALINDI

One of the goals the Johnsons had for us before we arrived was to return to the areas where they had held the Bible school and hold conferences. On October 21st and 22nd, Kathy Johnson and I held a women’s conference and Don taught the book of Daniel to the pastors and church leaders.

Kathy and I had about 25 ladies and small children on Thursday. On Friday we invited the ladies from the churches of the graduates and over 80 came! Our goal was to encourage them in their personal walk with Christ, share ideas of how they might enrich their ministry to their families and the women in their church, and we also wanted them to have fun.

On Friday morning we began with the Toilet Paper Game! We handed out rolls of toilet paper and told them “Take all you think you will need.” We got some strange looks, but since most of these ladies have very little some of them took advantage of the opportunity and stocked up! After all had taken “all they needed” we announced that each lady would share with the group something about themselves for each square they took! The smiles on their faces were priceless. After all had shared, Kathy pointed out that it did not take much money to have a good time and learn more about each other.

We ended each day in personal prayer with the ladies; having them pray for each other in groups of two. It was a great time of ministry.

Don had a powerful time as he taught the men for ten hours in two days on the book of Daniel. The men all reported that they learned a lot. The Word of God was their textbook and they had discussions on prophecy. He had some “problems” with his white board. After we returned home we discovered the problem was he had been writing on the protective film, not the white board! Once we removed that, it is now ready for the next time! No more using kerosene to clean the board!

We were privileged to pray for Bishop Joseph Manzi’s wife, Angnes, on Thursday afternoon. She had become ill after graduation and had been diagnosed with “a fatty liver”. The church and friends had been praying for her. When we arrived at her home she was very weak and her abdomen was swollen. Kathy, Don and I prayed for her and anointed her with oil. We left fresh drinking water for her and told her daughter to watch her through the night. We were very concerned for her life. At 7:30 the next morning Bishop Manzi called to tell us she was healed and she would be in our meeting that day! Oh, how we rejoiced for her healing. It was truly God working. Angnes came to the meetings all day Friday and showed no signs of any illness. When we saw her on Sunday she was much stronger and so happy!

Don preached in two churches on Sunday in Malindi. The second church was Pastor Douglas Mwadziwe’s church located in a very poor area. At the end of the service Pastor Douglas invited Don and I to join him in praying for those who wanted prayer. Several people came forward and we prayed for them. One young mother requested prayer because she could not pray; every time she tried “something” stopped her. When Don placed his hands on her shoulders and began to pray she screamed and fell backwards. Pastor Douglas prayed with her as the evil spirit left her. As tears streamed down her face she began to pray and praise God! God’s timing is perfect. This lady had never been in that church before! We asked Pastor Douglas and his wife Elizabeth to follow up with her to be sure she continues to come and be discipled.

As we left Malindi we were grateful to God for all He had done in our life and the lives of those we met. To see God work miracles of healing and deliverance was a huge encouragement to us. It wasn’t by our might or our power, but by His Spirit that lives were changed in Malindi! Thank you for helping us touch the people of Malindi!

We appreciate all your prayers and encouragement as we continue our assignment here in Kenya! We are excited to see what comes next!!!

Blessings,

Don and Becky Cameron

The Jesus Film Project-God's Way

Don sent out an appeal email to a handful of his friends right after we arrived here in September. God led a college buddy of his who he hasn't seen in over 20 years to share the request with his Sunday School class in Houston. In less than a week the entire project was funded! God moved on the hearts of those class members, who have never met us and a member of our home church in Rockwall. Only God can do that type of fundraiser! It is humbling to be used to help Kenyan pastors reach the lost of their villages and then disciple them.

Biblical Life Ministries was given a state of the art projector last June. With the funds we received, we purchased the amplifier, 2 speakers with stands, 2 wireless microphones and all the connecting cords.

While we were in Kibwezi this week meeting with the graduates from the first Bible School four years ago we arranged to show the Jesus Film NEXT Saturday and Sunday nights (November 6th and 7th)!! We will be in an open area in the village. Saturday morning we will hold a seminar for the church members who will assist with the follow up ministry for those who accept Christ.

We have yet to purchase a generator so Pastor Shadrack Maunda is going to find one for us to use in Kibwezi. We are waiting to find the right generator for the right price. We ask you to pray for wisdom and favor.

November 13 and 14 we are taking all the equipment with us to an orphanage near Kisumu on Lake Victoria. Our friend Rachel Howington from Texas works there and we will stay with her at the orphanage. We plan to show the film in the orphanage and hopefully in the surrounding village.

Wow, from one short email appeal in September to four different showings by mid-November! God can work fast to get His Gospel out to those who need it! Thank you for your prayers and support!

Don and Becky Cameron

OUR CHICKEN WINDOW

Saturday night Don was boiling a chicken to make chicken and pasta. It took longer than he thought, so it was after dark when it was ready to eat. A few minutes before it was done we heard a knock at our gate.

The night guard had come to tell us we needed to close our chicken window. At first we thought he had smelled our chicken, but no, he said he had seen our chicken window open after we went to bed the night before and he feared bandits could break in if we left the chicken window open. This seemed strange to us because we hadn’t seen any chickens around our cottage. So we asked, “Which window is our chicken window?” The guard pointed to the window at the back of the house. We asked if we could leave the other windows open and he said that was fine. We told him we would be sure to close our chicken window before we went to bed.

The guard left and we sat down to eat our chicken pasta. After a few bites it hit me! Our CHICKEN window was really our KITCHEN window!!! The guard must have thought “those poor white people are really dumb!” We almost fell out of our chairs because we were laughing so hard! From now on we promise we will close our chicken window before heading to bed. I sure hope the guard doesn't tell everyone about that crazy mzungu (white person) that doesn’t know what a chicken window is!

Tomorrow we leave for five days in Malindi.  Kathy Johnson and I will hold two days of Ladies Ministry and Don will teach "The Book of Daniel" both days to the pastors and church leaders.  Kathy returns to Nairobi on Saturday to take care of her family.  Don and I will remain to look for a possible location for the next Bible School in a Briefcase on Saturday and on Sunday Don will preach in a village church.

Next time I will share about our newest project using The Jesus Film in Swahili.

We are amazed at all the Lord has given us to accomplish here in Kenya!  It is exciting to know that HE is directing our path and He will receive ALL the Glory!

We appreciate all your love, prayers and encouragement.  We both think we are having way too much fun doing this missionary work!  I do promise we are working! 

Building, Training, Connecting!

Don and Becky Cameron