October 2014
Dear Ministry Partners,
It’s true that God sets apart certain people for formal teaching ministry in the church. There are also myriads of everyday-life ministry opportunities that God will give every one of his children. We have been called to a daily life of gospel transparency, being ready, willing, and sharing our gratitude for the grace of God with someone who needs it. Colossians 3:16-17 truly captures the importance of everyday-life teaching ministry of believers, both in words and deeds.
Beloved, preparation and readiness for any building project demands time, people, and resources. It is only God’s help that makes such projects commence and progress to completion. The commencement of our building project took place on 21st July 2014. The laying of the foundation has been completed and the slab has been poured. Our hope is to begin the second phase soon after the heavy rains in August and September 2014. The third phase will be the roofing, and the final stage, of course, will be the finishing touches. Please be in prayer for the progress and as God provides, send your gift toward this Building project through Baptist Mid-Missions.
Our new home is precious and we thank God for the place, space, and opportunity to serve visitors here. Although we were faced with many challenges at the beginning with water supply, internet services, etc., we are thankful that we have a home and we have been able to solve some of the challenges. We have been challenged also with health issues with our parents. Particularly, for the last one month, Stephen’s dad has been sick. He went in for prostate removal surgery, had complication with blood clot and high blood pressure, readmitted again for a second surgery, and now stable and recuperating. Other parents have their hiccups too. This has laid financial constraint heavily on us. Pray for God’s grace and ministry opportunities with family to bear much fruit as we reach out to them at such a time of need.
Our children are well and back to school for their new school year. Ian and Regina just turned 14 on 28th September 2014, and Rena will be 10 on 28th of this month. Pray for their spiritual maturity along their physical growth and that their future would always be of the Lord. Edna and I have the desire to take some time off but ministry demands and challenges with family needs seem to flow on our way one after another. Pray for us to have finances and a time slot open for a family off for some rest.
The ministries at Elgon View Baptist continue to be the joy of our lives. We just had four adults baptized in September and added to the church, we continue to see new visits to the church weekly, and childrens’ programs are overwhelmed with facility space. Our youth ministry is growing greatly under David Ouma’s leadership, a young man who desires to undergo Bible College training for ministry. Any scholarship available or help toward training this man is worth our commitment and our recommendation. We have Bible training with four of our men on weekly basis and allowing them to serve in the church and reach out to the community. Our monthly fellowship continues to be a means of outreach and we praise God for such an informal time to invite friends and neighbors and expose them to the gospel. The radio program has been an opportunity to reach out to the city of Eldoret and the environs even the whole western region of Kenya. Pray for another opportunity given to me to have a brief (5 minutes) early morning devotion on TV for a week. This would expose our ministries to those watching in Eldoret and the region.
As you pray for financial support for our ministry, physical and spiritual growth of the church, the Muindi family’s spiritual growth and needs to be met, and the Church Building project and needs, please pray about the legal processes for re-application for minister and church licenses. Due to the operationalization of The Marriage Act 2014, the government has recalled all licenses for renewal and this will include vetting of ministers to ascertain their qualifications and church ministry’s registration. This comes as a challenge associated with work permit for missionaries and non-government groups limited to 2 years with renewal done once for the professionals. We hope that all these will not become hindrance to the ministry here and with potential missionaries and mission work.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal 6:9)
Arise, my soul, Arise!
Stephen & Edna Muindi
Ian, Regina, Rena
Psalm 51:13-15
