Friday, November 4, 2016

Lives Changed, Glory to God

Lives Changed, Glory to God

By Dawn Brown



Some of you may remember a prayer request a while back, about one of our teens being hit by a motorcycle.  Since most people of Mbooni don’t have cars and there’s no mass transit, entrepreneurs give motorcycle rides to people traveling a distance.  You can be walking along a dirt road when one of these bikes will go whizzing by.

The girl, Syokau, who was hit, had no broken bones, but was in a lot of pain with cuts and bruises to her arms, legs, hands, and face.  In spite of her pain, Elizabeth said Syokau continued to be a good helper to her with the ministry.  
Syokau


She and her widowed mother are again, going through some very difficult times.  As I was praying for them, I began to think about all the changes in their lives, because of God using your prayers and donations to Child Arise.

Syokau is a close neighbor to Elizabeth.  Her father died when she was very young.  Her family was involved in making and selling illegal alcohol for years.  Church was never a consideration for them. Elizabeth and Pastor Mativo have always been very kind to her and her family.  After Pastor Mativo died, Syokau was caught more than once, stealing from Elizabeth.

She always wanted to be around Elizabeth and at one point, she even lived with her, but she had no moral compass to guide her actions.  Even while living with her, Syokau continued to take things.  Elizabeth had to ask her to leave, but she didn’t give up on this wayward girl who needed Jesus.  In time, with Elizabeth’s loving discipline, godly example, Bible teaching and not giving up on a rebellious girl, Syokau became a believer!
Elizabeth Mativo & Syokau


Her widowed mother, Munyic Mukusa, through this ministry, has put her faith and trust in the Lord too.  She took rigorous Bible classes at the local church, was baptized, and has been an important part of the ladies group, meeting with them regularly at the Child Arise prayer and Bible study.  At her baptism, she gave Elizabeth the honor of choosing her new Christian name, Dorcas.
Dorcas


Dorcas & Elizabeth


When Elizabeth was staying with us in the United States last fall, I was asking her about Dorcas.  On our 2012 trip, our team really enjoyed our visit to her home and loved her infectious smile.  She was so full of joy!  We seemed to meet her along the mountain trails often and she was always working so hard.
 
Our team meeting Dorcas along the mountain trail


Dorcas & our team member, Anna Diaz


Elizabeth told me about the changes she’s seen in Dorcas.  Before becoming a Jesus follower, Elizabeth said she caused so much trouble in the community.  She spread rumors, yelled offensive things at people and was always looking to start a fight, verbal or physical.

At one of the Child Arise women’s fellowships, Dorcas told the other ladies she can no longer even think of living like she did in the past.  She said she represents Jesus now and it would break her heart to cause damage to His reputation by acting the way she did for so many years.  She continues to grow in her faith and she’s been delight to the other ladies.

A few weeks ago, Dorcas suffered a massive stroke.  There is no medical care for her.  They are very poor and even though they are both hard workers, they can’t really meet their basic needs of food and shelter, let alone a doctor.  Dorcas can only lay on her mattress now.  She can’t move.  She can’t walk outside to the hole in the ground surrounded by corn stalks, which is their “toilet”.
Cornstalks & weeds are used around the hole in the ground for privacy


Elizabeth, Syokau and some of the other widowed women in the ministry, regularly visit Dorcas to pray with her and to move her arms and legs in hopes of her regaining her abilities.  Please pray for these cherished women of God, our sisters in Christ. 
Dorcas after stroke, another woman in the ministry & Elizabeth Mativo

Dorcas after stroke & Syokau


Our prayers have an effect on what’s happening in Mbooni.  When we pray for widowed women like Dorcas and orphaned children like Syokau, and the ministry of Elizabeth Mativo, lives are being changed.  We will meet them in Heaven someday!
Many Bibles have been give to those who are thirsty for God's Word


Elizabeth can share the Gospel with the widowed women and orphaned children in her area, but the financial impact we have is so helpful to draw them. 

Many of the kids would initially never come to the Bible lessons if they didn’t know they would get food.  The poorest of these orphaned children probably wouldn’t get to high school without sponsorship from Child Arise.  The community wouldn’t have clean water without The Well for Life borehole.  Although our focus is not medical, in extreme need, we have been able to provide a doctor’s care.  These things could not happen without your generosity!  All in the name of Jesus! 
Little girls coming for clean water


Without the material financial support, widowed women like Dorcas and orphaned children like Syokau, would have less reason to come to Elizabeth, where she can meet some of their physical needs while meeting the spiritual needs they may not realize they have.  Your prayers and donations are not only helping our brothers and sisters in Christ.  They are also drawing people into His Kingdom!

PRAYER REQUESTS


Pray for the children who will be taking exams.  Nthenya and Mutiso will be taking exams to see if they qualify for college or technical school.  Several are testing to see if they can go to high school.

Due to the teacher’s strike earlier this year, the children will have a longer year end vacation.  Please pray that we can use this time to reach them for the Lord and strengthen their faith and understanding.

Please pray for the construction of the building where we can hold ministry and be out of the weather.
Continue to pray for our new church plant.  It is growing. 


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100% of your donation goes to Kenya!

Donations can be made to

Child Arise Kenya

Widows & Orphans Ministry

827 5 Ave Dr W, Andalusia IL 61232

309-798-2596

dawn@ChildAriseKenya.com

ChildAriseKenya.com

Child Arise Kenya is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt ministry

 




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