Dear partners in ministry and friends,
This is some update on the new work Bethel started this last Sunday. I will attach photos of the work, and some few on Florence’s life change. Her attitude, her behaviours and lifestyle have changed positively. I know you all have prayed for us this way, and we can see God doing great things already.
Bethel took a step of faith yesterday; we went up in Busimba to start a new ministry there. It all went very well. People of the community had gathered together in the classroom waiting for us. When we arrived they warmly welcomed us, which was a great sign that God was with us. We started with Music and then we worshipped. They enjoyed our way of worshipping with freedom and in the known language. After Music I was called to preach. I started with my testimony. Most people older people know my background anyway. My testimony touched so many. Others were a bit teary. Then I shared the goodness of Jesus in my life and i told them that it is the source of my motivation to do the good things they see us doing. Bethel has already been involved in doing social welfare to that community. So people know us as good people. Now they are discovering the source of our love to them.
After I had finished preaching, we decided that we go out in the open and sit down in different places. This was a one on one session. People were free to ask all their questions and at the end we ended up with 14 adults giving their lives to Jesus. There were also some who knew God before but they did not have a strong conviction. They come up and renewed their faith to Jesus.
The total number came to over 20 people. That was so good. After we finished a one on one, prayed for all the people present, then they provided a drink to all members of Bethel. They Decided to give their new church the name Emmanuel. For they said that God is with them. Since there was a gospel in that community in the seventies, there has been no one coming to tell them about Jesus.
There were so many children who also committed their lives to Jesus, but we did not count them as it is tougher for the children. If their parents are Muslims then we shall not want to cause them trouble as we don’t have a place to keep them when their parents kick them out of homes.
We shall be going there every Sunday for at least 4 to 5 weeks, but even in the week days when there is time we shall be going for door to door evangelism. That is what other members have decided to do. We believe that is the birthing of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Within the district Mooni is known for having the highest percentage of Muslims, Traditional worshippers (people who worship ancestral spirits) and those involved in witchcraft. As a result, highly destructive behaviour such as polygamy, child sacrifice, prostitution (including child commercial sex), early marriages, robbery, drug abuse and alcoholism is common place in Mooni. This has led to large numbers of vulnerable people including orphans, widows, people suffering from HIV/AIDS and children living on streets.
Bethel recognises the need and desires to increase its involvement within the community. We are confident that the most effective way to achieve this would be to introduce new churches throughout Mooni. That is our vision for the next coming 9 -10 year.
Our plan is that we start 10 new churches in 10 years, so each year we aim at starting one. This is the 3rd in three year, including Bethel itself. But ten are shall not be the end. We aim at covering the whole area with Christianity.
Our prayer requests are:
- You pray that God will soften the hearts of the people so that they will turn from other Gods to the true father and creator of the universe. This is the only way they are going to gain their self worth. when people who have lost have know God they gain their hope because God is the giver of hope.
- That other people from different parts of the world shall join us in the work of the harvest. The harvest is in plenty but the labourers are still few. We need is bigger, we needs others who have the same vision to join us.
- That members of Bethel shall keep having courage to reach out for Jesus. The opposition from other faiths is too high. Sometimes people want to quit in fear. I know that fear comes from the devil.
- That God will provide enough resources, transportation and tools to reach out and serve him in the way that will bring glory to him. We need to build shelters for worship; we need a pickup to carry our tools and members. For the distance is long. All these can be achieved through prayers of the saints of God.
- Also pray for me the leader of the ministry. People look at me and my wife all the time, when we lose heart they also lose heart. Pray that God will help us to stand and serve him, and that he will provide for us so that we may continue without worry about what we are going to eat.
I will end by thanking you all for being faithful partners of Bethel. I believe we are accomplishing a lot simply because people pray.
Vinnie
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Bethel Church 9/11/10 Florence story part 2
Dear Friends,
I am writing to thank you for your prayers for Florence, and to tell you how her life has changed since she shared her story and asked for prayer. God can do great things if we trust and open up to Him.
Florence’s changed life:
Florence stood and testified in church. She shared a powerful testimony and also she had prayed for someone herself who also got deliverance just within that week. She looked very happy and bright. She also had some new clothes on. Somebody in church had given her a cloth. For the whole year no one had done something like that to her, so she felt that it was prayers, as she had not asked anyone for clothes. I do agree with Florence that it is prayers and nothing else.
That was Florence’s first time to stand and say something in public. She had never spoken like that before as she always felt nobody will listen to her. And the first time she looked so nice externally with a new cloth and was shining internally with new freedom and joy in Jesus. She always had one very old dress which some of you saw in the photo. Yesterday she came with another very good traditional cloth and was just radiant both in and out.
Everyone was amazed to see Florence stand up and share a testimony. People knew her as a woman who has no words. She had always been quiet ever since she joined the church. Her life touched people in church.
God answers prayers:
All I saw was God’s answered prayers for Florence. Florence had been in the church for over a year, and no one had given her a cloth. No one knew her story locally but just because she accepted that I can send her story out for people to pray for her, already something has happened. She has got some clothes, she can stand up without fear to speak in public, and she feels some heaviness has left her and she feels very light now.
God bless you all.
Vinnie
I am writing to thank you for your prayers for Florence, and to tell you how her life has changed since she shared her story and asked for prayer. God can do great things if we trust and open up to Him.
Florence’s changed life:
Florence stood and testified in church. She shared a powerful testimony and also she had prayed for someone herself who also got deliverance just within that week. She looked very happy and bright. She also had some new clothes on. Somebody in church had given her a cloth. For the whole year no one had done something like that to her, so she felt that it was prayers, as she had not asked anyone for clothes. I do agree with Florence that it is prayers and nothing else.
That was Florence’s first time to stand and say something in public. She had never spoken like that before as she always felt nobody will listen to her. And the first time she looked so nice externally with a new cloth and was shining internally with new freedom and joy in Jesus. She always had one very old dress which some of you saw in the photo. Yesterday she came with another very good traditional cloth and was just radiant both in and out.
Everyone was amazed to see Florence stand up and share a testimony. People knew her as a woman who has no words. She had always been quiet ever since she joined the church. Her life touched people in church.
God answers prayers:
All I saw was God’s answered prayers for Florence. Florence had been in the church for over a year, and no one had given her a cloth. No one knew her story locally but just because she accepted that I can send her story out for people to pray for her, already something has happened. She has got some clothes, she can stand up without fear to speak in public, and she feels some heaviness has left her and she feels very light now.
God bless you all.
Vinnie
Bethel Church 28/10/10 Florence story part 1
Dearest friends,
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus our Lord. I hope this finds you all in good shape.
I am writing this to request for your prayers for a woman called Florence and her family. Florence has been a member of our church for a year now, and not so many knew her story until this morning. Her brother has just died and the burial was on Thursday last week. Florence came to me asking if we could give some money towards the burial and this is when she shared her story.
Some people have faced harder trials than others; Florence seems to be one such person.
Florence’s story:
The first born of the five, Florence was born to a crippled mother and an older father. Both parents died when she was about 8 years old and the 3 sisters and brother were much younger. The parents did not have any well known relatives, so Florence and her siblings were, (as we call them in Africa) in a child headed family; where a child is the carer for the other siblings.
The Catholic Church came in a tried to assist by putting some of the children into school. Because life was tough, Florence tried to look for work in order to help her young siblings. She was then deceived by a man who pretended that he was giving her work. He ended up raping her many times at the age of 10.
As a means for security for her and her siblings, Florence decided to marry that man later that year (still aged 10). Four years later, at the age of 14 she gave birth to her first born. Things did not go well with this man and she ran away from him.
The man Florence married next was good to her, but soon after that he became mentally unstable. Despite this, they still live together. However, due to his instability, this man regularly rapes her, even in front of her children. He comes in the night, knocks the door down and breaks in just to rape her. She has given birth to 18 children, which include twins twice. 11 of them are dead. She has 6 living children and one other that has just gone missing.
Florence’s Sisters:
Two of Florence’s sisters were also deceived in a similar way, again at a very young age. A local witch doctor took the girls in as workers but then he also abused them sexually, one at 11years and the other only 9 years old. The old man took them as his wives. (Polygamous relationships are common here) and disappeared with the two girls to Kenya. No one knows where the sisters are and what they are doing now; whether they are alive or if they have had children.
A few years ago, the third sister was married nearby. In 2009 she had a quarrel with the husband and he killed her by decapitation. The man was arrested but Florence does not know whether he is still in jail or not. Florence came back with the late sister’s baby who was five month. The baby died a month later for poor nutrition. She still does not know the condition of their remaining children.
I ask Florence why she did not share about her life story with us before, she turned to me and said ‘’pastor, everyone I tried to share this with never listened. People think I share this so I can get money. The last time I shared with someone who seemed to be a friend, instead of her praying she went and told people in a trading centre. It was so embarrassing to hear people telling me that I am being raped by my mental husband. But because you are listening, that is why i have opened up’’
Florence’s brother:
The only sibling remaining was Florence’s brother who caught HIV/AIDS some years back. When his condition deteriorated he moved in to stay with Florence in her dilapidated house. She has been taking care of him for months now, but even the church did not know, we only found out last week when Florence came to ask if I would pray for the brother. That is how resilient Florence has been.
The brother and I talked for some time and he confessed Jesus as Lord and saviour.
Last Wednesday, he died in Florence’s hands. The burial was on Thursday. The Bethel church was the only relative Florence had at the burial.
Women had visited Florence before and had reported that her house is so bad, also she never asked for any help.
About child birth:
Birth Control is something still quite foreign to those living in the rural communities. Grace has been talking to Florence about it as until now she has not accepted to take something to control or prevent child birth. However, she is now open to the idea and has committed that they will go to a clinic to take the necessary measures.
My time with Florence:
It was a very emotional moment listening to this woman. She made me realize how blessed I am. Looking at the house she stays in, and how she feeds her children and mad husband was so very humbling. And yet she had decided not to share her life with anybody because other did not listen, or just embarrassed her in places she did not want people to know about it. Also hearing that her mad husband just comes in at any time of the day and infront of children to rape, yet people of the community near by just ignore. And this does not seem to have a quick solution. So hard friends.
Prayer request:
Pray as the Spirit leads you.
The key things to pray for are:
1. Their family home which is in very bad condition; broken down and unstable.
2. Florence’s husband’s mental state is getting worse every day and they have no medication to ease the symptoms.
3. They have little food, no clothes, no school fees and no medical support.
4. That any children from the extended family are cared for and protected sufficiently.
This is the story of Florence. It’s hard to explain, but it is her story.
Below are the photos of Florence, one in her house and another outside her house.
May God bless you all friends.
Vinnie
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus our Lord. I hope this finds you all in good shape.
I am writing this to request for your prayers for a woman called Florence and her family. Florence has been a member of our church for a year now, and not so many knew her story until this morning. Her brother has just died and the burial was on Thursday last week. Florence came to me asking if we could give some money towards the burial and this is when she shared her story.
Some people have faced harder trials than others; Florence seems to be one such person.
Florence’s story:
The first born of the five, Florence was born to a crippled mother and an older father. Both parents died when she was about 8 years old and the 3 sisters and brother were much younger. The parents did not have any well known relatives, so Florence and her siblings were, (as we call them in Africa) in a child headed family; where a child is the carer for the other siblings.
The Catholic Church came in a tried to assist by putting some of the children into school. Because life was tough, Florence tried to look for work in order to help her young siblings. She was then deceived by a man who pretended that he was giving her work. He ended up raping her many times at the age of 10.
As a means for security for her and her siblings, Florence decided to marry that man later that year (still aged 10). Four years later, at the age of 14 she gave birth to her first born. Things did not go well with this man and she ran away from him.
The man Florence married next was good to her, but soon after that he became mentally unstable. Despite this, they still live together. However, due to his instability, this man regularly rapes her, even in front of her children. He comes in the night, knocks the door down and breaks in just to rape her. She has given birth to 18 children, which include twins twice. 11 of them are dead. She has 6 living children and one other that has just gone missing.
Florence’s Sisters:
Two of Florence’s sisters were also deceived in a similar way, again at a very young age. A local witch doctor took the girls in as workers but then he also abused them sexually, one at 11years and the other only 9 years old. The old man took them as his wives. (Polygamous relationships are common here) and disappeared with the two girls to Kenya. No one knows where the sisters are and what they are doing now; whether they are alive or if they have had children.
A few years ago, the third sister was married nearby. In 2009 she had a quarrel with the husband and he killed her by decapitation. The man was arrested but Florence does not know whether he is still in jail or not. Florence came back with the late sister’s baby who was five month. The baby died a month later for poor nutrition. She still does not know the condition of their remaining children.
I ask Florence why she did not share about her life story with us before, she turned to me and said ‘’pastor, everyone I tried to share this with never listened. People think I share this so I can get money. The last time I shared with someone who seemed to be a friend, instead of her praying she went and told people in a trading centre. It was so embarrassing to hear people telling me that I am being raped by my mental husband. But because you are listening, that is why i have opened up’’
Florence’s brother:
The only sibling remaining was Florence’s brother who caught HIV/AIDS some years back. When his condition deteriorated he moved in to stay with Florence in her dilapidated house. She has been taking care of him for months now, but even the church did not know, we only found out last week when Florence came to ask if I would pray for the brother. That is how resilient Florence has been.
The brother and I talked for some time and he confessed Jesus as Lord and saviour.
Last Wednesday, he died in Florence’s hands. The burial was on Thursday. The Bethel church was the only relative Florence had at the burial.
Women had visited Florence before and had reported that her house is so bad, also she never asked for any help.
About child birth:
Birth Control is something still quite foreign to those living in the rural communities. Grace has been talking to Florence about it as until now she has not accepted to take something to control or prevent child birth. However, she is now open to the idea and has committed that they will go to a clinic to take the necessary measures.
My time with Florence:
It was a very emotional moment listening to this woman. She made me realize how blessed I am. Looking at the house she stays in, and how she feeds her children and mad husband was so very humbling. And yet she had decided not to share her life with anybody because other did not listen, or just embarrassed her in places she did not want people to know about it. Also hearing that her mad husband just comes in at any time of the day and infront of children to rape, yet people of the community near by just ignore. And this does not seem to have a quick solution. So hard friends.
Prayer request:
Pray as the Spirit leads you.
The key things to pray for are:
1. Their family home which is in very bad condition; broken down and unstable.
2. Florence’s husband’s mental state is getting worse every day and they have no medication to ease the symptoms.
3. They have little food, no clothes, no school fees and no medical support.
4. That any children from the extended family are cared for and protected sufficiently.
This is the story of Florence. It’s hard to explain, but it is her story.
Below are the photos of Florence, one in her house and another outside her house.
May God bless you all friends.
Vinnie
October 10
Hello, so nice to hear from you. All here is nice too. Still thinking about Australia a lot. For prayer request, It will be good to pray for the new church start. In our work plan we had planned to start a church this Month on the third, that deadline was not met because of two things; to support the person who will run it, and also that we have not yet put the church in Bubetsye in a good shape. The temporary building they have is become so small as people stand out, it worried the leaders that we may end doing so much to soon with so many. So pray for God's wisdon and courage in the Bethel leadership's hearts.
Will soon tell you about the new marriages coming up soon. We have two of our leaders now ready to take a step now that we have some funding you guys put together.
Thank you so much for all your support.
Vinnie
Will soon tell you about the new marriages coming up soon. We have two of our leaders now ready to take a step now that we have some funding you guys put together.
Thank you so much for all your support.
Vinnie
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