UPDATE
Me Personally
Hello to everyone, I know it's been a while almost a full year since I've communicated with many of you. Hopefully everything is going well with each one of you. As for me personally everything is good. My health is good, my body is strong, my mind is sound and I have food and clothes all by the power of JESUS CHRIST. With these things I'm content by the Grace of GOD... Anything that is good talked about in this update is not me but CHRIST in me so all glory belongs to HIM.
Hearing
At the end of the day the whole point of spreading GOD'S WORD is about Salvation, as in people getting saved so they don't have to spend an eternity in Hell separated from GOD. When you start to understand the cost of someone dying without knowing JESUS CHRIST you want to be very effective in what you are doing. One thing that has been very clear to me is that if an individual isn't presented the WORD of GOD in a way that they can hear it, it's impossible for them to get saved. You can repeat yourself over and over to someone, but until they hear it they will never obtain Salvation....Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.. When I say hear it I don't mean with their physical ears, I mean they have to hear and understand with their spirit and believe then the opportunity of Salvation is present if they decide by faith to repent. Have you ever noticed how JESUS was constantly asking open ended questions, and speaking to the people in parables? CHRIST did those things to engage one's spirit into hearing GOD'S voice. JESUS CHRIST was determined to see people hear GOD'S WORDS for themselves because HE knew this was the substance that brings the oppurtunity for Salvation, and the very material HE would use to build HIS Church.....Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.... Let me put it in a simple way, JESUS CHRIST is building HIS Church out of the event of individuals hearing directly from the SPIRIT about who JESUS CHRIST is, and upon that revelation individuals deciding to follow HIM.....So if we want to be a part of building the Church that JESUS CHRIST is building we have to present the WORD in ways that can lead someone's spirit into hearing GOD'S WORD directly, especially about who JESUS CHRIST is. One may say well as long as the WORD is going forth it doesn't matter how you present it; I would have to disagree. Remember when CHRIST walked the earth, and even today in Jerusalem the scriptures are read every Sabbath in the Synagogues yet most of them do not know all the scriptures are talking about JESUS CHRIST. In Israel then and now the religious system was built on people hearing from the most popular rabbis and priest when it came to the scriptures. They simply looked to man as the source of GOD'S voice, and never were taught that they have to hear GOD'S voice directly. This is why when JESUS came on the scene HE was telling the people to stop calling men your Father, and Rabbi. CHRIST was trying to set man back in his proper place, and exalt GOD as FATHER and TEACHER (See example in Matthew 23:1-10). We should help people mature so they can directly hear GOD'S voice for themselves, this is the unity of the faith when we all hear GOD'S voice and obey. This is the true job of a Apostle, Pastor, Prophet, Evangelist and Teacher. Paul, one who clearly had the most effective ministry amongst men. Paul's ministry was built upon this very thing of hearing GOD'S voice directly...Acts 22:12-15 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard..You're probably saying I thought this was an update why is he going into all that? Well I just wanted to explain what the focus is with this ministry. Which is trying to help produce the material that CHRIST uses to build the Church, which as you now know is the event of people hearing directly from GOD and obeying what they have heard BY faith....Matthew 16:13-18 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
John 5:24-25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Advice/disclaimer: Any time GOD speaks to us and reveals HIS will we will be able to find a example of it in the WORD. I know we can't find some specifics in the Bible. For example if GOD tells you to get married. We find that example in the WORD. But the specific instruction on who to marry you won't find in the WORD. Another example, GOD may tell you to go preach the Gospel in a foreign country we have that example in the Bible, but you won't find what country HE said to go to in the Bible..GOD will lead you down to the specifics by the SPIRIT. But even when HE is giving you the specifics it will never cause you to go against the overall examples given in the WORD of GOD. We have to understand this because many people start saying and doing things, and also telling other people to do things that go against the WORD. Because of this many have perished. So whatever you feel GOD is speaking to you. You have to judge it next to the WORD. Everything talked about above should be applied to everyday life as a believer, not only if you are out preaching the Gospel. We have to hear from GOD on a daily basis on how to live a righteous life for HIM.
Fellowship
When we fellowship with other believers or new believers that have gotten saved and want to grow. Most of the time it's in my home or in their home. Gathering with other believers is important, but we try to keep it in it's proper place. We meet in my home once a week bi-monthly.. Honestly I'm open everyday to people that truly want to grow and seek CHRIST.
How do you meet people to minister to?
This is a question people have asked me a lot, mostly because I don't have a church building. First I would just say most of the cultures in Africa are very hospitable especially to foreigners. So that alone helps a lot when meeting people. GOD'S SPIRIT does also play a huge role in meeting people of course. GOD certainly has the wisdom to put people in your path.. To be specific most of the time I meet people on the side of the road, markets, the beach, and other everyday transactions. What I have realized is when CHRIST becomes intertwined into your being it becomes easy to minister to people. It just becomes a part of your life and who you are. For me personally in these everyday situations are where I've seen the most people get a Revelation of CHRIST. More than the fellowship, and Bible studies I hold in my house even. So meeting people in the highways and bi-ways is one of the backbones of what we are doing here.
Just a quick example one day I was walking along the beach in Mombasa. A guy named Simba initially wanted to sell me something, after he realized I wasn't going to buy anything he became interested in what I was doing in Africa. I told him I was a Christian spreading GOD'S WORD. After this he invited me into a boat. I began to ask Simba if he knew who CHRIST was. He began to tell me how his father was a muslim, and his mom was a Christian. So in short he was confused. So I knew he needed to get a revelation for himself who JESUS CHRIST really is. I went over two scriptures with him, John 1:1 and John 1:14 to be exact.. After reading those I asked Simba, who is JESUS. He thought for a moment about it, and at once he finally got a revelation of who JESUS really was. It's as if in a moment of time he understood why all the controversy, and ridicule surrounding CHRIST, and why even he himself couldn't escape the call of CHRIST the answer was simply because HE is the true GOD. After he got the Revelation about CHRIST he proclaimed in broken English "I WANT SAVED!" he tried to give me something as if he owed me something for the Revelation. All he had was a bracelet made of sea shells.. In that same week Simba was arrested on the beach for no reason, and the police stole the Bible I gave him. That had never happened to him before. Currently I've lost contact with Simba, but the revelation of JESUS CHRIST can be with him wherever he goes... There are many other situation just as this one, I could be here for a long time trying to explain them all..Below is a picture of Simba the bracelet, and the boat we were in
Where do you live?
I currently live in a apartment complex that is located in the center of a slum called Racecourse. Rent is cheap, and the location is perfect for what I'm doing. I just wanted to be clear on this some people think I live in a hut that's surrounded by lions every night.Below is a view from my balcony.
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia I was arrested for spreading the WORD. Even though that's not illegal there I still got arrested. After I was arrested the officers didn't take me to the police station instead they took me through alley ways and streets I didn't know. They never gave me a full explanation on why they did this. It was a nerve racking experience but in the end GOD got me out of it.
I was also bitten by a insect while in Mombasa, Kenya. I was bitten once on each ankle. My ankles swelled up twice the size, and I couldn't walk I had no choice but to lay there and let them heal, pictures below.
Helping People
As believers in CHRIST we all want to help people in any way we can.. This can honour GOD when we do those things. I've had to learn some hard lessons about who and when to help someone. GOD doesn't prosper fools, contrary to popular belief that GOD prospers whoever gives. True prosperity requires us first to be right with CHRIST.. So you can give and give, and you may even be having success you may even be a billionaire. But until you choose to get your life lined up with GOD'S WORD you haven't touched prosperity. Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.... So as believers when we try to prosper, help people, and make their life easier and all those good things. If they themselves aren't ready to get their lives lined up with the WORD there's not going to be much you can do for those people. From experience trying to help people who aren't ready to repent usually ends up in casting your pearls before swine, or befriending the world. In the end the one that ends up with the issues is the believer. You know GOD wants to do a lot more for the World but HE can't do much. Not that HE doesn't have the power or capability to do more for the World. It's that the people don't want to repent. So GOD only will do the basic things for them like giving them food, rain, breath. But they are void of the main gift GOD wants to give them which is Eternal Life...It's like when JESUS went to a certain village HE couldn't do much because the people didn't believe. CHRIST was able to provide basic needs, but the true thing HE wanted to give them they were disqualified to receive...Mark 6:4-6 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.........I'm going to shorten up what I'm trying to say. Just make it a habit to pray and hear from GOD on who you should put effort into helping!!! Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
One of the ways we've been able to help individuals here. Is by giving them the initial capital to start a small business (similar to what's shown in the picture below). Most of the small businesses are very simple. Most of the time it's selling clothes or food on the side of the road. These usually cost between $70-$300 USD to start. So it's not very expensive at all. Each one of these businesses easily help these individuals pay rent, school fees, and provide food, and sometimes can even allow them to save money. We also look for those that already have businesses but are in need of a financial boost to take there business to the next level.
Conclusion
Me Personally
Hello to everyone, I know it's been a while almost a full year since I've communicated with many of you. Hopefully everything is going well with each one of you. As for me personally everything is good. My health is good, my body is strong, my mind is sound and I have food and clothes all by the power of JESUS CHRIST. With these things I'm content by the Grace of GOD... Anything that is good talked about in this update is not me but CHRIST in me so all glory belongs to HIM.
Hearing
At the end of the day the whole point of spreading GOD'S WORD is about Salvation, as in people getting saved so they don't have to spend an eternity in Hell separated from GOD. When you start to understand the cost of someone dying without knowing JESUS CHRIST you want to be very effective in what you are doing. One thing that has been very clear to me is that if an individual isn't presented the WORD of GOD in a way that they can hear it, it's impossible for them to get saved. You can repeat yourself over and over to someone, but until they hear it they will never obtain Salvation....Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.. When I say hear it I don't mean with their physical ears, I mean they have to hear and understand with their spirit and believe then the opportunity of Salvation is present if they decide by faith to repent. Have you ever noticed how JESUS was constantly asking open ended questions, and speaking to the people in parables? CHRIST did those things to engage one's spirit into hearing GOD'S voice. JESUS CHRIST was determined to see people hear GOD'S WORDS for themselves because HE knew this was the substance that brings the oppurtunity for Salvation, and the very material HE would use to build HIS Church.....Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.... Let me put it in a simple way, JESUS CHRIST is building HIS Church out of the event of individuals hearing directly from the SPIRIT about who JESUS CHRIST is, and upon that revelation individuals deciding to follow HIM.....So if we want to be a part of building the Church that JESUS CHRIST is building we have to present the WORD in ways that can lead someone's spirit into hearing GOD'S WORD directly, especially about who JESUS CHRIST is. One may say well as long as the WORD is going forth it doesn't matter how you present it; I would have to disagree. Remember when CHRIST walked the earth, and even today in Jerusalem the scriptures are read every Sabbath in the Synagogues yet most of them do not know all the scriptures are talking about JESUS CHRIST. In Israel then and now the religious system was built on people hearing from the most popular rabbis and priest when it came to the scriptures. They simply looked to man as the source of GOD'S voice, and never were taught that they have to hear GOD'S voice directly. This is why when JESUS came on the scene HE was telling the people to stop calling men your Father, and Rabbi. CHRIST was trying to set man back in his proper place, and exalt GOD as FATHER and TEACHER (See example in Matthew 23:1-10). We should help people mature so they can directly hear GOD'S voice for themselves, this is the unity of the faith when we all hear GOD'S voice and obey. This is the true job of a Apostle, Pastor, Prophet, Evangelist and Teacher. Paul, one who clearly had the most effective ministry amongst men. Paul's ministry was built upon this very thing of hearing GOD'S voice directly...Acts 22:12-15 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard..You're probably saying I thought this was an update why is he going into all that? Well I just wanted to explain what the focus is with this ministry. Which is trying to help produce the material that CHRIST uses to build the Church, which as you now know is the event of people hearing directly from GOD and obeying what they have heard BY faith....Matthew 16:13-18 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
John 5:24-25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Advice/disclaimer: Any time GOD speaks to us and reveals HIS will we will be able to find a example of it in the WORD. I know we can't find some specifics in the Bible. For example if GOD tells you to get married. We find that example in the WORD. But the specific instruction on who to marry you won't find in the WORD. Another example, GOD may tell you to go preach the Gospel in a foreign country we have that example in the Bible, but you won't find what country HE said to go to in the Bible..GOD will lead you down to the specifics by the SPIRIT. But even when HE is giving you the specifics it will never cause you to go against the overall examples given in the WORD of GOD. We have to understand this because many people start saying and doing things, and also telling other people to do things that go against the WORD. Because of this many have perished. So whatever you feel GOD is speaking to you. You have to judge it next to the WORD. Everything talked about above should be applied to everyday life as a believer, not only if you are out preaching the Gospel. We have to hear from GOD on a daily basis on how to live a righteous life for HIM.
Fellowship
When we fellowship with other believers or new believers that have gotten saved and want to grow. Most of the time it's in my home or in their home. Gathering with other believers is important, but we try to keep it in it's proper place. We meet in my home once a week bi-monthly.. Honestly I'm open everyday to people that truly want to grow and seek CHRIST.
How do you meet people to minister to?
This is a question people have asked me a lot, mostly because I don't have a church building. First I would just say most of the cultures in Africa are very hospitable especially to foreigners. So that alone helps a lot when meeting people. GOD'S SPIRIT does also play a huge role in meeting people of course. GOD certainly has the wisdom to put people in your path.. To be specific most of the time I meet people on the side of the road, markets, the beach, and other everyday transactions. What I have realized is when CHRIST becomes intertwined into your being it becomes easy to minister to people. It just becomes a part of your life and who you are. For me personally in these everyday situations are where I've seen the most people get a Revelation of CHRIST. More than the fellowship, and Bible studies I hold in my house even. So meeting people in the highways and bi-ways is one of the backbones of what we are doing here.
Just a quick example one day I was walking along the beach in Mombasa. A guy named Simba initially wanted to sell me something, after he realized I wasn't going to buy anything he became interested in what I was doing in Africa. I told him I was a Christian spreading GOD'S WORD. After this he invited me into a boat. I began to ask Simba if he knew who CHRIST was. He began to tell me how his father was a muslim, and his mom was a Christian. So in short he was confused. So I knew he needed to get a revelation for himself who JESUS CHRIST really is. I went over two scriptures with him, John 1:1 and John 1:14 to be exact.. After reading those I asked Simba, who is JESUS. He thought for a moment about it, and at once he finally got a revelation of who JESUS really was. It's as if in a moment of time he understood why all the controversy, and ridicule surrounding CHRIST, and why even he himself couldn't escape the call of CHRIST the answer was simply because HE is the true GOD. After he got the Revelation about CHRIST he proclaimed in broken English "I WANT SAVED!" he tried to give me something as if he owed me something for the Revelation. All he had was a bracelet made of sea shells.. In that same week Simba was arrested on the beach for no reason, and the police stole the Bible I gave him. That had never happened to him before. Currently I've lost contact with Simba, but the revelation of JESUS CHRIST can be with him wherever he goes... There are many other situation just as this one, I could be here for a long time trying to explain them all..Below is a picture of Simba the bracelet, and the boat we were in
Where do you live?
I currently live in a apartment complex that is located in the center of a slum called Racecourse. Rent is cheap, and the location is perfect for what I'm doing. I just wanted to be clear on this some people think I live in a hut that's surrounded by lions every night.Below is a view from my balcony.
Issues
I don't want to paint a picture as if there are never any issues. Living on a continent where a majority of the people live in a state of poverty certainly brings issues. Many of the people here don't see CHRIST as a means to be saved from Hell, but rather a means to receive material blessings. Believe it or not this is a huge task to get people to understand CHRIST is for Salvation, not a pocket full of money. Many times people are joining themselves to you because they are after some type of benefit. Many will pretend to be sincere about the WORD of GOD, but in truth their end plan is to ask you for money. I've had people call me everyday just to say hello they claim, and as soon as they get what they want I never hear from them again. In these situations you look to CHRIST HE went through the same type of issues with false people. In these situations CHRIST kept moving forward to accomplish the will of GOD....John 6:26-27 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia I was arrested for spreading the WORD. Even though that's not illegal there I still got arrested. After I was arrested the officers didn't take me to the police station instead they took me through alley ways and streets I didn't know. They never gave me a full explanation on why they did this. It was a nerve racking experience but in the end GOD got me out of it.
I was also bitten by a insect while in Mombasa, Kenya. I was bitten once on each ankle. My ankles swelled up twice the size, and I couldn't walk I had no choice but to lay there and let them heal, pictures below.
Helping People
As believers in CHRIST we all want to help people in any way we can.. This can honour GOD when we do those things. I've had to learn some hard lessons about who and when to help someone. GOD doesn't prosper fools, contrary to popular belief that GOD prospers whoever gives. True prosperity requires us first to be right with CHRIST.. So you can give and give, and you may even be having success you may even be a billionaire. But until you choose to get your life lined up with GOD'S WORD you haven't touched prosperity. Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.... So as believers when we try to prosper, help people, and make their life easier and all those good things. If they themselves aren't ready to get their lives lined up with the WORD there's not going to be much you can do for those people. From experience trying to help people who aren't ready to repent usually ends up in casting your pearls before swine, or befriending the world. In the end the one that ends up with the issues is the believer. You know GOD wants to do a lot more for the World but HE can't do much. Not that HE doesn't have the power or capability to do more for the World. It's that the people don't want to repent. So GOD only will do the basic things for them like giving them food, rain, breath. But they are void of the main gift GOD wants to give them which is Eternal Life...It's like when JESUS went to a certain village HE couldn't do much because the people didn't believe. CHRIST was able to provide basic needs, but the true thing HE wanted to give them they were disqualified to receive...Mark 6:4-6 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.........I'm going to shorten up what I'm trying to say. Just make it a habit to pray and hear from GOD on who you should put effort into helping!!! Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
One of the ways we've been able to help individuals here. Is by giving them the initial capital to start a small business (similar to what's shown in the picture below). Most of the small businesses are very simple. Most of the time it's selling clothes or food on the side of the road. These usually cost between $70-$300 USD to start. So it's not very expensive at all. Each one of these businesses easily help these individuals pay rent, school fees, and provide food, and sometimes can even allow them to save money. We also look for those that already have businesses but are in need of a financial boost to take there business to the next level.
Conclusion
God has established this vision of spreading HIS WORD. In a few months we will head back to America to work. Then after that I will head back out on the next journey. I hope to continue this pattern for a long time to come, GOD willing. In the name of JESUS CHRIST!
