Kenya Ministry 2006 Trip

Conclusion of Conference

Dear family and friends:

The conference of pastors and leaders just concluded this afternoon at
3pm.  We started at 9 and went straight through with no breaks (try that in
the US), and it was all good as we heard reports from each of the churches (which are now more than 50) with besides Kenya, we had Zambia, Ghana, Congo and South Africa churches represented.  

Each pastor gave the adult membership totals and then the youth and children numbers which was very uplifting.  They only had 40 at this conference last year and this year had 120.  That mirrors the rapid growth of all the aspects of this ministry.

We had pastors from four of our "tree churches" also give reports and
I was able to meet with  them after the main meetings and get them signed to
start my correspondence ministry course next Jan.  They live in the far
north in the nomadic area of semi-arid land where they live on goats who
eat the leaves of small bushes like our sagebrush.  

There seems to be a great need for an intermediate level discipleship course as well, so I am meeting with Bro. Winston and the two men that will work with me to continue to develop our Bible College program here.  At this point it is a correspondence course only.  We have  land for develop an in resident school now in Nairobi but the construction is slow here and the need is now.

Yesterday I got to share a word how the Lord gives each of us a "measure of faith" and how that is for ministry and is given as a part of a whole that the Lord intends to stay together.  Then today I gave a report on Crio Ministries growth status and was proud to say we have 20 members of the
African Church Builders Club and that other Americans are backing them and getting reports of their progress.  

Having American support and an experienced leader in Bro. Lynch seems to be a partnership that brings great interest and stability.  Many pastors are now wanting to affiliate and I discovered four churches I had not been informed of yet are on board!

There are three other American's here from McAlester and it is neat as
they understand our jokes, slang and sayings when the Africans look at us
with a blank stare.  A lady pastor from the small town west of McAlester is
helping oversee Bro. Winston's wife's church in Richmond, Va. which reaches out mainly to Africans on short term employment in the DC area.

Tonight I meet with Bro. Winston and Bro. Chris who is the leader of
the National Oversight Board to discuss the input of the leaders from the
conference and plan the 2006 goals and budget.  It was so hard to say good
bye to our dear friends as time was so short.  Every time I would turn around there would be another pastor waiting to share his vision and what he feels Crio can help with.  So we begin to leave tomorrow night to come back, but it is with mixed emotions as we are tired in the flesh but our spirits want this to continue.  So we tell them we will be back and that seems to make our departure somewhat acceptable to them and we go on.  They are such a loving and gracious people that have become our dear friends.

Last night after the days meetings I met in a discussion group with all the National Board and pastors from the other nations.  It was such an amazing meeting to share as they are so serious about not only growing their churches, but reach adjacent nations.  I thought I had made a vow to God to try to establish a church in every nation of Africa that it would take all
my life span to see it come to pass.  Now it looks like it is not decades
away but years.  I am afraid then I'll have to come up with another vision,
and start anew with something else!!!  Oh well, God will provide.

Your prayers are working so strongly for us as we have been so efficient with our time. Last night on the way back to our hotel the SUV broke down and we had to walk final  half a mile.  It was in a safe area of Nairobi and no one harassed us, PTL. Keep us in your prayers for God to get us home safely.  Janice went to the Masai tribe area today to see a well that her friend Rhonda who is a missionary over here is putting in.  So all is well and we will keep in touch.

In His matchless Name,  

Bro. Ron