Our Third Stop - Kenya 2019

Romans 4:17

As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations" in the presence of Him whom he believed God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did."

Linus in class~

Part of being a missionary is trusting the Holy Spirit to direct your paths.  After we have been spent a week in the Central District, Kent & I will pack our bags.  Next stop will be the Eastern District, directed by Pastor Victor.  The trip consists of a 4-5 hour van ride to Nairobi, an overnight stay in Nairobi, a flight to Mombasa and another Van ride to Kilifi. If every goes right we will be in Kilifi for church on Sunday. 

Pastor Victor~

I first met Pastor Victor, the director of the district, as a Bible School student in Meru in 2008. We were reacquainted on the last trip in 2018. He told me a story of how he became a Pastor and the Director of the Eastern District. It is one of my favorite testimonies of all time.

Pastor Victor and many others in Kenya call me "General Linus". I've met former students all over the world who tell me; "You said something to me & it changed my life." Victor - I believe has the best story I've heard. "To call those things that are not as though they were." Here is the story from 2008.

Victor's Testimony -

"Linus when you came to Meru in 2008 I was one of the students in the Bible school in Meru. You told us about Romans 4:17 to call those things that are not as though they were. I began doing this is 2008. When I heard these words, I began to act on my faith and began saying what the Holy Spirit was showing me."

I asked Pastor Victor, "What happened?" I was expecting him to tell the rest of the story. Victor waited a long while for the promise, surprising even me.

"Nothing happened for eight years, but I kept calling those things that are not as though they were. I became a Pastor & in the next year Mike asked me to be the regional director. Then a man came and gave me money to build my church building. It took ten-years and you are in the building today which began in my heart ten years ago." Thank you Linus for helping me understand faith. 

Victor's class, where he heard the message of faith~

What a testimony from a Bible school student who believed God enough for ten-years. Holding something in his heart & seeing it come to pass ten years later. It continues to grow for Pastor Victor.

Pat & Mike Heisler~

I can't wait to see what God is going to do in the Eastern District. I am full for belief that future leaders will come forth and be trained. Soon to do what Pastor Victor has done over the past ten-years. We will revisit the schools to train a new group of leaders, to write the next chapter for the Eastern District.

Director's Obed, Victor & Stanley

Our First Stop - Kenya 2019

Acts 1:8

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and is all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Apostle Obed, wife Jacinta & daughters~

Our first stop in Kenya will be Nairobi, we will spend the night with Dennis.  The following morning we'll continue on to Kitali.  Kitali is the Eastern District of Mike & Pat's organization.  For most American's it would be the end of the earth. To me however, it is only the beginning of an incredible journey.  This link will take you to a Google Map -   First leg of the journey~

Kitali to Eldoret to Nairobi~

 Kitali was the town that was introduced to me by Mike in 2008. It is where we planted Mike & Pat's second school. It is an incredible district with so much potential, Mike found a director for this District, Apostle Obed. Obed has become a very good friend and has been introducing me to several of his friends. One is Bishop Patroba, what a man of God.

Aoistke Obed & Bishop Patroba

I want to share some things about these two men of God. On our trip in 2018, Kent and I were introduced to Obed, Mike and Pat were busy arranging the apartment/office for the Eastern District.  We were supposed to stay there, but as usual, things didn't work out the way we thought they would.  We ended up staying in at the Jehovah Jire Hotel.  We were even in the same room where I'd stayed in 2008. Obed became our guide, driver, interpreter and very good friend during the trip.

The Jehovah Jire Hotel in Kenya~

 Obed drove us to all of our meetings and introduced us to Bishop Patroba, Obed told me Patroba's story and told me I would be preaching in his Church the next time I came to Kitali. Obed came through, Kent and I will be at Bishop Patroba's church on our first Sunday in Kenya.   I'm really excited and honored to be there and to preach in his church, it is on fire for God.

Apostle Obed & Kitali Bible School

Bishop Patroba and Obed were students together in Mike's school and graduated together in 2009. I did not meet them but they were very close friends. They both went to Kitale and started their works there. Patroba started a church and Obed went to work for Mike and Pat as District Director.

Patroba was ousted from his church and put in jail.  His church had been taken over by a corrupt Bishop. His congregation both young and old, prayed and fasted until his release. Bishop Patroba started another church in his front yard of his house.  It grew to twice the size of the first one.  Now here is the kicker - he never retaliated or told anyone about the Bishop for several years. This is what got my attention.

Both these men have become witnesses for God. They have become a witness to Mike & Pat and to me.  I am so anxious to arrive!  We will be ministering to so many leaders and graduates when we get to Kilali with the team.  It is going to be awesome!  Don't miss the reports.