Cutting loose in worship

These Kenyans sure know how to cut loose in worship. Whether it is dancing and singing, or weeping and bowing down, they put their whole heart into every song, every service. They insist on going deep in the spirit, never considering satisfaction with anything less shallow. Above, our friend Jehosephat "gets funky" with our version of "raise the roof, push out the walls" that we taught them.
Below, some of the ladies from the worship team go for it in Swahili.

Above, two Masai warriors show us how they praise God in their tribe with their famous vertical jump dance.

Above, a holy moment of worship. We were both weeping and roaring like lions.

Growing in Faith

Dear loved ones,

We hope you are well. We have spent time the last two nights in praying in our rooms after we get home from the conference. We have found great victory in prayer as we have come against the spiritual warfare that has challenged us. We , by God's grace have been going on the offensive instead of just defending ourselves when attacks come. I feel strongly that this has been the key in coming into great peace and clarity before we go to bed. The grace of God has been incredible! Today, we split the team in two and went to speak in churches led by two of the apostles. The team that Kim led took Larry, Sharon, and Jeff to a church in town and the Lord did a wonderful work. I, Karla took a team to a church on the outskirts of Nairobi. This was a new experience for us. (Mike, Missy, and Diane accompanied me. We saw great victory. The word of the Lord is going forth and people are experiencing the delivering power of God. The apostalic work of God has received a commissioning here that is very profound and we are so honored to be playing a part. What we are seeing here makes us know that we do not in anyway deserve this honor.

Thank you for your prayers and love. You are here with us and we can feel it. Please continue to lift us up as our work here is not done yet and we will be beginning our long flights home on Tuesday.

In Pursuit of Him,
Karla

African Apostolic Leadership

Apostolic leader Meshack and his wife Jane share their hearts about the small Christian school they have for children in their home. Larry prophesied increase for them, including finances and a building, describing very accurately where their home is located and what it looks like without knowing any of it before hand.

Restoration

God is so good. When Mike taught on Friday morning, he felt the need to repent for the evil white men, and particularly missionaries had done to the people of Africa. He continued to teach and said later he was really struggling, not feeling annointed at all. Later we found out, the man pictured above, Martin, one of our translators all week, had his entire life changed because of that one moment.

Martin had been wronged by white missionaries throughout his life and had unforgiveness in his heart. He said he had a problem of hate in his heart for Americans until that day that Mike repented on behalf of others and cried in front of all of them. He said his heart changed and he didn't hate them anymore.

It just goes to show that when we are obedient, even if we don't feel like we are speaking with power, the word of the Lord always accomplishes what it sets out to do. Martin is not only a young man who's heart was changed. He's a testament to us of what obedience to the word can do.

Mike and I plan to hang this photo in our house as a reminder that it's not about how we feel about our weakness in bringing the word, but rather what God's spirit can accomplish if people will obey.

Missy

Above, members of the Masai Tribe singing a worship song to Jesus in their native tribal language. It was a powerful moment. The spirit of God fell as the men charged the conference attendees with never forsaking their God. "Die with your God," they said.
Below, Karla followed the Masai out as their were leaving the conference early. She asked them to pray and impart something of the strength and ferocity they have into her. It was holy. White and black they joined their hands. They didn't even share a language and an interpreter had to help. But Karla said by faith she believes some of that courage entered into her.

unity in the body of christ and an adventure

I am truly amazed at the work of God across the globe. This trip has confirmed in me God's desire for the whole church and the foundation which He is laying. My heart has been elarged and my spirit strengthened and I can not imagine what I would have missed had I disobeyed God. It makes sense to me now why we came under so much attack as a team weeks and even months before this mission. The work that has been launched in Kenya has been nothing less than extraordinary and it is on God's heart to do the same in Joplin.

Their is much to be said, but i must share concerning our trip to muranga. I only wish I could articulate well enough to paint a picture worthy of this adventure. Driving around 70 to 80 mph dodging huge pot holes while barely missing many vehicles head on was just the beginning. The amazing things was I was laughing so hard that I was crying because it was just so ridiculous how crazy this was. This was of course the grace of God. Well, I was thinking ok we will be stopping in this little town on the streets next to the markets and join up with an open air meeting here. That was not the case. The next thing I know we were in the middle of the jungle on a mud path sliding from right to left nearing by only feet if not inches from heading down the side of a cliff which would have been my appearing before the King Jesus. Well thank God for protective angels for they surely were our protection, it was so mindblowing at one point no one could even pray in their own language anymore, but with tongues. After about 45 minutes of this trek we arrived at the small village where hundreds of barefooted children running around in the mud, a few drunk old guys and an open air preacher was speaking on this 3 foot tall platform concerining the gospel.

I truly felt i had been initiated into the missionary life, if this was not what Hudson Taylor, Brainerd, and Paul the Apostle had not experienced then take me now Lord I was not ready to see the real thing. Seriously, it was quite surreal, their were spirits of violence and mocking all around while at the same time a grace from God to break through with the gospel because this was the call of God for these people at that moment. Larry, John, Jeff, and I all shared and while you would just expect miracles would just break out all over the place this was not the case.

Though many children responded to the call several youth standing against a wall in the background were laughing and mocking the whole event. The Lord spoke to Larry and we went over to the youth and begin preaching the gospel and God begin exposing their hearts and the laughing ceased while the Spirit had their attention. So all the while people were still preaching on the platform and this went on until dark. They had just a couple of lights to light the platform and mostly darkness covered the area. We were also beginning to realize if the rains came in again we may be staying in this village for many more days. Finally we had to leave because the storms were coming in and yes a couple of the youth did give their lives to Christ, praise the Lord.

On the way back, lets just say we were within inches of not making it out of there. I could go one, but I am weary, but my spirit is strong. The Lord is doing something here and we can not wait to see the release coming to Joplin and for that matter in nations all over the world. God will have a pure spotless bride for His Son. I have seen this more clearly than ever before.

I just pray that God will right now begin to release the fullness of His purposes in Joplin in the hearts of the people at Citiwide and all over, Spirit of God come and awaken the church to its true identity and the power available for those who believe, God wants to do something miraculous, the question is not if, but when and who. Lets hasten together the coming of the Lord Jesus to His people and believe for everything the Law and the Prophets have spoke of. I am so excited to see my friends in Joplin and impart what the Lord has done, and by the way we and many others will begin going to the nations as the Lord is calling us to this work, so pray for financial breakthrough and really contend for this release, we need this so please contend and pray for protection from the enemy for surely counter attack is at hand and on the way for what the Lord has done through His servants.

A wave has begun and its momentum is building up to cover the whole earth, the Lord will be exalted as King and all people wll bow down and confess. I bless you and look forward to seeing all of you, I love you and know God is doing something just as spectacular in our area, stay fervent, God is not like a man He can not lie He will fulfill every promise and purpose he has in his heart for Joplin. Praise God.

Mike

unity in the body of christ and an adventure