God is apt to make right hand turns...without a blinker. All for His Divine Purposes. And all for our Eternal good. Whether we understand it or not.

Seasons change. That much all of us learn as we continue through life. And as much as we'd like to think we are adaptable, flexible and fluid, it is much different when the change is sudden and certain. It's times when we don't have a plan, when we are not anticipating a change, when things are in a comfortable routine, that our willingness to cope with change is tested.

In the March newsletter, we noted the tremendous changes the Ministry and our family have been going through. From me teaching alone in the Bible Schools, to suddenly staffed with 8 Bible Teachers. From having our residence in Kenya for 18+ years to suddenly setting up camp in Florida. In many ways, it is a Season of Harvest for the Ministry. Fruit in the Bible Schools is abounding. But the Harvest never comes without Planning, Planting, Watering and Weeding.

The 8 Bible Teachers on the Ministry Team were individually discipled anywhere from 7 to 13 years. I know them "inside" in the Bible Schools and "outside" in the community. Together we have passed through many Seasons. Times when things were just beginning, times when routines were working well, and times when all the wheels fell off. Various Seasons of Planning, Watering and Weeding. Not much of it was fun, but each of those Seasons have proven to be Spiritually Fruitful...and of Eternal importance. And here we are all these years later... entering another Season. Just as suddenly we entered a Season of Harvest, we are entering into the next Season: of Planting...and Building.

I always thought the next building project would be another Bible School. That day will come. But first we need a firm foundation. And that is a place for our Bible Teachers to study in peace, quiet and comradery. They have been faithful for years to study at home. Some of them live in the typical slum shacks, others in tenement housing resembling 19th century urban ghettos. In either case, they have one (at most two) rooms for their entire family. Over many years, they have done what many would not: Endured. How do you study the Word of God effectively in such conditions? The only answer I have is this: one moment at a time, by the Grace of God. And they have exercised His Grace well over the years. Now God has confirmed the Season has suddenly changed once again: build them a Study Hall.

With that clarion call, God has graciously confirmed it with a divinely appointed venue. Bishop Daniel, host of the church site where the Mathare Bible Schools sits, has graciously offered us space on his very cramped site. After looking at all the options, it was decided the most cost efficient and effective option is to build above his existing Ministry Offices. Much the same as we built the Bible School above his then existing church. In this case, we do not have to tear down and rebuild his offices, but we will need to reinforce them to accommodate our Study Hall/Office above his 2-story structure. We will have the "upper room" to ourselves (above his existing 2 story structure).

A SEASON OF HARVEST FOR THE MINISTRY. FRUIT IN THE BIBLE SCHOOLS IS ABOUNDING.

Like all construction in Nairobi, it will be more expensive, challenging and slow than we desire. That much is a given. But we will, by God's grace, endure, persevere and plod forward one small step at a time until the last nail is hammered, and the last study desk is installed. The supplies will be overpriced 100% more than they are worth...but that's the case for everyone and everything in Nairobi. The work will be delayed, obstructed and opposed...but that's the case in everything we do for the Lord in this fallen world. We don't count these as reasons to give up...but rather as proofs that we are exactly on tract with the Lord. The enemy fights most when our actions threaten his evil empire. Battles often confirm we are right on track with God...and, consequently, a large looming target for the enemy.

Our plan is to build one simple sheet metal room above the Bishop's offices. The same construction method we used for the Bible Schools. Using materials and methods that would be used in a humble church in the local community. Because of the height, however, it will require steel support beams and a 2-story steel stairwell. We plan to have a reception/work desk for Linda (our first full time administrative assistant), six study stations for our Bible Teachers and a reference library. We will infill with laptops for each, a common printer, generator and steel safe box to store the equipment at night. It won't be fancy...strictly functional. And it will confirm to all that the Ministry has entered a new Season of Planting...for the next Harvest.

It has always been our determination not allow the Ministry Newsletter to become a mere fundraising solicitation letter. We hope you have experienced it rather as we intend it: as a Ministry unto you. That has not changed. We typically present "Needs" only the Back Page, and only at the beginning of each Semester. We would, however, be wrong in not presenting this "Need" separately and specifically. This is a very substantial project above and beyond the normal operations of the Bible Schools.