Transformed Drunkard!

November 2001

News from

Moses & Jo

756 Bellevue Ave. Gap PA 17527 USA

e-mail: mosesnk_98@yahoo.com

“Do you remember me?” he asked. Excitement was written all over his face, mixed with a shyness at not knowing what to expect. “My friend and I were at the meeting yesterday and I gave my life to the Lord.” Remember? Of course we remembered. Much to the crowd’s amusement, the meeting had been disrupted by drunkards. Now they had returned to talk to us. Moses was preaching in an open marketplace in front of a mosque in the town of Sarh, in southern Chad. Although many people came and eagerly listened to the good news about Jesus, there was opposition as well. The young man continued eagerly, “I just wanted to tell you that my friend and I have not drank any alcohol since we prayed yesterday at the meeting. I don’t even want it anymore.” As he continued to tell us how he was attending a new believer’s class, we simply had to thank God for the miracle worked in his life. This is what it is all about – Jesus changing people’s lives and drawing them into a relationship with him. Praise God for the fruitfulness and effectiveness of His Word.

Is giving a celebration in your church? That’s what it was in Chad as men, women, and children gave what they had. We received many offerings, from chickens to fruit, to food which was cooked for us. A church in Sarh felt that they should contribute to our local airfare. When they brought their offering (just over $200), it was more than what the average worker in Chad earns in a year! ($160) Praise God that he is releasing the annointing of giving that will break the curse of poverty.

Egypt was time of sharing our vision, getting challenged and “refueled” to press on in difficult places, soaking up the teachings and wonderful fellowship with many others in our mission. It was especially exciting to meet so many Christians from the Arab nations of the Middle East and North Africa who are passionate about the Lord and serving Him as missionaries. It’s the other side of the story happening in the Middle East that we don’t hear about very often!

In Switzerland we spent several days visiting friends, and looking at different options for French language school next year. We enjoyed visiting the YWAM base in Lausanne, where Moses lived and worked for two years.

“How can we cross cultural barriers?” was the question Moses dealt with during a week in Ghana, teaching on cross-cultural communication. Eyes were opened and walls torn down as students learned of humility as the key to communicate Jesus style. Our prayer and desire is that these warriors in His Kingdom be multiplied and equipped.

We have been humbled and amazed once again at the faithfulness of the Lord in our lives. There are many open doors in Chad, and it is with great anticipation that we look forward to what God has for us there. Thank you to all of you who helped make this trip possible through your prayers, giving and encouragement. We couldn’t do it without you. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we are in this time of preparation. Thank you.

Love in Christ,

Moses and JoAnna Kariuki

What’s next? We will be in Pennsylvania until just after Christmas. Moses is doing a course in NT Greek, and Jo is working part time serving the elderly as a nursing assistant. We are also using this time to share our heart for Chad, and how God is leading us in preparation for that. From PA, we’ll travel to Montana for a course in Foundations of Community Development, from January to March. Our e-mail address will remain the same.

Financial support can be sent to: YWAM, PO Box YWAM, Cimarron, CO 81220. Checks should be payable to YWAM, with a separate note saying it is support for the Kariukis.