Spur Others On

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

An important part of what we do is to encourage and spur others on in their life and ministry.  It’s a privilege to spend time with brothers and sisters, listen to them, motivate them to see hope, and discern the best way they can live out their calling.  As part of that, Moses continues to serve on elders team in East Africa, and as a resource person for different missionaries and ministers who’ve reached out for counsel. As usual, he also has many opportunities both locally and throughout the region to teach in various churches and YWAM training schools. In addition to mentoring and teaching he’s been enjoying some practical ministry as well, such as helping a friend who serves the homeless with meals several times a week.

 

 

 

We had a wonderful time in the US in June and July, and came away feeling blessed and encouraged by spending time with so many loved ones after a long time without seeing each other.  Thank you so much to all who welcomed us, gave towards our needs for the trip, and showed us love in so many ways.

 

 

 

 

As soon as we returned to Kenya, the kids started back at school and are adjusting to having their big brother across the ocean!  Josh is settling in at Messiah University and doing well.  Zack continues to be active in all the sports and music activities he can fit in, with some time for studies crammed in there, too. Marianna is now in her first year of high school and loving (most of!) it. Katelyn, in class 8 (8th grade,) is preparing for the end of primary exams, please pray for her for peace and confidence in spite of the pressure of this year of school.

 

 

It’s been a difficult year for the Kariuki family, with the death of Moses’s sister Irene in May, and Frank his sister Jenny’s husband, in September.  Thank you for your prayers.

Coming up over the next few months:
Moses doing staff training for the YWAM Athi RIver DTS staff
Teaching on Christian Worldview in Likoni, Mombasa
Teaching on Missions and Evangelism in Arusha, Tanzania (and visit Longido Base)

As always, we are grateful for your partnership in the Kingdom.

Love, Moses, Jo, and family
 

Place of our own

The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! 

(Psalms 16:6 NLT)

Dear Friends,

We hope 2019 finds you well and enjoying the season you’re in!  Time is flying, the past several months have been so full, and we are grateful for God’s goodness throughout.

Chez Kariuki: Our return to Kenya after our visit to the US in August/September 2018 was hectic. We knew it was God’s time for us to move from our rented house into our own place. We had found a flat in a development we liked, about ten minutes from where we lived before.  Though the brand-new units were beyond our budget, we were offered one which had been used as an office for a better price with a promise to have it restored as new inside. The refurbishments took longer than anticipated and we made many trips to review repairs and consult on modifications.  We were finally able to move in the beginning of December, and although some things still need to be done, we are glad to finally be in a place of our own. We are trusting God to finish paying speedily and possibly get extra units for hospitality to ministers and restoration to those who need fresh orientation with God.

Ministry update: In December 2018, Moses made a trip to teach in Uganda at YWAM’s Biblical studies school. In addition to teaching in the school, he spoke at both their community and staff meetings and spent time with staff helping evaluate the past year and envision the coming season. The highlight was breaking bread with staff at the end of year thanksgiving service. Back in Kenya there was opportunity to serve at the local prisons and minister to over a thousand inmates while speaking at the “Prisoners Journey Discipleship” graduation. Moses also participated in our local church denominational national evaluations process. In spite of finishing up the term the very week that we moved in December, we are thankful his end of term exams and papers went well.

After a very busy December, Moses flew out on New Year’s Eve to the US for an eight week internship. He worked with refugees, through Church World Service in Lancaster, PA for his Urban Studies course. He is looking ahead to completing his Master’s degree in June. We are thankful for the God’s protection and providence over all of us during that longer than usual time of being separated as a family.  Although things went smoothly at home, and Moses really enjoyed his internship and relationships with refugees, we’re all happy to be together again from the beginning of March 2019.

In April, Moses heads to Togo, West Africa to teach for a week in the school of Biblical Studies and in the Urban Biblical Studies in the Capital city Lome.  We are enjoying the opportunities God gives us to love those around us and the farther away relationships as well, impacting the nations through His life and word.

In addition to taking care of home and family, Jo continues to be part of a weekly ladies Bible study which she also occasionally facilitates. She has been both blessed and stretched with impromptu hospitality in our new home to various visitors and big groups including the work crew and Moses’s extended family. We are happy our hospitality dream is already sprouting and growing.  She also recently enjoyed volunteering at a nearby nursing home and hopes to continue ministry there on a regular basis.

Family: The children are making friends at our new neighborhood, connecting with school friends who live close by and enjoying the common swimming pool in the development, as this is the hottest time of the year in Kenya. They began the new school year in early January and are now in grades 6,7,8, and 11.  They have worked hard in school and can now converse in Swahili and we are so thankful for that.   We celebrated three birthdays in February, Moses’ (we’ll have to have another celebration when he’s actually with us!!!)  Marianna’s 13th, and Zachary’s 15th.  Three teens in the house now, our home is full of life and noise and laughter, strong opinions and lots of discussions, some deep and some not-so-deep.

We continue to appreciate your continued love, prayers and financial support.  God has shown himself so faithful to us, and we are grateful to each and every one of you who have been a part of that.  Many Blessings,

Moses & Jo Kariuki ~Joshua, Zack, Marianna & Katelyn