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

Treasured Fellowship

Visiting Church Plant in Chad fun

It has been such a joy for our family to spend the last month here in the US, reconnecting with family and friends and sweltering in the August heat.  Favorite events, according to our kids, have been time with cousins in the mountains, youth group at Encounter, biking with their Uncle, and lots of swimming.  

 

Cousin Fun

For the grownups in the family, we’ve treasured the times of fellowship, both lighthearted fun and deep sharing with loved ones here.  We are so privileged to have such a wealth of friendships both here in the US and spread across the globe.

As we head back to Kenya, we’d like to share a few challenges we’re facing and ask that you continue to stand with us.  Our heart and calling has always been to see workers challenged and equipped to take their place in the Kingdom.  We are especially excited about seeing on fire young people in Africa being trained and sent out.   

Since we’ve relocated to Kenya, this has meant a lot of teaching invitations for Moses, both in the international body of Christ and in many YWAM locations across Africa, and consequently, a lot more airfares.

Sharing with PA Youth

At the same time we’ve been feeling a desire to purchase a home in Nairobi, as a base for our family and to serve others in ministry and hospitality.  This is a vision that is pretty much beyond us, with increased living expenses in Kenya already stretching our budget.

Malaysia Ministry

As you know, we are volunteers in ministry and God has been incredibly faithful to meet both our family and ministry needs through a few committed churches, and many faithful individuals over the years.  We’re asking Him to provide a significant increase in our regular support, as our area of influence is expanding and our children are growing up.   


If you would like to be part of our sending team, giving info is on the left side column, and you can always drop us a line @ mosesnjo(at)gmail.com if you have questions or want to chat more.

 

Love, Moses & Jo, Josh, Zack, Marianna &Katy

Expanded Vision

“Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left,
And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited.   Isaiah 54:2,3 (NKJV)

The Kariuki’s have moved – we are now based in Nairobi, Kenya. We are expanding our territory... still focusing on developing the team and campus in Chad, but also other countries in the region as well. Nairobi is practical for the children’s schooling and great hub for traveling to Chad and the North/Central region and beyond.

As shared in our last newsletter (posted at mosesnjo.blogspot.com ,) our priorities are still in the North Africa region and we plan for Moses to make his first trip back within the next few months. He will be travelling back and forth to Chad to help oversee construction in Sarh and to be a resource teacher in schools as needed in Chad, as well as being more available for Niger and the rest of North/Central region. YWAM international has proposed a new structure to focus on the unreached and we are looking at the proposed Chad, Niger and Lbya area closely to see how we can partner more for the many unreached people to hear the Gospel. Of course we are already seeing open doors for ministry here in Kenya, which we will pursue as time allows, but our first priority continues to be Chad and the region around it.

Moving Miracles - After living in Sarh almost 13 years, the thought of packing, moving, and starting over again in Nairobi was pretty stressful/exhausting. To be honest, we are all stretched and still adjusting, yet we have seen God’s grace and provision in many ways:
Elin, our kids’ volunteer teacher, who was with us in 2012-14, came from Portland, Oregon for three weeks to help us pack and move things to the base, keep us smiling and organized.  We love you, Elin!
We stayed with Moses’s sister Winnie for almost six weeks, before moving into our own (rented) place in mid-December. We still have a few pieces which are not completely unpacked, as we settle in to life here.
After looking for a good rental home, estate agents trying to con us (thankfully we didn’t lose any money before we realized they weren’t the actual owners of the property!) we found a 3 bedroom rental in a quiet neighborhood where the kids have space to play, and school ten minutes away. We are blessed.
We are enjoying having family and friends close by. We are especially thankful for the way so many have eased our transition into life here – helping find our home, furniture, loaning a vehicle, stocking our pantry.

The children began school the first week of January (beginning of the school year here.) It is a huge adjustment to a long school day, and different culture and curriculum. It’s a big challenge, but they are all doing well, making friends and keeping a positive attitude so far. Thank you for your prayers, please continue to lift this transition, that we would all thrive where God has planted us, and be a blessing and light to those around us.


The team in Chad is a great encouragement to us - we have confidence in Elie’s and Margaret’s leadership in Sarh, Jonathan pioneering in N'Djamena and Adele’s representation in GozBeida. Mirom, for health reasons has to be in N'Djamena and Herve, due to support struggles, is taking time off to Tent make and work on his support base. Our other leader Enoch is pastoring a church in N'Djamena but still helping in our leadership circle. Kainbe and his wife are running a Clinic in the town of Bejondo but he is available for YWAM work whenever needed, and has been a big blessing. Another DTS graduate, Timothy, has made great headways church planting among the Ritopeople. All these are people we are excited to continue mentoring, serving, and coming alongside in every way God permits even as we embrace the enlarged territory. The Campus construction project first phase is almost done and we are excited about starting working on phase two as God provides.

Needless to say, the transition back to Kenya as a base is stretching us faith-wise. We are excited to see how God will provide for the travels and partnerships in the region and across the Nations as He opens door to share, motivate, train and recruit for the great task in the Harvest. Thank you for being part of our calling and ministry through your prayers and support.

Moses & Jo, Josh, Zack, Marianna & Katelyn Kariuki
 
P.O. Box 4323-00200, City Square, Nairobi, KENYA
Moses Cell +254-735-120597 ~ Jo Cell +254-735-501551 
mosesnjogmail.com 
mosesnjo.blogspot.com