THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS

As I look back at old letters from Pastor Joel and what we were praying about doing in the orphanage three and four years ago, I am amazed to see all that God has accomplished in these few years. In the beginning, as much as I hesitated and even refused to first get involved with this work, I am now so thankful that God has blessed me to be able to be a part of what he has done and is doing in that corner of the world, in Kisii of Kenya.

We have seen a dormitory building completed for these kids who previously had to sleep on

a dirt floor, a kitchen and dining/study area for them, a water collection system and a garden with rainwater irrigation, the purchase of 100 Bibles, and the cost of all the school fees for all the children—it is amazing for me to realize all of this. And all has been above and beyond the basic human need of feeding the children.

But food costs remain the major part of our budget, and especially in the past couple of years. It is especially in the past two years that we have seen the food costs take some significant increases.

Some of you may remember that early in the year of 2020, Kenya and other East African countries were invaded by historically large swarms of locusts, ravaging their crops and almost every other green plant.

That was about the same time that the world was first being hit by another historical event—the spread of the corona virus. Depending on the persuasions of the various governments of the world, restrictions were put upon their citizens in an attempt to control the spread of the virus. In Kenya, one of these restrictions was a travel ban between the various counties of Kenya. This was not only a ban of people traveling, but all trucking of food

and other items as well. Kisii county was more or less isolated from the rest of Kenya, as were all counties in Kenya.

Thankfully, those restrictions were lifted some time ago, but now we are facing another situation—the war in Ukraine. Both Russia and Ukraine are large grain producers. Before this year, Russia was the world’s largest exporter of wheat, and Ukraine the fourth largest exporter. Much of Africa is heavily dependent upon imports from these two

countries for their grain, Kenya among them. Unga ngano (wheat flour) is a staple in the Kenyan diet, as well as maize flour.

So far, we have not seen a great increase in the prices over what they had already been in Kenya, but planting season is upon us in Russia and in Ukraine. As you know, the two countries are involved with their tragic war. Not much thought is being put into planting the wheat fields, especially in Ukraine, where the people are simply defending their country and trying to survive.

Throughout the past, since we began the orphanage, we have seen how God intervened to overcome past difficulties, and we have no doubts that he will sustain the children in what is to come. Nevertheless, it is a prayer concern. Thanks for praying as we move forward.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people.

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Luke 9:16-17)

KNOWING THE VOICE OF GOD - PART 1: THE LOG CHURCH SERMON, APRIL 24,2022

Last week in church we learned about Mary Magdalene, who recognized the voice of Jesus when he spoke her name. Mary’s story is one of many in the Bible when various individuals heard the word of the Lord spoken to them, instructing them to do something.

In some ways, Mary’s experience may have been more straightforward than many of the other followers of Jesus on that first day of the resurrection, because Mary also had the physical presence of Jesus with her when others did not. Nevertheless, we are given stories of various people who heard the voice of God.

A Voice in the Early Hours

EVERYDAY LIFE AT THE LOG CHURCH ORPHANAGE

In the busy-ness of life and with all of our other responsibilities, I know that my communication to all of you is inadequate as to giving an entire picture of the activities of the children in the orphanage. It is the same for the pastors Joel and Vincent. Their two churches have become very large and are growing as they tell more people about Jesus.

Thinking this week of the incomplete picture that I have given concerning the workings of the orphanage, I asked Joel to send me some simple photos of the kids in some of their daily activities,

Please see them below: 

THE LOG CHURCH ORPHANAGE UPDATE

From Me:

Greetings to all of you during this Holy Week. I pray that as we celebrate the historical and spiritual fact of the resurrection of Jesus to a new life, He will also rise anew in each of your lives.

We need Jesus so much always, but it is especially evident in these days. Our nation and the world are ever increasing in turmoil and discontent, and people are looking for something on which they can rely.

And through it all, the daily work at the orphanage must continue. The last weeks have been a little difficult, as we have seen the budget become very tight. I fear that this is partially our own doing, as we had a debt of $3000 to the building company for work that they did on credit.

Having this debt to the building company is something that is not the way in which we want to operate the orphanage. My perspective is that building or doing anything on credit for the orphanage is being presumptive—as if we are presuming upon God.

I want to emphasize that this is not our normal way of filling a need. If there is need in the orphanage, our normal practice is not to meet that need by doing it on credit, but by turning to God in prayer.

Neither is it our practice to bring any need before people, but to bring it only to God. You will not hear any emotional appeals from us for a need. Our appeals go only to God. He is the one who will move the hearts of his servants to help, even though none may know of the specifics of the need.

I will always try to keep you informed as to how things are going, but please know it is never my intention to put on any type of pressure, or to presume upon anyone. That is not my purpose in these blogs and neither is it my task. People want to know what is happening, so I try to keep all informed.

I also emphasized these same feelings about presuming upon God to Joel a few weeks ago. I said to him that in order for God to bless the work, we needed to first pay this debt. As you can see below in his report, we have now able to clear to do that. To pay it has meant that there have been some days of hunger, but hopefully it will turn all of our hearts to God. I have also had days of fasting in solidarity with the kids and the people there.

Please accept our deepest thanks for the ways in which you also have shown your solidarity by giving of your personal funds in helping these kids. Thank you also for your petitions before the throne of God. As I always pray, these are His children. I ask Him to care for them as their heavenly Father.

I put the instructions about "how to help" below, because people often ask me.

From Joel:

Dear beloved Dad, Mum, Church and Friends,

Greetings in the most precious name. We thank God for the love and concern for the Kenya family, we are praying for you all each day. We thank you for your prayers and help which has sustained us to this far may God reword and keep you all.

We are sending email to let you all readers of the blog to know that we appreciate the work you are doing here in Kenya. As we are caring the children not only physical, mental but also spiritually when do not have food. It is not only in the time when we have nothing to eat that we meet with children in prayer and fasting, but we seek God always. Our prayers goes to God daily. We know that you all have needs and that you need God to provide for your family. We are praying for your provision too.

We are humbled to that God for using Pastor Donald and Vivian and Log Church America to handle your financial help to reach us. Thanks Pastor Donald for sending all help you send for the purpose of the Children. We pray that God of heaven will reward you all. We request all who God moves in your heart kindly help these children for school fees, food, shoes, and other necessities.

Below is our expenditures and receipts for the most recent bank transfer. Remember the conversion between Dollars and Kenya Shillings is $1 US = KSH 100 (Move the decimal two places to the left):

Food budget Ksh. 300000.

Rice=331Kilogram,one kgs=Ksh. 200x331kgs=Ksh.62200

Maize =323kilogram, one kg =Ksh.260 x323kg=84000

Cooking oil =60itres,one litre cost Ksh. 360x60litres=Ksh21600.

Sanitizer 29litres, one litre @ 150=Ksh.4400

Vegetables 160 kgs. 1kgs =Ksh. 160x160kgs=Ksh.2570

Salt 38Kgs=3800

Sugar 156.8kgs. 1kg=ksh.160 x156. 8=Ksh.25100

Beans=234kilogram,one kgs cost Ksh. 300x234kg=Ksh. 70300

Soap 20Kilogram,1kg @150=Ksh.3,000.

KSH. 100000 School fees

Ksh. 100,000 clearing debt for school building. We praise God for the help we had received to clear the Ksh. 300000 now we debt free thanks God bless you all.

We are happy to report we feel your prayers and the help we do receive. Keep praying for us as we all working to see the children stay well, Thanks to God for moving in the heart of people here and there to help. Our church members are willing to help but they are below poverty line even they are struggling to help their families and most of the days they go without food that is the families we are ministering to.

We request your prayers God to Our prayers are with you all.

God bless you all.

Yours Son Joel and Church Leadership-Log Church-Kenya.

********************

If you would like to help the children of the Log Church Orphanage of Kisii, Kenya, you may make your check out to “The Log Church” and write “Orphans” on the memo line.

Send it to:

 The Log Church

PO  Box 68

Tripoli Wisconsin 54564

We now need to pay a wire transfer fee with every payment, which amounts to $50 each time, but other than that, your donated money will be used only for purchasing food, clothing, schooling, and other necessities of living. We wait until we have $4000-$5000 before we make the bank transfer to make each transfer more economical. Nothing is held back or diverted for any other purpose. Thanks!

Receipts Below: