Barnabas Mission to Kenya 2009

A team of 10 had a wonderful mission experience in Kenya during August 2009. The group, led by Clive & Ann McIntyre, included 5 from the UK, 4 from Romania and 1 from America. The first area visited was Eldoret. After a few days acclimatising and some mission preparation sessions, we started working with Peter Odhiambo. Peter moved from Mombasa last year to plant a church in Eldoret, under the banner of Barnabas East Africa. He faced some difficult challenges. Eldoret suffered immensely from the election riots the previous year and the community is still recovering even now. Then, within 6 months of moving there, Peter's young wife, Rita, died. We appreciated the opportunity to work with Peter and other local Pastors who got together to organise a programme for us which included home visits, open-air meetings, church services and revival meetings. Talking to people that we met in the streets or in their homes proved to be very effective, as they were open to hearing about Jesus and how He could bring hope, healing and change. As a team, we felt we were productive in encouraging the local churches and heard afterwards that numbers attending Sunday meetings had increased. It was great that Sean & Joyce McIntyre were able to travel up from Mombasa to work with us in Eldoret. They returned to Mombasa to prepare for our time there later on while we travelled on to Uranga.

As in previous years, we were welcomed in Uranga by Baba Richard & Mama Mary who provided accommodation for us all in their home. We enjoyed simple living and basic facilities, but a real sense of closeness to God and fellow team members. From our base in Uranga, we were able to outreach the local vicinity as well as commute to Ugunja, where William Omollo is continuing with his ministry. Our time both in Uranga & Ugunja was well spent, with home visits, either planned or spontaneous, church meetings and various programmes for children, teaching for men and ladies plus a visit to a local hospital. We were well received at the hospital, where we prayed for those on the wards as well as a great number of people waiting to see a Doctor in the outpatients queue. On returning the next day, we were excited to find that so many people prayed for had been discharged. Beds had become available for new patients who we then prayed for. Whilst prayers for healings and salvations were rewarded, we also heard some sad stories from individuals that were emotionally difficult. We could not, of course, have stayed in Uranga without spending some time at Mama Bettie & Papa Jerry Duha School. After being shown around the school, we brought songs, a drama and teaching to the children and then had lunch with teachers and members of the school committee. Funding received through local Government grants and from the Parents' committee has enabled the school to make a number of further improvements, which follow progress made as a result of funds previously provided through Barnabas supporters. After a week in Uranga, we moved on to Mombasa, spending one night in Kisumu on the way due to our early flight departure.

Our days in Mombasa were filled with further home visits, church services, open-air evangelistic outreach and revival meetings. We walked around two areas; stopping to talk with those we met to share the good news of Jesus. One was the area of Magongo, around the church site and the other was the area of Bokoli, where the church-owned plot of land is. Many invited us into their homes for prayers of healing & salvation. Sean talked about the vision for the plot of land which includes a school and the church community centre. It was encouraging to see work on the bore-hole had begun and we were pleased that funds had become available to commence work on a permanent structure for the church. This has to be God's timing as the church was given notice to either vacate their current premises or pay an unreasonably higher rent with effect from 31st August. As we spoke to people living around the plot of land, it was clear that the new church would be welcomed and is much needed.

There are so many highlights from this mission. A man in Eldoret, previously a Pastor, had fallen away from the Lord but made a recommitment after spending about an hour talking through issues with members of the team. This resulted in a promise that part of the land he owned could be used by Peter to build a church, as this had been his original vision. Also in Eldoret, a man totally blind from birth was able to make out the light at the windows and identify objects in the room after prayer. In Mombasa, a man came forward for prayer; he had been suffering from pain in his leg for a couple of years and the bones could be felt clicking as hands were laid on him and he received healing. A woman visited in her home was found lying on her bed. She had been bed-ridden for a year after a fall; she was unable to eat and was extremely weak. She shared that bad Spirits had a hold on her and she was under a curse. After much prayer for deliverance and healing, she felt strength come into her body and was able to stand and walk, triumphantly praising the Lord. Another highlight, although completely unrelated to healings and salvations, was the opportunity to visit Mama Sarah, the grandmother of President Obama. Stopping at her home on our way from Uranga to Kisumu, we were able to ask her questions, take pictures and we even prayed for her.

Many other blessings were witnessed such as safe travelling and the amazing way in which we managed to avoid heavy rain showers and achieve the Lord's work. Team members were encouraged to report back each day how many they led to the Lord in prayer and an overall total of 153 salvations were recorded. On hearing this at the debriefing session, we rejoiced in the fact that we had been able to serve an awesome God in such a powerful way, as fishers of men, as we read together John 21:11 “Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn”.

Reminiscences from Romania

Mission participant Margaret Drummond shares her experiences in Romania

A team of nine set off from Ewell at 7am on Friday 22nd May for the Barnabas Mission to Romania 2009. The oldest member was Mike Woodger (86 years old) the youngest members were Grace McIntyre (14 years old) and James Fraser (15 years old). We were a very mixed bunch. We stayed in the town of Rosiori, working with the local Baptist Church there but also visiting the nearby villages of Balaaci, Sfintesti and Vacaresti.

On the mission trip, we took part in home visits, door to door work, church meetings each evening, visiting an old people’s home and Sunday School work. This was different in that we held the Sunday School Class in the church yard because the key could not be found for the “up the ladder” loft room. The children’s ages ranged from 2 to 14 years and despite all the distractions outside, they still managed to listen to the story and drama and enjoyed songs with actions.

The highlight of the week for me was a visit to a lady’s home in the village of Balaaci. Maria was born with only one leg and is now 70 years old, living with her 97 year old mother. Teams have visited her over the years whilst on previous missions but each time, Maria did not feel able to accept Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. Those who visited Maria last year left her the Prayer of Commitment, written out in Romanian on a calendar. On this occasion, she excitedly greeted us, eager to tell us how she had read that prayer for herself and how it meant so much to her now. She rushed in to the house to bring out last year’s calendar with the prayer written on it to show us and was very sincere. Although her life is hard, growing crops in a small plot surrounding her single storey dwelling and taking care of her elderly mother, she displayed a different attitude to life and an obvious recognition of the Lord’s love, protection and provision. We enjoyed picking strawberries with her in the garden and she was delighted to give these to us as a gift to share with the others. Later that afternoon, a lift was arranged so that Maria could attend the church meeting. She met a lady there and invited her to visit her at home - we had visited this lady earlier who had told us that she wasn’t liked in the church. It was great to witness God’s grace abounding!

Another incident that really surprised me was a family we visited comprising of a young girl with five children, the oldest about 11 years, in Sfintesti. All the children were in the garden, playing in the dusty earth while we chatted to the mother. We told her that there would be a service in the church up the road and she was very welcome to come. She got the children cleaned up and all of them turned up at church in clean clothes. What an effort she had gone to, just because we had spent time talking and praying with her over the garden gate.

The ladies’ meeting in Rosiori was a very special time also. Nine Romanian ladies of various ages attended. One younger lady had left work especially early in order to get to the meeting on time at 6pm. The theme was finding the presence of God and remaining in it. They loved to hear us talk and share testimonies of God’s amazing goodness.

One thing that struck me in particular was that the people in the churches love to be prayed with. They willingly share and ask for prayer. They know their need of God.

I was nervous about going on the mission initially, but I learnt such a lot about myself, the Romanians (very warm and loving people) and our gracious and wonderful Lord.

Fund Raising

Mike Woodger has just celebrated his 86th birthday. He has been travelling to Kenya and Romania on Mission with Barnabas since 2001 and continues to look forward to future mission trips.

Mike is raising funds for the Barnabas 3in1 Appeal by doing a sponsored 10 mile walk. He will be walking on Sunday 19th April from Burraton Reservoir in Dartmoor, along a disused railway track to Princeton and back again.

£80 has been pledged so far but Mike is working hard to increase this amount before he does the walk - watch this space for further updates!

Another keen fundraiser is John Packham, aged 47 who is planning a sponsored swim on Saturday 25th April. John has just over £200 promised so far which, if he completes 60 lengths on the day, will be donated to the Barnabas 3in1 Appeal. (Where have all the young men gone....)

The question is - who will raise the most money? The competition is on.

Both John & Mike responded to a request to help raise funds for the Barnabas 3in1 Appeal by taking a special Sponsorship Form. The form gives the Charity details of Barnabas Outreach Trust and enables sponsors to enter their details, the amount they wish to give and also tick a box which allows Barnabas to collect gift aid on their sponsorship donation, where applicable.

So maybe you can help too...

Please contact us if you would like your own sponsorship form and get fundraising yourself. Or maybe you could encourage Mike or John by sponsoring their event!

A Flavour of Romania

“How do you feel about going on a Mission?” I must have been asked that question a dozen times prior to our departure. “Terrified and excited in equal measure” was my reply. For me and most of the group going, this was our first experience of doing street evangelism, home visiting strangers, drama, standing up in a foreign country to preach, give a testimony, or visiting an old people’s home, and everything being done through interpreters.

On 1^st May the seven fledgling disciples met with Clive, Ann and Grace McIntyre (who run Barnabas Outreach Trust) at Terminal 5, to fly to Bucharest, for our 5 day Mission.

Our prayer requests included, good weather whenever we were out doing God’s work,- the only time it rained on us was on the last evening when we were walking back to our rooms; that nobody would get ill or have any accidents,- we were all fine; and that when opportunities arose, we would have the right words to speak about the love of God, and of our certainty of going to Heaven. We all had chances to talk about Jesus and our faith. It was amazing.

We were based in Rossiorri, a small town about 2 ½ hours drive south west of Bucharest, and were working with the local Baptist pastor, Vorill, who introduced us to his satellite church in Baalaci on our first morning. Here we walked through the village and spoke to local people over their garden walls, in the streets and were invited into homes. We had many requests for prayers for healing, both of body and mind, and at the service that afternoon, when Angus Drummond spoke and Vanessa Cope gave her testimony, several of those we had met came to the church. Sandra Faccini was one of those asked to pray the prayer of salvation with one of the ladies.

On the next morning, Dan Stevenson, Pat and Mary Ryan, several interpreters and young people from the main church, went to the park to sing, and invite teenagers to attend the church for a Youth meeting that afternoon. It was a lively 4hour service, at which Dan preached and Sandra gave her testimony. Many of those contacted earlier, attended. Once again prayers were being answered.

Sue Peterkin, Sandra, Angus, the McIntyres and Vanessa went to a home for the elderly. We had a bag of food “goodies” for every resident, bought with some of the money raised at the Chocolate Quiz night. We visited every resident in pairs, and were asked to pray for each individually. We talked about Salvation, and God’s love for each of them. It was a very special time.

Sandra, Sue, Angus and Vanessa then were requested by a church member to visit and pray for her mother and family in their home. They were delightful and welcoming Gypsies, and literally lived on the other side of the track. We climbed up the embankment over the rail lines, and down the other side into a different world of abject and grinding poverty. It was very humbling. Wonderfully, the whole family came to church the next day.

The Sunday morning service lasted over 3 hours, and three of us led the Sunday school for an hour of music, craft, and stories. There were 26 kids, most of whom were from the local orphanage, and of gypsy decent. They were fabulous, and so enthusiastic.

Pat and Mary led the evening service, and were joined by a singing group from Bucharest. At the end, there was time for prayers and goodbyes. This was most poignant for Orelle (the local police chief), who had committed his life to the Lord at the previous Barnabas mission, and had become friends with us. He was ill with cancer, and was to be baptised the following Sunday. A very special man.

I could write a book about the fun and laughter we had, the meals, the plumbing, and the loos! However, the certain knowledge that the Lord was with us, guiding and protecting us in every situation, would make me say, if he can use us, he can use you too. If you can go on a Mission, GO, you’ll be fine.

Conference 2008

This years 'Dedicated to Mission Conference' took place between the 14th and 16th of November at Ashburnham Place and what a wonderful weekend it was. Don Double preached and praise and worship was lead by Pat and Mary Ryan.

"Thank you for a heavenly weekend, I feel very blessed being there and meeting such lovely people full of love for Jesus........... I am blessed by my healing!"

The weekend was also an opportunity for people who have participated in missions to catch up with one another. Clive and Ann McIntyre shared about the various missions that took place during 2008 whilst Sean and Joyce shared about the progress of Barnabas' work in East Africa. Finally, the Barnabas 3in1 appeal was officially launched on the Saturday Afternoon.

"Thank you so much for a very refreshing weekend......... It was really good for me spiritually"

Barnabas Community Centre

Barnabas East Africa has acquired a plot of land and plans are underway to build a community centre and a montessori school. The community centre will eventually provide a number of invaluable services To the community including;

• New Life Church
• Montessori School
• Clinic
• Orphans Centre
• Micro-Business Training

A considerable amount of funding for the land has come from a Mrs Roz Morgan who has a vision for a montessori school. She is also hoping to raise funds to provide housing for several struggling families in Mombasa.

The Barnabas Community Centre is part of the 3in1 appeal, to make a donation click here

Rural School in Uranga, Kenya

Barnabas (Outreach) Trust has been visiting the Papa Jerry & Bettie Duha School in Uranga, Kenya since 1999. Generous donations from Barnabas supporters have enabled the school to make many improvements over the years. Funds raised recently have helped to complete the “Gracie Early Child Development Centre” for nursery children and to provide text books. Also, the School now has constant power and fresh water thanks to the provision of a water tank, pump and solar panels.

The school has now become one of the best in the area. Academic results and applications to attend the school have both increased.

Further funding is required to help the school continue to improve. More classrooms are waiting to be completed, with the foundations already in place and those currently being used are in need of redecoration. The school also lacks a proper kitchen and dining hall which is necessary as many of the students are orphans, sponsored to attend the school and residing there all year round.

This project is part of the 3in1 appeal, make a donation today, click here.