September Newsletter

.THE PRESENT!

On the ledge and over the edge…  

It is now almost three months since we got to the field. Working at Pamoja Ministries with the rest of Missionaries from other parts of the world has been quiet a thrilling experience. Having people from different cultures and backgrounds working together towards one greater course, the course of Jesus Christ, is humbling.
Having no particular expertise in film Production, knowing well that Pamoja Ministries Disciple Cultures through Media, in making of Christian movies, Animation for children, editing and publishing of Christian books, writing educational comic books, shooting and Recording Music videos, TV and Radio Production, we thought that God had surely made a huge mistake. But He kept reminding us that in our weakness His power was being made perfect. We eventually have been realizing that just as in the body of a person are many organs with different roles so is the body of Christ. We now are competent in Translating of materials from both English and Swahili, editing of Swahili books awaiting publishing, writing scripts and directing voice actors. Little by little we are also increasing our knowledge in Missionary work Cross culturally, and are packed with books on cinematography, Directing films, Screenwriting, Video Editing, Cinematic storytelling etc.
One other thing that raised a lot of concern to ourselves and others was the fact that most missionaries are expected to have acquired some Bible knowledge. We are happy to say that we have had a chance to take ISOM Course (International School of Ministry) that is offered by Pamoja Ministries to Pastors and Leaders to most parts of Africa. We have had the privilege of doing it with three other missionary ladies at Pamoja and so it offers as a great time of fellowship and growing in the Word together as women.  The course offers a certificate and later Diploma at the end of it. This course is done from DVDs recorded by Bible teachers that make sure that even the most remote pastors and leaders access their Bible Training.
Finally, with all that being said, we would like to admit one truth, that we couldn't have come this far without the prayers and financial support from our fellow brothers and sisters in Kenya. Please do not give up on us. Keep praying for us as we pray for you and keep giving toward this ministry that has proven how much Media Ministry is vital and much needed in our society today.
May God bless you richly!!
 

Lucy and Angela.

September's Newsletter

GOD IS GREAT!!
This walk of faith...

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It could be that you do not know much about us any way. Today we would like to share a little bit of our lives prior to becoming missionaries. Four years before stepping out courageously and saying it loud that we were missionaries, we were at a crossroad. Like many other young people trying to figure out what path to take in life, we knew the decision that we were going to make should be of lasting effect. At that very moment we had the chance to decide how our future would be like. This did not just happen over a night. We both happened to meet during this time at a prayer meeting in church. We both new that God wanted us in Ministry, we had men of God confirming that as well, but the truth be told we did not know when and how all this should happen.
We started our own business which we hoped would grow to a big company. We manufactured buttons made out of coconut shell and sold them to a production company that sells their products mainly outfits to different companies in United Kingdom and other parts of the world. The main motive was that we would sustain ourselves financially and support ourselves in Ministry when the time came and after knowing where God wanted us to serve.

Surely our Idea of missionary work was reaching out to the poor especially the youth in the most interior places with skills and the word of God. Manufacturing buttons would sound a very exciting endeavor but it was not an easy job. For instance our first order required 3000 pieces of buttons delivered in one and a half months. Our second order required 6000 pieces of buttons to be delivered in two and a half months. This was indeed a moment of learning about endurance, commitment, and a confirmation of the line of scripture that says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

At this point we had let go any kind of a social life so as to keep up with our work. Our families did not approve of the work we did. They preferred something different or better, and we had to endure a lot of rejection and scorn from them.

During this time the Word in Jeremiah 18 proved to be speaking in to our lives strongly. We were at the basement in the potters house, and God was molding us into the image that he wanted us in. As we curved every button into the size and shape we wanted God was curving and shaping us into vessels that can be used by Him. There were instances that we felt we couldn't take it anymore. There were times that we thought that probably this was not faith at all but fantasy. One man approached us and asked us if we were living or just surviving. Life seemed Dark and in a tunnel.

We had the choice of letting go and choosing another line of work or carrier. But this is where God wanted us to be and so we waited. We waited for light on the end of the tunnel. After four years of which contained moments of rejection and pain, lots of hardship, homelessness, starvation, breakthroughs, Button projects, endurance, Amazing Grace of God, hours and hours of prayer and meditation, reconciliation with family, new friendships, new mentors, new fellowship of believers, we finally felt that life was becoming really nice and comfortable. This is not how God saw it.  We had to sell and give away everything that we owned, quit our business and set out in obedience and follow Gods lead.

  We have learned to walk not by sight, and as we like saying, ‘with our eyes closed’. Our first destination was in Tanga Tanzania where we visited a missionary couple for three months who have been missionaries for over thirty years. Watching their life, their love towards us, prayers and advice insisted on us being sure of God’s voice. We kept moving as the Lord led and we ended up in Arusha.

All the way God brought amazing breakthrough through people that would speak encouragement into our lives and in unbelievable provision . God felt so near us. We knew that we were not alone.

 Hanging our with Children at a Children's home.

At work

Above: Angela editing the Joshua Nations Swahili Curriculum.
Below:Lucy directing voices to be recorded for the Financial Literacy Project.

In The Field

Arrived in Arusha TZ, on the 14th of July. Unlike other missionaries that arrive and stay longer before starting their work, we had the opportunity to start right away with pending projects. After a year of seeking funds and locating from one place to another, it was really nice to finally have a place we would call home.

Some of the projects we worked on when we got here were the FinLet project that involved Study cases on Financial Literacy. The particular work here that Angela was able to do was to create English subtitles to the study cases that were in Swahili.
We have also Edited the Swahili version of Go Nations 1st year Bible Curriculum and Lucy has directed the voices for the Financial Literacy Comic project.

Right now the projects on the table is the 'Mimi Nawe' Children TV series that will involve puppets. We use the Story of Joseph and his brothers from the old Testament to help a young boy develop character and express and deal with his emotions, through the help of a wise and friendly neighbor; Shangazi.
Lucy is involved in the writing of the script and will also be the host to run the show.
Angela will be the Assistance Producer and one who observes continuity.
Together we will be costume and puppet designers and we will also help in the creation of the sets.

The dream to start this particular project which was initially known as The Sandbox Stories was birthed 6 years ago and Lucy was one who translated some of the script in Swahili since they were first written in English, and was one of those who would have auditioned for the Host to running the show.
There has been a great improvement on the script and amazingly God has gathered people at His right time, People knowledgeable enough, and with experience with children productions to do this project. The producer of the Project is Sig Feser the founder of Pamoja Ministries and the Director os Joe Rohrs a film producer and missionary at Pamoja Ministries.
It is a great honor to be involved in this project knowing well how Children of Africa need to be reached with programs that they can identify with. There is a great need for Africa related material on Television today especially for children and there has been a demand from international Organization to air African related children programs. What an appropriate time!!
Please partner with us in Prayer to make this project a reality.

The Journey

It's been a while since I started walking this path of becoming a full time Missionary. It has been exciting and yet a very humbling experience. for once i get to live the life I'm called to live, for once I live to fulfill God's purpose for my life. As an African missionary it has it's challenges but the Grace of God has been sooo sufficient.
No warrior goes to battle at his on expense. The body of Christ is a part of the the great commission and so it's an honor for me to invite the Church to partner with me. It's about 150years since Kenya received Christianity, it's high time they also send out missionaries to the world and support them financially.
I've seen churches in Kenya embracing the vision, and I've seen them running with it. God is working in the hearts of men and women to step out in all means and expand the Kingdom of God. it's my desire that every believer does the same.
This is a worthy cause; to go out as a Missionary or to partner with one.
 Please have a look at this video:
 http://vimeo.com/85424057