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BIBLES NEEDED

19/11/2012

The main aim of Feed My Lambs, over and above everything, is to bring the Gospel to the children of Kenya and Uganda and to teach them the Word of God. This is why we aim to distribute free copies of God's word (KJV) to the children who study our lessons. We are in urgent need of more Bibles. Around 700 children are now ready for Bibles in one area alone! Whilst it is cheaper to purchase the Bibles here in the UK, we do have an outlet in Nairobi where we can also purchase them for around £3.50 each. It is a quicker option when we are in urgent need. It concerns us that the children cannot continue with the lessons until they receive their Bible. Please pray that God will provide.

Following the recent conference in Kenya which some of our workers attended, there has been much interest in our lessons and the demand is great. Please pray that we will be able to keep up with the demand.

Please continue to remember our team members who need your prayers in these days for their families. Moses buried his uncle on Saturday and Joyce has an aunt who is seriously ill. All need your prayers.

We continue to pray for more openings here in the UK to share our work and ask that you consider recommending us to your Minister or Church.....or perhaps enquire whether there would be interest in our prayer letter so that they can become acquainted with our work. We do thank God for some bookings that have come in over the past week and we look forward to these. I will also speak at a ladies' meeting this day week.

The market was busy at the weekend and unusually I am having to do some deliveries today as the demand was so great. We thank God for this and for His provision.

We are always reviewing our procedures, especially as the work grows. Please pray that we will know God's guidance as we implement new ideas....especially from so far away. We desperately want to get flights booked for the summer time. Prices are gradually creeping up and we are praying that we will soon be in a position to book before it gets too expensive.

Thank you once more for your continued prayers. We value your support.

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ANOTHER SAINT GOES HOME TO THE LORD

12/11/2012

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Last week our hearts were heavy because of the passing of Billy. Today we are saddened as William's maternal grandmother has gone to be with the Lord. FML extends our sympathy to the entire family. We thank God that William's granny was saved and today she at peace with her Saviour. I have no doubt that she has been a godly influence on many people over the years, not least upon her family. She leaves behind a testimony that we pray will be used to bring many unsaved loved ones to the Lord. Please pray for William and his family as they go through the funeral service tomorrow, Tuesday 13th November.

We thank God for His help to those who attended the conference. Pastor Aringo, Moses, Joyce and others had a good time and were blessed. Pastor Meshack had to pull out at the last minute because of a death in his congregation. We thank God for the leaders who organised the event and pray that the Lord will continue to bless all who attended.

We thank God also for His help at the market this past weekend. God is faithful.

We are keen to book flights soon for our next trip. Please pray that God will provide in a big way for this need.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

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WITH CHRIST WHICH IS FAR BETTER

6/11/2012

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Always a smile!!!!.....Billy helping William to put up a cover at the market when the rain was coming in.

It is a very sad weekend for the FML team both in the UK and in Kenya as one of our dear friends and prayer partners has gone to be with the Lord.

I first met Billy and his wife May in late 1995 when I began studying at Bible College which was in their home town. At the time the college had just moved to the area and we were using a local Church for the lectures while the leaders looked for suitable premises. As a result, for my first year in college from October 1995 until June 1996 I stayed in Billy and May's home, only returning to my own home at the weekends.

It is hard to speak of Billy without May as their characteristics are so similar but I will try to focus on Billy.

Right from the outset I found him to be a "gentle giant". A tall man in stature with a quiet personality, yet full of fun. Most of all, one of the most godly men I have ever met and one who has impacted me personally and indeed the work of FML more than I could ever have imagined.

He was a car mechanic by trade and as I got my first 13 year old car I had many occasions to avail of his services, as was the case with so many people. I remember the first bill he gave me for some relatively small job on the car....it amounted to over £500. I remember wondering how I would ever pay it and then I began to read the itemised list and discovered that he was charging me for the most ridiculous things; including washing powder for cleaning his overalls; yes....the whole thing was a joke!

Billy never had children of his own. But I think he is like Abraham who was told his children would be as many as the stars of the sky. Billy has been like a father to so many and has been so good to so many. Always there when needed. William commented to me that loosing Billy is like loosing your Grandad. I think if Billy were here he would be the first to laugh and say he isn't that old....but I think this describes exactly how we are feeling today.

Billy and his wife never forgot me when I moved away from the area and when Feed My Lambs was formed they were excited to hear of God's leading. They have proved over the years to be faithful in prayer for us in the work. They welcomed William into their home also. Each time we would have a trip to Africa, they would be the first to have a meeting in their home upon our return and would fill their little room to capacity with those who had a heart for the work among the children. We thank God that Billy had opportunity to hear all about our last trip and to see lots of photos....the first request he made to us after his diagnosis....he really wanted to see what all had taken place.

Billy and his wife have given invaluable help to us at the stall up until 11 months ago when he began to be unwell. Travelling around 30 mile every week to be with us, they remained faithful when others dropped out. When we went to Kenya, they kept things ticking over with the help of others and did an excellent job. Texting to tell us how things had gone and to ask how we were getting on and running to the bank to send out any funds which had come in that day. In fact, the market would probably never have happened without Billy and May. It was their idea to have a sale for a few days. They initially suggested a shop, but when we found that to be too expensive, I came up with the idea of the market....but the concept was something which the Lord laid on their heart and that was evident with their committment.

We have confided in them regarding the work of FML. We valued their prayers and advice so much and knew they kept everything in confidence. As a result they have known things that we haven't shared with anyone else....the ups and the downs....the joys and the discouragements....yet knowing all, they have stood with us....praying, supporting, listening, never judgemental but always there.

Heaven today is more precious knowing that Billy is there. Quiet, fun loving, wise, faithful, committed and most of all a godly man who on more than one occasion opened up his Bible before us and shared with us what God had said to him concerning situations we were going through in the ministry at the particular time. We were always encouraged when we left the home.

Our team in Kenya are familiar with the names of Billy and May and they have been praying much for them over these past months. They too are sorrowing today.

On behalf of my dad, William and all in FML in Kenya and Uganda, we extend our sincere sympathies to May and assure her of our prayers in the coming days.....we know that she will continue to pray and be as faithful to us in the days to come as in the past.

Billy went to be with the Lord late on Friday evening 2nd November. As a mark of respect we did not open the stall on Saturday.

We had been booked for many months to attend the Missionary weekend at the Iron Hall in Belfast. We decided that Billy would be the first to tell us to go and the first to ask us how it went....so we felt we would go ahead, though our thoughts were never far from Billy and May.

After visiting with May on Saturday and Sunday, we headed to Belfast. We set our stand up on Saturday evening and were able to give people information about the work before and after the meeting. Around 18 - 20 missionary organisations were represented and all had stands.

On Sunday we returned in the afternoon to speak with the children. I taught them a little from the Kenyan flag and had them singing in Swahili. William shared a powerpoint presentation entitled "Growing up in Kenya" which gave them an insight into Kenyan life. We finished with a quiz which resulted in some children receving Kenyan keyrings and then all were delighted with their FML pens which we were able to distribute to each child in attendance. They listened so well and we were encouraged. Last night, Monday, when we returned for the final night we were told the news that one child who had been at the Sunday School had yesterday trusted the Lord as her Saviour....praise the Lord.

Again we were encouraged by the interest shown at the stand on the final two evenings and we are glad that so many people have been able to learn of the work. We were made to feel so welcome and we believe that many more people will be praying as a result of the weekend.

Today is an exciting day for the team in Kenya also. Pastor Aringo, Moses, Pastor Meshack and Joyce will be travelling with others from their various parts of Kenya and Uganda, to Kisumu to attend a conference for Children's workers which is being run by the Free Pentecostal Fellowhip of Kenya churches (FPFK). We have a close relationship with some of the leaders of this denomination and we are praying for them and indeed all who attend, that they will blessed and encouraged in their ministry to children. We thank God for His provision that has allowed us to pay for transport for the team to travel and their registrations fees. They will arrive today, have the conference tomorrow and Thursday from first thing to 9pm each evening and then they will leave on Friday. Please remember them all in your prayers.

We are tired! It has been a whirlwind weekend with many mixed emotions of sadness and encouragement.....but as I read a quote this morning I felt that it had been true in our lives this weekend.... it said, "When we feel the stress of the storm we learn the strength of the anchor."

We have known the strength of the anchor this weekend without doubt. Billy was "grounded firm and safe in the Saviour's love" and is with Him today. But as we think of someone who is with their Saviour and then think of the challenge to missions that we also received over the weekend, we realise afresh the urgency of bringing the Gospel to those lost in sin. Perhaps you are one of those.....trust in Billy's Saviour and meet him again one day. Perhaps you are already saved, then the challenge to witness comes to you. Will you determine to work for the Lord and say with the words of one of the songs we enjoyed over the missionary weekend:

So I will go wherever He is calling me
I lose my life to find my life in Him
I give my all to gain the hope that never dies
I bow my heart, take up
my cross and follow Him

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MORE ANSWERS TO PRAYER

BIBLES NEEDED

ANOTHER SAINT GOES HOME TO THE LORD

WITH CHRIST WHICH IS FAR BETTER

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