“…I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” ~ Jesus
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you for praying for us and the Moi during this last outreach. We have great news to share.
We are so proud of the 17 Moi Bible teachers who had faithfully taught twice a day for over two months. All throughout the teaching the nearly 200 men, women, and children were constantly discussing the days teaching and helping each other understand the truth and the implications it has on their lives. Most of those have already understood, but there were quite a few who had never heard the teaching before. Now there are more than 20 more who have expressed clear testimonies of putting their faith and confidence in the finished work of Christ on the cross!
Despite many challenges and opportunities to quite along the way all 17 of the Bible teachers taught with love and enthusiasm to the end
The last few days before we left Moi land they celebrated by singing and dancing as they marched up and down the airstrip.
Karen celebrating with the Moi ladies as the men dance down the airstrip
The Moi Bible teachers finished the teaching at the ascension of Christ to Heaven after His death, burial and resurrection. Rich continued on from there teaching about the giving of the Holy Spirit and the birth of The Church, which those who had newly put their faith in Christ were now a part of. They were so thrilled to be loved by God so much that not only would He send His son, Jesus, to die for them, but that God himself would want to dwell inside them in the person of the Holy Spirit.
Rich continued on from the book of Acts to tell about the only remaining Apostle who had not died as a martyr for telling others about Jesus; the Apostle John, and his final book; Revelation. From the most mature of the Moi believers to those who had just had their “cords cut”, the Moi were literally in awe of what the 2nd Coming of Christ would be like.
Rich wrapping up God’s story as he went through The Book of Acts and into the last days as described in The Book of Revelation
A change of plans…
During our last week and a half in the tribe we made the decision to move out to town where both Atalee and Alyssa are going to school in order to help them with all the major changes they have been experiencing.
This was a tough decision, but through much prayer and counsel (including from the Moi) we believe that not only would it be best for our girls and our family, but also for the maturing Moi church as they grow in their ability to shepherd and lead more and more on their own.
Before we left, the Moi committed to pray for us and assured us of their desire to keep teaching one another God’s Word.
As always, the Lord has gone before us and taken care of our immediate needs of having a place to live. Now we are together with the girls once again.
As soon as we got out to town last week, we were able to move right into a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment that is located within walking distance of the school and supermarket. Amazing. That is a great convenience for Karen and the girls while Rich is sometimes gone on travels for leadership.
Our new home for the next year is inside the open gate on the left.
Feel free to come by any time!
What’s next?
The last few months have been a whirlwind for us, but we see God not only sustaining us, but giving us joy in the midst of it all. We are unsure of what this next year will look like as we sense a need to just stay put and wait for His clear leading. So, for now we will plan on living in town until the end of the school year 2015 and reevaluate from there where things are at. In the meantime we will make a trip to Moi land for Thanksgiving break and work on preparing teaching materials and lessons as they commit to discipling the new believers towards maturity.
Blessed because of your prayers
We have an overwhelming sense that God has used your prayers to sustain us and the Moi church during these days of much apprehension, excitement, and change. We love the verse that describes God’s yearning to meet our needs even before we know what they are! (Isaiah 65:24) I believe part of how He does that is through the Body of Christ caring and praying for one another. Though we are so behind in correspondence and just about everything it seems, we are so thankful for those of you who have faithfully prayed for us. Our words fail to express our appreciation for you and your partnership with us in the gospel. Thank you and thank you.
Prayer Requests:
That the Moi church will continue to faithfully love, serve, and teach one another while both us and Crockett’s are away for the next nine months.
That the new believers may continue to yearn for the truth and understand more and more their newfound freedom in Christ.
That Atalee and Alyssa will continue to adjust well to school and grow in their love for God and those around them.
For Karen and Ashlynn as they continue on with homeschooling.
For Rich as he is gone for 2 1/2 weeks on a ministry trip to Southeast Asia, returning on October 21st.
By His Grace,
Rich and Karen Brown
Atalee, Alyssa, and Ashlynn