50 Years of Waiting

Ever since Janelle accepted Jesus at the age of 3 she has known God’s call to be a missionary. I was 19, a sophomore in Bible college, when I knew I was to be a missionary. We met a few months later. I’m so glad that I had my missions call before we met because Janelle would not date anyone who didn’t have a missions call. If I had received my call after we met, my call might have been suspect.

We had known each other for two school years before we were married in 1984. In the same year I received my license to preach and began ministry as youth pastor at Trinity Campus Church. Janelle graduated in 1986. We applied to be missionaries in 1987.

We had read the requirements. Three that were significant to us were: 1) you must be 35 years or younger, 2) you must be in good health, and 3) you can have 2 children, or 3 in a rare case. We were within the guidelines and felt we were qualified.

We received the phone call from the Division of Foreign Missions in 1987. They had rejected our application. I asked why. They explained that our school loans were too high. We were very disappointed. God had called us to be missionaries. It was the steering force in our lives. But we had been told “no”.

God led us then to establish a church in Bottineau, ND. In a little more than three years we saw a congregation raised up, church property and a building. In 1991 we applied a second time to be missionaries. We waited by the phone a second time. We checked the requirements. We felt we were qualified. When the call came we were so excited. We were ready to go. But for a second time they said no. I asked why. They said that they wanted us to get more stateside ministerial experience first.

This was devastating for us. We had pioneered a church. What more could they want? I had a friend from Bible college who had gone into missions right out of school with out any senior pastor experience. We considered going with some independent missions organization. They would probably take us. But as we prayed about it, God clearly impressed us that he had placed us under the authority (the umbrella) of the Assemblies of God. He had placed them in our lives to help reveal His will. We resigned ourselves to wait once again.

This time God led us to Alaska and in 1992 we began pastoring Valley Chapel in Healy. During our pastoral ministry in each location we had many positive experiences, but some difficult ones as well. But in them all God was working and preparing us. For many years we felt we were in “God’s oven”. God has keeping the heat on, making us ready for future ministry. We kept thinking we were ready to go, but God kept us in the oven.

In 1994 God blessed us with our fourth child, Joshua. We believe that children are a blessing from the Lord, but now we had more children than we would be allowed as missionaries. In 1996 Janelle was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. We went through a difficult summer of surgery and radiation, but God was with us in it all. When the dust settled from the cancer treatment, we felt so close to God. He had been with us in the valley. But now we wondered if we could ever be missionaries with cancer on the health record. In 1997 I turned 35. Now we had broken three of the guidelines. We were certainly unqualified.

In 1998 God began stirring our hearts to reapply for missions. The zeal for missions had never waned, but the thought of applying again with certain rejection was hard.

About the same time we felt led to take a short term missions trip to Africa. In November of 1998 we went to Nairobi, Kenya to teach at East Africa School of Theology (E.A.S.T.). Our church gave us a month leave of absence and Janelle’s mom came up to stay with the kids.

I taught “Romans & Galatians” to a class of 18 students at the Bible school.

I wanted to get to know the students so I asked each of them to give a testimony. Over the next two weeks we heard tremendous stories of how God had saved and directed the students into ministry and to EAST.

One would stand and in his testimony mention that he had been a pastor for 8 years and now God finally allowed him to come to the Bible school. Another shared how he had been a minister for 12 years and he had finally received a scholarship to come. Another spoke of his 10 year desire to come to study while he was pastoring.

God spoke to me in the classroom one morning as the students were sharing: “Now do you see why I have kept you as a pastor for 14 (now 16) years before I allowed you to be a missionary?” The answer was so obvious to me. What would I have had to give to these students if I had come right out of Bible school with little or no experience as a pastor? Because God knew what he wanted me to do in missions—train national pastors-he gave me experience pastoring before he let me go. Now when students asked questions, I spoke not just from books or theory, but from practical experiences that God had brought us through.

When we returned from the trip we submitted our application for the third time and waited with uncertainty. We wanted to go as much as ever, but now we were unqualified: too many kids, bad health record, and too old.

On October 22, 1999 the phone rang a third time. This time God said it was time. This time the Division of Foreign Missions said “Yes.” What a joyful day in the Nelson household! The call we had had for so many years was now coming to pass. Janelle had waited 32 years since her call. I had waited 18 years since my own call. Between us we had waited 50 years. But in that time God was faithful. He prepared us for the work he wanted us to do. Now we have the tools necessary to work effectively training pastors in the kingdom.

6J’s

Two Women, a Tree and a Tabernacle

Two Maasai Christian ladies prayed often under a tree. They cried out to God that he would give them a church where the children could learn the true Word of God.
In November 2004, Jonathan and I drove to Lemasusu with District Superintendent Daniel Partimo. We arrived at the site late in the afternoon. We were greeted by dozens of Maasai who had waited all day in the rain for us to come. They wanted a church.
Jonathan shared his vision of wanting to build a church in Kenya. The people were moved by his faith. They slaughtered a goat for us for the occasion and we ate together before leaving.
A little more than a month later the team arrived to build the tabernacle. When the building was erected and the roof put on, the team and local believers gathered to give thanks to God.
Two Maasai ladies came forward to share. With emotion they shared of their prayer under a tree. All rejoiced together. Two women had prayed, a young man had a vision, people gave, a team responded, and that Tuesday evening they saw what God had accomplished.
6J’s

Ferry Travel: Children’s Prayers Answered

To visit many of the churches of South East Alaska one must either fly or take the ferry. One could fly for about the same price as six could take the ferry. It was an easy decision. I am writing this on the laptop as we rock and sway on a vessel called the Aurora (the Blue Canoe by the locals) somewhere between Petersburg and Hollis, Alaska.
With nearly everything in life there are pros and cons. Becoming missionaries has its advantages and disadvantages. The last couple of nights we have all slept on the lounge floor of the ferry for instance. But it is also quite an experience to be able to travel with our family and see Alaska as we have. The kids have left friends behind in Healy, but they also meet new ones weekly in churches.
Recently we were to leave Hoonah by ferry Sunday at 5:45 PM. We had been having a great time with Pastor Lane Vannatta and his family that weekend. This was one of the few times our kids had other kids their age to play with since we left Healy. We arrived on time at the ferry terminal only to find out that the ferry had changed its schedule and left 5 hours earlier. I turned around to the kids and asked, “OK, who prayed that we would get to stay longer?” Hands went up all over. The seven kids would get more time together. I know that God knew the ferry schedule had changed, but for some reason he had not seen fit to notify us. He must have a purpose for the missed ferry.
Joshua and I were able to fly to our next service for the price of the ferry refund. We meet the rest of the family on the return trip by ferry.
Janelle and Kimber Vannatta had a great time that week. The kids played legos, fished and had a blast.
How good God is to answer our children’s prayers when they needed a few more days with friends on this year long journey.
6J’s

Lord, allow me to help train Maasai pastors some day

On November 1, 1998 Janelle and I departed on our first trip to Africa. We were so excited. A culmination of years of prayer and waiting.

That Sunday morning I had preached at our church in Healy, AK. I picked up the Pentecostal Evangel off the back table to read on the plane. Later that day on the jet I began to read. The Evangel was all about Kenya that day.

A feature article called “The Maasai Miracle”, told of the Maasai people, beautiful and strong. Missionaries for many years had attempted to start churches among them in the Narok region of the Rift Valley but none were successful. Not one church had been planted.

The Maasai have an interesting belief. God gave all of the cows in the world to the Maasai. If they see cattle that a neighboring tribe (such as the Kikuyu) has, they will go and steal it thinking God intended for them to have it. Though they believe this, the Kikuyu don’t believe this, nor does the Kenyan government.

The article told of how a Maasai warrior named Simon, was caught stealing cattle. He was thrown in jail. While he was there a white man came. He told about a man called Jesus. Simon started to cry. He wept greatly. He thought, “This man must have cast a spell on me. I don’t cry. I’m a warrior.” But it was no spell. It was the convicting power of the Holy Spirit working on his life. When the man concluded his message, he invited those who wanted to get saved to ask Jesus to forgive their sins and be the Lord of their life. Simon accepted Christ.

While in jail, Simon was discipled and grew in the Word of God. When he got out of jail, he returned to his family. They asked him about his time in jail. He told them about the man who came and told about Jesus. As he was telling the story his family began to weep. When he got to the end many of them accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

There Simon planted the first church among the Maasai in this region of Kenya. God used an ex-convict to start a church.

The article goes on to explain how Simon traveled to another part of his tribe and shared the story. There too people started weeping and a second church was planted. Soon a third and then a fourth. There on the airplane I read how God had used Simon and others to plant 20 churches among the Maasai. My eyes were getting moist just reading the article. I prayed, “Oh God, please allow me someday the privilege of training Maasai pastors for you.”



We landed in Nairobi, Kenya and began our one month assignment teaching at East Africa School of Theology (E.A.S.T.). On one beautiful sunny afternoon, I was on campus after teaching. I was taking pictures of birds. I had a bird book under my arm and my binoculars around my neck. I took a picture of a bird in a tree above. I didn’t want to take the time to look up the bird.

There were a couple of African students standing next to me so I asked one, “Do you know what kind of bird that is?”

He said, “No, but you sure remind me of my brother.”

I’m thinking, “I wonder what it is about me.”

He said, “My brother is always taking pictures of birds. He has a bird book stuck under his arm and binoculars around his neck just like you. He is a guide in a national park.”

I said, “Oh, I am a guide in a national park in Alaska.” (A summer job to supplement our ministry.) As we talked further I found out he was Maasai.

I said, “I just read an article about a Maasai. He was a pastor.”

He said, “I am a pastor.”

I said, “Oh, maybe you know him; his name is Simon.”

He said, “I am Simon.”

He shared how some men had come from America. They had taken his picture and asked him questions for an article. But he hadn’t seen it yet.

Simon and I walked back to the apartment Janelle and I were living in on campus and showed him the article.

He said, “Here is my father. These are my brothers and sisters. This is the first church I planted.” As we talked further Simon asked, “Jeff, would you come preach in our church?”

I told Simon, “I would be delighted and honored.”

So early one Sunday morning Janelle and I rode with missionaries Jim & Meg Thacker and their girls in their Speed the Light vehicle about 3 hours out of Nairobi to the church.

It was the only vehicle in the parking lot that morning, but the church was filled with Maasai who had walked many miles to come worship God. The worship service was filled with the presence of God. The Maasai, known for their jumping, jumped for more than an hour as they sang. The singing was not led by one person, but one would lead out in song and then another.

I preached on Joseph that morning. Simon interpreted the message. What an experience! What a privilege, to preach the Word of God to a people so recently brought into the kingdom.

We said good-bye that morning. But our relationship with the Christian Maasai of the Rift Valley was not over. I had prayed a prayer on the airplane, “Oh God, please allow me someday the privilege of training Maasai pastors for you.” Simon has asked repeatedly if we would return to Kenya to help train Maasai pastors.

On October 22, 1999 we were approved to go to Kenya as missionaries. In a few months when the budgets have been raised, we will be able to go and find fulfillment of that prayer.

6J’s

Joshua Prays for a Van

This summer as we drove from Alaska to Missouri Janelle picked up a KOA directory to find places to stop. Joshua saw an ad on the back that had a van with a TV and Nintendo in it. He began praying for a van with a TV and Nintendo in it. Janelle began teaching Joshua about prayer. God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. We have a van that is meeting our needs. We will be selling this van in a few months. We thought this would settle it for Joshua.

A couple of days later while driving through Colorado we were having devotions in the van. After all of the kids had prayed, Joshua asked if he could pray again. He prayed, “And dear Jesus, please give us a van with a TV and Nintendo.” We told Joshua once again that we didn’t think God was going to give us a different van. The kids and Janelle went to sleep in the van. About an hour after that prayer, a deer ran across the road into our van. None of us were hurt. But the van was totaled.

Over the next week we went about the process of replacing our van. The insurance company gave us a good settlement. As we shopped at a dealership, the salesman had shown us everything on his lot that might work. We were ready to go somewhere else. He stopped us and said, “I have one more van that isn’t on the lot. It is in the shop.” As he talked we thought it might be what we were looking for. It had less miles than our other van, better pulling power, and more space for the kids. “By the way”, he said, “it has a TV and Nintendo in it.”

As it worked out, this is the van we purchased. When Joshua found out he did a little dance and said, “This is the first time I remember God answering my prayer.” God certainly had. I guess God thought it would be alright for a little boy who would spend 40,000 miles in a vehicle this year to have a Nintendo to play.

Joshua received his Christmas present early this year. An answer to prayer. A gift from God to a little boy who believed God would hear his prayer.
6J’s

Jenni, Children’s Pastor of Church Plant

In July 2006 a new church plant began in Nairobi for the international community. Jenni felt a desire to work with the children. Over the first year Jenni has faithfully ministered to the Kindergarten through 5th grade children of this growing church.
The church has grown as the children’s church. The church is often more than 200 and the children’s church having 40 students. This is quite a responsibility for a 15 year old young woman. But Jenni loves it.
Many in the international community in Kenya have found a home in this church called International Christian Fellowship (ICF). On a number of occasions parents have come to Jenni after their first Sunday at ICF and said something like this, “We have been in Kenya for a number of months. We have visited many churches. This is the first time our kids have come to us after the service and said, ‘can we come back to this church next Sunday?’” Jenni has ministered not only to children, but to families as well through the children’s church.
After this year as children’s pastor, Jenni had to say good-bye to join us on furlough in the U. S. As we were coming home she applied to work at a particular job. She was notified that she didn’t get the job.
When we arrived in the U. S. Jenni attended a youth group which was having a Speed-the-Light (STL) fund raising service. Jenni desired to give $30. This was a lot of money for her, but she gave it willingly.
A couple of weeks later she heard back from the office. They didn’t have a big job, but they asked her to work for 2 days. She received $100 for those 2 days. She believes that it is a related to her giving. When you give to God, He takes care of you.
6J’s

Don’t go to that Boma

Our team was ready to go hut to hut. We had prayed. With Pastor Isaya Kasaine at Echoro Enkai were students from EAST and members from the Alaska team. One team member was Brian Friske, a student at Northwest in Kirkland.
The pastor told the group that he had been warned, “Don’t go to that boma (homestead).” The man of the boma was very fierce toward Christians. The team prayed and decided to go. They met the man first and asked if they could come in. He asked them questions and then welcomed them. They shared the gospel with his five wives and a daughter. When they concluded they asked if anyone would like to receive Jesus. All five wives and the one daughter said yes.
The next day they went to another hut. As they talked they discovered Joseph Nzavi, one of the EAST students, knew the man of the house. That very morning the parents and son, Steve, had talked about the son becoming born again. He put them off as he had in the past. As the team began to share with him he had some serious questions. The team answered his questions and he received Christ.
Later as the team was walking, they found Steve witnessing to two friends. They shared with them as well and the two friends also received the Lord.
During the week we saw 42 people come to the Lord. Brian commented, “I have led more people to the Lord on this trip than in the rest of my life.”
6J’s

Jonathan’s Vision

Two years ago Jonathan sat in our living room in Nairobi and shared with me his vision. He said, “Dad, before I graduate from high school I want to build a church in Kenya.” He was sixteen years old at the time.
During our itineration year Jonathan met with Jen Mickelson, Alaska District Youth Director, to present his plan. She pledged her support to raise a team.
Back in Kenya Jonathan took a survey trip with me to Maasai land in southern Kenya on the Tanzania border (see page 4). There we met with the District Superintendent, Daniel Partimo, and pastors to prepare for the church buildings. It was decided to build two churches because of the need.
On December 30 the Alaska team arrived (see page 1). For one week the team built the two tabernacles and ministered among the people.
The articles of this newsletter tell the story of the completion of the vision. Two years of planning and preparation have paid off. Today Jonathan, a senior, has led a team and built not one, but two churches in Kenya.
6J’s

Alaska Team Ministers in Kenya

On December 30, 2004 the Alaska missions team landed in Kenya. The team, under the direction of Alaska District Youth Director, Pastor Jen Mickelson, came to minister and build two tabernacles.
The mission to Loitokitok was a tremendous success. We had 14 missionaries from Alaska and nine from East Africa School of Theology as well as our family of six participating. We were able to complete the construction of two tabernacles in Maasai land and we witnessed 42 people give their lives to the Lord.
The driver we hired commented, “I have been on many missions trips, but this is the best I have ever experienced.” The builder we hired to supervise the construction gave the building an “A”. The District Superintendent, Daniel Partimo, expressed deep appreciation for the team and their hard work.
This is the first team that the Nelsons have hosted from America although we have had individuals come before. The team served with the greatest attitude and represented Christ and the Alaska District in the highest way. The Maasai people repeatedly expressed their sincere thanks for the team.
Thank you to each one who participated, those who prayed, and those who gave to make this mission possible.
6J’s

Jonathan Graduating May 2005

Jonathan is graduating this May. I still remember holding him in my arms when he was born. I remember realizing that he made me a “father.” Now I look up to catch his eyes.
In a few weeks Jonathan will board an airplane for university and life at the Nelson home will change.
Jonathan has brought his parents pride over the years. His first steps, first words, and going to school for the first time, and singing solos in the Christmas children’s choirs all have brought us joy. Leading a classmate to the Lord, speaking before groups about missions and excelling in school have all been a part of Jonathan’s accomplishments.
Recently Jonathan scored 1560 out of 1600 on his SAT. We were told that this is the highest score ever received by a student at Rosslyn Academy on the SAT. Jonathan, we are proud of you.
God has gifted Jonathan with an amazing mind. Jonathan desires to study Aeronautical Engineering.
When Jonathan was in eighth grade he read the story of R. G. LeTourneau, an inventor and engineer who designed and built earth moving equipment primarily during World War II. He was a Christian man who gave most of his income to the Lord’s work and missions.
He founded LeTourneau University after the war for veterans to learn a skill. Today LeTourneau is one of the top engineering schools in the U. S. and it maintains its strong Christian foundation.
Jonathan has been accepted and hopes to begin at LeTourneau this fall.
6J’s

Missionary Kids Put Roof on Church

The first weekend of April we led a team with Kevin and Robin McGee, MK (Missionary Kid) pastors to East Africa to put a roof on a church in Kitengela, Kenya.
Fifteen young people and seven adults spent three days at Neighborhood KAG Church building and ministering. The MK’s have followed their parents half way around the world. These MK’s see the value of their experience. They know that God has not only called their parents, but he has called them as well.
When the MK’s have the opportunity to accompany their parents on ministry opportunities, they feel a part of the ministry. This time, they were not only a part, they were the ministers. They carried materials, pounded nails, and prayed with the children in Sunday School.
The MK’s have memories from their time in ministry that they will cherish forever.
6J’s

Joelle Graduates and Goes to Evangel University

Missionary friends left Kenya last June for their itineration year. They returned this August (14 months) later. As we stood talking when they arrived from the airport they said, “We left when you had four kids at home. We came back a year later and you are down to two.” It has been quite a change seeing our kids go.
On the night Joelle flew from Nairobi to Springfield, Missouri, I wrote this note:
I remember in the movie, “Beyond the Next Mountain” the young hero being sent off by his father to school. I can only imagine the prayers and pain that father experienced as he saw his little one walk away. He travels alone through the jungle. He jumps rivers. He sleeps outdoors. He heard the night screams of animals unseen; unknown.
Tonight, our young hero is being sent off by her father to school beyond the next ocean. As you walk away from us tonight and the glass doors and glass windows separate us from you, my prayers will follow you and my heart will suffer loss. You will sleep alone on the plane tonight. You will wake in the morning on a strange continent. You will fly across a vast ocean before you arrive at your school.
But the pain is worth it all because you go to fulfill God’s plan for your life. It is not my plan, your mother’s plan or even you own plan you cross the ocean to begin. It is God’s plan. Where that plan takes you and when I cannot tell. When you return to this jungle home and how I cannot fully see, but in His time and in His way you will go forth to do all God has called and planned for you to do.
Joelle has been a parent’s joy. We are so proud of her. She was voted best role model by her class. She recently received the National AP Scholar Award. She is now attending Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri studying Nursing.
6J’s

EAST Acquires 68 Acres

East Africa School of Theology (EAST) is rapidly outgrowing its Nairobi 7 acre campus. The school has grown from 116 students in 2001 to over 430 today. For some time the Board and Administration of EAST have been looking for property for a new campus. Recently the General Superintendent, Rev. Peter Njiri, and a team from EAST was able to locate property about 25 miles out of the city. The property is 68 acres between Kitengela and Kajiado. With the help of the Lord, the land has been purchased.
The property is along “The Great North Road” that connects Cape Town, South Africa with Cairo, Egypt. Here along the longest road in Africa ministers will be trained to reach Africa with the Gospel.
On June 15 the administration and faculty of EAST went to visit the new property. I didn’t realize how big 68 acres was. After trying to accommodate over 400 students on a present campus, we rejoiced at the sight of this bountiful land.
The administrators and faculty spent time in prayer and praise as we walked the new land and informally dedicated it to the Lord. I believe that God has opened the door for the expansion of EAST because He desires greater impact through more students training at EAST. Building a new campus on the grassy plains of Africa will be a tremendous undertaking, but the same God who began the good work is able to complete it. I believe one day, students will be studying God’s Word on the barren land we stood on that day.
6J’s

New Computers for EAST

With great joy I received an email a short time ago. The email from Kirk Spain of Africa’s Hope told that he had found a donor who was willing to help EAST with the first three phases of our technology plan.
EAST desperately needs to develop the technology on the campus. Administrators and faculty didn’t have computers in the offices, the computer lab was inadequate, and we didn’t have computers for the library. We had submitted a request to Africa’s Hope detailing our desire to see that each administrator and faculty member had a computer in their office that was networked and that we would have one computer for every 20 students on campus in the labs and library.
This was a realistic goal in today’s world, but it was a lofty goal in contrast to where we were at EAST.
But, we have not because we ask not, so we asked. Then I received the email informing us that a donor was willing to provide $36,000 for the 20 computers for the administration, faculty and lab that would be networked and internet accessible. This is an answer to prayer and a the beginning of the fulfillment of the vision God put in my heart for EAST.
During the September—November 2005 term the donation became a reality.
Praise God for speaking to the heart of this donor. Thank you to this donor for responding.
6J’s

Jeff’s Five-Fold Vision at EAST

When I came into the academic dean’s office at East Africa School of Theology (EAST) in January 2005 I sought God for His vision for my work.
Five areas of vision were birthed in my heart which I pray God will help me accomplish in my time as academic dean.
My vision for the office of Academic Dean is to fulfill the academic scope of the mission statement. The Academic Dean’s office will facilitate providing a Pentecostal training centre training servant leaders for strategic global impact for Spirit-empowered service.
Should God allow, I would like to stay in the office at least four or five years in order to bring some stability and see some hurdles overcome that cannot be accomplished in the short term. Five primary areas I would like to see accomplished are; the development of programs of study, the completion of the charter with the Commission of Higher Education, the expansion of the EAST extension programs, the advancement of our technology, and the preparation for the move to our new campus.
1. . The development of programs of study has already begun. EAST ES (board) has authorized and encouraged the Counseling major at EAST. I would also recommend EAST exploring the possibility of a Mission major and Church Music and Worship major. Each program will need to be driven by a need in the market (the church of Kenya) and the ability of EAST to provide a quality program within its vision.
2. The Commission of Higher Education charter has been part of the challenge of EAST for many years. Great strides have been made over the years to get us to the place we are today. We are closer than ever to receiving the charter. A concerted effort must be made to finish our work and obtain the charter. I want to see this happen during my time in office if God allows.
3. Next, I would like to see the expansion of the EAST BA program to extension sites across Kenya and possibly to East Africa. Beginning with a site such as ICC (International Christian Center) we could pilot a program that is mutually beneficial to EAST and the site. As the pilot is successful we could expand to sites in Mombassa, Kisumu and beyond. Modeled after our existing evening and interterm programs, the extension sites could provide needed quality training for ministers who are not able to come to our residential site.
4. The advancement of our technology is vital to EAST staying on the cutting edge in training ministers. I envision the day when every administrator and faculty has a computer that is networked together and connected to the internet. I envision the day we have sufficient computers for the students to use in the labs, study areas, and library. I envision offering computer classes to all of our full time students in the first year so they can become proficient before graduating.
5. Finally, I desire to help plan for the new campus in areas that concern academics. As the facilities are planned, foresight needs to be given to the needs of the academic side of the campus. I should like to contribute to this process in order to give our students, faculty and administration the greatest opportunities to accomplish what God has called us to do.
These goals are extensive and will take more energy than I can give alone, but with the team we have at EAST in the board, administration faculty and students, I believe they can all become a reality in the next four to five years.
I believe in EAST and the team God has assembled to carry his vision forward. I look forward to serving in this office should God allow me until these goals are accomplished.
6J’s

Water in the Wilderness: The Miracle Well

When we arrived at the back side of the new campus property on June 15, 2005 we heard the story of the well that will provide water for the EAST campus.
A mile away the Kenya Assemblies of God owns a farm which provides income for the Kenya Kids Home (an orphanage for street children). A drilling company asked to drive through the farm property to get to a drilling site for a well on a neighbor’s property. Permission was granted, but the drilling truck accidentally ran into a building and knocked down a wall.
The drilling company asked how they could make it right. A quote was given on the repair of the building. The owner said that he didn’t have that kind of cash. He asked if he could dig a well in place of the cash owed. The cost of the well was much more than the building was worth.
God provided water in the desert. Before we even asked, God provided.
6J’s

Another Church Planted among Turkana

This November we had a team from the USA. They joined the East Africa School of Theology (EAST) mission team plant a church in Turkana. The team was from Sheldon Full Gospel (Wisconsin) and First Assembly of God (Minot, North Dakota).
Kakuma, Kenya is a community of about 50,000 that is host to a refugee camp of about 100,000 people from Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia.
The vision I have had for the mission team was brought to a new level on this trip. We desired to see a church planted/strengthened in a vibrant way. The goal is not just for a large number of souls to be saved, but for the church to be established.
One of the questions that typified this philosophy was the location of the crusade. If we held the crusade in the market center we knew more people would come, but not as many would become disciples and retained in the church. If we held the crusade at the new church plot about a kilometer away we may not have as big of a crowd, but more would likely return to the church after the crusade was over. We chose to have the crusade at the plot. We had prayed for 250 converts, the largest harvest our EAST mission had witnessed. When the week was over we saw 288 people come to the Lord. Of them, more than 180 came to church the Sunday after the crusade. Praise the Lord of the harvest!
Two that were saved that week were prostitutes. They both testified on Sunday morning of what God had done. The pastor called the Sunday after we left to report that one of the former prostitutes had prayed for a sick person who was healed.
6J’s

To prepare God’s people for works of service

Ephesians 4:12 says: “To prepare God’s people for works of service.” This is our theme as we minister in Africa.

East Africa School of Theology (EAST) is a Pentecostal Training Center shaping servant leaders for strategic global impact through Spirit empowered ministry. EAST has been vital in preparing ministers for Kenya and East Africa for over 25 years. EAST is growing by the hand of God to try to keep up with the phenomenal growth of the church. In 2001 EAST had 116 students. This year (2007) the enrollment is 524. Students are actively involved in student ministries and missions. Every term hundreds of people are won to the Lord through the students. Please pray for EAST as it seeks charter with the government, launches new extension sites across the country, and plants churches and conducts missions throughout East Africa. Thank you for giving to EAST. Every dollar given enables ministers to be trained to reach the lost of East Africa.

God has prepared us to teach. We are excited to go and fulfill God’s call on our lives. We are able to live in Nairobi, Kenya and teach at East Africa School of Theology (EAST).

EAST is a Bible college preparing men and women from all over East Africa for ministry. Students come from surrounding countries to become knowledgeable and effective in pastoring and ministering in their lands. They come hungry and eager to learn. They come with real questions from real life experiences wanting to learn so that they can fulfill God’s call on their lives.

The students are praying for teachers. When we visited in November of 1998 we taught a class on Romans and Galatians. The students were challenging and refreshing.

6J’s

Dying on Africa’s Soil: Prayers of a 5 Year Old Helps Save Missionary

"Mommy, pray for Miss Duncklee!” “Mommy, pray for Miss Duncklee!” Sharon Ballweber, pastor’s wife in Finley, North Dakota, felt her apron strings pulling with urgency as her five year old, Janelle, drew her attention.

Kneeling down she asked, “What do you want honey?”

“Mommy, we need to pray for Miss Duncklee. Can we pray for Miss Duncklee?” Janelle repeated.

There in a mother-daughter embrace they prayed for Miss Duncklee, a single missionary who had visited their little Assembly of God church some months before. When the amen was said, Janelle ran off to play and Sharon went about her housework for the day.

Not too long later there was a tugging again. “Mommy, pray for Miss Duncklee!” “Mommy, pray for Miss Duncklee!” Sharon knelt again and asked, “What is it, dear?”

Again Janelle insisted they pray for Miss Duncklee. Again they stopped and prayed.

This happened a number of times throughout the day. When the little girl was tucked into bed, her mother sat down and penned a letter to Miss Duncklee. “Did anything of significance happen on this date? Were you in any danger? My five year old daughter, Janelle, kept wanting to pray for you all day.”

Meanwhile, in Liberia, West Africa, a single lady missionary crossing a river had been bitten. No one saw the creature, but the physical response told everyone familiar with Liberian survival that a snake had attacked.

Two weeks later on a Friday night Miss Mildred Duncklee lay dying on the soil of Africa. She had come here to share Jesus. She knew she could give her life for these people. She knew the dangers, but must she die of the bite of a snake? There was so much more to do. “Oh God, please have somebody pray.” “I’m loosing the power to even pray for myself.”

Throughout the two weeks those with her had prayed over her poisoned body. Unable to do anything, they watched her fade. That Friday night everyone knew she was dying. Would anyone pray? Would God do the impossible?

Saturday morning came. They came to check. Miss Duncklee was not dead. She awoke well. She was healed. The battle was over and she was on the winning side. Someone had gone to the high places and done battle on her behalf. “Who was this mighty warrior?”, she wondered. “Who had God called on to pray? Whose strings had God tugged on to get their attention? With whom had God joined in a Father-child embrace on my behalf?” She may never know. But she knew that somewhere, someone had prayed and she was healed. She got up and walked thirteen hours that day to the next place she was to minister.

A Letter from Home

Some weeks later Miss Duncklee received a letter from the Ballwebers in Finley, North Dakota. Receiving personal mail from home was always a delight. The mighty prayer warrior turned out to be a five year old: A little girl with sandy blond hair. Miss Duncklee remembered Janelle. She couldn’t sit still in church during the missions presentation. But God had used a five year old to pray and save her life. Thank you God for the receptive heart of a child. Thank you God for a godly mother. Thank you God for your hand so evident.

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This story took place in 1969. Recently Janelle called Mildred (Duncklee) Flack and they visited about that special day. “Miss Duncklee” spent 31 years in Liberia. (Beside Janelle’s prayers, God had tugged on the heart of a man in a wheel chair in Butte, ND to pray). Mildred Flack now resides in New York with her husband. Now thirty-one years later, Janelle (Ballweber) Nelson and I are preparing ourselves to go to Kenya, Africa as missionaries.

6J’s