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Father Never Tires of Transforming Touches!
Time after time we have witnessed the incredible love of our Father working powerfully
to transform the lives and villages of the people of East Africa! [Please sample
some of our previous mission trip reports at www.fatherstouch.org.] This latest trip in March 2007 to
Kenya "raised the bar" yet again for our expectation and belief for amazing displays
of healing and salvation in crowds of people that hunger for a touch from this God
who has a "reputation" for the miraculous!
In the crowds on the fields of our Freedom Festivals, in the slums of Nairobi,
in hospitals and in teaching seminars, and even in remote homes on the steep hillsides
of the mountainous region of Taita, the Father showed his extravagant love in a
myriad of ways that forever change lives and bring hope to many others who hear
the testimonies long after we have returned home.
Yet again, the powerful miracles of healing and salvation that our team witnessed
on this trip have truly "wrecked us beyond recognition;" both the "rookies" and
the veterans reached new levels of amazement in God!
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Salvation on the streets!
Everyone gets involved!
During our time of door-to-door witnessing everyone on the team got involved! Here
are the three ladies on our team together with an interpreter ministering to a woman
(seated) in the slums of Dandora. FTM veteran Annie Lozano (to the left of the seated
lady) hails from Brownsville, TX. Mary Welch (standing) from Butler, PA, braved
the Dandora sun, and FTM Associate Minister Jessica Nakibuule (to the right of the
seated lady) from Kampala, Uganda, felt right at home ministering in neighboring
Kenya.
Annie's infectious laughter was a delight to the whole team as she contributed her
good humor and considerable expertise (this was her third trip with FTM) in healing
ministry to help us reach many during this amazing outreach. Once again, the team
felt that this daytime ministry was near to the heart of Jesus, especially since
the Holy Spirit was with each member in power! Many were saved and healed in just
a few short hours! Praise God for his desire to reach those who feel "forgotten!"
There is a need for sun block, however, in the hot African sun, especially for white
boys from Canada! Most of the team had a new appreciation for being near the equator!
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Miracles and authority – an effective combination!
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The first night of our Dandora Freedom Festival launched an amazing crescendo of
outpouring from our compassionate Father and increasing joy of the people as they
received hundreds of his miracle "touches!" We are often experiencing the eagerness
of God to heal his people, as he shows himself strong on their behalf, and this
Festival was no exception as he healed the first three blind people called up on
the platform on our very first night! God is not afraid to invade and show us his
miracle-working power, as unbelief bows its knee to the glorious name of Jesus!
Still, the team felt that there was significant resistance in the form of unbelief
and confusion that had a powerful grip on the people of this impoverished region.
So, on the third night Owen broke the power of confusion over the people as he preached
the Gospel, and we witnessed a breakthrough presence of the Lord that continued
to build for the rest of the Festival!
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Field becomes a fountain!
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Because of the increasing attendance at the Festivals each night and the wonderful
displays of God's mercy and saving grace, I felt that we would have an incredible
pinnacle of celebration of joy on the fifth and last night. Guess what? The crowd
didn't wait for me!
Even at the beginning of the fourth night of the Festival, the crowd was incredibly
charged compared to the previous nights, and an atmosphere of joy was palpable as
the people danced and shouted with abandon during our praise and worship time!
So what should we do when the crowd "jumps the gun' and has a party before our
"agenda" calls for it? Yep, jump in the "river" with them and don't hold them back!!
I felt that the Lord wanted me to change the name of the Festival field to "Fountain
of Joy" ("Chemichemi ya Furaha" in Kiswahili). As I waited for the introductions
of the local pastors on the platform to be completed, and for my opportunity to
preach the Good News on the fourth night, I asked the Lord to help me be sure about
the name change. A few seconds later, the pastor with the microphone was speaking
in Kiswahili and shared the name of his local church with the crowd: "Chemichemi
ya Furaha!" That's right, his church is named Fountain of Joy Church! When that
phrase reached my ears, I realized that the Father had given me all the confirmation
I needed! Our God is awesome with his encouragement!
The celebration of joy in the crowd reached new levels as I took the microphone
and announced the new name of the Festival field! Joy erupted from the field and
spilled over the community within earshot! The news of the miracles and joy among
the people spread wide because of the party the Lord decided to throw early!
The next night the crowd swelled to over 2000!
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What's in a handkerchief?
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Just when we think we've pushed the "edge of the envelope" by using the amazing
grace we've been given to believe for outrageous miracles, our Father reaches out
to "touch" our limited thinking and stretch us beyond what we have experienced before!
This Dandora Festival was no exception! On the 5th and final night, in the crowd
that had swelled to over 2000 expectant people already rejoicing, there were many
new faces that were filled with hope of a healing touch from their heavenly Father!
I had prayed that day for confirmation from the Lord of my sense that he wanted
to display his incredible love through the activated faith of the people on the
field! I felt that he wanted the people to believe that he could heal through the
prophetic waving of handkerchiefs, based on the testimony of our earlier Festivals
in Bukura market in Western Kenya (Summer 2006) and Lugazi Village, Uganda (December
2006). [See the reports of those two trips on our website at www.fatherstouch.org
].
In both of those prior Festivals, the Lord anointed hundreds of handkerchiefs
and scarves that were held up in faith, according to the similar phenomena in Acts
19:11-12. As the people prayed for healing to be released by faith as they laid
their handkerchiefs on the sick in those two locations just a few months before,
entire crowds were healed!!
Now, I believed that the Lord would back up the commands of the people in the
crowd to banish sickness as they waved their handkerchiefs in the air, even without
the cloths actually touching the sick!
Outrageous? Maybe! But we have an outrageous God!
Of course, it helps to have confirmation as we believe for outrageous things
from our Father, so I prayed for some sign from him, as I waited on the platform
for my introduction as the speaker. I happened to be sitting next to Rosemarie Njage,
a gifted singer and soloist who was scheduled to lead the crowd in worship and praise
that night. I leaned over to her and asked her if she was planning to sing a song
with the crowd that involved waiving handkerchiefs in the air, and she looked at
me in amazement and said "Why, yes! How did you know?" I asked her to postpone that
song until I gave her a cue during my preaching time.
That helped my confidence! But my Father wanted me to be absolutely sure, so he
gave me another sign I didn't expect! Our local organizer, Bishop Ben Kiunjuri,
had the microphone just a few minutes later, as he was greeting the crowd and preparing
to introduce me. All of a sudden he pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket, waived
it in the air, and exhorted the crowd to do the same! I didn't know he was going
to do that, and I hadn't mentioned anything to him about the Lord's plan for "handkerchief
healing!"
I could hardly wait for my chance to encourage the crowd! I shared from the
Scripture about the handkerchiefs that had touched Paul, and testimony of our previous
experience in Africa with "handkerchief healing" and then encouraged the crowd to
hold up their handkerchiefs or scarves as I prayed for the healing power of God
to be activated by their faith!
Then I encouraged everyone that needed a healing touch from the Father to raise
their hands so everyone could see the great need among the brothers and sisters.
Then I asked all those with the newly-anointed handkerchiefs and cloths to join
me in waving them in the air and commanding the sickness and disease to leave every
body on the field now called Chemichemi ya Furaha. As they did so, many people got
excited because they were being healed by the power of God that was released during
this prophetic act!
When we asked if anyone still needed healing, only five raised their hands out
of a crowd of over 2000. So I asked those five to come up to the platform, and as
our team prayed for them, they were set free!! Praise God for his faithfulness to
touch everyone in need!
I gave Rosemarie her cue and she led the crowd in the song that involved waving
their handkerchiefs! I found out later that the meaning of that act was that they
were waving the victory flag of Jesus! Praise God!
With these amazing displays of the Father's love for the people of Dandora and
other regions, we must resist the temptation to think too much of the "handkerchief
healing ministry!" We worship the Author of the miracles, not the instruments he
uses!
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Nothing a little "touch" can't "cure!"
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On our last night in Kenya, we had time to stop at the famous Thorn Tree Restaurant
in Nairobi for our "traditional" celebration dinner for the team and local hosts
before departing for home. Bishop Ben was seated next to me and he could hardly
wait to tell me about a woman who had attended the Dandora Festival on the 4th night
(Saturday) and then searched him out a few days later to share her incredible testimony.
Here is Ben's written version I received just a few days ago (slightly edited for
clarity):
"One of the outstanding miracles was about a young lady, a single mother of
2 by the name Rosemary W. who was a bar maid, who came to the festival on Saturday
the 10th of March. At first she didn't believe what God was doing in the Festival.
She thought those who gave testimonies of healing and the miracles they received
from God were fake and that we had paid them to lie.
But because she was not very sure about it, she decided to prove herself whether
she was right or wrong. She had a tumor in her secret part which was so paining
and she had tried to get help from the hospital but was expected to pay a lot of
money for the operation. She said in her heart I will go forward to be prayed for.
‘God, if you will heal me I will serve you forever; if not, I will not believe them.'
Therefore she came forward and was prayed for, and received Christ as her Saviour.
On Sunday she realized that the tumor was dying slowly and on Monday it was no more!
Praise God!
She was completely healed and we prayed for God to provide a better job for
her on Monday. Surprisingly enough on Tuesday she was employed as a nursery school
teacher!
Our God is truly God."
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Short safari refreshes team!
While the miracles continued in Dandora, our team traveled southeast through the
Tzavo National Park and experienced the beauty of the Kenyan countryside as well
as up close viewing of lots of animals that are common to the region.
We had time to laugh at Owen's novel modeling of his safari hat, as well as appreciate
his willingness to help our driver and guide change a flat tire in the middle of
nowhere! [The identity of the lazy photographer betrayed by his shadow will remain
undisclosed!]
These elephants had just been in a mud bath (hence the slight reddish color of their
hides) and decided it was time for a snack just a few feet from our road!
While on a short walk from a parking spot to a hippo-viewing underwater tank in
a river, we spotted this monkey family taking a breather from tree swinging! The
little guy is only a few weeks old!
We also ran into a large herd of "mzungubeast" (mzungu means "white person" in Kiswahili),
with males of the species coming out of their "shells" that sport 4 round "legs!"
Members of this species have been known to migrate for thousands of miles, even
traversing huge bodies of water, in order to find relatives!
 Mary decided
to brave the road for photographer's perspective as Owen and Annie stretched during
our ride to Mbale Village in the region of Taita.
 During
our safari breaks, the team really "roughs it" at the safari lodges where we stay
overnight. Here is FTM Associate Minister Jessica Nakibuule relaxing after sunset
on a lodge balcony in Tzavo National Park. She is smiling because she knows the
team is about to have a scrumptious "all-you-can-eat" meal at the lodge dining hall,
complete with excellent service by very joyful and attentive waiters! Suffering
for Jesus!
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Sharing the Gospel in the mountains of Taita!
Our safari drivers graciously helped us re-connect with our advance team headed
by FTM Associate Nobby Nyata near our next destination, his home village of Mbale
in the beautiful, mountainous region of southeastern Kenya known as Taita.
Nobby's parents welcomed us to their home and we enjoyed several days of Kenyan
hospitality. Nobby's dad, Reggie, is standing next to Annie in this photo, and Mama
Nobby is standing next to Jessica, who is sipping chai (tea). We enjoyed great cooking
by Mama Nobby, Sister Agnes from Nobby's church, and beautiful sisters from Nobby's
extended family.
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Take a hike!
Freedom at the Festival!
We encountered a wonderful hunger in the people of Mbale for more of Jesus! Many
of the villagers received Christ as their Savior and Lord during our four nightly
outdoor Festivals.
Especially touching were the dozens of youth who were very eager to know Jesus!
After praying with us for salvation, they gathered behind the platform after the
altar calls to receive further instruction from local pastors on how to grow in
the Kingdom!
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Adoption of one or dozens
Learning young!
Here is a little girl learning to carry water on her head! She will someday be able
to balance loads as she walks, just like the mamas in the village.
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Anointed Handkerchiefs, Again!
On the third night we felt led once again to pray for the Lord's healing anointing on handkerchiefs and to lay them on the heads of everyone who was sick. We decided to make our own cloth segments from material purchased earlier in the day and we had just enough. Many were healed that night and were encouraged to take their cloths home and pray for loved ones who couldn't make it to the Festival grounds. We received reports that several were healed this way, as the people acted in faith through prayer!
We also released holy fire of the Spirit through the crowd on the fourth and final night of our Festival in Mbale! Many were touched by the Lord's presence and were encouraged to press in even more for the Kingdom of heaven to invade their village and region! Mbale Village is being transformed by the loving touch of the Father who watches over his beloved children and helps them do mighty exploits for their Kingdom! May every village in Africa experience the powerful presence of the Lord in increasing measure!
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Asante sana!
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We would like to say, "Asante sana!" ["Thank you very much!"] to our Freedom Festival
organizers and hosts in Kenya: Bishop Ben Kiunjuri and Pastor Nobby Nyata (Dandora
Festival), and also Pastor Davis Magiri in Mbale who helped Nobby with the local
arrangements. We also are thankful for the countless other volunteers who made our
ministry fruitful and delightful! Their rewards are indeed great in heaven!
Someone is waiting for you!
Come join us on a Father's Touch adventure in Africa with Abba! Visit our
website for information about upcoming Freedom Festival trips and our ministry to
the fatherless. Or if you can't join us, but you have been touched by the few examples
you've read about in this report and would like to help support our expanding ministry
in Africa, please visit our website
www.fatherstouch.org to find out how to do so online, or you can mail a
tax-deductible donation check directly to:
The Father's Touch Ministries 21213-B Hawthorne Blvd. #5326 Torrance, CA 90503
The impact that you can have in Africa is enormous, because the Father is
multiplying our efforts tremendously through the encouragement and equipping of
local ministers in the regions we visit. Please consider making a contribution to
support our local ministry teams – they depend almost entirely on the generosity
of their caring Brothers and Sisters in the West! May the Lord Jesus richly bless
you [Bwana Yesu akubariki sana!] as you rejoice with us in all the heavenly touches
of our Father!
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One of the favorite outreaches for our TouchTeams in Africa is to "hit the streets"
to reach the people right where they live and work. On our first day of outreach,
we braved the hot Nairobi sun to walk through the slums of the Dandora region and
witness to dozens of people who were eager to listen to the Gospel of hope and salvation.
Team member Owen Moore from Langley, B.C., is shown here sharing his heart with
ladies at an outdoor beauty parlor. Owen's passion for the lost took him boldly
into shops and homes throughout the slum and many lives were transformed by his
infectious enthusiasm for Jesus and the good news of the Lord's love for everyone!
Not only did many give their lives to Christ, but also we witnessed the amazing
healing hand of the Father touch several that were left in somewhat of a "shock"
that God actually heals those who may have thought they were "forgotten!" When our
team encountered the sick we tried to pray for as many as possible, believing that
as we stepped out in faith, our Father would act in power to display his compassion
in tangible ways! Many were instantly delivered of various infirmities and diseases
as our team members used their hands and hearts to convey the Father's mercy and
healing!
Our hearts were warmed by the occasional oasis of the Lord's presence, as exemplified
by this doorway expression of the proprietor's belief in this awesome truth of the
Kingdom!
Perhaps some of the many watoto [children] [shown here in front of the Dandora Festival
crowd] who gave their lives to Christ will one day display similar signs on their
shop doors!
We had asked our organizers to schedule a daytime outreach of door-to-door evangelism
and prayer in the village of Mbale. Little did we realize that we would be hiking
on very steep terrain to get to some of the houses!
Here is the view that Mary enjoyed while visiting with one mama who has a house
perched on the hillside.
During our hike I welcomed a stop to rest and catch my breath while we delivered
a local lady from demonic torment. [All in a day's hike!]
We also encountered the local witch doctor, so I enjoyed praying for him to know
Jesus intimately as his Savior and to be healed from all infirmity. PTL!
We prayed for another mama at her home along the trail and she was very happy to
be free of hip pain, especially since she hadn't been able to hike the mountain
for quite some time! Now she will climb like she used to!
When one sinner repents, all the angels rejoice and we do too! And we rejoice just
as much when lots of people are gathered into the Kingdom by the loving arms of
our Fathers.
Steve, Owen, and Jessica all took turns preaching in Mbale from the makeshift platform,
and everyone helped pray with folks on the field each night as well.
Here is some of our "team waiting on the bench" near the platform for hands-on prayer
time with the people, as Owen is preaching the Gospel! If we look a little tired,
it's in spite of good preaching – we had very hot weather in Mbale!
Owen's preaching was so good that even a rooster paid attention!
Our wonderful organizer and host, Pastor Nobby, preferred to stay in the background
a bit as the team ministered to his beloved fellow villagers. But good worship music
was too tempting and he took up makeshift drumming during the Sunday service in
a local church!