New Beginnings

We are just getting started in this new year and already we have had several "New Beginnings" to share with you. Thankfully the ministries we have been involved in are continuing as usual, but it feels like the Lord is stretching us in good ways and leading us in new ways!

Isaac returned to school at RVA in Kenya on the first Monday in January. We are back into our regular schedule with Elaina, Sam, and Katie. Jennifer is nearing the end of her online course work to renew her nursing license. Jennifer and the girls will be returning to the US (Raleigh, NC) in the first week of February for approximately 2 months for her clinicals (hospital work). We both believe the Lord is leading her to get her masters in midwifery as the next step. A new and exciting direction for Jennifer that we are all excited about!

Before we reopened the maktaba for the new year, we repaired the stone walkway between us and the road. The previous one was built too low and was buried in sand and mud. We raised the new one up and put drainage pipes under it for the water to pass. It was good to do some "manual" labor with my hands for a change!

One of the "New Beginnings" is we started this year at a very small village church (KIZENGA) about 30 minutes away from Kigoma. There is no building, a few benches, treacherous roads if it rains, and a creek to cross in the car to get there! A true village experience! We really enjoy coming out there and feel like we are meeting a need as there is a tremendous need for teaching and encouragement.

Another "New Beginning" is a huge answer to prayer as the purchase of a plot of land went through this past week for the building of a youth camp here in Ujiji. This plot was 3 acres, and the plot next to it is for sale which is 2 acres. We felt like 5 acres would be enough for what we believe the Lord is leading us to do. We will begin the process of purchasing that plot next.

We are really excited about Camp NURU and how the Lord will use this for the many children and youth in this area and beyond. There is yet lots is work to do and much prayer needed for this project, but the purchase of this first plot is a huge encouragement to us! We appreciate your prayers for Camp NURU!

My friend Pagi and I are continuing to visit different areas in town and in the villages each week and give a paintboard presentation of the Gospel. This past week was not so much a "New Beginning", but definitely a FIRST! We went to a village that Pagi had been to that is really far from the main roads and he noticed there was no church nor mosque. So we decided to bring the Gospel to them! The catch was, we had to cross a river on a canoe with a motorcycle! Let me just show you :)

Obviously I survived to tell the story and preach the Gospel, but the boat almost tipped over midway across the river 😱! I asked them if they had ever lost a motorcycle in the river, but of course they said no.

We are continuing to visit house to house with the Gospel in Ujiji each week. Recently we stumbled upon a house with a shady moonshine bar in their fenced in back yard area. The owner/operator gave us all permission to share the Gospel with all who were there and he even announced to the intoxicated group of guys that they needed to listen to what we had to say.

Most were pretty receptive, but a few did want debate or argue. A few were too intoxicated to even understand what was going on, but many were listening intently as I shared my testimony with them and then Pagi & Saidi shared the Gospel. The owner/operator even invited us back each week if we wanted! Only the Lord opens doors and hearts!

Lots of NEW things coming, NEW experiences, and NEW direction. The maktaba is continuing on with all of it's different ministries (Emmaus courses, Gospel films, books, Bibles). The schools started their new year this past week, and we are looking forward to getting back to our 2 schools each week with Bible lessons.

We really appreciate your prayers and support for the work here in Kigoma & Ujiji! We are encouraged at all the Lord is doing here and by the many opportunities He has given us.

~ The Kinlaws