Larry Conway, who works closely with the Eastleigh MITS Team on the streets in Nairobi, was invited to a prison near Kericho by a former student. With him went Samuel Mburu, who was brought to Jesus through World Bible School and is a member of the Kamulu Church. We are so proud of the Conways (see picture below) and of World Bible School for the great work done in helping Kenyans begin worship together. Also note Larry's words about new boys coming out to Kamulu and remember to pray for them - thanks!
Recently I was invited by Eric
Chepkwony to speak at the Sunday service for the Kericho prison. Kericho is
located in the highlands of Kenya, about 165 miles West of Nairobi. Eric is a
former student of mine at the Nairobi Great Commission School. The Nairobi
Great Commission School trains church leaders from all over Kenya in a two year
program so that they might be better equipped to serve Christ in their churches
and to plant new churches. After Eric graduated from the school he returned to
his home area and had the dream of working in the local prison sharing the
gospel. The prison officials were not very receptive to the idea of him
preaching there. They made it difficult
for Eric to get permission to work in the prison by requiring several documents
from the Government that were almost impossible to obtain. Eric decided to
visit a different prison, located in the town of Kericho, and to use World
Bible School correspondence materials there. The prison officials agreed that
Eric could visit the prisoners and register students in the WBS courses. After
completing the courses and assignments some of the inmates decided they wanted
to be baptized and give their lives to Christ. The prison officials told Eric
that they noticed the inmates’ behavior was more positive than before and
credited the Bible studies and Eric’s influence for their positive behavior
change. Eric faced a problem at the prison because there was no baptistery and
the inmates could not leave the prison to be baptized. So he had to build a baptistery inside the
prison. The prison officials were impressed with the life change they saw in
the inmates. They offered a small place within the prison compound where a
baptistery could be built. So far, there have been 141 inmates give
their lives to Christ and be baptized. On Sunday, 22 inmates were baptized. It
was very humbling to see men in handcuffs come to be baptized under heavy
security with armed guards watching over them. The handcuffs were removed so
they could be baptized and then immediately the handcuffs were put back on. I
saw one of the prisoners in handcuffs holding his New Testament, and I was
reminded that the gospel cannot be imprisoned. The gospel is powerful and God
calls men everywhere to repent. I experienced a lot of joy on Sunday watching
Eric, my former student, as the prison officials greeted him warmly and with
respect. Eric is a great example of a servant leader who desires to help others
come to Christ and be disciples. I was reminded of the relationship of Paul and
Timothy. Timothy began his relationship with Paul as a student of Paul’s
ministry and eventually a co-worker. I am encouraged to see former students
like Eric graduate from the Nairobi Great Commission School and then go out to
make other disciples. Equipping leaders brings me great joy and is important
for the growth of the church.
At Made in the Streets we will be
rescuing 8 boys from the streets very soon and they will go to Kamulu and begin
their lives there as students. It is always a great day when we see boys leave
the streets and go to live at Kamulu and get a new start in life. We continue
to go out to the streets of Nairobi and share the good news that Jesus loves
them and their sins can be forgiven. Thank you for all that you do that makes
it possible for the ministry to continue.
Larry Conway
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