Mignon
McLaughlin wrote, “Hope is the feeling we have that the feeling we have is not
permanent.” Sometimes hope needs to be seen and felt. It needs to be
demonstrated. Jesus both proclaimed and demonstrated the kingdom of God and
thus gave people hope. We are called to do the same whether it be in
alleviating poverty by starting businesses or teaching people to pray.
Vineyard Economic Empowerment in Uganda
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| Baking in a charcoal oven |
John
Gitau (seated far right), who leads the Economic Empowerment Program Doug
started four years ago was in Uganda recently training people how to start
businesses. John is both a pastor and an accountant for a business. Rather than just leave the training
theoretical, John had people demonstrate.
The cake John is holding was made by a woman (Eva in the pink shirt) who
started a bakery and the green liquid soap is the product of a man who has
started his own detergent company. The cake was made using a homemade charcoal oven! When people can see what can be accomplished
with a small loan they find hope and encouragement.
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| Making Green Detergent |
Empowerment through Prayer
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| Hands on. |
Most
churches in Kenya are run by Pastors who do everything in their churches will
their people observe. Our goal is to get them out of their seats and believe that
they too were created for ministry. When Doug arrived for this seminar seen in
the photos, the room was heavy with people oppressed by poverty and
hopelessness. In this meeting it took Doug about 30 minutes to convince the
people attending this seminar that they too could hear God and pray for people.
By the end of the morning 90% of the attendees had experienced the work of the
Holy Spirit and had prayed for someone else.
Quite a number were healed as people’s giftedness was activated. By the
end of the seminar the heaviness had lifted and people had a renewed sense of
hope because they were part of the solution.
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| Everyone involved. |
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| Well done team! |
Paul wrote to Timothy, “That is why we labor and
strive, because we have put our hope in
the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who
believe.” (1 Timothy 4.10)
Please Pray:
For our
safety and protection
For Sue,
the Administrator of Vineyard School of
Ministry, as she coordinates our program with Daystar University.
For Doug’s
meetings with the Vineyard International Board in London later this month.
For Karen
Vineyard Church as it grows and prepares to plant another international church
across town.
