Among the Poor

"there need be no poor people among you . . .: Deuteronomy 15.4

About three years ago we launched Vineyard Economic Empowerment (veekenya.org). Vineyard Economic Empowerment (VEE) is a NGO whose main objective is form an independent, self-reliant and sustaining society through small business or enterprises. There are now 200 people involved in this effort to address poverty with 150 now making regular contribution to loan pools in their regions. Our method is called table- banking. Table-banking is a group strategy funding strategy where members of a particular group meet once a month, place their savings, loan repayments and other contributions on the table and then borrow either long term or short term loans from the pool of funds.  Two examples of this are Bridget and Gladys:

Masai Entrepreneurs

Bridget writes "I was given a loan of KES 10,000/- to do a saloon, with it I managed to buy a blow dry, basins and combs and few other items to start off. Am happy that i can now earn a living through it. Thanks to VEE."

Bridget Muhoja

Gladys says, "I was given a soft loan of KES 10,000/- by VEE which I was able to purchase the stock for my green grocer and shift from an open place to a kiosk, and now am happy that my business is doing well. Every month I have enough to feed my family and repay my loan.  It may not be much, but I have no stress like before." 

Gladys Luka

In God's kingdom finances play a vital role, but also provide a spiritual metaphor which Paul expresses in 2 Corinthians 8.9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for you sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."





Prayer Requests 
For our health
For August VSM Courses and our preparations
For the Strategic Planning process for VSM
For Karen Vineyard Church and our planning process as we grow

for the kingdom,
Doug and Sue

The Measure We Use

In Luke 6.38 Jesus says, "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." We feel like we have been positioned to measure generously and have given accordingly.

Lavington Vineyard Church's First Service

 Church Plants
The Association of Vineyard Churches Kenya, planted 5 new churches last year bringing the number in Kenya up to 75 churches. We, Karen Vineyard, planted the 76th church - the Lavington Vineyard Church - which went public on Easter Sunday. Half of the 150 people in attendance were sent by our church along with a generous measure of financing.

Teacher Edward Khaoya

VSM Africa - Kenya

People are to be the recipients of our good measure. Thanks to your generosity, leaders from fifteen churches, including non-Vineyard churches participated in April courses.  One course focused on Advocacy and Socio-Economic Justice and the other on Suffering.  Both courses were founded in Scripture and touches on issues close to the African Church's heart.  

Edward, who taught the course on Socio-Economic Justice, pastors a church near Lake Victoria which leads the community in reaching the poor and advocating for their
 rights. 

Pastor Byamungu addressing class

Pastor Byamungu
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo where Doug was raised, Byamungu now pastors a church in Nairobi which is comprised mostly of refugees.

Jane, in purple, was a first time student at VSM this term. She has recognized that her views on suffering were not entirely Biblical. She feels she has been changed by the course so that she might help to change others.







Uganda Update
We are flying to Kampala in early May to do our second series of courses. We hope to pour out a good measure to leaders from around the country.
Sue will be teaching on leaders and their finances, while Doug will be addressing leadership structures.

 

Please Pray:

For our safe travel to and from Uganda

For the Ugandan students to be transformed by the Holy Spirit

For our networking with Ugandan leaders from around the country

For discernment as we assess future investment in Uganda