Far Reaching Ministries Blog
“Not I, but the grace of God in me” 1 Corinthians 15:10
Thank you for all of your prayers. As the year ended, the Lord showed Himself strong on our behalf and we were able to finish strong. Although it was a challenging month (juggling the administration of the church, the Bible College and nearly an entire month of sickness among my family while Pastor Dave and Pastor Eric were in the States on furlough) it was awesome to see God’s grace in action. We know that without your faithfulness in prayer, we would not be empowered to do all that the Lord has set before us here.
Our Family
On one of the healthy days of December, the
boys and mama made and frosted our traditional
gingerbread Christmas cookies and the boys made
Christmas cards for all the children of various
religious and cultural backgrounds in the apartment
complex where we live. On Christmas morning,
fired-up on a sugar-high, Clay and Joram
cheerfully went door to door delivering the
Christmas message with the cookies and cards they had made …
During this time of the year many of the Kenyans traditionally travel “up country” (back to their villages) to visit family. Restricted financially, many of our church members remained behind, with nowhere else to go, whom received an invitation to our home for Christmas dinner. We had a great time of fellowship and prayer.
A quick praise report:
Ezra
started not only walking and trying to communicate with lots of clear signs and word-sounds this month, but also making “poo poos” in the toilet! Yea!Ministries
Arie was able to give more attention to needed individual discipleship through fellowship with our church members being that most of the ministries were shut down during the Christmas season (since many of the members are “up country” during this time of year).
Pre-marital counselling:
Arie was able to give more attention to needed individual discipleship through
fellowship with our church members being that most of the ministries were shut down
during the Christmas season (since many of the members are “up country” during this
time of year).
Pre-marital counselling:
Together, Nasiema and I, during the month of December, were privileged to
sit with a young couple in our home and walk them through pre-marital counselling
issues.
Christmas party:
Far Reaching Ministries generously financially blessed CC
Nairobi so that on the Sunday before Christmas, we were able to
host a special Christmas party. We encouraged them to see this as
an opportunity for them to invite neighbours whom do not attend
any other church that they may join us for a special Christmas meal
and hear the gospel message. We were able to serve about 300
people. Praise God!
Death:
Death seems to be all too prevalent. Africa is a harsh place to live. At the
beginning of the New Year, Arie officiated his first 2 funerals for the death of a four
month baby and also for a young mother who lost her life. Sobered, we have been
encouraged to seize the opportunities to share about the intimate relationship our
holy God and loving Creator desires with each one of us, gained only through
forgiveness of our sins, accomplished when Jesus Christ died for us on the cross
and rose 3 days later...He offers eternal life to all that would simply believe in the
work of Jesus Christ and put their trust in Him alone. What a fantastic gift God
has offered to us all! We know we cannot withhold such vital and good news with
the reality in mind that we might not ever have opportunity see individuals and loved
ones again.
Thank you again for co-labouring with us for the gospel’s sake. We are truly grateful for each of your sacrifice made so that our family may be here in Nairobi to serve our Lord.
Happy New Year!
By His grace, for His glory,
The Ramirez Family
Arie, Nasiema, Clay, Joram, and Ezra
Psalm 73:25-26