News From the Dyars...

Greetings from beautiful Redding!

Fall is here, and it’s coming was anything but subtle. Day before yesterday was in the mid 90’s, yesterday was in the 80’s, today low 70’s, tomorrow’s high predicted to be 63! Finally in Mark’s comfort zone.

Kenya

What a wonderful trip! In country 10 days, ministered 12 times in 4 churches and 2 leaders meetings. Whew! But oh, so worth it! These folks are so hungry for more: more Presence, more Kingdom, more LIFE! The enthusiasm for the teachings was incredible, the idea of doing church more like family really struck a chord. Leaders that knew something was missing, something different was needed, found some answers and ways to implement change. But all did not go as planned.

There was an unsettling turn of events. Not everything (or everyone) is as it seems and that is the case with Mathew, the pastor with whom we had been working. But the good news is, God used what the enemy intended to thwart us against him and we’re now connected with not one but 3 wonderful men of God; men with stellar reputations and an eagerness to work for the Kingdom. Gordon Onyango and Job Ogwangwa are Kenyan pastors who are full of love for the Lord and His people. David Taylor is a resident missionary with deep ties to the community and a heart open to anything the Father is doing. All three of these men helped on this trip and have commited to working with us in the future.

Nairobi

Entering the Church in Nairobi

Preaching with Interpreter

Praying for Interpreter

More Preaching

Mark arrived Saturday night and preached in Nairobi Sunday morning. He shared a message he calls, “Breaking the Shackles of Shame.” This word began to work deeply on his translator and she asked if she could share. She had gotten pregnant out of wedlock and her mother tried to force her to have an abortion. She was carrying a ton of shame, but the operative word here is was. God broke through, her healing began and an entire congregation witnessed the grace of God made manifest through them! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as the Spirit moved to heal deep, debilitating wounds. Wonderful to watch captives being set free! But the best part was seeing the change in this young woman the next day. Her entire contenance had changed, the downcast eyes, the sense of resignation, the fear...gone! Instead there was a young lady full of joy and hope and a sense of belonging. Jesus had met her at the point of her deepest wound and healed it!

The next two sessions were a bit anticlimactic. But the messages on the Bride of Christ and Kingdom culture hit their mark and sparked a desire to see His will done “on earth as it is in Heaven”! We’re looking forward to getting the future reports from this church and hearing what the Father is doing in their midst.

Jiggers

You’re probably wondering (like Mark did) what in the world are jiggers!? Jiggers are a blight on Kenya right now, and an outbreak is in full swing. These parasites are a sandflea that burrows into the skin of the host to lay its eggs. the results can be devistating. Blood poisoning, tetanus and gangrene, even death can be the result. Amputation is sometimes the only alternative for the victim. 

Kisii, where Mark ministered to a group of pastors and leaders, is suffering an outbreak of jiggers right now. It costs approximately $25.00 per person to treat this horrific disease. The need is dire and immediate. We would like to raise $1000.00 to help these folks deal with this. Please prayfully consider this need.

Thanks for all you do, your faithful prayers and generosity are deeply appreciated and needed. Without you we couldn’t reach these that so desperately need the Gospel of Christ.

Yours for the Kingdom,

Mark and Julie