The SEED – February 2023 – Share International

The SEED – February 2023

Posted February 23, 2023

In The SEED Newsletters of 2023

February 2023

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it..”

– Isaiah 55:11

In January the SHARE Team traveled to two zones to follow up with 3 churches that were planted in 2022 – Koelribo & Kaekoroengorok Villages in Nayada Zone, and Atalokomusio Village in Lorugum Zone. The Team carried out training and encouraged the Champions.

The three churches are growing through the use of the Audio Bible and teaching the DMM methodology of making disciples that make disciples of others. Two new Lighthouses were formed in Kaekoronengorok Village, one in Atalokomusio Village. The church in Atalokomusio has also planted a new church in nearby Ng’akainon Village!

The Team also held an open air meeting in Atalokomusio Village, and screened The Jesus Film in nearby Kakiyok Village, Lorogum Zone and Napeidukan Village, Nayada Zone. Results:

Total Attendance: 1,270

Saved: 186

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Screening The Jesus Film in Kakiyok Village, Lorugum Zone

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SHARE Director, Dalmas Esekon, teaching the people in Koelribo Village, Nayada Zone

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SHARE Staffer, Mary Esinyen, doing DMM recap with the children in Koelribo Village, Nayada Zone

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Monitor Silas Ekomwa teaching a class in Atalokamusia Village, Lorugum Zone

In the video below, Monitor Peter Esinyen from Lorugum Zone shares the impact of DMM in his area

There are currently 88 Young Women in Turkana involved in a Lighthouse, and 87 of those are Champions! A total of 60 of them have their own Audio Bible which helps them share the Good News of Jesus with their peers. This is a small number compared to those that regularly attend services. That number is around 5,700! The attendance in Lighthouses has slowly been decreasing due to famine and drought.

Many young women are married at a very young age. They ask that you pray with them that they would continue to grow in their faith. Many could also benefit from some vocational training.

On a positive note, 131 young women accepted Christ and 34 baptized in January! At least 85 young women also led others to Christ!

SHARE Staffer, Sarah Esekon, sharing the DMM methodology with young women

Since beginning of January, there have been insecurity issues on the main route to Toposaland in South Sudan, especially at the border crossing Township of Nadapal. The SHARE missionaries to Toposaland and other Kenyans using this route are not safe. They have been held back in Kenya until this issue deescalates. Please pray that that happens soon so the Team can return to their mission field.

Sunday School & Education/Training for children and youth 5-7 days a week has now begun at the Sending Center in Wapet Village, Kalobeyei Zone! Integral to the curriculum will be the established and proven contextualized DMM Methodology. While the pupils wait for provision of desks and school supplies, they are happy sitting on the floor reciting their lessons. Already, they are learning to count to 50, recite the alphabet, read simple words, sing, and play games. They are grateful to have a dedicated and trained teacher, Sammy Lokir!

One hard fact is that many people in Wapet have to walk at least 4 miles (7 kms) to fetch water, often digging the dry riverbeds to reach scanty water. That means much of the time the children have no water to drink or cook their food.

Construction of the next Sending Center in Namorukirionok Village in Kalobeyei Zone will begin soon. Land has now been donated to SHARE by the residents.

Teacher, Sammy Lokir, singing with his class

TESTIMONY

My name is Alice Apua. I am 11 years old, and I am from Wapet Village in Kalobeyei Zone. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior in 2021, and I love Jesus! I attend school at the Wapet Village Sending Center. I have learned that God wants us to worship Him. I do this by singing praises to Him and praying. At the school, I have also learned to count from 1 – 20. My favourite parts of the day are when we sing praises to God and listen to the Word of God in our class.

(The completed Sending Centers are marked in red.)

PRAISES

Fast-growing Church in Nayada & Lorugum Zones
Classes have started and a teacher provided at the Sending Center in Wapet Village
Construction of the Sending Center in Namorukirionok Village beginning soon
Good health for all the SHARE Staff and Motivators/Missionaries
Time the Toposaland missionaries spent with their families in January

REQUESTS

All the Motivators/Missionaries and Evangelists shepherding the many churches in Turkanaland and Toposaland
Champions in Turkanaland and Toposaland to establish solid DMM Lighthouses
Safety for the Toposaland Missionaries as they make their way back to South Sudan following the recent skirmishes at the Kenya/South Sudan border
Next-Gen ministry in Kalobeyei & Kachoda to increase and spread, construction of the remaining 10 Next-Gen Sending Centers, and availability of clean water for all the Sending Centers
Turkana young women to continue to grow in their faith and share their faith with others
Deliverance for those addicted to illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
Moderate rainfall in Turkanaland to eradicate prevalent drought and famine, which is forcing families to migrate away from their home Churches/Lighthouses
Peace between the Turkana and the Pokot tribes along the Kalemng’orok and Lokori Zones’ borders
Discernment and guidance as SHARE begins entry among the largely unreached Nyang’atom people of Ethiopia this year
Comfort and strength for the family of the late Motivator Joshua Kinyanjui of Kalemng’orok Zone; Joshua was called to heaven early this month

Financial Update

We invite you to join the SHARE fraternity in celebrating God’s financial provision through His people in 2022. He used you to give generously, enabling us to do “the work the LORD commanded to be done” (Exodus 36:5). You gave more than we have witnessed since the inception of the ministry over 25 years ago. The 2022 budget of $800K was met! Hallelujah!

We reached more villages and put the Word of God in form of Audio Bibles in the hands of hundreds of people in Turkanaland and Toposaland. Hundreds surrendered their lives to Christ as Savior! Hundreds were baptized! Hundreds are making disciples that make disciples of others! Even with multiple challenges, the Word of God is spreading like wildfire across the region. Yes! His Word “will not return to (Him) empty, but will accomplish what (He) desires”! It will “achieve the purpose for which (He) sent it.”

We believe the Lord is encouraging and challenging us to continue staying true north – to provide more tools to facilitate reaching many more unreached (“lost”) pockets of people for whom He died to save. May He use all of us to do even more in 2023. Our budget for 2023 is set at $900K. To reach our 1st quarter goal, $118,400 is still needed. Jehovah Jireh!

~ Sammy Murimi, Founder