The Anglican Development Services CONNECTED CHURCH ADSMKE The Anglican Development Services of Mount Kenya East

IS THIS NOT GOD? February 2017

What resources has God given you? Notes to leader: Use this question or another question as a way to get people engaged in the story. Ask people to talk to the person next to them, and ask for feedback if you think it is appropriate. QUESTION: What resources has God given you? Are there any that are un-used or under-used? Any that he wants you to use, nuture or invest in?

Patrick felt like a failure Patrick felt like a failure. He could not pay school fees for his children or feed them well. He resigned himself to thinking that this was how his life should be. Patrick felt like a failure. He said, ‘Our life was very difficult. We had no peace and I used to fight with my wife because of lack of money. I felt deep pain in my heart. I felt embarrassed, and despised myself because I was not able to provide for my family. I could not pay school fees for our children or feed them well. My brothers despised me. I felt like a failure. I harvested 1 or 2 bags of maize and 4kg of beans from one acre and had resigned myself to thinking that this was how my life should be.

As they discovered God’s plans, purposes and potential for their lives, their maize harvest multiplied and they were able to buy a cow and grow other crops. A new pastor began the Church and Community Mobilisation Process with their dwindling and divided church, and Patrick and his wife started praying and reading the Bible together. As they discovered God’s plans, purposes and potential for their lives, their maize harvest multiplied and they were able to buy a cow and grow other crops.

The church has grown from 60 to 230 members and is now vibrant. ‘With our income we are improving our house by installing electricity and water. I am happy that we can now afford good meals, clothes, and educate our children.’ The church has grown from 60 to 230 members and is now vibrant. Patrick says, ‘With our income we are improving our house by installing electricity and water. I am happy that we can now afford good meals, new clothes, and educate our children. The church has grown from 60 to 230 members and is now vibrant.

Here is Patrick with his maize crop that increased from 1 or 2 bags each harvest to 8 bags. Patrick has big dreams for his family’s future and plans to buy another piece of land to grow fruit to supply big markets.

‘God has been very faithful and we can never thank him enough. This all happened because we learnt from the CCMP Bible studies what God’s plan for mankind is.’ ‘God has been very faithful to us and we can never thank him enough. This happened because we learnt from the CCMP Bible studies what God’s plan for mankind is.’

PATRICK’S PRAYER POINTS Please pray that God will continue to give my wife and I wisdom Please pray for my family in all our endeavours, and for our pastor, church and community as we continue on this journey Patrick’s Prayer Points Please pray that God will continue to give my wife and I wisdom. Please pray for my family in all our endeavours, and for our pastor, church and community as we continue on this journey.