Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Hello all our friends around the world,
There may not be snow on the ground and few Christmas lights here in Kenya but there is still a feel of the miracle of Christmas because of the assurance we have in Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas to each of you! We pray that you feel Christ’s love this season. Hold your families close and read the Christmas story together and remember the sacrifice God made to send His son. This month of December, Nelson and I are reading through Luke to remind us about the life of Jesus as we prepare for Christmas.
January of this year, we started working on an ordination/commissioning service that would be held in December. It has been a year of training and encouraging our pastors. Last weekend was a big weekend. Pastor Abraham married his beautiful bride Rebecca in a grand ceremony. Immediately after that was an equally special service as we ordained 3 pastors and commissioned 5 pastors. Nelson was one of the pastors ordained. The pastors that were ordained have completed all the necessary requirements to become an ordained minister. Bible school, marriage and experience are crucial in our ministry. The other 5 pastors are working on the requirements and growing in ministry as well. As we mentor these men we have been careful to help them grow. With the start of the new year, we will also add the pastors wives to help them also grow in their role as pastors wives. I am confident that in the new year, we will be starting new churches and we want our pastors' families to be prepared. Please continue to pray for these families and the people that they will serve. We are so thankful for what God has started. We feel like we are just beginning and excited that God has brought us this far. Our praise and worship team at our main church has really been working hard and that work is paying off. They are sounding great. So proud of them.
We have some big news to share. So thankful to our board for their tireless work to help Path4Life get ready for the next steps of ministry. Path4Life has officially been approved as a nonprofit. At the start of 2024, all giving can officially go through:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3D5657SFWU4FA
World Outreach will no longer serve our ministry as a place to receive monies on our behalf. In the near future there will also be a link to give directly to the bank. Once we have that we will send it to you as well. You can still mail a check:
Theresa VanderArk (indicate on the memo Path4Life)
305 Talon Drive
Coopersville, MI 49404
Another update is our website. It is now up and ready for you to see! Check it out: https://www.path4lifeafrica.com/
On this website we will post our newsletter as well as other updates. Pictures of the ministry will be also on the website as well as my fb page. There are also pictures of students that need to be sponsored this coming year. Last year there were around 150 students and most of them needed sponsorship. Our school year starts in January so there are countless things that we need to accomplish before the start of the new school year. We are excited to add another class in both of our schools. Currently we need $2,000.00 to accomplish all that we need to do to get ready. In addition to that we need to build more classrooms for the new coming grades in our Path4Life campus.
Nelson and I have been working hard to get our roof on our mission home as well as the windows and doors. We purchased the necessary wood for the roof recently only to have some of it stolen in the night. This only confirms the need to get the home secure as quickly as possible. Currently we are $3,000.00 away from our goal for the roof. Please consider helping us reach our goal before the end of the year. Blessings in advance. We are so excited to move into our home and not pay rent any longer. God is so good! We are so thankful to those who have given to this home.
Nelson’s business is also growing. I think that I mentioned before that 4 of the 6 men that work for him are deaf. Many people do not want to employ them because of the difficulty in communication but Nelson is determined to help provide employment. Many businesses in Kenya, as well as Nelson's shop are really struggling because of the economy. We are trusting God to help us grow. This month is usually his busy time of year when people come home from Nairobi and plan for Christmas.
Thank you to each of you who keep up with our progress. Without your prayers and financial investment in this ministry, we would not be able to accomplish anything. Together we make a difference.
Blessings to you,
Nelson and Michelle