Monday in Kigali, Rwanda

Saturday & Sunday we had meetings with Deliverance Church Kitengela, on the outskirts of Nairobi. On previous trips I had met the senior pastor and another pastor and they were very excited about learning more about CR. Two weeks ago, Pastor Peter attended our 4-day seminar in Nairobi to learn how to start CR in their church. They are so eager to get going that they asked me to help introduce CR to their church and begin training some key leaders and church members.

We had great meetings and they have an awesome CR leadership team made up of 4 men and 4 women. A Kenyan friend from another CR came over to assist them as they begin. He also shared his own CR testimony. It was so powerful. I met so many wonderful people with a heart for serving the Lord.

Today I flew from Nairobi to Burundi then on to Kigali, Rwanda. It’s cooler here and everything is so green. It has been very dry in Kenya but in Rwanda the rains have come already. I have a slower paced schedule this afternoon to relax a bit and connect with some friends then my friend and translator Pastor Jean Baptiste arrives this evening.

Tomorrow we start the day early as we drive about 1 hour to Gitarama for our first CR seminar. I’m excited to see what they have done with CR since our last visit. In the afternoon we drive on to Kibuye on the Rwanda-Congo border to have another CR seminar on Wednesday to encourage their CR ministries. We drive back to Kigali on Wednesday evening.

Please pray for God’s wisdom and guidance for the 2 seminars. We don’t have a training plan, just go and see what they need and help them based on where they are. Pray for greater understanding of their culture to better help them with CR. Pray for travel mercies as we drive through the rolling hills across the country. Pray for renewed energy and good rest for us.

Friday night in Kitengela

I am back in a small town close to Nairobi and the Internet connection is more reliable. There is more catching up to do.

Wednesday Margaret and I took the kids to see their mother in prison in Eldoret. She continues to do so well. Nolega was convicted of murder and sentenced to die, she was retried and her conviction was reduced to man-slaughter and she was given a sentence of 15 years to serve. She became the pastor of the women’s prison, started CR inside and is now given privileges to go into town unsupervised to purchase supplies for the prison. She is scheduled for release in December 2016 but is hoping for an early release because she has proven that she has truly reformed.


After spending time with their mother, we took Calvin, Brian, Augstine and Elzabeth (left to right) to a local zoo/park for the afternoon. There were animals from within Kenya like lions, monkeys, crocodiles, reptiles, ostriches, parrots, etc. There was a huge playground too. We really enjoyed our time together. We were so tired we all slept during the drive back to Kitale.

When not with my kids (they were in school) I visited with several church leaders and prison officials Kitale and the surrounding area. It was so good to hear stories of lives changing through CR. I was also able to visit with several friends in the area.

I saw my friend Geoffrey at Oasis of Hope, a center that helps street kids get off the street, back into school and have productive lives. They are having such an impact on these once forgotten and hopeless children.

This afternoon I flew from Kitale back to Nairobi in a 35 passenger plane then David met me and tool me to Kitengela on the outskirts of Nairobi. Tomorrow and Sudnay I will be training churches in the area on how to get their CR ministries going.

Thanks for all of your prayers. Other than a scratchy throat because of dusty roads, I am feeling well. Pray for the people attending the seminar tomorrow, that they will have open hearts and good ideas about how to move forward with CR. Pray for wisdom for me and the pastors and other church leaders who will be facilitating the training. Pray for renewed energy as I have been going at a pretty steady pace since arriving in Kenya.

Tuesday Night in Kitale

I’ve had limited Internet access so I have a lot of catching up to do since my last post on Friday night.

Saturday
We visited 3 prisons for the first time in Western Kenya - Kakamega Main for men, Kakamega Women’s and Shikusa Farm Prison. At Kakamega Main we met in the prison yard with several hundred men, from those in Remands (not convicted) to those who have been condemned (sentenced to death) from all denominations. They we very eager to learn about Celebrate Recovery and excited to be starting it later this year when we come back and train their prison officials.

We visited the women’s prison and were warmly welcomed by beautiful singing. They sang several songs and I can still hear their sweet voices praising our Lord. CR was started there a few years ago by a chaplain friend who attended a CR seminar in Kitale. She trained some leaders (inmates) to carry it out. Most have since been released and they are excited to getting it going again on a broader scale and with more support.

We visited Shikusa Farm Prison and met with some of the CR leaders (inmates) to discuss how it was going. They have about 150 men attending the Large Group teachings. CR was started there recently by a chaplain friend who was transferred from Kitale Main Prison where CR originally started. They will be starting their first step study group very soon. We met with many of the 500 men that reside in this prison and heard testimonies from some of the men that have already started CR.
It is amazing to see how God is spreading this ministry in the prisons by either transferring prisoners from one place to another or by relocating prison officials. CR is changing so many lives and truly rehabilitating men and women during this challenging time in their lives.

Bishop Moses and I made the 2+ hour drive to Kitale through beautiful countryside. It was nice to see my friends again and settle in at my friend’s house where I am staying this week.

Sunday
Sunday morning we attended church and spent time reconnecting with friends and family. I had a wonderful reunion with my 4 God-children. They have grown so much and their English had gotten very good so we can communicate easily now. We had a wonderful day of relaxing and enjoying spending time together.

Monday
I met with some churches and encouragd some along with their progress with CR and with others that are interested in starting it. It was great to hear how CR is impacting people’s lives and helping churches by providing a way of healing for church members. It is bringing reconciliation and hope to many.

I visited Purpose Driven High School which was opened since I was here last year. I spoke to the students and encouraged their education. In the afternoon I took my kids shopping for new shoes, always a special time when we are together.

Tuesday
Today it was back to prison. I visited Kitale Main and Women’s prison. Many of the men’s CR group members that were here last year have been released. Two of the former CR leaders are now pastors and have started their own churches outside, with CR at the very core of the church. Inside, the men’s CR ministry is growing again with over 60 men attending Large Group meetings. They are starting a new Step Study group very soon.

The women’s prison is always a special place to visit for me. That is where my God-son was born. It is so heartbreaking to see so many children in prison with their mothers, up to the age of 4. Yet at least they get to be with their mothers when they are so young. There has been a real turnover of inmates which is good, that means they are not staying inside that long. We heard testimonies from 2 women that murdered their husbands. They are finding peace and healing.

In the afternoon I met with another church with CR. Through CR they have an amazing outreach into the villages and so many lives have been transformed. Prostitutes are now seamstresses, drug addicts are learning computer skills. They are finding healing and hope for a different life.

Tomorrow I take my God-children to Eldoret (about a 2 hour drive each way) to visit their mother who is in prison. They have not seen her since I was here last and they are very eager to see her. I am looking forward to spending the day with them.

Thanks so much for your continuing prayers. Please pray for travel mercies for tomorrow as we journey over less than ideal roads to Eldoret. Pray for a wonderful reunion with their mother. Pray for a fun day with the kids. Pray for my health, I still have a scratchy throat on and off but it seems to be getting worse with some dry coughing now. I have been talking non-stop since arriving in Kenya plus it is hot and dusty so that doesn’t help either.

Friday Night in Kakamega

The CR Introduction seminar went really well today. We were expecting 60-80 people but 125 came to hear about this Christ-centered ministry called Celebrate Recovery. About half were from churches and the other half from prisons from all over the Western Provence. There were Protestants, Catholics, 7-Day Adventists and Muslims in attendance. They were all so open and eager to learn more.

We sat with a small group of senior pastors that are part of a pastor fellowship in the area to develop a strategy for when we come back later in the year to do a more in depth training like we did in Nairobi this week. We also met with the prison leadership for similar discussions.

Morris will go visit his family tomorrow who lives nearby then return back to Nairobi while Bishop Moses and I continue the ministry here.

There are 4 prisons in the Kakamega area and we are scheduled to visit all of them tomorrow. Wow, that is a lot of prison time! God is opening so many doors here. After that we will drive to Kitale (about 2 hours) where I will be the next few days.

The next few days I will be visiting existing CR ministries to encourage them and reconnect with many friends and of course my 4 God-children.

Please pray for open hearts during the prison visits tomorrow, both the officials and inmates. Pray that we speak His words during our time there. Pray for safe travels and a good time of fellowship for Morris and his family. Pray for travel mercies for Moses and I as we drive to Kitale. Pray for a great time of fellowship and reunion with friends and my 4 God-children.

Friday Morning

We completed our seminar yesterday with much excitement about how to move forward with CR. There was a great deal of thoughtful brainstorming and plans being made on how to make CR successful and grow throughout Kenya. Praise the Lord!

The Assistant Commissioner of prisons and Principle Chaplain (over all the prisons) came for the official closing. They also read a letter from the Commissioner himself, saying that he wanted to attend CR and I should plan to do a seminar for the senior officials. He was very supportive of CR in all of the prisons. God is good.

Morris & I flew to Kisumu on the banks of Lake Victoria in the afternoon and were met by Bishop Moses who drove us 1 ½ hours to Kakamega. We arrived and learned that half of our hotel had no electricity. They moved us to some smaller rooms but we have the essentials. Welcome to Africa :-).

Today we have a CR Introductory meeting for pastors and prison officials in the area. We are expecting a good turnout.

Thank you so much for your prayers. Morris is feeling much better and my throat feels fine now and no sign of catching the cold that has been going around. Pray for open hearts at the seminar today and that we speak God’s words.

Thursday Morning

Today is the last day of our CR seminar. It has been exciting to watch as they begin to experience CR for themselves and capture the vision what it can do in their own lives and the people they minister to in prisons and churches. They are so open and eager to learn more.

Yesterday the CR leader for Athi River prison shared his CR testimony. He wrote it out following our format and read it. He was so open about himself and it was really powerful.

Today we focus on the very practical steps of going forward and beginning this ministry in their churches and prisons. We will have an opportunity to nail our burdens on the cross and share communion together. Then a senior official from prison headquarters will do the official closing of the seminar and show their support for CR in the prisons.

This afternoon Morris and I fly to Kisumu then meet a friend who will drive us to Kakamega in Western Kenya. Tomorrow we hold an introductory seminar for senior pastors and prison officials in the area. We will come back later in the year to teach a 4-day seminar to equip those that want to start CR.

Pray for open hearts and for God’s wisdom to show the way forward in starting CR in the churches and prisons that have attended the training this week. Pray for travel mercies for Morris and I. Pray for the seminar that we will hold tomorrow in Kakamega. Pray for good health. A few people attending the seminar this week have colds. Morris started getting sick yesterday and I woke up with a scratchy throat this morning. Pray that Morris heals quickly and that I don’t get sick. Thanks so much for your prayers, we couldn't do this without them.

Sunday

Saturday Update
Yesterday morning I went to Athi River Prison to meet with their CR groups. God is really doing some amazing work there. Two officers that have a passion for CR started it with a group of 20 men last year. They meet every Friday afternoon where they break into two groups and do their Step Study workbooks. On Saturday mornings they have a Large Group meeting. There are Catholics, Protestants, Muslims and Atheists together in this Christ centered ministry. The healing has been amazing. At the end of the step study (which every man completed!!), they wrote the things they found freedom from and were willing to forgive on a piece of paper and nailed it to a cross, then built a small fire and burned them in the middle of the prison yard.

There was one inmate, Joseph, transferred from Kamiti Maximum security prison in Nairobi to Athi River. He was at Kamiti during our first visit 3-4 years ago and heard a group of us share testimonies and talk about CR. When they asked for people interested in joining the first CR group at Athi River, he was very excited to join. He is now the CR leader.

They had a “graduation” in late January where many prison officials and local church leaders heard testimonies of several of the men from all religious backgrounds. Because of hearing this, prison headquarters fully now endorses and supports CR and has asked us to help them implement CR in all 93 prisons in Kenya! They are even funding the trainings. Athi River Prison was granted an office specifically for CR and they designated a classroom for CR. God is so good.

At Athi River, they have started the second “class” for CR with 36 men. Some men from the previous class are leaders now helping the second one. They would have more people involved but are limited by space. I met with them yesterday and taught the lesson HOPE at their Large Group meeting. They shared with me their interpretation of the lesson HOPE. Joseph was inspired to paint a picture about HOPE, including the acrostic. I asked him to teach HOPE from the painting. It was very creative and inspiring. They sang a song about CR that they wrote. I recorded a video of part of it and hopefully can upload it at some point.

CR has been going in other prisons for some time, started by some chaplains that have experienced the healing of CR also and it has helped so many inmates find healing. They have been very dedicated while facing many challenges. After this experience at Athi River, Prison Headquarters is now fully endorsing it and making the prisons accountable for the progress of it. The officer in charge of Athi River said that he will not grant a transfer from one prison to another unless they have gone through CR. Did I mention that God is good?

Sunday
Today I attended church at Children of the Promise Church in Kawangware, a slum in Nairobi. The senior pastor, Bishop Amos Wasala, attended our CR seminar in 2009. He started CR in his church but it has been a challenge as he is the only person trained. He is sending some church leaders to the 4-day seminar that starts tomorrow so they can be trained then get it going strong in their church. He asked me to “preach” today, so of course I talked about CR. It impacted so many people and it seemed like half the church came forward asking for prayer for things they struggle with, mostly unforgiveness. Now it's time for one of the simple pleaseures in life, having afternoon chai on the porch at Methodist Guest House with the house cat curled up beside me. :-)

Please pray for the people that will be attending the seminar that starts tomorrow morning, that it be the right people that God wants there from both churches and prisons. Pray for open hearts. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide Morris and I as we teach.

Friday Night in Nairobi

My flights went smooth and I arrived in Nairobi last night, met at the airport by my Masai warrior friend, David. Thanks so much for your prayers.

Today Morris and I had meetings at Prison Headquarters with the Director of Rehabilitation and Director of Social Welfare. Both of these Godly women are on fire for CR and have witnessed firsthand the impact of this ministry in Kenyan prisons. Too say that they fully support CR is an understatement and want it in all the prisons in Kenya! Praise the Lord.

We met with Pastor William at ICC (International Christian Center). A group from this church attended a CR seminar last year and have been preparing to launch it in their church. They officially launch it this Sunday at both of their campuses.

Morris and I spent time with Pastor Peter from Deliverance Church Kitegela. He attended a CR seminar in 2008 and faced some challenges when they attempted to start it in their church. During this trip I will spend 2 days with them, helping them find a way to move forward working with their church leaders.

I took a nap this afternoon as I try to get my days and nights on Kenya time. We are 11 hours ahead of California time.

Please pray that I am able to get good rest and adjust quickly. Pray for ICC as they launch their CR ministry on Sunday. Pray for my visit to Athi River Prison tomorrow where I will be teaching their Large Group Meeting while encouraging their CR ministry. Pray for those that will be attending the 4-Day CR semianr that starts on Monday, for open hearts and for Morris and I as we teach.

Preparing to leave for Kenya and Rwanda

Jana O’Guin will depart March 7th for Kenya and Rwanda and will return March 30th. I will be traveling to and from Africa by myself but will be with African ministries partners and friends throughout the trip. We will hold a Celebrate Recovery Seminar for Pastors in Nairobi so that they will be equipped to implement Celebrate Recovery in their churches and prisons, hold a Senior Pastor Introduction meeting in Western Kenya, visit several CR ministries to support and encourage them. I will visit friends and CR ministries in Kitale and of course my 4 beautiful Kenyan children. I will fly to Rwanda to hold follow up seminars for churches starting CR.

Wednesday, March 7 – Depart LAX in the afternoon on a non-stop flight to Amsterdam, arriving the morning of the 8th. After a 1 hour 20 minute layover it’s an 8-hour flight to Nairobi, arriving the evening of the 8th. Kenya is 10 hours ahead of PDT.

Friday, March 9 – Meet with ministry partners to finalize plans for the trip. Visit churches and prison officials regarding CR ministries.

Saturday, March 10 – Attend a CR meeting at Athi River Prison just outside of Nairobi to witness firsthand what God is doing there through CR.

Sunday, March 11 – Give the morning message at a church in Kawangware in the slums of Nairobi.

Monday – Thursday, March 12-15 – Pastor Morris Opati and I will hold a Celebrate Recovery seminar for pastors and prison officials to equip them to start CR in their respective churches and prisons. We will be teaching the Celebrate Recovery curriculum, facilitating small groups, giving our testimonies, and equipping them to begin CR programs.

Thursday, March 15 – Morris and I will travel to Kakamega in the evening following the seminar in Nairobi.

Friday, March 16 - Hold a Senior Pastor Introduction Seminar for churches and prisons in the Western Region of Kenya. Visit Kakamega prison’s CR ministry in the afternoon.

Saturday, March 17 – Morris returns to Nairobi. I spend the day with friends while visiting churches and prisons then traveling on to Kitale.

Sunday – Thursday, March 18 - 22 – Spend time in Kitale with friends, attend and encourage CR ministries at churches and prisons. Spend time with our 4 Kenyan children and many local friends at Purpose Driven Academy, Oasis of Hope, and Sister Freda’s Hospital.

Friday, March 23 - Fly from Kitale to Nairobi.

Saturday – Sunday, March 24 - 25 – Meet with a church in Kitengela (outskirts of Nairobi) to help their CR ministry grow strong.

Monday, March 26 – Fly from Nairobi to Kigali, Rwanda. Connect with ministry friends in Rwanda.

Tuesday, March 27 – Drive from Kigali to Muhanga (1 ½ hours) to meet with churches with existing CR ministries. Hold refresher training and help them continue strengthening their ministries. Drive to Karongi in Western Rwanda.

Wednesday, March 28 - Hold refresher training for churches in Karongi District and help them continue strengthening their ministries. Drive back to Kigali.

Thursday - Friday, March 29-30 – Connect with the PEACE office in the morning then begin the trip home. Depart Kigali in the afternoon for Nairobi. A late night flight departs from Nairobi, arriving in Amsterdam in the early morning. After a 4 hour layover in Amsterdam, take a non-stop flight on to LAX arriving around noon on Friday.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”