Lifepoint Church
The Lord opened Pastor Sospeter’s eyes to a much needed ministry to the overlooked and
marginalized men and women in his beloved country. On any given day, you will find “maize
men” who roast corn and attempt to sell it along the major highways and roads running
through the country of Kenya. These men are among the poorest of the poor, attempting to
make whatever money they can to support their family, but who are also known to “drink away” their profits before the profit ever makes it home. It is also well known that many of these men turn to a life of crime to cover the difference. However, Pastor Sospeter saw these men with the eyes of Jesus, and began ministering to them. He would hold weekly bible studies along the highway for the men, and as they began coming to Jesus, he saw a need for a church that would welcome and embrace these men and their families.
Lifepoint church began with about 10-15 of these men. As we partnered with them, matching funds for a tent to meet under, chairs to sit on, and bibles to put in their hands, the church grew. More men came, bringing their families; prostitutes began coming and giving their lives to Jesus; and families began joining the church, as well. Now, they have expanded to two tents, and are looking at purchasing property. As well, the community around this church is noticing a big difference! The police will tell you that the crime rate has gone down, and that the overall atmosphere feels safer and healthier. To date, we have introduced Lifepoint Kenya, to Lifepoint Tucson, and they are helping this struggling church expand through prayer and finances; and, another church in Indiana is also in prayer about joining us in this investment into reaching the lives of these poor and overlooked people.
Maai Mahiu Water Project
Maai Mahiu is a small village in Kenya that sits just below Rift Valley Academy, where Bay and I
called home for many years. In Kikuyu (the local tribe) the name means “hot water,” though a
derivative of the name literally means, “obstructed.” If you were to ask a local about this area,
they would tell you that Maai Mahiu is known for three things: 1) a trucking hub; 2) a safe
haven for the sex trade; and, 3) bad water.
With that information, we know this, God is calling us to assist in helping the “obstructed”
become “unobstructed.” So, we are coming alongside the community to help provide good
water, and to bring the gospel to the people who live in this area (and who pass through)
To make a long story short, our friend, Joshua, discovered he had a very specific spot on his
property (where his home is located) that joined two aquifers and seemed promising for good
water that could bless the community, and help support Lifepoint Church.
FOCUS came alongside and raised the money needed to give Joshua and Pastor Sospeter a
micro loan that would dig a well for the water and begin a bottling business that will help meet
this goal. As they provide good drinking water, they are also able to share the LIVING WATER
that Jesus offers.
When Joshua and Sospeter begin to see this project become profitable, they will pay off the
loan that Joshua is overseeing in the name of “FOCUS in Kenya.” Then, as the loan is payed
off, it will provide funds to go into future ministries also in need. Because we have “boots on
the ground” that we trust, these ministries will be well vetted; and, “FOCUS in Kenya” will
partner with other outreach organizations for the purpose of seeing the Great Commission
furthered.
High School Ministry
Currently, the government of Kenya still values Christian education in its public schools. This means that the doors are open for us to get into the schools to share the gospel in large assemblies. Together, with help from our local contacts, we are blessed to connect with approximately six to twelve high schools each time we are in country (and, depending on how long we are able to stay). With school sizes ranging from a couple hundred to near a thousand students, FOCUS in Kenya is able to present the gospel to several thousand. Another plus is that because Joshua is a businessman, he is able to participate with the Gideons, who have a branch in country. So, when we go to the high schools, we will be able to bring New Testaments to each student. There, these little New Testaments are considered a high value treasure. Believe me, they go home and are not tossed in some random drawer never to be seen again, but are read over and over again.