After serving with DSM on a short-term trip in October 2009, our hearts burned with the desire to return to serve the Pastors of the Least. By God’s grace, the door unexpectedly opened for us to return just four months later, in February of this year. We couldn’t wait to hear how the Lord had been working in the Pastors’ lives, and to serve them as they stand in their spiritual battles.

Being there before, we had already experienced the inhumane conditions within the slums. The slums are located in areas that no one else would willingly choose. The slums are most often relegated to the valleys. The waste from the urban sprawl drains into them when it rains. They are, essentially, sludge bowls filled with sewage and waste. Basic necessities, such as clean water and sanitation, are largely unavailable. Human waste and disease-ridden bacteria is everywhere and unavoidable…it floats in the very air you breathe. Illnesses from contaminated food and water are a constant problem, and adequate medical treatment is rare.

Our minds cannot reconcile people living in such horrid conditions…let alone our Christian brothers and sisters. It is hard to come to terms with. Yet, if you ask the Pastors how they are doing, they will say, “God is faithful and I am blessed!” They courageously exhibit the Faith spoken of in the Word of God…

“Now Faith is the substance of thingsHoped for,

The evidence of thingsNot seen.”Hebrews 11.1

On this trip, we became aware of something more threatening than the visibly deplorable living conditions of the Pastors and people of the slums. Something largely unseen. We discerned the powerful Spiritual influences pressing against the Pastors. These powers and protagonists have an even greater impact and influence on their lives than the physical pressures. For example, the Muslim population in Nairobi is rapidly growing. The UN estimates that 3,000 Somalian refugees enter Kenya every day. The days of describing Kenya as a “Christian nation” are fast fading. Indeed, the Daadab refugee camp in Kenya is the world’s largest in the world, with over 250,000 Somalians. Consequently, the mostly unseen, unreported influence of Islam is surging in Kenya. Each morning we personally awoke to cries to Allah blaring out over loud speakers at 5 a.m. It gave us chills…and we found ourselves praying for Jesus to be high and lifted up…for His Light to overcome the darkness of deceit and idol worship!

Another prevalent spiritual power is the practice of witchcraft. During our stay, we came across two Pastors (of the Bible Schools) who had curses placed on

them. The Pastors requested prayers for deliverance and protection. In both cases, the Pastors’ own relatives had curses placed on them in attempts to steal the Pastors’ property. We met with other students who were cursed specifically and solely because of their faith in Jesus. These generational beliefs and practices are deeply rooted in the local culture. It requires great courage and spiritual maturity to stand against these witches and their demonic practices. The Pastors are learning that God’s Word is a weapon of defense, deliverance and divine strength. They take great comfort in the power of God within them…

“You are of God, little children,And have Overcome them,Because He who is in you

Is greater than he Who is in the world.”

1 John 4.4

In the midst of these tremendous spiritual challenges and obstacles, the Pastors exhibit exemplary Faith. Yet what inspired us the most was their abiding Hope. The Pastors confidently know that this life is not their final destiny and end. And their Hope is founded on the Truths they are learning in God’s Word at the Bible Schools. The Pastors’ thirst for God’s revealed Truth is simply indescribable. And frankly, the DSM Bible Schools are providing training and discipleship that the Pastors cannot access anywhere else. These “Pastors of the Least” simply cannot qualify, nor pay for any other programs in the area. Just to attend the DSM Bible Schools, most suffer loss of income for a day, walk miles to avoid the $1 bus fare, and return to their slums in the crime ridden darkness of night. These Pastors literally apply the words and profound perspective of Jesus Christ on a daily basis…

“Therefore I say to you,Do not worry about your life,

What you will eat Or what you will drink;Nor about your body,What you will put on.

Is not Life more than foodAnd the body more than clothing?”

Matthew 6.25

Materialism can crowd out this perspective. Prosperity can counteract the cutting clarity of Jesus’

counsel. Physical comfort and pursuits of pleasure can cloud an eternal perspective. Perhaps the extreme poverty and physical destitution of the Pastors of the slums may, in one sense, be an advantage. Due, in part, to their dire physical circumstances, the Pastors have an extraordinary desire for Spiritual things. In the past, however, they often filled that Spiritual void by worshiping false gods (idols), and embracing false teachers. They now know those were counterfeit consolations. As they now embrace the undiluted Word of God, received through systematic, expository and literal Bible teachings, they have found true Hope, true Deliverance and very real answers to life’s practical challenges. We found the Pastors consistently and quickly apply the Word of God with an enthusiasm and conviction that encouraged, and deeply challenged, us personally.

The most common plea of the Pastors of the Least continues to be this: “send us more Bible Teachers now!”. The Pastors rightly believe the return of Christ for His people can come at any time…personally or collectively. They want to be busy about His business amongst the people in the slums. Our personal prayer is that we will be an encouraging and effective part of the ministry to the Pastors of the Least. We are returning for the fall semester to stand with the Pastors. And to stand with this vital ministry that serves them in the battle for the hearts and souls of the people of Africa’s inner city slums.

From our view, there is no greater honor and privilege God has offered us.

The Franklins will be returning next month to minister for a 3-month semester. They are seeking committed support to return full time in response to the plea of the Pastors of the Least. For information on joining them in prayer and support, please visit their personal website at www.raylananairobi.com

After serving with DSM on a short-term trip in October 2009, our hearts burned with the desire to return to serve the Pastors of the Least. By God’s grace, the door unexpectedly opened for us to return just four months later, in February of this year. We couldn’t wait to hear how the Lord had been working in the Pastors’ lives, and to serve them as they stand in their spiritual battles.

Being there before, we had already experienced the inhumane conditions within the slums. The slums are located in areas that no one else would willingly choose. The slums are most often relegated to the valleys. The waste from the urban sprawl drains into them when it rains. They are, essentially, sludge bowls filled with sewage and waste. Basic necessities, such as clean water and sanitation, are largely unavailable. Human waste and disease-ridden bacteria is everywhere and unavoidable…it floats in the very air you breathe. Illnesses from contaminated food and water are a constant problem, and adequate medical treatment is rare.

Our minds cannot reconcile people living in such horrid conditions…let alone our Christian brothers and sisters. It is hard to come to terms with. Yet, if you ask the Pastors how they are doing, they will say, “God is faithful and I am blessed!” They courageously exhibit the Faith spoken of in the Word of God…

“Now Faith is the substance of thingsHoped for,

The evidence of thingsNot seen.”Hebrews 11.1

On this trip, we became aware of something more threatening than the visibly deplorable living conditions of the Pastors and people of the slums. Something largely unseen. We discerned the powerful Spiritual influences pressing against the Pastors. These powers and protagonists have an even greater impact and influence on their lives than the physical pressures. For example, the Muslim population in Nairobi is rapidly growing. The UN estimates that 3,000 Somalian refugees enter Kenya every day. The days of describing Kenya as a “Christian nation” are fast fading. Indeed, the Daadab refugee camp in Kenya is the world’s largest in the world, with over 250,000 Somalians. Consequently, the mostly unseen, unreported influence of Islam is surging in Kenya. Each morning we personally awoke to cries to Allah blaring out over loud speakers at 5 a.m. It gave us chills…and we found ourselves praying for Jesus to be high and lifted up…for His Light to overcome the darkness of deceit and idol worship!

Another prevalent spiritual power is the practice of witchcraft. During our stay, we came across two Pastors (of the Bible Schools) who had curses placed on

them. The Pastors requested prayers for deliverance and protection. In both cases, the Pastors’ own relatives had curses placed on them in attempts to steal the Pastors’ property. We met with other students who were cursed specifically and solely because of their faith in Jesus. These generational beliefs and practices are deeply rooted in the local culture. It requires great courage and spiritual maturity to stand against these witches and their demonic practices. The Pastors are learning that God’s Word is a weapon of defense, deliverance and divine strength. They take great comfort in the power of God within them…

“You are of God, little children,And have Overcome them,Because He who is in you

Is greater than he Who is in the world.”

1 John 4.4

In the midst of these tremendous spiritual challenges and obstacles, the Pastors exhibit exemplary Faith. Yet what inspired us the most was their abiding Hope. The Pastors confidently know that this life is not their final destiny and end. And their Hope is founded on the Truths they are learning in God’s Word at the Bible Schools. The Pastors’ thirst for God’s revealed Truth is simply indescribable. And frankly, the DSM Bible Schools are providing training and discipleship that the Pastors cannot access anywhere else. These “Pastors of the Least” simply cannot qualify, nor pay for any other programs in the area. Just to attend the DSM Bible Schools, most suffer loss of income for a day, walk miles to avoid the $1 bus fare, and return to their slums in the crime ridden darkness of night. These Pastors literally apply the words and profound perspective of Jesus Christ on a daily basis…

“Therefore I say to you,Do not worry about your life,

What you will eat Or what you will drink;Nor about your body,What you will put on.

Is not Life more than foodAnd the body more than clothing?”

Matthew 6.25

Materialism can crowd out this perspective. Prosperity can counteract the cutting clarity of Jesus’

counsel. Physical comfort and pursuits of pleasure can cloud an eternal perspective. Perhaps the extreme poverty and physical destitution of the Pastors of the slums may, in one sense, be an advantage. Due, in part, to their dire physical circumstances, the Pastors have an extraordinary desire for Spiritual things. In the past, however, they often filled that Spiritual void by worshiping false gods (idols), and embracing false teachers. They now know those were counterfeit consolations. As they now embrace the undiluted Word of God, received through systematic, expository and literal Bible teachings, they have found true Hope, true Deliverance and very real answers to life’s practical challenges. We found the Pastors consistently and quickly apply the Word of God with an enthusiasm and conviction that encouraged, and deeply challenged, us personally.

The most common plea of the Pastors of the Least continues to be this: “send us more Bible Teachers now!”. The Pastors rightly believe the return of Christ for His people can come at any time…personally or collectively. They want to be busy about His business amongst the people in the slums. Our personal prayer is that we will be an encouraging and effective part of the ministry to the Pastors of the Least. We are returning for the fall semester to stand with the Pastors. And to stand with this vital ministry that serves them in the battle for the hearts and souls of the people of Africa’s inner city slums.

From our view, there is no greater honor and privilege God has offered us.

The Franklins will be returning next month to minister for a 3-month semester. They are seeking committed support to return full time in response to the plea of the Pastors of the Least. For information on joining them in prayer and support, please visit their personal website at www.raylananairobi.com

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US POSTAGE

PAIDFT. LAUD, FL

PERMIT NO. 1169P.O. Box 668877

Pompano Beach, Florida 33066

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDContaCt Paul & MarCia CowleyEmail:paul@disciplesupport.org marcia@disciplesupport.orgPhone from USA:011-254-733-609-066Skype: marcia.cowley

afriCa MailDisciple Support MinistriesBox 76498-00508Nairobi, Kenya(please do not send packages)

ContaCt DSM in aMeriCaDisciple Support MinistriesPhone: 561-901-3590

SenD ContributionS toDisciple Support MinistriesP.O. Box 15786Plantation, FL 33318 Lunch At The Bible School

ViSit our webSite!www.DiSCiPleSuPPort.org

• View latest DSM Video• Make Contributions Online• Signup Someone for Newsletters• Download Prior Newsletters• View Ministry Photo Library

• Student Semester Supplies ($3,000)• Stationery supplies, handouts & copies ($2,000)• Student Meals ($600 per month for entire student body)• Local Staff ($1,500 per month for entire staff)• Benevolence & Charitable Projects ($700 per month)• Facility fees ($450 per month)• 40 Bibles ($11 each)

Prayer requeStS…• God’s Will regarding vote this month on proposed Kenya Constitution legalizing Abortion on demand• Thanksgiving for birth of our precious Joy Grace!• God’s Will regarding possible Furlough in 2011• Open doors & Encouragement for Ray & Lana Franklin

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