MB Update

No Bed, No Problem...Book Me! 2-24-2012

2012-02-25T03:33:00.002-08:00

I always love getting ready for the March pastor's conference. Since it has been several months since we have had a conference, pastors are always so thrilled, excited and filled with anticipation for the first conference of the year.
As usual this time is no exception. As you know we have beds for 350 pastors. Once they are taken then we let the pastors know that can sleep on a mattress on the floor in one of the available class rooms. Once those are taken, then we let them know that we will put up a tent with army cots.
As of the middle of January all the beds have been taken. As of today, 3 weeks before the conference, we have 565 registered with more calling every day.
Here are a couple of their responses when we let them know the options is now a cot under a tent: "It doesn't matter where I sleep, I am coming for the teaching". Another pastor, "No problem, book me!" (This has been the standard response).
So far we have offered over 200 pastors the tent/cot and EVERYONE has registered...not one complaint...just happy to be able to attend.
Is this a great job or what? When hunger meets great teaching lives are changed. When lives are changed, marriages are healed, churches are healed and a whole nation can be affected.
We don't know what the final count will be for this conference but we already know that hungry men and women will arrive ready to embrace and receive the word of God. Watch out come March 19!
Ronnie

Did you draw a hot bath for your valentine? 2/15/12

2012-02-15T00:11:00.003-08:00

For the past 5 days we have been without water in our apartment. Now it is Valentine's Day and we are tired of sponge baths. The caretaker showed me a possible way to get water into our place for a short period of time if I cared to try it. What I would have to do is to go into the attic area of our building, climb up on a pipe so I could reach a valve, turn it on, go and fill up tub or washing machine, then go and cut the valve off. When the value is on, water leaks from the tank and you could take a shower in the attic if you wanted due to the leaking.
So on Valentine Day morning we decided to give it a try so Debbie could bathe and we could wash clothes as we were getting desperate. Hallelujah it worked. Up into the attic, climb the pipes, turn the value, get sprayed with water, fill the tub and washing machine, back in the attic, repeat.
One little issue however. When there has been no running water the first few times you run it through the pipes, it cleans out all the rust that has collected and the water comes out a rust/brown color. As far as Debbie knows, it is just iron deposits, which is healthy for the skin (don't say anything to her please). Anyhow, I drew up a hot bath for my valentine and she was some excited.
So, can you top that for what you did for your valentine yesterday?

Robbed but got an upgrade! 02-06-2012

2012-02-06T11:32:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, January 27, Pastor Chola's home was broken into by 4 thugs. They tied up the house girl and for 4 hours they went through everything in their home, taking any and everything of value. All of the things that the Cholas had brought from their visit to the States; Wii, Play Station, sound system, along with Pauline's laptop, Joel's desktop computer and a video camera and anything electronic. They even took Pauline's passport. Their house looked like a tornado had hit it as the thieves even turned over their bed and cut their box springs open looking for money.
One of the saddest things about the whole ordeal was that all the electronics that the children played with was stolen. They had one game for the Wii and it was in the Wii when taken. After being heartbroken about it I remembered that someone from the States (Velda Rickstrew) was leaving for Kenya in a couple of days. I sent out an email to a few people and by the time Velda left she was bringing with her a brand new Wii along with 7 new games for it. She was also bringing with her a used laptop that had been given that we asked if she would bring over.
So on the following Tuesday, I invited the Chola family to our house under the pretense we would give the kids some candy and coloring books that we had. After sitting them all on the sofa, I gave them a 1 minute devotion on how God restores what the enemy has stolen. After giving them some candy and the coloring books we then proceeded to give them the 7 games for the Wii and then the Wii itself. Come to find out, they originally had only 1 controller as well and with these new games they now have several controllers. They had had one wheel to use for the driving games and they still had it since it was in a bag and the thieves overlooked it. It so happened that Velda had also bought 3 more wheels. The Cholas have 4 children and NOW they have 4 wheels so they can all race at the same time!
One of the things that has been such a blessing is to watch the Cholas response to the entire situation. From Pauline's first response that "we must be doing something right", to Joel's thanking God for an upgrade. He referenced the scripture that if a thief is caught he must repay 7 times and they had received 7 times for the Wii that was stolen. They felt that they had been upgraded. To get the kids to come to supper he has to ring a bell over and over to pull them away from their blessings. We were also able to give the laptop to Pauline that was brought over and it was better than her original one. We are giving a desktop computer to Joel as soon as the container arrives.
We are believing that their Play Station will be restored along with a few other things and we all have no doubt. This was not the best way you would want to have some of your things upgraded but it is amazing of how God restores what the enemy has taken.
Debbie recorded on video the kids reaction when we gave them the new Wii. Click on the link below and you will be blessed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1G3PBo7rN8

That water has turned to wine! 1-28-2012

2012-01-28T07:20:00.001-08:00

Today I went to take a walk and pray while walking. Several things have collided at once over the last couple of days as well as I needed to have my spirit settled on a couple of major issues. My heart was a little heavy as one of our staff members had his home robbed by 4 thieves who took 4 hours to go through everything and took everything of value. On top of everything else, Debbie has been in bed all day with a severe stomach virus.
As I started my walk, I turned on my IPod and decided to put it on shuffle. The first song that started playing was, 'I Know Who Holds Tomorrow'. When I looked down and saw the title, I thought, how appropriate. As it played I began to sense my faith calm and rise at the same time. The next song, 'Victory in Jesus'...I began to have trouble staying on the walking path because of the tears. As each song played it seemed everyone was meant for me today. Then I knew this was the Holy Ghost Shuffle.
As I worshiped, I realized that I had not really been asking or praying about anything, but the interesting thing was that is seemed my 'knower' was turned on. I knew that concerning these things I would "know" God's will on these major issues, healing would come and God would restore what the thieves had taken.
I know I, or should I say God, was kicking it old school but it brought back the faith and inspiration of earlier days when these songs pulled me through, over, across and beyond. I thank God for all the new songs today but God is still alive in those traditional songs that got you through earlier times and still carry a strong anointing. I was reminded that sometimes we need to re-dig the old wells. As I did today, to my surprise I found that the water that was in the old well had turned to wine.
Now as many of you know, I am not a consiseur of wine, but I do know that the best and most expensive is the wine that has aged.
So while Coldplay's 'Paradise African Style' will inspire and lift you up, let's not forget that when we have that 'Blessed Assurance' because 'My God is Real' and we know the the blood reaches to the highest and the lowest places then without a doubt 'Victory is Mine'....so 'Glory to His Name'...Selah.

Pastor pays our bill! 01-26-2012

2012-01-26T03:23:00.000-08:00

Today is our second day back in Kenya. Debbie and I went to the store and market to stock up. While I was shopping in the vegetable market someone stopped me to say hello. It was a local pastor that has been attending CMM conferences. She told me that when she saw me that she had to greet me because she said I would never know how much we are helping the pastors here. We chatted a moment and then I went to check out. She was in the line next to me and paid my bill before I got up the register.
This is very unusual for here. This is a sign of change and possibly revival. It was humbling but I rejoiced because the teaching and training is working!
BTW, another unexpected blessing...this time for us.
Ronnie

My policy is the separation of spirit and silicon! 1-11-2012

2012-01-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday I asked Siri (the new feature on the IPhone 4s that acts like a personal assistant) if she would tell me the will of God for me today. Her answer was, "My policy is the separation of spirit and silicon!" It did not give me the answer I was looking for but it gave me an intelligent answer for a phone. My phone should not be telling me the will of God.

In my recent devotions, God has been dealing with me about 'shutting the door' when we enter the secret place to commune with God. I have noticed that with all the latest electronic gadgets...the IPhone, Ipad, Ipod, ICloud, laptop, Face book, Foursquare, Linkedin, Twitter, etc. that we are constantly bombarded with so much activity. I would notice that while I might be praying or reading the Bible or meditating that I would hear a click (new email), a beep or a tweet from one of the many devices in the room. Once I would hear an alert of some new message, I started to wander what or who might need something or what exciting news awaits just one click away.

I realized that as great as all of these devices are, they can be a big distraction when you are needing some one on one time with the Holy Spirit. I understand more than ever why Jesus said that when you enter the secret place, shut the door! I suggest we might need a small table, maybe a large one, outside of our secret place entrance to unload and place all of our devices.
They can be useful and very helpful in many ways and we can at times be encouraged and blessed through them. However, there are those times when we need to be alone with the Father and no distractions. So why would be carry into the secret place with us known detractors when we need to give our full attention to the Father? God does "tweet" but it will not be on twitter but in His Presence.

I was reminded of the scripture that states that I must decrease for Him to increase..."I"...that could mean anything with an I....iPhone, ipod, ipod, icloud...you get the picture. No problem with being in the ICloud as long as you have spent time in the glory cloud. Let's keep this in balance.

As good as all these new and wonderful communication tools are they do not know the mind of God for you, that still comes the old fashioned way, one on one sitting in the lap of Father. Let's don't use substitutes for the most key relationship in our lives!

The Joy of Unexpected Blessings! 12-20-2011

2011-12-20T04:57:00.000-08:00

Most of you will remember that in October we collected funds to give the CMM staff an "unexpected blessing". As you witnessed in the video report they were overcome with joy and their appreciation for it has been so deep.
Today we are in the middle of the greatest giving season and doing special things for others for the whole year. Wouldn't it be great if the Christmas spirit lasted all year? After seeing the fruit and blessing of doing something totally unexpected, I have kept an eye open for other people or situations that this might be a great time for something "unexpected". It seems to be a little harder to do during this time of the year when everyone "expects" gifts but there are still ways to do the unexpected. Let me share with you something our family has done and another example during the Houston Texans football game that will definitely show you the reason for the season.
Last week I saw a news report of people that were going into stores like K-Mart and Walmart and going to the lay-a-way department and randomly paying off people's lay-a-ways. Total strangers just doing something unexpected for another family. One lady paid off 12 different families lay-a-way. This really got my attention. So this past Sunday while Debbie and I were having lunch after church with Madeline and Clara, we discussed this and decided to do the same thing. So we went to a nearby Walmart and went to the lay-a-way department and told them we would like to pay some one's bill. It caused no small stir. The lady at the desk was first stunned and had to get a manager to see how and if they could do it. It took 3 managers working on it to figure out how to do it. It definitely revealed that this had not been done at this store this season. After they figured out how and located a family we could help and after Madeline gave the clerk the money to pay it off, it definitely left an impression on several Walmart employees and once again I saw the power of an unexpected blessing, even without getting to witness what the person might have experienced when they found out it was paid off. I also believe that it will have a lasting impression also on 2 wonderful granddaughters. It proved once again that it is better to give than receive.
Then this morning I read and watched a short video of an unexpected blessing for a young widow and her young son after her soldier husband was recently killed. If you want to instantly jump into the Christmas spirit and the power of an unexpected blessing just click on the link below.
As 2012 approaches, why not make looking for places to do the unexpected as part of your New Year's pledge. I guarantee you that when you need a fresh dose of joy, and you will many times next year, this is a proven way to bring it on!
Merry Christmas from Debbie and I and may you be blessed as well with the unexpected as we celebrate the birth of the greatest giver of unexpected blessings!
http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/19/sara-wood-free-home-operation-finally-home/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl4%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D121590
Ronnie and Debbie

One More Touchdown Coming! 12-08-2011

2011-12-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

Last year when the Dallas Cowboys played the Washington Redskins, Debbie and I were in Kenya and I couldn't wait to see this match up. To watch it live, I would need to get up around 3-4 in the morning. However, the local TV network in Kenya, tapes it and then replays it at 4pm. The excitement built all day as I couldn't wait to make some popcorn, get my diet coke and watch this match up. I did not get online at all so I would not see the score. I avoided all contact or conversation with anyone that might hint at the outcome.
I am sitting in my recliner with great anticipation for it to start, when right at the beginning the editors made a miscue and they showed the final score the first thing....Cowboys 31, Redskins 27. I couldn't believe it, I now know the score before the game is played.
I would not be denied though and watched the entire game. However it turned out to be a great inspiration to my faith. As I watched the game whenever the Redskins scored, it didn't get me concerned. The Redskins intercepted Romo, recovered a fumble...no worries. What would normally have me pounding the floor in angst and worry.....pass the popcorn because the Cowboys will win.
If memory serves me correctly, the Redskins were ahead going into the 4th quarter but I knew there was one more touchdown coming. There had to be...the final score did not lie. So my attitude when the Cowboys were behind was...just wait. I have to admit that watching the game when I knew the final score was a much easier experience on my nerves, anxiety level and my confidence of course was through the roof.
I say all this to encourage us today in our journey. As the game is in full force in your life today and maybe you have fumbled the ball or a pass you threw has been intercepted....today' score is not the final outcome. Keep playing offense and defense and victory will come. Don't get discouraged and give up or go to the sidelines. The game is never won if we retreat to the sidelines. Stay in the game and keep running, passing and tackling because there is one more touchdown coming and you win.
So if you feel a little defeated today, let me remind you to look up and see the final score...YOU WIN! Phil. 1:6....I am confident that He which began a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ! (Matheny Version).....Stay in the game because the winning touchdown is near!

$25,000.00!!!.A Great Start...11-10--2011

2011-11-10T04:48:00.000-08:00

What a night! The Mission Barnabas banquet that we had Tuesday night was "off the charts" as Pastor Chola would say. We had our team from Kenya at the banquet via live video through Skype. They led us in praise and gave a report and shared testimonies of how Mission Barnabas and CMM had impacted their lives.
The message and challenge that God put on my heart for 2012 was to 'Think Bigger"! God challenged me to lay out the next level for the vision regardless of the costs and needs. So we did. We challenged everyone that for 2012 we will be having another Leadership Summit (July 19-20), we will build the first floor of the existing foundation for housing for guests as we well as start the preparations to open a Bible School at CMM. We also need to purchase a new truck for CMM as the one we have now is on it's last leg.
To get these projects started and to finish them in 2012 we set goals for the funding. We shared that we needed $23,000.00 that night at the banquet (order the sea container; buy concordances, Bibles, initial costs for Leadership Summit); another $25,000.00 by year's end and then another $57,000.00 by June 30, 2012.
Yesterday after counting Tuesday's night giving, just over $25,000.00 was given plus $11,000.00 more on the way!! Wow!! This was $12,000.00 greater than last year's banquet. Also, during the 24 hours leading up to the banquet, 22 people had to cancel their reservations due to sickness, stomach virus, etc. that is going around here. However, in spite of the diminished crowd, God moved and we are now on our way.
Next up....the $25,000.00 by year's end. Stay tuned to watch it happen.
For those you gave Tuesday night, thank you and may God give you increase. If you were not able to be at the banquet and didn't have a chance to give, we are still open for business. We are now working on the $25,000.00 by year's end, so don't be left out.
God is good; God is able; God is faithful and God loves Mission Barnabas (that's you!)
Ronnie
PS...If you have not seen the 2011 Video Report be sure tocheck it out:

http://www.missionbarnabasint.org/#!media

A Bible in your own language!!

2011-11-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

On numerous occasions over the past 8 years we have watched pastors become overwhelmed with excitement and joy as we bless them with Bibles, books and resources. We have shared many times with many of you pictures and videos that all seem to look the same....pastors waving their new Bibles or concordances and shouting thank you, singing, dancing, etc.
Last week was another one of those occasions. Due to funds provided by Gateway Church, we were able to purchase study Bibles as well as Bibles in the Masaii language and we blessed over 200 Masaii pastors as they attended a conference at CMM.We made a video to thank those who provided the funds and I thought you might like to witness another occasion of pastors being so blessed with such needed resources.
As I watched them shout and praise God for His provisions to them, I thought, 'This never gets old'. WARNING...you will see more of this next year and the year after that, etc. Thank you in advance for helping us do this again to thousands more in the future. You can be assured of one thing....His Word will not return void!

Ronnie

ENJOY!!
Masaii Pstrs Bibles.MOD 11-05-2011

Grand slam in Kenya! 967! 10-22-2011

2011-10-21T23:13:00.000-07:00

Grand slam week! We just returned from several days in remote locations in western Kenya where we had 2 regional meetings. When we arrived at both locations, I wondered if very many pastors would even know how to locate these places, but they did...967 pastors and leaders in all. In one place, not even large enough for me to call a town, the chief of that area and his assistant welcomed us! They were both dressed in their official dress and greeted us with huge smiles and handshakes.
After all the years we have been doing this, I still am amazed of the hunger that so many have to receive from the word of the Lord.
These are the regionals we had planned in August before we had to go the the States unexpectedly. The coordinator of one of the meetings told us that when they organized the meeting in August, they had already registered 500 and turned 600 away due to the size of the church. Every place I received such happy handshakes, smiles, blessings and appreciation. They took notes, shouted, laughed, cried and begged us for a CMM conference in their area. At one place we discussed it over lunch and in the next session the coordinator announced we were having a conference there....trying to leverage us into coming (::) !
I mentioned in a earlier post on FB that since I was missing the Texas Rangers in the playoffs that the regional meetings better be good and what we witnessed this week was better than watching the Rangers. Nothing like a grand slam with 967 pastors going home victorious!

"We will not have lunch or dinner today"

2011-10-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Three weeks ago I sent out a request on FB asking many of you to help us give an" unexpected blessing" to the CMM staff here. You may have seen on FB yesterday a link that describes how difficult just living from day to day has become here due to inflation (19% since January) and thus high prices. Knowing how this has been affecting many of our staff, I sent out a request and you responded. Your response was enough that we were able to bless each member with a bag of much needed food staples as well as...are you ready...ONE MONTH SALARY for each team member!! They were shocked and so excited as you will see from the video (I recorded a few minutes as we gave them their blessing.)
About an hour after we finished, one of our executive staff members told me that our chef, Patrick told him after the meeting that his wife had just told him this morning that they were out of cooking gas and food and that there would be nothing for lunch nor dinner today. Then he receives a bag full of groceries and another month's salary!

God loves to give us unexpected blessings. I believe He looks for opportunities to do so. And by the way, since you provided such unexpected blessings to help so many, why don't you look for an unexpected blessing that might be coming your way. When it does, let me know.
Thanks so much for helping such wonderful brothers and sisters expanding the Kingdom along with you.
Ronnie and Debbie

Give an "unexpected blessing"

2011-09-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

I leave for Kenya this Tuesday for the next 3 weeks. We will be in western Kenya for 2 large regional meetings, speaking at the Masaii pastors conference at CMM as well as preparing for 2012 with our staff.
Yesterday I got one of the suitcases out to begin the packing for things we need to take to Kenya. I have a couple of items that I am taking for a couple of friends along with many needed items for the office and ministry there.
While starting the packing process, our staff has so been on my heart. I have this great desire to take something back for each one. The global economic woes have not missed Kenya and prices have been skyrocketing over the past few months. The exchange rate of the shilling to the dollar has jumped to 103/= to one dollar (has been as low as 58/=). Since Kenya purchases many of it's commodities with the dollar it has caused prices to rise dramatically. While fuel costs have declined here recently, they are rising there. Some of the everyday food staples for the typical family has doubled. Many are so "squeezed" and dealing with the pain of trying survive.
Due to several factors, we have only been able to give a few raises to our staff and in lieu of raises we find other ways to bless them and opportunities where they can make or receive extra funds.
Today I had a great idea: "Send a blessing to your brothers and sisters at CMM". I would love to arrive next week and be able to bless our staff with an "unexpected blessing". Since I am going anyway, I might as well take a blessing with me. You would be surprised at just how much $10.00, $20.00,etc. would do in the purchase of the basic staples, gas, etc.
So here is the plan. Let me know by email, FB, text, phone call, etc. what you would like to give as a "unexpected blessing". You can give it to a certain person(s) or leave it up to us to decide. Then send it to Mission Barnabas or go to the website and make a donation and I will bless these great men and women after I arrive. Look at it as "leaving some extra grain" to be gleaned by others. Let's do it!
Also, I would like to take a couple of Iphones back for a couple of our staff. The more Iphones we can get to our staff makes our communication so much better and cheaper. Maybe you have upgraded and would like to sell your "old Iphone". If you haven't upgraded yet, keep us in mind the next time you do.
Blessings to each of you and be sure to mark you calendars for our upcoming MB banquet, Nov.8.
Ronnie Matheny

"Count Me In"

2011-08-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

This past week we had the greatest youth camp this nation has ever seen. Supported and organized by Convergence Church and Wellspring Church all from Dallas Texas, we were able to host a total of 1,100 teenagers from all over Kenya, as well as a good number from neighboring Uganda.

They started arriving on Monday as early as 6 am and continued the whole day until about 9 pm. Even though we had asked students to pre- register this request went unheard as the word spread about “Count Me In Camp at CMM”. Many of them arrived and immediately started calling their friends. We had parents dropping off their kids and checking out the whole facility to see the high standard of preparations that had been made. We packed every available space on the property with beddings as we used mattresses’ on the floor as well as the now famous “army cots” that were an instant favorite with the teens. We set up many large tents on the facility and packed them in for warmth as CMM is very cold at night.

Our first service on Monday night saw 300 decisions for Christ and this continued throughout the week. On Tuesday night Pastor Steve Fish from Convergence Church brought a powerful word about life in the Spirit and there was such a hunger for the baptism of the Holy Ghost! Over 500 spoke in new tongues as the place erupted in supernatural miracles of healing and deliverance. The kids were then treated to well planned soccer and basketball tournaments and thousands of gifts that were brought by Chris and Amber and the team from Convergence and a live concert every night. By the time Friday morning reached the kids didn’t want to leave. Many wrote testimonies of the great thing they encountered and mainly asked if we could consider doing this for “two weeks” next time. .. Wow.. The Lord continued to be faithful this year as we had another amazing “Count Me In Camp”.

Our thanks and appreciation to Pr. Steve Fish, Chris and Amber white, and the awesome team for Convergence church as well as Tim and Dawn from Wellspring Church and their wonderful team. We can’t wait for 2012. Our goal is 2,000 teens for east and central Africa and beyond…Amen!

Blessings

joel

When a man loves a woman July 22, 2011

2011-07-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

I’m full of thanks to God. My marriage has many times been on the rocks but the grace kept us and saw us through. This is a beginning (fresh) for my marriage. My wife will for sure have the best man in the world. All the teachings were piercing my soul and felt like something just got operated out of my heart. I’m felling so light and ready to go it through with renewed vigor and happiness. I’m ready to add value to my queen every day I live. I’m 100% willing to take care of my Father’s daughter without hurting or wounding her. I’m ready to walk the road of intimacy with my babie all through. She is all I need in this life. I want to show her the love that Christ has shown me. I’m ready to give my all to her. Thank you for giving my marriage a healing season. I feel so light after renewing my marriage vows. Once again, thank you. (Delegate)

May God bless Mama Jewell Matheny with many more years of joy and peace and good health. May she blow 101 candles. We love her! (Delegate)

The welcome we received on Monday was very unique. That has never been seen all over the world. I think that is how we will be received in heaven. Long live CMM! (Delegate)

I was in the June conference and got few tips that challenged me and from there started desiring that my wife was alongside me. When I left for home, wasn’t sure whether my wife will agree to come but prayed about it. She agreed. We had not money (the 3,000/=). Our church is in a village, no shops or recognized market but in the midst of villagers. So I was believing God to attend couples conference not having even any money. I jumped up and down when I received a call from CMM that I was given full scholarship. God bless you Big. I and my wife had a lot of cultural and traditions governing our marriage and lived in conflicts for 15 years though preaching. We were blessed to know that we have God’s Word to follow and obey and not a must to follow our parent’s styles and teaching. (Delegate)

It has been a moment of renewal, refreshment and restoration! My wife and I came to this conference totally torn apart and disconnected from each other. Our broad smiles hid our inner wounds and bleeding out of the hurts that for so long hindered us from having an intimate relationship. Several times we had differed to the extent of being separated. But Praise God! Every session has had one or two things to uproot from our unsatisfying and unfulfilling relationship. The Word preached exposed my ignorance on the fact that I have not been appreciative of my wife as a gift from God. Now, I know for sure that God created both of us and blessed both of us. I know that for my ministry to be a blessing to others, I must allow my wife to walk and work beside me! I have learned to respect and cherish my wife and to value her. I have been blessed to know that I must balance ministry and family and that my family should take priority. These are messages that one would want to hear and hear again! They’ll certainly ring in my mind throughout my life! (Delegate)

The conference has made many marriages which were at a standstill or headed to the rocks to take an about turn. The conference has healed most of the marriages which were represented here. This conference is an eye opener for married couples in Kenya, East Africa and even the whole of the African continent. (Delegate)

Personally it was truly a God given opportunity. Since I had reached a place where I was willing and planning to desert and get out of my marriage. I was totally exhausted, burnt out and was planning to dissolve it. I was angry and unforgiving to my wife. But after this conference, I decided to marry her once again and renew my commitment to her and to God. Thank you for saving my marriage. God bless you all. PS…Not only you saved my marriage and my family, but also my soul. (Delegate)

I have learned that the home and marriage is the first church, because church begins at home.(Delegate)

I must confess I have really been changed in as much as I came in with a stinking attitude on why we are not sleeping together (having our own rooms)at the conference as husbands and wives. Because of my poor attitude, I missed so much of the first day because my mind was a photocopy of the book of lamentations. As I write this, I have learned so much and God forgive me for my attitude at first. I also go to learn how I’ll organize for a conference. Debbie Matheny blessed me so much. She hardly spoke a word and yet she was in charge of a lot. That just taught me even as a 1^st Lady you don’t have to be all over the place asserting your presence or authority. You can always do so much at the back scenes as long as you are operating in your area, the area that God has placed you. She taught me that she was not in competition with anyone or with herself. She was comfortable and that really did minister to me. Ronnie, thank you for the sex talk. You are very funny. My husband and I thought you were great and we were empowered. God bless you all. (Delegate)

“If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail”, Abraham Maslow once said. This is how we used to treat our marriage as a couple. This week all the nuggets of marriage have been put into our marriage and we are ready for them to be implemented for the next few months before we also begin to teach others. (Delegate)

Whatever you have done, only God is able to pay you back. You have given hope to many families. (Delegate)

I want to say that not only the marriages represented at this conference were helped but hundreds and thousands of marriages in our congregations have also been helped a great deal. Personally I intend to hold a series of seminars in the church, do marriage conferences for our denomination and other organizations where I am invited. The materials will greatly help me do this. (Delegate)

Thanks to God for CMM. I can say it’s a gift from heaven, not USA. I can describe this like manna which falls from heaven. Since I cannot speak about everything I learned, I wish this seminar can be done once a month so that we may learn more. (Delegate)

Your nice gifts cannot go unmentioned. I really appreciated and I asked God to give me a heart of giving. (Delegate)

From the first day of the conference, it has been a continuous flow of blessings from every speaker who took to the pulpit. I was very anxious for this conference because so much had been damaged in my marriage. I was a man full of pride. I could not give space to my wife and I did not know the way I could increase her value. This caused us to fight all the time but I had my personal justification that I was always right. I had not attended any other couples conference. This conference has become an eye opener to so many things I used to disregard. I did not know that they could make such impact in transforming my marriage and bringing an end to every day conflict. I have now decided to honor my wife more than before. Communication used to be our greatest hindrance to our marriage, but I listened to Dr. Budd as he spoke to us during the men’s workshop. He said, “People love to be heard rather than to hear.” I used not to speak to my wife whenever she hurt me. She too could keep silent and this could even go for a month. This affected our children dearly even their performance in school. I thank God because this area is completely healed. In conclusion, all the teachings have found the right place in my heart and I can now testify that my marriage is no longer the same again. We need more of this oftenly. Bravo CMM! (Delegate)

We may give you one million USA dollars but we still could not have paid you enough. May God pay you according to his great riches in Christ Jesus. (Delegate)

I believe our marriage life will be very much changed. This will make the congregation we have in the church to change by copying us as a live example. (Delegate)

When I came to this meeting on Monday, July 11^th, I had a bacterial infection on my lower lip of my mouth which had a boil and painful. On the arrival and at the beginning when the chairman of CMM, Mr. Matheny, opened the meeting and prayed over diseases and sickness, all of that pain from the boil stopped. The boil also on the lower part of my lip dried up.(Delegate)

Since we arrived here with my wife, we will not be the same again. We feel having got the right medicine for our marriage problems which stood for the last 20 years. May God bless all the speakers because He had already prepared them to come and help us get everlasting solutions for our marriage problems. I would also like to thank CMM who gave us the scholarship. We knew about the conference but we were unable to raise the 3,000/= for two of us. God bless CMM and God bless everyone. (Delegate)

Mrs. D. Ronnie….thank you for the excellent administration and good food. May God bless you. I shall include you in my list of evening prayers. (Delegate)

I also discovered that the worst enemy to my marriage is the assumption that every problem I have been facing in our marriage is caused by my wife. As a man, being the head, everything rises and falls on leadership; hence it’s my duty to provide leadership. May the Lord bless all of you who contributed financially and even spiritually. Your support has changed a family in Kenya. (Delegate)

The teaching on repentance, knowing your wife, balancing family and ministry, methods of the devil’s attack…it has been like a supermarket in heaven. My wife got me a Bible in 2006 which was torn. I got a free Bible, God’s plan. I love you CMM. (Delegate)

According to the teachings in every area, I have gone a step forward. After I have heard the teachings my body has been revived and now I feel like what I was in my first month of marriage. Surely this place is an altar where God is lifting and changing the lives of everybody. God bless you for offering me and my husband a free offer for this conference. We are very much grateful. (Delegate)

First of all I would like to thank God as I have never been in such an organization like this or extra committed servants of God. Secondly, I am never the same again since my marriage was in ICU…intensive care unit…but now I am well taught and renewed and I am also blessed. I will come again and bring others. God bless you. (Delegate)

You gave me the opportunity to be in and use the bride chamber (honeymoon suite) on Tuesday. I have never felt the acceptance and the love I felt in that place. I saw the beauty and felt a love for my wife more than I have ever have since we got married. The bride chamber experience opened my heart to see the great love God has for me and my wife and family. The experience has given me a new and better beginning for my marriage and ministry. (Delegate)

When I came to the conference my marriage was very, very sick. I knew I can’t take it anymore. My husband and I we were not talking for about one month. I was very much hurt. So the first miracle appeared in the first day. We have forgiven on another and now I am healed. So when we prayed with my husband and forgave each other, the next day God gave our son a job that we have been praying for. (Delegate)

I have been struggling so much with the sexual life with my wife, but right now I thank Pastor Ronnie and the brothers from Living Word Church for touching deeper things that I had never been told when I wanted to get married. (Delegate)

This marriage conference is very wonderful to me. I have been ministered to in a very special way. It is my turning point in my marriage because for many years we have been having conflict, me and my husband. But during this conference I have decided to forgive my husband of the past and I have also prayed to God to heal me from my past. Thanks to God now we can talk. Before the conference it had been 4 months that we have not talked to each other.(Delegate)

Wow! It was really awesome! I lack words to express what God did in my life in the course of this week. I came to this marriage conference with so many wounds which I had just covered over with Elastoplasts. These include disappointments, bitterness, unforgiveness and anger. (If you are reading these testimonies and have got to this point, if you will send me this code, Song of Solomon, I will bring you home some Kenya AAA coffee (first 5). But through God’s servants who ministered, I confess that I was delivered and completely healed. I put off my past and now I am going home transformed and fully prepared to heal marriages that are going through difficulties. (Delegate)

I have been so blessed in this meeting so much. I cannot explain very well on this paper. I have been in so many conferences for married couples but what I have received here I cannot tell. I’m going home a blessed couple, changed couple. God has healed my heart and he has healed my marriage. God bless everyone that ministered. I feel blessed, happy day. I feel to love my husband for so long. We have lived 30 years without happiness but today we are starting a new life, new marriage, new love. God bless all you ministers of God. (Delegate)

This is why we are here!

2011-07-16T04:59:00.000-07:00

Where do I start and how do I describe what we witnessed this past week at the marriage conference at CMM? When I have challenged you before that your investment in Africa is helping to impact and change a nation, it was no more evident than this past week.

Over 100 couples from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (all of them senior and
key leaders) spent 5 days having their marriages renewed, revived, rescued, overhauled and healed. We literally watched them arrive on Monday one way and leave on Friday totally transformed! Yesterday we read their testimonies and wept, laughed and praised God as we heard one after another express how their marriages were changed. Some were on the verge of getting out of ministry and leaving their spouse. Some had not even spoken in months; many had not been on any kind of “date” with their spouse in years. All week we answered numerous questions and taught for hours on all aspects of married life. Then came Thursday night…

Thursday night is the last evening of the conference and we end it with a banquet. Each husband collects his wife from her room and escorts her to the banquet where we have turned the new dining hall into a beautiful and romantic environment. It is a time for them to begin a “second honeymoon” by putting into practice what they have been taught. After a great meal they began to feed each other cake and then they began to celebrate like they had been married all over again. Then a spirit of joy and celebration broke out throughout the hall. It was spontaneous. Singing started, clapping, shouting, laughing, dancing and then a conga line around the hall. We saw all the teaching, training, ministry and investment culminate in that one evening as the couples began to take a victory lap around the tables as they knew something special and new had happened in their marriages. At one point, I had no idea what to do next as celebration was the act of the moment and as it gathered momentum we could see a week’s work of ministry bearing fruit.

I watched on TV a few weeks ago as the Dallas area celebrated when the Mavericks won the NBA championship. It was exciting to see such jubilation after years of trying to win it all. However, even if I could have been in downtown for the parade and celebration it would not have topped what we witnessed Thursday night. We watched our dreams and vision of what has been in our hearts for years come true one more time in a powerful way! Then to put an exclamation point on it all, several of the pastors said that by the end of this year thousands of marriages will be changed because they are going to take what they have learned and experienced back to their people. Now that is why we are here!

for 4 days I ate good and slept well-July 2, 2011

2011-07-02T05:28:00.000-07:00

This past week I have been reading through many of the testimonies from the conference we had 2 weeks ago. While reading one from a pastor, near the bottom he made one statement that jumped out at me. The statement is this: “I pray that God will continue to bless CMM. The cost of living in Kenya is too high but for 4 days I ate good, slept well and got great books. God bless you forever.” Pst. J. Mutitu.

Everywhere you look around the globe prices are climbing very rapidly. Kenya has been hit with higher prices over the last year, some things increasing by 33%. (Kenya has the worst inflation in Africa.) Reading articles in the paper, talking to pastors and just doing our own shopping, the prices of fuel, vegetables, flour, oil, etc. have increased dramatically. It is becoming very challenging for pastors to attend a conference, not because of our costs but because of how expensive it is for them to travel here as well as leave money at home while they are away. We heard from many of them that they would not be attending the June conference because they were saving up to attend the marriage conference and to bring their spouse plus leave money at home while they are gone would take some extreme budgeting, planning and faith.

However, once they arrive, we treat them like royalty. The accommodations we have are beautiful and wonderful. We feed them so well and they can take hot water showers and sleep on a 6 inch mattress with blankets, sheets and pillows. When I read a testimony, that for 4 days they ate good and slept well on top of getting good books, I am blessed and encouraged.

How many of us take for granted that for 4 days we have eaten well and slept good. Let’s never lose our gratitude for our daily provisions. Sometimes in the challenges we face in reaching our next goal, we may easily forget just how blessed we are with a roof over our heads, a good bed and plenty to eat. Can you stop for a moment and thank God that for the last 4 days, you ate good and slept well…and oh yes, you have some great books!

My father's vision extended-June 25,2011

2011-06-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, Father’s Day, was a very special time for me as Travis and his family celebrated it with us on safari in Kenya. Many of these holidays, Debbie and I celebrate with our children by Skype or email, so this was super special. It also gave me pause to remember my Dad and the impact he has had on me and the rest of our family.

This time the holiday had much extra meaning for me as we had just finished a pastor’s leadership conference which was Dad’s vision which he started over 25 years ago and Travis(grandson) was one of the speakers. Travis now comes to Kenya two times a year to teach the pastors and he is quickly becoming a pastor of pastors to many here. Observing the anointing that is on him and the affect he is having on the vision and ministry here is such a blessing. We sell cd’s and tapes of all the messages and over the last few conferences Travis’ messages have been the main seller.

On top of that, Madeline and Clara (great granddaughters) were at the conference and during the concordance workshop they helped hand out the concordances. As I watched this I had to have a “moment” realizing that our Godly heritage and Dad’s vision is being extended. It was a beautiful sight

One reason this is so special is that when you drive up to the conference center the sign at the gate reads ‘Clarence Matheny Leadership Training Institute’. Due to being given several libraries over the last few years that we have kept in storage, we will one day open the Clarence Matheny Theological Library. This will most likely be the largest religious library in Kenya if not in most of Africa. The interesting aspect of this is that my dad had to drop out of school in the third grade and couldn’t read as an adult. After he got saved God literally taught him how to read. So one day soon a man that couldn’t read and ran away from home planning to return one day and kill his stepfather but God saved him and called him to preach, will have a theological library named after him located in a training institute named after him with his wife, sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren carrying out his heart to help African pastors. What a father’s day! What a heritage!

June Conference Report - June 19, 2011

2011-06-19T02:43:00.000-07:00

This is my third time to write this blog and also the hardest. We have just finished a 5 day pastor’s conference and it is so hard to describe all that took place. With so many testimonies that we heard and testimonies still coming in and with Travis, Lori, Madeline and Clara here as a family for the first time, I have been on an emotional roller coaster.

A couple of things that stood out to me: First, the way each speaker’s message connected with each other’s, you would have thought I gave each of them a theme. Then on the third night, after they had received 2 days of teaching, books, concordances and so much ministry, at the end of the praise and worship they would not stop praising. I stood there and didn’t know what to do next as it would die down and then rise again. I didn’t know what to do! Then when the last group of leaders went through the bookstore, EVERY book was gone. All the shelves were empty. We are officially out of Bibles and books…an awesome sight. What an investment. Another highlight was having Madeline and Clara help us give concordances to the pastors. Our family’s heritage continuing in blessing African pastors was extended once again.

All of this with over 500 leaders in attendance, 9 guest speakers who poured out their hearts with tremendous messages, other guests that made it all go smoothly and all without it raining which had threatened too. Another glorious conference and so many lives impacted. Still riding the roller coaster and not ready to get off. Marriage conference starts in just over 2 weeks and we get to do it all over again.

-Ronnie

A Week to Remember - June 9, 2011

2011-06-09T06:31:00.001-07:00

We are very excited over what’s about to happen in the next few days. We get to be a part in hosting hundreds of leaders for 5 days of teaching and training and then putting resources into their hands. We also get to host 6 pastors from America, along with several others accompanying them as they pour into these precious men and women of God great truths and teaching. We get to have “Christmas” all over again as we watch these pastors unwrap brand new concordances, Bibles, dictionaries, etc.

However, one of the most exciting things for Debbie and I along with the blessing of the conference is that an 8 year dream of ours is about to be fulfilled. Our oldest son Travis is bringing his family to Kenya for 2 weeks. Travis is one of the speakers at this conference and Lori, Madeline and Clara will see what Papa and Nanny do in Africa. Then, it is off on safari for 3 days and experience Madeline and Clara getting to see all the animals. This is the tour that we have wanted to guide for 8 years…our grand kids! We have been somewhat giddy the last few days as we prepare for their arrival. Let the fun begin….

This is the week we also are launching our improved and updated web site; Face Book and You Tube venues. Travis has outdone himself on these and I know it will help us keep everyone updated and tuned into what is happening here.

So welcome pastors to CMM…. welcome American guests to Kenya….welcome all of our new Face Book friends…welcome to our “new” web site and then WELCOME Travis, Lori, Madeline and Clara to our home in Africa! Next up: Troy, Becca, Morgan and Chase!

Also, just heard that Kentucky Fried Chicken is coming to Nairobi soon…welcome KFC! The way this week is shaping up, don’t be surprised if the Mavs win it all!

-Ronnie

Testimony from Pastor Paul Musungu - June 5, 2011

2011-06-05T06:31:00.001-07:00

Just returned Tuesday from a regional meeting...what can I say...sharing what I know all day to hungry pastors that sit for hours taking notes...Fulfilling!

I want to share with you an email I received. This is typical of the hunger and need here and how your help is making such a difference:

Dear Rony:

Now give me your attention in this area. I really thank God for you. If there are two people that have a ministry that seems to be a duplicate of each other, then, it is you and me. The Lord started moving me long time, in the late 90s’ about what you are doing at the moment. So, I need you very much in my life and ministry. Right now I’m just pasturing a Church in the Western past of Kenya, but, when I see what you are doing I find interpretation to what the Lord is still prompting my heart for long.I Know you are a father and an apostle, so, I can put my hands into your biggest ones and learn more things from you.

Now, I caught, one thing that I have been wanting to do in the rural urban centres of Butula and that day, the Lord caused you to speak it out. And that is starting resource centers. Kindly, Consider working with me to meet this need in this area. To effect this I would ask you to help us with the following:

Resources (books, atleast 2 or 3 computers).
Books (like: Strongs Exh’ Bible concordance, commentaries, vine Expository Dictionaries, Bible dictionaries, Different translations of the Bibles).
help us start out (acquire a rental room and one personnel to watch the libray).

Since I came to this area from the year 2008, I have wept a lot, servants of God are not reached and you can hardly see even a speaker from Nairobi visit Churches out there. It is difficult to see even a missionary out here. I have tried to get the pastors together and right now we have a pastors’ fellowship. I have started to introduce the pastors to some Bible training and leadership sessions. I had earlier shared with them my vision of having a Christian resource centre and they were excited. I have some few books that I can add to the library if you help us start out. I even I brought few along to your meeting of June.Please, pray about this, the churches out here are underfed and this is because the servants are neglected. I have started to come up with seminars and youth conferences. I heed your help in this. God bless you. I have not asked for a vehicle or anything for my personal need, but, I cry for the need of the body of Christ out here. May the Lord that feels for His body speak to you to reach us.

Pastor Paul M. Musungu

Looking for more Gideons to put more trumpets and lanterns in their hands so that these nations of East Africa will be transformed!

Ronnie

Perspective June 2, 2011

2011-06-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

Just before we arrived by in Kenya, two of our staff members were robbed at gunpoint after their van broke down on the highway at night. They took Pastor Chola's Iphone that he had just got while in the States along with thousands of shillings between all of them. Then Sunday at church one of the young ladies that help with the service each Sunday had just been attacked by several men as soon as she walked out of her gate. She threw her keys and purse at them and ran and they let her go but she lost her purse, money, phone, etc. Later, Debbie and I were discussing how that of all the friends we have in the United States we hardly ever here of anyone being assaulted, robbed, beat, etc. Yet here, almost every friend we have, our staff, guards, etc. has at least one story, some of them many stories of attacks, robberies, beating, etc.

One thing that so amazes us is how the Christians here can be robbed, attacked and live in a culture with so many challenges; high prices for food, long periods without water or electricity, horrible traffic, walking so much to go places, some living on a few dollars day and still have such a victorious spirit and the joy of the Lord. So many times I have been blessed because I will see one of our friends, pastors, staff, etc. and they tell me what recently happened to them but they still have that "keyboard" smile and so much joy. Each time we are back in the States I catch myself getting frustrated over such small things then hear of what my brothers and sisters here are going through and how they respond and it pulls the slack out of my life and keeps me from getting spoiled! Lord, help me not to complain again over the small stuff.

Ronnie

Welcome!

2011-06-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome the the Mission Barnabas blog. We are excited to use this new media to bring you updates about the work that is being done in East Africa. Please select 'follow' below so that you are always up to date with all the latest information.

We appreciate you and can't wait to share all that God is doing through Mission Barnabas.

Blessings, Ronnie and Debbie