“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

Isaiah 55 v 8 (NIV)

Thought: Some things cannot be explained.  You can’t rationalise God; God cannot be contained! 

Father God, please reveal something of your love and power to me this week. Amen.

A new teaching series commenced Sunday, 14th July entitled Is it in the Bible? The teaching is being uploaded to our Sermons page at https://downsbaptistchurch.org/sermons/ so head there if you are unable to attend.

Family Camp is running from Friday 23rd until Tuesday 27th August at Stedham Camp near Midhurst, West Sussex.

All of the DBC family and friends are welcome to join a collection of happy and relaxed campers for a weekend of fellowship and fun.

For further details speak to Gareth.

Update on the ministry of Daniel and Fennih Gitau following the visit of Paddy Taylor (Sheffield Fellowship) to Kenya in March 2019.  

Please continue to pray for the work in Kenya.  We have been supporting the project for many years and it is wonderful to see what God is doing and how the work is growing.

1. The Great Commission Medical Centre Dundori

• As previously stated there has been a big improvement in facilities. The outhouse building is now used for physiotherapy and for housing the C.O. (doctor) who lives on site.
• There is still need for equipment in all areas, including maternity equipment, dental and laboratory equipment.
• Kenya has introduced national health insurance, an affordable insurance with which people can pay for health services.
• A blood analyser has been bought for the clinic, and the clinic is in the process of raising funds for an incinerator.

2. The work in Molo

The street feeding programme has successfully come to an end, with all the street children being found homes, and many coming to faith.  This left the children needing sponsorship to obtain secondary education – so the street feeding programme has become sponsorship through education.  The cost of sponsorship for one child through secondary school is £25 per month for 4 years.

The long-term vision is to build a secondary school on land Leonard Mbae has acquired in Molo.

3. The Dolphin Academy School

There have been big changes in the teaching staff over the past few years.  The current teaching staff are very young and enthusiastic, but their salaries are not enough to live on.  Sponsorship is a new development and there is a growing need for a sponsorship scheme for bright pupils whose parents cannot afford the school fees.

In 2018 Dolphin Academy students were very successful in the national school exam (the KCPE exam).

New facilities have been developed in the last 6 years including new toilets for staff and pupils, a new classroom, and concrete flooring to several of the classrooms.  There is still a need for desks to accommodate the increase in numbers in the school.

The school has also acquired a new school bus which does 2 school runs each morning and evening.  However, not all pupils can afford bus fees.

4. An update on the churches in the area under the presbytership of Rev Daniel Gitau

They are vibrant, growing churches where the Lord is obviously at work, including:-

• Dundori: a healthy church of about 250 people in a poor area, led by Joseph and Florence and Gideon and Beatrice. The new church building which they have been working on for years is now taking shape nicely (called their “cathedral”).
• Nakuru Worship Centre (NWC): The only church which is self-supporting financially as many members have good employment in Nakuru. About 150 members.
• Molo: a church of around 150 people pastored by Leonard Mbae and Mary.

5. Daniel’s work with other churches and in the political sphere

• The God Bless Kenya (Prayer Movement): the church in Nakuru has been the prime mover behind this movement, especially the Nakuru Elders Council. This led to peaceful elections in 2013.  Daniel was instrumental in its formation and it works for peace in Kenya.
• Prayer Breakfasts: Because of the high standing of the church in Kenya Government officials feel obliged to attend such breakfasts and subject themselves to prayer and messages of a Christian nature.
• Prayer rallies: Daniel and the Nakuru Elders Council were also involved in organising prayer rallies. For example, following the problems around the elections in 2017, when it looked as though the country could descend into civil war, a prayer rally was organised of 250 thousand people who prayed for peace and reconciliation within the country.

6. The country of Kenya – challenges and developments

• There is a distinct improvement in the roads, but they have been largely constructed by the Chinese who do not aid the local economy. Chinese industries in Kenya are very strong and this leads to Kenyan businesses losing out.
• Corruption: the number one evil in Kenyan society. It is extensive and seems to infuse all levels of government.
• Even in the church: William Ruto, the deputy president of Kenya who is a well-known Christian and preacher in his church, is currently being investigated for corruption. Lure of corruption is hard to resist in a country with great levels of poverty.

7. The Great Mission for Kenya (GMK)

This is a new charity being set up to take over the work of coordinating funds to channel to the ministry in Kenya.

Our “Encountering God” study group has now finished the studies based around the book of the same name by Joyce Huggett.

The meeting to be held on Monday, 29th July @ 2pm will discuss the way forward.

Well the weather wasn’t good enough for our beach service this year so we had a short service in the school hall before making our way down to Rottingdean beach for Rob Brand’s baptism.

It was a cool day and there weren’t many people about but it was a very happy and memorable occasion particularly for Rob and his family.

To hear Rob’s testimony please click on the audio link below:-

It was great to be part of Woodingdean Carnival and once again all of the churches were represented under the banner of “Churches Together in Woodingdean”. It was a hot day but a very happy one. It seems that the Woodingdean Carnival just gets better and better.

Thursday Fellowship will be taking a break from its weekly meetings over the summer but do not fear, they are hosting their famous coffee mornings.

11th July – Lesley’s home @ 10.30

25th July – Faith’s home @ 10.30

8th August – Sylvia’s home @ 10.30

22nd August – Venue TBC @ 10.30 

All welcome.  For further details please give Faith a call on 01273 304018

The term-time coffee mornings are changing from their usual Tuesday morning slot. For information on venue, day and time please speak to Cassie Reynolds.

A big shout out to our intrepid pastor, Malcolm who completed the Milton Keynes Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday, 6th May in a personal best time of 4 hrs, 11 mins and 50 secs.

Malcolm was raising awareness and funds for Off the Fence’s Antifreeze project tackling homelessness in Brighton and Hove. He has raised over £1000 so far and if you would like to sponsor him, there is still time: Head to –

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MalcolmHaines

Well done Malcolm – a fantastic achievement.