Impact of Covid
The pandemic has severely impacted the communities served by the Pastors, with sickness and ensuing deaths. The restrictions which have been adopted by most nations has meant that groups have been unable to meet and travel has been limited.
Pastor Johnstone laments being unable to hold the annual sports event for Recovery groups as has occurred in previous years, which has been such a blessing in bringing families and communities together.
Growth and Recovery
Nevertheless, he was able to bring together seven groups for an annual meeting at the new church, although it was with restricted numbers. By God’s
grace there has been growth in all these groups, with recovery and healing.
The roof of the church remains incomplete owing to shortage of funds.
Pastor Lackson in Zambia reports that 10 new groups have been formed in 2021, each with 15 – 20 members.
Baptisms
Many of those who have made recovery from their addiction go on to make a decision to follow Jesus, as a result of their Spiritual Awakening, and are baptised. This has been the case in Zambia:
…in Uganda, where sixteen members were baptised in October in Tororo, following the teaching of “Healing of the Human Spirit”;
…and in Kenya, where those being baptised included people who used to brew the beer, as well as Recoverers.
Group Projects
Pastor Johnstone reports that group projects are developing in the communities served in Kenya, and include: sheep keeping; poultry; dairy farming; soap production; education for vulnerable children; bread making; goat keeping; wood workshop.
Bee keeping is not popular due to fear of stings, and the initial expense of making hives.
These are merely those various projects that have become established and are operating within 5 miles of his house. Machakha has become something of a hub supporting the surrounding area, visited by local government officers belonging to Bungoma County Assembly, who are watching how things may develop which may be used elsewhere.