Worship Under The Stars

Feb 28, 2020

Worship Under the Stars

Voices rang out under the milky way as clouds of dust arose from the joyful stomping of barefooted villagers, once untouched by the Gospel. I rejoiced to see the fulfillment of 20 years of prayer unfolding before me, as God quietly spoke to my heart: “As I promised Abraham, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars … So shall your offspring be.’ Trust Me and walk with Me and I will pour out my Spirit on this desert land.” In the neighboring villages of our discipleship program, many of the kids who came to us from the “Forgotten People” over a decade ago are now venturing out in hut to hut evangelism, sharing the love of God to the isolated communities they once lived in.

Marko, like many others, had been reluctant to send his son Lobai to our children’s home during its early years. When our African director, James Nyika, assured the resistant father that Lobai would be properly cared for and receive an education, Marko consented, unaware of the eternal impact this decision would have on his own life. When Lobai heard that his father recently fell ill, he and six other boys in our program returned to the village to pray over Marko. Amazed at the change in his now teen-aged son, Marko sat as Lobai led the boys in prayer over his feeble body. The love of God prevailed, compelling Lobai’s father to receive the Good News and give his life to Jesus.

After visiting with Marko, the boys began to collect firewood and invite other villagers to join them for prayer that evening. Curious bystanders gathered around the fire, as another of our boys, Lokwar, stood to welcome them in their native tongue. Seeing the boldness of their grown up children overflowing with God’s love and confidently worshiping in their own language, the people began sobbing with joy. The young wandering children they had once known were now young adults being powerfully used by the God of the universe.

As God’s Spirit continued to pour out on the village, another youth, Ariko, preached and invited all to come to Jesus, followed by a prayer of confession. Light pierced the darkness as fifteen men and sixty women came forward to receive the Lord around the glowing bonfire illuminating the night. What began with a small group of obedient young disciples has now become an established church, meeting several evenings a week to gather and worship the Creator of the stars above.

Lobai’s father Marko, who was among the first to receive Jesus, died one week after the boys prayed for him. Though his body did not recover from the sickness, he found true healing in the arms of his Savior. He will be followed by many from his village who can now enter eternity welcomed by their Heavenly Chief.

In the same way that Marko’s village was recently unreached, fifty percent of the world’s population still lives in areas with no access to the Gospel. We exist to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who have never had the chance to hear His name.

Thank you for your faithful prayers, love and support of Ends of the Earth Ministries!

God bless you,
Pastor Rob Douglass

Abigail Nyika

Mar 21, 2019

Abigail Nyika

As I entered the house and embraced Jane, I was unable to control my sorrow. We all sat weeping for quite a long time. Amidst the tears, I did my best to communicate how many of their church family in America are continuously praying and sending their deepest condolences.

As I sat next to Jane, James began recounting the events of the last few days. He explained how Abigail had an uncommon passion to know more about Jesus. During their family devotions she would pray with the wisdom of a mature Christian even though she was only eight years old. A few weeks ago she told her family that they must begin studying the gospel of John. So they did. James said, “Abigail made statements and asked questions more profound than any I had heard in seminary.“

On Monday James took Abigail to the hospital when she began to show signs of a sickness. The Doctor found an infection in her blood and was treating her with a injection each day. On Friday, she began the day feeling weaker than normal but seemed to be stable. Near lunchtime, she became too weak to stand on her own and her parents called the doctor and rushed her to the hospital. During the drive Abigail was communicating clearly and praying for Jesus to make a way through the traffic to get to the hospital on time. As they approached the heaviest traffic, miraculously a lane opened and they were able to get to the hospital quickly. Upon arriving, they found the doctors and nurses were ready for her. Within moments Abigail’s body began to fail. With her mom on one side and her father on the other the doctors did everything they could to save her but were unable to.

James then went on to speak of the comfort they are receiving from the Lord and the Scriptures in the days following Abigail’s earthly death. I was in awe as he quoted the exact scriptures that I felt God wanted me to share with him. James continued to share about the very specific challenges that we will face in these times of overwhelming loss. It was as though he was reading from my notes that I had prepared to encourage him with. Instead, he was encouraging all of us to stand strong in our faith and view this earthly tragedy in light of eternity. James said, “We will not see our precious Abigail again on this earth. Abigail is now with Jesus and is experiencing eternal life and will never die.”

It’s almost impossible to describe the faith and hope that James and Jane are walking in. Only Jesus can accomplish this amidst such loss.

Please continue to pray for the Nyika family. Friends and relatives are arriving to their home in waves. As each group enters the tears and grief well up and the process is repeated again and again. James and Jane cannot sustain this amount of emotional and physical exhaustion much longer.

The days, weeks and months ahead will be filled with countless emotional and spiritual highs and lows. Please continue to pray for James and Jane and their five children as they daily embrace God’s plan for their family and ministry.

Abigail’s earthly body has been laid to rest next to her grandfather in the refugee camp.

Saturday we will celebrate Abigail‘s life. James asked that we all pray that this funeral will be a time where believers will find encouragement in Jesus and nonbelievers will be awakened to the finality of death and the eternal life that can be found in Christ.

On behalf of James, Jane, Fiona, Jeff, Blessing, Jonathan and Joel

We are deeply grateful for your love and encouragement…
Rob Douglass

Place of Refuge

Jun 15, 2017

UPDATE 2017:
Last year as the civil war devastated the economy in South Sudan it became increasingly difficult to purchase enough food for the kids in our full time care. God provided an older abandoned building formerly used by the Red Cross just over the border in Kenya where food is available and the kids can live in safety. We are pleased to tell you that the necessary initial renovations are complete and the kids are now occupying half of the facility. Thank you to all who prayed and donated to make this dream a reality. We will continue to receive funds and hope to have the renovations finished by the end of the year.

The children love their new home. Most importantly this place of refuge has given them a fresh start where they can live without fear and just have fun.

You will be amazed to see the transformation in these children’s lives in this two minute video. Enjoy!

ORIGINAL POST 2016:
So thankful that God has provided a new home for our Taus children- out of the war zone and into safety. Please continue to pray as we raise the finances to complete the necessary renovations.