There will be many times when we must endure heartache and many times when we must learn to forgive. Lucas Baloyi, a staff member of Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) in South Africa, is one of those people.

Before Lucas became part of LHM, he had a friend named Happy Job. "He was a very, very clever young man who was at a technical school and was looking forward to his life," said Lucas. "He was happy like his name. But one day something happened to him."

It was dark when the car cut Lucas and Happy off as they were leaving the theater one evening. The man who got out of the car was angry and wanted to argue with Happy about a woman. The angry man was bigger than Happy, and he became even angrier when Happy stood his ground unafraid. "This guy thought, maybe, he was big, and he could do anything to Happy," described Lucas. "They started to fight, and he took out a gun and shot my friend. He shot him and he shot him, and he got inside his car and drove away."

Lucas stood over Happy's body, as well as the blood that gathered at his feet. People screamed and came to help. They took him to the hospital, but he didn't make it. He died.

Lucas said, "That is how I lost my friend. And I said to myself, I would avenge him. There was anger in me. I really wanted to take revenge if I met this man. His name was Temba Bonani." Temba was arrested a few days later. His trial seemed to be endless to Lucas, who couldn't understand why it took so long to convict a man that many witnessed killing someone else. When the sentence came down, Temba was sentenced to about eight years.

"What's eight years?" Lucas questioned. "I then said to myself that when Temba gets out, I will kill him. After the sentence, I looked into his eyes and I could see he didn't care. He just went like he was going on holiday. That was the end of him."

That was about five years ago. Since then, Lucas joined LHM and began doing prison outreach. One day he was in Section C of a local prison, preaching the Scripture about the prodigal son to about 200 inmates, along with a pastor. As he helped the inmates who couldn't write, someone tapped him on the back.

"And as I turned my back, there was this face-of this man Temba Bonani. The one who killed my friend," Lucas said with emotion. "I didn't know what to do. And in the split of a second he opened his arms, and I went to him and we hugged each other. From there I left the prison. I took a taxi. I told the taxi driver to stop. I just wanted to get out. I didn't know if I was angry with myself or angry with God; angry at life. I was angry, and I just wanted to walk.

Lucas asked himself, "Why did I do that? There was this man who killed my friend in front of my eyes, and after all those years, he opened his arms inside the prison...." He went back to the office, and he told the staff the story he had kept to himself for so long. No one knew about it, and Lucas thought he would never meet Temba again. The office prayed with Lucas and, the next week, he went back to the prison.

"At first I didn't want to go. I didn't know what was going to happen. Maybe I was going to take something with me and finish him off inside the prison. Or he would do something to me. Something will happen to me or to him. But we prayed. When I arrived, I found him waiting for me," he said.

Lucas continued, "He wanted to know more about the Bible and God. And I started ministering to him. He asked me the question, 'Do I forgive him?' Inside I was asking myself 'What kind of a question is that?' But something came into my mouth, 'Not only me, but God forgiven you for what you have done.'"

Lucas continues to go to the prison and teach Temba about God, still seemingly unsure of his feelings, yet sure in his faith that God will lead him through this challenge. "I still see him, and he has really changed in a sense that he is now getting involved with devotions, and he does the Bible Study, and I have forgiven him."

Giving a piece of soap can make difference because it is the little things we do that encourage others to learn about God, Said pastor Edward Misati, Chaplin of Maranjau prison in Kenya during an official presentation of Bibles and soaps bars .The gifts were the result of work conducted by the Lutheran Hour Ministry (LHM)-Kenya a ministry center in Nairobi known as the Nuru Media Ministry.

Maranjau prison is located in a remote part of the Murang’a District. It is a symbol of rejection as far as the inmates and wardens are concerned. According to LHM Outreach Cordinator Isaac Ngala, ”When one is transferred to the place ,it is like people have given up on them .”the team members who worked at the prison describe the venture as a” humbling” experience .Team member Thomas Okello said ,”It was an eye opener to the plight of the many people who are suffering ,there –some of whom may be innocent”.

The Nuru teams engaged themselves by preaching to the inmates, as well as conducting counseling .Chaplain Masati characterized their efforts as a “therapeutic experiences “.

One of the inmates called the team’ visits a great relief because it was the first time he had seen anyone from Nairobi since being moved to Maranjau .For the team ,the mission was platform of sharing God’s love to people who mostly feel hopeless.

Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Norah Ngule, LHM-Kenya Programs officer said the soap was a gift of love symbolizing the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Another LHM staff member, Martin Akuku, added the Bible was a token of spiritual enhancement while the soap was the physical cleaning.

“God’s word reveals the truth that ultimately sets one free, “he said .Outreach missions are one of the major ministry strategies for enhancing the communication of the Gospel .Through this effort, other activities, such as the Bible correspondence courses are administered .The Mranjau mission team earned accolades fro the chaplain, who describe their efforts as a landmark achievement in the life of residents.

“You left behind a new song because there is something new for them to sing about,” he said.

Change. There isn't a single aspect of our lives that doesn’t. Whether it is changing our minds or changing an address. However, in the case of Lutheran Hour Ministry's Kenyan Manager, John Maina Kamau, change meant life or death for a family in Northern Kenya.

Kenya's northern half has been a difficult area for Christian missionaries. It is nearly 100 percent Muslim and, according to John, "It is a wild country, in fact, a lawless place comparable only to America's Wild West."

The people there are constantly faced with extreme poverty, drought, unending hunger and the constant threat of bandits--some who will kill for as little as five liters of water.

"It is the kind of place that Jesus would have never ignored," John said.

John always had the desire to reach the people living there, and he felt that the time had come to do something.

"I've always felt I wasn't doing enough in my ministry by not going into the north country," John said. "I had to make this trip." The Muslim holy month of Ramadhan was approaching, so John's team weighed their options.

"I wasn't sure if Ramadhan was a good time to go or not, due to the high amount of Muslim pride during that time," John said, "but, since it is a time of peace, we decided it would be the safest time to go."

It also happened to be Christmas. John's team knew that they would be sacrificing their Christmas holiday, but also felt it was what Jesus would want them to do.

"It was the best time to go," John said. "What better time for people to learn of the birth of the Savior than Christmas."

Their lives were changing. Soon, others’ would too.

During the trip, John and his team visited one homestead in Northern Kenya where they were able to attract a large crowd.

"We bring our brass instruments with us," John said, "and the sound of the trumpets always attracts many people."

John's team began by providing medicine for the livestock -- a service that is highly appreciated by the Kenyan people.

"This area has been without rain for three years," John said, "and they have become dependent on the food and water provided to them by the United Nations, but no one helps them with their animals. They need their animals for food and milk, so they are very grateful to us for our help. They were so happy!"

One man was so happy that his goat was healed that he went home and returned to John with a chicken, saying, "Please take this." John's team then showed the group that had gathered the "Jesus" video (translated into the Borana language) and witnessed to the crowd. Afterward, they distributed copies of the New Testament to those who wanted them. However 70 percent of the people are illiterate. "The only way to reach these people is through interpersonal communication," John said.

He described the visit as being immensely successful. "The joy of someone saying, 'I want to know more about Jesus,' swept over us. Many people came to know their Savior that day," he added. Upon returning home to Nairobi in the South of the country, John picked up a newspaper and was shocked to see the lead story.

Not long after the peaceful month of Ramadhan had ended, violence began in the North again.

A homestead in Northern Kenya had been attacked where eight Policemen and two civilians were killed and at least 10 others were abducted. John immediately knew which homestead, because it was the very place he and his team had just been.

"It was obviously the last opportunity to hear the Gospel for many of them," John said. "I felt that it was the will of the Lord that we were able to speak to those people when we did. One moment they were making their decision (to come to Christ), then, in an instant, some were standing before their maker."

Each day we are bombarded with salesmen claiming that their product will "change our lives." However it is stories like John's team in Kenya we must remember. The single most important event that can take place in a person’s life is to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be brought to faith by the power of God’s Spirit. For we never know when our time on earth will end.

As Jared Osoro tells his story, it is easy to see that the memories are still very vivid. He remembers, clearly, the range of emotions he experienced in that split second before everything went black.

“I can still recall that day as if it was yesterday. First the panic when I realized that the oncoming vehicle had lost control and that an accident was inevitable, and then the shock of the impact between the car and the bicycle I was riding.”

Jared regained consciousness, two weeks after the accident, to find that his left leg had been amputated below the knee. With this realization, any hope that Jared had seemed to disappear. In Kenya, physical disability is seen as an imperfection. It is frowned upon and those who live with disability are shunned and end up begging for food and money to survive. Jared could not see a future in living this way.

For six months, Jared stayed in hospital recovering and receiving physical therapy. Jared remembers it as a dark and depressing time.

“I remember questioning my dad, asking for the reason he signed for my amputation while I was unconscious. He could have left me to die instead,” said Jared.

Jared’s father, who is a pastor, explained to Jared how important he was to God and to his family and assured him that one day he would be able to live and work just like anybody else.

The following year Jared was fitted with an artificial leg, courtesy of the Lions Club of Nairobi, and he began attending college. Even then, Jared still contemplated suicide and received a lot of encouragement from his friends and family. Jared finished college in 1996 and began searching for a job.

Not long after that, Jared met an old acquaintance, John Maina, who is currently serving as the Director of Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM)—Kenya. John invited him to volunteer at Nuru Lutheran Media Ministry, the newly established LHM office in Kenya. Reluctantly, Jared agreed hoping to just keep busy and pass time. As a volunteer, Jared was responsible for enrolling students for Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC). He eventually set up a kiosk to counsel and pray with people.

“This encounter made me realize that even though the counselee looked normal physically, they had a lot more worries and cares than I thought,” observed Jared.

With time, Jared’s self esteem grew, and he is now employed as a full time employee at LHM—Kenya and oversees the collection, grading, and graduation of over 29,000 BCC students.

Jared’s story was featured in an eight-minute video shown to audiences at the 2007 LLL Convention. The video called Faces of Hope was first shown at the introductory presentation of the LHM International Ministries division. Audiences were especially excited and stood in applause when Jared was introduced in person.

Jared appeared very poised as he expressed his gratitude to God for giving him strength throughout his ordeal, and thanked LHM for the work that they are doing to give hope to many people living without it. Later, Jared was present at the ministry booth to greet and talk with visitors. He also shared a stage with Menkir Esayas, Area Counselor for Africa/Middle East, at the workshop titled Life in the Mission Field.

Looking back on his first time at an LLL Convention, first visit to the United States, and first time on a plane, Jared said that what he would remember most are all the people he met who had a “heart for ministry.”

The video is available on the LHM Web site at http://www.lhm.org/convention/ondemand.htm as part of the International Ministries presentation.

To all of those who send their prayers and gifts of support to LHM—Kenya and other LHM ministry centers, a sincere thank you from all of the staff and volunteers. They kindly ask for your continued support.

Two years ago, Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) told the story of a Somali man named Abdi. He was a Christian in the primarily Muslim country of Somalia who had to escape after he confessed his faith to his coworkers when asked to pray before an afternoon tea. Instead of saying the “bismillahi,” he said the Christian grace. He had found “a release” by explaining his faith in detail, while his coworkers wondered why he was committing suicide.

His wife secretly warned Abdi, through a messenger, of a plot to kill him if he returned home. He then reluctantly escaped from Somalia on a nearly 1,300 mile journey south to Kenya.

Abdi eventually found a home in a Kenyan Somali refugee camp as a Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) volunteer. He was eventually reunited with his wife there, and he has been instrumental in a Somali outreach program.

The LHM vision was to start an outreach program to the Somali community. The Somali people are the most widespread in the region, where large populations reside in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya.

“In Kenya, our core target was not the Kenyan Somalis, but rather the refugee community,” said Paul Mbugua, Nuru Lutheran Media Ministry (LHM-Kenya) manager. “We have the advantage because the Somali refugee community numbers nearly 200,000 in the camps, which are under Lutheran World Federation administration.”

The ministry’s plan includes launching a radio program and distributing Bible correspondence courses (BCC) in Somali as follow up.

The BCCs are ready and the radio program has more than 16 programs ready for launching on the radio during a block of time known as the “Somali Hour.”

The problem was that LHM needed people active in contacting respondents for follow-up. These people would not only form a fellowship group, but also be a team to receive the new converts both in residential areas and in the Church.

“We were not fooling ourselves,” said Paul. “We knew that when you reached out to a Muslim you needed to be prepared for some reaction. And you needed to provide some support mechanism.”

Abdi was the point man since LHM had already used him as a translator for the BCC material. He had a proven record. Individuals who were contacted and who showed a keen interest were later incorporated into a Confirmation class. The plan worked even though the struggle was long. The new believers needed to be counseled and encouraged throughout the process, due to what they were going through.

In one situation, a new Christian family had to hide in one of the Lutheran churches for over a month, and recently, the Muslim relatives of one Christian man’s wife tried to force her to leave him. They beat her so badly that they knocked out a tooth, but she stood by her husband and her newly found faith.

Suleh, a young man and former Muslim, was stabbed in the arm. At least one convert has given in to pressure and returned to the Muslim faith, but others are not only still standing in their faith, they are also excited about it.

Paul said, “I asked one of them, ‘Why haven't you considered going back to Islam?’ This was after they had thrown him out of the house, and he had to sleep at the church. He said, simply, ‘Because Islam is a lie. It’s a clever lie, but it’s a lie.’”

According to Paul, a knife-wielding Muslim fundamentalist has attacked Abdi in the street twice. Abdi and his family were also attacked at home two times.

“In the end, I had to plead with him not to share his faith so openly,” said Paul. “Abdi, however, said that sometimes he could not keep quiet.”

Despite all his problems, plus the financial woes he bears as a refugee, he continues to flash a smile and project such peace in his heart that one can only be amazed at the work Jesus has accomplished in Abdi.

In early June, the United Nations refugee’s agency appealed to Kenya authorities to relocate Somali refugees away from the volatile border area it shares with Somali in the poor border –town of Mandera in Northern Kenya.

This comes as stray bullets fired from within the troubled country are taking the lives’ of refugees and Kenyan civilians a like as well as diseases malnutrition and bad water.

There are currently 213,000 refugees in Kenya including 129,000 Somali. And for about one year, Lutheran Hour Ministry (LHM) enlisted the help of a Somali refugee named Abdi, to introduce the Bible to his exiled countrymen in refugee camps.

Abdi fled Somali after receiving a message from his wife that men armed with AK-47s were waiting to kill him because he was confused to be a Christian.

After several months, Abdi and his wife have been reunited and now serve as volunteers to bring God’s word to there people in refugee camps in Kenya by using Bible correspondence courses produced in the Somali language.