Jakarta and Nairobi, come in.

Thank you, brother David, for your heartfelt prayer and compassion toward us. Indeed, we deeply long for your prayers in these challenging times.

Here in Nairobi, we are witnessing a hurting generation—especially Gen-Z—who, due to lack of economic opportunities, have lost hope. Many of them live with such despair that even death no longer frightens them. Unlike in Jakarta, where I have seen police restrain themselves from excessive force, here in Nairobi, hundreds of young people have already lost their lives, and many more are left with bullet wounds and broken bodies.

But my constant cry before God has been this: What is the Church, the Body of Christ, called to do in such a time as this? (Matthew 5:13–16). We may not be able to expect much from our corrupt political systems, yet God has entrusted us with a higher calling—to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

I recall two years ago when I reached out to one of the slum areas here in Nairobi. Together with a few brethren, we began a Discovery Bible Study with some of these young men, hoping that the Word of God would shine into their darkness, bringing hope and transformation. Many of them were also enslaved by drugs and other vices.

One young man who faithfully attended our meetings faced heartbreaking rejection. He returned home one evening only to find his wife had packed his belongings and thrown them outside, declaring that he was no longer needed in her life since he could not provide for the family. Broken and disheartened, this hopeless young man walked into the road and threw himself in front of an oncoming lorry. He died instantly.

This experience traumatized me deeply and, to be honest, it caused me to withdraw from that area for a season. Yet my heart has never stopped crying out to God, asking, “Lord, what can we do?” I firmly believe that even small acts of compassion, combined with sustainable income-generating projects and intentional discipleship, can restore hope to this broken generation.

Scripture reminds us: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Jesus desires these young people to live abundantly, free from despair and destruction. As the Body of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet—to extend both spiritual hope and practical solutions (James 2:15–17).

This is my passion: to extend a hand of partnership, to bring together discipleship and sustainable livelihoods, and to help transform the lives of these young men and women. Even if we begin small, God is able to multiply it, for “do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10).

Thank you, brother, for the exciting update. I know that parts of it were difficult to share.

I wish there were an army of likeminded ones... Oh my, I am saddened but always hopeful. Saddened on many fronts.

Africa was the seedbed of the ancient faith, yet the Western church has largely ignored our brothers and sisters there. Ughhh, that is, with exception of the slave traders.

Here, we spend more on pet food than Christian missions. Pets need to be fed, no doubt. But where are the priorities???

To quote Jesus, is a person not more valuable than a sheep?

Furthermore, surveys have shown that atheistic China is now viewed in a more favorable light than so-called Christian America.

Let me try to draw a parallel: China comes into Africa and says what Christians should have been saying: "Let us truly help you. And let us serve you." However, this usually means: China needs your wealth and a right of way across your land. And, btw, we will supply our own laborers as we exploit your laborers. We don't really care that young children are underground for long shifts, mining lithium without masks or gloves.

Reader, do you not see a parallel with clergyism? And of outside intervention? Clergyism says: Leave all the ministry to us - pay your tithes and show up - we will take care of the rest.

Scriptures exhorts insiderS to oversee his church, voluntarily. Thus we read: "The elderS among you..." You did notice the S, didn't you?

By outside intervention, I am also referring to the clergy producing machine know as the seminary, most of which now hold that all religions are essentially the same. Yes, there are exceptions but... precious few.

Regarding the seminary itself, this statement is of course not to degrade spiritual training nor any category of knowledge over which Jesus is Lord. Which is every category.

All learning and true education belong to Him. Christians, male and female, should be the most passionate to pursue it. Many are. Many have been.