May 2000

Dear Praying Friends,

We are grateful for your prayers as we made the transition into the new meeting place for Jumapili Baptist Church during the
month of April.  It has more than doubled the seating capacity compared to our former temporary meeting place and will
allow room for numerical growth.  On May 21 we are planning a dedication service as we plan to officially dedicate the new
building to the Lord. We are thankful for His providing this new meeting place for our church.

During this first month in our new building the Lord has blessed Jumapili Baptist Church with an increase in attendance at
the services. Our former meeting place was a great place to start the church, but one of the drawbacks to that meeting place
was that it was at the personal residence of our co-workers, the Simonsen family. Many Kenyans seemed a bit reluctant
coming to church at someone’s personal residence.  We are thankful to the Lord for providing the church with it’s OWN
piece of land and now a building right on the main road. Please continue to pray that as we preach the Word of God lives
would be changed for eternity.

It has been exciting to see a number of people put their trust in Jesus Christ throughout the past month of April. One man
(Maina Kagwe) that Michael has been witnessing to since we arrived in Kenya back in January, trusted Christ after the
Sunday Morning service on April 9. Another man (Pius Muiruri) that Michael invited out to church trusted Christ after one of
the services as well. Michael has been able to begin weekly Bible Studies with each of these two men, as well as two others
(Lucas Ongeti and Steven Njoroge). Pray that these men might grow in the Lord and become godly leaders in our church.
Tina as well has been able to share the gospel with a number of ladies. Several of these ladies have been coming out to
church and admitting they need to be saved but continue to put it off.  Please pray especially for Jean and Virginia to be saved
soon.

Our family is doing well. The Lord has blessed us with safety and good health. We have now been in Kenya for three and a
half months and really enjoy the ministry here. We are continuing on with our Swahili language studies each week.  Pray for
us to learn the language quickly. You may never know (until we’re in heaven) the value of your prayers for missions around
the world. Thank you for praying for us.

Sincerely,

Michael, Tina, and Ashlyn Rains.

P.O. Box 38

Thika, Kenya

Ph. # 011-254-151-21047.