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In 1997, the Ministry expanded internationally.
This came about when a Methodist minister
from Birmingham invited Revd. Stephenson to
go to Africa with him, ostensibly to set up
a mission and medical centre. In retrospect,
Emy recalls that when she got saved in 1971,
she asked God to send her to Africa. Revd.
Emy acknowledges that the interim years were
‘preparation’ for what God was about
to do in her life.
Two orphanages have been established in Kenya.
One, a modest hut, is home to 20 or so orphans
and abandoned street children. In addition,
recently, the Ministry has become sponsor
to an orphanage for AIDS babies as it has
been moved by the plight of desperate mothers
who have – literally – left babies
on the orphanage's doorstep.
It is said that a common perception of Third
World charity is the humanitarian aid which
normally follows an earthquake or famine.
However during the time she has been
travelling
to Kenya, she has come to the conclusion that
the cruel reality that constant poverty takes
a far greater toll on human life, than any
natural disaster.
One of the main killers in Kenya is AIDS,
Diarrhorea and Malaria. Malaria can be cured
by one injection which is worth approximately
50p, yet many still die due to lack of financial
help. Over the years, Rapture Ministries have
not just handed out food, medication, or food
seed and forget their existence. Our Co-ordinators
have communicated constantly with the team
in Kenya and have also worked closely with
the local people who have contributed their
own hard work, ideas and energy.
There are many children that have already
been sponsored through compassionate people
who really care in the UK. Their generosity
enables them to go through school without
worrying about food, shelter, books or clothing.
Rapture Ministries really appreciate those
who are currently sponsoring children in Africa
Kenya is a place dear to Emy’s heart
and she is dedicated to continuing street
ministry there. At the cutting edge, she aims
to meet people at the place of their need.
The rural village where the homes are located
do not enjoy some of the things we take for
granted i.e. clean, running water or electricity.
Therefore, Revd. Stephenson is thankful that
Rapture Ministries International has an opportunity
to buy (at the cost of £1,500) several
acres of land surrounding the orphanages.
She intends to build a brick building that
can accommodate more children in dormitories,
with better sanitation and clean water.
Our main aim at Rapture Ministries is to find
solutions that would have a lasting effect
on individual lives and allow their experience
to be passed down from community to community
and generation to generation. We also aim
to dig as many clean water wells as possible
this year.
The end of 1997 and beginning of 1998 was
extremely busy for Revd. Emy, She led delegations
to the USA, Trinidad & Tobago, Kenya,
Ghana, Jamaica and Israel. In Ghana, the team
worked effectively in ministering the Gospel,
particularly in schools. Utilising her past
medical skills and experience, Revd. Stephenson
contacted pharmaceutical companies and asked
them to donate any unsold supplies. This enabled
her to supply a local hospital with medical
supplies, instruments and medication.
Rudolph
Dixon
(Deceased)
Kenyan
Co-ordinator
Rudolph
Dixon worked as a Full time Mental Health
Worker Specialising in Occupational Therapy.
Experienced in working with Communities.
Other
Skills include Computer Programming, Carpentry/
Joiner.
Rudolph
Dixon (Deceased)
Kenyan Co-ordinator
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He joined Revd. Emy Edwards (as she
was then called) at the beginning of
her ministry in Kenya. They both had
the same passion and drive for the poor,
and so In 1997 he visited Kenya for
the first time. Spending three weeks
with the Rapture Team opened his eyes
to the degree of poverty that the people
suffered. Prior to his visit, the Founder
spoke of her experiences on her previous
trip. However, nothing could have prepared
him for the degradation of the men women
and children. |
Although there is immense poverty, there is
a willingness to learn how to make their lives
more bearable and how to be more successful. The
majority of the people that he met on his
travels were true believers in the one God.
However they lacked knowledge in relation
to making it work for their benefit.
They
knew the contents of the Holy Books, but were
unable to see themselves within them. Thus
they had faith but little or no concept of
how to convert this faith into action in order
to improve their conditions. He saw a place
akin to Paradise but they were unaware. Instead,
they had insight in what lies beneath the
beauty. Kenya has sunshine 75-80 % 365 days
a year. The land is fertile and has the capacity
to yield good crops. Despite this, the condition
of their lives hardly changes from day to
day.
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It
is for these reasons, He was moved to
encourage the setting up of small groups
and committees with whom Rapture Ministries
International would work with. The aim
being to offer support to a range of
programs and encourage self-empowerment. |
Debbie Dixon
(Co-ordinator for Africa)
Duties: Line Manager for all co-ordinators
/ staff both based in the UK and in relevant
countries i.e. Kenya, Ghana carrying out work
in Africa.
Debbie
Dixon
(Co-ordinator for Africa)
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Debbie
Dixon has worked for Fifteen years in
the Voluntary Sector Organisation specialising
in Strategic Management. Her great concern
for the plight of those suffering needlessly
in Africa was the impetus for her engaging
in work of this nature. |
She has travelled to Kenya and was involved
in the setting up of the Women’s Programme.
She met with many of the women there and has
pledged to do all that is within her power
to assist in supporting their desire to create
employment for themselves. Since that time,
she and the UK co-ordinator for Kenya have
enabled the Programme to purchase, a sewing
machine, which the women are currently using
to learn skills and produce clothes for retail.
She had hoped to visit again soon and continue
to extend to other regions there.
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But
Debbie Dixon felt that due to the death
of her husband, Rudolph Dixon, Coordinator
of Africa, (whom later she became his
successor) felt she was unable to continue
this work and has now resigned from
Rapture. She will be greatly missed
by all. We at Rapture pray that whatever
field of work she ventures into, we
wish her every success and God’s
blessings in the foreseeable future. |
Welcome to the new co-ordinator for Africa
& co-ordinator for Kenya. Minister Lance
Jones & Sis. Juanita Grant.
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