Kato Mivule | November 6, 2009
A case of Abusive and Exploitative Missionaries in Africa...
Below is a very sad and true story about an American Christian Conservative Talk Radio Show Host (Trunews) and now turned African Missionary who is a very true picture of pseudo missionaries who go to Africa not to serve the people but to serve their own interests.
The Story of the Pastor involved is very true from what I read. I have dealt with a number of Missionaries in Africa and it is sad but very true that some of them go to Africa with a colonial mentality, bossy attitude, arrogance, pride, cocky attitude, clandestine dealings, back stabbing, back dealings, know it all, superiority complex, and using donations, money, including giving as a means to control, manipulate, and divide African Christians.
The claim by such pseudo western missionaries is that since they have the money, they can control and do whatever they wish in Africa. Such pseudo missionaries go to Africa with rebellious attitude and will work totally against the true leadership structures that they find in Africa.
The experience of this Pastor in Kenya who had such a bad experience with Rick Wiles is very similar to some experiences I have had too and the problem is far and wide as some Western Missionaries are fully engaged in abusive, manipulative, intimidating work relations with their African counterparts. Such missionaries do not see African Pastors and Leaders as co-workers but as slaves and servants who are supposed to be subservient and sycophants at best. Many African Christians endure such harsh and abusive work relations simply to get the Dollars from the missionary to survive and buy a day’s meal.
Rick Wiles sets a very bad example of what True Missionaries are supposed to be. From unconfirmed Reports in Kenya, some of Rick Wiles Missionary Team members were busy drinking liquor and having party in Night Clubs, while claiming to preach the gospel in bars… If true this kind of disregard to local cultures and trying to impose a Western Cultural lifestyle on the Christian Peoples of Africa was a disservice by the Rick Wiles' Team.
Rick Wiles can keep giving out his “Cup of Water” but for sure it is turning out to be muddied and soiled Cup of Dirty Water. With such attitude and motivation, Rick Wiles will find it hard even to distribute his “Cup of Water” in America itself.
Yet still we have to keep all things in perspective as there are many Western Missionaries who are doing the ‘real thing’ and serving the local people while preaching the gospel. Many of these True Western Missionaries have endured hardships and suffer together with the locals and we must differentiate them from the likes of Rick Wiles and his company.
Secondly, African Christians must now step up and take the responsibility to evangelize their own continent and do it with the few resources that we have rather than await Western Missionaries to come do the work for us. The Rick Wiles case is a study case and with a sure conclusion that the era of Western Missionary-ism is over in Africa and that the Africans had better take on the responsibility upon themselves to work as missionaries in their own continent.
============================================
AFRICAN PASTOR CRIES FOUL IN DEALINGS WITH RICK WILES
============================================
A few months ago I sent out several emails about the duplicitous actions of Rick Wiles & Trunews, who has been soliciting large donations for many years for many projects that have yet to be fulfilled. It was with great heartache, & only after personally contacting Rick for answers to the accusations of Dr. Igor Shafhid, & other people joining in confronting this man to lead him to repentance. I was verbally attacked by some, who believed Rick to be a man of integrity, & publicly called a false prophet, flake, snake, & possibly other things by Rick himself, besides being falsely accused of things I never even thought of doing. There was a huge patch up job done on his radio program with a so-called prophet, who gave his opinion of the people involved & supposed dreams, visions, or whatever. I have not personally kept up with the sordid affair or what is happening with his "tent" project, the latest he's used to collect thousands of dollars from widows & others who generously gave, believing his promises. I have said from the beginning that if this was proved to be wrong information, I would be the first to apologize to Rick & to everyone else, but I didn't buy into the continuous game I saw & heard about.
I've now received information from a pastor in Kenya explaining his personal dealings with Mr. Wiles, & will let you read it for yourself, since I have personally verified this information with him, & will be meeting him personally in my upcoming trip to Kenya, which if you're interested in being part of a team, please let me know asap. I have invitations from several ministries, & it would be great to have others to help.
If you are still donating to either Trunews or Bless an Orphan, please consider your part in this scam that you are going to be held accountable for before the Lord God Almighty. You know these pros learn all the right lingo in the "Christian" community, & they are experts at what they do, which is basically being a thief. Many of these type ministries on TV pull at your heartstrings, while exploiting the poor for their own purposes. It's a disgusting disgrace! You better know who you're giving your money to, where it is going, & how it's being used.
If you want to read any previous emails regarding this, you may do so by clicking on the 2nd link under the ministry info.=========================================
Orphanage Director/Kenyan Pastor Benson has Separated from Trunews/Rick Wiles!
Dear Friends,
Last April, as most of you know, I separated from Trunews and Rick Wiles, claiming that he had deceived me in donating for a false church tent project, and that he was a ‘wolf’ in sheep’s clothing who was marketing false projects to collect hefty donations under the guise of ‘Christianity.’ I had put out a statement at that time which can be read at: http://www.themountainministries.org/pg35.htm.. More on the matter can be read on http://www.apostasywatch.com on the commentary page. Of course, that tent is still not up!
I had stood for righteousness in order to warn God’s people about Wile’s true actions, but many people did not believe me, and if they did, they still were troubled with doubts in their minds about my allegation that Wiles was not a true believer, but in fact, a con man. Many people eventually went back to supporting and listening to Trunews.
But, yesterday, God vindicated me and brought forth solid proof that everything I had stated about Rick Wiles was truth. I thank the Lord for doing this, and for clearing my name! The vindication came through an email I received from Pastor Benson, the orphanage Director in Kenya whom Rick has supposedly been supporting and drilling water for under the Trunews Cup Water Project. Rick’s daughter’s ministry, Bless an Orphan, had been the key player in collecting donations for Pastor Benson’s orphanage. I had met this pastor and his wife Gloria last February at the Trunew’s Caribbean Conference. I have not talked to him since that time, but he found me via my company website.
Pastor Benson has allowed me to release the letter he sent me in order to warn other Christians and donors about Rick’s true fraudulent motives in Kenya. I am pasting his entire letter in this email body, with his email address so that if you want to confirm this information or ask Pastor Benson questions you can do so. You can also read the letter on my website at:
http://www.themountainministries.org/pg41.htm
Since Trunews has refused to support the orphans for the last 5 months, and recently pulled their support entirely, Pastor Benson’s ministry is in critical stage. If after you read his letter and want to donate, please email him directly, or contact me so that I can give you his account number. I should tell you that no single hole has been drilled in Kenya for the thirsty villagers, and the food container that Trunews shipped back in May has not been released by Rick for the orphans. (letter below)
Please pass this on to as many people as you know.
In Jesus Name,
Dr. Igor Shafhid
www.themountainministries.org
truth themountainministries.org
===============================================
Hi Igor,
Its great to hear you after that long. I am sorry for your experience with Rick.
A lot has transpired between us here and Rick. We came to know his true colors when Jim and Greg arrived here in June to supervise the well drilling project. God in His wisdom caused the container bearing the drilling rig, foodstuffs and clothes delay so that he can expose Rick’s intentions. Initially, when we were in Florida, we agreed that Jim will supervise the well drilling project, and they will work under my instructions. We clearly agreed that I will show them where to drill wells and also advise them on the project together with my committee of Kenya’s Hope Pastors’ Association.I am the Director of Kenya’s Hope Pastors, and the organization was to locate where to drill wells. I announced everywhere to pastors that wonderful donors in US have donated a rig and together with the pastors will be providing water to people in Kenya. Pastors were excited. Also it was going to be a most wonderful gift for the orphans we are taking care as they get free water.
After a few weeks, Rick send me $11000 to purchase a truck.
I took the money to Jim who bought a Landrover to pull the rig. To my amazement, he bought it in his own name which is against the law here. I advised him that the truck should be in the name of Kenya’s Hope which is registered and which is sponsored by Rick. He called Rick and reported what I was telling him. Rick wrote a stern letter to say that if it is not registered in Jim’s name it will be sold.Then they rented a house far from where we stay. We warned them that they will be coned, they refused. At this point it became clear that they were out on their own mission and they didn’t want us to be involved. We stated getting reports that they would go to beer clubs, get drunk and start preaching to waiters and inviting them to our church, Christ Chapel Ministries. This was discrediting our church in a big way as the Christian custom here is that Christians do not drink beer nor visit bars the waiters would ask them where such a nice church is so that they can be attending it! When I warned Jim about this, he became mad at me and from then they never attended our church again. This was mid July.While at this lady’s house, they started registering Cup of Water secretly without our knowledge, an organization which they were going to use to drill wells. I learnt of the organization from this lady, who thought I am one of the officials. None of the pastors nor myself was aware of such an organization. This angered all the pastors of Kenya’s Hope who felt that Rick was using them to achieve his own ends here in Kenya. When I told Rick that this was going to cause a crisis, he became very angry and threatened that if the Cup of Water is not registered, he will order Karissa never to support our orphanage. From this point, I became Rick’s enemy. And true to his word, Bless an Orphan stopped sending support. Whenever we wrote asking for funds, they would tell us that no money is coming in from the donors, yet Jim and Greg would receive plenty of money from them.
Rick then commanded me to surrender all the container documents (original bill of lading and all other documents) to a man called Karimi who is a conman. This Karimi had already told us that we will never see the container again. We refused. Jim flew back and together with Rick made other documents to change ownership of the container from me to another undisclosed organization. This was because they thought we have discovered their plans and they didn’t want us to get hold of the machine. It became evident that Rick and his two men wanted to use the machine to raise funds for their own interests and not to help the poor in Kenya.I explained to Rick that, although he has rescinded the container from my ownership, it is against the regulations here, because then I have to write back to the government as my name is already in their system as a charitable organization receiving tax-waived goods, and tell the government to revoke my ownership. This means the container would be shipped back at the sender’s costs. Rick would not listen to my honest explanation, in fact he recently told me I should have obeyed him and handed over the documents even if the container was going to get lost! I was shocked and told him that is not being Christian and donors would never wish that.They used brokers and conmen to follow up with the duty waiver documents from ministry of finance so that the process may be done quickly and so that they may possess the container. The ministry officials suspected fishy dealings and delayed the documents, but my wife and I went to the officials and pleaded with them and followed the documents until, after about three and a half month, the goods in the container were waived (duty charges were coming to something like $10,000, but the government paid all that according to the law here).I asked them to send me money to pay for the demurrage costs at the port and to transport the container to Nairobi so that the food can be offloaded at the orphanage and I hand over the drilling rig to Jim so that he may go to drill wells as we had agreed, but Rick refused. Instead, Rick and Jim mobilized pastors to gang against me by giving them false information and false hopes so that they may get the drilling rig from me.That group of pastors who have been meeting with Jim and Greg have gone all over telling other pastors that Trunews has $70,000 stored up for Kenya’s Hope and two 40foot containers are already in the sea addressed to Kenya’s Hope which will not be cleared until I am removed from Kenya’s Hope leadership! Their actions have brought about a heavy division among pastors. Pastors were so happy about Kenya’s Hope, it was the largest pastors organization in the country, but now it is breaking down because of their actions.
They also wasted a lot of money in the process paying for Jim and Greg’s rents, meeting brokers and conmen at expensive restaurants in town and making business plans (at one time, Jim told me he was meeting someone to sell the drilling rig to). They hired an investigator to investigate me and discredit my ministry which was on the container documents, they paid a lot of money, most of it as bribes, to get the Cup of Water registered, they paid $450 to a woman broker follow up with customs documents and hand them over to them (of course she was just coning them), they hired an agent to clear the container and paid him a lot of money (of course the agent just cheated them because he couldn’t as my agent was the only one according to the law who can clear the container, they paid a lawyer to draft an illegal document, and agreement I was to sign so that I may hand over the machine at the port of Mombasa. The lawyer knew he was coning them because I was not even present when the agreement was being stamped by the lawyer as the law here demands.
Then last week, Jim called me to join him in Mombasa so that we can clear the container. He assured me that money will be there.On Monday, this week, at 9.30am, I waited for Jim at Castle Royal Hotel in Mombasa. He arrived in a taxi. After greetings, he excused himself to go to the toilet. After a few minutes, he came with Rick! It was a shock because no one knew he was in the country. They had hired armed policemen, perhaps they thought I am a criminal.Then Rick told me “I have come to reclaim my goods. They are my goods. I am the donor… “and on and on. I told him, if he had sent money long time ago, the container would have been cleared and transported to the orphanage.
Any way, after hours of discussion, they told me that they were paying for the release of the container from the port, then they were going to offload the goods and separate the machine from the other goods, then they would be left with the machine at the port of Mombasa, and load the other items on their own hired truck which will transport them to Nairobi. I read mischief. All along I have stood with the wishes of the donors who gave so generously for the donations. But here are men who wanted to use the donations for their own interests.I suspected they wanted to sell the rig at Mombasa and leave the country. When I refused to their demands, because I held that the goods must be transported to Nairobi and used as the donors desired and as the government of Kenya was told, they were furious and Rick told me to go back to Nairobi. I woke up and returned to Nairobi. He then wrote to me the following day insulting me calling me a thief. That is when it dawned on me that the man is not a Christian because only a sinner could write such a letter. This is the whole email he wrote to me dated 27th October 2009:“Benson:
Do you think I am a fool? You have deliberately played games, stalled, wasted time and money, deceived, misled, concealed documents, and refused to cooperate for four months. I traveled to Mombasa at a great expense to put an end to your games. I came with the full intention of paying all legitimate invoices. Your stubborn refusal to cooperate clearly reveals your hidden agenda. You are a thief. The sad thing is that you are so deceived that you don't know the wickedness of your heart. You will never receive another dollar from Trunews or Bless an Orphan.You will not receive another dollar from any American, European, or Australian church or ministry if I can prevent it. You are a disgrace to the Kenyan Church of God. I terminate your leadership position in Kenya's Hope. As of yesterday, you have no role in the organization. I will personally see to it that you are removed. You will never deceive another American ministry again. You have committed criminal fraud against Trunews and Bless an Orphan. Rick"======================================
The allegations contained in this email are so surprising as I have recorded every coin which is send by Rick or Karissa. All such funds are used for the purpose intended. I then send photographs of what was purchased and an expenditure report. Recently, Karissa demanded all the receipts from last year. We send them to her through Jim. Our accounts for the orphanage are audited every year, but this year we couldn’t because we do not have the receipts.Rick is the one who has refused to cooperate with me and has an hidden agenda. I have all the emails to testify to this. I worked so hard to get the container cleared from taxes and used plenty of money I have borrowed from friends to clear the container but he says I have concealed documents and stalled the process which is very ridiculous.Rick has already ordered Bless an Orphan to stop supporting the children in our orphanage and for the last five months the orphanage has suffered greatly. Our staff have gone for four months without a single pay. Children are going without food. Most of them are sick as there are no drugs in our store. It is a crisis! I would kindly request if you could communicate to some of the donors to assist us.
I just heard today that Rick has gone back to America and Jim is to follow suit. He is ready, I know, to destroy my name just as he did to yours. I am not aware at all of Jim being kidnapped. I think it is just a fundraising method.
The container is still in Mombasa because I can not afford to pay for the storage charges, clearing agent’s costs and transportation amounting to $5500. the container is full of food for the orphans who are daily starving in our orphanage. I would like to transport the container here in Nairobi and give the children the food and start drilling wells with the machine.When the government cleared the machine from taxes, it meant that it must be used as the donors intended, that is drill wells under our supervision. I would like to do this and if you know how we can do it, please advise. Government authorities here have already discovered what Rick has been up to and have been very annoyed by his contact. They would not allow him to use the rig for his business interests
It is true Rick was supporting 22 pastors with $100 every month. He only did this from January to May and the support stopped. I had requested to assist these needy pastors with as much as $100 because many of our pastors here are not able to pay for their rents because of the poverty in our country.
Rick broke my relationship with a pastor who used to support me from 1997 and pay my house rents. Because of Rick, this pastor stopped supporting me in February last year. Rick had promised to pay my house rents. But for five months now, I have not paid my house rents. I may be chased away any time.
I will be ready to answer any question or clarify any information because I believe that many people have donated to Trunews for a good cause and their generosity should never be misused. I will be even willing to give evidence of the things Rick has done against us here even if it means coming over to meet with the donors in person.
Lets continue praying for one another as we serve Him faithfully.
Benson
http://integrityinitiatives.blogspot.com/
Ellen Cary, Prophetic Minister
Daystar Healing Ministries
P.O. Box 736
Keller, TX 76244
682-225-2733
www.orgsites.com/tx/dhm
http://freegroups.net/groups/daystar
======================================
DOCUMENTATION
======================================
=======================================
Documentation provided by Pastor Benson to prove Rick is not telling his listeners on the radio the truth!
Emails sent to Igor from Pastor Benson:
Nov 1st
Igor
It is actually Gloria who sought Rick for donor funding in 2007. Rick introduced her to Karissa. Karissa has been very supportive and very good. We have no evidence of wrongdoing with Karissa. She may destroy our names but to our knowledge, she is good and has a heart for children.The only problem is that she listens to her father and does what her father tells her. To my judgment, if Karissa was given to run the whole Trunews, things would be different. From June 2007 up to June 2009, Karissa has faithfully send funds to support the orphanage. Things were going on very well, until his father told her to stop.I think right now the orphanage money is going to Jim and Greg"s upkeep here in Nairobi according to the directives of Rick.Through her, we managed to put up a temporary dormitory for boys and girls, small food store, a medical store, administrative offices (all constructed with timber and iron sheets).Karissa introduced me to her father. I then introduced Rick to the Kenyan pastors. I organized for him two meetings the same year 2008, one in July with about 800 pastors, and another one in September at one of the largest auditorian in downtown Nairobi which was attended by about 5000 church leaders. I organized for this meeting and advertised his name very well countrywide.
Benson
============================================
Nov 4th
Igor
He has already written to some pastors to make sure they remove me from being the leader of Kenya's Hope. He has no idea of how things work here. His behavior is very abnormal. He has stunned Kenyan pastors all over across Kenya by his actions. He does not know that here in Kenya, people will appear like they are fully supporting an American. The culture is very different. What many people here are after is the white man's dollars. They will talk to you like you are the right guy and the others are wgon as you suppose so long as you release the money.Poverty has made many people including pastors here to be very unfaithful. Rick doesn't know that. I tried advising him but he could buy my advise. Actually, without bragging, I really defended his resources. All the money he send towards any project here is well recorded and in my office files for anyone to see.No American missionary has ever had his financial expenditures here recorded, either for crusades, conferences or seminars! For the first time, pastors in a Kenyan Pastors association were able to receive $100 from America. The same pastors he is using to remove me have openly said if they were to be given the responsibility of forwarding funds to other needy pastors, they will secretly spend that money. This happens here all the time.
Benson
===========================================
Igor,
Let me further give you more information for anyone who needs various answers.
1. Christ Chapel Ministries is a registered organization in Kenya where I am the founder and Presiding Bishop. We have over ten churches countrywide. The church supervises the children’s ministry.2. Christ Chapel Children's Home is also a registered organization. It was registered in 2008 by the minister of Gender and Social Services. Before a children's home is registered, a very rigorous process is observed. This is to ensure that such an organization will not misuse donor funding and to ensure that it is a credible institution.We had to submit an audit report by a registered auditor for one year, the city council of Nairobi did a thorough health inspection, area directors of Children Affairs visited the center and issued a report to the government, a meeting was held by senior government officials to discuss the authenticity of the center, we furnished reports on how we are operating, etc. There are very few registered orphanages in Kenya, in fact by the time we were registering, there were only 394 children's Institutions in the whole country.3. The following are the programs we run
Feeding program and general care Education (our school runs from baby class to grade 5(standard five)) Medical care. Counseling and chaplaincy Child advocacy Child placement procedures
I will be sending you some pictures before the end of today.
In His service
Benson
======================================
Igor,
For your information, Rick is seen to use the container delay as an excuse for his actions and change of administration. By all indications, before Jim and Greg came to Kenya, the administration had already been change. Think of the following:
I learned that Jim and Greg were already booked in a plane to Kenya through the Trunews website. When I asked Rick about their trip and that I was not aware, he simply told me he had forgotten to inform me (I have the emails).How can I send you a visitor and I forget to inform you? Without asking me for advise, Rick instructed me to travel to Mombasa with Jim and Greg so that they may be present as the container is opened for checking. Were they afraid I may escape with the drilling rig? They simply wasted money going to Mombasa, as I could just have managed this myself with little money, but i also thought since they are not even asking me for advice, they probably have worked out the process, may be through some diplomatic arrangements. Jim and Greg arrived on sunday.We flew to Mombasa on Monday. We were back on Friday because of a major Pastors conference I had convened where over 70 pastors were in attendance. On Sunday, I requested Greg to minister in our church. He preached while wearing a T-shirt inscribed "Cup of Water" all over. I had no idea what Cup of water was all about. I looked for cheap houses for Jim and greg near our place but they refused and chose to live far from us, 30miles from where we are staying. I warned them not to move their as the Lord had shown me that problems will start brewing up. They refused to listen to me and told me that the house has a shop where they will be keeping the machine. Here they started registering Cup of water without my knowledge.If one follows closely the developments 1 to 4, you automatically deduce that after Rick shipped the container in the name of my ministry, someone came along and advised him otherwise, perhaps told him "Rick, you were wrong. In Kenya corruption is very high and if you do not follow your container and supervise the well drilling project yourself, it will be stolen". That is why he started doing things frantically causing more mess. And also thinking I have stolen the goods.The other presupposition is that Rick wanted to use me without knowing so that after the container arrives, he begins his business here. After he rescinded my ownership of the container, he would never tell me who he has authorized to clear it. When I met with him in Mombasa, we just needed to pay the port and get the thing out. If he did not trust me, he could have simply hired security and we transport it to Nairobi for the intended purpose. But his first words were :I have come to reclaim my goods. they are my goods. I am the donor. I have come to reclaim them back"Now think for one moment about this, Suppose I send you a check through DHL with your name on it, say, it is $70,000 worth. Then after you have received it, you bank it so that you get the cash. Then the bank takes a long time before maturing the check, and that is not your mistake, you are following it everyday.Now, do I need to fly over to America so that I may arrive with the check? Because it has taken long before it is cashed, do I assign another person, change the name in the check without your knowledge and I simply say I have rescinded you as the recipient of the check? Will I ever come to you and start insulting you telling you that you have stolen and defrauded me-even before the check is cashed? Will I finally come to you and tell you "I have come to reclaim my check" and perhaps what you need is transport to go to the bank and collect your ready check?
What would you think of me at the end?
Benson
========================================
Hello Igor,
This is how Kenya's Hope started:
Last year after the violence in Kenya, Karissa asked me when I had any vision of uniting pastors in Kenya. I told her yes, God gave me the vision some years back but I felt it is impossible. She told me that if I can gather pastors together for prayer, she can send funds to sponsor the event. I contacted pastors and we gathered together for prayer. Karissa send me funds for the event. When we gathered that day, the pastors themselves formed the organization ( I have the minutes of that day) and requested me to head the organization.When they started suggesting names, I suggested the name Kenya's Hope as I had got it from Karissa.
Kenya's Hope is registered in Kenya with myself being the chairman. Rick does not appear anywhere in the documents. Since the day it was formed, we have received support from the Wiles and there was no reason for Rick to mistrust the organization, however, all the funds send for the activities of the organization were send through my personal account.
So, basically, Kenya's Hope is a local independent organization. Thats how the government understands it as per the documents, and thats how the members understand. The organization can work in partnership with any person who can assist in advancing the vision in the organization.The container is addressed to "Christ Chapel Ministries Missions, attn. Benson Kimanzi" Gloria is the one who first wrote to trunews. She got the Wiles for the purpose of supporting the orphans under Christ Chapel. All the documents attest to the fact that the container was destined for relief missions in Christ Chapel. The packing list for the machine reads the rig is to find water for the orphans of Christ Chapel.
I am the one who marketed Rick to the pastors of Kenya. He presided over the largest leaders conference ever to be held in recent days. He had no idea why the conference was so attended.
Benson
==========================================
This was sent to Pastor Benson from Rick Wiles proving that he indeed was donating the drill!
From: rick[]trunews.com rick[]trunews[]com
Subject: Merry Christmas!
To: "Kimanzi Benson" bkimanzi[]yahoo[]co[]uk
Date: Tuesday, 23 December, 2008, 15:52
Benson and Gloria:
There are two pictures of your Christmas present on our website. Let's wear it out drilling wells!
http://trunews.com/
Rick
=========================================
Emails from Rick to Pastor Benson:
From: rick[]trunews[]com rick[]trunews[]com
Subject: RE: enough
To: "Kimanzi Benson" bkimanzi[]yahoo[]co[]uk
Date: Monday, 5 October, 2009, 10:45Benson:
I assure you that I am not quarreling with you. You will not convince me, however, that you are not permitted to sign a pre-release letter stating that the well-drilling rig and equipment will be turned over to Cup of Water. Will you go to a government office with a downtown Nairobi lawyer hired by us and a representative of the Kenya's Hope executive committee to make this claim in their presence?
The wise thing to do is sign the pre-release legal letter. We will release the funds to pay the port fees. If not, you are stuck with the fees and I am flying to Kenya immediately to start legal proceedings against you. Time is up. Please act in the proper manner.
Rick
===================================
Email from Benson to Rick
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: enough
From: Kimanzi Benson bkimanzi[]yahoo[]co[]uk
Date: Sun, October 04, 2009 10:18 pm
To: Rick Wiles rick[]trunews[]comRick,
Please can we stop these quarrels and name callings and concentrate on getting the container. It will get us nowhere.
I have also spend a lot of borrowed money working on this container also. My gratefulness should not be used as a way to give me sleepless nights because of your inconsiderate demands. If I followed your orders, we would have lost this container long time ago. Please, let this stop. You are the one who is not cooperating.You are in America, I am in Kenya. I know the laws here. Many things have happened here. You are being fed with information from people who tell you the wrong side of things. I have also had enough. If I have had an attitude, you would have known it as I deport your men back to your land. But I have born them even as they hire investigators on me and call me names.
If you have stopped trusting me, why should I also trust your motives? God’s blessings do not add any sorrow, but you have added sorrow one after another.I WILL NOT SIGN AN ILLEGAL AGREEMENT, AND I WILL NOT SIGN ANY AGREEMENT BEFORE THE CONTAINER IS OUT!! If you want me to sign it, then first I have to present it to the immigration, and trust me, your men will be questioned and deported. That is not a threat, it is a fact. The law states that I have to writ e a letter to the government that I am releasing the rig to whoever, that is the law here. That is what I have to do before signing an agreement. And if I do that before it is out of the governments hands, then it will be another mess. Please send the money if you want, if you don't want don't issue more orders to me. If you cant trust me before I sign an agreement, I will also not trust you and your men.This is the time to be friends and allow for a peaceful process, then after your men get the machine and the food goes to the designated place, then you can chose to dislike me. LET US COOPERATE. You have pushed me to the wall enough and I have borne the pain silently. You have no idea of what is going on here. Please for once trust me. We have worked with mutual trust and faithfulness, I see no reason for this to vanish because of a container.I have spend sleepless nights and even fell sick because of this container. I have been doing my best using the right channels to get the container to Nairobi . If this container arrives and the pastors of Kenya âs Hope see it being taken to someone homestead and then it is registered under an organization which is foreign to them, there is going to be a crisis in Kenya Hope.
Benson
==========================
Rick’s reply below, with Rick trying to justify his undermining Kenya Hope with a new organization. Again, note, if Rick truly had a heart to drill wells at churches, why has he stopped support from the orphanage? Rick thinks because he sends Christ Chapel ministry money he owns the ministry! Wrong! If that is the case, the donors own Trunews, and should demand that he release his financial records, which he refuses to do!What crisis? Trunews has given tens of thousands of dollars for the betterment of Kenyan churches. Why would there be a crisis if the donor decides how to spend its own money? When I saw how messed up affairs were following the trip to Mombasa, I decided that the well drilling ministry would be separate from Kenyas Hope. Cup of Water is to compliment Kenyas Hope. Its focus is to drill wells at churches affiliated with Kenyas Hope.It is a management decision to keep the money, equipment, employees, and affairs separate from Kenyaâs Hope. I will be more than glad to visit the leadership of Kenyas Hope and explain why I decided to incorporate Cup of Water as a separate entity. Do you want water or do you want control? Which one is more important? I am focused on results. We invested over $52,000 to get the rig, goods, and container to Kenya. How much have the offended pastors invested? Again, why will there be a crisis?
===============================
Benson’s reply:
If you wanted to register Cup of Water, why didn't you tell me? I feel betrayed. There is no two way about it, let Jim and Greg register Cup of Water, and from now on tell them to take over and clear the container, because, government officials have already started reading mischief, and I don’t want to be involved in the mess.
Rick’s reply. Note here how that Rick takes back the food and drill donated to the orphanage and puts it under ‘his’ control. If he really had a heart for the orphans, he would have released that container, but his push is to start this new Cup of Water enterprise more than get that food out and to the children! Maybe all the donors should start acting like Rick and take control of where their donations are going for!I do not understand why you are angry about us establishing our well drilling work as a separate entity. Are we not entitled to decide how we will supervise and monitor our projects in Africa? Kenyas Hope will focus on organizing, training, and mobilizing the pastors. Cup of Water will focus on drilling wells at churches led by Kenyas Hope pastors. Bless an Orphan will focus on caring for children. All three will work together for the betterment of Kenyan Christians. What is so wrong with this concept? It keeps the lines of responsibility clear. Regarding the statement about “mischief,†what are you implying? Why do government officials think we are guilty of mischief?
Benson’s reply. You can see his pain here, and his dilemma as director in now having to go to the other pastors and explain why Kenya Hope is being taken out of the equation with the water drilling, especially since it was sent over for their ministry and orphanage.I have gone all over Kenya telling pastors that Kenya ’s Hope has a department of drilling wells. I will have to painfully go to them again and tell them that I lied to them, the machine and the whole operation is under another organization which I am not involved in.Rick’s reply. Note how he lies here, and tries to control the Kenya Hope ministry that is not even registered in Rick or Karissa’s name or ministries.
You did not lie to the pastors. There is simply a change in the administration of how we will drill the wells for Kenyas Hope pastors. Kenya’s Hope is founded and sponsored by Trunews. Cup of Water is founded and sponsored by Trunews. Bless an Orphan is founded and sponsored by Trunews. Why is this difficult to explain to pastors? All three organizations will work with each other in specific missions and projects. All three are interrelated. There is no confusion. Relax and think about it. In the end, you will see that this is a good solution. We don’t want anything in return from the churches.
=========================
Benson’s reply:
Over two thousand pastors have had a very high regard of you. We have worked with utmost integrity in bringing up Kenyas Hope, you have seen me, I have been open to you, why now all this!
Rick’s reply:
You are upset with us because we want to know why so much money and time has been spent trying to get the container released? We are responsible first to our donors who entrusted us with their money to be used wisely in Kenya. I am accountable to them and must be able to give them a good report.
=========================
Benson’s reply:
Its better we straighten things up before this container arrives at Nairobi, because I tell you for sure, if the container gets here and things go the way Jim and Greg have planned, I will be in hot soup before the pastors of Kenya’s Hope.
I would rather remain poor but sustain my integrity. Please I want us to agree on the way forward before I make any more moves on the container.=============================Rick’s reply. Again, note that how Rick takes control of the donation and takes back that which was supposed to be given to Pastor Benson’s ministry and orphanage! This is the fruit of a man having other ulterior motives than what he has led Pastor Benson, other Kenyan pastors, and his supporter to believe.
I do not see your point that there is something to straighten up. We purchased a huge amount of food and supplies for the orphans under your care. We also spent a huge amount of money to purchase a well-drilling machine and equipment. The rig and truck will be under the banner of Cup of Water. I do not understand why you are offended by us deciding how to best use what we have purchased.Re-read this email from Rick dated 27th October 2009: Note that he threatens to stop support, but had already stopped support for five months. Rick had no intention of being part of Pastor Benson’s ministry. It seems he used him to try and set up his own business with the drilling rig. But, God stopped it, and kept him from getting the rig. God’s judgment is clear on Rick’s deceptive practices.
======================Benson:
Do you think I am a fool? You have deliberately played games, stalled, wasted time and money, deceived, misled, concealed documents, and refused to cooperate for four months. I traveled to Mombasa at a great expense to put an end to your games. I came with the full intention of paying all legitimate invoices. Your stubborn refusal to cooperate clearly reveals your hidden agenda. You are a thief. The sad thing is that you are so deceived that you don't know the wickedness of your heart. You will never receive another dollar from Trunews or Bless an Orphan. You will not receive another dollar from any American, European, or Australian church or ministry if I can prevent it. You are a disgrace to the Kenyan Church of God. I terminate your leadership position in Kenya's Hope. As of yesterday, you have no role in the organization. I will personally see to it that you are removed. You will never deceive another American ministry again. You have committed criminal fraud against Trunews and Bless an Orphan.
Rick
========================
This email from Rick to Benson is interesting because Rick claims Benson is delaying the container, but as you read you can see on Aug 21st, Rick is telling Benson that someone else hijacked the container. Maybe Rick needs to realize that God knew his true plans to undermine Pastor Benson and locked that container.
From: Rick Wiles rick[]trunews[]comSubject: RE: recovering
To: "'Kimanzi Benson'" bkimanzi[]yahoo[]co[]uk
Date: Friday, 21 August, 2009, 5:36 AMBenson,
The past two months have been 2 of the strangest, most bizarre times ever. We have never had anything like this happened. Two weird things are happening simultaneously. Igor and June Shafhid launched a surprise attack on our integrity. They have caused many people to leave us. We are struggling to pay our basic bills. At the same time, our container has been hijacked in Kenya. It is witchcraft. We are pleading the Blood of Jesus over this ministry and everybody in it. Darkness cannot succeed.
And yes, I want the well drilling mission to be registered as Cup of Water. That is my decision. If this operation collapses in failure, we will withdraw from Kenya. I will not permit Karissa to continue to raise funds from Trunews donors to be sent to Kenya when I no longer have confidence that we are welcomed in the country. I pray this does not happen.
There is very little time for this matter to be resolved. Our patience has run out. So has the money. We must do something drastic.
======================================
=======================================
Rick Wiles Pleads for $1 Million to Launch 24 Hour Christian Patriotic News Network
Fresh off his controversial defense of an as yet unrealized Florida tent church project, Rick Wiles on Monday announced an urgent need for $1 million that would allow him to fulfill his dream of a 24 hour Christian news network to compete head to head with CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. Wiles specifically targeted wealthy elderly listeners telling them that they should consider sending him a large donation before they pass away in order to help save the country from a communist takeover.
Actually guys our dream, our vision is to create a 24 hour Christian news network on the level of Fox News, CNN and MSNBC, (guest : `sounds great`) and I mean go head to head with these guys, (guest: `we'd love to help`) and that's our dream, that's our vision.
Somebody out there is sitting on a lot of money. There`s somebody, I just believe this, I believe there's somebody, and you're getting up in years, and you might be in your 80's or 90's and you're sitting on a nest egg of millions of dollars, and hmm and you need to look at what's happened to our country. You're getting closer & closer to going home to be with the Lord & you're going to leave behind a country that has been turned into a Communist hell hole, and hmm and you've got the opportunity whoever you are, you've got the opportunity to do something.
A million dollars - a million dollars would give us the money that we need to launch this type of a network, and it could be done.
Trunews broadcast for Monday 8-17-09, 45.58 - 47. 03 minutes
Wiles emphasized the urgency of his plea again near the end of the broadcast
We better begin pouring our wealth and our resources into a movement immediately or its over - it's over - it's finished - it's done. Your children, your grandchildren will live in a Communist hell hole and that's where we're at right now.
And if somebody is listening to me right now and whether you're up in your years or not, but if you.... if you are a patriot of the level of George Washington and the founding fathers and you have it in your resources that you could give a million dollars, then do it - do it - it has to be done. This is life and death for the United States of America, and we need.... this ministry, Trunews with one million dollars we could launch a 24 hour Christian patriotic news network that would challenge the lies and the deceptions of the Obama communists....
Trunews broadcast for Monday 8-17-09, 51.01 - 51.59 minutes
In June, Wiles was accused by a former associate of raising money under false pretenses when he used Ezra 1:4 to request $250,000 from his listeners to purchase and equip a large tent which he claimed would be used to preach repentance to America 7 days a week. That project was first mentioned on the March 12, 2009 Trunews broadcast. During that broadcast Wiles claimed that a large tent had been ordered and paid for and would be ready within 30 days. By August no tent had been erected and questions regarding the project were being directed to Mr. Wiles from his supporters. During the August 3rd Trunews broadcast Mr. Wiles attempted to put these concerns to rest with his interview of Mr. Charles Harrison, president of Del Tents in Williamstown Kentucky. Mr. Harrison assured listeners that the tent was under construction in his plant and would be ready by August 31 at the latest. During the interview Mr. Wiles said he was aiming for an early October start date for the project. (See our previous report on Rick Wiles here > Rick Wiles Responds to Allegations of wrongdoing)
Based on the Monday 8-17 broadcast, however we are left to wonder if Rick Wiles still intends to launch the tent church in October as promised or will there be yet another delay. At the 45.58 minute mark, Wiles tells his guests that he plans to be traveling in the weeks and months ahead.
Well listen, I'm going to be doing some traveling in the weeks & months ahead, if you guys are available maybe you can substitute for me and help me get a break.
If you are a supporter of Rick Wiles and Trunews maybe you should ask him some questions before you send him your million dollars. Perhaps some questions like these would be appropriate.
1. Are you still planning on starting the tent church in October?
2. Have you acquired the necessary local permits for the tent?
3. When will site preparation begin on the land to be used for the tent?
4. When will the tent actually go up?
4. Have you hired the staff you said you needed to assist you with this project?
5. Have you lined up the television coverage you said would be necessary to broadcast this tent revival to the nation?
6. Who will be preaching 7 days a week at the tent church? Do you at least have a tentative list of preachers who have agreed to participate?
7. Can you explain to us under which portion of the IRS code does Trunews qualify as a tax exempt organization?
Mr. Wiles owes his supporters some answers. Hopefully he will be more respectful and honest with his listeners and donors than he was with me. Before I posted this article I emailed Mr. Wiles and respectfully asked the questions listed above. You may read his response below
Apostasywatch recommends that supporters withhold donations to Trunews until Mr. Wiles is willing to answer these questions in a specific manner. In addition we would caution all Christian ministries against appearing on the Trunews broadcast until answers are forthcoming.
===================================================From: Rick Wiles rick[]trunews[]com
Subject: RE: A few questions
Date: 08/19/2009 12:58 PM
To: admin[]apostasywatch[]com
Mr. Lumbley,
Could you show me your badge number? Obviously, I am dealing with a self-appointed cop.
Rick======================================================
From: admin[]apostasywatch[]com [mailto:admin[]apostasywatch[]com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 12:27 PM
To: rick[]trunews[]com
Subject: A few questions
Mr. Wiles,
After listening to your broadcast of Monday August 17, I noticed you told your guests that you would be traveling in the weeks and months ahead. Based on that I have a few questions.
1. Are you still planning on starting the tent church in October?
2. Have you acquired the necessary local permits for the tent?
3. When will site preparation begin on the land to be used for the tent?
4. When will the tent actually go up?
4. Have you hired the staff you said you needed to assist you with this project?
5. Have you lined up the television coverage you said would be necessary to broadcast this tent revival to the nation?
6. Who will be preaching 7 days a week at the tent church? Do you at least have a tentative list of preachers who have agreed to participate?
7. Can you explain to us under which portion of the IRS code does Trunews qualify as a tax exempt organization?
I very much desire to be fair to you about this matter. During your August 3rd broadcast you weren't very specific as to the dates for the tent church project. Now you are requesting $1M for a 24 hour news channel. It seems to me that your listeners and donors deserve some answers about the tent project first.
Again, if you have addressed these questions specifically in writing or by audio simply direct me to the link and I will gladly report your response to our readers.
Sincerely,
Steve Lumbley
www.apostasywatch.com
Steve Lumbley 2009 www.apostasywatch.com
http://apostasywatch.com/special/wilesanswers.htm
=========================================================
=========================================================
