A Little Mud On The Tires

Rain is such a wonderful sound especially for us as it can be months before we see or hear it. However on a Sunday morning this past June it was not a welcome sound. We were to speak at a church and the only way there was a steep, winding, dirt path.  Slowly we made our way through the muddy terrain. The tires were sliding and we were praying the four wheel drive would work. We could only hope as we had never used it before this moment. We were all smiles as we arrived at the small church to begin the Sunday morning service. We had made it through in one piece. God always has a way of reminding you on the mission field that He will make a way.

The day before this wooden church had been the setting for our third Children’s Ministry training in Kenya. Since the beginning of the year we have been working to hold one in each Conference. We have now had them in three of our five Conferences, and the excitement over the trainings is growing. Early in our time here we began to notice the need. For many the idea of children’s ministry is limited to a lesson time for the children before the Sunday morning service. We are expanding the ideals of ministry to children to include active lessons, leadership teams, and children’s church. Our trainings focus on equipping the leaders here with ways to reach children with the Gospel at the child’s earliest stages of development and understanding. Last summer we were contacted by Holly Hill IPHC in Vanceboro, NC. they wanted to use their VBS offering to reach children in Kenya. To this point we really had a burden to help the churches minister to children and their willingness to give has presented the opportunity to reach many in Kenya. Not only do we train the leaders but we have been able to give over 100 packets of materials for the leaders to take back to their churches and use for sharing the Gospel. How amazing that God is using the children’s offering from Vanceboro, NC to change the lives of children here in Kenya. The pastors and leaders here are so eager to learn and use the materials to touch children’s lives. One conference has asked that we do a training there once a year. We are amazed at the expanding possibilities of this work.

We are also continuing our work in People to People. Our goal to visit each of the five feeding programs was completed this past June. We were able to visit Lokichogio for a week and work with the pastor there who oversees the feeding program. We met many of the children who are being blessed by the work there. We were also able to go to Kakuma Refugee Camp and visit the five churches located throughout the camp. Though we were still in Kenya, visiting the five churches was like a tour of East Africa. There are refugees from many countries being reached by the IPHC pastors and churches.

As we continue our work here we are overseeing humanitarian efforts, teaching and training. We are also students ourselves learning many lessons along the way. God is using the leaders here to build to the Kingdom and we are blessed to encourage, equip, and partner with them. Most significantly we see what life is like here and how many keep going even if the path is filled with difficulties. Whether getting to our churches requires walking through a dry riverbed on a 100 degree day, or through a trash dump that is home to thousands of people, or even getting a little mud on the tires, it is well worth the journey.

Home Sweet Home

Home is a word that brings different reactions and memories to people. When I was a child home was always where my mom, dad and sister were. For some it is the nicest house on the block with the best everything, and for others it is the first place make their own.

Sadly for many Kenyan children it the place they get to sleep just for the night. More and more Michael and I are meeting kids known as "street children." They are either dropped of by their parents in the middle of town to beg, children trying to survive on their own, or preteens who are controlled by adults to con people. It is a heart wrenching situation and my first reaction is to try to get a van and rescue as many as I can. However, the likely hood of that working is slim to none. When you consider the guardians would have me arrested for kidnapping, and many of the kids don't think they can ever leave that life. So what is the solution? Brace yourself for a cliche..."I am choosing to be a voice." Taking the time to tell YOU their stories. Michael and I told people many times if we do nothing else we will tell the stories of the children of Kenya.

So Today I just happen to have two. One is about Jane a girl who is being used by others. She came so close to letting go of that life. You see I had the chance to spend some time with her and listen to her story. To tell her she is loved, she is not bad, and she has a hope and a future. As we spoke I watched brick by brick fall away from her heart and her spirit. She was so close to going for help, but then her phone rang. Most likely the people over her checking in. It was like someone turned on a switch and she walked way.....right back into that life.
Around that same time we met James a young man that lost his mother and father in the post election violence in Kenya. For those that don't know the violence included neighbors killing each other and setting fire to homes. Many in his case would be bitter and turn from God, but he has not. He is apart of one of the IPHC children's homes where he is learning and growing.

So here you have two stories with completely different outcomes. I must admit after meeting and praying for both Jane and James, I am truly humbled. My eyes are even more opened to the blessings I take for granted. Even something as simple as....Home Sweet Home.

Missions Diaries "Transcends"

Transcend {to rise above or go beyond the limits of, to be prior to, above, and beyond}. If you remember nothing else from this post remember God's Love Transcends!! Today I went to my first church service in Kenya. It took all of about three minutes to break down in tears. Not from sadness but in utter amazement at how great God truly is. As I took in praise in worship (some songs in English others in languages I couldn't understand) I had an aha moment. I was standing there realizing in that place and time I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I was so blessed by how the people were worshiping, and how much I could feel God's presence. One song really struck a chord with me. The lyrics speak of coming to the Lord hungry and broken. I can't even remember how many times I have sung this song back home, but today I really listened to what I was singing. I started wondering how many individuals around me had faced hunger, and been broken in ways I could only imagine. While contemplating this I realized that the voices around me sang this song with such joy and conviction. In that moment I began to cry tears of revelation and joy. Why....because whether it be war, famine, disease, language or culture God's Love Transcends All!! Update: Thank you all for your support in getting us to the field as you can tell from the post above we are so blessed already. The Lord has us exactly where He wants us. We have been settling over the past week and are looking forward to next weeks pastors conference!

Thank You For Your Support

It's been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Our first step on this seven thousand mile journey to Nairobi, Kenya began a little over a year ago. Since then our days have been filled with traveling, meeting great people, and building our foundation in missions. We are beyond excited to announce our departure for the field. Our first term will begin in less than two weeks. We will be leaving for Kenya in time to be a part of the Leadership Conference for East Africa the April.

As we look forward to our coming departure, we think of the amazing individuals we have met along the way. You have opened your hears, churches, and homes. For that we are grateful. Not only are you excited about missions but through your support you are fulfilling the Great Commission. As our family of supporters you will be a part of giving the children of Kenya a future and a hope.

As we continue to itinerate until the end of this month, we look forward to more opportunities to connect with people in the churches we will visit. We anticipate reconnecting with many of you at the Great Commission Meals. We believe for God's provision to meet our monthly financial needs. For those of you who already support us through finances we thank you. If there is anyone who would like to become a financial partner in our ministry, we would be blessed by your giving. Your prayers and monthly support are encouragement to continue His work.

Just Felt Like Writing Today...

Normally I post about what we are up to while itinerating but today I just felt like writing. Itineration has a lot to do with traveling, raising awareness/support, calling pastors, ect... However, it is also a great time to grow spiritually. For me that has been the best part of this experience.

A pastor's daughter I was blessed to grow up in church and was saved at a young age. Though saved for some time I still find Christ grace ever growing, and my relationship deepening. That is why today I simply write. To let you see a different side of itineration one you may not of seen before. So I will now open what may seem my random door of deep thought and invite you to be encouraged that God's mercy and truth are always new each and everyday.

C.S. Lewis by far one of my favorite authors testimony goes like this, though raised in a Christian home he became and atheist at a young age and stayed that way until he was in his thirties. He described himself "a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance to escape." He says "you must picture me in my room night after night, feeling whenever my mind lifted even a second from my work, the steady unrelenting approach from Him who I so earnestly desired not to meet....it was then I gave in and admitted God was God." This man who came to Christ kicking and screaming so to speak is now remembered for having some of the most poignant and thought provoking books on Christianity.

You may ask the point of this story and what it has to do with itineration. On this journey I have been reminded that I am a person of "whys."I ask a lot of questions about pretty much everything and have the tendency to complicate things. In all honesty I have to quite frequently just stop and remember to "Be Still and Know that He is God" Today I want to remind you to do the same. Humankind is always searching for answers, and deep down we all know why. The simple answer we have a God shaped hole in all of us only He can fill.

Wherever you are be reminded in this moment that the only truth that matters is "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."(John 3:16) That is the one truth that will change the world. Its the reason why we are raising funds to go to Kenya, everyone should have the chance to come to Him. Finally, it is the reason God is not done with you! If you wake another day or take another breath He has something for you. He might just be waiting for you to throw up your hands, or open up you broken heart and simply admit that He is God...


(Bio information and Lewis quotes from http://www.biographyonline.net/writers/cs-lewis.html)

Our Current Stop...

For Michael and I the month of October can be summed up in one word, "busy." We have been all over Eastern NC speaking at churches. God has blessed us to meet so many amazing people. As we make more connections I am reminded of some wise advice I was given recently. A long time missionary told me that they have learned over the years that time off the field, can be just as significant as time on the field. They continued that the time you spend raising funds is so important, because God can use you to minister to people all around you while you are at home. Though Michael and I still want to leave for Kenya yesterday, God has us right here for a purpose! With each new acquaintance comes a story and another individual we can pray for, encourage, and minister too. By the way its not only missionaries that God has placed somewhere for a purpose. It is all of those who that are willing vessels. Look around your world today is their anyone who needs prayer or encouragement. A persons everyday life can be their mission field. Will you go?

Travels from the S.S. Long Branch, Black Mountain, and the Great City of Falcon...

Travel Update...

We have been all over lately. We spoke at Long Branch Church for their VBS. There we boarded the S.S. Long Branch to tell the children that God's Word is for everyone! A young girl came up to us told us that she wanted to do something for the children in Kenya. She then handed us two dollars. Though to some her gift may seem small. We rejoiced, knowing that God speaks to hearts no matter the age, and reminded that whatever the amount God can use what is given to minister to others!

Once the S.S. Longbranch pulled into port, we hit the road for Black Mountain, NC. We were there for the School of Missions which was an amazing week of training, some relaxing, and catching up with our international family. One of the greatest parts of that week was being reminded that though our Journey may not be easy, our destination(Kenya) will be reached in God's timing.

After School of Missions was over we set out for Falcon, NC. While there we took part Falcon Camp Meeting. This again was an amazing week. We met more Pastors, and individuals. Also we caught up with our family of supporters. We were blessed by all the services. Those in the morning and evening!

Not that we ever left the itineration trail but we are back to going to churches, emails, and phone calls. Again a great part of the journey we are on! Next stop...