Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Can't wait for the welcome home pictures!
Denver International Airport
June 3, 2007
As we said goodbye to Ryan...
Family ~ Kelli, Ryan, Drew, Dave, Trey, Sherrie, Sean...
Boulder members of Kenya team ~ Ben, Ryan, Christiana & Chelsea ...
Miss 'em!
As we said goodbye to Ryan...
Family ~ Kelli, Ryan, Drew, Dave, Trey, Sherrie, Sean...
Boulder members of Kenya team ~ Ben, Ryan, Christiana & Chelsea ...
Miss 'em!At times I've really valued cell phones ...
At times I've really valued cell phones ... here's an example...
This is Darold holding Robyn's brick cell phone as high as possible
for reception at Lake Powell in 2002 ...
But with Ryan in the slums and then bush of Kenya out of reach of phone and computer communication,
I now really value the communication tools that I've so taken for granted!
Thank you Lord for land lines, cell phones, and the internet ~
These have been gifts of relationship that are awesome.
And I miss connecting with Ryan!
Love, Sherrie
This is Darold holding Robyn's brick cell phone as high as possible
for reception at Lake Powell in 2002 ...
But with Ryan in the slums and then bush of Kenya out of reach of phone and computer communication,
I now really value the communication tools that I've so taken for granted!
Thank you Lord for land lines, cell phones, and the internet ~
These have been gifts of relationship that are awesome.
And I miss connecting with Ryan!
Love, Sherrie
Only 13 more days ...
Discipleship Retreat
7/23/2007 By: Katy, Leader/Staff
Greetings from Kenya. Our team is entering into our last week in ministry, and are praying that the last week we would pour into ministry like it was the first. This week we are holding our last school program, hosting a men's retreat for the men from Otut, and hosting a youth outreach for three days.
Last weekend we hosted a discipleship retreat at our base camp. There were over one hundred people in attendance. The team invited people that they had built discipleship relationships with, and we had mini seminars that they could choose from to learn more about Jesus, faith, leadership and studying the word. There was a special program for children under thirteen years old.
It was so awesome to see what the Lord has done through the team. Each team member has done individual minsitry in the community and it was such a blessing to see all of those people together with the team. God is growing up so many disciples in Eburru. We pray that his hand would continue this growth.
Many of the people there were saved through last years real life team. What a blessing to continue what God started a year ago in their lives! It is the fruit of God's will and our focus for the real life program that continued discipleship would happen in addition to salvation.
7/23/2007 By: Katy, Leader/Staff
Greetings from Kenya. Our team is entering into our last week in ministry, and are praying that the last week we would pour into ministry like it was the first. This week we are holding our last school program, hosting a men's retreat for the men from Otut, and hosting a youth outreach for three days.
Last weekend we hosted a discipleship retreat at our base camp. There were over one hundred people in attendance. The team invited people that they had built discipleship relationships with, and we had mini seminars that they could choose from to learn more about Jesus, faith, leadership and studying the word. There was a special program for children under thirteen years old.
It was so awesome to see what the Lord has done through the team. Each team member has done individual minsitry in the community and it was such a blessing to see all of those people together with the team. God is growing up so many disciples in Eburru. We pray that his hand would continue this growth.
Many of the people there were saved through last years real life team. What a blessing to continue what God started a year ago in their lives! It is the fruit of God's will and our focus for the real life program that continued discipleship would happen in addition to salvation.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
In God’s economy, nothing is wasted!
As our oldest son Ryan has been in Kenya this summer (Jun 3 – Aug 5), I've not worried about the adventure, his health or safety. However, the part that has been the hardest for me is the lack of connection… no communication, no fellowship, no sharing in his journey ~ not hearing him talk about what he is seeing and what is happening, what it all means to him, how he is growing and being stretched, how he might change as a result of the experience. And in this pain and sorrow over the loss of connection, I have come face-to-face with the Father’s heart. A taste of how He hurts when we are not connected ~ when we don’t share communication, fellowship and our journey with Him.
And as this lesson has continued for me as the weeks have dragged on, I’ve come to understand that God, in part, is using lessons from this stage of parenthood to bring me deeper into His spiritual lessons about how He wants me to live life. I feel certain that He has given Dave and I the precious gift (and challenges!!) of children in part to vaguely reveal what it is He desires from us.
Romans 8:15-16 (msg) ~ This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.
And as I am living the pain of separation and distance from Ryan this summer, I have felt called by God to stretch from this lesson even further and identify those things that are such blessings to see in my own children and to test whether these things from my Mom Heart reveal things that the great God of the universe, our personal Lord, Abba Father, desires from me … and boy-oh-boy do they!
Our Sunday School teacher asked if I would be willing to share the outcome of what the Lord was calling me to do with this pain and these realizations. So… prayerfully, here it is ... Perhaps it will be a blessing to you on your journey. There were parts of this exercise that were very convicting for me as my weaknesses and struggles were exposed yet again. But I just remind myself that embracing all this stuff with honesty and transparency is the approach He has promised will bring us out of darkness and fear and into the light and true love.
And as this lesson has continued for me as the weeks have dragged on, I’ve come to understand that God, in part, is using lessons from this stage of parenthood to bring me deeper into His spiritual lessons about how He wants me to live life. I feel certain that He has given Dave and I the precious gift (and challenges!!) of children in part to vaguely reveal what it is He desires from us.
Romans 8:15-16 (msg) ~ This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.
And as I am living the pain of separation and distance from Ryan this summer, I have felt called by God to stretch from this lesson even further and identify those things that are such blessings to see in my own children and to test whether these things from my Mom Heart reveal things that the great God of the universe, our personal Lord, Abba Father, desires from me … and boy-oh-boy do they!
Our Sunday School teacher asked if I would be willing to share the outcome of what the Lord was calling me to do with this pain and these realizations. So… prayerfully, here it is ... Perhaps it will be a blessing to you on your journey. There were parts of this exercise that were very convicting for me as my weaknesses and struggles were exposed yet again. But I just remind myself that embracing all this stuff with honesty and transparency is the approach He has promised will bring us out of darkness and fear and into the light and true love.
| What are the characteristics Ryan, Drew, Trey & Sean would display that my Mom Heart would find of great blessing & encouragement? | How might this insight from my Mom’s Heart reveal God’s own heart and desires for me? |
| PARENTS: Regular calls and visits to connect, share experiences and ponderings that are trivial, medial, and deep. At times to ask advice, at times to share joy, at times when support is needed … whatever the day brings. Gratefulness for the love, life, gift, and blessings we have provided. | GOD: Prayer and communion with Him are His deepest desires for me ~ regular connection, communication, and walking together on the journey of life. Not when I can ‘fit it in’ but as a priority of who I am. Gratefulness for the love, life, gift, and blessings He has provided. PARENTS: The pain I feel from this distance with our son reveals the pain that my parents feel when I am distant with them. Regular communication blesses them and should be a priority to me. |
| SIBLINGS: Quality relationships with brothers … no ridiculing or intimidating, but instead celebration of the unique individuals God created each to be. Priority of time together, playing around, relaxing, unwavering support through all. | CHURCH: My Lord wants me to have deep, meaningful, supportive, and fun relationships with my brothers & sisters in Christ… God has given them to me as family. |
| WIVES & CHILDREN: Fun, loyal, faithful, providing husbands to our future daughters-in-law and awesome fathers for our future grandchildren. | HUSBAND & CHILDREN: God longs for me to be a sacrificing wife and mother – loving, faithful, fun, and encouraging (and not too sensitive!) |
| FRIENDS: Special, fun, loyal, long-term relationships with friends… people with whom the journey of life is shared and where love and support are freely given back and forth. | NEIGHBORS & FRIENDS: Special, fun, loyal, long-term relationships with neighbors and friends… people with whom the journey of life is shared and where love and support are freely given back and forth. Borrow a cup of sugar? J |
| SCHOOL & WORK: Hard work and contributions in the classroom and workplace to bring value to employers, to steadily provide and care for their future families, and to give to others. | WORK: The Lord desires for me to be productive and to work hard… Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! (Prov 6.6) |
| SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: Participate regularly in church, Sunday school, bible studies, and missional communities in order to grow deeper in faith and more obedient to Him. | SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: Participate regularly in church, Sunday school, bible studies, and missional communities in order to grow deeper in faith and more obedient to Him. |
| MINISTRY: Regular, gentle, humble service to the spiritually poor and needy in the areas of their unique passions, talents, and giftedness. | MINISTRY: Regular, gentle, humble service to the spiritually poor and needy in ministries where I’ve been uniquely gifted and called to serve. |
| THE WORLD: Conservative, saving, planning … not desiring material things and the wealth of this world… Plan and save for the future. | THE WORLD: Conservative, saving, planning … not desiring material things and the wealth of this world… Plan and save for the future. |
| HEALTH: Take care of their bodies in all areas ~ through healthy eating, hydrating, exercising, sleeping, and regular dental & medical care. | HEALTH: Take care of myself in all areas ~ through healthy eating, hydrating, exercising, sleeping, and regular dental & medical care. |
| The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Gal 5.6) | |
Friday, July 20, 2007
16 days until Ryan's return ...
Desert Wanderings
7/20/2007 By: Rebecca, Leader
Yesterday our team got an amazing opportunity to go minister to a group of men who live in the bush outside of Eburru. We drove for about an hour, turning onto smaller and smaller dirt roads until we no longer had a road to follow. We were guided through the grass until it became impossible to drive our mutatus, at which point we set out walking.
We arrived to a clearing where a group of men had gathered to wait for us. As we approached them, the sight became more and more overwhelming. About 25 men were sitting there, ranging from 17 to 77 years old. They were all wearing clothes that were shredded apart and carrying large pombes, which are grass slashing knives (with other purposes as well I am sure.)
We made our introductions (via translators)and then began in a time of praise and prayer, drimes, which are musical dramas, and preaching. We then broke up into small groups for more specific conversation. These men seemed to be warming up to us, and before we knew it, they were leading us down a 3 mile trail to show us their homes! It was humbling for us to embark upon the road they had traveled just to meet with us.
We walked for over an hour over the most rugged and sharp volcanic rocks, twisting and turning through thorny bushes and tall grass. They showed us their huts, and even took us to visit a man who had made a small home on the side of a cave.
Being amongst these ragged and torn men in the blazing sun is perhaps one of the most confrontational moments I have experienced on this trip. They have no steady water source, eat bitter berries and baboons, and live in a world where if they are not shut tight into their homes by dark, they will most likely be killed by leapords. The fact that there is not a church within feasable traveling distance, which for a Kenyan is a wide range, would seem to be the least of their problems. But sitting amongst them, our hearts burned to give them fellowship, prayer, and the Word of God. Their eagerness for our meek offering of fellowship was inspiring. This coming Wednesday we are going to bring these men to our camp for a day of fellowship, teachings and eating together. We are also going to give them care packages of clothes, water, food and Bibles to take home. We are all looking forward to seeing them again.
We are wrapping up our ministries here, but with the mindset of finishing strong. We have just about a week left before we head to debrief and then home. I am beginning to wonder where the time has gone! We would love it if you would keep these coming weeks in your prayers as we have our last encounters with those who have become so dear to us. Thanks for you love and support!
7/20/2007 By: Rebecca, Leader
Yesterday our team got an amazing opportunity to go minister to a group of men who live in the bush outside of Eburru. We drove for about an hour, turning onto smaller and smaller dirt roads until we no longer had a road to follow. We were guided through the grass until it became impossible to drive our mutatus, at which point we set out walking.
We arrived to a clearing where a group of men had gathered to wait for us. As we approached them, the sight became more and more overwhelming. About 25 men were sitting there, ranging from 17 to 77 years old. They were all wearing clothes that were shredded apart and carrying large pombes, which are grass slashing knives (with other purposes as well I am sure.)
We made our introductions (via translators)and then began in a time of praise and prayer, drimes, which are musical dramas, and preaching. We then broke up into small groups for more specific conversation. These men seemed to be warming up to us, and before we knew it, they were leading us down a 3 mile trail to show us their homes! It was humbling for us to embark upon the road they had traveled just to meet with us.
We walked for over an hour over the most rugged and sharp volcanic rocks, twisting and turning through thorny bushes and tall grass. They showed us their huts, and even took us to visit a man who had made a small home on the side of a cave.
Being amongst these ragged and torn men in the blazing sun is perhaps one of the most confrontational moments I have experienced on this trip. They have no steady water source, eat bitter berries and baboons, and live in a world where if they are not shut tight into their homes by dark, they will most likely be killed by leapords. The fact that there is not a church within feasable traveling distance, which for a Kenyan is a wide range, would seem to be the least of their problems. But sitting amongst them, our hearts burned to give them fellowship, prayer, and the Word of God. Their eagerness for our meek offering of fellowship was inspiring. This coming Wednesday we are going to bring these men to our camp for a day of fellowship, teachings and eating together. We are also going to give them care packages of clothes, water, food and Bibles to take home. We are all looking forward to seeing them again.
We are wrapping up our ministries here, but with the mindset of finishing strong. We have just about a week left before we head to debrief and then home. I am beginning to wonder where the time has gone! We would love it if you would keep these coming weeks in your prayers as we have our last encounters with those who have become so dear to us. Thanks for you love and support!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Kenya Update
Bush Ministry
7/16/2007 By: Katy, Leader/Staff
Our team has spent most of the week visiting people in thier homes and meeting people in the town center to build discipleship relationships. Each night the number of friends stopping by our camp grows. The people in Eburru are hungry for discipleship.
Each night at the camp we share in food and fellowship with other believers. Each evening is filled with laughter as we host bible studies, dance parties and watch movies. The Planet Earth documentaries are everyone's favorite. The people of Eburru laugh out loud and say either, "Is this thing in AMerica?" or "This must be false!" The times of fellowship are so sweet, but God is moving in so many ways here.
During our home visits early after ariving our team prayed for a man who had been paralized for four years. Yesterday our team went to visit him and found him WALKING around his yard. Still stiff from years in bed he said he knew that JESUS had healed him! We are praising God for revealing his glory to this family.
We are daily pouring into relationships that were made by the previous real life team here. A lady named Mary was saved through door to door evangelism last year. Mary owned a bar at the time and felt moved to sell it and open a cafe instead. The bar was more profitable, but she made a choice for the Lord and has never turned back. We spend time with her each day encouraging her. What a precious gift she is to the team. Sometimes she stops by our house just to cook for us. Mary is a servant of the Most High. We praise God for the fellowship we share with her.
The team is growing spiritually in so many ways. Living in awesome community changes you. We have seen the glory of the Lord displayed over and over, we can't walk away unchanged and for that we are thankful. Thank you Jesus for moving us toward your calling in each of our lives.
7/16/2007 By: Katy, Leader/Staff
Our team has spent most of the week visiting people in thier homes and meeting people in the town center to build discipleship relationships. Each night the number of friends stopping by our camp grows. The people in Eburru are hungry for discipleship.
Each night at the camp we share in food and fellowship with other believers. Each evening is filled with laughter as we host bible studies, dance parties and watch movies. The Planet Earth documentaries are everyone's favorite. The people of Eburru laugh out loud and say either, "Is this thing in AMerica?" or "This must be false!" The times of fellowship are so sweet, but God is moving in so many ways here.
During our home visits early after ariving our team prayed for a man who had been paralized for four years. Yesterday our team went to visit him and found him WALKING around his yard. Still stiff from years in bed he said he knew that JESUS had healed him! We are praising God for revealing his glory to this family.
We are daily pouring into relationships that were made by the previous real life team here. A lady named Mary was saved through door to door evangelism last year. Mary owned a bar at the time and felt moved to sell it and open a cafe instead. The bar was more profitable, but she made a choice for the Lord and has never turned back. We spend time with her each day encouraging her. What a precious gift she is to the team. Sometimes she stops by our house just to cook for us. Mary is a servant of the Most High. We praise God for the fellowship we share with her.
The team is growing spiritually in so many ways. Living in awesome community changes you. We have seen the glory of the Lord displayed over and over, we can't walk away unchanged and for that we are thankful. Thank you Jesus for moving us toward your calling in each of our lives.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Update from Eburu, Kenya
Camp Bretheren
7/10/2007 By: Katy, Staff/Leader
God is so good in Eburu, Kenya! We are so excited to be here and to be ministering to this awesome rural community. The team spends most of its days helping a man named Pastor Steve and his wife Mary.
Mary runs a clinic here in Eburu,and we have been helping her in that. Daily we are blessed with the time to do really great door to door ministry. In going door to door God, has given us some really wonderful opportunities to get to know the people of Eburu and to tell them all about their Father who loves them.
The relationships we have built here are so strong, it is hard to believe that we have been here such a short time. We have prayed with people for their healing and then watched them be healed! We have been serving the community and the community has been so willing to serve and enter into fellowship with us and with each other! It has been amazing to be welcomed so open heartedly by the people of Eburu. The time that we have spent in their homes, in prayer with them is just evidence to us of God's Grace and of his perfect plans!
7/10/2007 By: Katy, Staff/Leader
God is so good in Eburu, Kenya! We are so excited to be here and to be ministering to this awesome rural community. The team spends most of its days helping a man named Pastor Steve and his wife Mary.
Mary runs a clinic here in Eburu,and we have been helping her in that. Daily we are blessed with the time to do really great door to door ministry. In going door to door God, has given us some really wonderful opportunities to get to know the people of Eburu and to tell them all about their Father who loves them.
The relationships we have built here are so strong, it is hard to believe that we have been here such a short time. We have prayed with people for their healing and then watched them be healed! We have been serving the community and the community has been so willing to serve and enter into fellowship with us and with each other! It has been amazing to be welcomed so open heartedly by the people of Eburu. The time that we have spent in their homes, in prayer with them is just evidence to us of God's Grace and of his perfect plans!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Kenya Updates
On to new things
6/28/2007 By: Rebecca, Real Life Leader
Today is our last day in Kibera. We have packed our things and made our farewells. Yesterday we hosted a tea at our compound for those we built relationships with and ministered beside so we could thank them and say good-bye. It was unbearably hard to leave some of the friends we have made, particularly the guards at our compound and the boys that spend all afternoon outside our gates waiting for us to come play with them.
Kibera has been good to us! We have seen God work in mighty ways both in us personally and in the lives of those we encountered. Yesterday we were able to take a Bible in Kiswahili to a woman named Pamela that we met during an afternoon of door to door evangelism. She eagerly accepted Christ after we quoted a few scriptures for her. That is how hungry these people are for truth! We prayed for her baby who was sick and he was healed the next day, Praise the Lord! We have gone to visit her three times since, and every time I am blown away by the joy that dwells within her and her children. As we shared the Word with her yesterday in a dark home lit by one small makeshift candle, the whole place seemed to light up with her eagerness for scripture and truth. Our prayers and study were only interrupted by her young son Ike, who would randomly call out "Eyes! Nose! Mouth! Ears!" while pointing to his face just to show us that he knows some English. These are moments that will be remembered and cherished by us forever. I pray that we will have many more of these moments as we head into the mountains.
May the Lord bless and continue the work He began in Kibera through us this month! We are so grateful that He has chosen to work through us. It is a blessing and joy that we are so unworthy of, but so thankful to receive. Continue to pray for us. We will be debriefing our time in Kibera over the next two days, during which we will also be resting and going on a game drive. We head into Eburu on Saturday which will be a new and entirely different experience, but one we are eager and ready for. Thank you so much for your continued love and support.
God Leads the Way
6/23/2007 By: Chelsea, participant ~ First Presbyterian Church
The second day that we were in Kibera I met a woman while we were out walking. Her name was Lilian. I talked with her awhile and said that I would come back to visit her on Saturday. When I got back there had been a change in our plans and Saturday we were now planning to do an outreach with one of the local pastors.
That same day I had read in one of the missionary books we are required to read about following through with promises. Out of all the chapters I had read, the thing that stuck with me the most and all day was a passage that said “do not make a promise that you can’t keep to a people group” (the book was about bringing the gospel to Africa: David Livingstone). So I was very sad that I would not be able to follow up with Lillian.
On Friday, our day to be in intentional with relationships in the community, I went prayer walking with Ryan and Sara and we were walking down a trail that I thought Lillian’s market stand was on, but nothing looked familiar. I prayed to God that he would help me find Lillian, and that he would lead me to her.
Sara asked me if anything looked familiar. I said that it didn’t but I decided to ask the next person I saw if they knew Lillian. So I approached a market stand and asked if this woman knew Lillian. She says, “I am Lillian. Are you Chelsea?” Praise the Lord! He always answers prayers, and keeps His promises. I am so thankful that he helped me keep my promise to Linian.
Sophie
6/23/2007 By: Ryan, participant - Annex First Presbyterian
In our initial encounter with Sophie she was unable to rise herself from the bed or communicate anything other than moans. Her husband, Abram, said that she suffered from a terrible headache and fever leaving her bedridden; we also observed what we interpreted as waves of depression.
Through God’s grace and power she was capable to voice her desire to accept Christ as savior and Lord. After this happened we proceeded to pray the Lord’s healing wonders over her body and soul. Unfortunately, it was getting dark so we could not spend a great amount of time with her and her family due to Kibera’s dangerous nature in the darkness.
We left her tin-roofed mud house with her condition still in our minds and compassion for her situation in our hearts. We knew that we would be back to check on her situation in the weeks that we had to stay in the slum and when we did we were blessed.
Sophie was completely healed of her physical pain and we rejoiced with her and her family. Her smile penetrated awkwardness that comes with a language barrier and awesome attitude alluded to her born-again life.
We continue to build a relationship with our new-found sister in Christ, she came to church with us last Sunday and she is enjoying her new found faith and life. However, during our visit yesterday we saw in person how the Christian life is not the easiest, especially right after conversion. Her marriage, unfortunately, is one of the typical Kenyan relationships. Women are viewed as inferior and often are abused physically and emotionally.
This vulnerability was something new that we encountered and we asked her if we could pray for her marriage much like we prayed for her health. We know God is powerful and that somehow Sophie’s situation is a blessing but we hope and pray that he lifts his daughter up in her pain and tenderness.
Washington
6/23/2007 By: Katy, Staff/Leader
The first day we met Washington he was fighting with the other boys outside our house. We had to separate him from the group. Christiana sat with him even though he speaks no English and Christiana speaks no Swahili; he was clearly comforted by her presence.
After that day Washington came over every day to play with us. He is not in school so we invited him to join us in ministry where ever we go.
Washington is an orphan. His mother died just a few weeks ago. He had been sleeping at a neighbor’s house, but this week they chased him from their home telling him not to return. When our team heard of his need we were broken and turned to prayer.
That same day we went to minister alongside a local Pastor named Mike. He showed us the ministry God has led him to open, a boy’s home for street kids. The Lord has already provided a house, and Pastor Mike and his wife are just waiting for God to provide the boys and financial needs. We spoke to him about Washington and Pastor Mike agreed to take him in as a son.
“If we leave these children on the streets the crime and lifestyles they turn to will be counted as our own sins. We are responsible for these children, who have no one. We have to love them and grow them up as men who love the Lord Jesus. They will be the ones who win their people over to the Kingdom if Light.” – Pastor Mike
Later that day we returned home to find Washington waiting at our gate. When we explained that we had found a home for him he was nervous. He began to cry and did not want to come with us. After being encouraged by the other children Washington agreed to go and climbed into our van crying. Anne sat with him as we drove to his new home. He was welcomed by his new parents with love.
They gave him clean clothes and sent him to bathe. After his bath he timidly sat with the family and told them his story. We prayed for him and his new family and left for the night.
The next day we visited Washington and the family. We found him playing with his new brother and sister, laughing. He came to our house to visit today dressed in clean clothes and well fed. Although he didn’t speak English his eyes spoke of thanks and comfort.
We have been playing with him all morning. He will not stop grinning. Praise God for saving Washington and giving him a family that is going to usher him into a relationship with Jesus that will change this community.
6/28/2007 By: Rebecca, Real Life Leader
Today is our last day in Kibera. We have packed our things and made our farewells. Yesterday we hosted a tea at our compound for those we built relationships with and ministered beside so we could thank them and say good-bye. It was unbearably hard to leave some of the friends we have made, particularly the guards at our compound and the boys that spend all afternoon outside our gates waiting for us to come play with them.
Kibera has been good to us! We have seen God work in mighty ways both in us personally and in the lives of those we encountered. Yesterday we were able to take a Bible in Kiswahili to a woman named Pamela that we met during an afternoon of door to door evangelism. She eagerly accepted Christ after we quoted a few scriptures for her. That is how hungry these people are for truth! We prayed for her baby who was sick and he was healed the next day, Praise the Lord! We have gone to visit her three times since, and every time I am blown away by the joy that dwells within her and her children. As we shared the Word with her yesterday in a dark home lit by one small makeshift candle, the whole place seemed to light up with her eagerness for scripture and truth. Our prayers and study were only interrupted by her young son Ike, who would randomly call out "Eyes! Nose! Mouth! Ears!" while pointing to his face just to show us that he knows some English. These are moments that will be remembered and cherished by us forever. I pray that we will have many more of these moments as we head into the mountains.
May the Lord bless and continue the work He began in Kibera through us this month! We are so grateful that He has chosen to work through us. It is a blessing and joy that we are so unworthy of, but so thankful to receive. Continue to pray for us. We will be debriefing our time in Kibera over the next two days, during which we will also be resting and going on a game drive. We head into Eburu on Saturday which will be a new and entirely different experience, but one we are eager and ready for. Thank you so much for your continued love and support.
God Leads the Way
6/23/2007 By: Chelsea, participant ~ First Presbyterian Church
The second day that we were in Kibera I met a woman while we were out walking. Her name was Lilian. I talked with her awhile and said that I would come back to visit her on Saturday. When I got back there had been a change in our plans and Saturday we were now planning to do an outreach with one of the local pastors.
That same day I had read in one of the missionary books we are required to read about following through with promises. Out of all the chapters I had read, the thing that stuck with me the most and all day was a passage that said “do not make a promise that you can’t keep to a people group” (the book was about bringing the gospel to Africa: David Livingstone). So I was very sad that I would not be able to follow up with Lillian.
On Friday, our day to be in intentional with relationships in the community, I went prayer walking with Ryan and Sara and we were walking down a trail that I thought Lillian’s market stand was on, but nothing looked familiar. I prayed to God that he would help me find Lillian, and that he would lead me to her.
Sara asked me if anything looked familiar. I said that it didn’t but I decided to ask the next person I saw if they knew Lillian. So I approached a market stand and asked if this woman knew Lillian. She says, “I am Lillian. Are you Chelsea?” Praise the Lord! He always answers prayers, and keeps His promises. I am so thankful that he helped me keep my promise to Linian.
Sophie
6/23/2007 By: Ryan, participant - Annex First Presbyterian
In our initial encounter with Sophie she was unable to rise herself from the bed or communicate anything other than moans. Her husband, Abram, said that she suffered from a terrible headache and fever leaving her bedridden; we also observed what we interpreted as waves of depression.
Through God’s grace and power she was capable to voice her desire to accept Christ as savior and Lord. After this happened we proceeded to pray the Lord’s healing wonders over her body and soul. Unfortunately, it was getting dark so we could not spend a great amount of time with her and her family due to Kibera’s dangerous nature in the darkness.
We left her tin-roofed mud house with her condition still in our minds and compassion for her situation in our hearts. We knew that we would be back to check on her situation in the weeks that we had to stay in the slum and when we did we were blessed.
Sophie was completely healed of her physical pain and we rejoiced with her and her family. Her smile penetrated awkwardness that comes with a language barrier and awesome attitude alluded to her born-again life.
We continue to build a relationship with our new-found sister in Christ, she came to church with us last Sunday and she is enjoying her new found faith and life. However, during our visit yesterday we saw in person how the Christian life is not the easiest, especially right after conversion. Her marriage, unfortunately, is one of the typical Kenyan relationships. Women are viewed as inferior and often are abused physically and emotionally.
This vulnerability was something new that we encountered and we asked her if we could pray for her marriage much like we prayed for her health. We know God is powerful and that somehow Sophie’s situation is a blessing but we hope and pray that he lifts his daughter up in her pain and tenderness.
Washington
6/23/2007 By: Katy, Staff/Leader
The first day we met Washington he was fighting with the other boys outside our house. We had to separate him from the group. Christiana sat with him even though he speaks no English and Christiana speaks no Swahili; he was clearly comforted by her presence.
After that day Washington came over every day to play with us. He is not in school so we invited him to join us in ministry where ever we go.
Washington is an orphan. His mother died just a few weeks ago. He had been sleeping at a neighbor’s house, but this week they chased him from their home telling him not to return. When our team heard of his need we were broken and turned to prayer.
That same day we went to minister alongside a local Pastor named Mike. He showed us the ministry God has led him to open, a boy’s home for street kids. The Lord has already provided a house, and Pastor Mike and his wife are just waiting for God to provide the boys and financial needs. We spoke to him about Washington and Pastor Mike agreed to take him in as a son.
“If we leave these children on the streets the crime and lifestyles they turn to will be counted as our own sins. We are responsible for these children, who have no one. We have to love them and grow them up as men who love the Lord Jesus. They will be the ones who win their people over to the Kingdom if Light.” – Pastor Mike
Later that day we returned home to find Washington waiting at our gate. When we explained that we had found a home for him he was nervous. He began to cry and did not want to come with us. After being encouraged by the other children Washington agreed to go and climbed into our van crying. Anne sat with him as we drove to his new home. He was welcomed by his new parents with love.
They gave him clean clothes and sent him to bathe. After his bath he timidly sat with the family and told them his story. We prayed for him and his new family and left for the night.
The next day we visited Washington and the family. We found him playing with his new brother and sister, laughing. He came to our house to visit today dressed in clean clothes and well fed. Although he didn’t speak English his eyes spoke of thanks and comfort.
We have been playing with him all morning. He will not stop grinning. Praise God for saving Washington and giving him a family that is going to usher him into a relationship with Jesus that will change this community.
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