Hello Dear Ones!
Thanks so much for yours parayers! Wanted to send 1 more before we get ready to go tomorrow.
We are back from our safari (swahili for journey). It was incredible. The cost was great to get there... the 150 mi. route from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara game reserve was the worst "road" we've ever seen. It took about 7 hours to get there & back. The road was paved kind of, but had pot holes of every size & shape. There were times that we went off road because that was smoother than the road. It was a roller coaster ride. Just like we can see deer outside of Potato Creek State park, we started seeing giraffes, zebra & vultures just 1 1/2 hrs. outside of Nairobi. Once we got to the National park on Tues. about 4:30 we did a game drive & within 1 1/2 hrs. we saw elephants, rhino, water buffalo, impalas, ostrich, & 4 lions that walked right past our van. (The park is 900 sq. mi.). The next day we went out all day & saw wildebeasts, several types of gazelles, zebra, mating lions, hyena, hippos, wart ho g s, many large variety of birds & lots of lions (1 pride of 12). They are all used to the safari vehicles. The only thing we didn't get to see were leopards or cheetas. They sleep in trees in the daytime & hunt at night.
The camping out 2 nights reminded me why we don't go camping. The Maasai tribe of Africans guard the camp ground while we sleep. They are the tribe (I'm sure you've heard of) that maintain their ancient heritage: things like they drink blood & milk, dress in red wraps or capes (to scare off wild animals--I'm not sure how this squares with the Spanish bull fingiting where red angers the bulls)???? The Maasai also stretch their ear lobes (I have pics), & the men compete to see how high they can jump. They said usually no wild animals visit the camp sites, except for monkeys. We did see several of them & laughed at their antics.
Susan
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
June 27th and 28th
Wed June 27, 2007
The team is having a great time in Masai Mara. They saw a black rhino , zebra, elephants, hippo, wildebeasts, ostrich, hyiena, tons of lions, gazells, impalas, baboons and more.
John & Ramona stayed back and what a day we had. We had the awesome opportunity to minister to three different people and see God do an incredible work of inner healing. It is a beginning but we know God will complete this work in these wonderful people. There is a lot of struggle here because of the difficulty in life in general. Everything is hard to do. Then to be in ministry with hurting people on top of the immediate struggles adds alot of stress and spiritual warfare. These people are true servants of God and are willing to pay the price. Please pray for their healing and the joy of the Lord to truly be their strength!!
We then went with Bishop Joseph to see his school of 275 students and the group home of 90 kids that are aides orphans that have had both parents who have died. What a great work they are doing but I feel bad that there are so many children and only a few Mamas at the house and one Dad. The good thing is that many church members come often to send time with the children in the home.
Thursday June 28, 2007
John & Ramona met with Bishop Joseph and he was going to Feed the Children to hopefully recieve enough food continually for the schood children and the home African Hope Center. This came from the divine appt we had with Dr. Cami Wheeler on the plane over, who connected us with Feed the Children for both Mary and Joseph and Bishop Joseph. Wow what an answer from God.
We then went to Mary and Joseph's home for lunch and tea. We had a very relaxing time and also a great meal. It was good not to have to rush around and just enjoy the friendship that we have with such great people.
The team arrived home at 5pm except or Rich & Terry who are coming soon in another van.
More info to follow.
We will shop, finish some important business and then leave Kenya at 10:t5pm tomorrow evening. We will see you all Sunday morning at CT for morning worship. We love you all and appreciate your love, support and prayers.
Asante Sana,
The African Team
The team is having a great time in Masai Mara. They saw a black rhino , zebra, elephants, hippo, wildebeasts, ostrich, hyiena, tons of lions, gazells, impalas, baboons and more.
John & Ramona stayed back and what a day we had. We had the awesome opportunity to minister to three different people and see God do an incredible work of inner healing. It is a beginning but we know God will complete this work in these wonderful people. There is a lot of struggle here because of the difficulty in life in general. Everything is hard to do. Then to be in ministry with hurting people on top of the immediate struggles adds alot of stress and spiritual warfare. These people are true servants of God and are willing to pay the price. Please pray for their healing and the joy of the Lord to truly be their strength!!
We then went with Bishop Joseph to see his school of 275 students and the group home of 90 kids that are aides orphans that have had both parents who have died. What a great work they are doing but I feel bad that there are so many children and only a few Mamas at the house and one Dad. The good thing is that many church members come often to send time with the children in the home.
Thursday June 28, 2007
John & Ramona met with Bishop Joseph and he was going to Feed the Children to hopefully recieve enough food continually for the schood children and the home African Hope Center. This came from the divine appt we had with Dr. Cami Wheeler on the plane over, who connected us with Feed the Children for both Mary and Joseph and Bishop Joseph. Wow what an answer from God.
We then went to Mary and Joseph's home for lunch and tea. We had a very relaxing time and also a great meal. It was good not to have to rush around and just enjoy the friendship that we have with such great people.
The team arrived home at 5pm except or Rich & Terry who are coming soon in another van.
More info to follow.
We will shop, finish some important business and then leave Kenya at 10:t5pm tomorrow evening. We will see you all Sunday morning at CT for morning worship. We love you all and appreciate your love, support and prayers.
Asante Sana,
The African Team
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Slide show of ~past~ Africa trip
here are a few pictures of the last Africa trip John, Ramona and Leah were a part of, it gives you a good idea of what they're doing now.
June 25th and 26th
Monday June 25, 2007
The team went for a short shopping trip to Nairobi , and then got to tour Rasland Academy where Rick and Terry Emerick had taught for two years while missionaries to Kenya ten years ago. It was a tearful home coming but a very happy one. The grounds and buildings were beautiful and they are even building a swimming pool. There were lots of changes in the past ten years. The principal wants some of us to return to taech there and said she would be calling us.
John stayed home to meet with Timothy Wambura from Arusha , Tanzania and Joseph Malungi from Ginga , Uganda who were coming for a special meeting with the Nairobi pastors of schools and aides orphan group homes. The evening meeting was incredible. John and Ramona hosted the meeting and Rick also attended. Mary, Joseph, Simon, Terry and Humphrey Maturi (Carol Maina’s brother) also attended. John had another divine appt. and met another Kenyan pastor Bishop Joseph who is doing the same ministry with aides orphans. He also attended. He is finishing a Doctorate from Fuller University in California and was very helpful and wants to be apart of this group.
The meeting was so special hearing all the visions, concerns and victories. The group will continue to meet periodically to discuss the needs of the orphans for the future, when it is time for them to leave the home after graduation from secondary school. The Holy Spirit was very present and guided the meeting and prayer time. What an incredible meeting of like hearts and visions for hurting children. It was a great honor to be present.
Tuesday June 26, 2007
The team left for Massai Mara for the safari while John and Ramona stayed behind to attend to other ministry details. Meetings with Timothy and Joseph were very helpful in further understanding and planning for the future. John was also able to give the gifts of money, supplies and toys from the team and CT for their children. There excitement and gratitude continue to amaze us. What humble and faithful servants of our Lord. After they left John & Ramona went for a short visit to Massai Market. What an experience!! There are thousands of vendors with their wares for sale. It is hard to even move through the path but alot of fun. We really had to bargain because we are Wazungu’s (white people) and they think we are all rich. Tee Hee. It was fun. They are a very special people who we are growing more and more in love with.
Love to all!
The Team
The team went for a short shopping trip to Nairobi , and then got to tour Rasland Academy where Rick and Terry Emerick had taught for two years while missionaries to Kenya ten years ago. It was a tearful home coming but a very happy one. The grounds and buildings were beautiful and they are even building a swimming pool. There were lots of changes in the past ten years. The principal wants some of us to return to taech there and said she would be calling us.
John stayed home to meet with Timothy Wambura from Arusha , Tanzania and Joseph Malungi from Ginga , Uganda who were coming for a special meeting with the Nairobi pastors of schools and aides orphan group homes. The evening meeting was incredible. John and Ramona hosted the meeting and Rick also attended. Mary, Joseph, Simon, Terry and Humphrey Maturi (Carol Maina’s brother) also attended. John had another divine appt. and met another Kenyan pastor Bishop Joseph who is doing the same ministry with aides orphans. He also attended. He is finishing a Doctorate from Fuller University in California and was very helpful and wants to be apart of this group.
The meeting was so special hearing all the visions, concerns and victories. The group will continue to meet periodically to discuss the needs of the orphans for the future, when it is time for them to leave the home after graduation from secondary school. The Holy Spirit was very present and guided the meeting and prayer time. What an incredible meeting of like hearts and visions for hurting children. It was a great honor to be present.
Tuesday June 26, 2007
The team left for Massai Mara for the safari while John and Ramona stayed behind to attend to other ministry details. Meetings with Timothy and Joseph were very helpful in further understanding and planning for the future. John was also able to give the gifts of money, supplies and toys from the team and CT for their children. There excitement and gratitude continue to amaze us. What humble and faithful servants of our Lord. After they left John & Ramona went for a short visit to Massai Market. What an experience!! There are thousands of vendors with their wares for sale. It is hard to even move through the path but alot of fun. We really had to bargain because we are Wazungu’s (white people) and they think we are all rich. Tee Hee. It was fun. They are a very special people who we are growing more and more in love with.
Love to all!
The Team
Sunday, June 24, 2007
From Jenna
(This email was sent to friends, family and prayer people from Jenna)
Hello friends and family- wow. I know it has been a few days since I have written. I am tired. I am almost broken. I say almost because I feel aloof
and I believe that only a small part of what I have experienced has really hit me.
Today was the hardest day of the trip and maybe my life. I know that sounds absolutely crazy- but today we had to say goodbye to the children at Mukuru
Village. We had spent the past 4 days with them. Sang, ate, laughed, danced, prayed, worshiped (constantly) and TONS of HUGS!! I always remember what
Pastor Edgar said once “there is something thicker than blood”-meaning in
the spirit- you have family that can be just as close or closer- I felt that
with the girls in the cana house (orphanage). I asked them yesterday to
tell me something good that God has done in their life- they said-He has given them a home because a few years ago they were living on the streets.
They also said He helps them with their education. These girls are amazing.
Mukuru village is actually one of the worst slums in Kenya, Africa(Kenya has the worst slums in Africa from what we have heard). We call it a‘village’ because we know that’s what God is doing. He is making a village out of a slum. To give you an idea of the things I have seen….oh
wait….that’s impossible. But I will try.4.5 miles x 2.5miles has
400,000
people. Their houses are made of pieces of tin- bolted together by
nails.
Trash is everywhere. There are piles of it and it is all along the
roads and
dirt streets. I have seen chickens, goats, turkeys, and starving dogs
running along these streets. That is just an idea for you.
It’s funny – all I want to do is praise God. I feel tired and weak
physically and emotionally. My heart is breaking and yet I cant stop
thanking Him. He is so good. If only you could meet the girls in the
orphanage. They praise God all day long. I love their music by the
way. And
the pastors here are amazing. They give up everything to work for the
church. It is hard work. God is so good.
When I close my eyes at night, all I can see is there faces. All I can
see
is the baby we saw on our way back from the crusade- sitting in the
dirt,
next to dirty running water and sewage- he was under 2 years old- he
was
sitting there – unattended falling asleep while sitting up- in the
dirt. I
know God is doing many things right now and I thank him for it. He is
VERY
GOOD. VERY VERY VERY VERY GOOD. Asante yseu! (thank you jesus in
Swahili)
Prayer requests: unity within the team, physically protected. Health.
strength . wisdom, words of knowledge and many more opportunities to
share
his love. Protection over our thoughts. * another thing- it is very
hard to
breathe here because of the pollution (gas fumes) throughout the city
and
the fires burning throughout the day. Please pray that God would help
us to
breathe. I am coughing a lot. Also for me personally- please pray
against
the side affects of the malaria pill we are taking. Tonight, my stomach
feels nausa.
Baruki (blessings) and thank you for your prayers.
Jenna
Hello friends and family- wow. I know it has been a few days since I have written. I am tired. I am almost broken. I say almost because I feel aloof
and I believe that only a small part of what I have experienced has really hit me.
Today was the hardest day of the trip and maybe my life. I know that sounds absolutely crazy- but today we had to say goodbye to the children at Mukuru
Village. We had spent the past 4 days with them. Sang, ate, laughed, danced, prayed, worshiped (constantly) and TONS of HUGS!! I always remember what
Pastor Edgar said once “there is something thicker than blood”-meaning in
the spirit- you have family that can be just as close or closer- I felt that
with the girls in the cana house (orphanage). I asked them yesterday to
tell me something good that God has done in their life- they said-He has given them a home because a few years ago they were living on the streets.
They also said He helps them with their education. These girls are amazing.
Mukuru village is actually one of the worst slums in Kenya, Africa(Kenya has the worst slums in Africa from what we have heard). We call it a‘village’ because we know that’s what God is doing. He is making a village out of a slum. To give you an idea of the things I have seen….oh
wait….that’s impossible. But I will try.4.5 miles x 2.5miles has
400,000
people. Their houses are made of pieces of tin- bolted together by
nails.
Trash is everywhere. There are piles of it and it is all along the
roads and
dirt streets. I have seen chickens, goats, turkeys, and starving dogs
running along these streets. That is just an idea for you.
It’s funny – all I want to do is praise God. I feel tired and weak
physically and emotionally. My heart is breaking and yet I cant stop
thanking Him. He is so good. If only you could meet the girls in the
orphanage. They praise God all day long. I love their music by the
way. And
the pastors here are amazing. They give up everything to work for the
church. It is hard work. God is so good.
When I close my eyes at night, all I can see is there faces. All I can
see
is the baby we saw on our way back from the crusade- sitting in the
dirt,
next to dirty running water and sewage- he was under 2 years old- he
was
sitting there – unattended falling asleep while sitting up- in the
dirt. I
know God is doing many things right now and I thank him for it. He is
VERY
GOOD. VERY VERY VERY VERY GOOD. Asante yseu! (thank you jesus in
Swahili)
Prayer requests: unity within the team, physically protected. Health.
strength . wisdom, words of knowledge and many more opportunities to
share
his love. Protection over our thoughts. * another thing- it is very
hard to
breathe here because of the pollution (gas fumes) throughout the city
and
the fires burning throughout the day. Please pray that God would help
us to
breathe. I am coughing a lot. Also for me personally- please pray
against
the side affects of the malaria pill we are taking. Tonight, my stomach
feels nausa.
Baruki (blessings) and thank you for your prayers.
Jenna
June 23rd and 24th
Sat June 23
Ramona Terri and Susan presented about intimacy with the Lord, joy and abiding in the secret place in Psalm 91. They were so open and were almost pulling the information out of the three ladies. There is more to understanding how hungry these people are than the lack of natural food. The word about what is taught here is that the gospel is preached over and over to believers. Deeper teaching that puts down roots may be hard to find in some circles. So these ladies were very hungry to have other women speak to them about how to live this Christian life with joy and success. We believe that the Holy Spirit brough fresh revelation to these women. At the same time, the majority of the team ministered to the children. They had a strong sense that the children needed to be pulled into an attitude of sharing. So they sat on the grass and had numerous lessons on sharing and the power of giving to one another - instead of just taking. The team ministered Sat. night in song and testimony. Four adults and 5 children gave their heart to the Lord. One of them was a woman passing by from the market on foot. She stopped to hear the message and wanted prayer at the end. She had such kind eyes, but confessed, " I love God but have never had a relationship with Jesus" and now she wanted one. We prayed a beautiful prayer together. At dinner last night, we had a heart to heart talk. We are so grieved that these two wonderful ministries have trouble even getting enough good food to feed the kids with a balanced diet. We had a talk earilier in the day with Pastor Simon and drew out a plan for step two in the project of ministering to his family of 20 orphans. So at dinner, we raised an offering of $2000 to buy beans and rice. Wow, I forgot to tell you, on Friday we scored a big hit for Mary and Joseph's ministry as we connected a pediatric doctor we met on the plane from Amsterdam with Mary. She took us all to Feed the Children, Larry Jone's ministry and scored 72 bags of rice each about 120 pounds.
Sunday June 24
This morning we ministered in Pastor Simons church. The people loved our African choir since learning two songs in preparation for the trip. The celebration was exciting and the gratitude for our time with them these last four days was very genuine. We ate dinner together, took many pictures, gave away many hugs and we walked to the van. We had to do that each day because the road is too bad to travel upon with a full load of people. As we walked this rual lane that looked like a Hummer test track, I thought of the geographical contrast between these two places of ministry. Extreams seem to be the standard diet for our team. Tonight we have ended 9 days of ministry. We are exhausted, excited, grateful, tearful, joyful, moved with compassion and missing home. We are well, we are protected and we are in unity. What a gift. Tomorrow we host a critical meeting with Pastors Simon and Terry, Mary and Joseph and two pastors with group homes from Uganda and Tanzania. The team will shop. Blessings.
Ramona Terri and Susan presented about intimacy with the Lord, joy and abiding in the secret place in Psalm 91. They were so open and were almost pulling the information out of the three ladies. There is more to understanding how hungry these people are than the lack of natural food. The word about what is taught here is that the gospel is preached over and over to believers. Deeper teaching that puts down roots may be hard to find in some circles. So these ladies were very hungry to have other women speak to them about how to live this Christian life with joy and success. We believe that the Holy Spirit brough fresh revelation to these women. At the same time, the majority of the team ministered to the children. They had a strong sense that the children needed to be pulled into an attitude of sharing. So they sat on the grass and had numerous lessons on sharing and the power of giving to one another - instead of just taking. The team ministered Sat. night in song and testimony. Four adults and 5 children gave their heart to the Lord. One of them was a woman passing by from the market on foot. She stopped to hear the message and wanted prayer at the end. She had such kind eyes, but confessed, " I love God but have never had a relationship with Jesus" and now she wanted one. We prayed a beautiful prayer together. At dinner last night, we had a heart to heart talk. We are so grieved that these two wonderful ministries have trouble even getting enough good food to feed the kids with a balanced diet. We had a talk earilier in the day with Pastor Simon and drew out a plan for step two in the project of ministering to his family of 20 orphans. So at dinner, we raised an offering of $2000 to buy beans and rice. Wow, I forgot to tell you, on Friday we scored a big hit for Mary and Joseph's ministry as we connected a pediatric doctor we met on the plane from Amsterdam with Mary. She took us all to Feed the Children, Larry Jone's ministry and scored 72 bags of rice each about 120 pounds.
Sunday June 24
This morning we ministered in Pastor Simons church. The people loved our African choir since learning two songs in preparation for the trip. The celebration was exciting and the gratitude for our time with them these last four days was very genuine. We ate dinner together, took many pictures, gave away many hugs and we walked to the van. We had to do that each day because the road is too bad to travel upon with a full load of people. As we walked this rual lane that looked like a Hummer test track, I thought of the geographical contrast between these two places of ministry. Extreams seem to be the standard diet for our team. Tonight we have ended 9 days of ministry. We are exhausted, excited, grateful, tearful, joyful, moved with compassion and missing home. We are well, we are protected and we are in unity. What a gift. Tomorrow we host a critical meeting with Pastors Simon and Terry, Mary and Joseph and two pastors with group homes from Uganda and Tanzania. The team will shop. Blessings.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Thursday and Friday June 21st and 22nd
Thursday
We are on a mission trip so the fact that plans change is a fact of life. We moved this morning from the Methodist Guest House to the Rusam Villas on the opposite side of this huge city. The drive from the west side to the east side was almost painful due to the smog and road conditions. We were finding it to be the hardest part of this trip for many of us. We got all move in and went to our new location of ministry with Pastor Simon and Terry. Calvary Temple World Missions had partnered with them in 2006 to build a group home for kids. WOW. It is really a nice facility in comparison to the surrownding area. It is a fairly large block building with five rooms that sleeps 20 kids plus two classrooms for the school of 40 that they run out of the center.. They share bunk beds in two bedrooms with a central living area, a kitchen and a bathroom. The house is livable but not completed. The outside court area needs work and the bathroom is not really functional yet so they use an outhouse. The children are blessed to be here and be provided for. I spoke with a 14 year old boy named Peterson. He said to me, " I used to be a dirt boy. I lived in the dust of the ground and I came here and Pastor Simon gave me a home. I am so glad I have a home now and people who care about me." The children are so precious. To look into their faces makes us know that they are worth it all. Later in the day, we had our first outreach to this new community. Our team was so flat. We were drained and feeling sad about leaving Mary and Joseph's ministry after 5 days with them. That night we had to pray through as a team. We were amazed at how we had grown so accustomed to the Mukuru Slums (Village). We flashed back to our first walk on Sunday into the guts of the slums and the shock we all felt. Then compared that with how we settled in and developed so many relationships there. The children in the Cana group home at Mary and Joseph's ministry cried when we left. We cried too. Finally, we couldnt take it anymore so we started dancing together in the streets to the music that was playing in the background. We laughed and danced and got in the van and drove away and cried again.
Friday June 22
We were determined to start the day together with praise and prayer. We could sense the battle that we had won last night in prayer and were determined to keep it. Emotions can drain you and can drain a team as well. Joy and the Presence of Jesus can restore and rekindle. We left for a day fo Childrens ministry and afternoon Crusade. The kids ministry was fantastic. We had seen from the day before that the kids in the village where Simon and Terry minister have a "I want what you have" mentality. So the kids ministry was centered upon the power of sharing and giving to one another. We wanted to teach them how much better it is to love than to take. We saw the light start to come on. Poverty causes fear and fear causes people to think only about survival today so they can grab what is before them without much care for the one standing beside them. Our message was radically different from that. The outreach that night centered more on taking the believers in the crowd to a deeper level. To choose a greater freedom and a greater love and a greater destiny because the Father of heaven lived in us by His Spirit. We sense if we can move the church to a deeper place in these day, the church will move the community.
We are on a mission trip so the fact that plans change is a fact of life. We moved this morning from the Methodist Guest House to the Rusam Villas on the opposite side of this huge city. The drive from the west side to the east side was almost painful due to the smog and road conditions. We were finding it to be the hardest part of this trip for many of us. We got all move in and went to our new location of ministry with Pastor Simon and Terry. Calvary Temple World Missions had partnered with them in 2006 to build a group home for kids. WOW. It is really a nice facility in comparison to the surrownding area. It is a fairly large block building with five rooms that sleeps 20 kids plus two classrooms for the school of 40 that they run out of the center.. They share bunk beds in two bedrooms with a central living area, a kitchen and a bathroom. The house is livable but not completed. The outside court area needs work and the bathroom is not really functional yet so they use an outhouse. The children are blessed to be here and be provided for. I spoke with a 14 year old boy named Peterson. He said to me, " I used to be a dirt boy. I lived in the dust of the ground and I came here and Pastor Simon gave me a home. I am so glad I have a home now and people who care about me." The children are so precious. To look into their faces makes us know that they are worth it all. Later in the day, we had our first outreach to this new community. Our team was so flat. We were drained and feeling sad about leaving Mary and Joseph's ministry after 5 days with them. That night we had to pray through as a team. We were amazed at how we had grown so accustomed to the Mukuru Slums (Village). We flashed back to our first walk on Sunday into the guts of the slums and the shock we all felt. Then compared that with how we settled in and developed so many relationships there. The children in the Cana group home at Mary and Joseph's ministry cried when we left. We cried too. Finally, we couldnt take it anymore so we started dancing together in the streets to the music that was playing in the background. We laughed and danced and got in the van and drove away and cried again.
Friday June 22
We were determined to start the day together with praise and prayer. We could sense the battle that we had won last night in prayer and were determined to keep it. Emotions can drain you and can drain a team as well. Joy and the Presence of Jesus can restore and rekindle. We left for a day fo Childrens ministry and afternoon Crusade. The kids ministry was fantastic. We had seen from the day before that the kids in the village where Simon and Terry minister have a "I want what you have" mentality. So the kids ministry was centered upon the power of sharing and giving to one another. We wanted to teach them how much better it is to love than to take. We saw the light start to come on. Poverty causes fear and fear causes people to think only about survival today so they can grab what is before them without much care for the one standing beside them. Our message was radically different from that. The outreach that night centered more on taking the believers in the crowd to a deeper level. To choose a greater freedom and a greater love and a greater destiny because the Father of heaven lived in us by His Spirit. We sense if we can move the church to a deeper place in these day, the church will move the community.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wed. June 20th
What a fantastic day!! The children's bible school was packed, over 250 kids and they responded greatly. We were able to bless all the men who work at Cana Ministry with either a shirt, tie or hat because of all the gifts sent by our Calvary Temple family and friends. They were so blessed and excited. The Women's Conference was wonderful. The ladies really responded to the messages of abiding in the secret place with God, Joy and God in us. Ramona, Susan and Terri were the speakers and we really flowed together well.We had 57 women who were really hungry for more of the Lord and they were very open and receptive.
John & Ramona had an eventful experience with Jeffery as they were coming home. The car died on a very busy road. The altenator went out and we walked the rest of the way home. God protected us and the car.
The challenges of everyday life here are great but the Lord is greater.
It was very sad when we left the Mambo's and their children. The girls cried and cried and begged us to return. We told them we would come again if the Lord sent us.
Thanks for all the prayer. We start today With Pastor Simon and ~Terri at the children's home the CT family built through CT Missions.
Keep the the prayers coming.
John & Ramona had an eventful experience with Jeffery as they were coming home. The car died on a very busy road. The altenator went out and we walked the rest of the way home. God protected us and the car.
The challenges of everyday life here are great but the Lord is greater.
It was very sad when we left the Mambo's and their children. The girls cried and cried and begged us to return. We told them we would come again if the Lord sent us.
Thanks for all the prayer. We start today With Pastor Simon and ~Terri at the children's home the CT family built through CT Missions.
Keep the the prayers coming.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tuesday June 19
John and Ramona did a couples seminar for the church. Take a guess what we taught them? Yea, you are right - firstfruits. We saw many of them seem to really understand the power of what we were teaching. One man named Boniface and his wife Jane have committed to leading the village in this way of life. The team shopped till they dropped in the morning. This shopping was like no other. Picture a hillside and vendors of many tribes laying their goods out on a blanket on this special day of the week in the Masai Market. All the things people love to buy in African art and jewelry are for sale at a fraction of the cost in stores. We had another open air crusade in the afternoon. One beautiful 3 year old boy who sat on my lap for the last two crusades ripped the Bible out of my hand and put it next to his chest. He kept that Bible. Our relationship with the people has gained so much strength and freedom. We are experiencing a true blending of hearts.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
June 18th, Children!
We had a fantastic day with kids on Monday. Hundreds of children from Mary and Joseph's school came for the Bible School. It is hard to describe how well behaved these kids are. Once the comfort level is established, which doesn't take long, they crave the affection we so readily give. We are the first group of white people to ever minister in this part of Mukuru Village. As we walk down the narrow streets toward the open air crusade our caravan is more like a parade. The culture shock is dramatic for us and for the people of Mukuru. We already see the gap narrowing as we were in the crusade for the second afternoon. Today the children, often two or three at a time were sitting on our laps. We danced together in the streets of the slum as the worship band filled the area with praise. For a moment it seemed like the kingdom of God had come to Mukuru but in reality it is here everyday in the lives of these people who love the Lord so much from Mary and Joseph's church. .
Monday, June 18, 2007
June 15th- June 18th
Friday 15
Our flights were great We had some wonderful connections for ministry on the plane. We arrived safly and were very tired. Beat in fact. We hit the sack that night around 11pm Kenyan time. No problems through customs, in fact we walked right by them and they didnt say a thing to us. Praise the Lord!
Sat June 16
We had a beautiful and very powerful time of ministry that happened very spontaneously. We had met with Pastors Simon and Terry and Pastors Mary and Joseph to go over the schedule for the coming week of ministry together. After those details, we ended up having a time where they shared their heart for ministry with us all. It really moved the hearts of our team and we ended up praying for them for quite a while and washing their feet. Words were shared with them that brought great encouragement. There were many tears of breakthrough and joy. We gave them a financial gift for the ministry to the children. It was greatly appreciated.
Sunday June 17
We arrived at the church with alot of anticipation for the coming day. We were all blessed by the intesity of the prayer and worship of the children who helped lead the worship. We have seen much growth in the people since being here two years ago. So many young men have been added to the church. Pastor Mary and Joseph are so good at raising up and releasing them in ministry. Our walk through the gut of the Makuru slum to where we held the afternoon crusade was undescribable, so I wont try. It was a shock to us all and yet we learned much on that 15 minute journey. The crusade sight was actually a busy intersection of street so narrow that no car could travel and yet much foot traffic goes there. Many ministered and many children were saved who we then released to pray for the sick. We were the first white people some had ever seen and the presence of 12 of us there was a first. Jim Nelson's 6'6'' height was a real stir. God is moving and all is well.
Children's ministry today and Wednesday with women,s ministry tomorrow along with daily crusades all week.
Our flights were great We had some wonderful connections for ministry on the plane. We arrived safly and were very tired. Beat in fact. We hit the sack that night around 11pm Kenyan time. No problems through customs, in fact we walked right by them and they didnt say a thing to us. Praise the Lord!
Sat June 16
We had a beautiful and very powerful time of ministry that happened very spontaneously. We had met with Pastors Simon and Terry and Pastors Mary and Joseph to go over the schedule for the coming week of ministry together. After those details, we ended up having a time where they shared their heart for ministry with us all. It really moved the hearts of our team and we ended up praying for them for quite a while and washing their feet. Words were shared with them that brought great encouragement. There were many tears of breakthrough and joy. We gave them a financial gift for the ministry to the children. It was greatly appreciated.
Sunday June 17
We arrived at the church with alot of anticipation for the coming day. We were all blessed by the intesity of the prayer and worship of the children who helped lead the worship. We have seen much growth in the people since being here two years ago. So many young men have been added to the church. Pastor Mary and Joseph are so good at raising up and releasing them in ministry. Our walk through the gut of the Makuru slum to where we held the afternoon crusade was undescribable, so I wont try. It was a shock to us all and yet we learned much on that 15 minute journey. The crusade sight was actually a busy intersection of street so narrow that no car could travel and yet much foot traffic goes there. Many ministered and many children were saved who we then released to pray for the sick. We were the first white people some had ever seen and the presence of 12 of us there was a first. Jim Nelson's 6'6'' height was a real stir. God is moving and all is well.
Children's ministry today and Wednesday with women,s ministry tomorrow along with daily crusades all week.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Two days before we leave
We received an extra $910 that we had not expected- except through prayer. God and His people have been so gracious to equip us for this trip to Kenya. We are loaded with goodies for kids, medical supplies and finances to buy the children in the group homes new clothes and enrich the ministries there in Nairobi. Thank you to so many for your prayers and your support.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Operation Nairobi
Our team of 12 has been training for 9 months, now is the time to leave. June 14-30th will be the longest and the shortest two weeks of our lives.
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