Day 1 update

Today is Sean's first full (and coherent) day in Kenya! Thanks to everyone who has been praying~the trip went off without a hitch, and there were no issues getting his visa. God had already arranged several divine appointments~the first of which was seating him next to a sweet lady who was on her way to see her dying father. Sean was able to minister to her and pray with her. Then waiting for his connection to India, he met a group of men from an organization in Holland that he had been wanting to contact (more on that later). On the next flight, he sat next to a young Ugandan believer and was so blessed and encouraged by the fellowship. Then he was able to share the gospel with a Muslim man when he went to get a SIM card for his phone!

Being able to stay at the YWAM (Youth With a Mission) base while in Mombasa is a huge blessing. Sean is having an orientation with them today and then, God willing, he will be meeting with a pastor who does outreach in the slums and runs a small orphanage. One of the YWAM brothers offered to go out with Sean today as well. I'm so thankful, because "two are (definitely) better than one"!

Skype wouldn't cooperate with us today, and the phone connection was sketchy as well. With the time difference, we won't be able to touch base again til tomorrow, so I'll update when I have more news! We so appreciate your continued prayers for Sean! Tuoanane kesho (see you tomorrow)!

Safari Njema (Safe Journey)

Sean should be arriving at the airport any time now! His flight doesn't leave for almost 3 more hours, but I'd say the journey has begun. We appreciate your prayers for his safety, health, strength and guidance during the next few weeks!

We chose a route through Singapore/India, which saved us $500, but also adds to flight time. He'll actually be arriving in Mombasa 27 hours after takeoff (if all goes smoothly). Please pray that he will get some good solid sleep on the plane.

Of course I'll be keeping you all updated along the way~so excited to see what God unfolds for us!

Possible Perils in Mombasa (a funny)

Last night I was looking up some info for the Kenya trip when I stumbled across an article listing 29 possible dangers while visiting Mombasa. I had already read up on and prepared for some of the more obvious things like malaria, jiggers and traveler's trots, but I never would have dreamed of this real (but humorous) possibility as well~the deadly falling coconut.

Apparently, 150 people die each year after being brained by falling coconuts. When you stop to consider how heavy the coconuts are, and the heights from which they're falling...well, your skull just doesn't stand a chance! So now we just might be scurrying for a last minute item~a hard hat.

"Unconventional" Missions

When we first received our calling to Kenya, we had a man from WEC (Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ, which was actually founded by C.T. Studd) come to our home and discuss possibilities in missions with us. During our meeting, we discovered that WEC doesn't have a presence in Kenya right now, but we received some valuable information and best of all were very encouraged to have someone pray with us for God's guidance.

The reason we chose this particular organization is because their policy is to trust that God can provide for the needs of the people He sends without standard fundraising, and that He is able to inspire His servants to give when and where necessary to see His will carried out. Hence, their strategy is to ask God alone-not people-to supply their needs. In short, we call this "His will, His bill."

After reading about the life and ministry of George Mueller, we felt this was the best route for our family to take as well. God has already taken us around this block a few times. He has proven Himself as Jehovah Jireh again and again, especially when Sean quit his job for 9 months to do street ministry. It was amazing to see the different ways He chose to meet our needs. We've learned to trust Him to provide as we obey Him. He has always been so faithful to us!

Many people have asked us what organization or church is funding us. Basically, we are flying by the seat of our pants! We simply continued to pray for God's direction and had godly counsel confirm that we should make an "exploratory trip" to spy out the land. We knew that God would provide the finances in His timing, and He did. Sean received a specific date in prayer, which confirmed the time frame that I had received as well.

While we have the full support of our church (who gathered around and prayed for us during this morning's service), so far God has provided the funds for this trip without using our church family as resources. Not to say He might do things differently in the future, just trying to emphasize that we CAN fly by the seat of our pants. We don't HAVE to have all our ducks in a row. HE knows what we need, and He knows where He's taking us and what it will take to get us there!

In the next post I will share another question we have been asked~with answers, of course! Less than 48 hours til take-off!

Edited to add the following day: The Lord did indeed lead some of our brothers and sisters to sow their finances into this adventure. I love how He works. It will be exciting to see how it will be used for the Kingdom!

C. T. Studd~I love this guy!!!

"Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell."~C.T. Studd

When you read anything about the life of C. T. Studd you can't HELP but be inspired! This man gave up a promising career in cricket, gave away his sizeable inheritance, and gave himself as a living sacrifice as a missionary to China, India and Africa. Guess where he landed in Africa? Mombasa, Kenya!

More quotes from C.T. Studd:


Within A Yard of Hell (drama featuring his life):

Only 9 more days! And some important Kenya stats...

Time is fairly FLYING by~before we know it, Sean will be leaving on a jet plane! And this is why he goes...to learn more about how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to the least of these.

*It is estimated that 300 babies are abandoned in Kenya each day~sweet blessings from God like this little lamb dumped in unimaginable places and left to die.

*Out of the estimated 19 million children in Kenya, an estimated 2.6 million are orphans (children who have lost one or more parents). Many of these children live on the streets.



Onesimus Boys Centre is a Christian rehabilitation centre for street boys who are 13-18 years old. The boys are rescued from the street and offered opportunities and hope by restoring their physical, social, psychological and spiritual well being so that they will become self-sufficient and will be a blessing to their families and community.

For more info on this ministry, go to abridgetokenya.com

FREE KINDLE (no longer free, but I can loan it out!)~The Unlikely Missionary: From Pew-Warmer to Poverty-Fighter

I had this book on my Amazon wish list for a while~so I was thrilled to see that it was on the list of free Kindle. I don't know how long it will be there, so wanted to share!

Edited to add: for anyone who missed this title while it was free, I am able to loan it out for 2 weeks. Just reply to this blog post with your e-mail address if interested!

"Jesus called us to change the world... starting with 'the least of these.'

Dan King, popular blogger and founder of BibleDude.net, wrestled for several years with this idea of what it means to serve like Jesus did. That is, until he started researching the topic of poverty and what the Christian response to it looks like. One little writing project triggered a series of events, like dominoes, that eventually led him on an unlikely trip to Africa. It was a trip that would change things forever.

Follow Dan's journey not only on a poverty-fighting trip through Africa, but also on the journey of discovery as the mission trip helps him find purpose and meaning in his Christian walk."

Read more about Dan at his website BibleDude.net.

Action Ministry~no longer rejected, but BLESSED

Action Ministry from Know Think Act on Vimeo.

Visit Peter Ochiel's website at actionministrykenya.com/

Kenya bound! 15 more days...

Things are coming together nicely~Sean has a place to stay while in Mombasa, he has also made a few contacts with different ministries in the area that he will be able to visit and learn from. Right now we're praying about what he can take with him~not only items for his personal benefit, but also things we can bless others with who are in need (clothing, school supplies, etc). Obviously, one guy can't take that much stuff~but we'll be making the most of every available inch of packing space!

When visiting a third world country, we obviously can't take certain things for granted~such as clean drinking water, "normal" bathroom facilities (including TP), electricity, internet services, etc. This will truly be an adventure! We are thankful that we can trust God to provide everything we need to do His will! This doesn't always mean we will be comfortable, but we can rest knowing He is our Keeper! (Psalm 121)

Off to Kenya in 19 days!!!

I know I haven't blogged about anything personal so far, but the purpose of this blog is to chronicle our family's journey in attempting to live out Isaiah 58. Last October, Sean visited India and Sri Lanka. He was able to fellowship with brothers and sisters who must meet in remote jungle areas due to persecution. He also visited an orphanage. Happily, he will be able to drop in for another visit on the way back from Kenya! We found that it was actually cheaper to fly this route, which ended up being a huge blessing.

It was so awesome to see how God not only provided the funds for that trip, but also covered the wages Sean was unable to earn while he was away. When we seek our Father's kingdom and righteousness first, He truly does supply all our needs. I love His ways!

I will share more details on the Kenya trip soon! In the meantime, we appreciate your prayers for continued guidance and provision for His will to be done!

My first giveaway (of sorts)

It occurred to me that I am able to loan my Kindle version of "No Greater Love" by Levi Benkert. See my blog post from June 15th on his ministry if you've never heard of him. This guy and his family just picked up and moved to Ethiopia indefinitely to rescue children destined to die. It's such an inspirational story of what God can do with a surrendered life!

I am able to loan this title one time for a period of two weeks. Comment on this post if you want to borrow No Greater Love. I will wait a week and then do a drawing if there is more than one person interested.