Dear Tammy,
I miss talking to you! I am sorry we have lost touch. When we switched cell phones, I lost your number! I don't know how to get ahold of you without posting personal info on the internet, but I wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you! I hope to hear from you somehow soon. Keeping you in prayer, friend!
In His Love,
Kim
Monday, September 10, 2018
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Living Isaiah 58 Will Continue
After reading Isaiah 58 again this morning, the Lord prompted me to write a new blog post. Before we left Kenya to return home, He reassured me that the ministry of Living Isaiah 58 would continue--this would be the American Branch! We have been back in the U.S. for a year and a half now, and I am asking Him to show me how we are to continue the ministry of Living Isaiah 58. Sean has returned to Kenya 3 times in the past 18 months to build on the work there, but what work does the Father have for us here in America? We have had orphan and foster care on our hearts for so many years. We have made attempts to move forward in foster care--but the door keeps closing, so we are waiting on God for His timing in that. We have been able to do orphan care in Kenya, not only with children but with orphaned adults--those with the "orphan spirit". I can see that God has brought at least one soul into our lives here in Spokane to "parent". But I feel the urgency for so much more. My attention has also been drawn to the portions of Scripture that speak of delivering those who are oppressed. There are so many groups of people in that category! From unborn babes in the womb, to those in nursing homes and every stage in between. I know that God has a plan for us, and He will unfold it in His timing. Will you agree with me in prayer that He will give us ears to hear what His Spirit is saying to us here in Spokane? I know this is a prayer that He will answer, because He highlighted Isaiah 58 verse 11, where He says "I will guide you continually".
Isaiah 58:6-12 New Living Translation (NLT)
6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.
Some of our children in Kenya, big and little!
Monday, October 2, 2017
A Year in America
We have been back in the U.S. for a year now! Time has whizzed by so unbelievably fast! We arrived just in time to see the leaves turn last year and are now enjoying the same scenery. My favorite time of year! I consider it a huge blessing to be able to enjoy another Autumn here in Washington State.
The past year has been both challenging and rewarding. After arriving in Spokane, we stayed with my Mom and Dad for 2.5 months. We were able to celebrate our first Thanksgiving and Christmas together with them and my brother and his family, which was a dream come true for all of us! In mid-December God blessed us with the opportunity to rent a home about 30 minutes from town in a small farming community. There we met another family of 6 who lived just up the street and became fast friends. This was an answer to prayer for both families, and we are thankful for the friendship and fellowship God so graciously provided with the Kauffmans!
Not long after arriving in Spokane, Sean and I participated in a Foster Parenting Course, and I attended the Orphan Summit later in the Spring. The Lord has been speaking to us about fostering for years, and we are still waiting on Him to show us how, where and when. We submitted the preliminary paperwork, but a few obstacles have presented themselves. We know when it is His timing, He will make it happen! Here is a powerful short film on the positive impact foster care can have in a child's life:
In August, the Lord opened up an opportunity for us to move back into the city of Spokane and stay with a lovely couple from our church. Ben and Emily have opened their hearts and home to us and have made us feel so welcome! We are so blessed to be able to share meals, fellowship and LIFE together. We are very thankful for this haven of rest God has provided once again in our time of need.
Sean was able to return to Kenya for 9 weeks to continue work with the disciples there, and also visited our church family in Australia for 3 weeks in the Spring. Both trips were very fruitful and our Father used them to teach us so much about the ministry in Kenya and His plans for His people there. Sean is currently preparing to return to Kenya, but one thing we have been learning is the essential of waiting on God. His plans and timing are perfect! "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9
The past year has been both challenging and rewarding. After arriving in Spokane, we stayed with my Mom and Dad for 2.5 months. We were able to celebrate our first Thanksgiving and Christmas together with them and my brother and his family, which was a dream come true for all of us! In mid-December God blessed us with the opportunity to rent a home about 30 minutes from town in a small farming community. There we met another family of 6 who lived just up the street and became fast friends. This was an answer to prayer for both families, and we are thankful for the friendship and fellowship God so graciously provided with the Kauffmans!
Not long after arriving in Spokane, Sean and I participated in a Foster Parenting Course, and I attended the Orphan Summit later in the Spring. The Lord has been speaking to us about fostering for years, and we are still waiting on Him to show us how, where and when. We submitted the preliminary paperwork, but a few obstacles have presented themselves. We know when it is His timing, He will make it happen! Here is a powerful short film on the positive impact foster care can have in a child's life:
In August, the Lord opened up an opportunity for us to move back into the city of Spokane and stay with a lovely couple from our church. Ben and Emily have opened their hearts and home to us and have made us feel so welcome! We are so blessed to be able to share meals, fellowship and LIFE together. We are very thankful for this haven of rest God has provided once again in our time of need.
Sean was able to return to Kenya for 9 weeks to continue work with the disciples there, and also visited our church family in Australia for 3 weeks in the Spring. Both trips were very fruitful and our Father used them to teach us so much about the ministry in Kenya and His plans for His people there. Sean is currently preparing to return to Kenya, but one thing we have been learning is the essential of waiting on God. His plans and timing are perfect! "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9
In the meantime, my Mom's condition has remained pretty stable. Her last tests actually showed the breast tumors are shrinking! In July, Mom was able to go to California to encourage a friend of hers who is also in Stage 4 cancer. We are so thankful for God's mercy and grace in her life and are making some wonderful memories with her. Looking forward to spending another Thanksgiving with my family!
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Friends Don't Let Friends Fight Cancer Alone
Most of you know that my Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer a year ago. Just last month she discovered her former boss and very dear friend also has Stage 4 cancer. Mom wants to visit her in California to encourage her before she undergoes radiation and chemotherapy, but can't afford the trip. I started a GoFundMe page to raise the funds for her to be able to bless her friend. We are already halfway to our goal! Would you please help us by spreading the word? Please click the purple link below the picture to visit Mom's GoFundMe page!
Sheri's "We're In This Together" Cancer Fund
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Africa Beckons You
The Lord very clearly called our family to minister in Africa. I am not suggesting that everyone should just pick up and go~though I think not many would be able to without the Lord's provision! I do agree with Andrew that we should all be saying, "Here I am Lord~send me!" with ANY nation in mind. The fields are ripe for harvest! Jesus has already commanded us as His disciples to GO into all the world and make disciples. Which part of the world is He calling you to? It could be in your own backyard, on the other side of your state, cross-country or on another continent. Are you willing to go where He sends you? Trust in Him with all your heart; don't depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take!" ~Kim
AFRICA BECKONS YOU!
by Andrew Strom
Over the years I have ministered many times in Africa - especially
Nigeria. The heat and the neverending cloud of dust, smog and
diesel fumes were ever-present, but spiritually it was always a
fantastic trip.
I know a lot of people on this List have had invitations to Third
world countries to minister. I want to encourage you to take
these opportunities, my friends - even if you have to pay your
own way (-quite likely because they are so poor).
I have come across many Repentance preachers in the USA and
the West who have been frustrated and discouraged here with the
lack of response and/or openings. We need to realize that there
is a wide world out there that is hungry and desperate for sound
preaching and biblical truth.
I remember once hearing David Servant make an analogy of a
fisherman with two fishing-holes to choose from. In one fishing
hole he caught virtually no fish at all. In the other fishing hole
the fish were so desperate to be caught that they were clinging
onto the line and he was hauling them in as fast as he could get
his pole back in the water! Which fishing hole should he choose?
Of course it was the second one. (Equating to the Third World).
A lot of us think it is the "spiritual" thing to do, to wait and wait
and wait right where we are, but as David Servant points out,
Jesus clearly told his disciples that if they were not received in
one town, to leave that place and go on until they find a receptive
place. This is actually a commandment of God. Otherwise all of
God's servants are left wasting their time in unresponsive
environments. Jesus commands us to "GO!"
Personally, for many years I focused my attention almost
entirely on the West. But God changed that. He redirected my
gaze to the Third Wolrd, and I am so glad He did. Such is the
need and the hunger there. Sadly, it is the exact opposite of
what we so often find in the comfortable apathetic West.
I strongly encourage every preacher who is on this List to consider
the Third World - and soon. It may be time to think "outside the
box", my friends. You won't regret it.
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom
Monday, May 1, 2017
Monday, March 20, 2017
Living Isaiah 58~A Reminder
In the past 6 years, we have moved continents 3 times in pursuit of Living Isaiah 58. Our journey has been completely Spirit-led and Father-funded (our Daddy is NOT on a budget and has some DEEP pockets!), and it has taken us from the the U.S. to Australia, to Kenya, and back to the U.S. again. In June of last year, we thought we still had at least one year left of living and ministering in Kenya as a family but God knew otherwise. That month we discovered that my Mom has stage 4 cancer. Our Father so graciously and faithfully provided for us to return to the U.S. to make memories with Mom/Grandma and we are so thankful! We have been back on American soil for 6 (!!!) months now, and are still unsure of what God's next orders will be. One thing we do know for sure is that we will never be released from the call to live out the mandate of Isaiah 58. In every nation there is such great need for God's people to rise up and be doers of the Word in regards to caring for the orphan, the widow and the "least of these"! We so appreciate your continued prayers during this season of waiting. Sean returned alone to Mombasa in January to continue and confirm the Lord's work there. He will be back with us shortly and we will continue to wait on God for His next instructions. In the meantime, we consider your prayers for us more precious that gold!
In His Love,
Kim
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