ATTENTION: Tammy from Canada!!!

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

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.

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.

“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.

Some of our children in Kenya, big and little! 

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

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!

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

Africa Beckons You

Photo by Chimezie Onyebilanma

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

Look What The Lord Has Done

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

Guest Post by Missy Roepnack

Last month, our friend Cody May drowned in a lake within sight of his wife Kimberly 

and their seven children.

This world has lost a man of which it was not worthy, 

and my dear friend Kimberly and her children are mourning this loss deeply.

Cody was an open-air evangelist and an abortion abolitionist.  His life was BUILT around making Jesus known, defending the fatherless 

and speaking up for the voiceless.  

This life - wordly things - Cody counted it all loss 

for the eternal worth of knowing Jesus Christ.

Cody was also an adoptive father to children 

from Connecticut, DRC, and Ethiopia.

  He is survived by these precious children - 

six of whom just experienced the loss of their father for the SECOND TIME.  

The May family had just moved to Texas a few days prior to Cody's death.  

Several of their children have special needs, 

and they were looking for a fresh start and new opportunities. 

Cody was transitioning between jobs, 

and at this moment in time - he had no life insurance.   

As a larger adoptive community, 

we have learned that family PRESERVATION is right there in James 1:27, 

and that sponsoring endangered children in other countries is such a crucial part of orphan care.  

Orphan prevention and family preservation 

ARE widow and orphan care.  

Inspired by other child sponsorship programs, 

we have set up a special tax-deductible fund through a 501c for Kimberly and her children through Bethesda Family Ministries. 

We are asking people to prayerfully consider 

becoming MONTHLY SPONSORS for Kimberly and the children by until adulthood, 

or until no longer needed. 

In terms of impact, no gift is too small.  Consider this:

A $10/month commitment over the next 15 years 

could buy college books for Cody's boys. 

A $20/month commitment over the next 15 years would be $3600 invested in the future of these children and the preservation of this family!!!

200 people committed to just $5/month equals $1,000 of reliable income.  

Four of our children were brought home 

by mostly small donations from people all over the world - it adds up!

Unlike other sponsorship programs, a massive 95% of your contribution (or more, depending on which form of payment  you choose) will go directly to Kimberly and the children.  The best child sponsorship programs normally run at about 80% down to as low as 50% of direct-to-program costs, so this fund is truly exceptional. 

Additionally, the person administrating this fund has been a local, trusted, and personal friend of my family for many years.  

  

I believe that knowing that there was a dependable amount of support coming in monthly would be such a blessing to Kimberly.  

It will enable her to make plans as she faces the future 

without her best friend and her earthly provider.   

Please pray about this, and consider committing to the May family.  We talk so much about supporting widows and orphans - we treasure this cause because God always has.  

Our God is the Father to the Fatherless, and those of us whom He raises up to adopt, foster, sponsor children...all we are doing is following His lead and example.  

...we love because He first loved us.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~THREE WAYS YOU CAN HELP~~~

1) SHARE  

We are counting on the community to do the advertising, 

so please SHARE this post on Facebook 

or SHARE this fundraiser link.

2)  GIVE  

For MONTHLY Sponsorship, Click HERE 

-OR-

For ONE-TIME Gifts, Click HERE.  

3)  SPEAK UP  

We are looking for 20+ bloggers to feature this post as a guest post.  

Please contact me directly at MRoepnack@gmail.com

Fun project to spead the love and Word of God in Colombia

Sharing a blog post from our dear friends~great opportunity to participate in missions!

http://fromtheheartbookmark.blogspot.co.ke/


Calling all scrapbookers, graphic designers, crafters, calligraphers, painters, photographers, doodlers, stampers, sticker enthusiasts, washi tapers, homeschoolers, coloring book artists, families of all kinds, and Christians of all ages,

Here is an opportunity to use your gift at home to grow the Kingdom of God in far off places. Colombia Mission is seeking unique homemade-with-love bookmarks to be placed in each Bible we pass out. We would love to have you design a few!

Each bookmark should:

Include a Bible verse in Spanish or Wayuunaiki Spanish Wayuu
Use a sturdy backing, such as cardstock, and/or be laminated so they will hold up to transporting
Have a written personal note and/or prayer on the back when signing your name (this can be in English and will be interpreted by a missionary)


Wayuu is a Native American ethnic group of the Guajira Peninsula in northern Colombia and northwest Venezuela. Their language is Wayuunaiki, but many of the younger people speak Spanish, as well.

Please mail finished bookmarks to PO BOX 40915, Downey CA 90239 by October 1, 2016.

You and Your Whole House

In August of 2013, Sean embarked on an exploratory trip to Kenya. We had already received the call a year before that, and we felt God was opening the door and saying "It's time to move forward." While in Kenya, the Holy Spirit ordered Sean's steps the entire time as he walked out the truth of Ephesians 2:10:

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

One of those divine appointments occurred on August 5, 2013. That was the day Sean met a man named Dennis. Here is part of my blog post recounting the story:

The other day, Sean and his friend Julius hired a piki-piki to take them somewhere. When the driver heard that Sean was going to preach on Sunday, he asked Sean to come and preach to him one day. So Sean decided that instead of walking to the meeting place on Sunday, he would hire Dennis to drive him there instead~that way he would be able to stay for the service.

Dennis had recently heard the gospel from another customer, and after hearing the same words from Sean he decided that God must be speaking to him! So he repented of his sins and joined the family of God! Later on, Sean visited Dennis' home and shared the gospel with his wife, who is a Muslim. Please keep her in your prayers~we are believing for this whole house to be saved! (Acts 16:31)

For those of you who took that prayer request to heart~God heard you!!! Dennis' wife Zena was baptized into the body of Christ yesterday. She had been raised a Muslim, but when she saw the transformation that had taken place in her husband~she knew that there was something to this "Jesus". Dennis no longer spent all his earnings on alcohol and partying. He no longer slept around with other women. He came home to his family every night and he began to behave like a godly husband and father. She asked many questions and listened to the answers carefully. She saw the power of God evident in the lives of other believers around her. One night she had a dream/vision that a man came into her room and said:

"I have come to cleanse your heart."

Not long after that she burned some very important Islamic papers she had been given that were supposed to provide protection for her. She began to attend our home fellowship, and received deliverance during corporate praise, prayer and worship on 3 separate occasions. God sovereignly moved without any help from us! It was amazing to behold.

Zena knew that she needed to take that last and most important step of being baptized, and after watching the 2 baptisms last Sunday, she finally decided it was time to take the "plunge"! Three other ladies also joined her. It was definitely a time of rejoicing! Please join us in praying for Zena to be strong in the Lord as she is already receiving opposition from her Muslim family. She is now harassed for being baptized~especially because she chose to do it during during Ramadan. Please also be praying for Zena's niece, Sharifa (shown in the picture above) and Zena's entire family to be saved.

One year in Kenya

Life in Missions from Missions Machine on Vimeo.

Sorry it has been so long since I've done a blog post~honestly most days I can't put two coherent thoughts together!  I do update on Facebook more often, so you can stay updated better through our ministry page there (see the sidebar here on the blog).

We arrived in Kenya on May 14, 2014.  The past year has whizzed by so quickly, yet crawled by so excruciatingly slowly at the same time.  It's hard to explain.  This has definitely been the hardest year of our lives, but at the same time we have seen God do the most amazing things!

Our church family in Australia asked us to make a video about life in Missions.  I'm posting it here in case anyone has a half an hour to kill and you want to see me do the ugly cry.  We are planning on making another video soon that will cover the past year more thoroughly as to what God has had us doing here in Mombasa.

One thing we are so grateful for, is the faithfulness of God shown through the love, care, prayers and support of our brothers and sisters in Christ in America, Australia and Canada.  You have carried us through this past year in so many wonderful ways.  ASANTE SANA (thank you very much).  We love and appreciate you more than words can express!

Thy Will, Not Mine

"I asked the Father for just one thing in this life...His perfect will in our lives...not the easy road."~Adeye Salem, No Greater Joy Mom

As I was reading Adeye's blog post this morning, this statement resonated deeply in my spirit. Before God brought us to Africa, there was a particular day that I felt compelled to get down on my knees and pray. It was one of those moments where you know the Father has something to say and you need to listen! So I positioned myself to hear His voice, and He asked me a question:

"Do you want my will, even if it's hard?"

My immediate response, only by the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit:

"Yes, Lord! Only because I know that you will give me the grace and strength I need. You will help me!"

In my journey with Jesus, this has always been my desire~even though I haven't always been successful at it~to know and to do the will of God. Since we arrived in Africa, I have had my moments of struggling~desiring to go back to the "ease" of Western living. But then God gently reminds me of the above exchange and I say, "Oh yes, I signed up for this!" His grace truly is sufficient.

Yesterday I was talking with a dear friend who is going through one of those trying times. Though she desires a certain outcome, she shared that she was at peace with praying, "Your will be done." I had to smile, because she is exactly where she needs to be. She is acting just like Jesus! In the absolute most agonizing time of His life here on earth, He was crying out to the Father..."Get me out of this, if possible! Nevertheless, not my will, but YOUR will be done." How can we do any less as His disciples?

Thy Will Be Done by Derek Webb
Words by Charlotte Elliot, Music by Justin Smith ©2009 Justin Smith Music

1. My God and Father! while I stray,
Far from my home in life’s rough way,
Oh! teach me from my heart to say,
“Thy will be done!” “Thy will be done!”

2. If Thou shouldst call me to resign,
What most I prize, it ne’er was mine.
I only yield Thee what was Thine;
“Thy will be done!” “Thy will be done!”

3. If but my fainting heart be blest,
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God! To Thee I leave the rest,
“Thy will be done!” “Thy will be done!”

4. Renew my will from day to day,
Blend it with Thine, and take away,
All now that makes it hard to say,
“Thy will be done!” “Thy will be done!”

5. Then when on earth I breathe no more,
The prayer oft mixed with tears before,
I’ll sing upon a happier shore,
“Thy will be done!” “Thy will be done!”

I would gather children

Some would gather money
Along the path of life;
Some would gather roses,
And rest from worldly strife.

But I would gather children
From among the thorns of sin;
I would seek a golden curl,
And a freckled, toothless grin.

For money cannot enter
In that land of endless day;
And roses that are gathered
Soon will wilt along the way.

But, oh, the laughing children,
As I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven
I can take them in with me.

-Author Unknown

Overseas Missions Q&A video

One of our brothers in Australia asked Sean to make a video answering various questions about Overseas Missions. There is a slideshow at the end!

Overseas Missions Wallacia from Missions Machine on Vimeo.

To our beloved followers

As you can imagine, most of our energy right now is taken up by simply trying to do daily life and the ministry that God puts before us. Because of this, for now we will be posting the majority of our updates on Facebook. Our ministry page is here: Living Isaiah 58

If you are not on Facebook, you can visit our website at: A People For His Name  and sign up to receive our newsletter (we plan to write the first newsletter this week!), or you can just bookmark the website and check there for updates.  Our Facebook  posts are automatically uploaded to our website, so you won't miss a thing!

We don't want to lose touch with anyone, so if neither of these options suit you please let us know and we will try to work something out.

Upendo na baraka kwenu! (Love and blessings to all!)

Update on Janet

In my last post I told you about Janet, the pastor's wife I prayed for who recently lost a baby. Yesterday, Janet and her husband came to visit us and I learned some very encouraging news. She had been having severe back pain for quite some time that hindered her from running the family business. When I prayed for her, I prayed for her back as well as her whole being~physically and spiritually. While my prayer was full of compassion and empathy, at the time it did not seem that she had even been a willing participant, let alone a recipient of any kind of answer.

Yesterday I learned that after that prayer, she had only a few twinges of back pain and had fully recovered and was able to do everything she needed to do to resume caring for her family. Basically before that she had been bedridden. She was very happy and thankful to feel well again. With her husband's help, I was able to share the Psalm that God had given to me for her (and myself) after our last meeting. We were both so thankful for God's goodness and faithfulness to us!

I share this because I hope to encourage you in the Lord~don't let anything stop you from reaching out to and praying for those who are suffering. It doesn't matter if you feel unqualified, or like a failure if you don't see the results you desire. God will take your obedience and do whatever He wants with it. Trust Him!

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. 2 Cor. 3:4,5

Healing the brokenhearted

Sunday we visited a new church and the pastor informed us that his wife was ill, so after the "session" (that is what they call it here) we walked to his house to pray for her. Once there we discovered that she had given birth 3 weeks previously and the baby had not survived. Having lost a daughter myself, my heart was immediately grieved and I felt such compassion for this poor mama. Her name is Janet.

I made my way through the cram packed sitting room to Janet's chair and my impulse was to hug her and cry with her, but it seems that Kenyans don't show much emotion at times like this, and they do not even greet one another with hugs as we are used to. She didn't even seem to be comfortable with me holding her hand as I prayed for her. I could barely choke the words out in the beginning, and a tear fell from my eye onto her hand, which was still open in my gentle grip. I prayed for her physical and emotional healing and with an awkward "amen", headed back to my seat. As we left, I assured her that I would be praying for her.

Her husband, Hudson, walked us back to his church. Along the way he confided in me with a pained look on his face, that his wife did not want to live in their home anymore. She was desperate to get out of there, and he was worried for her as she was not behaving normally. The Holy Spirit seemed to speak through me as I told him that she was trying to run from her grief, but there was no escaping it. She would have to go through it with Jesus, and He would carry her. I continued to pray for Janet throughout the afternoon and evening.

I haven't said anything, but I have been struggling to adjust here in Africa. It has only been 2 weeks and culture shock is a reality that cannot be ignored. I have shed many tears lately. I woke up the next morning sad and in despair...longing for home or at least another home of our own here in Africa where we can settle in. Immediately, the Lord brought to mind the words that I had spoken to Hudson the previous day and I realized that I, like Janet, could not run away from the assignment God has given me here. I must go through it with Jesus, and He will carry me. Then the Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 139, which sums it up perfectly:

1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

Thank You, Father.

Our first week in Mombasa

We arrived in Mombasa at 3am last Wednesday after a very long 30+ hour journey. Getting through immigration was a breeze this time, but then we discovered that only 2 of our suitcases had made it to the airport. As you can imagine this was a bit distressing! One of the baggage men just so happened to be a Christian brother and he went above and beyond the call of duty to get our luggage to us 2 days later. He also invited Sean to go on an outreach with him in Samburu on Saturday. They distributed food and other items and preached the good news.

Do you remember Dennis? The motorbike driver that surrendered his life to Jesus during Sean's trip to Kenya last August? Sean was invited by his new pastor to preach on Sunday. I didn't get pictures, but the church was what we would call a "hole in the wall". There were about 25 of us crammed in there and it kept raining and soaking everyone in the back row. The hole in the wall next door was full of garbage and the flies were abundant. Welcome to Africa!

After church, we visited Dennis' cousin and his family. They lost a newborn baby recently, but were so gracious to invite us for lunch. We believe that God is working in their lives and they will play a big role in the kingdom when they are converted! Their home is the perfect setup for house church meetings.

There has been some opportunity for ministry here at the YWAM base as well. A young man came to the gate asking for 200 Kenyan shillings to start his own shoe repair business. He has a young wife and baby who are separated from him right now and he is homeless. After speaking to him and seeking God, we have given him some work to do here at the base. When he earns the money to buy his shoe repair equipment, Sean will go with him to make the purchase. Sean and some of the other men here have been discipling Willington, who wants to preach the gospel. We hope to reunite him with his family very soon. The neat thing is that Dennis took it upon himself to find a room for Willington to stay in until he can afford to rent a place of his own. We are so happy to see him growing in the grace and knowledge of God.

Tuesday we visited the Baby Life Rescue Center I posted a video about some time ago. We are looking forward to working with Peter and Selpher to rescue abandoned babies and care for them until the Father sets them in their families. They have many empty beds that they haven't been able to fill due to lack of finances (for food and supplies), so we are trusting God to provide that need.

Life at the base has been a blessing and a challenge. We are in a cabin (think family camp but a lot more rustic). The bathrooms are all outhouse style. We have all kinds of wildlife visiting us~geckos (and their poop), huge millipedes, poisonous centipedes, and most of all mosquitoes who have never met a repellent they couldn't beat. Basic tasks like laundry take forever for us greenhorns. And cold bucket showers...well you can figure that one out!

The children have been making the most of it~helping out with chores like cooking, cleaning and taking care of the shamba (garden).

We are thankful for the loving hospitality of our brothers and sisters here at the base and also for the time to acclimatize ourselves to life in Africa while we wait on God to provide a home for us. Sean has been looking and we do have some prospects. We want to be where the Lord wants us, so please pray for His open door to be obvious.

Words can't say how much we cherish the love and support that you have shown us~we love and miss you all!

Parting Song~Glorious Unfolding

The other night we were in a Christian bookstore and this song was playing~the lyrics shot straight into my heart and I knew it was encouragement from my heavenly Father. Listen and be blessed! We will post again as soon as we can~love to all and thanks for your prayers!

Our American Adventure Part 3

A dear friend of ours drove all the way from Branson to pick us up from the conference and take us back home with her. Thankfully, she has a 15 passenger van and we were able to fit ourselves and all our stuff inside! We spent 9 days in Branson. Some of the best highlights were:

Visiting our dear friends who we had known for years via the internet, but had never met face to face:

Meeting my aunt and cousins who drove down from Arkansas to see us. We hadn't seen them for over 13 years!

Seeing "Jonah" at Sight and Sound Theater:

Doing a radio show on KLFC Branson and a speaking engagement at the Lodge of the Ozarks:

Meeting Riley Banks, a fellow missionary to Kenya who runs a thrift store called Riley's Treasures. All proceeds benefit disadvantaged children in Kenya. It was a joy to meet Riley and her family and hear about their obedience to God's call on their lives!

We were also able to meet many dear brothers and sisters at Calvary Chapel Branson and share at a weekly Bible study. God truly blessed us beyond belief!

I don't know when I will be able to post the next blog~we are leaving for Kenya tomorrow morning! Thank you so much for following us on this adventure with Jesus! We love and appreciate you all!