Greetings to everyone. Sorry for the extreme delay in updating the final part of the trip. Adjusting to home included a week of training and preparing for the upcoming Leadership Summit at my church. It was a great way to get back into things at home. Thanks for your patience.
July 1-6th
Praise God, I spent the week with PACE ministries in Nyahururu, 
Kenya. I had an opportunity to meet a team from Philly. We conducted chapel for several groups throughout the week. I had a chance to interact with the Bible students and pastors that I had taught before. It was a blessing to hear that they had started to discover the DNA of their church. They were asking their members what is God doing in their church that He wanted them to share with the world. This was from the Church Centered Mission teaching in Jan. Thank so much for sending me out to build into the Church.
Kenya. I had an opportunity to meet a team from Philly. We conducted chapel for several groups throughout the week. I had a chance to interact with the Bible students and pastors that I had taught before. It was a blessing to hear that they had started to discover the DNA of their church. They were asking their members what is God doing in their church that He wanted them to share with the world. This was from the Church Centered Mission teaching in Jan. Thank so much for sending me out to build into the Church.Our 4th of July celebration. We had a party, 9 Americans, fireworks, bar-b-que and we sang our national anthem. One thing we forgot, to tell the police about the fireworks. Our house was in between two city officials. So fireworks sounds like gun fire and it brought out the cops in full force. After hearing that we were celebrating our nation's birthday we were forgiven, but AK-47 are scary. Everyone doesn't celebrate the 4th. :).
July 6th to 13th
Green Bay team: This was a fast week of ministry and very full. We started out with International Teams and refugee children. It was great fun when our team had to learn the memory verse in Kswahili. These kids have lived their whole life in refugee camps and in limbo.
We spent most of our week working with Pastor Reginah and her high school kids (pic above). After a great time of fellowship and games, the kids hit the streets. This was a new experience for the USA team. As they walked in the neighborhood, they prayed with people for healing, salvation and understanding about Christ. Our last day with them we went to a slum area and held an open air service. The kids gave their testimonies, sang songs, danced and shared the Word. It was a great experience. During this time I was very aware of how much we need your prayers.
We went to Gilgil and Narok to visit a Maasai church and school. The kids were very excited about our visit and entertained us with singing and dancing. I will look forward to returning soon. The team finished with a great dinner with Missionary Janice. She opened her home and fed us well. Then off to the airport for their return trip home.
July 13th to 16th
I finished my trip staying with Missionary Janice and seeing her Maasai water projects. Many of these women have to walk 2-5 miles several times a day for water.
We visited a school with over 200 kids. The 4-5 year old class has 92 students and 1 teacher. I saw the faces of 10 year old girls, who would have been married off if they were not in school. For less than $10 a month they can have an education. When their family can not afford the school fees they are given in marriage. I met one girl whose name is just like mine Esther Wanjiku (my Kenyan name). This really opened my heart more to the situations that young girls and women are in around the world. We can do something about this.
The other exciting event. Willow Creek is hosting a Leadership Summit in Nairobi Oct 26th and 27th. This is my favorite conference and I am so excited that it will be offered in Kenya. I am praying that I can bless several needy pastors and leaders with the opportunity to attend. The cost is less than $20USD a person, but this is a huge amount for many. If you would like to join me in sponsoring a pastor or two, please let me know. ehjoy@hotmail.com
I am looking forward to returning soon. To continue to invest in the Church. Helping others to see how God will give their church away to the world. Thank you so very much for your prayers and support in sending me as your missionary to Africa. I know that God will expand the work of His kingdom.
Month of August I would appreciate your prayers for God's direction in my ministry and the work in Africa (all 54 countries). Let me know if this was a good way to stay in touch.
THANK YOU!!!!!
Esther