Update on Kenya:
Things here in Kenya are still unsettled. Just when things seems to calm another city is under attack. There are so many sides to this political and ethnic battle. We are praying that people who have not been heard and unjustly treated will be recognized and will back off of the killing and destruction that has ended and crippled life in Kenya.
The things you are seeing on the news are very true and at the same time life is trying to go on. There are parts of the city that seems far removed from the fighting. Everyone is on edge.
Highlights of the week:
Teaching at two Bible studies for Somalian refugee women, and attending two weeks of Refugee fellowship services. It has been great working with Dotun and Ami. Bless them for their fellowship this week. LOVED IT!
I have been listening to Pastor Oscar at Nairobi Chapel for the last two weeks about the ethnic, political, spiritual and moral monsters that are trying to destroy Kenya. It has been excellent. He is speaking God's truth to all sides during this time. It is calling Christians to think above tribal and racial lines and walk as followers of Christ. I will figure out how to get some CD's back home for some of you to hear.
Turning the corner.
I am leaving for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at 7am Monday 1/28. I will be there for one week with Yetem, Mark and Maggie teaching at a Pastor's and Businessmen ministry conference. I will teach a session on Church Centered Mission. Start praying for our group and the leaders that will be attending a week long gathering.
Sorry these updates is so picture-less. I will try to take pictures in Ethiopia. The refugee women are still in threatening situation with their families and communities about becoming Christians, so I can not take and post photos of them.
Back in the States:
Thank you so very much for your continued gifts and prayers. God knows the outcome of all that is happening. So what is happening back in the states? Drop me a line about life on your side of the pond.
Next Steps:
If the Lord will allow, I am planning a ministry trip with Pastor Regina to Northern Kenya for a pastor's training and women's conference. If things are calm, Feb 15th to 22nd we will travel to Marsabit and Moyale Kenya.
Feb 25th to March 1st Cairo, Egypt. Details to follow.
Thank you for being a blessing to the world. Please join us in this ministry year with your prayers and financial support.
PathFinders International
60-B Terra Cotta Dr #205
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
memo: Hall-Africa
This is a blog that will help friends and family of Esther keep in touch with her ministry travels and personal life.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thanking God for the Rain
Today it is storming!!! A summer rain storm. We are praying that will keep many people in from protesting, but we will see. Sorry I am low on pictures. I do not think you want pics of four walls. Here is my last general email.
Hello Everyone, Thanks be to God!!!!
Well things here in Kenya are still very unstable and scary. We are past the second day of planned rallies. The first day it rained in the morning and in Nairobi most people tried to go to work. In Kibera (Nairobi slum) there were people killed and groups were shot at by police. All around Kenya there were different clashes. There are times the police used teargas and shoot bullets (in the air or at them) against people gathering and holding signs. But at the same time were other places the groups were throwing stones at police.
There are so many people here who are discouraged, poor, under represented, oppressed and have nothing to lose. Kenya has experience growth in many areas but still 60-70% of Kenyans are poor. Their government officials (Parliament members) have a salary of $100,000 a month while most Kenyans make $50-200 a month. The election results have brought to the surface all the problems from the last hundred years.
Keep praying for the leaders of Kenya. Their families live in Europe or America so they are far removed from this crisis. The demonstrations are shutting down travel throughout the country in several spots. Prices are going up since most shops close early and supplies can not reach some remote areas. The day before the planned rallies people flocked to the stores to stock up on supplies not sure how long we would be indoors.
Praise God there is movement in the city. Those areas on the outskirts of the city seem normal. This is affecting Uganda and other landlocked countries that used Kenyan roads for their supplies. To say the least the tension is high and tribal fighting is displacing thousands of people. Single mothers and families are living in tents around police stations for protection. It is really bad for many of the poor of this country.
I am doing fine. I am living with missionaries friends Dotun and Ami. We are about 20 miles outside of the city. Yesterday we stayed in and today we went to their Nairobi office. We are watching the news (CNN & BBC) to see what is happening in the city. The President did shut down live media for quite a while. Now we get spotted live news from Kenyan news reporters.
Many have asked how I do feel, mostly shocked and sad. There is so much happening to these wonderful people. At the same time you can smell victory for the kingdom of God. If the church will raise up over tribal issues and stand firm for Christ there will be an amazing turn around. Pray for the church leaders to stop taking sides and stand for Christ. Pray that the church leaders will speak of unity and love in every church. Some are still looking to tribal tradition. Kenya is a strong place for Christianity. If it crumbles other spiritual leaders will take advantage of it. KENYA FOR CHRIST THEY CAN LEAD AFRICA TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
When God calls us to a place of service it may not be a bed of roses, but His presence, power, provision and peace are there. I am trusting God and His leading. The plans for the first few weeks have been cancelled, but God is opening up the opportunities that are needed. Right now the trip to Ethiopia is going as planned. I will be leaving on the 28th and returning to Nairobi, Lord's will. Okay this is getting long. Please keep praying for us in Kenya. I am glad to be here. Thanks for you support and prayers.
Your missionary to Kenya & Africa,
Esther Hall
PathFinders Intl
60-B Terra Cotta Dr #205
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
P. S. Like me you can be the biggest chicken on earth and still say yes to God's call and follow through. Make your move.
Hello Everyone, Thanks be to God!!!!
Well things here in Kenya are still very unstable and scary. We are past the second day of planned rallies. The first day it rained in the morning and in Nairobi most people tried to go to work. In Kibera (Nairobi slum) there were people killed and groups were shot at by police. All around Kenya there were different clashes. There are times the police used teargas and shoot bullets (in the air or at them) against people gathering and holding signs. But at the same time were other places the groups were throwing stones at police.
There are so many people here who are discouraged, poor, under represented, oppressed and have nothing to lose. Kenya has experience growth in many areas but still 60-70% of Kenyans are poor. Their government officials (Parliament members) have a salary of $100,000 a month while most Kenyans make $50-200 a month. The election results have brought to the surface all the problems from the last hundred years.
Keep praying for the leaders of Kenya. Their families live in Europe or America so they are far removed from this crisis. The demonstrations are shutting down travel throughout the country in several spots. Prices are going up since most shops close early and supplies can not reach some remote areas. The day before the planned rallies people flocked to the stores to stock up on supplies not sure how long we would be indoors.
Praise God there is movement in the city. Those areas on the outskirts of the city seem normal. This is affecting Uganda and other landlocked countries that used Kenyan roads for their supplies. To say the least the tension is high and tribal fighting is displacing thousands of people. Single mothers and families are living in tents around police stations for protection. It is really bad for many of the poor of this country.
I am doing fine. I am living with missionaries friends Dotun and Ami. We are about 20 miles outside of the city. Yesterday we stayed in and today we went to their Nairobi office. We are watching the news (CNN & BBC) to see what is happening in the city. The President did shut down live media for quite a while. Now we get spotted live news from Kenyan news reporters.
Many have asked how I do feel, mostly shocked and sad. There is so much happening to these wonderful people. At the same time you can smell victory for the kingdom of God. If the church will raise up over tribal issues and stand firm for Christ there will be an amazing turn around. Pray for the church leaders to stop taking sides and stand for Christ. Pray that the church leaders will speak of unity and love in every church. Some are still looking to tribal tradition. Kenya is a strong place for Christianity. If it crumbles other spiritual leaders will take advantage of it. KENYA FOR CHRIST THEY CAN LEAD AFRICA TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
When God calls us to a place of service it may not be a bed of roses, but His presence, power, provision and peace are there. I am trusting God and His leading. The plans for the first few weeks have been cancelled, but God is opening up the opportunities that are needed. Right now the trip to Ethiopia is going as planned. I will be leaving on the 28th and returning to Nairobi, Lord's will. Okay this is getting long. Please keep praying for us in Kenya. I am glad to be here. Thanks for you support and prayers.
Your missionary to Kenya & Africa,
Esther Hall
PathFinders Intl
60-B Terra Cotta Dr #205
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
P. S. Like me you can be the biggest chicken on earth and still say yes to God's call and follow through. Make your move.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
A Hard Week is Coming...
The Kenya leaders meeting on Friday did not go well. The opposition has called for three days of protesting in 20 locations around Kenya. This next week will lock down this country for several days. Wed, Thur, and Fri are the scheduled days of protesting. Praise God Joy will leave on Monday night and on Tuesday I will stay with Dotun and Ami for the next week. They are with Int'l Teams and I know them from the Chicago area. I am glad that I will not be alone. Please keep praying for Kenya. Please pray also for the American Ambassdor that he does not say anything that will cause anti-US feelings. We are planning to stay indoors for the next week and ride out the storm. This situation is VERY VERY serious. Many people have loss their life, home and businesses since the election and now it will start again for three days. Pray for Kenya. Both leaaders are behind the problems. I will stay as connected as possible.
Monday, January 7, 2008
side note
Esther Hall's personality type:
Serious and quiet, interested in security and peaceful living. Extremely thorough, responsible, and dependable. Well-developed powers of concentration. Usually interested in supporting and promoting traditions and establishments. Well-organized and hard working, they work steadily towards identified goals. They can usually accomplish any task once they have set their mind to it.
Careers that could fit Esther Hall includes:
Business executives, administrators and managers, accountants, police, detectives, judges, lawyers, medical doctors, dentists, computer programmers, systems analysts, computer specialists, auditors, electricians, math teachers, mechanical engineers, steelworkers, technicians, (militia members).
Hey does this sound like me? E
Serious and quiet, interested in security and peaceful living. Extremely thorough, responsible, and dependable. Well-developed powers of concentration. Usually interested in supporting and promoting traditions and establishments. Well-organized and hard working, they work steadily towards identified goals. They can usually accomplish any task once they have set their mind to it.
Careers that could fit Esther Hall includes:
Business executives, administrators and managers, accountants, police, detectives, judges, lawyers, medical doctors, dentists, computer programmers, systems analysts, computer specialists, auditors, electricians, math teachers, mechanical engineers, steelworkers, technicians, (militia members).
Hey does this sound like me? E
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Praying For Kenya
Hello Everyone,
I pray that you have entered the New Year in God's grace and peace. We left the USA on the 1st with great excitement and caution. We arrived in Nairobi at 10pm. Because of the political unrest in Nairobi, Joy and I were prepared to stay overnight at the airport. Praise God our taxi driver was there and we arrived at our guesthouse without any delay or problem. The streets were empty and quiet.
Thursday was a different story. The riots have targeted certain tribal owners so almost all of the shops were closed. There was a huge protest about two blocks from of guesthouse. We could hear all the shouting and see the smoke from burning buildings. It lasted a few hours, then things were quiet. We step out to buy some food and water. Watching the news showed that many homes were burned, a church and restaurant within a few blocks of us.
This is a beautiful country and this unrest is crushing some many poor people. The areas that are getting hit the worst have displaced hundreds of thousand of people, fuel and food is running out and hundreds of people have been killed.
Praise God the church is speaking up and Bishop Tutu is here to talk with both sides. We are praying against pride and power hungry leaders. The city has shut down many of the roads to the downtown area. Many people have not returned to work since Christmas. There is another protest planned for Tuesday. The frustration of being blocked increases the fighting and burning. The police are out in double force.
We are the on site prayer team. I know the world is praying for God's help in Kenya. This is a country that acknowledges God. We are praying daily about all of the issues that are presented on the news and what we hear from others. Please keep Kenya and East Africa in your prayers. Kenya is the gateway for other countries to get their food, fuel and supplies. So this unrest is affecting the entire region. This is a very serious event that will have ripple effects for a long time.
Our plans have been cancelled because traveling around is NOT GOOD. So we are getting to know our guesthouse friends. We have joined together shared food, information and community. We are praying for our family and friends back home also. We are planning to go to church on Sunday. Ps Regina has come to meet us and it was a blessings to share time with her. SHe as a great passion for Kenya.
We asked God for adventure and THIS WOULD BE IT!!!! :) Keep praying for Kenya, she is God's mighty army in the world. satan would love to crush her as God is about to advance His kingdom towards greater impact.
Joining together to Serve HIM,
Esther and Joy
I pray that you have entered the New Year in God's grace and peace. We left the USA on the 1st with great excitement and caution. We arrived in Nairobi at 10pm. Because of the political unrest in Nairobi, Joy and I were prepared to stay overnight at the airport. Praise God our taxi driver was there and we arrived at our guesthouse without any delay or problem. The streets were empty and quiet.
Thursday was a different story. The riots have targeted certain tribal owners so almost all of the shops were closed. There was a huge protest about two blocks from of guesthouse. We could hear all the shouting and see the smoke from burning buildings. It lasted a few hours, then things were quiet. We step out to buy some food and water. Watching the news showed that many homes were burned, a church and restaurant within a few blocks of us.
This is a beautiful country and this unrest is crushing some many poor people. The areas that are getting hit the worst have displaced hundreds of thousand of people, fuel and food is running out and hundreds of people have been killed.
Praise God the church is speaking up and Bishop Tutu is here to talk with both sides. We are praying against pride and power hungry leaders. The city has shut down many of the roads to the downtown area. Many people have not returned to work since Christmas. There is another protest planned for Tuesday. The frustration of being blocked increases the fighting and burning. The police are out in double force.
We are the on site prayer team. I know the world is praying for God's help in Kenya. This is a country that acknowledges God. We are praying daily about all of the issues that are presented on the news and what we hear from others. Please keep Kenya and East Africa in your prayers. Kenya is the gateway for other countries to get their food, fuel and supplies. So this unrest is affecting the entire region. This is a very serious event that will have ripple effects for a long time.
Our plans have been cancelled because traveling around is NOT GOOD. So we are getting to know our guesthouse friends. We have joined together shared food, information and community. We are praying for our family and friends back home also. We are planning to go to church on Sunday. Ps Regina has come to meet us and it was a blessings to share time with her. SHe as a great passion for Kenya.
We asked God for adventure and THIS WOULD BE IT!!!! :) Keep praying for Kenya, she is God's mighty army in the world. satan would love to crush her as God is about to advance His kingdom towards greater impact.
Joining together to Serve HIM,
Esther and Joy
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