In A Good Place

Greetings Everyone,
I pray that as we enter the holiday season we really thank God for the blessings, struggles, hope and His grace. I thank God that I am in a good place. Last year this time I had five desires and prayers before God. Praise God four of the five big prayers in my life have been answered positively, the fifth one is not answered yet :(. But I will keep it before Him.

#1
I get to volunteer with the WCA/GLS Kenya office. I love the WCA Leadership Summit. When I moved to Kenya I really missed volunteering at Willow Creek Association's conferences. I have only served two days but I am so blessed to do anything that helps the Kenyan leaders be encouraged, challenged and given new insight by God. Pray for Nov 4th and 5th.

#2
I wanted to go to school for my Master's. This time last year I didn't know where but had a strong desire to open another avenue for future ministry. I had learned I had a growing heart to reached the really unreached of the world for Christ. I started Nairobi International School of Theology this past Sept. I have only attended two classes but I am excited to be in a learning environment. I am getting a Masters in Organizational Leadership. I would like to work in a restricted area in an NGO. Pray that I am able to dedicate the time to do well. During these two years that God will show me where to invest the next half of my life.

#3
Minsitry outreach. I have been learning about the Islamic world. I wanted to be in an environment where I could interact with those who have not interacted with Christ followers. I am tutoring fully veiled women, young and older men in English at a local Community Center. I am meeting wonderful young people and will be helping with a teenage group on life skills. I am planning to use my NUrsing skills next year. Pray that I have opportunities to show others CHRIST the true Messiah and invite them to join His Kingdom.

#4
I have traveled around East Africa for the last two and half years. I have enjoyed it, but I REALLY missed having a church home. Most Sunday I was preaching-love that too. But had not found a church home for spiritual connection. PRAISE GOD!!! I have joined Nairobi Chapel. I am a part of the prayer ministry. Extra bonus I have a great apartment in the city.

Still praying for direction in choosing a ministry to work with and under while on the field. I am interviewing with a minsitry this Dec. PRAY FOR WISDOM!!!

Still praying for friendships here. I am having a small gathering at my home to build friendships with others here. PRAY for discernment. Most single women my age are missionaries, but also trying to find national friendships.


P.S. I am learning Swahili --Ninajifunza Swahili.
Yesu Kristo anapenda watu Wote-- Jesus Christ loves all people.

Have a good day and Live for Christ Jesus with your heart, BODY and soul.

Willow Creek Chicago/S. Barrington Team

Happy Happy Happy!!!!

Praise God the Willow Creek Chicago and South Barrington team is here in Kenya.

We had a great time at the IDP (internally displaced persons) camp. For three days we played games, taught the word of God, sang songs and danced around the camp. It started off crazy but calmed to an excellent time of ministry to the kids. We planned for 200 kids a day but the first day about 400 showed up. After working out the plan to include those who came we had a great time.

The team was from Christ Covenant Church in Nairobi, Happy Church and Youth Come together in Nyahururu and Willow Creek Chicago and South Barrington.

Thank You so much for your prayers. Thanks Johnson Charles, Lee, Rick, Betty, Casie, Heidi, Peter, Sammy, Mike, Timothy, Rebecca, Nanci, Patrick, Amber, Kourtney, Samuel, Kayla, Allan, Kate, Elizabeth, Ps John Mugo, Grace and PACE Mins. You were a great team!!!!! Next year.

My Birthday Month

Hello everyone,

Yes, I am starting my birthday celebration month. Number 46 !!!!! Praising God for life.

I have been enjoying Pastor Ambrose names of God series: One name for each month.

Jehovah Jireh God our Provider
Jehovah Shalom God our Peace
Jehovah Rohi God our Shepherd
Jehovah Tsidkenu God our Righteousness
Jehovah Makadesh God our Sanctification
Jehovah Rapha God our Healer
Jehovah Nissi God our Banner
Jehovah Shammah Eternal Presence My birthday month.
Hebrews 13:5 (AMP) For He (God) Himself has said I will not in any way fail you nor give you up, nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, forsake you nor let you down (relax my hold on you). Assuredly not!!!!

That's a good word. Happy Birthday to me.

Jehovah Sabaoth God our Commander in Chief
Jehovah Yeshua God our Savior/Salvation
Jehovah Cheleq God our Portion
Jehovah Beryth God our Covenant keeper

Be Blessed by all of God's wonderful names. GOD IS GOOD

New House mate

Enjoying the 4th

Chissell's, Johnson, Ngaujah and guest

Singing the National Anthem

My new place

Jan my new roommate

Hello Everyone, Well this June I was busy moving back to Nairobi. Jan Koebel is my new house mate. We stay in a townhouse in Kilimani area of Nairobi. It a great place. I will still consider Dorris my up-country house mate.

We hosted our first party for the 4th of July. We had a great time meeting each others friends and creating new friendships. We had 45 people enjoying our new space. No fireworks but great food and fellowship.

July is going by so fast. I am preparing for the Willow Team August 6-13th. We will be working with two Kenyan churches hosting a kids camp for 600 kids (200 each day for three days). Just pray now and stop after the 14th. I am serious, pray now non stop.

PLEASE PRAY for continued peace in this country. On August 4th is a vote for the draft of the constitution. Many are praying that it is defeated and rewritten. We are praying that everyone stays calm and challenge their leaders to think of the people and not themselves.

May God continue to enrich your spirit and overwhelm you with His love and grace. Esther

April and May 2010

Greetings wonderful people!!!

I pray that you had a great spring season. Here in Kenya and Ethiopia I have been very busy. I am continuing to study and learn more with LCA internship. I have been accepted at Nairobi International School of Theology for my Master's in Organizational Leadership. I will start later this fall. I have moved back to Nairobi and will attend Nairobi Chapel. I have enjoyed attending this church.

April

Praise God I started this season off with a lot of ministry activity. I am blessed to work with two groups in Nairobi with a heart to train churches and leaders in evangelism. Life Challenge Assistance (LCA) and Haradali Ministries (HM) have worked with me to equip the ministries in effective outreach.

HM trained a group of young adults for a ministry outreach in Mombasa. It was very exciting to see how their hearts were open to the information. After their trip they mentioned how the training help them to minister differently and effectively to Muslims. PRAISE GOD 22 people accepted Christ. Photos above. Thanks Zablon and Njeri for conducting the class. To God be the glory.

During this month I also helped plan and work at a Medical Mission Day for a group of widows in Machakos, Kenya. This group of ladies is served by a fellow missionary Janice Lewis. She is helping them to start a chicken farm and plant vegetables for income. These women rarely get service from a doctor or dentist. Dr Moses, Dr Ben (both Kenyan) and myself gave physical exams, HIV tests and dental care to 60 people. It was a full day.

Carla B came to Kenya during April and it was a great time to visit with her. She is working with a group of women in Nairobi with the Global Bag Project. We are planning some Business as Missions meeting from this coming Aug/Sept. We were in Ethiopia for 5 days meeting with church and business leaders and visiting families that have started businesses with small loans from the ministry.

Even the last week of the month was very full. Dorris and I hosted a Women tea at our home to get to know our neighbors. 12 women came and is was a great time of fellowship. Dorris and the group will start a Bible study in the coming months. Pray for these ladies to grow in God's Word.

Jared from LCA came to speak to a pastor's prayer fellowship. Pauline, Jacintha and Bernard from HM also conducted another Muslim Evangelism class and we visited a Mosque. It was a full month.

MAY

I had an opportunity to speak in Nakuru, Kenya for a mission Sunday with the African Inland Church.

Dorris celebrated her 60th birthday by climbing Mount Kenya.

God is opening more opportunities and my heart to work with children and women again.

Spoke to 60 pastors about Children Ministry and Muslim Evangelism training. That was quite exciting.

I have been working with Pastor Reginah's Gurec School for several years. This past month I planned a Staff Day for them. We met in a hotel had a great time learning about personalities, team building, and conflict resolution. Pastor Timothy also came and shared his story of helping children at risk in very poor areas. He calls himself and them walking miracles when Christ changes their future through ministry outreaches. It was a very encouraging time.

PACE Graduation

During the last week of May Dorris and I hosted friends from South Africa, Kenya and Canada. PACE Bible School PAST had its second graduation. I was fully involved and enjoyed seeing the families and students celebrating this event.

Well, on May 31st I moved back to Nairobi!!!! Praise God I will be able to attend a church that I really enjoy Nairobi Chapel and I am located near NIST the school I will be attending this fall. My new roommate is Jan Koebel who works for a Bible school in the Nairobi.

Okay so that's the summary of the past two months. Keep praying and thank you so much for your support and prayers. PSALM 20

Blessings Esther

God's Grace, Mercy and Love

Has it changed your life??? Has it given you hope for today, tomorrow and forever? There are so many people around the world, next door to you , in the church and those who will never go to church who need to know of God's grace, mercy and love. GO tell them.

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you-from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. (I Peter 2:9-10 MSG)

This period of learning and readjusting to home in East Africa has been an emotional adventure. I think in the last six weeks I have experienced every emotions possible. I think I am starting to even out :). We received an email from another missionary who had to deal with 43 rats in his home since returning to the field. PRAISE the living GOD that is not my experience. So when things seem crazy I just say to myself "43." It kicks me in a spirit of praise very quickly.

May God show you His grace, mercy and love over your life and situations. If needed just say "43." Unless you have 44 :(). Thank you for your prayers to cover me in ministry.

Standing in our home next to our wall of faith. All the verses that encourage us on our journey.

Be Blessed

Greetings

I am here for another year of minsitry in East Africa. I pray to continue to work with national churches for cross-cultural minsitry projects, leadership training, and encouraging women and children. I will also be learning more about Muslim Evangelism.

Continue to pray for me as I grow in deeper ways, love God more and all His created people.

Thanks for a great reception at Willow before leaving. It was wonderful and filled my heart.

Happy New Year AGAIN!!!

I am so sorry that I have neglected to post on this blogspot for one year. Well a part of the problem I couldn't sign on. Well, I will update it more but here are some pictures from 2009.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

God Bless Esther