Delayed greetings to everyone.
I pray that you are doing well. I know I am delayed in sending out a note to everyone. It has been a crazy time and moments of rest have been few. So here is a review of the past few months and weeks.
August Willow Chicago
Praise God for the Willow Chicago and Christ Covenant Church team that came to serve at the Eastleigh for one week. In the mornings we ministered to Muslims kids with Bible stories and character building subjects. There was drama, games, crafts, music and story time for 80 kids each day. It was a new experience for both groups to interact with Muslims and have fun sharing God’s love and His word with these kids.
It was a great experience even eating a whole fish (most had the head removed) with ugali and greens. This is an official Kenyan meal with the whole team. This was a great team of Kenyans, American, Ugandan and Congolese members. It was wonderful to see the body of Christ serving together and reaching out to Muslim kids and adults. Even today I see some of the kids from that week and get hugs from them.
In the afternoons it was adult time with the English as a Second language class. These are the students that I serve with weekly. They were so excited and had prepared a drama and word games to interact with the Chicago/Kenya team. For both groups it was a new adventure and was a great success. The students are asking when the team will return next year. On the side, Rick was able to join the basketball games with young Somalia men. He had a chance to do some coaching and even connecting in some interesting conversations about his perspective of the Muslim faith. Pray for these students for many it was their first time interacting with a Christian group and for our group with Muslims.
Sept 2011
Just full of school, classes and confusion. It was a tough month and I finished it exhausted. I great highlight was a visit from David Radcliff from Australia. He was here with a group from his church visiting ministries that they partner with and I had a chance to visit with them. It was a great time of fellowship and encouragement.
I began to volunteer with my church as a school chaplain for two local schools. We have a Bible class for one hour weekly. It is so early in the morning but it is fun. Our subject was MIRACLES. It was a miracle that I got up at 6:30am to do it twice a week.
Praise God my 2 year student visa was approved. Now just waiting for the stamped certificate to go into my passport and it will be final. Thanks for your prayers.
Oct 2011
Wow the last months of the year has come so quickly. I was so blessed with a visit from Deb and Bob Ruzga. They are also with Inspire 180 and we visited Pastor Regina and Pastor Timothy’s schools. Visiting with the sponsored kids and seeing the new building. We encouraged each of the kids to write letters to tell their stories to others. We are looking for pen pals who would like to write to these students and encourage them and be encouraged by them. There are about 160 kids at the school. Continue to pray for them. We also visited a training center for the high school graduates to continue their career training after school instead of going back to the streets. We are also praying to complete Pastor’s Timothy school with 150 desks, teaching material, doors and windows.
Nov 2011
Okay, I am doing a happy dance. The Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit came to Nairobi, Kenya Nov 4th and 5th. It was a wonderful blessing to my ministry friends and me.
Thank you Inspire 180, Willow Creek Chicago, JL Ministries and Dorris for helping 54 leaders attend the conference. There were about 2000 leaders in attendance. The best part BILL HYBELS LIVE!!!!! I was so thrilled to also see Doug and Gary from Willow Creek. I volunteered for the whole thing but thanks Doug for the DVD set. Now back to class. This will be my last class of the year.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Next week, we will get together here in Kenya and celebrate all of God’s blessings. I am very grateful and overwhelmed knowing that so many of you are praying for me and supporting me in ministry. Thanks Luke, Lydia and Noel for being my youngest supporters to those who have walked with me these many years of ministry. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. I could not be here without you. I continue to pray for your family and life. Thanks God for each of you and knowing that He is adding to your account all that is happening here and in the lives of all those we are ministering to in Kenya and East Africa.
Praise God for…
For another year of ministry and YOU!!!
The best medical check up in years my blood sugar was normal!!! Do it again Lord.
A gift certificate from a visiting team to a health club for one month!!
All the team visits from home and GLS.
Student visa being approved
Finished classes, exams and papers.
Praying for…
Consistency with women’s fellowship in Eastleigh
A good Christmas season, my first away from home EVER!!!
For continued health, financial support, relational openness and connections.
Direction as I investigate adopting.
Ministry partners and upcoming teams in 2012
For ministry support (do not put my name on check but on a separate note)
also send letters to GUREM students:
INSPIRE 180 Personal notes: KENYA
518 S. Route 31 Esther Hall
Suite 193 BOX 76198-00508 YAYA Center
Mc Henry, IL 60050 Nairobi, KENYA (I would love a Christmas card)