Up and Down

It's raining in Nairobi.

Over the past few weeks it has rained everyday.  Flooding, walls falling down and cars floating has overtaken the new and headlines.

It has been a full season of ministry and life.  It feels like a heavy downpour in many ways.  Blessings with increase teaching time and planning VIRAL 2015 (theviralconference.info). Tiredness and the need for a time away from the field. Encouragement as I look at all of the greeting cards I have taped to my wall to remember the friends and family that stands with me. Discouragement it feels like you move two steps up and five back going uphill.  Fellowship looking forward to three teams heading this way over the next two months. The up and down season is here. 

Looking forward to working out a plan to unplug and rest.  Prayers are needed.  Praise God got Mwende's passport the first step in our traveling to see family stateside.  There is hope.

Praying and moving forward

The last four months has been tough!  I know it comes on the heels of a very exhausting ministry year(s).  I am looking forward to a much needed rest and time out of the zone.  Praying about a trip to the states for the fall, Sept to Dec. 

This will be Mwende's first visit to meet her grandparents and stateside family.  She is already excited.  Pray that her passport will be done quickly.  It should be ready now but...

This will be the first time I am buying two tickets and a visa to come homw.  Pray for the needed funds almost $3000 to start.

Wow going where I do not have an address.  Pray for available space with family and friends that will not overburden.  Transportation and traveling schedule.  WOW the planning is starting now.

Pray for open doors to share what God is doing to sustain support and partner with new supporters.

Pray for a restored heart and renewed mindset for the next stages of ministry.

Pray that Mwende have a great time getting to know so many.  She is a people person.

Pray for what we leave behind and trying to finish general ministry projects before I leave.

Praying and moving forward believing God.

2014

GREETINGS EVERYONE,

I pray all is well and for what isn't there is hope.  I am very grateful and blessed with another year of life and ministry.  God has been good to us and the ministry endeavors we have done this year. 

Praise God:

Joanie from Inspire 180 has been able to transition well into mission life in Kenya and with St Martha's ministry in Kiberia.

The amazing gifts that have come in to support the rebuilding of St Martha's ministry building, equipment and supplies after the very recent fire that destroy everything.  Pray for us as we work with St Martha in replacing needed equipment.  Thanks so very much for those who helped with the funding.

The building of Ps Timothy High school building.  Thanks so much for the funding from Inspire 180.  Praising God just read that the needed funds for the completion of the building has been raised.  I am in shock.  Please pray for wisdom and a spirit of niceness as I meet with Ps Tim and the builder next week.  This project has been an uphill battle. I am in shock at the hand of God in providing the needed funds.  This has been a huge prayer burden.  Thank you Lord.  PRAY the project is having MAJOR issues.  God is good.

GRADUATION!!!!  I have joined the Master degree world.

ADOPTION!!!  August 14th the adoption was finalized.  Now for the process of US citizenship over the next two years. Prayerfully a visit stateside this summer.

Christ Bible Church of Chicago June ministry team did an amazing job in Eastleigh with Muslim outreach, encouraging high school students at GUREC and Ps Tim Kiberia schools, children's outreach, pastors fellowship and worship training in Kisii. The left ministry gifts for school books, eye glasses for the seniors citizens, pre-school playlot set, WCA GLS summit tickets, staff retreat and Xmas gifts for Eastliegh ministry.  THANK YOU!!!!!

Willow Chicago team July outreach to Nyahururu.  Medical care, senior citizen ministry-great singing, school visits, WCA GLS tickets and uniforms for local school kids. My Chicago pizza and Sun-times Sunday newspaper.  What a treat.

My sister Givena first visit to Kenya and meeting Mwende.  WOW she saw half the country.  Praying for more family and friends to visit.

VIRAL church planting conference at Nairobi Chapel.  Over 600 church planting leaders came together for equipping and encouragement. Looking forward to year four. I am still on the planning team and really enjoy seeing the conference happen.

Christmas in Kisii.  Mwende and I joined friends Stella, Pious, Bradley and Margaret to revisit the Children's home in Kisii on Christmas day and the weekend.  God provided  needed supplies for the home and a new dorm for the girls. Praising God for a safe arrival.  On our ride our tire blew off and was rolling in front of us.  Praise God Pious kept the car steady without any problem.  But it was interesting to see our tire rolling in front of us.

Thanking God for a young lady REBECCA MWANGI with Christ Church ministry that was supported through Inspire 180 Starfish fund in getting her diploma in pre school education.  Through this gift Rebecca has started a preschool that is helping support Christ Church under Ps Regina.  She has 30 kids in a lively room.  She is living out her dream.  Thanks for standing with us to support her.  Pray with us as her husband Eluid, who is the school's social worker, needs training for his work with the school.  For $1500 he could finish a certificate in social work that could truly help serve the students. 

Thanking God for making it to the New year.  This past year has been exhausting and full.  We traveled to Nyahururu for 5 days for a much needed rest and to bring in the new year.  Dorris hosted us in her new outdoor garden patio room.  It was fun watching a movie under the stars.

Praising God for the great turn out for the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit in Nairobi over 2000 guests.  Over 34 of our ministry partners were able to come and 8 sets of DVDs were given out.  This is always a highlight for the year.  Many thanks to those who helped to buy a ticket.  Come on over in Nov 2015 and volunteer at GLS :). We have four sites in Kenya now.  I know some people who can get you in LOL. 

This first week of 2015 I am finishing reports, praying for direction on this year's path, working on having full time house help for cooking, cleaning and watching Mwende.  Planning children's ministry and small group training for three churches during the first three months, making a retreat plan to keep my soul alive and healthy, and still learning to be a mom to a thriving five year old.  KEEP PRAYING!!!

Thank you so much for those of you who pray for us, give financially, send your prayer request so we can stand with you, and who tell others about what we are doing.  Your support is greatly needed and appreciated.  Continue to stand with us and we with you.  We do need your support and prayers.

Sorry only a few of my pictures were able to transfer.

Please keep me updated on your life and how to pray for you and your family.  Thanks for the facebook updates. 

Know that God is working in our lives much deeper and more intentional than we know and sometimes desire.  Have a blessed New Year.  Plan to come and visit us on a short term team or vacation time.  WELCOME!!!

Blessings to you all,

Esther and Mwende Hall

Inspire 180

www,inspire180.com online donations

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This year is a welcome sign of the hope we have in Christ Jesus.  Its not over yet.