Visa-IN HAND

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

My Pupil pass (student Visa) is FINALLY in hand and in my passport. It came through without any EXTRA support but the prayers of the saints. THANK YOU!  The visa expires in two years.  Enough time for me to finish everything I need to do.  I will continue taking classes to support the visa.

This THURSDAY the 17th is my home visit for the adoption.  They will look over everything to makes sure I have a home good enough to house a child.  I do:). After the home visit my paperwork will be submitted in July.  Lord's will if there are no delays I will be prayerfully selecting a child late July or August. The first month is visits in the home and afterwards she will be able to come home with me.  I am praying for the first part of September.   

School- down to my last three classes and thesis.  The process to finish the thesis will be demanding.  I have submitted my proposal but haven't heard from the school.

Mission teaching week- Praise God just finish teaching and leading small groups for the Karios Mission Course here in Nairobi.  We had 18 students and 8 teachers and leaders.  I love teaching this class.  Chris and Nadine from Australia lead the courses. 


Small group teaching- I have been assisting Christ Covenant Church with starting their small group program.  We have done two training sessions and I am praying to meet with the leaders monthly to establish their program.

Children's Ministry training with Friends Church (Quakers) in Satellite Nairobi.  Over 20 members joined us in learning about serving children in the church and community.  The photos above.

Had a great trip to Mombasa a vacation spot with Carla from Chicago.  2 days of pool, sleep and food :).

HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY!!!!

round 2

This week I visited an adoption lawyer to review if I should proceed. I have lived here for four years, but two of the years were as a tourists. I wanted to know if that that would work. I was here continuously and would meet the three years requirement. Anyway she stated since I can show that I was here with rent stubs it should not be a problem. Now next week I go back to the adoption agency and see if they will proceed, call the US embassy and finish my paperwork.

School- I really am nervous about this thesis class. It is very frustrating and its the class I most dislike. Not the class, but the thought of writing a thesis. No joy at all.

Let the process begin....

Today I have an appointment with the Little Angels Adoption agency to start the adoption process. This meeting will let me know what I will need to do, start asking me about myself and understanding why I want to adopt a child. I was reading an article that stated you will feel exposed with all of the questions that you will be asked. I do pray that I don't say something dumb. I am excited about accepting a child into my life. Lord teach me to love on such a different and deeper level.

Today I start class number five for three weeks. My research design class. I want to write about training international workers in cultural adjustments after you have lived cross culturally for 3 to 5 years.

Road to Adoption and finising school.

Greetings wonderful people,

I pray that all is well with you as you start this New Year. I know 11 months from now we will say again how fast the year has gone.

This year will be a whirlwind of new life changing events for me. (1) I should finish my master degree at NIST in Kenya, (2) I am in the process of adopting a child in Kenya, (3) I am settled with the reality that I will stay in Kenya for another 3 to 5 years and (4) throw in a few trips around East Africa. The order does not mark the importance just the order of when they will happen.

I want to blog about the journey of adoption and finishing school. Two things that seemed so far away just a few months ago.

School:

I have five classes to finish and a thesis to write. By the end of September I should be finished with both. The main concern is that all if this is happening as I am completing my paperwork, interviews and counseling for adopting a child that will change my life and heart forever. I have really enjoyed learning in Kenya at NIST (Nairobi International School of Theology). Studying in a classroom of leaders from all different sectors of life has been very interesting, frustrating and exciting. Being the only American in class has been a cultural exchange that has produced lots of debates. I have gained many new friends and a few I will not miss if I do not see them in the future. But I am excited that I will have earned a master's degree in Organizational Leadership.

If anyone is reading this let me get your input. I have two options for a thesis. (1) Researching why Christian women convert to Islam and (2) Investigating the retraining of missionaries who have served cross culturally for 3 to 5 years. What is in place to make sure they are proceeding in ministry correctly, tools that can help retain them on the field, and what is in place to help them evaluate their heart and cultural attitudes. Which one?? Any input???

Adoption:

"When I get married I want to adopt a child." I have said that for the last twenty years or more. My family have hosted children and families throughout my life. I knew I wanted to help a child who didn't have a family. I just didn't think it would have taken this long. Sorry to say I was waiting for marriage, for a stable home, to finish traveling so much, and for life to seem normal. Well, those things didn't go as planned but the desire to adopt is still very real. Since I am staying in Kenya for a few more years, I think I have 2 of the four. Anyway I am embarking on the journey to adopting a little girl. Because I am single Kenya will allow me to adopt a girl.

I have turned in about a third of the paperwork and collecting the rest over this month. I am excited and in shock. This is real. I could have another life in my hands in less than 11 months. WOW. I do feel my heart growing to accept the possibility of being a mother. I am also nervous about going through the process and being rejected. OUCH.

There are so many questions, too many unknowns and what ifs. This is a serious step of faith. Bigger than moving to Kenya. I do know that God is opening this door and have given many affirmations so far. But you know us humans we still need to keep checking to see if we are going in the right direction and not ahead of God. His will and timing must match. Keep praying for me.

Well, this is my first note on this journey. More to come.

Catching up

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 4^th and 5^th. 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)

Blesstheglobe@gmail.com

Happy birthday MONTH to me

Praise God I will celebrate 47 years of life August 5th. I will start claiming number 48!!! I have already had a birthday party with friends here in Nairobi. Now to reflect on the place God has me and to discern where He will take me the rest of my life.

I am doing a Bible study of Esther by Beth Moore. Here is the closing statement on one of the lessons. I know it may not hit you the same but this is a great statement for my life right now.

"Some of us with little previous battle experience have no idea why God is allowing us to go through such difficult times in a place we thought was His will. He's trying to make warriors out of us... Rise to the occasion! But we aren't meant to fight unseen forces alone. You and I have the God-given right to lock arms with our sisters and brothers in Christ and defend ourselves with the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith. Here's the best part: When we do, we are guaranteed the victory... (If you fully obey God...the Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction and flee from you in seven. Duet 28: 1a, 7)

That is a sweet gift to me.

In ten days I am looking forward to a team from my home church. I AM SO EXCITED!!!

This is a picture with a new friend. Traci, from Chicago, came to Kenya with Mary Whelchel of Christian Working Woman and Moody Church. They did a great conference for women and I was able to enjoy their fellowship. Thanks Mary and Traci for blessing us.

Blessings and grace to you. Celebrate LIFE in Christ.

What keeps you up at night?

What keeps you up at night???

That was the question my pastor in Kenya asked in his sermon yesterday. He was talking about taking risk and getting out of the boat (our comfort zones).

Over the past several months I have been up at nights. Worried, praying, questioning and watching movies. These past few months has been an emotional and spiritual roller coaster ride. Each loop and flip different and more scarier than the last. Praise God only two things were life threatening and I survived. The other twist and turns are more challenging to my spiritual, personal and mental security. God is changing the game. He is requiring a bigger step of faith in my walk with Him and level of TRUST in Him. TRUST!!!! a scary word when you feel out on the limb of the unknown. I know others are facing major life crisis that would make my concerns small and unimportant, but they a huge for me. They have me shaking in my boots.

What's next, I have no idea. I just know that God is good, He can not lie and this too shall pass. Praying that I will remain faithful to what He has called me to and that I will continue to take steps of faith toward where He is calling me. Even if it keeps me up at night.

Still shaking in my boots, praying, worrying and watching movies. Anyone want to share their movies with me??? I have watched mine a hundred times.