December 15, 2016

Greeting in Christ name.  I can’t believe it’s CHRISTMAS time. It’s 80 degrees here so I will not be singing “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.” WOW time has gone by so fast. I need to write a year’s worth of activities and ministry events.  Just trying to share with you all on what God has been doing, our struggles and triumphs. So it’s long J. Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support to continue in ministry. God is adding to your basket of blessings for standing with us and the people we serve.

Children Ministry Training        

                                             

When I returned to Kenya, I was praying for more teaching and ministry development activities.  God answered that pray amazingly.  I had been spending Christmas and hosting teams in the Kisii area with Ps Abel and Jane.  After talking with him more about his ministry needs, he mentioned how they needed Children ministry training for their local network of pastors and churches. I knew that was my sweet spot.  I longed to connect more and more with those who serve children. Building training teams has been a dream and now it has come to life. Pray that God will connect me with other trainers in the Kisii area.

John, Monica and Jane joined with me in hosting monthly Children ministry training sessions from Feb to July in Kisii.  We trained 20 ministry leaders.  This was an exciting and Spirit filled time.  We were requested to return and host other training sessions throughout 2017.  I am looking forward to training a team of Children ministry leaders who can equip and motivate others in serving in such a great mission field in East Africa. I am very excited that Ps Abel has stated that the churches that were in the first training are reporting improvement and increase in attendance in their Sunday program. Praise God.  Pray that God will open doors to meet local church pastors that will let us train their leaders and cover the three-month training expenses (about $20 a person).

 God is good I have met the Child Evangelism Fellowship leader for the Kisii area.  Ps Collins and I will be working together to train children ministry leaders throughout the Kisii area.  Our first Children holiday camp will be Dec 28-31, 2016.  We will be hosted by Ps Abel and Jane. KEEP us in prayer we will have between 100 to 200 kids. We are using the last day as an evangelistic service.

Around the world children and teens go through unbelievable issues and struggles.  It blesses my soul when churches invest in leaders and their communities to serve children and teens. I have two churches making plans for Jan/Feb 2017 trainings. Praying for anyone who would like to come and help us train children ministry leaders in drama, lesson planning, music, lessons for teens, fun activities and crafts. I am willing to host one person or a church team.  Jan-July and Oct to Dec in 2017. PLEASE COME!!!! Let me know if you are interested.

Hospital in April

I was deathly sick with malaria in April.  No joke it was the worst experience.  But it also blessed me by having so many friends to visit and take care of Mwende while I was sick and in the hospital for over a week.  Not only was I fighting malaria but my blood sugar would not go down. Because I had not eaten for nine days, I felt lifeless. It was another level of cross cultural learning and struggles.  I was in dire need of chicken noodle soup and ice water.  But the staff brought me chicken stew and hot tea. Praise God I was led to leave the hospital and was able to eat food that stayed down.  It took about a month to speak and feel normal again. Praise God for His healing and restoration. Praising God for a financial gift that came in the week before the hospital stay that helped to cover half of the cost. Thank you for giving and praying.

Kairos Mission Courses

            

I have been involved with mission mobilizing for years teaching and organizing KAIROS courses in the states and Kenya. Kairos is a 9 session mission awareness course that is a wonderful tool that God is using to awaken the church for His mission vision.  I have helped to teach and coordinate several Kairos classes in Nairobi, Rongo, Nyahururu and the Kisii areas.  In August, a group of missionaries and Christian ministry workers and in Oct, it was with a group of Christian union students in Kisii joined the class.  What an amazing time stirring up the vision of missions in a perspective that many miss.  I will be serving with a small group of Kairos facilitators in the Kisii area in partnering with churches to train believers in cross cultural ministry. Nadine Brittan from Australia has developed a Great Commission Kids training.  I will also help Kairos grads communicate the same information to kids.  We pray that kids will have a heart like God’s for all nations to know and serve Christ.  Pray that we can develop a team of mobilizers for the Kisii Nyanza areas to host Kairos and Great Commission kid’s classes. Your support helps me to travel and support others to take the classes.  THANK YOU.

Willow Creek Treat                    

Willow Creek Chicago joined us in Sept for Business as Minsitry training sessions for several of our minsitry partners.  The team did a great job on teaching about Record keeping, Marketing, Customer Service, Leadership, Goal setting and Expanding your Business. I have received feedback from several of the participants they are using the information that they taught. 

   Meeting Gary and Bill Hybels in May was such a treat.  Bill came to speak to a room full of pastors and leaders from numerous local churches.  I missed the GLS this year so this was a taste of home.  Thanks Gary for the hugs. Pray for our leaders as they transition into new leadership styles and develop new leaders who love God and love people.

Oasis Shelter Children Home visits

I have had a great time visiting the Oasis Shelter in Migori, Kenya in July and the whole month of November.  The Shelter is a children home with 44 kids and 18 staff member.  My missionary friends, Bob and Deb, asked if I could cover for them as they returned to the states.  It was a blessing to serve with a good team of moms, staff and teachers loving and caring for the kids.  Mwende had a great time “teaching” the little kids. It was great seeing her pick up more Swahili words and interacting with the others.  The flu or malaria was battling the kids and staff, so I became very familiar with the Kenya Relief medical center.  By God grace all the kids and staff are doing well.

I celebrated Thanksgiving a little different this year.  The staff and I conducted a three days VBS on Being Thankful. The kids really enjoyed the new songs, lessons and dramas. We didn’t do a flash mob but the kids learned the songs Every Praise and Thank You Lord.  I even made chicken and dressing for dinner.  The list is long of all of the people and things I am very thankful for this year. Thank you so much for standing with us.

I am scheduled to teach a child care and development class with the staff in 2017. Pray for our upcoming training classes. Pray for The shelter staff as they receive 12 more kids in 2017.

Our move to Kisii

Kisii is about 6 hours southwest of Nairobi. Throughout 2016 I have been traveling between Kisii and Nairobi.  God has given me several opportunities for ministry in the Kisii area.  All of the above adventures is why I moved to Kisii. It was much less stressful moving to Kisii than traveling back and forth weekly.  This has helped to stretch ministry muscles and take a step of faith to help me continue to grow. We have open space for Mwende to play outside.  She has met a few little girls to play with. Pray for us as we adjust to a new area, find a church community and that we find drama, swimming or extra classes to supplement our homeschooling.

           Build a Mom

        

Valine has helped me with the house and taking care of Mwende all of this year.  She is a single mom with an eight-year old son.  She had a dream on being a hairstylist, but because of income (or lack of) she was unable to attend any school.  Nairobi Chapel challenged us to help one person out of poverty.  With our move to Kisii and your support, we are able to help Valine fulfill her dream. Valine started beauty school in Oct.  It is a seven-month program and she will be fully licensed.  My hope is to help a mom or dad who is doing the right thing to get ahead and work in productive long-term jobs to support their families. Pray for Valine and her studies.  This is a huge change for her from housekeeping to business woman.  She attended the Business as ministry trainings with the Willow Creek Chicago team.  She and her son Simon were able to enjoy their first Kenyan Safari. I will continue to pay her monthly salary while she is in school. Pray she will have a job by June and transition well.

Mwende’s Birthday party              

We had a great birthday celebration for Mwende at New Life Church.  Ps Abel and Jane invited over 50 kids to enjoy a great lunch and cake with Mwende. She truly enjoyed her day.  Pray for us as we serve together, I learn to parent and do ministry, have fun as a family, and grow in our faith.

We can’t thank God and you enough for the ability and support to do ministry in Kenya. I am looking forward to another year of service.  Thank you for your prayers, facebook notes, emails and financial support.  Continue to stand with us.  Life has its up and downs. There are unique challenges when you are not with family and in a cross cultural setting.  God has sustained us, challenged us, loved us, and I am sure laughed at us through these years. But I am eternally grateful that He has not released us from His grace and calling. I am thanking God for a few websites for missionary women (Velvet Ashes and Thrive) that has been affirming and insightful.

Prayer and praise

We are praying for you.  I know quite a few are going through health, job and family issues.  We stand with you in prayer. 

Thank you so much for years of support.  I am still in awe of God’s provision and blessings through you.  Thank you for the churches, people and teams that come to visit and serve with the ministries we partner with in Kenya. Thank you for the packages and notes of encouragement.

Pray for the retreat planned for our ministry partners in March 2017.  We need about $2000 to cover the expenses to serve about 25 leaders.  I am very excited that Pastor Linda Marcell and team will be our speakers. Pray that the details of location, music, attendance, funding and speakers.

Pray for the upcoming trainings for children ministry, Kairos and Children home staff throughout 2017.

Pray for Kenya!!! Elections are August 2017.

Pray for my visa renewal for Kenya.  It is being processed now.  I have an interview very soon.

Pray for Mwende’s US citizenship process.  We are planning to come to the states late July or August if her paperwork is cleared.  The final stage we must be in the states 6 months after approval.

We are praying for the States. The transition period and new president Trump. I pray the church takes her place and stand in the gap for our nation. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS.  Celebrate Him.

Blessings to you and the New Year.  With so much love and gratitude, Esther and Mwende Hall

Kisii Address:   Hall  P.O. Box 3135, Kisii, Kenya code 40200

Voice mail: 312 788-8843 (leave a message I will hear it)

Ministry gifts: INSPIRE 180  518 S. Route 31 Suite 193 Mc Henry, IL 60050  or online www.inspire180.com

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.

A good word from Ps Nick

The Edge Conference at Nairobi Chapel...was excellence.

The theme was Hold on to the finish.  Ps Nick spoke on Finishing the Race.  There was so much in the message but here was a great finishing well chart. FINISH!! As a leader if you are ___ establish the principle of___

F        FATIGUED  ...  Focus of the PACE of your life.
I         Losing IMPACT.. Focus on PEOPLE
N       Losing your NERVE.... Focus on PRAYER
I         Confused by the INTERFERENCE ....Focus on the PURPOSE of ministry and life
S       Battling SIN... Focus on living a PRINCIPLED life
H       Struggling with HARDSHIPS...Ask God for a new PERSPECTIVE.

I am in a season of being very tired.  The challenges seem steeper but this grind helps.

Words from Joanie

Normally I write my own blogs.  This time I am posting a letter from Joanie.  She is serving with Inspire 180 here in Kenya also.  This is about a week of ministry with a team of 19 from McHenry Chapel.   ENJOY

Bwana Asifiwe (Praise the Lord!) 

I sit here in my room tonight, wanting to share with all of you the amazing 8 day journey I experienced with our missions' team from Inspire 180. The team consisted of 19 of the most caring and compassionate people, mostly from my church family in McHenry.  They arrived very late on Nov. 7th tired, but with joyful hearts as we prayed and sang worship songs on the bus ride to our guest house.  

After 7 a.m. devotions and breakfast, we headed out for our day of ministry and engaging with God's people in Kenya.  They were introduced to Kibera on the first day, and they embraced all that they saw, as their hearts were broken for what breaks the heart of God... Extreme poverty, garbage lining the streets, and many children crowding around them asking "how are you??"  They embraced hope as they were introduced to our global partner Anna Mosby's ministry of a college in Kibera, teaching and training young people to carry on God's work there.

Each night we debriefed after dinner, probably one of the most memorable parts of this missions journey. Stories were shared with tears of heart break, and then some of the men would share stories and we would burst into laughter, so good for the soul! To hear our team share their hearts the first night on what they saw, what they experienced, what they wanted to do to serve the least of these, God's people, I cannot put into words. Our pastor Jeff however, did. He said, "today we walked with God's people on streets of garbage, but one day we will walk with them on streets of gold... there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

We split the team into 3 the next day, I was so blessed to take some of the ladies to serve in one of the ministries I am connected with Hope And Restoration Center. We spent the day in Kibera teaching God's word to no less than 120 children! These children blessed our hearts as they sang and worshipped God, did a bible quiz with us and knew every answer, heard how they could defeat giants in their lives by having faith in God, and just played and loved us. (Picture #1) Another group went to an area called East Leigh, and did English as a second language class with young Muslim adults, such a blessing. Our third group went to one of Inspire 180's ministry partners GUREC which is a boarding school for high school students, and a church as well, and did leadership training, for pastors, Sunday school, worship, and business leaders, so amazing!
 

Sunday and Monday we left, after church at Nairobi Chapel (also called the Chapel, how cool is that!)  to visit Chapel ministry partners Rick and Ann with Oasis for Orphans. We drove "up country" to their home in Kijabe passing through the Rift Valley (Picture #3) We toured a hospital which does amazing pediatric surgeries, and had a home cooked meal at their home . We shared testimonies, and were so blessed to hear how Rick and Ann followed Jesus with their 4 children to live in Kenya and care for God's orphans. We headed back to Nairobi after a walk through safari. As God would have it, after hearing a sermon at church titled "get dirty" on how people would rather walk by and ignore people in need than get involved, some of our team were asked by God to do just that. They observed a Kenyan man lying on the side of the road in bad shape, foaming at the mouth, apparently having a seizure. After a police man walked past the man and did nothing, the team had him lifted into their van and took him to the hospital, stayed with him while care was given, and paid his bill for him. The experience was very hard for some of the team, yet they were all thankful to be able to love as Jesus loved...

 

Our last days together were intense ministry days. The absolute highlight for me was on Tuesday when my church family were able to meet with my ladies of St. Martha's Ministry, my main ministry here, empowering HIV positive widows to find hope and a future through the love of Jesus. We were greeted by the ladies singing welcoming worship to us and then each of the women shared their testimonies. Their stories of extreme hardships and poverty, coupled with the grief of losing their husbands, and being shunned by family due to tribal customs and having to flee to Kibera to just try and survive with their children, was heart breaking, And then in the midst of each story, we heard them thanking and giving praise to God for Caleb and Eunice, the ministries founders, and the life they now have through St. Martha's, so amazing!  Esther then asked my church family to welcome me into my new ministry here in Kenya with blessings and prayer. We sang & danced with the ladies, and then my pastor Jeff prayed a blessing over me.....God did a work in me that day, connecting me from my church family back home to my new family in Kenya (tears :)   The ladies were given self defense instruction from Dave, so great, and then we broke up into groups and were able to visit in some of the ladies homes, which truly blessed our hearts. 

  We visited GUREC school again on Wednesday and the whole team spent the day doing team building exercises with the students, self defense, and small group time sharing hearts on major issues they face as teens.

Our last day Thursday was spent at Pastor Timothy's school in Kibera, and again the team ministered to students from primary level through high school.  I was blessed to witness students' confidence levels change, as Dawn gave them an art lesson, and when completed they had each totally sketched a leopard and were so very proud of their accomplishment!   The team departed that night to return home...

 

Please pray with me for what God will be speaking to each team member's heart, as they now process all that they have experienced here in Kenya....I do know that hearts have been changed forever, and these dear people will need God's wisdom and guidance as they discern what their next steps will be in missions. Their love for Christ has ministered to and blessed so many lives here, this scripture verse describes this team so well, I will miss them all dearly:

 

The LORD will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs

in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.               Isaiah 58:11

 

 

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone, we have so much to be thankful for.

 

Love and Blessings,

Joanie