In St. Louis at the airport

We are awaiting our flight to Chicago. Thankful to Jeff Stone for driving us to the airport. Next stop: Chicago.

Thanks Christie for ---

Your comments.  I really appreciated the distinction you made between helping children for when they become adults and helping them become God's people now in their young age.  What a powerful (God's power) thing when our children (and in my case grandchildren) become God's people in their childhood.  What a difference they will make among their friends, acquaintances, and classmates.  Classrooms, playgrounds, etc. would be transformed.

On another note:  I am impressed that I do not really know what I will be doing in Kenya.  God knows. I must be wide open to His wisdom and Holy Spirit empowering to respond to situations and persons about which I know very little.  That condition and situation is exciting in that we will be agents of God's grace.

The Plan...?

As I said in an earlier post, I immediately had ideas when approached to "do" Children's Ministry with the Missionary Kids (MK's)--lots and lots of ideas.  And as it turns out, my initial ideas have turned into plans and what I feel is direction from the Holy Spirit.

The goal is to help the MK's orient their lives around prayer.  You see, we really really REALLY truly believe that kids CAN do the work of prayer. They can. I have seen it with my own eyes.  So much of Children's Ministry has been training up children for WHEN they become adults.  But as the Bible says we are to receive the Kingdom of God AS a child (Mark 10). Jesus himself taught at the age of twelve and He grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52).  Children CAN do the work of prayer NOW--as children.  They receive the same Holy Spirit we do--and He speaks to children, comforts and counsels children just as He does us Big People. Isn't that marvelous--how the Lord loves us?

Ok, back to the MK's...so with this goal of orienting MK's lives to prayer, we will practice prayer--prayers of praise and intercession as well as learning to pray in agreement and with boldness.  As a foundation, the kids will learn 4 verses of compiled Scriptures (arranged by GFMC's own Rebecca Roberts) called  "Who We are in Christ".  Using the fictional story by C.S. Lewis' Voyage of the Dawn Treader., we will look for the truth about good and evil, new life in Christ, temptation, prayer--it has it all!

Now, I AM a planner.  I live in a world of  lists, ideas and lesson plans.  But the Lord, in His perfect love, has been teaching me to hold my plans loosely (see my previous post).   If you think about us, please pray that the WHOLE team will take our cues daily--moment by moment-- from the Author of the perfect plan! We are so thankful for your prayers.

Experiencing freedom in Christ

As I contemplate our trip to Kenya, I have been reflecting some on the recent history in that country (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007-2008_Kenyan_crisis).  The missionaries and pastors we will be visiting have seen and experienced a variety of conflicts.  While not so horrific as in some nations, the tribal conflicts and persecutions of Christians have had some impact.  As new Christians, sometimes from different tribes, associate with a congregation and begin growing in the Lord, there is potential for conflict among believers.  I don't know what, if anything, we will find, so I am praying for the Holy Spirit to give us discernment and wisdom and bring to our minds scriptures which will speak into the situations we discern.  As you pray, consider praying scriptures with a special reference to Romans 12:9-21 so that the chains of conflict are broken and people experience freedom in Christ.  My desire is that as we and the missionaries and pastors return to our homes, we all will return rejoicing at the wonders and miracles we all will experience.

Prayer Guide and Itinerary

Jesus’ ministry flowed out of times of prayer. We know our lives should be patterned after his. Thank you for joining us in ministry by investing in the work of the kingdom through prayer.

ITINERARY

February 27 (Monday) thru February 28 (Tuesday)

Dan and Doug leave for Rwanda –Arrive Rwanda – Visit mission work of Dwight Jackson

February 29 (Wednesday, 5:10 pm) thru March 2 (Friday, 2:10 am)

Travel to Nairobi, Doug and Dan join up with team at Nairobi airport 3/2

March 2 (Friday)

Rest and orientation

March 3 (Saturday, 9:30 am)

Flight to Mombassa

March 3 (Saturday evening) thru March 6 (Tuesday, 11:30 am)

Missionary Retreat

March 6 (Tuesday afternoon)

Flight to Nairobi

March 7 (Wednesday)

Free Day

March 8 (Thursday morning) thru March 10 (Saturday noon)

Kenya Pastor’s Conference

March 11 (Sunday, 3:40 am) , Arrive Sunday night, 7:30 p.m.

Travel to St. Louis

--SCRIPTURAL PRAYERS--

February 27, Monday :: Isaiah 61:10-11

That we would delight greatly in the Lord as we prepare to go and be confident that He has clothed us, through Jesus and in garments of righteousness. That “the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.”

February 28, Tuesday :: Mark 1:2-3

That through the prayers and fasting (of the team and others) we would “prepare the way for the Lord and make straight paths for Him” to work in all His fullness.

February 29, Wednesday :: 2 Timothy 2:20-21; 2 Corinthians 9:8.

That we would be prepared to do any good work and would allow God’s grace to make it abound for His glory and praise.

March 1, Thursday :: 1 John 3:1

That the children will experience the lavish love of the Father as they explore what Christ in us means -- He never leaves us. He has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him. That we can come boldly to Him in prayer with assurance that He hears us and His promises are always YES to us.

March 2, Friday :: Ephesians 1:3-14

For a renewed, victorious confidence and walk, established in the recognition of who they (missionaries, pastors & children) are “in Christ.”

March 3, Saturday :: Galatians 3:1-5

For freedom from trying to do the walk of faith in the flesh, but be filled, enlightened, renewed, empowered and led by the Spirit.

March 4, Sunday :: Romans 8:26

That we would be open to the Holy’s Spirit’s leading in prayer and be able to discern His voice.

March 5, Monday :: Revelation 3:20 

That the Missionary Kids who are pouring themselves out along with their parents to build the Kingdom, might be strengthened in the knowledge of our Lord and reminded that indeed He desires to meet us, to dine with us serving the “richest of foods.”

March 6, Tuesday :: 2 Corinthians 8:11-12

That we as a team and those ministering in Africa will complete with eagerness what we have been given to do and in which we have willingly invested.

March 7, Wednesday :: Exodus 4:30-31

That the Lord would work through the team on behalf of the pastors. That we would be open to the Lord working through prayer, words of encouragement, knowledge, prophecy, healing — whatever He would choose — to assure and encourage them that He hears and sees their needs.

March 8, Thursday :: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

That we would be courageous in our love for others.

March 9, Friday :: Romans 12

In the context of the political and civic unrest in Kenya and bringing new believers in Christ into unity, pray for interpersonal healing which includes learning to forgive one another and recognizing the past is under Christ’s blood.

March 10, Saturday :: Ephesians 3:20-21

That the children and adults alike working in Africa (and those praying for them) would be able to imagine powerful and mighty things happening as they pray, knowing that Christ’s power is at work in and through us.

March 11, Sunday :: Philippians 1:4-6

That the area directors, pastors, missionaries and VISA workers will be confident in the work the Lord is doing. That He will complete the work He is doing in and through them as they faithfully obey. That we would remember them consistently in our prayers.

 

I Just Didn't See It Coming...

As my middle child said when we brought home our new little poodle last June--"I just didn't' see it coming". You see I am a teacher turned children's "pastor"--and I didn't see it coming. Having grown up in the church, volunteering in the church with a Dad that was even a Minister of Music, I never considered ministry as a vocation.  I wanted to be a teacher.  I loved teaching.  And I couldn't imagine doing anything else--this was my calling (note the use of past tense).  


Well, the best laid plans...NOW I can't imagine doing anything else.  For today, I am where God has called me.  No surprises right?  Wrong. When the Newtons asked me to consider going with them to  Kenya to do prayer ministry with the Missionary Kids of Africa, I was instantly excited and filled with ideas. I was also surprised, for lack of a better word, that the Lord might use me in this way. The Lord is teaching me to relax and rest in Him alone and to stand on  His promises.

Hebrews 13: 21 says …may HE equip you with all you need for doing HIS will.  May HE produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to HIM.  All glory to HIM forever and ever. Amen (“so be it” –as my Kids Church kids say). See the REST in that verse?  Do you see  the lack of need for ME to be sufficient on my own?  The Lord in His great love for His world, does the “pouring”.    Christ in me—HIS grace IS sufficient.  This, the Lord's promise, is YES to us all the time. 

And His plan really IS the best one.  That reminds me of what I plan to share with the kids--more on that later--it is all so exciting!!!!  

What's the Big Deal?

I've told people that when I was asked to consider joining this Africa prayer team, my first reaction was an overwhelming sense of humility and gratitude for being considered.  My second reaction (which came very quickly after the first) was there is NO WAY I am going to Africa.  Why?  At the time I had a host of reasons, most of which I cannot even remember now.

There are so many ways God is blessing us by this adventure already, and we haven't even left Greenville. One of the greatest ways is by how excited OTHERS are for us.  Certainly we are not the first people to travel to Africa.  I have had the privilege of knowing students and friends who not only traveled to Africa, but LIVED in Africa.  There are world travelers among my extended family members.  I work with colleagues who have had multiple experiences working and living abroad. 

But this marks the first time that I will leave the North American continent.  It is also the first time for Christie.  And while Dan has been to Rwanda and Burundi, and the Newtons have been to Northern Africa, this is the first time the rest of us have ever been to Africa.  Honestly, I had my doubts that I would ever need a passport.  It wasn't that I had no desire to travel -- I just didn't think it would happen in my lifetime.

But here's the deal:  I was actually praying that God would expand my outlook on life.  I was praying that God would help me see the world as He sees it.  I was seeking new experiences, new ways to deepen my faith and love for God and for others.  I wasn't necessarily praying for an opportunity to travel to Africa, but I WAS earnestly seeking God and praying He would work in my life.  And this seems like the beginning of an answer to that prayer. 

We are humbled by the excitement others are showing FOR US.  We are so very grateful for the many ways you are demonstrating that excitement.  What wonderful family and friends we have!

God is very much alive and well and working all around us -- in the United States, in Kenya -- "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  And we have the incredible privilege of joining His work in Africa, if only for a brief time.

Anticipation

Passports are in hand.  Shots are in arms.  Malaria meds will soon be taken.  And funds are coming in from generous friends and family.  The countdown is on: in twelve days we board the first of three flights that will eventually take us to Nairobi, Kenya.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012 we fly from St. Louis to Chicago, from Chicago to Istanbul, Turkey, and then finally from Istanbul to Nairobi, Kenya, arriving in the early morning hours on Friday, March 2nd. 

This blog is for our family and friends -- those who are supporting us in so many ways.  We travel as an extention of YOU -- a reflection of your love and prayers for us, and for the Lord. 

Stay tuned.  Our adventure is just beginning!