A call to pray...

Eph. 4: 2-3, " with all humility and gentleness with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." 

Prov. 21: 30  "there is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." 

What a comfort this promise in the Word grants our hearts as we seek after God's wisdom, His insight, and His plan. We need a call of prayer...  

In a culture different than our own, we are learning ways of this land.

 In a position of serving God in intentional ministry, we are learning Satan's attacks and deep desire to roadblock God's plan. 

Yet, in a position of seeking God, we are learning how to rely deeper on His assured Words of hope, of comfort, and of purpose. HIS PROMISE remains that "no plan of the Lord can be thwarted." 

We are working through some planning and a few other complicated issues and we ask that you can join us in prayer for strength from God especially in this context of a foreign culture. 

We serve a most faithful God- our Defender, our Comforter, our Sustainer, our Guide, our  Counselor. We are not defeated and remain hopeful in God's Hand moving...

Love some fishing...

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for the day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." 

Many of you will remember the struggles that we faced learning from poverty's extended hand, especially during our initial months here. It can be overwhelming to witness so many lives in such life altering circumstances- children shaking from a lack of nutrition, Mothers burdened by their children's livelihood, Fathers overwhelmed by the mouths to feed, Families separated bc of a lack of financial sustenance to provide for the whole- Anyone would be heavy burdened looking into the eyes of a little one and knowing that your means could not sustain them. Yet, in God's grace and promises, we have learned within our almost 8 mths here, that God is the sustainer- He is the provider- He is the comforter- He is the Defender of Widows and the FAther to the FAtherless. Vapor's mission is to build a center for humanitarian aid and sustainable life change. We desire to witness lives changed by the Word of God and witness the power of His hand move within transformed minds and lives. 

We have had the privilege of doing a little bit of fishing this week. Beginning the steps of teaching little ones knowledge that will feed them for a lifetime. Some of you will remember George, Ester, Steven  (3 of the 12), and Francis. Along with one of the guys on our leadership team, we walked them to get fitted for their school uniforms- It was Ester and STeven's first time in 3 years to be in school and George and Francis first day of school:). Its an opportunity in the STates that we most definitely take for granted. I remember fighting the big uniform decision within school and these little ones were begging for socks to match their newly pressed shirts and sweaters. To witness their joy and their confident steps as they entered their new classroom was a true moment out on the lake, envisioning them each holding their own fishing pole--learning how to reel them in! now these little ones will no longer be carrying water back and forth as the other ones attend school- They will have the opportunity to be filled with knowledge and an opportunity of an education that will feed them for a lifetime.

 

Other time of fishing...We have many widows who work with us at the site- Many Moms who truly are struggling to feed the mouths that are heavy on their backs. We cannot sustain them, but we know that we have a most Faithful Father who promises to DEfend the cause of the poor and needy. God has blessed us with the opportunity to sponsor 36 women in a cooking class where they will receive an entrepreneurship certificate--Handing them the fishing pole, teaching them how to fish. The women will have the opportunity to learn skills that are truly efficient in this culture and in this area- some of them have already begun discussing where they can build their restaurants: one day). 

Pray with us that these individuals can truly learn of God's love for them and believe in His hand that sustains them. 

an update.

Hebrews 6: 10-12 encourages us within this week of 'waiting' for the work to begin back on Monday, trusting and knowing that this Ngong center has nothing to do with our own merits, but its success is only from the Hand of the Lord. No rains in 3 days, so its looking like we will begin back the building portion come Monday! "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who thru faith and patience inherit what has been promised."  This week has been a refreshment and an encouragement to us: spending time with the guys, and others in the community has allowed us the strengthening push to continue on in diligence and in faith. We know that God is moving and we trust in the avenues taken to complete the Ngong center. 

As an update of the break off bible studies: Trishia is now leading a women's bible study every Saturday, of 14 women- It has been sharpening to witness their hunger and their eagerness to study God's Word. One of our 6 guys on the leadership team is also leading a men's study at the same time of 14 men. Again, be praying for the discernment within this group- Our prayer is that we can see coaches, volunteers raise up from the discipleship groups. 

Mud filled streets.

Its humorous sometimes how when we seek the Lord's Word, it truly does come to light within our current situations. Zech. 10: 1 says, "Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone."  In Ngong, Kenya, its springtime--however, NOT rainy season; someone's prayers have been answered and the unexpected springtime rains are here. Yes, in a land where drought could occur, causing lives to suffer its hand- we never want to 'complain' about the floodgates being opened.  So, take this not as a 'complaint', but as another focus of prayer along with us.

 

Because of the monsoon rains over the past 2 weeks, the unceasing nature of it has caused some difficulties at the project site. Imagine, one day of work, done. then the rains. soil being shifted in the opposite way it was taken the day before. then the rains. the cycle begins all over again. Because of the intense rains, we must not work on the physical building this week. Doing a project as this requires timelines of things. Please pray for the faith we need to respond patiently to our God 'who makes the storm clouds'. We do not want to pray away blessings, but in this unexpected 'rainy' season, many families crops have been ruined, neighboring cities washed away in floods, and homes in the slums at high risk. Pray for God's hand to be upon Ngong and the neighboring areas as the rains continue and that in God's timing that they may hold off for another day. 

On the bright side, this allows us a full week of discipleship and sitting down with the people who have already been integral in this ministry, apart from balancing the physical project site. So, as we must wait to continue building, may this week bring connection with those we are able to sit with.