It is hard to imagine that July has already passed us by and that now we look ahead at our 3 month stretch of time to completion. There are many facets of ‘progress’ seen within our days thus far. From the construction aspect, our changing rooms and our local offices both have walls and the roofing is being installed this week. We now have our water pump installed, which allows us to be ready to plant the fields. Our fields, believe it or not, are NOW finally as level as they can be! The soccer pitch and the running track have been marked. Our next steps within the next few weeks are to dig the trenches for the water pipes around the pitch (for our sprinkling systems), cut out the track with the grader, build the track, and plant the grass. We anticipate full completion of the field by mid-September! It is such a praise to witness progress and forward movement.
From the discipleship aspect, our guys have taken on more responsibility and have alleviated a lot of burden from our plates. We have witnessed such leadership skills in them and see how their differing personalities will fit perfectly into the full-time positions that we will be offering them shortly. Pray with us as we continue to discern who God is leading to fill which positions. From our conversation with them individually, they have all voiced their desire to continue on with Vapor. We pray that the Lord would boldly show us if there is any heart issues that need to be surfaced prior to this transition. Pray for them by name: Elly, Vinny, Patrick, Peter, Bizmark, Shadrack. The enemy does not want this center to be successful and we feel the spiritual opposition daily. In reading Psalms today, we empathize with David’s prayer unto the Lord- for sustenance, for assurance, and for strength.
Psalms 16:7-11 “ I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Pray with us as we daily seek counsel from our wise Father. Daily, we are faced with opposition, with difficult decisions/ situations, and with opportunities for grace. We believe in the instruction from the Lord and seek to set Him always before us- believing that he has foreseen the outcome of this center- the children who will gather to hear His Word- the coaches who will lead them on spiritually- the opposition that our leaders will face- and the purpose of ‘success’ that He has in store. Pray with us that we will not envision ‘our’ own plans, but that we can rely solely on the purpose of the Lord to stand. Pray against the spiritual opposition (Ephesians 6) that we are fighting against- the powers of this dark world. It is a strong force on many days, and in moments, it can feel too heavy to bear. But, we know that we have a Savior who takes our burdens and carries them for us. May we have the strength and the courage to release all of them unto His care.
As a praise, we have seen how the Lord has used the spiritual leadership of our guys to disciple other new believers in our community. Thuku, one of the street kids who sniffed glue, has become saved- been working with us and is now attending our church regularly. Two more men on our work site have been saved and our guys have brought them into their lives to live life in fellowship with them! So no matter what opposition we face, the Lord continues to work boldly and most faithfully!
From a personal aspect, we are strengthened as we have spent much time with the people. The Lord is granting us the ability to prioritize our investments, which can be a difficult thing to do. Our little one is growing well and receiving the nutrients that he/she needs. Now 20 wks!! We find out on Friday if its indeed a lil’ man or a lil’ lady! We continue to pray as the Lord gives testament of His provisions- both financially and physically. We entrust this season of great faith unto His care, as we know that our little one’s life gives full testament that the Lord truly shepherds over his flock. Pray for the continued wisdom and counsel we need in making decisions toward our little one’s care and for the Hand of the Lord to provide in His provision. Pray for us as a couple that we can continue to sharpen one another and to connect in a deeper way as we walk this season together. It has already been a sharpening experience for us.
Continued movement: After much prayer, we are affirmed in the Lord’s next steps for us. Brett has accepted a position with Vapor as the Manager of Capital Projects/Operations- where to communicate it more simply- he will oversee the completed centers (Ngong, Kawangware, Togo) in communications and will be working alongside the missionaries building Vapor’s next center in Haiti. He will be primarily working from Vapor’s headquarters and traveling periodically to the centers when needed. We feel assured that this is how the Lord wants to use the skills that we have attained from this season and continue to help further the cause of Vapor. We will be moving to Vapor’s headquarters in Fayetteville, AL (outside of Birmingham) by Feb. 1st. Pray with us as we solidify these details and enter yet another season of faith with our most faithful Shepherd!
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