Trekking to Kili.

As a great excitement of a break, we are leaving this Friday, the 19th, for Tanzania, to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro- 19,000ft we have been preparing as much as possible to acclimate to the summit! We have talked to several people who have succeeded and will take all measures possible to take it slow, drink lots of water, and bring with us our trail mix. 

Things here have been progressing within the Lord's timing and we have spent our days investing in as many people as possible. It has been a great blessing to have uninterrupted time of fellowship with the community here- sharing lots of meals together in our home, as well as, in others. So, im sure some weight gain to prove the investments:). Because we are waiting for a few things to unfold in beginning to build again, this is a perfect time for us to have our year break.8 months into our time this will allow us a good getaway to come back with the steadfastness and refreshed focus to continue on with perseverance.  With constant rigors, our work ethic is to work hard and to play hard. We chose our time of playing hard to push all that we've got up a 4 day climb to the summit of Kili and a 2 day descend. we will most definitely be playing hard! And, will come back ready to work hard once again. 

We will make sure to post pictures when we return and let you know about the adventure and the refreshing break.  

Survival

 As we were on the property today, I was reminded of Psalm 10: 17-18. “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, is of the earth, may terrify no more.”

Survival is a concept that we have grown to know its true meaning all too well within this context.  Growing up in the suburbs of the States does not constitute ‘survival’, even though the cliché’ phrases are thrown around, such as “we are just really struggling…life is just so hard and money is scarce…”  This is not stated to negate the real problems and struggles of lives there as well.  It is more of when I think back to times in my life where I had the same expression, I traced back to the root of it all.  Are struggles there because of life’s sometime painful hand or because of decisions that I made that led me there?  My choices and my decisions brought me to a place of feeling as if I were in over my head- Making financial decisions when debt is inevitable- choosing lifestyles that hinder us from extending to others- overspending rather than choosing simplicity to not ‘struggle.’ 

In this context, we endure the survival etched upon the face of a malnourished child.  A 14-year-old who cannot attend school because of diabetes is forced to stay home and to provide for his 7 mth. old brother.  His survival is having enough food for the day to keep his little bro alive and growing.  I took another boy, Francis, down to the ‘duka’ (shop) because hunger was obviously attacking his feeble body. As we are walking back, Samuel whispers to Francis if he would mind sharing some of his bread.  Samuel immediately takes the bread and begins feeding it to Joseph.  Now, I began to think that as a diabetic, eating is survival- to be cautious of not ingesting the wrong things and to be observant in listening to your body’s cries for when to eat.  I know that he has not had the luxury to eat appropriately for his needs, yet as a 14-year teenage boy, he extended his own survival into the hands of his little brother. I gave him 10 shillings so that he could go buy each of them some bread. I continued walking with Francis when I turned back and saw Samuel wavering between the duka and the house.  We really never give money but today I extended in that merit.  I began to worry that Samuel would keep the money and not get himself food, so I quickly returned back to meet him and to walk with him to the duka.  Just as I am approaching him, I see another little one barely able to see over the tall grass running fiercely toward him- with hands lifted high, shouting I need bread, I need bread, I need bread…Now flashes of the suburbs quickly raced again into my mind- When do I ever remember thinking about needing bread- knowing that if I could just have some type of sustenance then that day would not be as painful…Samuel demonstrated a selfless individual who was waiting so that once again he could share his opportunity for sustaining his needs by extending his portion of shillings to this little one- who also is daily concerned with survival at just 1 ½ years old.  My heart sank as I witnessed this selfless act and Psalm 139: 15 entered my mind: “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.” From the womb, God knit together these little ones and knew the need for their frames to grow in development and in strength. I walked with Samuel to the duka and humbly witnessed gratitude like I have never seen. As Samuel took 6 pieces of bread, he made sure to give them first to Joseph and to the other little one before taking his own- as he then gazed into my eyes, leaned in to hug me, and whispered ‘ I thank you so much.’  Survival demonstrated thru the beautiful mercy of a 14 year old.  One who in his deserving nature, had every right to keep portions of the bread for himself- a boy attacked by diabetes and his body feeble from the lack of care he receives- yet instead he chose to care about the plights of others. He chose to uphold the cause of the needy and saw others in more detriment of survival then he.

Once again, I saw myself standing back in the ‘burbs with provisions overwhelming to count and seeing the unjust nature of it all—why we have incredible bounty there and why the worries in this context within each day is if they will have enough bread to continue life in their family? We know that our days are numbered here and that within the near months we will be returning to the bountiful land once again- no longer physically seeing the humble mercy of the little ones who teach us deeply within each day- no longer being exposed to real poverty, to people who are truly struggling and to people who’s life is really hard. We know that our choices are each our own and that it is up to us how we live our life. Do we shackle ourselves in the mentality of our own survival and choose decisions that will only keep us chained to our debt, chained to our self and inhibit us from seeing the world through a different lens? It is so true that you do not have to be standing in the slums of Africa or in the havoc of Haiti to organize your life to help those who’s plight is truly in the grasp of struggling for survival. We are sensitive to this challenge and to this truth because we know that our feet will once again be planted on American soil- where blessings are beyond our count and where distractions await us to justify our decisions for our wants, our needs rather than like Samuel consider other’s needs more significant than our own.

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  1 Peter 4: 9-10

“Do nothing our of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… Phil. 2: 3-5 

Picture of Joseph: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10775283&l=cb7abb6207&id=611190289

a Vapor.

Eccl. 7: 1-2  "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. It is better to go to a  house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart." 

Praise the Lord that he 'is close to the brokenhearted and that he saves the crushed in spirit' (ps. 34:18). We have found ourselves this week leaning on God's promise that he is 'not a God of confusion but of peace." (1 cor. 14:33). 

2010 has webbed its way of attacks and attempts of defeat. We have witnessed so much opposition of the enemy's hand amidst life here and there. Yesterday, we attended a memorial service of a missionary friend here in Kenya- a man devoted to the service of our Father- 33yo found dead in his home by his wife- natural causes. A time that much questioning before the Lord unfolds in all of our hearts who knew him. To look upon the face of a 26yo widower and ask the Lord his purpose of calling his son home at such a young age? but, we remain assured in God's promises and trust in His power to save those of us who find ourselves crushed in spirit. 

Pray for the grieving process of all those who are left behind to mourn his departure from this world. A strengthening moment was that he spent his life here investing in different slums of this area. The kids gathered before everyone and spoke of how God used his presence to impact their lives- a powerful depiction of our purpose here in this Earth. It is so true that as James 4:14 proclaims, our life is truly a Vapor- here for a short while and gone tomorrow. 

Times like these forces us to examine the efforts of our own life- the ways in which we spend our time and our heart's extensions. It is so vital that we daily put life into perspective, examining our own responsibility to action- how are we being spoken to by the Spirit and are we responding out of that leading? Are fears impacting our current season of life and we find ourselves not acting in God's leading bc of them? Where do our priorities lie? Are they of this world or from the heart of our Father? 

This world is filled with pain, but the hope remains that we serve a Conquerer, Defender, and Comforter amidst any hardship here. God is still in control and even though hardships face us, we have a home awaiting us- Yesterday, they spoke about his "homegoing"- This world is not our home as believers. Its not meant to be 'easy'- we have not reached our place of resting yet and let us not live our lives as we are in that place. 

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.