Homecoming!

Happy to say that the team made it back from Africa and are back home. We wanted to post a team photo of everyone, but the general feeling was people were tired, feeling dirty, and ready to leave. They arrived from the last leg of their flight at 3:40 this afternoon. It took them a hour to get through customs, and then they were greeted by smiling faces, hugs, and kisses of family and loved ones. It was a great homecoming.

Seeing them was also so neat. One could of course tell that they were fatigued and they all looked a little worn, but there was special excitement that was so amazing to see. They had a special bond, and of course everyone wanted to hear all the stories of their travel and experiences. It is always so refreshingly amazing to see God move in someone's heart. We were able to so clearly see that in each team member's eyes. We know that their faith has been enlarged. We cannot help but imagine the growth of faith that the Masaai people have had even more. Needless to say, God is on move. Sam was the only one that did not return with the team to DFW. He went on to join another team from our church to serve in Romania. Please pray for him and that team as they serve the Lord there. It was interesting to discover, that God 'being on the move' was a common theme for the day. Along with our team returning from Kenya, Bobby met up with another lady that was returning from a mission trip in another country in Africa. Later at the airport, Austin, Amber's husband, saw an old friend whose wife was returning from missions in Eastern Europe. It is a refreshing reminder that God is in the small details of our individual lives, but also on the move redeeming the world for Himself. He is in control of all.

We praise Him for the team's safe arrival back home. Please pray that He will continue to give them health, as a couple were feeling poorly. We also praise Him that the members of this team were able to be apart of Serving in Faith in Kenya. We also give thanks to you who partnered with us and prayed through this trip. Thank you, your prayers were felt!

Coming Home

The team is in route for coming back home. Right now they are in the air from Nairobi to Kenya. After a few hours of layover, they will board another flight to DFW. They should be here tomorrow afternoon. We are all so excited to see them again and here all the amazing details of their trip. Their last day in Kenya was spent shopping, touring and something about a tick fiasco. We will have to wait for the details on that!

Please pray for their safe return travel. Pray for health of all. Pray that God will use this experience of each member of the team here.

We will post again when they return. We will keep you posted!

Conference Draws to Close

Soon this evening (our time) the team will be awaking to prepare for their final day of teaching. It all seems to go by so quickly. The team has mentioned the overwhelming sense of kindness and hospitality of the Kenyan people that they have worked with. They have a heart to serve. Something that we all can improve upon. Following their final conference day, they have arranged to go on a short safari. There will be lots of beautiful sights and animals to see. Then they will begin their preparations to return home.

It is hard to believe that such a short time can have such a lasting impact upon someone- for both the team and the Masaai people. Maybe that is what we should pray for today- lasting impact. For many of these Masaai church leaders, this may be their only opportunity to receive any type of discipleship. Most will receive a Bible in Swahili for the first time. And from this conference, they will go back to their villages to impact and train future generations for Kingdom work. While for this team, it is unlikely that most will have another opportunity to return back to Kenya again. It sounds sad, but a reality. However, they will come back, impacting us with their contagious passion. It will give us further momentum, and together we will do great things here for God's kingdom. God is so faithful...He does not plant a seed without cultivating another at the same time for His Harvest.

"My food," Jesus said,"is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

John 4:34-36

Half-way point

We have heard that the group is doing well. They are teaching and dealing with some important topics of faith. In addition, some important cultural issues have arose and needed to be addressed. Amber seems to be feeling poorly. Please, stop now and pray for her health. Tomorrow, she will be teaching for several hours in a row. One of the topics she will be addressing is HIV/AIDS. They seem to be making important relationships and lasting friendships as well. Yesterday, they had the opportunity to attend a Masaai funeral.

Be expecting for this team to return with changed hearts, eyes opened, and faith enlarged. It seems impossible to be so involved with something like this, that you yourself would not be forever impacted and reminded of God's greater plan for this world! Hopefully through partnering with this group, you too have been impacted and feel personally tied to their cause and passion. With sincere appreciation, thank you for your support and prayers. They have felt them everyday, and have needed them too. Thank you for reading this!

Now, they are just over half way through. Please, continue to pray for them constantly. Now, more than ever they need your prayers. Making such a big trip, the first few days are lived with adrenaline and excitement! Now, they will start to feel tired, miss home and loved ones, have more cultural challenges, dislike food, get sick, and be prey for spiritual attack. Pray for encouragement and strength. Pray for health, particularly Amber. Pray that God will reveal Himself in amazingly, special ways to each team member. Pray that they will seek God in their loneliness and fatigue. Pray for stamina and unity. Please, continue to pray for the Masaai people to look past the cultural barriers that exist for what God is revealing to them.

Day One of Teaching Going Strong

The conference is well underway, and so far things have gone really well. Laura, Karen, and Bobby did really well today. Tomorrow Carlos and Lindsay will be teaching. For much of their teaching, they are using translators for assistance. Please pray that the translators will work efficiently to take what each has prepared and translate it accurately. Also, continue to pray for each person attending. We believe the Spirit can move in mighty ways in anyone seeking with an open heart. Pray that God will speak through the team members to each Masaai in special, powerful ways.

Part of a great conference is leading and speaking. The other part is the connections and relationships formed. The team will be spending much time with the attendees of this conference. Please pray that each member will go beyond their comfort zone to reach and build relationships for this is what helps to have a lasting impact.

Pray for encouragement, endurance, and a Spirit-filled heart for each member of the team- Amber, Bobby, Carlos, Karen, Laura, and Lindsay. They can get this through so many ways- each other, others there, the nature around them, and yielding humbly to God so as to be filled with what He wishes!

Received word today that they saw several Zebras, Giraffes, and goats around them. Their evening closed with singing some David Crowder praise songs under the beautiful night stars!

Ready, Steady, Go...

After a restful sleep, the group was up and going today. I believe that they even got to watch some of the World Cup Final. They got supplies in Nairobi and were off to Ilamen. The conference started this evening. The topics are so varied in the subject material. All topics are so important to growing believers. Some topics will be in a large group setting, and others will be held in smaller groups. I think that even the most confident speaker can be a bit intimidated starting off. Think of the cultural barrier alone. With that thought this scripture came to mind...

"Ah, Sovereign Lord," I said, " I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."

But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you." declares the Lord.

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth."

Jeremiah 1:6-9

Please continue to pray for this group serving in faith in Kenya. Pray that God would speak through them to reach those attending and each other!

They are there!

Hello to all. Amber, Bobby, Carlos, and Lindsay have made it safely to Kenya. It was reported that they had good air travel and no luggage was lost. They say that they are feeling really well. They have been traveling for a day and a half. They got to Nairobi in the evening, and were met by the 3 interns from our church. They are spending the night there and will be taking care of some details before they take off for Ilemen for the conference. Ilemen is about 2.5 hours outside of Nairobi. The whole trek is offroading and dirt roads. Their accommodations will be tents with a bucket of water to bathe and wash clothes each day. There will be a cook, cooking for all attending the conference. Tea time is common there in the afternoon.

Please continue to pray for them...

• Pray that they will sleep well this evening, and will not be too jet lagged.
• There is altitude difference. Pray that everyone will remain healthy. Especially with eating a different ethnic food.
• Pray that God will allow all arrangements for this conference to fall into place.
• Pray for each attendee that is coming.
• Pray that each person on the team and the 3 interns will use all they have prepared, and lay it down before the Lord. So that, He will take and do more than they could have ever expected.

And They Are Off...

Hello to all. Well, after much preparation and packing (and repacking to redistribute weight per airline regulations), they are off! Their flight was delayed some, but they will be flying from DFW to London for a quick transition then off again to Nairobi, Kenya. Here are some prayer points as you continue to pray.

• Long flight with little rest, except on plane. Please pray for restful sleep, when they do try to rest.
• Flight left DFW late, please pray that getting onto their connecting flight will not be a problem.
• Please pray for unity of this team. That they will grow closer together as a group. Pray that they will be a source of strength and encouragement to each other.
• Pray for their continued preparation for the conference that they will lead.
• Pray for the hearts of the Masaai people that are coming to the conference.
• Pray that each member will seek God in all that they do, and that God will use each person immeasurably more than expected
• Pray for safety and health of each member. Long travel and no sleep can sometimes be enough to get you not feeling well.
• Pray for the families and loved ones here :) That everything will go smoothly.
• Pray that God will be Glorified in all!

Amen

Nitty Gritty in Details

So, begins the countdown. Our team is leaving for Kenya this Friday. Thank you for returning to this blog and reading through all. We created this as a way to partner with you. We believe that as you read, you feel more and more connected with those going, the cause behind why they are going, and the heart and passion behind this trip. By being connected, we hope that this will help you remember and better know how to pray for the trip and the Masaai people.

It was only about 6 short weeks ago that Amber, Bobby, Carlos, and Lindsay affirmed by stepping out in faith to go, and the group was formed. This interim time has been busy. With each person from our group, life has kept going and all the hecticness that it contains. People are still working their jobs, spending time with their family, and traveling. With the regular monotony of life comes the all the other stuff too- A/C units going out, refinancing your home, and illness. Despite ALL THIS, these guys have still been preparing for this trip. They have been faithfully trying to prepare for the conference that they will be leading. They have worked at raising the $2500 financial obligation required by each to go on this trip, which is indeed a step in waiting in faith. They have had to update vaccinations- including Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis, Tetanus, and Malaria prevention. Ouch- nothing like some shots to get you all excited and the low-grade fever that came with the Yellow Fever vaccine.

THEY ARE EXCITED THOUGH! They are serving in faith!!! They have faith that God will use them despite their inadequacies. They are having faith that God can and will work through them to touch and enlarge the hearts of the Masaai people. They faithfully know that God does all this to reach and grow His kingdom for His Glory!

Please continue to pray for each person going. Pray that all their preparation will continue without any surprises or upset. Pray that the each person attending the conference will be Blessed and grow for God, and that He will continue to prepare their hearts even now.

Lindsay's Blog

Please check out a recent post by Lindsay on her blog. She has written several great entries about Spiritual preparation for the Africa trip. The group leaves in a week and could really use your continual prayer. Her blog is...


http://www.lindsayoconnor.blogspot.com/


Be sure to check out the entry, "If you say go..." Read and enjoy! Keep coming back to the this blog too for more information as we begin countdown to leaving for Kenya, next Friday on July 9th!

Seeds for the Harvest

Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies; it remains only a single seed. But it it dies, it produces many seeds. - John 12:24

Is there some desert, or some boundless sea,
Where You great God of angels, will send me?
Some oak for me to rend,
Some sod for me to break,
Some handful of Your corn to take
And scatter far afield,
Till it in turn will yield
Its hundredfold
Of grains of gold
To feed the happy children of my God?

Show me the desert, Father, or the sea;
Is it Your enterprise? Great God, send me!
And though this body lies where ocean rolls,
Father, count me among all faithful souls.
-Leonard Woolsey Bacon

God Can Do More Than I

Our team has received their curriculum and has begun their preparations on their individual topics. Like it was said last time, there can be so many thoughts of being ill-equipped for the task at hand. When you go to serve God, many times there is a general feeling that someones salvation hinges on what you do. It is easy to feel that your readiness might affect how God moves or what He is capable of doing. Really?? Do you ever read the Bible and think God's word is so good?

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:9-11

Praise God that salvation is not dependent on man. We are a creation that is fallen. God WILL move in the Maasai people group despite our efforts. He WILL bring people to Him. He does all this and gives us the opportunity and invitation to be a part of His perfectly-timed plan. AMEN!

Pray now for our group. Pray that each member will be as prepared as they can- emotionally, Spiritually, and physically. Please, pray that we will trust our faith, serve in faith, and faithfully wait for God to do exceedingly more than what we could ever expect. For as the scriptures say, He will accomplish what He desires!

They are doing what????

So, we have talked about who is going on this trip and we have talked about where they are going. Next, let's talk about what they will be doing. This group will meet up with the three interns that are already there, and together with the help of ALARM, they will put together a youth leaders' conference. Youth there is not the same as here in the states. When you think of youth, typically some kid comes to mind. In Kenya, youth means includes young people up until their thirties, all unmarried. What a large age range! We will help train the leaders that work with this age group. This training is vitally important for this tribe to help solidify the essentials of faith. As part of the conference, each leader will receive a Bible in their own language. For many, this will be the first Bible that they will receive. Can you imagine being a leader in the church without owning a Bible?

ALARM has given the curriculum for the conference which is quite encompassing. It includes covering topics of (get ready for this is a heavy list)- discipleship, false teachings, worship, evangelism, christian leadership, Bible exposition, devotions, peer pressure, HIV/AIDS, peer pressure, youth sexuality, and conflict resolution. WOW!!!! Take a moment and think about what each one of these topics include and how you would approach teaching them to a group of people from a completely different culture. They are expecting between 80-100 attendees. Most of the classes will be large, but some will be smaller for better discussion.

These guys have a huge task in front of them and want to serve God in this way, but this task does seem quite a bit daunting, right? Can you imagine the emotions that each one of these guys are experiencing now as they begin preparation? The insecurities and doubts begin to creep in and at times they can be crippling. You start to hear the thoughts...you do not know anything on this topic...who will listen to you... you do not have enough training... you will not be prepared... you will not be relevant.... you are not a good enough Christian... you will be a failure.

This is all the more reason that our group needs and covets your prayers NOW! They need your prayers over their time to prepare, over their insecurities, and over the hearts of those attending. They need prayers now for strength, encouragement, and ability!

Who Where ?

Over the last couple of years, our church, FBCR, has partnered with ALARM, which stands for African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries. They have a great outreach for much of Central Africa. Please reference their website link for more information. This year, our church sent three young people as interns to do partner work with ALARM. They left about a week and half ago, and will be serving many locations throughout Kenya for seven weeks. Their incredible blog link is to the right. Our team will be leaving mid-July to join for their last week. So, who are these people going? In alphabetical order, they include...

• Amber R.- phys Ed teacher/coach
• Bobby D.- technical trainer
• Carlos R.- chemist
• Lindsay O.- elementary Ed teacher

Kind of a random group of people to be put together. Yet, even before they knew about this trip, God knew their abilities would be just what would be needed. More importantly, God knew that their faith in Him was just what this trip needed! This team came together rather quickly, about two weeks ago to be exact, and now through their preparation, they are learning more about each other and becoming more united.

They are beginning preparation for their trip. They are heading to Kenya, a country on the East side of Africa, right on the Equator. This country is predominantly Christian (~80%) with about 120 different ethnic people groups. Kenya is crippled by leadership that mismanages and at times is corrupt with power, as well as the rising AIDS epidemic where about 15% of the population will die from HIV. This country is poor with average middle-class family earning $340 per year. Our group will be working with Maasai tribe. There is much information about this group on Wikipedia link. This tribe, made of many, many villages is nomadic and lives off the land. When you think of a stereotype for African tribes off National Geographic, these are your people! Most of this tribe are Christ followers. Yet, there is a constant struggle with development of sound faith mixed with tribalism and tribal customs. This is a struggle for us too, right? How often is the development of our faith hindered by the culture in which we are? Sometimes the things that we struggle with as believers are similar, whether here in this developed nation or in a rural nomadic tribe of Kenya. You can start praying now for unity based on Biblical truth that transcends culture, and that this people group would hold firm to these Biblical truths!

Coming next time- what our team will be doing.....

Welcome

Well, we are off and moving. Set-up is still being completed and details are still in the works, but the Kenya trip is a go. If you are reading this, chances are that you know one of these amazing four that have committed to serve the Lord in Kenya. We have opened this up as one way that you can connect with them, learn their story, and hear what they are doing. But more importantly, we know that you will see God moving! With full expectation, you can anticipate God will move in each of their hearts. Even now their faith is being challenged, encouraged, and growing through this experience. Yet more importantly, we will see God moving through them for His kingdom! So, please partner with them through this journey of faith to Kenya!