Disparate Scenes…
Monday, 21 December 2009
Andrew, Jessica and Steve in the snow
As we rose from our seats after viewing the new movie “Invictus” that portrays the hopes of a post-apartheid South Africa through the struggles of their national rugby team, I began to experience major disorientation- were we in Africa or America? Now as I sit looking out of our window at snow on the ground and being just two blocks from the beach, the disparate scenes continue. Then, if I add to that, the scenes of what is going on in our ‘other home’ in Kenya, the contrast grows more stark.
Giving Praise! …
1. Rains are falling in Kenya
2. Our friend Jordan is doing very well
3. Our deficit is erased (for now)
4. Water is flowing from one of the shallow wells we provided
5. The third playground has just been completed
6. God has provided a container for shipping ministry equipment to Kenya
7. All of our children are now with us for Christmas
Below see more details…
People desperate for water before plumbing is complete!
In Kenya we praise God for the progress of the well digging at Kasyongo- after about one year of digging by hand- a well that went down about 90 feet in an opening that is three feet in diameter! We thank God for the good management of Pastors Pethuel and Patrick that no one was injured and the people in that area are getting about 250 liters of clean water every day without having to walk for miles!
Julius and family
New playground complete at Ongata Rongai
View of the playground slide!
We are also thankful that Pastor Julius has been able to complete his third playground project. This one was built at the church at Ongata Rongai where Joel Kavala is the pastor. This is another pastor and church we have been working with- both in church planting and the Kianga Kids ministry. You might remember that this ministry was initiated by our home church- New Life Dresher (PA) when they sent out a team to work with us for a couple of weeks in 2008. What began as just one playground in a church in the slums is growing into a vibrant ministry project that provides work and income for Pastor Julius, while at the same time helping the nursery schools and Sunday schools attached to these churches attract more children and families into the orb of the church.
We will soon start loading a container
We thank God for the provision of a twenty-foot container to ship ministry equipment to Kenya by May 2010. We will be sending used equipment for church planters, Kianga Kids and Overcomers by Grace ministry to the handicapped. We will soon be sending out a list of needed used or new items.
Walking on beach with Becky
Robert & Steve
One of the biggest blessings of being able to be on home assignment is the opportunity of seeing our grown children. Our daughter Becky and her husband Lars drove in from Chicago last week, Steve flew in from Jerusalem and Jessica drove up from South Carolina so that we could all celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus together.
Steve & Andrew on the beach!
Lois enjoying the winter weather
Please Pray…
1. Pray for continued rain in Kenya and for progress on our second well in Nzaini. Digging had to stop, ironically, because it is raining! It is actually better to dig when it is dry so that the level of water will be more constant throughout the seasons.
2. Pray for Pastor Julius (who has been building the playgrounds) and his family who pastor the church in the Mukuru slum. Pray for their safety and health as they live and work there with their three children. Pray for Mary as she leads the El Shaddai School that includes nursery school up to the second grade. They are praying that God would provide funds to build more classrooms to expand the school to include all the primary grades. We would love for one of our supporting churches to take on this project and even send out a team to help us build!
3. We thank God that he has been able to erase our 30k. deficit but now we need to still raise another $1,200 in regular monthly support so that we don’t fall into another deficit once we return to Kenya.
4. Pray that God would provide the items needed for our container. Pray about how you or your church might get involved.
5. Pray for our family as we spend time together but then quickly pack up Lois and Andrew to return to Kenya on 5th January. Robert will remain to speak at more churches and do more fund-raising. Pray for our time of separation and all the emotions of saying goodbye to our children again.
Below find Robert’s itinerary. Please let us know if you would like him to come and speak at your church:
January 3- Lois speaks at New Life Dresher and Robert at Cape May Methodist Church Men’s Group
Jan 5- Lois and Andrew depart for Kenya
Jan 17- Robert at New Life Dresher- Container Kick-off
Feb 19-22- Robert at Altadena PCA- Birmingham, AL
Feb 24- Robert departs for Kenya
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