“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11

This is our prayer for you in 2010 as we praise God for the way you have allowed him to use you through your prayers and financial support. We want to celebrate his blessings in 2009 and we want to share them with you so that you can join us in praise to our wonderful, powerful and gracious savior!

Half of the year we were in Kenya and the other half we have been on Home Ministry Assignment (HMA). First of all, with thank our God for answering your prayers for our ministry in Kenya:

1. The Church Planter Training Program is now being taught by Kenyan pastors we have trained. In three groups of churches (presbyteries) we are seeing twelve new churches being planted with the training, supervision and financial support coming from their own national churches in partnership with us- to be continued over the next three years.

2. Kianga Kids, under Lois’ direction, expanded to include ministry in the rural area of Mwingi- caring for orphans and HIV+ children with nutrition, medical care and community health education with workers from within the Africa Evangelical Presbyterian Church (AEPC).

3. We hosted nine interns who helped us do ministry with Kianga Kids and the youth at New City Fellowship in Nairobi.

4. I discontinued my missionary management responsibilities as Regional Director with WHM so that I could focus on being a Regional Church Planting Specialist for East Africa.

5. Another roof was completed- this time for the Lenana Church even as we left for the U.S. for HMA.

Mwingi church playground

6. Two more playgrounds were completed by Pastor Julius Munyithya- a project that grew out of the New Life Dresher team visit in 2008.

7. In answer to our prayers, rain came to Kenya. We also saw one of our well-digs hit the jackpot with water! We also praise God for a generous contribution at the end of the year to help supply food until a new crop can be harvested.

We also thank God for the way he has provided for us here in the U.S. during our HMA between June and December. Many of the answers to our prayers have come through you, our partners:

1. We thank God for the provision of homes in which to live in Philadelphia and New Jersey and all along our travels.
2. God provided two cars, two bicycles and one saxophone for us to use while we were here!
3. The Lord gave us Atlantic Christian School for Andrew’s studies for one term.
4. We saw our 30k. deficit erased and made considerable progress on our wanting monthly pledges.
5. Our Father opened up many speaking engagements and three new churches have decided to partner with us.
6. God has provided some free playground equipment and a container in which to ship it with other things. More details are coming soon!
7. Lois and Andrew have arrived safely in Kenya with all seven pieces of luggage intact!
8. One of the biggest encouragements for us was the opportunity to spend lots of time with our children- especially during the Advent season. We give praise for the way he has met their needs and led them in their separate journeys of life:

-The newlyweds, Becky (our daughter) and Lars continue to live and work in Chicago.
-Our daughter Jessica was able to get into Paramedic training as she continues to work as an EMT in South Carolina.
-Steve our son finished his studies in Jerusalem and graduated from Columbia International University with his B.A. degree.
-Andrew did well in his studies here in the U.S. and really became interested in forensics because of an elective course he was allowed to take. He also enjoyed opportunities to play his saxophone with the worship band and has decided to continue playing as God provides opportunities.

Plans for 2010:
1. We want to continue monitoring the church planting going on in three presbyteries in the AEPC that we are already working with and see if we can expand to the remaining two of the five presbyteries in other parts of the country.
2. Robert will be editing the training program as he assesses it’s effectiveness in the hands of the nationals.
3. As God provides the funding, Robert would like to continue church planter training in Uganda, as well as beginning training in South Sudan.
4. Lois will continue working with Kianga Kids in several areas in Nairobi and further develop the new rural ministry in Mwingi.
5. We are planning for several short-termers to be with us in 2010:
-In April, one couple that was with us with a short-term team in 2008 wants to return for another visit and help us with nursery school/Sunday school teacher training and further development of the playground ministry.
-In June and July we will be hosting 4-6 young interns to work with us.
-In July and August we will be having two separate church teams to do a variety of different ministry related to our vision and mission.

Robert’s more immediate itinerary in the U.S.:
January 17th- Container ‘kick-off’ at New Life Dresher, PA
Jan. 31st- Columbus Baptist Church (NJ)
February 7th- Emmanuel OPC (NJ)
Feb. 14th- Evangelical Fellowship Church (PA)
Feb. 19-21- Altadena PCA- Birmingham, AL
Feb. 24th- depart for Nairobi

Please pray:
1. Lift up Lois and Andrew as they get settled back in Kenya in Robert’s absence. Pray for peace and protection and pray for our hearts as we miss one another.
2. Pray that God would provide two more new churches with which to partner in the U.S. for our work in Kenya. Pray also for many individuals to receive faith from the Father to partner with us so that our support can reach an adequate level.
3. Ask the Lord to provide a church that would want to send a building team in 2011.

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Posted by Robert Carr