Jessica

From the moment I got on the plane to leave Uganda, I knew I had to return to Africa with Bob and the boys. So as I talked with Bob after arriving home in Canton,Ohio we began discussing a family Vision Trip in summer of 09. One thing Bob had been pretty adamant about is wanting me to have someone travel with me and the boys to Kenya as we are going out 2 weeks earlier than him due to his work schedule. So I began praying that day, August 07 for God to reveal to me what He has in mind for us in having someone come along with me. Over the past 15 months thoughts of people have come and gone, and it's kind of taken the back burner. Until today, where I met Jessica a dear 20 year old in our church who has a heart for Kids, and a long time desire of wanting to go to Africa. So if you all could be praying for her, as she seeks the Lords will in this, that he would reveal to her without a doubt of what she is to do. We would absolutely love to have her! But want to be in God's will. A decision will need to be made by the end of Dec./Jan. 1st.....please be praying for Jessica.

Passenger seat

You'd think by now that I would have learned that God would rather me be in the passenger seat, and not the drivers seat! So once again I learn my lesson of this while driving my life into some pot holes! Amazing how it's when I'm in the pot holes God reveals more and more of himself to me (us)! In the most recent pot whole, I began hearing God say...sit and relax in the passenger seat, I'm in control here, allow me to drive. Thankfully I obeyed and as a result God has openened up some amazing opportunities for us while in Kenya. Up until this point I (we) had been spending way to much time trying to figure out what we were gonna be doing. Then I got myself in the hole, and there was God picking me up out of it, revealing to me His plans. And I am now honored and blessed to share His plans for us!

Soccer camp ministry with Pamela's brother-in-law, who runs an Soccer NGO within the Kibera slums in Nairobi

VBS with Pamela's families church also in slum area

Orphanage in Arusha

Without going into a book length explanation of how God revealed these ministries to us, I can say it was done in only a way God could do! It can only be described as Indescribable....I think of the song from Chris Tomlin Indescribable! God is an amazing God! And I am so honored and blessed to be joining Him in the work He has planned for us.

Obedience

In simple obedience to the One who gave His life...

In simple obedience to the One who gave His life so that we might live eternally, we should desire to abandon all we know for the unknown of giving our lives away for Him. Not just feeding the hungry, but entering into their hunger with them. Not just clothing them, but experiencing what it is like to want for basic necessities. Not just appeasing our conscience by writing a check, but by actually entering into their reality, a reality that needs to see Jesus.
-Steven Curtis Chapman

We are counting down to enter into their reality in Kenya and Tzn.......

Prayer Request

for us to have most details in place by January

(ie...dates, accommodations, NGO specifics,

most details, not expecting all as the Lord can change details while were there to better suit His plan)

good flight prices

fundraising.... we are about 85% there

additional raising of funds for the needs of the ministries we will be working with while there

Open ears to hearing Gods leading in all of this

Strengthened relationships within our marriage and with our kids

Open hearts.......Openness to what God has planned

Thanks for your continual prayers and support. They are so much appreciated and felt.

School Again??

Yes it is true, I am back in school again. Okay so it may be Missions School, but for me it's a big deal. In the Spring Bob and I finished up the Perspecitves Missions School, and now I so proudly hang my Certificate. Now I am doing Mission Bridge a branch off of YWAM New York. I had my first class this past week, and it was amazing. The cool thing is it's really different from the Perspectives course. It focuses a lot more on God's character, and our relationship with Him, and how that all blends so well into Gods mandate for us in Missions. One thing that has really stuck out to me from last weeks class is the putting aside our own agenda and allowing God to work and make the agenda. How our purpose is to join God in the work He is doing. I have been struggling with some life issues, and just the night before class I had been sharing with my cousin about life, and I kept saying I just don't know what to do, and she said that perhaps I myself do not need to do anything right now, live it out day by day and allow God to work, to see what He is doing and join Him. God is so amazing in His work, and in His ways of speaking to me and confirming His ways to me! So I have released a lot this past week to God, and have been totally blessed at how He has opened up doors for Bob and I and for our trip this upcoming summer. To my friends and family who have been praying I thank you, I can feel the power of your prayers and am so blessed by it.