Our deadline was a week ago. We were hoping to be at 100% of our support target by July 17 so that we could fly to Kenya on August 17.
We did not reach our goal.
It was a very hard day. We are not sure what God is up to. We wonder if this is just a test of our faith? Or a chance for us to practice patience? Or a closed door?
If only God could send us a message, attached to a bolt of lightning, preferably. Is that too much to ask? We just want to know where God is leading us and guiding us right now.
Our hearts are in Kenya. We desperately long to be on a plane to Kenya on August 17 back to our home and ministry that we love.
At this point, August 17 is not here yet....and we are getting so close - 88% (we only need $830 a month to go) that we are still keeping August 17 circled on our calendar. We are packing up our house in faith and we are trusting that the door is still open.
Please pray with us that God make His plans clear to us. And that if it be His will, we would reach 100% before August 17.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
To pack or not to pack, that is the question
Well, we have had a great summer so far! We have been so blessed with many fun outings and summer activities. We started our summer off with a trip to Florida. Jeff's parents treated the whole family to a trip to Disney World - a dream come true! We made so many special memories there. We were then able to tie in that trip with visits with other friends and supporters along the way. We enjoyed each home we were in and it was a joy to catch up with so many.
Now that we are home, we have been dividing our time between work (Jeff is still working at our church), family gatherings, speaking engagements, and trying to figure out when to pack our bags for Kenya.
Our hopeful departure is August 17. We really need to have our support in by July 17 so we can book our tickets and let our landlords know our departure date. We will have a busy month! As we near that deadline, I am starting to pack in faith.
We are at 81% of our total monthly support and trusting that God will bring in the rest in the next few days. If you feel led to partner with us in our ministry at RVA, click on the yellow "donate" button on the sidebar.
In the meantime, we covet your prayers for us in these last days!
Now that we are home, we have been dividing our time between work (Jeff is still working at our church), family gatherings, speaking engagements, and trying to figure out when to pack our bags for Kenya.
Our hopeful departure is August 17. We really need to have our support in by July 17 so we can book our tickets and let our landlords know our departure date. We will have a busy month! As we near that deadline, I am starting to pack in faith.
We are at 81% of our total monthly support and trusting that God will bring in the rest in the next few days. If you feel led to partner with us in our ministry at RVA, click on the yellow "donate" button on the sidebar.
In the meantime, we covet your prayers for us in these last days!
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| Visiting friends in Florida |
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Goat Roast and Graduation
One may not think that a goat roast and a graduation go hand in hand, but really, they do. Especially in African culture. Roasting a goat is the way to celebrate something big. It is the ultimate feast.
So it was very fitting that our RVA kids, now in college in the area, requested a goat roast for an end of the year meal. After all, we had a lot to celebrate.Our freshmen students had just finished their first year of college. One of our students got her driver's license this year. Another had just been accepted into the Nursing Program. Most had summer jobs or trips lined up. And one was ready to graduate from college. We have had so much fun hanging out with these kids this year.
A huge milestone was attending Josh's graduation from college a few days later. Josh was in our dorm for his freshman and sophomore year at RVA and we have stayed in touch with him and his family over the years. We felt honored to attend his graduation and be a part of his big day. We are so proud of him!
So it was very fitting that our RVA kids, now in college in the area, requested a goat roast for an end of the year meal. After all, we had a lot to celebrate.Our freshmen students had just finished their first year of college. One of our students got her driver's license this year. Another had just been accepted into the Nursing Program. Most had summer jobs or trips lined up. And one was ready to graduate from college. We have had so much fun hanging out with these kids this year.
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| Girls making chapatis. |
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| Boys cutting the meat. |
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| Our simple meal turned into a gourmet feast with the help of my Mom! |
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| Nothing more romantic than a hunk of goat meat between you! |
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| The weather allowed us to enjoy our feast outdoors! |
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| Ian and his best buddy, Eun Sung |
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| Rachel and Lyndsey pounding the spices for chai. |
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| The whole group |
A huge milestone was attending Josh's graduation from college a few days later. Josh was in our dorm for his freshman and sophomore year at RVA and we have stayed in touch with him and his family over the years. We felt honored to attend his graduation and be a part of his big day. We are so proud of him!
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| Josh and his sister Rachel |
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| Jeff, Josh, Rachel and I |
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| The RVA gang... |
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Trust Raising
Support Raising. If that doesn't strike fear in a missionary's heart, I don't know what does. This is probably my least favorite part about our life as missionaries in Kenya. It can be humbling. Awkward at times. If I could magically wave a wand and be a missionary without having to ask for money I would do it in a heartbeat. But I know I would miss out on relationships with people who partner with us and are excited to be a part of the ministry at RVA. And I know it would be a lot easier to trust in myself, rather than trusting in God and His provision for us.
Right now we have a huge hurdle in front of us. We have 25% of our monthly support to raise before we head back to Kenya in August. That translates to about $1800 a month. It seems like an impossible hurdle to us. I wish I could wave my magic support wand right now and be at 100%. But I realize that this so much than support raising.
For us, this is about trust raising. Do we really trust in God? And I am not talking about the clenched-fist, have-to-have-my-way trusting in God. Do we trust Him with no strings attached? God is bringing us to a point in our lives where we realize how out of control we really are. We have no control over our future right now. As much as we long to be back in Kenya by August, we cannot - in our own strength- get there. Do we trust God with an open hand, for whatever He has in store for us?
I firmly believe in God's sovereignty. If He wants us back in Kenya, He will bring in the funds. Easy as that. We are doing our part, but it is God who will bring us to 100% if it is His will. So, that being said, my prayer now is for patience and trust as we wait. And that God will reveal His good plans to us. More than wanting to be fully supported, we want to be in the center of God's will for our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!
Right now we have a huge hurdle in front of us. We have 25% of our monthly support to raise before we head back to Kenya in August. That translates to about $1800 a month. It seems like an impossible hurdle to us. I wish I could wave my magic support wand right now and be at 100%. But I realize that this so much than support raising.
For us, this is about trust raising. Do we really trust in God? And I am not talking about the clenched-fist, have-to-have-my-way trusting in God. Do we trust Him with no strings attached? God is bringing us to a point in our lives where we realize how out of control we really are. We have no control over our future right now. As much as we long to be back in Kenya by August, we cannot - in our own strength- get there. Do we trust God with an open hand, for whatever He has in store for us?
I firmly believe in God's sovereignty. If He wants us back in Kenya, He will bring in the funds. Easy as that. We are doing our part, but it is God who will bring us to 100% if it is His will. So, that being said, my prayer now is for patience and trust as we wait. And that God will reveal His good plans to us. More than wanting to be fully supported, we want to be in the center of God's will for our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Spring Update
March is nearly over and I am finally getting around to updating our blog. Life is speeding along at 100 miles an hour here in Rockford, MI. The kids are on Spring Break this week, which means I have a break from subbing too! Spring is finally starting to creep into West Michigan - sending robins chirping in our trees, sunnier days and people clad in shorts and t-shirts in 40 degree weather (only in Michigan!). The kids are out blowing bubbles on a frosty lawn as I write this post.
A highlight of this past week has been our church Easter drama. Megan has taken an interest in acting lately. She was able to participate in the children's Christmas drama in December and so when she expressed enthusiasm over the Easter drama, we signed up right away. I am helping in childcare all week and Megan is on the stage - loving every minute! It has been fun to be a part of such a big production - our church does a fabulous job every year! And I am moved each time I see the scene of our Savior dying on the cross for our sins, then rising again! I never want to take that for granted.
As we near the summer months, we are still hopeful that our support will come in on time for our projected mid-August departure. We are currently around 71% of our needed monthly support. We have a few speaking engagements lined up in the next few months. Please pray with us for God to provide and make His plans clear to us.
We continue to be amazed and challenged by our RVA students - from near and afar. As we interact with our college students here in the West Michigan area, we are so excited to see them transitioning well to life in the United States and still holding on to their unique "Big Picture World View" that they are so blessed to have, being Third Culture Kids. One of our students recently said that when she pursues a college major and a job someday, it is not about the money or fame, but about being where God wants her and making an impact for eternity. To hear that makes our hearts burst with joy - and that is our prayer for our family too!
Have a blessed Easter!
A highlight of this past week has been our church Easter drama. Megan has taken an interest in acting lately. She was able to participate in the children's Christmas drama in December and so when she expressed enthusiasm over the Easter drama, we signed up right away. I am helping in childcare all week and Megan is on the stage - loving every minute! It has been fun to be a part of such a big production - our church does a fabulous job every year! And I am moved each time I see the scene of our Savior dying on the cross for our sins, then rising again! I never want to take that for granted.
As we near the summer months, we are still hopeful that our support will come in on time for our projected mid-August departure. We are currently around 71% of our needed monthly support. We have a few speaking engagements lined up in the next few months. Please pray with us for God to provide and make His plans clear to us.
We continue to be amazed and challenged by our RVA students - from near and afar. As we interact with our college students here in the West Michigan area, we are so excited to see them transitioning well to life in the United States and still holding on to their unique "Big Picture World View" that they are so blessed to have, being Third Culture Kids. One of our students recently said that when she pursues a college major and a job someday, it is not about the money or fame, but about being where God wants her and making an impact for eternity. To hear that makes our hearts burst with joy - and that is our prayer for our family too!
Have a blessed Easter!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
A Bigger Story
Well, the big night is now behind us! Thank you to all of you who came out on Saturday night to the Cheney Place! We were blown away by the love and support we felt that night. We had so much help from family, friends and church members. Here are some pictures from our evening:
Monday, February 18, 2013
News From Here and There
News from here in Michigan:
The kids are on Mid-Winter break for two days - enjoying the sledding and winter fun that Michigan has to offer.
Our event, "A Bigger Story" is this week-end! We hope to see you all there! It is going to be a great night of ministry update, mingling and munching! Check out our sidebar for more information. It's not too late to sign up!
We continue to be thankful for our church and all the wonderful resources we can plug into this year. Last night we had praise service. One and a half hours of pure worship. I could feel tears welling up at times at just the beauty of worshiping in Spirit and in Truth. I love our church family.
We see our RVA kids in the area about once a month. We had them over again last week. It is such a joy to laugh together! We are so pleased to see them transitioning well to college life and plugging into church, school and friends so well.
News from over there in Kenya:
The father of one of our RVA students passed away this past week from an unexpected illness. This is a child's greatest fear - losing a parent. Not only is this dear family grieving deeply, but it raises a new anxiety among the student body. Please pray for this family - a mom and 6 children.
Kenya's elections are coming up in March. Four years ago this time proved to be one of tragedy and unrest. No one wants to see that story repeat itself. Please pray for peace.
The kids are on Mid-Winter break for two days - enjoying the sledding and winter fun that Michigan has to offer.
Our event, "A Bigger Story" is this week-end! We hope to see you all there! It is going to be a great night of ministry update, mingling and munching! Check out our sidebar for more information. It's not too late to sign up!
We continue to be thankful for our church and all the wonderful resources we can plug into this year. Last night we had praise service. One and a half hours of pure worship. I could feel tears welling up at times at just the beauty of worshiping in Spirit and in Truth. I love our church family.
We see our RVA kids in the area about once a month. We had them over again last week. It is such a joy to laugh together! We are so pleased to see them transitioning well to college life and plugging into church, school and friends so well.
News from over there in Kenya:
The father of one of our RVA students passed away this past week from an unexpected illness. This is a child's greatest fear - losing a parent. Not only is this dear family grieving deeply, but it raises a new anxiety among the student body. Please pray for this family - a mom and 6 children.
Kenya's elections are coming up in March. Four years ago this time proved to be one of tragedy and unrest. No one wants to see that story repeat itself. Please pray for peace.
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