Our Friend, Pastor Beatrice

PASTOR BEATRICE 

As our team gets ready to go to Kenya is just a few weeks, there is excitement generating about seeing Pastor Beatrice.  Don't you feel that way when you see an old friend?  That is how we view Pastor Beatrice.  She is a not just someone that hosts our team, or someone we serve, but she is a friend.  She has visited our church, she has hosted us in her home.  She loves us and we love her.  She is an amazing sister in Christ.  She started out as one of our star students, and it did not take very long before we were learning from her.  She taught us about generosity as we learned that she and her husband fiananced and built their very large church, where they reach out to their neighbors, including orphans.  She stays true to the needs of the children each Sunday, and her expectations of her teachers are very high.  She does not let the fact that she is a woman in career field that is mostly men stop her.  She is amazing, she is a friend, and I understand why the team can't wait to see her.  

Would you pray for Pastor Beatrice?  Pray that her team feels prepared for our team.  Pray that what our teams would come together to do might things for God's kingdom and the children of Kenya. 

Saying Yes to God!!

BALLS AND BOOKS ACROSS AFRICA

saying yes to God  

As you continue to pray for the Kenya 2015 Team, I wanted to share a story of what can  happen AFTER a trip!  

On Jeff's second trip to Africa he had a chance to trade some kids a beautiful, brand new soccer ball for the homemade soccer ball they had put together from trash.  The boys were delighted and Jeff's ministry, Balls and Books Across Africa started!  Jeff, a second grade teacher and the father of two boys involved in sports,  gathers sports equipment and books during the year.  He sends the equipment to those who need it.....those that are serving some of the most vulnerable children of the world.  

How does this happen?  How does a 2nd Grade teacher go from living his normal suburban life, to having his own ministry to vulnerable children......his garage cluttered with equipment waiting to be used?  

It happens out of obedience.  Jeff said yes.....Ellie said yes.......you said yes.  Jeff said yes when God called him to go to Kenya for the first time in 2011, and then again in 2013.   Ellie said yes, when God called her to send Jeff off and manage two busy boys on her own.  You said yes when you sent Jeff.  Maybe you gave money, maybe you prayed.  Jeff went and he let God in.  He let God break his heart for the least of these, and out of obedience he acted.  

Why is it important for kids to have sports equipment?  Because Jeff and others have taught Christian leaders in Kenya how to use sports for the purpose of evangelism.  They need equipment to do that, and God has used Jeff to make sure that happens.  

Each of us are called by God to act.....to do something for His kingdom.  Are you being obedient?  Are you listening?  You do not have to leave to act...to listen.  You can do that wherever you are.  

Pray that our team will be obedient as they prepare to serve.  Pray that their hearts will be open to what God wants them to do.  Pray that they will bring some of their work home with them.  Sometimes that is a good thing!! 

PRAY FOR BALLS AND BOOKS ACROSS AFRICA 

Bishop Charles and I teaching in Kenya, 2013. 

There has been a lot of talk about one our Ministry Partners, Bishop Charles this week.  Bishop Charles was involved in a Sports Camp that was attacked, and people were injured.  It has been hard for me to get my mind around that. How can we live in a world where children can not go to sports camp without threat of danger?  Of course, we see kids go to school here with a threat of danger.  It is in these cases of senseless violence that I find my self "poor in Spirit".  I have been thinking about that a lot the last two weeks.  What does it mean to be poor in Spirit?  It means that we are helpless to do anything else but cry out to God and ask for His healing, his strength.  We are powerless.  However,  He WANTS us to be part of His story.  He WANTS us to pray, to come to Him.  So, I do.  In the middle of tragic events it is all I can do.  But that is powerful!  It is everything.  Asking God to unleash His mighty power on behalf of those that are suffering.  I want to be a part of that.  It may be all I can do, but it is powerful.  Let me challenge you to do the same.  When you are poor in spirit, back up and let God be mighty!