Sunday Supplications...

It's been a few weeks since we offered areas of needed prayer, so without further delay, we'd like to share some ways you can be in prayer for this ministry, our partners, this country, and what God is doing in Africa:

Prayer Requests

1. Though South Sudan is now the newest country in the world, it is still facing significant violence from the North. The Nuba Mountain area (Southern Quardifant) is constantly under duress from the North in attempts to pressure it to side with them. It is a key area for the North's bloodline: the oil pipeline. (for more information on what's going on go towww.persecutionproject.org and sign-up for their updates)

2. 6 students will be graduating from Berith Bible College this month. Pray for their ministries.

3. Pray for Northern Kenya. There has been a severe drought going for over a year in Northern Kenya. The Trukana, Rendille, Gabra, Samburu, and other tribes are suffering as their crops wilt, food supplies dwindle, and cattle die. They need help!

4. Ebenezer Farms is partnering with another chicken farm for the next several months to help them improve in numerous areas. Pray for us as well as this other ministry business which is striving to bring jobs to Kenyans and create income for ministry.

5. Patrick, Julius, and Brian will begin a weekend tutoring in August ahead of their September enrollment in Hope Academy. Pray for their minds to be focused.

6. Grace Kriegel has blessed us and countless others over the last 2 months that she's been here serving in Kenya. Pray for her last year of college. Pray that God would clearly show His plan for her life after school. Pray for the relationships she returns to back home. May they see Christ in her!

Praise

1. Maggie's surgery went well! Praise God!

2. Good friends had their first child last week! Welcome to the world Mr. Joshua Perry Crisp!

3. A team from NDI (New Directions International) came and spent time visiting schools, playing with kids, and sharing the love of Christ all over Kenya.

4. Our family!

Thank you all so very much for your prayers and persistence in following what God is doing through this ministry. Your prayers ARE making a difference!

Perspective (gk)

There's a team of 12 people visiting from NDI right now. They're from all over the place- it's a really good mix of people. They're here visiting schools, delivering food, and loving on some kids. It's been awesome to watch.

Today, we went and visited one of the schools they support in Kibera. Afterward, we walked down the railroad tracks that go straight through the center of the slum.

Last year, I wrote about what it was like to confront Kibera for the first time. Kibera left me feeling broken a year ago. But this time, it was different.

This year, the people picking through the trash on the side of the road didn't catch my wandering eyes.

This year, I ignored the dozens of kids calling out for me, begging to hold my hand, looking for just a little bit of attention from the mysterious, white visitors.

This year, I pushed through the masses of people, annoyed they were in my way, not even bothering to look them in the face.

This year, I wished the team would walk a little faster, talk to fewer people, break their gaze a little sooner- just so I could get home to the guesthouse.

This year, I drove out of Kibera and didn't even look over my shoulder at the stacks of rusted tin and waste that hundreds of thousands of people call home.


As we drove out, I wondered whether or not traffic would be bad and what we would be doing that evening. But after a moment, something else caught my attention- 3 people in the backseat of the car were singing their hearts out to God of This City, burdened by the immense need they'd just witnessed. I realized I was singing along, too... but out of habit, completely unaffected by the day's happenings. And in that moment, listening to those 3 women worship, I realized that I was wrong.

I don't know exactly what is different this year. Maybe I've let myself become numb to the poverty that I see everyday. Maybe I've let the small frustrations like interrupted plans, cross cultural misunderstandings, and failed lessons get the best of me. Sometimes, I'm just tired. A couple of times I've woken up in the morning, looked at my Bible, and wondered if I could make it to the end of the day in one piece if I didn't even open in (I can't, in case you're wondering).


But then this NDI team got here. They made me remember what it was like the very first time I set foot in Kenya, anxious to see and be a part of everything, ready to be broken if it meant furthering the Kingdom.

They reminded me that it's not okay for children go hungry. Serving food is both exciting and humbling when you realize that the kids might not eat otherwise.


They reminded me that, sometimes, you just need to get into tickle fights, dance and twirl with little girls, and hold as many little hands as you can. Because, really, you don't know when those little faces will have smiles that big again.


They reminded me that, at the end of the day, I should be tired. I should be broken. I should be begging God to move in the lives of the people I have encountered. I should have a changed heart. And every morning, I should wake up ready to be broken and poured out all over again, because Christ is so incredibly worth it.

So thank you, to the NDI team, for the fresh perspective you have offered over the course of the last several days. Thank you for being eager to come and ready to pour yourselves out. I know many of you have been praying that God would change your hearts- but I'm just glad that He used you to change mine.

Ladies & Gentlemen...

The boys with their brother, Ezra

(Side note: Due to an increase in our family's numbers, we have been experiencing 'technical difficulties' with regard to routine posting on our ministry site. We do apologize for the infrequency of posts, but trust you all understand. Sincerely, Management)

On September 6, 2011, three boys who used to live in the streets, used to gamble, used to struggle with substance abuse, and used to endure the looks of people who would bet against them succeeding in life, will begin classes at Hope Academy in Kawangware! This represents a complete 180 from where they once were.

Two weeks ago we were approved to have the boys tested for entrance into Hope Academy. They took entrance examinations last week. Three days later, the Head Master called me for a meeting. They were in! Praise God!!!

I kept this close for a few days because I wanted to make the delivery of the news special. The boys were nervous all week! (I'm so cruel to make them wait, ... but it was fun seeing them anxious.) It actually encouraged me that the boys were so anxious for this opportunity.

On Thursday, we will be taking Patrick Thuku, Brian "Halt" Maichi, and Julius Saidi to get sized for their school uniforms. They will begin weekend tutoring in August to prepare them for school life and what's going on in their respective classrooms. They are joining the first of our boys who made it to school there, Christopher Chingi. He is doing quite well in class 8 (8th grade). Patrick and Brian will begin in class 7 (7th grade), while Julius will begin with class 6. They still have a lot of work to do in improving, but what a testament to the program which took boys who hadn't been in school for years, and now has them ready to return to "normal life!"

Many of you are part of the success story for these boys. You have come here to tutor them. You've taught them numerous truths from the Bible. You've loved on them. You've supported and paid for them. You've raised awareness and prayers for them. You've invested YOUR time and YOUR resources for boys that you may not ever see again on this side of Heaven. They owe you much. My hope is that their work ethic and character in school will be an acceptable "thank you."

Grace Kriegel, Thank you for serving these boys this summer. You are such a huge part of this success story! You will go far in your life and I am so proud of you!

Now, we remain with the three youngest in the program. Our focus will turn to getting these three ready, hopefully, to test for entrance by early January 2012. They are quite behind for their ages and have a few other hurdles as well. Pray for their growth. Seeing their brothers accomplish this task will also serve as motivation for them!

Our ministry will also begin focusing on securing the funds to see ALL these boys through secondary school (high school) and through college. The cost of both are more favorable here than in the States. But what father wouldn't work for his boys in such ways?!

I am so proud of these boys.

A day in the life... (gk)

8:30- 8:55AM:

Ride to Kawangware with Chris and pretend to be interested in his endless stories and analogies. Turn up the music just a lliitttlle bit louder, and hope he catches the hint.

8:55-9:00 AM:
1. Give 74 high fives and greetings, while simultaneously preparing for the day's lessons.

2. Test every single dry erase marker at least once and keep the 2 that decide to work that morning.

3. Wrangle 3 spastic boys into their seats.

9:00-10:00 AM:
1. Teach math lessons to Brian and Patrick while Julius works on his comprehension assignment independently. James, Nicholas and Dan work on Math with Deo.

2. Say, "do you have a pencil, Patrick?" at least a dozen times.

3. Say "Julius, I think your work is on your paper, not on the ceiling!" at least twice.

4. Test all the markers again when the "good" two decide to die.

5. Avoid eye contact with James while he works with Pastor Deo to avoid a silly-faces-war during instruction.

10:00-10:05 AM:

Fastest football match known to man occurs just outside the school building.

10:05-11:00 AM:

1. It's Monday- Pastor Deo works on English with his 3 and I get my 3 ready to start on a composition.

2. "Brian, I really need you to write about THIS topic- not football. No, not your favorite food, either. THIS topic. Yes, the one I just wrote on the board for you. No, not in Kiswahili. Do I look like I can read Kiswahili?"

3. Julius, your work is on your paper, not the ceiling!"

4. "Patrick, you already went to the bathroom. Please just write your composition."

5. Accidentally catch James' eye as he does something like this:

5. Laugh hysterically.

11:00-11:05 AM: A second football match breaks out, and I'm somehow convinced to play. I'm not any good. Everyone wants me on their team anyway. I feel loved!

11:05-12:00 PM: Everyone settles in for science lessons.. Light and energy. Patrick wants to draw the glass of water so he can remember what the refraction of light is:


12:00-12:30 PM:
1. Break Time!! Everyone runs out to play football.

2. Break up a wrestling match.


3. The football's leather skin completely falls off. No one can play football. An impromptu hat show begins instead:


12:30-1:00 PM:
1. Lunch! Rice and potatoes. Starch, starch, and some more starch, please!

2. Break up a wrestling match. Again.

3. Herd 6 boys into the school building and into their seats to begin afternoon lessons.

1:00-2:00 PM:
1. English with the oldest 3 while Deo does Kiswahili with the younger 3.

2. Feel extremely proud of 3 boys who have been working REALLY hard for me over the last month!

2:00- 2:05 PM: Another quick break. Take a moment to teach the boys about making good life choices.

2:05-3:00 PM:
1. Brian and Patrick do Comprehension work independently, I do math work with Julius. Fractions- tricky.

2. Julius successfully adds and subtracts mixed fractions!

3. "Julius, please stop using the white board markers to drum on the board. Now I need to find new ones that work.."

4. "Brian, are you finished? Okay, then I need you to work. No, I don't think you need to rest your eyes. Patrick, don't punch him- he's awake. Yes, I'm sure. His eyes are open!"

3:00-3:15 PM:
1. Laugh at Nicholas' impression of "Pregnant Lindy."


2. Take a picture with all the boys, because I want to remember every single second I spend with them.

3. Give 74 more high fives and say goodbye to the boys.


Wed and Fri: Get up and do it all again, but hope that ALI is the one dropping me off!