It's 6:44 am and I'm sitting in the London airport. I'm sitting here watching a young lady sleep. She hasn't really slept in 3 days. She didn't sleep on the flight and she didn't sleep much the night before we left Nairobi. Yes. I was in Nairobi. I was in Nairobi because my job was not complete. No, not the job of "mission work" or anything related to our work in Kenya. This is related to a promise- a promise I made to a young lady years earlier and reminded her of just a week earlier.
"I'm not done being involved in your life and helping you get to where you're supposed to go. You are still my 'Timothy' and this 'Paul' has been instructed to continue what we started years earlier." I concluded her letter, where this comment was written, by telling her she'll never walk alone. ...
... so I left for Kenya on Tuesday afternoon to go get my friend; my sister. I was not about to let her walk alone through the hell that had just descended upon her life. There was more to come too. More pain and agony awaited her when she arrived back home to the full reality of what had taken place on that same Tuesday morning. No, she wasn't going to walk alone. She wasn't going to have to experience the beginning of this void of her family and friends. And she certainly shouldn't have to start an 8,000 mile journey back by herself. How overwhelming that must have seemed.
She's quiet now. She's finally getting some sleep. She needs it. But she needs the warm embrace of the family that loves her and is desperate to envelope her in their warmth. And I plan to deliver her for that therapy. She's not just some "young lady" or "friend". This is my sister. And a brother would do anything for the sister he loves. There was never any doubt that I'd come to get her.
What she, and her family, needs now is love lived out. She won't require our words as much as she'll require our love which compels us to action. That action can be fervent prayers for this grieving family. It can be service to them by way of a meal, yard work, and a simple embrace. It can also be a resolve to live as their daughter lived: as much like Christ as possible. If I had to compare others, or even myself, in our walk with Christ against her's,.... I'm afraid most of us would come up very short.
So I'm sitting her in London. It's now 7:01 am. She's still sleeping and I'm still typing. And I'm also very very honored to do for Grace what Paige would have done. I'm glad to show her my love, not just tell her. I'm glad she didn't have to walk alone.
When's the last time love compelled you to uncommon action? If you can't remember, how do you know you have love for them? Don't wait to be asked. Don't hesitate to sacrifice. Don't think this is for me. I love gk because I love Christ. And I'd do again tomorrow.
"Truly Truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." - John 12:24
Thank you Paige for giving all of yourself. It won't be in vain. The harvest is coming...
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Letters From Home
Our family has nearly completed it's transition back to the US. In another few weeks, we'll move into a house nearby and fully be into our next transition of life. Lindy has been working since we returned. She was offered a wonderful job with the doctors she served in the past. Though it's part-time, it's a great job working for good people. I'm currently working on the possibility of returning to teaching art classes through a local home school group. This would give our family an additional income, use talents and skill I have, and still allow Lindy or I to be at home to disciple Ezra. We ask for your continued prayers as this all takes shape.
We've also been talking (Lindy and I) about ways to impact our community and neighbors around us. We are committed to ministry and "missions", no matter where we live. Before ever departing for Kenya, our home was a place of constant traffic. We had students come by for advice and encouragement, men who needed connection and direction for their lives, and we even hosted events at our house. With that being said; we hope to do the same. Lindy has been burdened for a while for a specific group of people and she's looking at ways to reach out to them. I'm excited to watch her passion lead her to action. I'm getting excited about hosting men's Bible studys and other venues for guys to come and sharpen themselves against other men. It's these types of ministries that excite us. And it's IN these types of ministries that God has often come to bring direction for us and others into deeper service! We ask that you keep this in prayer. Pray that God would direct us to be open to love on others and seek personal growth for ourselves and family at the same time.
An update on Meshack: I am so encouraged as I tell you that Meshack's friends and family have continued to rally to his side. Not only have they shown up at his house, prayed for him, brought him food, and loved on him; a week ago they conducted a fund raiser on his behalf. These amazing people were able to raise over $2500.00 USD!!! That is simply amazing! A people who so often have little in the way of material and monetary possession, gave much. Some, I'm imagining, gave sacrificially. This means that 2 more cycles of Chemotherapy treatment are covered! I have received another $350 and will be adding that to other moneys on hand. I hope to make another deposit to them by early next week. Again, if you'd like to help, it would be very welcomed. (Email me and let me know: chrisandlindyt@gmail.com)
Saint Boys: The boys are doing well. I received a brief email from Deo on Thursday and he informed me that the boys are doing well. They are due to take end-of-term tests during the last week of July. Keep them in prayer please during this time!
James' ear has been improving as well. What I should say, is that his hearing seems to be improving! We are still planning on having his second surgery in either January or February.
The boys are also "pumping iron". Before leaving I gave them my set of dumbells and weights. I gave them a few exercises to do and told them that if they wanted to be serious about "toning up", they needed to be mindful of what they were eating. Well, they have taken it seriously!!! Brian and Thuku are well on their way to becoming body-builders! I'll try and get some photos to show you. Maybe I should send them a few Cross-fit workouts! :)
Thanks for continuing to read, pray, follow, and support this ministry. You are a great blessing to so many!
~Chris, Lindy, & Ezra
We've also been talking (Lindy and I) about ways to impact our community and neighbors around us. We are committed to ministry and "missions", no matter where we live. Before ever departing for Kenya, our home was a place of constant traffic. We had students come by for advice and encouragement, men who needed connection and direction for their lives, and we even hosted events at our house. With that being said; we hope to do the same. Lindy has been burdened for a while for a specific group of people and she's looking at ways to reach out to them. I'm excited to watch her passion lead her to action. I'm getting excited about hosting men's Bible studys and other venues for guys to come and sharpen themselves against other men. It's these types of ministries that excite us. And it's IN these types of ministries that God has often come to bring direction for us and others into deeper service! We ask that you keep this in prayer. Pray that God would direct us to be open to love on others and seek personal growth for ourselves and family at the same time.
An update on Meshack: I am so encouraged as I tell you that Meshack's friends and family have continued to rally to his side. Not only have they shown up at his house, prayed for him, brought him food, and loved on him; a week ago they conducted a fund raiser on his behalf. These amazing people were able to raise over $2500.00 USD!!! That is simply amazing! A people who so often have little in the way of material and monetary possession, gave much. Some, I'm imagining, gave sacrificially. This means that 2 more cycles of Chemotherapy treatment are covered! I have received another $350 and will be adding that to other moneys on hand. I hope to make another deposit to them by early next week. Again, if you'd like to help, it would be very welcomed. (Email me and let me know: chrisandlindyt@gmail.com)
Saint Boys: The boys are doing well. I received a brief email from Deo on Thursday and he informed me that the boys are doing well. They are due to take end-of-term tests during the last week of July. Keep them in prayer please during this time!
James' ear has been improving as well. What I should say, is that his hearing seems to be improving! We are still planning on having his second surgery in either January or February.
The boys are also "pumping iron". Before leaving I gave them my set of dumbells and weights. I gave them a few exercises to do and told them that if they wanted to be serious about "toning up", they needed to be mindful of what they were eating. Well, they have taken it seriously!!! Brian and Thuku are well on their way to becoming body-builders! I'll try and get some photos to show you. Maybe I should send them a few Cross-fit workouts! :)
Thanks for continuing to read, pray, follow, and support this ministry. You are a great blessing to so many!
~Chris, Lindy, & Ezra
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Meshack Update
I wanted to give you all a quick update on Meshack and the status of his Chemotherapy he's under going right now:
Meshack is scheduled for 6 rounds of Chemo in total. He has already received the first two. At the end of this week, he will go in for an evaluation and scan with his Oncologist to determine the affects the drugs have had on the cancerous tissue. If the doctor is pleased with the way the drugs are reacting then he'll continue with the remaining 4 treatments. (I'll try to give you an update once we receive word from them about their visit)
The entire family wanted me to share with you their deep gratitude for the support, love, prayers, and assistance each of you have given unto them. I, too, want to say 'Thank you' for all you have done and are doing. I know of so many who have fasted on Meshack's behalf over the past few weeks. These are being honored by our Father!
Please continue to lift he and his family in prayer.
Please continue to consider ways you can support them through this challenging and expensive situation.
Email us at anytime and we will certainly pass along your words of encouragement unto this sweet family.
Blessings,
~Chris
Meshack is scheduled for 6 rounds of Chemo in total. He has already received the first two. At the end of this week, he will go in for an evaluation and scan with his Oncologist to determine the affects the drugs have had on the cancerous tissue. If the doctor is pleased with the way the drugs are reacting then he'll continue with the remaining 4 treatments. (I'll try to give you an update once we receive word from them about their visit)
The entire family wanted me to share with you their deep gratitude for the support, love, prayers, and assistance each of you have given unto them. I, too, want to say 'Thank you' for all you have done and are doing. I know of so many who have fasted on Meshack's behalf over the past few weeks. These are being honored by our Father!
Please continue to lift he and his family in prayer.
Please continue to consider ways you can support them through this challenging and expensive situation.
Email us at anytime and we will certainly pass along your words of encouragement unto this sweet family.
Blessings,
~Chris
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