215 boxes...

I helped my friend Kim take our church's OCC boxes to the Lexington collection center on Monday.  RFBC had 215 boxes.  Woohoo! Both our vehicles were "stuffed to the rafters!"  We almost had to strap Joe and Sam to the top of the car- if we would have had any more boxes.  The boys were a huge help loading boxes and taking them into the church.

Just a reminder- the last day for boxes to be turned in to OCC is November 24.  If you just joined us- check out the OCC distribution we were blessed to be a part of in Kawangware at World Hope Academy.  

If you are interested in helping prepare millions of OCC shoeboxes for children in need click here

Volunteering here will bless your socks off... I promise!!

The work goes on

In just a few short weeks, we will be returning to the place God has called us.  We don't want to miss any of the wonderful blessings that we receive while here with all of you, yet we must remain committed to the soil God has given us responsibility to labor in.   With this responsibility, preparations must be made for the upcoming year.   Arriving back in Kenya, virtually, at the start of a new year, means that all new challenges, questions, needs, rewards, blessings, and work will be awaiting us and our national brothers and sisters.  

I would like to take this time to highlight some specific areas that WE all can be in prayer for as the new year approaches.  Again, this is a very important way that we can invite you all to share in the ministry alongside us.  If you need to, print out this list and place it where you can be reminded to pray each day.  Carry it with you.  Share it with someone else.  

1.  Attitude and Obedience within us first -  Pray for Lindy & Chris to have the proper attitude and demonstrate complete obedience.

2.  Commitment to Ministry - Pray that our national partners remain committed to the ministry.  Pray that our US partners and friends continue to commit to the ministry.

3.  Growth - In order for new ministry to be possible, we need continued growth from believers in Kenya along with growth of our financial resources.  Please pray that we see the growth of faithful supporters in this ministry.

4.  Team - Please pray for the entire Only Servants Ministries team.  Pray for the individual pastors, leaders, and family members who live in the environments we only visit.  Pray for their health.  Pray for their protection.  

5.  New Ground - Please pray that the Lord would reveal any and all "new ministry" endeavors that we are to be a part of.  As we seek to grow what we do, it's paramount that God does the leading and revealing.

6.  New Team Members - Please pray that God sends the servants He wants to partner with this ministry for future work.  

7.  Harvest - Please pray that God would overflow all of our cups as we remain committed to him and his work.  Seeing rewards from faithful laboring encourages us all.   This is all for His glory, so we seek the honor of celebrating with Him.

Thank you so much for your role in our lives and this ministry.  As you have read, heard, and followed the excitement of the last 6 months, we hope you recognize that you cannot say, "their ministry" any longer as you talk about us.  You are now a part of us forever.  When you read blogs like this, when you email us with questions, when you listen to our stories, when you bow your head in prayer for a new believer, when you offer your gift of support and finances to this ministry, you are demonstrating one simple truth:

You are Only a Servant also!   And we are honored to share this work together with you.

Only Servants and nothing more,

~Chris & Lindy Thompson

A taste of Kenya

Last night we had friends and family over for an authentic kenyan meal.  Complete with Dengu, Ugali, Succumawiki, and Chapatis.  Everyone... for the most part, enjoyed it. 

We even had people eating with their hands.  But the wimps broke down and used a spoon.... Pfff!  Americans!

Levi even got in on the action.  Matt, pretty much just piled everything on his plate on the chapati.
Beth was such a trooper.  She makes me laugh.  She kept saying- "now Lindy, what is the right way to eat this?  How should I mold my Ugali into the perfect spoon?"  She was NOT among the weak.  
Sam really enjoyed himself as well.

Ol' CT making the chapatis.  Succuma and Chapatis- EVERYONE liked!  

    (please note Thomas' bird that flew in just to pester us-  he heard we had a great garden)

Ma, what did you really think?  She claims she liked it, but she was not a member of the clean plate club. Shame, Shame...

She always taught me to eat everything on my plate.  Who's cleaning their plate now?

 I guess what matters is that Chris and I LOVE Kenyan food and we miss the home cooking in Kibera.  The succuma tasted EXACTLY the same though, so we were VERY excited that we can still have a taste of Kenya- even here in America.

Sneads Ferry

(Well- you all know by now, that my husband is one tender man. I just adore him.  He really is too good me.)

We were welcomed with more than just open arms to our first speaking engagment at Salem Baptist Church in Sneads Ferry NC.  This is a church all too familiar to Chris as it is where he grew up and came to learn of God's redeeming love.  We had such a great time with family, friends, and the church family.  Our precious niece, Emma, is getting so big and even more beautiful.  We miss her and our nephew, Levi, so much.  But I will say as we are putty in their hands when we get to be with them, it is well worth the sacrifice knowing that kingdom grows.  I wasn't sure either of them would know who we were when returned home, but the first time I saw Levi (9mo) at the airport, he reached out his arms for me.  The first time i saw Emma (21mo) walk in the door Wednesday evening- she ran right up into my arms hugging and kissing me saying "Nene!" (Which is what she calls me).  Emma has such a great little personality that we are finally getting to see.  She is learning to potty and she really preferred when "Srish" (what she calls chris) took her to potty.  I could brag all day about both of them, but I guess I'm "supposed" to be updating you all on the ministry.  

Chris spoke to the Baptist men and RA's on Wednesday as I was speaking to the WOM (women on missions) and GA's.  It was a great turn out and the Lord really settled my nerves so that I could say what it was He had laid on my heart.  Chris said the RA's asked the best questions.  One young boy asked "Is there piracy off the coast of Kenya like there is in Somalia?"  Another asked "What is Kenya's foreign policy?"  Wow!  

We spoke twice Sunday morning showing the Journey Video and provided a slideshow presentation with more intimate sharing time Sunday Night.  Saturday we got to bask in the delicious goodness of romanian Polenta and Fatata (an Italian brunch) with Pastor Joe and Mirella Samples.  Afterwards, Mirealla and I got to take a much needed stroll on the beach.  She has to be one of the most genuinely sweet people I know.  I could learn much about hospitality from her.  Growing up with very little in a communist country- she has SO much to give.  

      

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Sneads Ferry and at Salem Baptist- as always!  We look forward to going back in a few weeks to speak at 3 other churches in the area.   

Upcoming engagements include the following:

November 16: Thomasville Friends Church- 6pm 

November 23: Heath Church- 10am

Do you know of any churches, businesses, or individuals who may be interested in getting involved in the great commission through Only servants Ministries?  If so please let us know by commenting here or emailing us at chrisandlindyt@gmail.com. We depend upon partners supporting this ministry.

For all you crazy picture guru's out there: Here are a few pictures of this past week in the Ferry of Sneads.  :)

How Beautiful...

It was June of 2000.  

Returning to Caswell to work on Summer Staff wasn't my first choice.  Three years was long enough for me already, but circumstances left me with little option for employment and living.  Down in the dumps and feeling as worthless as a I could possibly feel, I besought Brian Hemphill for an opportunity to work that summer.  He needed someone.  I agreed to come and serve, yet again.  The first few days were nice.  Catching up with old friends and making new ones begun to heal a vacant place in my heart. 

Then I met her.  She was young.  Very young.  But she left an impression on me so incredible, I found myself wondering "what if."  Guys will talk of good-looking girls with words like "hot", "beautiful", "gorgeous", or some other overwhelming term.  Though those words are also true of her, that isn't the term that best describes my impression of her:  She burned beyond her looks.  Her personality glowed, her character beamed, and her kindness transcended.  I was hooked and didn't even know it.

It was January of 2001.

I was driving to Thomasville, North Carolina to take this young lady out for a first date.  We didn't date or even express our real interests during the summer before, but now those interests couldn't be withheld any longer.  I was not sure how this was going to play out.   Friends would joke about her age, but they didn't know the years of maturity she displayed in her conduct.  I was fortunate.  I knew what they couldn't see.  

I pulled into 667 Lee Rd on a Friday afternoon only to be greeted by a long haired smiling woman who was beside herself with joy at my arrival.  It only took one look that afternoon and I was certain.  This was going to be unlike any experience of my life.  (...and it still is)

It was March of 2001.

She had been nervous about asking me the question.  It had been on her mind for days, but she was so scared about asking.  Finally as we sat in the quietness of her parent's living room, she asked, "How did your mother pass away?"

I spent the next 30 minutes telling her my surreal story of the best-worst summer of my life.  I talked about my love for my mom.  I told her how that single moment forever changed my future.  I wasn't the same person and I was glad I wasn't.   I was glad that God was working me into something... better.  Someone she would be proud of.

She wept for so long after that.  She wept because she knew she'd never had the fortune of meeting her and enjoying long talks about life over a cup of coffee.   She knew that this relationship was worth investing in.  A key component of me was not accessible to her.  And so she wept because her heart was making room to invite me in very soon.

It was July of 2003.

She had no clue.  She knew she could never foresee my surprises coming and this one was no exception.  Several post-midnight hours were logged as my creative side's "life's work" was in production.   I have the best friends anyone could ask for.  Selflessly they stayed with me as I created my gift for her.  

She came into the multi-purpose building at Rich Fork with no clue as to what lay in waiting for her.  She always asked me to take her sailing, which I vowed to do that first summer at Caswell.  Now I was going to make good on that promise.  She climbed into her make-shift sail boat of cardboard and Christmas lights with this look only akin to seeing a 6 year olds face as they enter Disney World for the first time.  

Her voyage took her through the past.  She watched images unfold of our childhoods apart and then our recent years together.  She smiled, she laughed, she cried, ... she radiated.   Then she radiated brighter than ever as she squeaked out an emotional "yes."

It was January of 2007. 

Her heart was sensing God leading her into more.  Nursing had been a wonderful experience on so many levels for her.  She grew in her confidence of herself.  She also grew close to several young women who sharpened her faith as she did theirs.   It was in one of these relationships she learned about suffering peoples around the world.  She would hear stories of pain and sorrow in Africa.  Her heart burned for this mysterious place and this odd connection to a people she had never met.

She sat in bed one night and poured out her built-up heart's burden to me.  I resisted the notion of my wife going to a dangerous place to do something she had never done before.  She stood up to me.  I was more impressed than ever by her faith and desire to listen to God.

It was this key night that we still look to as a monumental moment in our process of coming to missions.  And God spoke to her first!

Its November 3, 2008.

I have been privileged with the most incredible woman on earth for the past eight years.  She has done more in her 26 years than the majority of the world will do in their entire lifetime.   And I am her number 1 fan.

She still has me hooked and I want her to know it.   Lindy Rollins Thompson, you are the brightest part of the tangible evidence of God in my life.  And everyday you gain radiance.  Happy Birthday!

 

Most of you are like me.  You know how special she is to each you.  Care to tell her?

Lindy Rollins Thompson 

November 3, 1982

Poly Sana (very sorry)!

Hi everyone.  Sorry it's been so long... I don't really feel like I have all that much to talk about since we've been home.  But I do eventually want to answer more questions and catch you all up on our schedule here.  I will try to do that either Sunday or Monday.

For now, please check out what Joy has been up to in Kibera.    

Today we received an update about Huruma Childrens Home where our friend Shauna works and lives.  This is an orphanage 15 min. from our house where about 150 children live.  2 nights ago "Papa" had a heart attack and died.  Please lift up Mama, Shauna, the staff and children as they try to deal with and help the children cope with his passing.  

Thomasville Sweet Thomasville

We're back in good ol' North Carolina!  Home of Cheerwine and BBQ!! 

As most of you know we traveled home starting Tuesday for us and returned to American soil Wednesday night.  As we walked from customs, Chris bolted wide eyed to the taco bell while the first thing I saw a picture of was a pumpkin cooler from Karibu coffee.  It was a done deal.  We were back and we wanted to make it official by dining on whatever we wanted!  (Ridiculous? Yes, I know.)     

We are adjusting well to time differences and so blessed to have been met at the airport by family.  Already- we are missing our national brothers and sisters.  Please continue to pray for them as they continue their daily routines with the ministry.

Why did we come home after only 4.5 months?  

As self supported missionaries we raise our own support, which requires us to travel around to various churches to inform people about what God is doing through Only Servants Ministries in Kenya.  We look at it as a perk to being self supported.  No, we don't receive a salary through an organization- but we do get to lean on God for our support and allow our faith to grow each month when we receive our monthly support report.  And now knowing how bad the economy is getting, I can't wait to see what God is going to do.  It truly is a blessing!

What happens with the ministry while we are home?

Let us not forget to continue praying for the ministry that continues every day while we are home.  My best friend Joy-(whom most of you all have met via her blog).  Is holding down the fort for at least the next month and then our friend Shauna will step in.  I encourage you to keep up with Joy's blog so that you can follow what is happening while we are here.  Joy will be over-seeing the guest house and going to Kibera to do various ministries. 

Our National Team will be continuing the ministries with which they are responsible.  They too need your prayers each day.   Each of them have extraordinary passions for ministry and encourage us more than I feel we encourage them.  Let's continue to pray for the Street Evangelism, Discipleship of new believers, and the Bible College's in both slums.   We are so blessed to have Godly brothers and sisters to co-labor with for the Kingdom! 

[On a side note: we did get to visit the lady I had mentioned that has a ministry to muslim women.  There was so much going on around then, so I never got the opportunity to post about it.  We found out the ministry she has with the muslim women is just one of MANY!  Linette is a single missionary working with AIM in the Kibera.  They have a large (for kibera) building which contains a clinic (one of 2 REGISTERED clinics in ALL of Kibera), literacy school (cost:$1.50/month), and sewing program. They have recently started a sports ministry using soccer with youth boys- that essentially fell in their lap!  Some of these young men played a part in the clashes after the election in December/January.  It was so refreshing to see something like this ministry going on in Kibera.  They use the literacy program (again, the only one in Kibera) to reach and evangelize the muslim women through establishing a relationship with them through their routine lessons. WOO!  Does that not just want to make you yell out?]

At any rate, Joy will be visiting that ministry weekly to be a part of it.  Also- they have a women's bible study which is a gift of Joy's so I'm excited for her to be a part of that.  

On the home front:

My hero (aka- dad) is having surgery today at 10am on his foot.  Please pray for him.  This is the first of many surgeries to come as he continues to grow older.  They say with age, comes wisdom.  True, but they forgot it also comes with pain.  Dad has been hurting for a while so he's ready to take the risks that come with this surgery because he's tired of limiting his activity.  Though it sounds like a simple foot surgery, my pop has some other problems that the doctors have to consider when they do surgery.  It's a lot of preparation.  It means so much to me to have your prayers both in Kenya, and here as well. Thank you for letting me share this request with you.

I'm so thankful we got to spend yesterday together while he could move around a little.  We had so much fun- voting, cutting down trees, and learning to drive the backhoe (yes- he taught me how... another check on the "things to before I die" list)