More than "good"...

It's been so long since I (Lindy) have posted a blog- I nearly forgot how to sign in! I'm not sure about anyone else, but I just loved Chris' last post. So many great memories!

Since we've been back in the U.S. I've been blessed to work a few days a week when we aren't traveling. I really long for my little boy those days, but he's getting good Daddy time in. It's difficult going from working as a stay-at-home mom to working away from home. It really tugs at your heartstrings.

A couple weeks ago, we were invited to Frank and Dottie's home in Wilksboro just few days before Frank, Dottie, Glenn and the Chennoworths left for Kenya. They invited a very special group of people over. Friends filled their living room who had been praying for Ezra for a long time. It was quite humbling. People showed up to meet our famous Ezra. They wanted to lay their eyes and hands on God's faithful answer to so many of their prayers. They lavished us with their presence, smiles, stories, and gifts. I wish I was not such a simple person with such simple words sometimes... because I am desperate to appropriately articulate just how that made this Mama's heart feel.

Right now, we are in sunny...er... cold/wet, Shelby NC. Chris was asked to speak at Gardner-Webb University for their "Celebration Week". As Chris began preparing for this week several weeks back, a good friend of his encouraged him to spend plenty of time praying in preparation. God used that friend of ours in an incredible way. Not just for this week, but in our personal and family prayer life as well.

Chris will speak a total of 5 times throughout the week. I will do my best not to use Chris' name because it is/was truly the Holy Spirit's working. Last night was the first night of Celebration Week. As the Lord dealt with Chris' heart on the issue of prayer he was led to spend the first night on prayer. Prompting students to pray for themselves, peers, the university and even around the world. Students were on their faces before our Savior! It was such an incredible sight that brought me to tears SO many times throughout the evening. I stood in the very back in case my exhausted Ezra awoke from his slumber while strapped to me. It was SUCH A BLESSING to watch these students praise with outstretched arms in worship and prayer before their King! With tears surging down my flushed cheeks I watched a handsome young man, lacking his sight and hearing, admire and praise his Jesus like nothing I'd ever seen.

I eagerly anticipate tonight's outpouring of the Holy Spirit yet again...

Oh how "good" doesn't come close to describing Him.

Please pray for the rest of this week, the students here, and what God WILL accomplish! We all must remain faithful to our part He has asked of us. We'll try and put a few pictures up after this that capture our time here.

~Team Thompson

The Year That Was...

It was the best of times, it was the ... well,... best of times!

In the newsletter for January we highlighted a few pictures that really captured the pulse of this past year. We'd like to take a little more time to look in and show you all the ways that God sent servants, brought smiles, grew disciples, polished ministers, and changed lives.

(in no specific order)

Frank & Dottie Shealy give themselves to Kenya every year! They helped paint the lockers for the Saint Boys. Pray for them because they are in Kenya right now, serving... again!

Lindy with Sylvia, Brian, and Paul. Just look at how far these children have come since we were able to meet them! (see this older picture and remind yourself of their story)

Pastor Lon Chinowith (Baptist Home BC) came and taught at Berith Bible College and preached to Berith Church back in January.

Do you remember when we took the Saint Boys camping and hiking at Mount Longonot? Mr. Russell Knight came and spent time loving on the boys. (He and Sara had their first child a few weeks before Ezra came!)

Dad came back with a team from Salem Baptist Church. Noah and my father get along so well! Very similar!

The boys trying to wash Wallace. This was a funny sight to see.

Kiangoi Rahman Onsomu (Thomas) graduated in September from Berith Bible College. When I asked him, "So are you going to look for a church to pastor?" He laughed and said, "I'm too scared to do that. I'll just stick to chickens." But he now has more understanding of God's Word to lead his family and serve at his church.

Mr. Ezra Lewis Thompson joined our family this year! Wallace took him under his wing... literally.

Max and Pat Rollins (Lindy's parents) came and spent 3 weeks with us (actually they really came to see Ezra, but we did manage to show them much of Kenya! They fell in love with the Saint Boys. I mean, 'how could you not love them?')

Thanks to Miss Grace Kriegel, 3 of our boys made it a good private school. She worked them hard, but they loved her so much. And she loved... er... LOVES them.

Wallace waited patiently for Ezra's arrival. He even helped decorate his room.

We began our incubation and hatching this year. After some setbacks (lost 400 chicks and government regulations getting tighter) we have Thomas and Noah ready to make this a big success!

Mr. Cameron spent extra time with us and particularly the Saint Boys. They loved him!

Graig Austin came with a U of Mich team who spent one particular day helping disabled children enjoy horseback riding! They were so good with those kids. (except a certain person is terrified of large animals. No names need be mentioned. g.a.)

A series of fuel shortages made driving interesting during April/May.

Salem Baptist Church shared with Jamoca School one day. They sang songs, played games, gave testimonies, and loved on so many children.

Sorority girls from Ole Miss came with NDI and spent all their energy giving to these children. What an encouragement they were!

Due to the drought and famine in Northern Kenya, we were able to help bless countless others with nearly 4 tons of food!

Our dear friends Jonathan and Sandra Keytel returned back to South Africa. I've never met two more giving and encouraging people in my life. My family's life will never be the same because of the love displayed by these 2 saints... these 2 friends.

And the Saint Boys enjoyed an early Christmas just before we left for the US. Ezra got to give his gift to them too!

What a year 2011 was

The Finish

Our deepest thanks and appreciation to all who shared in the Christmas Blessing Project this year! Many of you answered this invitation through your gifts, support, prayers, and advocation. We will be excited to return to Kenya and report to our Kenyan friends all that God has done through your gifts! (And if you'd still like to give, then you are welcome to do so).

Let me give a report on how you responded and what was raised:

1. Educating a Saint - We have now accounted for enough scholarships to cover all 8 boys through this year! Wow! What an extraordinary feat! Eight young men will be able to enroll, attend, and be provided with a solid educational experience. There are years to follow for these boys, but we are confident that their education will be provided.

2. Cooking School - Both candidates for cooking school are all but covered! That's right; the funds have been secured to send them both with the exception of a few dollars remaining for one. (and you can still contribute to this need!)

3. Bible Scholar - 4 students at Berith Bible College now have the rest of their Bible Training covered. I am quite eager to return and give the good news to those individuals!

4. Chicken Farm - Several chickens were purchased to help one particular farm grow. These chickens will be the catalyst for their future success in chicken farming.

5. Entrepreneur - We have received a donation toward this opportunity, but there is still a need for more. I'm encouraged because the funds will help provide a business to support a believer's family as well as establish a G0d-centered business in the market place. (continue praying and considering ways to help in this opportunity).

Thanks again for all you have shared with during this project. We are, indeed, honored to serve alongside you.

~Chris, Lindy, Ezra, and ALL of Only Servants Ministries!

*** Next week we will publish several key things as we enter 2012! Don't miss that report!!! ***

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING (pt. 4)

Today there are 4 days before Christmas and 10 days before we welcome a new year. This past week I thought about how different the start of this coming year may be for some of our friends in Kenya as opposed to the previous year. This year, many will start the year off with hope realized. You have become the agent God uses to bring that tangible hope to countless people in Kenya. I'd like to give you an update on the progress of this project. May it encourage you as much as it has encouraged us!

1. We have now received enough funds to send 2 people to culinary arts school! Praise God for that!!!

2. We have received funds for one of our young men in the Saint Boys Project to pay for half a years schooling! (there are still at least 6 more)

3. Another partner will have some business start-up captial due to a faithful sponsor like you! Awesome!

4. One scholarship is now covered for a student at Berith Bible College! They will be able to study without worry of funds! AMEN!!!

5. And several chickens will soon be crawling around a chicken farm as you have paid for them! These will mean a future income for a brother/sister in Kenya!!!

These show us and our partners that love has feet, hands, hearts, and are closer than we realize!

4 days till Christmas / 10 days till 2012: What will you do with this opportunity?

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING (pt. 3)

Continuing our month-long project bringing blessings to others, we'd like to share with you a brief video of one special friend who received the gift of a chicken farm nearly 2 years ago. Watch this quick video of Pastor Vitalis Nasongo telling what the blessing of a chicken farm has meant, and continues to mean, to he and his family.

This is just one success story that many dear friends have been a part of helping bring to others in Kenya. As you consider what role God would have you and your family to play in this Christmas Blessing Project, may this testimony from my friend Vitalis be an encouragement to you.

***Praise Report***

We have received enough funds for one Kenyan friend to enter cooking school! That means his entire schooling and supplies is covered for him to begin this training! Praise to Christ and thanks to those who contributed toward this need!

Amen!

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING (pt. 2)

If this is your first visit to the site to follow up on the "A Christmas Blessing" project, then scroll down (or click here) to read the introduction to this project from last week. Keep checking back each week as we add more content and keep you better connected to this team!

Hopefully each one reading this has received, in the mail, the packet which lays out the details of this special project. We've had a couple of wonderful comments that have encouraged us since we went public with it. Thanks for your partnership and help! Again, don't hesitate to ask your questions or respond with other ideas. You, your family, your church, and your friends are part of what we do.

Now I want to offer a few bits of information that may help you as you're reading and praying through this project:

1. Who is benefiting from this project?

We have several Kenyan partners, fellow brothers and sisters, and other target individuals with great need in Kenya. The goal of this project is to stand beside these individuals by providing sound opportunities for growth in their lives. The opportunities in your packet vary according to the needs we've discovered over the last year(s). Some of those individuals need better education, training, and apprenticeship. Others need a means to provide for their families and ministries. We have investigated each opportunity as best as possible to be as sure as possible of its legitimacy and potential benefit for the individual.

2. What happens when one of the needs is filled?

When a specific opportunity is filled, we will inform you via the blog, newsletter, and other sources (like email) that it is indeed covered! This will allow individuals to consider moving their planned giving unto another area. (We look forward to "crossing off" parts of the list as they're covered!)

3. Are smaller gift options a monthly commitment?

No. They represent 1/12th of the total cost (roughly) for that particular area. You are welcome to pledge a years commitment toward that need if you'd like or you can cover the equivalent of one month's cost.

4. Is there a way to follow the project need that we give toward?

As often as possible over the next year, we will be giving updates on each area/each recipient. We will publish that via the blog, newsletter, and e-mail blasts. You can follow it through any of those or through all of them. Just make sure we have your mailing address and email address. You are also welcome to email us at anytime for updates.

5. Can we share this with others who may want to help?

Please pass this along to anyone who might want to consider giving something more than just a temporary gift this Christmas.

Thanks again for your time and partnership!

(more updates to come!)

"A CHRISTMAS BLESSING"

Part 1 of a weekly update on this Christmas project. Check back periodically for updated content, videos, testimonials, and other information that will encourage you as you follow and participate in this adventure with us!

Many of you will be receiving, if you haven't already received, a packet of information from us regarding "A Christmas Blessing" project we've begun. In it, you'll find a brief explanation on what we're doing and then the specific ways that you can be a blessing to someone in another country; another place this Christmas. If you have not received any mailings from us and are unsure if we have your address, please email us at: chrisandlindyt@gmail.com and we'll mail one out to you immediately.

Each week, we will give you a bit more depth into the areas listed in the mailing you received. This, combined with periodic videos and testimonials, will help create a connection between you and those individuals who may receive a "seed" that you plant by way of your gift. You, like Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:6, will be planting something that we will help water. Yet God is the one who will grow it and multiply it!

Watch this quick video that will introduce this project, then check back on this website where we'll post more information to help you better connect. Now, let me invite you to join us this Christmas in our "A Christmas Blessing" project!