Being here in Kenya we are very encouraged by what God is doing and the impact that is taking place in lives as a result of our ministry together. Here are some reflections thus far at the end of our ninth day in Africa.

This morning I had the privilege to talk with all of the staff in Ilula. I spoke from Judges and reviewed the story of Gideon’s’ victory over the enemy – a small army using unique tools (trumpets and clay jars and torches). I focused on the verse (Judges 7:22) where it says that the Lord caused the enemy to begin attacking itself.

We closed the staff meeting by joining our hands in a circle – facing outward – praying with all our energy for God to have His way in defeating strongholds of poverty and spiritual bondage and bringing ELI together as a unified front to gain great ground for the sake of Christ and His growing Kingdom.

Yesterday I was so encouraged to see the new team from Water of Life minister during the church service and later at the children’s home. Their lives will not be the same as a result of their time of service. I met with Kipkaren Director Peter Meru and heard his heart and passion to see people empowered. I sat on a bench with Children’s Director John Bush on the school porch where we could overlook the entire children’s home, the school, and the new classroom. There we talked heart to heart and I was so encouraged by him – heard good advice and guidance – and felt and saw his commitment to the children and the ministry.

I have had a couple of brief meetings with Isaac Ruto who has just returned from three months of training farmers in Tanzania. He showed me his spread sheet of his daily and in some cases, hourly work with details of how many people received training and where the groups met. In the past three months he and ELI Tz staff met with 6,581 farmers. It is hard to grasp how he could have done this BUT I went over his report and there is no question. This man is an amazing gift to ELI and the needy. He shared much about the results he is seeing and this December will return for more follow-up. I hope to join him on that journey.

I had an initial meeting with ELI Sudan leader – Stephen Reech two days ago and we were to meet again today but he is struggling with Typhoid and was not able to come today.

Today (Monday) I sat in a training here in Ilula led by Mark and Cathy Lessig to 20 local school teachers and marveled at how this couple shared such insight in such creative ways to these captivated teachers. God is going to use Cathy and Mark in special ways in the future after they finish raising their support.

Making the adjustments as a family has its challenges for sure but day by day we are adjusting to what comes our way in the physical, spiritual, and emotional environments.

There is a lot of activity each week at each of the training centers. This Wednesday over 300 youth will converge on the Kipkaren Campus for the youth camp. Today was the teacher training here in Ilula, Tomorrow is a special training on a unique income generating orchid, Wednesday Samuel, Mark, and I head to a village to meet and train a large group of pastors, Thursday and Friday I head to Kipkaren for the youth camp and Samuel and Rhoda head to another village where they have been invited to be key note speakers at a retreat that hungers for ideas on Development.

Pray for :

Continued good adjustment for our boys.

For Amy’s neck – seems something is out of place and she feels some pains.

For this week’s trainings in Ilula ( Tues on campus – Wed – Thurs Friday outreach meetings) – Kipkaren youth camp Wed through Saturday.

For strength and wisdom.

For Stephens recovery.