Safe arrival in Amsterdam in route to Nairobi. Had a good conversation with a gentleman from Amsterdam on the plane. He told me that his girlfriend goes to church but it’s not his “thing”. Got a chance to tell him how important it is to have God in your life and encouraged him to find a Bible and read the book of Mark when he gets home. He agreed he would. Now waiting at the gate to board for Nairobi flight.
Thanks for your prayers,
Don
AFRICA is on my heart and I’m excited to head back to Kenya today! Sitting at LAX right now waiting for the call to board. So much to see and connect with during the next three weeks. Especially on October 11th!!! Thanks for your prayers me me as I travel and for Amy, Joshua and Nathaniel as they hold down the fort in Murrieta. God is good!
Prayers are powerful. Just received word that the team (Life Bible Fellowship led by Russ Parker and ELI staff) were able to modify the troublesome machine part and continue to drill successfully through the rock to reach 195 feet where THEY HIT WATER. God is good! Tomorrow need prayers for a quick trip to Mwanza for parts then installing casing and pouring cement slab. If all goes well, Friday will be installing of hand pump & drinking clean water. Team leaves Tanzania Saturday noon -so- Please continue to pray for this journey.
Today ELI staff are working together with a team from Life Bible Fellowship (Upland, Calif) to begin using the recently purchased LS 300T water drilling rig in Tanzania. We received a text message from Andrew Belko that on this – the first day – all machines were operating well and they have drilled 45 feet. Work continues tomorrow. Pray for continued success in this important effort to bring clean water to a dry land.
Dear family and friends,
We have just now walked through the door of the house where we will be staying in Murrieta. We are so very grateful for all of your prayers and encouragements during the long journey.
All went smoothly with the flights from Kenya and the layover in Zurich. All of our luggage arrived at LAX without mishap and was waiting on the carousel when we came down the steps in Los Angeles Airport.
We are quite tired but we know that God has been with us in unique ways and that He who has been so very faithful in the past will guide us each day in the future.
We are so grateful to all who helped turn the house into a home that is clean and in such beautiful condition. We are overwhelmed by your expressions of love and care!
We will look forward to communicating more soon. For tonight we will rest and join our prayers of thanks with yours as we express our gratitude for all who have stood with us and as together we lift high the name of Jesus.
Empowering lives together,
Don, Amy, Joshua, Nathaniel
The day (night) has arrived and we are on our journey from Kenya to the USA.
We thank God for our two boys. Flexible, good to go, patient.
Boarding our second flight in about one hour from now bound for LAX.
Thank you for your prayers.
God is good.
Hard for us to believe but tonight is our last night of sleep in Africa for a while and tomorrow we fly on Swiss Air – heading to California for at least a year of ministry assignment on USA soil.
We know that God has gone before us in so many ways and that He holds many opportunities for empowering lives in the USA – but – the care and love we feel for this place and people is also hard to let go of – in fact we will hold on and carry it with us wherever we go.
Lord – Thank you for the friends and family who are lifting us to you in prayer and thank you for this season of life where You will guide and bless as we follow your lead.
We look forward to seeing and sharing with you face to face as God opens the door and enables the opportunity.
Together in and for Christ,
Don, Amy and the boys
South Sudan – I just got off the phone with our So Sudan Director. Pray as he purchases much needed food in JUBA and attempts to send it with a contact up to our school which is just past Bor where the conflict is increasing. You can help change the life of a child in So Sudan today
http://empoweringlives.org/campaign/south-sudan-class-sponsorship/
You’re changing lives! Today is Christmas and what a blessing to be with over 200 orphans that are a part of the Empowering Lives Family here in Kenya. What a joy to partner together with you to empower these children and to provide training and skills to help the needy gain the ability to support themselves. We appreciate your prayers and gifts as we close out this year and launch into an exciting year of ministry ahead. http://empoweringlives.org
As I type this email today I can watch the view from across the Kipkaren River – several people. One is a little girl – likely 7 years old who has come to the brown river water with a 20 liter yellow plastic water container. She carefully drops down the river bank being careful not to lose her footing and fallen to the rushing waters. She pushed the container in tot eh water forcing the exchange of air and water. She labors to reach the top of the 12 foot bank – one step at a time –looking for good footing – the weight of the container obviously a heavy load. She reaches the top and musters her strength to push the container up as high as she can so that she can carry it on top of her head. She successfully reaches her shoulder when the container slips and crashes to the ground. A man about 15 feet away who is loading sand onto a small carrier sees her struggle and walks slowly over and lifts the container so she can position it properly and so she begins her journey – possibly as far as a mile or two. Have you ever carried 20 liters of water?
The Rogers' Family Neighborhood 