The Rogers' Family Neighborhood

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

http://empoweringlives.org

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 Hillside team has been here for today the second day. So FULL and so good in so many ways.

What a special welcome the Children’s Home and ELI Training Center gave to the team! Such wonderful testimonies and songs from the children. Hard to describe in words the moving fellowship that was shared.

Kenya power came yesterday and after two months of working with them – they finally put in the power poles and line so that the building NOW today has electricity!!!

The team assembled the many pieces of new equipment and we have had some very good times of fellowship during meals getting to know the ELI staff and the impact of the Training center and overall ministry.

The workshop building is coming along so well and the team has so many good ideas that we are implementing as we now bring the final designs to the equipment placement and electrical systems.

WOW – Hillside has blessed us so greatly!

Tomorrow we begin moving the equipment into the building and making final adjustments on the table saw, planner, drill press, sander, and other pieces. Truly a miracle to see what all is taking place and dreaming of the lives that will be trained and transformed as a result in the future.

https://rogersneighborhood.wordpress.com

We celebrate the safe arrival of the five man team sent from Hillside Community Church (Rancho Cucamonga, California). They received a warm and musical welcome from the staff and children from the ELI Children’s Home in Kipkaren River, Kenya and ELI Training Center and were so encouraged to see the progress of the new workshop building! Tomorrow is assembling and positioning of much of the workshop equipment together with ELI staff and some of the older children. God is good!

We all know how important clean water is. I JUST received word that the Well Drilling Rig that ELI has purchased has now passed Mwanza, Tanzania! It should arrive at our Training Center in Kalamela before the end of the day. Pray for this journey.

86 women who are brewing and selling alcohol here in Kenya because of poverty arrived for a week of training here at ELI center (Ilula) We are believing for many transformed lives this week (Nov. 11-15)! Please pray.