The Rogers' Family Neighborhood

We were in Kipkaren this past weekend. This is the sight of our second training center and orphanage here in Kenya.

Saturday morning Amy, the boys (Joshua and Nathaniel) and I drove from Ilula to the Eldoret airport to meet an incoming team that had just arrived from California. This team of 10 people sent from Water of Life Church arrived tired but enthusiastic and ready to head to Kipkaren where they will be instrumental in the program during an important annual YOUTH CAMP that ELI hosts each year and which begins this Wednesday at our Kipkaren River Training Center. Here are a few photos to give a glimpse of this journey.

Tomorrow – Monday – will hold; Sharing at ELI Ilula Staff meeting; Cathy and Mark Lessig lead Teacher Training workshop.

ELI leaders are key to the work of Empowering Lives.

From the beginning we have recognized that national leaders can impact their people and nation in powerful ways. Today I was able to arrange several meetings and it happened that at one point several of them were all here at the Ilula Training Center at the same time – so – we captured the moment in a photo. Julius Toroitich is our ELI Kenya director of Operations. Stephen Reech is ELI Sudan director – having just arrived recently from Sudan for strategy meetings. He needs our prayers as he is fighting a battle to overcome typhoid as well as stomach pains; Isaac is on our Kenya staff but has just returned from spending three months on assignment in Tanzania where he and our Tanzanian staff were able to provide Skills For Life Training to 6,581 needy farmers! He is very tired BUT very enthusiastic about the results of the trainings held and the potential that is ahead. This month Isaac will now turn his attention to farmers here in Kenya. “Above all…” Isaac shared, “We want these farmers to know that there is a God who cares about them”.

The Referendum Vote took place on Wednesday and the results were sent out yesterday. We thank God along with people from across the nation for a peaceful reaction to the results. The majority have voted YES and the nation now has a new constitution. Now the journey for Kenyan leadership is the implementation in a timely manner.

We are doing pretty well as a family. They boys have been attending a VBS program every day and most of our suitcases have been unpacked. We feel the embrace of our friends here and though we know that there are challenges in ministry we feel the peace God gives when you know that you are in the right place for the right reasons – ready to serve our great God and His mission on earth. Thank you again for your support and prayers as we move forward on this journey of empowering lives!

Don, Julius (Ky), Stephen (Sudan), Isaac (Tz)

Today was a great day – our first day back here in Ilula, Kenya. We are doing well! Today: Unpacking – Boys went to a special VBS program with the kids from the children’s home – Don and Amy made phone calls to connect with ELI staff in Kipkaren and Eldoret and make plans for visiting Kipkaren ELI Ministry (This Saturday) – Cleaning and organizing home we are moving into. Evening fellowship with ELI staff and interns – Melissa and DiAnne Drachand and Kelly Stringham – More discussions with Samuel Teimuge about the impact of ELI and the many trainings taking place in surrounding villages. Take a look at the Flickr link to view more photos of the day. Next week will be three very important trainings: One here at the training center and two in villages. I will write more details on the objectives of these trainings tomorrow. Right now my eyes are refusing to stay open : – ) Thanks so much for your prayers. We are seeing and feeling answers.

Great to hear from so many of you who signed up for our "Rogers Neighborhood News" via the link on this Blog! We would appreciate your prayers as we take a shuttle Tuesday morning at 8am Kenya time (10pm Monday PST) a six hour drive from Nairobi up to Eldoret, Kenya. Our friends in Ilula called to inform us that we need to make good time because it rains almost every afternoon and the last 2 miles to reach the ELI Training Center and Children’s Home in Ilula are very muddy & vehicles are getting stuck often. Wednesday is an important day for Kenya as the nation votes yes or no on adopting a new constitution. Whatever the outcome – please pray for a peaceful reaction from the people.

Yesterday. Very productive meetings with Free Methodist leaders: Bishop Nixon and FM Missionary Mike Reynen – discussing how ELI can assist their needy pastors in income generating training & leadership & also discussing ventures into Southern Sudan. We had a wonderful evening and dinner with our friends Peter & Wendy Twycross. Great fellowship and so good to hear updates on the Dynamic Business Start Up programs Wendy coordinates through ELI. The boys have slept well each of the two nights thus far and we are eager to reach our Kenya home in Ilula tomorrow. Thanks again for your prayers and support on this journey! Tomorrow is a big day for us as a family – to reach our Ilula home. rogersneighborhood.wordpress.com

Dear friends and family,

We have arrived safely with every piece of luggage! God is good.

The boys did well on the flight except that there was little sleep on the London to Nairobi leg. We arrived this morning at 6am Kenya time (We are 10 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time) – flew through immigration and customs and then squeezed between our luggage in a taxi (shuttle van) to the Mennonite Guest House. The boys immediately headed for the small playground and the beautiful Acacia trees and the sounds of the welcoming birds caused Amy and I to take a deep breath and celebrate together with a tired but grateful sigh – “We made it!”

This guesthouse is now our new home (for a couple of days) and after dropping off our luggage we immediately headed out to a nearby shopping center to: get my cell phone connected to Safaricom network, exchange some dollars into Kenya shillings (77 Ksh = $1) : check on prices for a printer and pick up a few items.

We appreciate so much your prayers for Joshua and Nathaniel as they make this adjustment to life here. We couldn’t help but smile when Josh said “ I thought it was going to be different – but it is just home.” Nathaniel is asking many questions now that we are here like – “So dad, whatever brought you to Africa in the first place?” I’ve begun unpacking the story with him today (If you want to hear that story – let me know : – )

Our day ended with an amazing blessing. Amy’s neck and back have been really hurting lately and the two day flight didn’t help matters. At tonight’s dinner table I asked the other eight people staying at the guesthouse if they knew of a muscle therapist or chiropractor nearby. The host said “ Why yes. A Chiropractor from the USA just checked in a couple of hours ago. I’ll connect you with her!” And we did connect and we are both feeling much better (I squeezed in an adjustment as well)! The doctor is leaving the guesthouse tomorrow morning – so – this small window in time that combined our need with Gods timely provision is yet another one of the things we celebrate as we journey together to empower lives.

Tomorrow will hold more adventures but for now we need a good night of rest : – )

Thanks for your care as we journey together in Africa. Looking forward, The Rogers