The Rogers' Family Neighborhood

“The Lord is my strength and my (impenetrable) shield; my heart trusts (with unwavering confidence) in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song, I shall thank Him and praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7 AMP)

Walking a new path

I am leaving soon for my chair and treatment number 5 of this 12-week cycle, and yes, I am counting down the days! Thank you for your continued and faithful prayers. I know that I am being carried right now.

This past week, I’ve had a few hard days and a few difficult nights sleeping. I know that I am in a battle, both physical and spiritual. Fatigue has been the hardest to navigate. Even as I struggle to adjust to new daily rhythms and limitations, I feel increasingly aware of the importance and power of the ministry of presence. I think deeply about this present moment and the new things I am experiencing. As I walk in the early morning and evening to keep my health as strong as possible, I meet new neighbors around my home or discover new pathways like I did this week at the infusion facility (Photo). The medical staff at Kaiser in the lab & oncology building are becoming familiar friends as I see them weekly. Yet, not being able to attend ELI staff meetings and join Don when we update churches and missions committees on the wonderful things God is doing through the ministry has been hard. Yet, I still have a unique joy and peace on this path, which is hard to describe – even in the midst of the unknown and the loss of what was.

As I walk this sacred journey with Jesus, His Word remains a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path! Psalm 28:7 has been my declaration this week. “You, Lord, are my strength and impenetrable shield; my heart trusts with unwavering confidence in YOU, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song, I will THANK YOU and PRAISE YOU!”

This quote about being truly present is a favorite of mine from Henri Nouwen’s journal during his six-month stay on the mission field in Bolivia and Peru:

“More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be a part of some impressive project is so strong that soon, my time is taken up in meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.” (Gracias: A Latin American Journal, 1983 by Henri Nouwen)

Entering a Labyrinth (At Kaiser facility)

We are so grateful for your prayers and God’s caring presence every day and especially today during these hours during the infusion. This past week has been a better one in terms of energy and good sleep.
Thank you again for all of your thoughts and care!

Here Again 

Lyrics:

“Can’t go back to the beginning – Can’t control what tomorrow will bring – But I know here in the middle – Is a place where You promise to be. I’m not enough unless You come – Will you meet me here again? ‘Cause all I want is all You are – Will you meet me here again?
As I walk now through the valley – Let Your love rise above every fear – Like the sun shaping the shadow – In my weakness, Your glory appears.
Not for a minute was I forsaken – The Lord is in this place – Come Holy Spirit, dry bones awaken – The Lord is in this place. I’m not enough unless You come – Will you meet me here again? – Cause all I want is all You are – Will You meet me here again?”

by Elevation Worship

It makes me smile to think that after almost 30 years of life and ministry together and walking many paths in Africa, Jesus would have Don and me on this new and unexpected path together. Don is the greatest gift and reflects the Father’s love for me daily through his faithful love and care. 

Prayer Requests:

• There are nine more treatments in this cycle—every Tuesday is infusion day. Continue to pray for no allergic reactions and for the chemo to be effective with no side effects. (We are seeing answers to this prayer!)
• Early July PET scan – praying and believing for a full and complete response to the chemo and a clear scan. I LOVE being “UNREMARKABLE” when it comes to hearing scan results! 
• Wisdom and Guidance surrounding all things surgery. Please pray that Don and I will have peace as the medical team discusses the next steps. A full mastectomy with left axillary and supraclavicular lymph node dissection has been discussed. 
• We are praying for God to open a window of time for Don to be in Kenya after I finish Chemo and before surgery.

My heart is filled with gratitude for your faithful prayers, words of encouragement, and love for our family as we walk this journey together.

Because He Lives,

Amy

“You are my hiding place; You, LORD, protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 (AMP)

This Psalm has been on my heart the last few days, from early morning until I sleep at night, I am experiencing that sweet hiding place with my Good Shepherd. In my weakness, I am strong in His strength …and this song has been the declaration of my heart this week –

“You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart with

Songs of deliverance

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You

I will trust in You

Let the weak say I am strong

In the Strength of the Lord

I will trust in you.”

I went with Don to the infusion center today, fully expecting to receive my second dose of this new cycle of chemo today. However – there came an unexpected delay. I have been enjoying long walks almost every day to help keep my body and mind as strong as possible. I did not know that the blister on my toe, which has a small infection, would become a speed bump on this treatment road. The oncologist happened to be nearby today and came in to take a look at my foot. Chemo and infection of any kind evidently do not mix, and with my white blood cell count being a bit on the low side – the decision was made to take extra care and put me on five days of antibiotics – postponing the infusion till next week. I will check in with the doctor again on Friday with an update on how my toe is. I am praying and believing that my foot will heal this week – and I will be ready to receive that second weekly infusion next Tuesday (2nd of 12). Praying and believing for no more delays!

Thank you for your faithful prayers, love, and encouragement and for standing with us on this journey. There are some hard times, but as I rise each day, I choose to stand in awe of God’s goodness and embrace the truth that He knows my deepest needs, thoughts, cares, and fears. He knows what refreshes my soul and sees that I have what I need daily. I feel hemmed in by His presence and am so grateful for the beautiful ways His love is poured out through you as you pray and stand with me and our family.

Today, my heart sings a song of deliverance as I continue to TRUST in the ONE who holds my life in His hands.

Amy

“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is dark.” – Rabindranath Tagore

Thank you, friends, for your faithful prayers. I (Amy) have been enjoying walks daily and am so grateful for the strength the I have right now. Since the last treatment, I have not needed any of the anti-nausea meds and have felt pretty strong overall. I don’t have much appetite, but continue to be strategic in what I eat, ensuring I get the nutrition I need.

Tomorrow (5/28) at 8 am, I begin what feels like a marathon of a new chemo that I will be receiving every week for the next 12 weeks. Please pray for no allergic reaction and that my body will tolerate this new round. With this particular chemotherapy, neuropathy has been known to be a side effect for some. I am doing what I can to help prevent this, but treasure your prayers that I will not have any issues with that.

When our two boys, Joshua and Nathaniel, were younger, we had many long car rides on the roads of Kenya. Traveling by car from Eldoret, where we live, to Nairobi (the capital and main airport) would usually take the entire day as we counted the endless number of potholes we tried to avoid. “Are we almost there?” seemed to be an echo from the back seat. “How much longer do we have?” During my recent appointment with the oncologist this week, I felt compelled to ask her the same question – “How much longer do we have to go – are we almost there?”

This upcoming Tuesday (5/14) will be the last infusion of this current chemo prescription and treatment cycle. Two weeks later, on 5/28, I will begin receiving a different chemo drug (every Tuesday) for 12 consecutive weeks. My specific prayer requests are for no adverse reactions, delays, or side effects to the new drug and for continued protection over my body and effectiveness of the treatments.

There are days that the journey seems extra long, and the unknowns ahead can be overwhelming. I am reminded once again that this path is a one-day-at-a-time journey that stirs in me an unwavering trust in my Good Shepherd, who is leading the way with His loving care. I love David’s words in Psalm 23:1, where he declares, “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” After this last treatment, it has taken me a bit longer to recover, and I have experienced a few more of the side effects. When I pause to reflect at the end of each day, however long they may have felt, I see the fingerprints of God, my Good Shepherd. His presence with me reminds me daily of the beautiful ways He knows exactly what I need and what refreshes my soul even better than I do.

We still have a ways to go on this journey, but I am so grateful we have a GOOD Shepherd who knows the way ahead and can provide all we need—one day at a time.

In His arms,

Amy

As a family and ELI ministry, we often talk about how the spiritual harvest and Kingdom opportunities abound.
Imagine that just since the beginning of the year:

* 1000s of African villagers have attended village-based empowerment meetings arranged by ELI
* 100s of police officers have been trained in empathy, compassion, and addiction awareness
* Dozens of alcoholics have completed an addiction recovery program.
* Two one-week-long trauma healing and training workshops were held for 50 Kenyan leaders
* ELI hosted the Kenyan Bishop of the Free Methodist Denomination to brainstorm and discern about a nation-wide pastoral training and empowerment program
* 16 young orphaned children were welcomed into the ELI Children’s Homes in Kenya
* 15+ key and strategic village-based leadership teams received multiple follow-ups and mentorship engagements
* Three counties hosted crusades and missions weekends spear-headed by staff and village leaders
* A new village-based Business for Life training program is being piloted in two communities.
* A 6-month community-leader training program for 100 parents of students at the ELI Academy in a Congolese slum is about to wrap up
* 3 new freshwater wells are planned, coordinated, and are set to break ground

In Jeremiah 33, God promises healing, restoration, and redemption for His people. The prophet wrote:
“For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,” says the Lord.
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In this place, desolate and without people or
animals—in all its towns, there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks.”

In every single example above, we see this promise ringing true. Generational poverty is being dismantled. The Kingdom of God is being experienced. LIFE is returning to lives, families, homesteads, villages, and communities.
Thank you to each of you who are vital in making this and so much more possible!

“Faith is …the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1)

Thank you for taking the time today to be a part of my healing journey.
Today, I am reflecting on one of my very first visits to the hospital at the beginning of this journey. I went in for an ultrasound scan of the lymph node under my left arm that would confirm whether or not a biopsy would be needed. As the nurse began preparing me for the scan, she smiled, introduced herself, and said, My name is Faith. I will never forget that moment and the overwhelming feeling that came over me as I looked up at her with tears in my eyes and said, “Of course it is.” God’s presence at that moment was powerful, and I knew I was beginning a new journey of faith. As Faith started the scan, my eyes were drawn to a wall hanging near me that read, “Faith is believing even when we can’t see.” At the end of this update I want to share a poem that has really ministered to my soul. But first:

My labs (blood tests) yesterday were good and I will be going in for chemo treatment #3 tomorrow morning (Tuesday April 30th). The oncologist added two additional days of injections (7 instead of 5) this past week, which has helped to keep my white blood cell count high enough. I find that walking helps to strengthen my mind, body, and soul every day. I am grateful for the sunshine and beauty surrounding me as I walk. Truly thankful that with God’s help, I have been able to manage the nausea. I treasure your prayers as I go in tomorrow and pray that the treatment will continue to eliminate the cancer cells and that the rest of my body will be protected and strong.

Like the waves – His faithfulness never ceases

The Eye of the Storm
(Author Unknown)
“Fear not that the whirlwind shall carry thee hence,
Nor wait for its onslaught in breathless suspense,
Nor shrink from the whips of the terrible hail,
But pass through the edge to the heart of the gale,
For there is a shelter, sunlighted and warm,
And Faith sees her God through the eye of the storm.

The passionate tempest with rush and wild roar
And threatening of evil may beat on the shore,
The waves may be mountains, the fields battle plains,
And the earth be immersed in a deluge of rains,
Yet, the soul, stayed on God, may sing bravely its psalm,
For the heart of the storm is the center of calm.

Let hope be not quenched in the blackness of night,
Though the cyclone awhile may have blotted the light,
For behind the great darkness the stars ever shine,
And the light of God’s heavens, His love shall make thine,
Let no gloom dim thine eyes, but uplift them on high
To the face of thy God and the blue of His sky.

The storm is thy shelter from danger and sin,
And God Himself takes thee for safety within;
The tempest with Him passeth into deep calm
And the roar of the winds is the sound of a psalm.
Be glad and serene when the tempest clouds form;
God smiles on his child in the eye of the storm.”

Today was the second day of treatment (chemo) and we are so thankful for your prayers and encouragement. Side effects have not overtaken Amy’s courageous spirit and she is doing well. There are so many things that she is feeling as her body adjusts to the medical path, medicines, and fights off the cancer.
A week of injections begins Thursday to strengthen the white blood cell count. The next infusion should be two weeks from today.
We are filled with hope, and Amy’s spirit inspires me each day.
Thank you again for your prayers and care!

April 12th our walking path

Thank you for your faithful prayers!

Prayer is so powerful, and I feel I am being carried right now! One of my favorite places to be is sitting with a cup of chai in my hands and listening to others share their journey with the Lord. I love seeing the connections and HIS fingerprints all over the stories of our lives.

This is a season where I am again experiencing the power and presence of God on an unknown path that I could never have imagined I would be on. My walk this evening on a nearby trail reminds me so much about the beautiful views that are unique to this life path that could not be seen from anywhere else. I am grateful for the deep trust cultivated over the years in our faithful God, which continues to grow even more now. I recently revisited one of my favorite chapters in Brennan Manning’s book Ruthless Trust – Chapter titled The Geography of Nowhere. “…The music of what is happening can be heard only in the present moment, right now, right here. Now/here spells nowhere. To be fully present to whoever or whatever is immediately before us is to pitch a tent in the wilderness of Nowhere. It is an act of radical trust – trust that God can be encountered at no other time and in no other place than the present moment.”

I am hearing my Savior’s invitation to live each day WITH Him in the present moment. Not thinking about tomorrow or yesterday or months from now but just today …and I am discovering a deep sense of joy, peace, and hope that is powerful evidence that He is near.

As we shared, treatment this week was delayed due to my white blood cell count being too low. I have received a couple of extra injections this week to help boost my cell count, and I am scheduled for treatment on 4/16. Thank you for praying with us that my blood work will be ok and I will be able to move ahead with treatment on schedule.

Because He lives,

Amy

Here is a LINK to a worship song that has been encouraging my heart today:
Such an Awesome God >

You call the sun to rise – And You lay it down to rest – You hold this heart of mine – And You hold my every breath.
Such an awesome God – So mighty – So holy – So wonderful – Such an awesome God – So selfless – So generous – So faithful, You are
Seated in majesty – Reigning in holiness – The table is set for me – For You are the living bread
Such an awesome God – So mighty – So holy – So wonderful – Such an awesome God – So selfless – So generous – So faithful, You are
And nothing comes close to the Lord Almighty
Nothing as sweet as His love and mercy (x2)

Nothing comes close – Nothing comes close
Jesus, the Son of God – Hung on the cross to die – But not even death itself – Could hold You down, for You rose to life.
Such an awesome God – So mighty – So holy – So wonderful – Such an awesome God – So selfless – So generous – So faithful, You are