The Rogers' Family Neighborhood

Amazing to see Joshua in Nathaniel grow up. What a blessing they are our lives. They have spent more than half of their lives in Africa and I believe that has had a positive impact on them in one way or another.
Nathaniel is now in the eighth grade and has a few tricks up his sleeve. What I mean is he’s learning a few magic tricks and in fact, this past Oct 31st performed his first show at a retirement community for about 40 people. They really enjoyed having a young person perform for them and he even earned $40! Their favorite trick was when a live dove was produced from a pan that had been on fire. Even better is they invited him to come back and do another show sometime during Christmas season.
He takes his schoolwork seriously and though there are some speed bumps along the way, he is faring well. We certainly appreciate each and every prayer that is directed towards our family and especially the boys. Thank you for being a part of our lives in this way.

It is a miracle when one person comes to Christ. TODAY we witnessed 70 miracles take place during this first day of ELI training at Ilula, Kenya!!! God is so good. Appreciate your prayers! Training continues through Friday.

Today we meet with 70 brewers of illegal alcohol. We are praying for their transformation during this 5 day training that ends this Friday.

Friday will be the graduation for these men and women and we pray that they will come to know Christ . Saturday is the 20 anniversary celebration to be held at the ELI site in Kipkaren River, Kenya. So excited know what God has done in the past and what He is going to do in the future. Thank you for your partnership!!!

Boarding the plane in 20 minutes at LAX – excited to return and serve alongside our Empowering Lives team in Kenya Africa!!! Appreciate your prayers for this important journey from Sept 28 through October 15th.

Important board meeting this Saturday, Brewers training begins Monday through Friday, Saturday Oct 8th is 20 year ELI Kenya anniversary event, next week follow -up on former brewers and other trainees!

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:1-3

Small steps make a big difference and –     we often take something for granted until we loose it.
These days if you see me (Don) you’ll notice right away the sling on my left arm. Evidently, the skill level for mountain biking that I have in my mind does not equate with reality – thus a sweeping left corner and a not so impressive crash into a decent sized bush. Fortunately I was wearing a good helmet but my left scapula and shoulder did not fare so well. It will still be some weeks to come before I’m released from my new friend, the arm sling, BUT I have learned a great deal already from this experience for which I am grateful.

God’s protection – it could have been worse.
Our amazing bodies that work hard to heal broken bones and wounds wherever possible.
That small steps make a big difference.
Every day I can move my arm a little more, reach a little further and type a little faster. I am grateful and feel the healing taking place a little more each day.

I have been reading in 1 Peter – writing each verse out as I go in ways that help me apply them or drawing small pictures that can help me remember the Word. I relate to Peter’s call here to the believers to “grow up”. Every day to see something more – bit by bit – changing – reaching a little further for Christ, moving with a greater freedom in Spirit or able to listen just a bit more to the whispers of God’s direction in our lives. I love that he says to “Crave” the pure spiritual milk. I see this in the women who use to brew and sell illegal alcohol in Kenya and who then find Christ during a week of training with ELI. They are so hungry for hope and change. When we challenged one who wanted to give her life to Christ she said, “These ideas for business are so good BUT, I need transformation from the inside out! I need God within me to do that.” During the week she was with us – she found both Christ and ideas.

So today I am:
Giving thanks for my health and mind that enables me to keep on keeping on.
Praying for the women in Kenya who have recently come to Christ and for more who are seeking change.
Taking care of my arm so that it heals well.
Thanking God for the salvation that He gives that reminds me daily that “the Lord is good!”

What are you grateful for?

Following our amazing God is truly a wonder. Full of surprises, challenges, and blessings.
Wednesday held a fullness that is hard to describe.

Began with a journey from the ELI Ilula Training Center to the second ministry site of Kipkaren Reiver Training Center and Children’s Home that is about 1 1/2 hours drive along the newly paved but often crowded two lane road. Once here I seem to adapt quickly to being on the left hand side of the road.

Our arrival into the village held the wonderful welcome of the Children from the ELI Home as well as the ELI Training Center Staff and Agricultural students. It was so warm and encouraging complete with a string across the gate holding hanging flowers of red, purple, green and pink. ELI COO who I have been blessed to travel with on this journey was handed the scissors to “Open The Gate” and when he cut the string there were cheers of welcome followed by at least a hundred hand shakes and dozens of introductions since this is Ken’s first time to visit the ELI ministry in Africa.

We met with our jovial and always enthusiastic Children’s Home director John Busienei affectionately knows as “Bush” or by the children as “Babu” (Grandpops). Ken and I are here for a very important purpose: Encourage the ELI team – strengthen systems and structures – remind us all of our vision, calling, and focus of honoring God in all things, and to have some fun along the way as we deepen our relational ties between the USA board and the Kenya leadership, ministry team, and children / young adults that are in or graduating from the ELI Children’s Home.
We are a community to equip the poor to live sustainable lives that honor God.
God is already helping those objectives become reality and we are so very grateful for your prayers!

Today (Friday) deserves a page all it’s own but that will have to wait. In summary – 13 women who were brewing for a living and far from God have discovered Christ as their savior this week and learned new skills so they will leave brewing illegal alcohol. Today was the two hour graduation ceremony with songs and testimonies which were moving beyond words.

There is much much more to share but that would take another two pages which is more than you have time to read and more than I have energy tonight to type. But, it will be recorded and shared. In the mean time…
Please continue praying as we have an important Board Meeting #2 on Saturday.

What a wonderful day to arrive to the ELI Ilula Kenya Training Center to such a heart felt welcome! Then to see 13 women who have been brewing / selling alcohol surrender their lives and futures to Christ – Then, Seeing youth from the ELI children’s home going through the ELI Business For Life training, Then, to visit with ELI board members at Kerio View lookout, Then to visit with Agnes – a former brewer and see her amazing little shop and 10 x 10 restaurant made of simple wood serving great food. Hoe much can a day hold? My heart is full and ready to visit the other ELI site in Kipkaren River tomorrow! Thanks for your continued prayers!

Being here in Kenya reminds me of the amazing ways we have seen God provide and bring His transformation to all who will open their hearts to Him. Leaving Mayfield Guesthouse (Nairobi) tomorrow morning at 4:30am to head up to ELI Ilula Training Center near Eldoret.
A training for women Brewers is underway to help them learn alternative skills as they also learn that God has a better plan for their lives. Appreciate your prayers!