Our Condolences

I know you have probably been wondering what happened to us...I was hoping to update you while we were in Kenya, but between the expense of internet access and the fact that I only had my phone to post from, it just didn't happen.  Then I intended on posting as soon as we got back, but the adjustment has been so much more difficult than I expected. Between the jet lag, the discrimination over the scare of Ebola and trying to get life back to normal...it just didn't happen. I really didn't want the frustration of it all to overshadow the beauty of our experience, so I waited.

And so, here we are! I have found the ability to sleep, breathe and function again so I will catch you up! 

TRAVELING TO KENYA

The travel there was long, but the kids did great! Our entrance into Kenya was a bit eventful. We landed in Mombasa and after such a long journey and the sudden heat wave Noah got one of his nose bleeds. And of course, this one was bad. This wouldn't have been much of an ordeal, except that as we entered the terminal there was an Ebola checkpoint right there! While we filled out the questionnaire (have you had any unusual bleeding in the past week?...), Ben tried to take Noah into the bathroom to get cleaned up instead of bleeding all over the floor. However, the authorities caught sight of him and had him immediately come through the check point. Fortunately, they were really good with Noah. They took him to the first aid station and put an ice pack on his nose and it immediately stopped bleeding. After getting through customs, we were able to greet James, Clayton and John. I know we must have been quite a sight! 

The fun didn't end there. We had to drive a little over two hours to Malindi. If you have never drove with James on Kenyan roads....well, it's an experience. All was well until about the last ten minutes of the trip when Rianne's stomach couldn't handle it any more. Yep, she vomited all inside the van. I felt so bad because when we pulled in the whole gang was there to meet us. And there we were, blood and vomit stained...um thanks for having us! Fortunately, it didn't seem to phase them too much (Kenya, I can't believe you cleaned out the van and didn't let me do it!!!), and the kids immediately began playing together.

WEEK ONE

I contemplated giving you a day by day breakdown of what we did, but I'm not sure this blog could support it all! For our first week, we were able to assist the Eyes On Christ team by providing eye clinics in various villages. It was such a blessing to get to be a part of this! Not only were we able to provide glasses and sunglasses to them, but we were also able to support and encourage the churches and bible studies by sharing the gospel with the attendees. I got to help with giving the people their glasses. It was really awesome to be there when people could see clearly for the first time. It was remarkable! Ben got to walk through the villages inviting people to come and he got to preach to the crowds while they waited.

The kids really enjoyed playing in the villages; especially Rianne. I have never seen her more in her element than while we were there. I'm pretty sure she could give Pigpen from Charlie Brown a run for his money, but she loved it! It was awesome to see our children bonding with the Taylor kids and Ellanora. I'm hopeful that regardless of where we go from here, that they will have a lifetime of friendship.

WEEK TWO

We really enjoyed our first week of ministry. There was so much that happened that I cannot possibly write about it all! The second week was spent living the missionary life and finding out about life in Kenya. The kids were able to experience Homeschool, we scoped out the local grocery store, visited the health clinic, toured some properties with a land agent, did laundry, ran errands, asked A LOT of questions, participated in the book study and met with James, Clayton and John to go over the future of East Kenya Missions. It was a very full week and I feel like we were able to clear up so many question marks!

 

 

We also managed to find some time to experience the fun that Malindi has to offer. Ben and the girls went on a safari, we got to visit the beach and swim in the Indian Ocean, and we got to visit the Snake Farm. It was really amazing to get to see so much more of God's creation. We are incredibly blessed to have been on this trip as a family. Our children are very grateful that they have had this experience.

It feels like this blog post has done a disservice to our experience. I can't possibly share all of the memories, photos, stories and laughs. I can't explain the fulfillment, joy and frustration. I can't bring you into all of the details. All I can do is attempt to tell you that God is moving in East Kenya. He has some really awesome servants working for Him and we are incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to share in it. We are eager to see how God uses our time in East Kenya in the future, wherever that may be. Unfortunately we can't answer the question, "Are you headed back?" at this time. We appreciate all prayers as we continue to seek His Will. I want to encourage you to listen to God's prompting, whatever it may be. I can assure you that if you follow it, you will have an extraordinary life!

On My Knees, Anne

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." -1 Cor. 2:9

EEEEEKKKKK!!!!

So earlier this week I was sure I was having a panic attack and getting an ulcer from the stress. I kept looking at the growing pile of packages that were coming in to deliver and wondering if we were ever going to be able to fit everything!

This is just one delivery!!!!

I did everything in my power to procrastinate from packing: got in a car accident, painted more paintings, wrapped presents, shopped, etc. But I knew that if I didn't start soon, I may keel over from the anxiety. A dear friend took the girls for the evening so I could buckle down. 

First, I laid out all of our clothes. Because we will have access to laundry, I tried to limit what we are taking. However, you can see my pile on the front right.....And then it came time to  put it all in suitcases. I am so grateful the kids got new suitcases for Christmas from their grandmother! Finally, I took an inventory of all of the items we received and divided them among the bags, taking careful note of which bag had what.

I was quite surprised at how easily everything fit and with room to spare! I am so grateful because I was getting worried that we wouldn't have room for our treats for the Taylors. I got them purchased yesterday, and may have gone overboard, so hopefully the room is sufficient! 

And so we are here, on Christmas Eve, getting ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior with our Kenya Survey just two days away. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support. We cannot wait to GO!!!!!

Anxiously Patient- Anne

"Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD." -Psalms 27:14

Time to Get Serious

I look at my calendar and there staring back at me is KENYA in less than two weeks from today. I know it is approaching quickly and I am so ready to go, yet...

My mind feels so consumed with making sure everything is ready for Christmas, doing art projects to raise more money for our trip, giving Ben time to finish our church's devotional for next year, and trying to keep up with life around me. I know I need to start packing to make sure we have room for all of the treasures we are transporting to the missionaries, I need to sit still and really wrap my mind around what we are about to do, I need to write out all of the questions I will want answered while there and what our goals for the trip are, I need to do more training with our kids to prepare them, and I need to figure out how we are getting to and from the airport! 

I'm not sure why I am putting all of this off. I don't know if it is because it means really coming to grips with what is ahead of us. Subconsciously I think I feel like if I don't accomplish these things, then the trip has less significance.  Not that I want it to have less importance, it's just that when I admit how important it is...it becomes a whole lot more scary. 

I'm excited to see my family at work in Kenya. I am excited for Ben and James to meet face to face. (They are going to work so well together!) I am excited to see friends from the summer again and make new ones. I am excited to see my kids playing with the Taylor and Strader kids. I am excited to get to learn from Kenya and hear her laugh again. I am excited to visit some of the churches again, work alongside the Kenyans and hearing them sing. I am excited to see how my kids react, adjust and fit in. I am excited to eat pojo and rice, beans and chapati, mahamri and taco Friday. I am excited to see Rianne's face when she sees an elephant out in the wild. But mostly...I am excited to hear what God says.

If you are praying for us, please begin praying now that God will be clear. If He wants us to go, tell us bluntly. If He wants us to stay, hit us over the head with it. The thing that scares me so much about this trip, is that I am equally afraid of both answers. If He tells us to go, then we will spend the next year raising support, separating ourselves from everything familiar, preparing to move our family into the unknown. If He tells us to stay, then what do we do? What was this for? Where am I lacking? Did I fail? 

I know God has this. I know that if we are walking in His will then we will be living the life He carved out for us. I know that it's not about me. I know that regardless of what happens, God will get the glory. I'm just praying that I can remember all that when the time comes for His will to be known.

Walking Step by Step, Anne

"This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9

He Lifts Me Up

God is awesome! You could probably tell from my last post that I was a bit frustrated. It spurred on some difficult conversations, but ones I am so grateful to have had. The biggest thing I have learned is that I need to be proactive in letting people know when I am praying for them. Being reminded this week that we have some faithful prayer warriors out there, has been such an encouragement! So, I encourage you to let your prayers be known. Not the "praying in the village square for all to hear how righteous you are" type of known, but the simple "hey, I've been praying for you" kind. 

Our Kenya Date Night event happened this past weekend. It wasn't as well attended as we had hoped, but we had a great time! The love that was shared with us that night will fill us for a long time. We were even blessed with an unexpected extra donation. And then when we showed up for church today we found out two more support checks came in! I don't know how He does it, but God always spurs His people to encourage us when Satan is trying to take us down. I am so grateful to be a child of God, and the recipient of unconditional love.
Ready to Continue- Anne

"But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus." - 2 Corinthians 7:6

Ben and I 

I was so happy to get to dance!

Mr. Gyro's donated some really awesome food!

Ben and Jonathan, lookin' good!

Me with one of my favorite people, Kristine

The Hollowoods! Love them!

Just Keep Going

We're at the point in our journey where we have raised the majority of our funds, but still have a little ways to go. So many people have been so generous!!! However, I am finding myself burned out with the fundraising. I just want to go!!! We have a really fun event coming up that I really want to be successful, but it is not getting the response I expected. It's kind of frustrating, but I know if I'm burned out with this whole process then everyone around me must be too. It's just so hard to see the same people giving time and time again, and I have no real way to repay them. I'm begging God that He will just blow them away with His goodness on my behalf. 

I try not to think about those that I love that have not supported us. I know that not everyone is called to give...I get that. But, somehow it feels like betrayal. I don't expect everyone to give us large sums of money, but when they can't even give us $10? It all adds up! And when I have seen mere acquaintances give so much more than that! We've had single, hardworking women, that live on a very tight budget donate. It blows my mind! I hate that I allow myself to worry about the family that is not giving when so many of God's people have given so selflessly. Oh Lord, if only I could be so selfless! I'm getting real with you here, because I feel like there is a lesson in this for me. Perhaps for you too. There are three verses right now screaming at me. I'm going to share them all at once so I can fully bathe my mind with them:

"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." -Galatians 1:10 

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." -2Timothy 2:15

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding." -Proverbs 3:5

So, I am going to walk in these verses this week; trusting that it is part of God's plan and that He is just waiting for the right moment to blow us away and surprise us. Or perhaps He's not. Perhaps He needs us to struggle a bit right now to prepare us. I'm okay with that too. I am going to continually remind myself that we are not doing this for our friends or family. I still love them and am trusting that they are supporting us through prayer. I hope that if you are praying for us, that you will let us know. Satan is coming after us on a daily basis and it is such an encouragement to know people are actually praying! 

I am going to keep on working for Him, and delight in the ways we have been blessed thus far.  And now for my shameless plug: If you are looking for a fun night out as a couple, please join us for our Date Night for Kenya!

Grateful and Humbled- Anne

'The Call' - Part 3 of 4

We left you hanging for a while in concerns to some of the most influential experiences that helped us hear God’s call to a missionary life in Kenya – let me be clear: these are stories that reflect days, weeks, and even months of prayer and seeking God’s will.  There were many other ‘moments’ – words of affirmation – conversations, scriptures shining light on our situation…but, we continued saying, ‘we are not impulsive people, God!  Are You sure?’  Is that a strength or weakness?  Regardless, the third segment to our missionary call series takes us to the final destination: Anne’s trip to Kenya in the summer of 2014.

The weeks leading up to Anne leaving for Kenya, I felt it was very important that she continue reading God’s Word while on her trip.  Our church had developed a reading plan that outlined what we should be reading each week, but I knew it was not going to be a priority for my wife while exploring a foreign country.

By exploring a foreign country, I mean: we knew she had a very clear mission question, ‘can you live here and do ministry with the nationals?’  That was what my wife was trying to get her hands around.  Let’s be honest: it sounds cool to be a missionary in a foreign country, but do you really love the people there?  Can you eat their food?  Can you survive the climate and wildlife?  Those were all questions that we discussed before Anne went to Kenya.  If she said, ‘no’, to those questions, how would our family, along with young children, possibly be able to say, ‘yes’?  Our plan had changed because of the influence of the Holy Spirit – which meant she was not simply going on a short-term mission trip.  This was a scouting trip; she was using her own weaknesses and strengths as a litmus test before introducing our children to a full-blown survey (as much as I wanted to go, I had already been called by God to attend a domestic mission trip at the same time).

In an effort not to bore you, I’m going to tell you a story that, hopefully, will summarize my wife’s trip.

Backtracking a moment - remember the importance I see in a devotional life?  To keep Anne on-track with her devotional life, I wrote a short devotion for each day of her trip.  I tied that day in with a chapter from our church’s reading plan (which covered more chapters, but I needed to focus on one chapter for a devotion) and how it may be applicable to her situation.

It was a brutally long series of flights and delays before Anne and the other short-term mission team arrived in Malindi – 46 hours.  Ryan Copico kept me up-to-date with their progress and delays via text messages, but, when it was all said and done, my wife and I were reading ‘Day 3: Acts 16’.  Here’s that devotion (the first 8 days of our devotion is shown in the picture; the other days were on the back – I wanted it to be portable because Anne’s trip involved visiting all of the church’s the Taylors had planted around Malindi.  Mine is beat-up, dirty, and scribbled on because I also traveled while she was away: that’s part 4 of 4!):

Day 3: Acts 16

God impressed this chapter on my heart when you found out that your trip would consist of travelling from place to place and meeting with people under trees.  The story of Lydia’s salvation is so simple.

The missionaries go down to the river to sit and talk with people – they meet Lydia who is a merchant of expensive textiles – I know you are going to meet ‘Lydias’ – people leading simple lives of trading.

Stop.

Pray.

Talk to them.

Okay, not much of ‘devotion’.  But, it was on that day we were able to talk for the first time since she had left.  The end of our conversation is what I really want to highlight.  Anne quickly said, ‘I have to go.  Bats are flying around my head!’

I was so happy – that’s right!  She hates bats!  If, tomorrow, she is still enjoying herself and answering ‘yes’ to the questions I listed earlier, God’s being very clear.

Day 4: Acts 18

Consider this day a follow-up to Lydia’s story.  (By the way, I’m trying to get you to think about the ‘lesser’ stories that we tend to skip over.)  I know you are also going to meet people who have faith.  They will already know Jesus.  However, they might not have any other tools to work with.

I’m especially hoping you encounter faithful women who – I’ll pray for this – you can identify their talents and encourage them to share their faith.  Your mission is to spread the Word, but also equip the locals to carry it on once you leave.

This day was a special moment for me – when I talked to Anne that day, and after she got back home, I asked my wife this question, and she had the same answer both times, ‘what are/did you enjoy(ing) the most about Kenya?’  Her answer: she loved the women she met.  She was passionate to help them, and desperately wanted to come along side them as a mentor!

I saw a little note I scribbled on my devotion by Day 4: it said, ‘…be the Miss Renee in the bunch’.  (Renee Johnson: our pastor’s wife who Anne admires as an excellent model and example of a Godly woman, wife, and mother who counsels other women in those areas.)  I felt a great sense of peace that God had prepared my wife to be a ‘missionary wife’.  She faced her greatest fear (bats flying around her head…and a situation filled with unknowns), and remained focused on the purpose God had placed in our sight – she was there to fall in love with the people of Kenya, and she did.

We weren't concerned with the missionary team on the ground in East Kenya for Anne’s trip, to be honest.  I knew enough pastors that spoke highly of the Taylors.  Anne, though, was a bit concerned that Kenya Taylor would be ‘Wonder Woman’, and perfect!  Again, something she needed to understand: what is a ‘missionary wife’?  Anne quickly realized that Kenya, a ‘missionary wife’, was just like her: passionate, built by God’s design, a mother, and a wife who was accessible and not unlike any of her friends back in the States – a wonderful woman.  We had been ‘doing life’ and ministry with families at our local church for years and felt our chemistry with the East Kenya Mission’s team was important, but needed examined after we understood our call to the people and country they were working with.

That was after four days.  We had an answer to some of our questions: God said, ‘yes!’  But, what would happen over time?  Anne was in Kenya for two weeks – the last installment in this series happens during her second week abroad while I was in Indianapolis on a domestic mission trip.  I want to share with you what God was doing at City Reach, USA.  I heard God say ‘yes’ to more questions – and then I had more questions!  More importantly, God made me realize I had some work to do in my own Christian walk, first.