Restful Day

Friday, July 23 - Hello, dear and faithful prayer warriors! The refreshing of the Spirit is like a long drink of cool water to a parched throat on a hot day, isn't it? I love this photo to the left...this was taken last year in the office of the GCC Langata compound. One of our team members, Scott, took a long drink out of the huge water bottles we carried around with us, and I snapped it just in time! Through the doorway you can see construction of their new church building. Incidentally, all those rocks are hand-cut using chisels and hammers. We saw them chiseling away at them last year. I think this building is finished now, and I can hardly wait to see it next time I go!

Robyn and I got to speak again this morning. It amazes me how tired, yet how content, her voice sounds over the phone. It's amazing when you're right where you're supposed to be, obeying God's call...that's the sound of her voice, like even though the work they're doing isn't easy emotionally or physically, the joy of the Lord is bringing contentment. Like a long drink of cool water on a hot day.

Robyn said they arrived safely in Nakuru, so thank you all for your prayers for safe travel. They got to see the new property out in the country that I mentioned in a previous post, and she said they were able to see a glimpse of the vision CMIA has for this property and how it will minister to and help train up the young boys and men in their care. She said it is absolutely amazing, and I can hardly wait to see pictures and hear first hand stories of how God is moving in Nakuru. She said today was a very laid back and refreshing day, which was much needed. When we spoke, they were all at Jumuia Guest House and getting ready for a good nights' sleep. Tomorrow they will spend all day with the boys, doing projects, games, and even a service project to help teach the boys about putting their faith into action. The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. This doesn't mean we do good works to try to earn our way into heaven, but rather that if we say we love Christ, the outward manifestation of that relationship will be the good works we do for Him. That is the goal of this year's mission trip, to help the kids understand and put this into practice.

HalleluJah, everyone who was feeling sick is much, much better. Thank you so much for your prayers for their health - keep petitioning the Lord on their behalf, for continued good health! I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has contacted me with messages for your team member - I will surely pass them along to Robyn when we speak tomorrow morning! I've heard from Lynn, Bobby, Mark and Karen...if someone else has tried to contact me, I haven't received your message so please do try again!

Robyn did specifically ask for prayer for energy for the team tomorrow, as these boys have high-octane energy levels! I am in awe of the pastors and the house dads who care for the Nakuru boys...I don't know how they keep up with them! All of these boys are AMAZING dancers. Last year in church we had several "sessions", as they're called, with different age groups dancing for us. One of the pastors explained that the boys need a physical outlet to express their emotions - remember, many of these boys have come from terrible childhoods that we can't even begin to imagine. Most of them were street boys, some saw their families murdered in front of their eyes, and so many other horrors we don't like to think about in America. By God's grace, many of them are healing and have healed from their emotional wounds under the amazing love and care of the CMIA ministry. Dancing is one part of the healing process for many of them.

A side story...I remember last year we had a "dance off" on Saturday. The boys all got up and danced, and the best dancer from every round was chosen. Then, the young man officiating the dance off said, "And now we're going to get our guests to dance" and then pointed straight at me. ME!! I was like, "um, me? ME?!?" The clutzy girl with two left feet? I was completely embarrassed but I got up there and did every cheezy dance move I could think of. You know, mashing potatoes, the sprinkler, the macarena...just trying to keep up with those kids! Yes, it was humiliating, but in the very best way. The boys all loved it and they thought I was incredibly silly. When you see their pristine white smiles, you want to do anything you can to keep them smiling, even cheezy dance moves :o)

All that to say, that we can pretty much expect the same thing this year...the boys will insist that our team members dance with them, and they'll be dancing all afternoon. Literally. I'm not kidding. So keep the team in your prayers, for high energy levels and good health to be able to enjoy dancing and sports and all sorts of activities with these boys.

Also, the team is nearing the end of the ministry portion of the trip, so please pray for their endurance. This is when the enemy tries to catch us off guard, to elevate physical exhaustion and knock us off our paths. Now more than ever the team needs our prayers. Pray for blessings to pour out on and cover the next two days with the boys, for team refreshing, for good spirits, energy for dancing and ministering to the boys, both Saturday and Sunday. Pray for strong bonds to be formed, and that every single boy there will get some personalized attention...that they would each know how very precious and loved they are, by God's heart extended through the team.

Oh Lord Jesus, we know You love these precious boys and all the CMIA staff so much more than we can ever fathom. Holy Spirit, descend on that place. Heal any remaining wounds, especially of the youngest boys who are newer to the orphanage. Raise up an army of young Spirit-filled men who are passionate to bring Your love to their country. I thank you for the older boys who already have strong burning desires to reach their country with Your good news. I thank you for the young man I met last year who desires to serve as a chaplain in the army so he can tell people in the Kenyan military about You. I thank You, Jesus, that GCC Nakuru is on fire for You...I pray You intensify that fire, call out and set apart these boys for Your special annointing and ministry, dearest Jesus. We pray this in Your Name! Lord Jesus I ask too for my little guys in Nakuru. You know it breaks my heart to not be there with them this year. Bring someone special to them, as I know they'll be looking to see if I step off the van or not. Allow them to bond with this year's team in a special way. In Your Name I pray!

Until tomorrow, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, may you hold high the Name of Jesus Christ as you serve Him here in America, and may the blessings and the peace of Christ, and the joy of His strength, wash over you.

With love,
Tara

Jumuia Guest House entrance, photo taken from guard shack.


Nakuru boys, younger kids dancing for us!

Older boys dancing for us!


the young man who wants to be a chaplain in the Kenyan army

Dance off...we danced our hearts out, and they STILL danced circles around us!


Raquel and friend dancing SALSA!















Scott preaching the Sunday sermon. He got right down and spoke directly to the kids.

Jeff talking about allowing Christ to mold us, like clay.

Heartbreak in Ruben Slums

Thursday, July 22 - Greetings again in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I got off the phone with Robyn a few minutes ago, and she sounded content but tired. She asked how things were going here, and as I haven't heard otherwise from anyone, I told her we're all good.

Robyn said that they spent the day in Ruben slums and it was absolutely heartbreaking. In Kibura, they were on the outskirts of the slum but in Ruben, they were actually in the heart of the slum. They drove through sewage and piles of garbage everywhere, and a little "river" that smelled terrible running through the area. She wasn't sure if it was even water, but whatever it was, it has no business being anywhere near where humans dwell. She said it broke their hearts to see the conditions these precious people live in every single day.

They went to the GCC school there and the kids, always enthusiastic to perform, got up and did several performances for the team. The team then taught them the Hokey Pokey, Father Abraham and "Head, Shoulder Knees and Toes" songs/dances. She said the younger kids loved those! They also had the opportunity to sit and talk with some of the older kids, and they were amazed by the questions these kids asked. They asked very heartbreaking and deep questions such as "is there poverty in America?", "Is there war in America?", and "How do you grow your garden in America?" etc. The kids wanted to make sense of what they've already experienced in their young lives, and they wanted tips for how to improve their meager gardens and small enterprises. These people are incredibly intelligent and gifted, not to mention very hard working, yet many just do not have the means to improve their lives without some sort of assistance.

The team was in Ruben longer than they had expected to be, but it was as the Spirit led. They did not end up serving at the feeding station there because they ran out of time, but be assured the feeding station still operated, just without the team's help.

Pray for the people of Ruben. Truthfully, today after hearing Robyn's report I'm not even sure what prayer prompts to suggest, but pray as the Spirit leads you. Oh Father, You see the terrible conditions these precious human beings are living in. You see the diseases and the sickness they bear because they don't have sanitary places to live. You see the water supply. Father, increase the ministry of CMIA in Ruben. Give these precious souls hope. Reach down into the midst of their need and meet them right where they are, Jesus. Only You can do this. Prompt our hearts here in America to partner in prayer, in giving, in whatever way You want us to. We are so rich here, Father. Even those of us who are "poor" are so much richer than the richest person living in this slum. Jesus, You came to give life and that abundantly. Reach down and stir up Your life here in Ruben, Jesus. Squash the enemy. Kick him out of the camp. And let Your Spirit descend on Ruben and on these people. We pray in Your precious and holy, amazing Name, Amen.

Robyn shared that Lisa is feeling much better than yesterday, but still fighting off the attack on her system. She was happy she was out of bed and able to go to Ruben with the team, however! Today, Rhonda is not feeling well and was in bed all day. Pray for her speedy and complete recovery. The good news is that no one has been hit by the "bug" that took out half our team last year for several days, but some people's systems are having trouble adjusting to the food. It is quite stressful on the body to uproot from America and be planted in Africa - God has given us amazing bodies that do most of the work "behind the scenes", but let's continue praying that each team member would be given the strength and the health needed to serve faithfully each day. Let's continue to pray for protection for each team member against any sickness or "bug" that would wipe out their systems. Let's pray for good health, for vitality and energy for each team member. And let's cover Rhonda in our prayers, that her strength would return tonight and that she would be 100% better when sunlight dawns over the Kenyan countryside.

After spending time in Ruben, the team went to Langata where they took photos of the kids, then played and did games, crafts, and activities. They left around 6 pm and went back to the cooperative college, where their guesthouse is, and crashed. Robyn and I were speaking about 8:30 pm their time, and she said everyone was more than ready for bed.

Now an update on the new Kenyan Constitution...Robyn shared that voting does not happen until August, but there is a lot of rallying and demonstrations going on. She wants to assure everyone here that the team is not in the least bit afraid for their safety. She said most of the issue being debated revolves around the Muslim court, which is different than the Kenyan government court. Robyn shared there is a large group of Muslims staying at the cooperative college where the team is staying, and they've been woken up every day at 5 am by their call to prayer. She said they all seem friendly but they haven't had much contact with them. Pray for God's light of TRUTH to shine brightly on these lost souls. Christ died for them and wants to see them accept the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Tomorrow the team is traveling to Nakuru to the GCC boys' home. This is roughly a 3-hour drive, so pray for safety on the road. They will visit the new property in the countryside above Nakuru and see the progress that has been built since last year (last year there was only a foundation of hand-hewn rocks). This new property is important for the boys because their current compound within the Nakuru city proper is pretty small for a bunch of growing boys. This new property will get the boys out of the city (where rioting occurred right up to the gates of the compound in 2008) and also give them room to run and play, give them room to grow produce and raise ducks and pigeons, which are all sources of income and teach the boys a trade and responsiblity. I am anxious to see photos of the progress!

Steven Ishmael, who has been with the team in both slums, and Onea from Texas will be riding with the team down to Nakuru. Onea has been working with the Hatleys in the GCC schools, and it sounds like she's been a real blessing to the ministry.

They will visit the boys briefly and then get checked into the Jumuia (Joom-we-ah) Guest House where they will be staying. Saturday they will spend all day with the boys, and go to church with them on Sunday. Oh, how I wish I were there with them! Like Tony Bennet sang, I left my heart...in Nakuru! God, please prompt someone to give love to my little Antony and little Benjamin! How I wish I could be there to lavish Your love on them!

Robyn asked specifically that we pray for the team as individuals, that God would show them how to handle the emotions and all they've experienced...while Kenya is an incredibly beautiful country, with amazing people and some of the most beautiful land I have ever seen in my entire life, it is also a devastating country...when you go to Kenya, it is absolutely impossible not to be changed somehow. Your heart is ripped right out of your chest. The hard part is knowing how to handle the change, when you very often don't understand it yourself. The amazing news is that God knows perfectly how to handle the change, and how to help each team member know what to do with what is going on in their hearts right now. Hearts are breaking, hearts are being opened further than ever imagined. When they come home, they will need a lot of support and love, and patience...as they will continue to process their experience for many months afterward. Let's start praying for this process even now.

Nasia, your mama wanted me to tell you that she loves you and is thinking about you. I know she is thinking about when you'll get to join her in Kenya in a few years! She wanted to know if you're getting excited about your camping trip coming up in a few weeks!

If anyone wants to get a brief message to your loved ones on the CHCC team, feel free to call me at 206-406-9604. Remember to keep your message brief, as air time is expensive from Kenya and I won't have a lot of time to share messages with Robyn... but I'll be happy to pass your message along to Robyn to pass along to your wife/mother/daughter/sister/aunt :o)

Intercessing with you on behalf of our team in Kenya,
Tara

Blessings in Kibura!

Wednesday, July 21 - Hello, precious prayer warriors! Thank you for your vital ministry on behalf of the Kenya 2010 team! Robyn's voicemail this morning was very encouraging and there are also two very specific prayer requests...read on...

The team spent the day at Kibura slums, the largest slum in Kenya. One time I actually googled Kibura and saw a satelite image - it's a great thing to do if you want to get an idea of the magnitude of this slum. Anyway, the team visited the GCC (Grace Childrens Centre) school there, which is housed in the small COTR (Church on the Rock) church building. The feeding station is next door, and the team was able to serve at the feeding station this year (last year we arrived about a half hour too late...) Robyn said this particular feeding station now serves 1257 children every day, which has grown from last year! CMIA (Christian Ministries in Africa) also has started planning to start another feeding station "downtown" in the heart of Kibura, so please keep this in your prayers. Pray for abundant food supplies and provisions for continued food, pray for the cooking team that will be serving there regularly, pray for God's heart for these precious people to be clearly visible to the people living in Kibura, that they may see their children being fed and want to know more about this God we serve.

Robyn said they were able to see some of the fruit of CHCC (Canyon Hills Community Church)'s previous support for CMIA that has been allocated to Kibura, including blankets and small businesses that have been started after the rioting of 2008. She said it was awesome to see tangible evidence of CHCC's support and how it is making a difference in the lives of these people.

The team then spent the rest of the day doing some shopping in Nairobi and then at GCC Langata, helping the kids finish their letters to their sponsors. Tomorrow they will be going to Ruben slums, and then back to GCC Langata for a fun day with the kids. They've got some games and activities they're going to break out now that the letter writing is done! The following day they'll travel the 3 hours to Nakuru and spend a few days there with the boys.

SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUESTS: One of our team members, Lisa, is not feeling well. Robyn didn't expound on the kind of illness, just that she's been in bed all day. Please pray for her health, that the Lord would heal whatever is trying to attack her body and that she will be up in full health and rarin' to go in the morning. For those that don't know her yet, Lisa is a very sweet lady with a huge heart to serve in whatever capacity God brings to her door. This is her first time to Africa and I know she's been looking forward to this trip for many months. Please pray for her immediate and total healing. Remember to keep praying for the health of all the team members, for a hedge of protection to be placed around their bodies internally and externally.

Lord Jesus, great and mighty Jehovah Rapha, You are the Great Physician. You don't need any medicines or doctors to heal us. We ask boldly right now for Your healing touch on Lisa, for Your life and strength to flow through her and infuse her with Your health. Lord, we know you have great plans for Lisa in Africa, and we pray that Your purposes will be accomplished through her; that the devices of the enemy will not stand against the mighty hand of Jehovah Jireh. El Shaddai, the God who does for us what we could never do for ourselves, we ask You to heal Lisa as she sleeps. Awake her in the morning with news of Your unfailing love, refreshed and ready to serve. In Your Mighty Name we pray, declaring and believing that You will do this, Amen.

The second prayer request is for the people of Kenya as well as CMIA and the team. Robyn said a new Kenyan constitution is being put into place, most of it happening next week. There is a big fear and tension in Kenya right now that violence will break out as it did during the 2008 elections. This is not said to alarm anyone here in the States; God knows all about this and He already knew about this long before the team ever stepped foot on the airplane. We trust in His protection for our team members, as well as the children, pastors, support staff and missionaries of the CMIA family. In 2008 the violence was tribal; a member of one of the three main Kenyan tribes was elected president, and the opposing tribe attacked. This year, the problem is not tribal but religious - Muslim vs. Christian. Thankfully, the team will not be in Nairobi next week, but on Safari at Masai Mara. Regardless of what happens in Nairobi and other major cities, the team should be safe because of their geographical location, a few hours' plane ride south of Nairobi. David Hatley has already taken measures to prepare for the team's safety, though Robyn did not share what those measure were.

Keep Kenya in your prayers right now. The Kibura children were singing a song about the 2008 elections while the team was there with them, very sad when you know some of what many of them have lived through. Robyn recited the words of the song to me, "Elections elections so sorry, so bad...you killed my mother, you killed my father, you killed my brother, you killed my sister...elections elections don't come again..." The violence in the slums often tends to be the worst, and very often the women and the children see the worst of it, if they survive the experience.

Jesus, our Great Protector, we come before You humbly in Your Name on behalf of Kenya, of our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and our brothers and sisters in humanity. Jesus, You already know exactly what will happen, so we don't worry about a thing. But we beseech You in the Name of Jesus for this expected violence to never come to fruition. Jesus, we ask that You thwart the plans of the enemy. We ask You to heal the land of Kenya; that no more will innocent blood be shed on that parched ground. Father, in Your tender mercy, give the government officials wisdom and guidance as they finish this new constitution and as they introduce it to the country. Lord, we stand on the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14; cause us to humble ourselves before Almighty God. Prompt our hearts, Lord. Cause us to spend time seeking Your face. Enable us to put all distractions aside as we seek You on behalf of Kenya as well as our own country, Father. Help us to do this, and heal our lands, Jesus. We ask boldly for protection for the team members, as well as everyone associated with CMIA in any capacity. Father, we ask for Your protection for the precious children, that they may never again see violence of any kind but that they may live in peace. Jesus, our hearts break at what goes on when violence breaks out in Kenya. We pray that this bloodshed will end and be broken forever in the Name of Jesus Christ. Reclaim this territory for Your Name sake, Jesus. So that all in Kenya will know that Jesus Christ is King of kings and LORD of lords. In Your precious and mighty Name we pray, declare and BELIEVE, Amen.


Part of Kibura slums

And two people joined the team...

Tuesday, July 20 - Hello again! Thank you so much for your continued prayers on behalf of our beloved team members serving in Kenya. I actually got to speak with Robyn this morning, instead of listening to a voicemail...she was calling me before going to sleep (it's 9:30 pm in Kenya as I type this) and she sounded really tired, but very positive. She said the team is doing very well - there has been no major sickness, and she asked that we continue to pray for good health for all the team members.

She shared they had had a long but very good day, that they had been in Langata all day, helping the house mums with cooking, visiting and playing with the GCC kids, they had taken the pre-primary (preschool age) kids to the Giraffe Park and had a wonderful time while there...apparently there was a face painter at the park, and they were able to have all the kids' faces painted as well as get their own faces painted, which meant a lot to the kids. They also started helping the kids write letters to their U.S. sponsors. This was a crazy process, Robyn said, and they ran out of paper so they'll need to go get more.

Now for the two new members part...as many of you know, Greg and Jean Ishmael are the U.S. Coordinators for CMIA. Greg is the pastor of a church up in Snohomish (I'm sorry, my memory is failing me at the moment as to the name of the church, but don't you know that as soon as I hit "post", I'll remember...) Any way, Greg and Jean's youngest son, Steven, arrived in Langata yesterday from South Africa and will be joining the team for their trek to Nakuru. Also joining the team for the 3-hour drive to Nakuru will be Onea from Texas, who was helping CMIA on a missions trip with her church and it sounded like she stayed in Kenya after her team went home (the connection broke up a little at this point so I hope I'm getting it right...)

So please pray for these two new "members", that God would continue to work in their lives as they serve Him in Africa...that they would feel welcomed by our team (I don't doubt that for a second!) and for continued protection and safety for them. Pray also for their families - I dont' know if they're married or single, but regardless please pray for whatever family they've left behind in the States, for comfort in the absence of their loved ones, for protection and provision, and that they would be seeking the Lord for His call on their lives!

Tomorrow (our "tonight") they will be going to Kibura slums, to the Church on the Rock (COTR) church, school and feeding station there. Just a side note about Kibura...it is the largest slum in Kenya. The shanty shacks stretch as far as the eye can see. Last year, this is where God first gripped my heart in Kenya. I remember at first feeling very odd, like I didn't belong. I thought to myself, "what am I doing here?!" and then all of that fled when I met one little girl who broke my heart and the team almost literally had to drag me away from her. Her name is Juvia and I've included a photo in today's post. This was taken just before the team dragged me away from her :o)

Please pray for the team as they visit Kibura...pray for safety, and that they would bless the children living there in abject poverty - and when I say "abject poverty", remember I'm talking about a 3rd world country. Pray for a supernatural movement of God's Holy Spirit amongst the people living in this shanty city. Pray for protection for the children and their families. Pray that many hundreds of thousands would come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior through the ministry of CMIA's Church on the Rock and the GCC school and feeding station there. Pray for abundant provision for the feeding station there, that the children may grow up strong and well-nourished to serve God's Kingdom.

The team will also be visiting Ruben slums, either the same or the following day (again, the line cut out here and it's very expensive to call from Kenya, so we'll have to wait for the team to return to see how things played out). I've never been to Ruben, but God is there and please pray all the same things over the precious children and people living in Ruben.

After they visit the slums they will be returning to Langata GCC to help the kids finish their letter writing, and then spending the rest of the day loving them, playing with them, being with them. Pray for bonds to be strengthened and new bonds formed, so that every child feels the love of one of the team members, and no one feels left out.

In addition, please continue to pray for team unity. One of the first places the enemy tries to strike is in the area of unity, but we laugh at the enemy and say "you won't succeed, so get out!" in Jesus' Name! I'm always comforted by the verse in the Bible that says God laughs at His enemies. Isn't that an awesome thought? Remember, our precious team members are directly in enemy territory right now. They're holding up very well, but we don't want to let down our prayer guard for even a moment. Let's continue to lift up them and their families before the throne of Grace night and day, always petitioning God on their behalf.

With much love,
Tara

Amazing Weekend with the Girls...

Monday, July 19 - God is moving in Makindu! Thank you all for your steady and faithful prayers on behalf of the CMIA ministry in Africa, as well as our beloved missions team members. Robyn's phone message from Sunday was very difficult to make out, as there was a lot of static on the line. However, I was able to hear that they had an amazing day at church with the girls, as well as an amazing time of bonding after church. Robyn said it was one of the best days she's ever experienced in Makindu. They spent time with the girls, did projects, and had some amazing bonding times with the precious girls at GCC Makindu.

When she called me this morning for today's update, the team was in the van on the way back to Nairobi, almost there. Everyone said hi, which was fun to hear...everyone's voice sounded upbeat, excited, and very happy! Robyn said they spent the morning at the GCC preprimary schools in Makindu and they served at their first feeding station, where there was enough food for every single child to have a meal, and enough left over for some of the children to get seconds - praise the Lord! The team was able to spend some time shopping at the wood carvers' huts across the street from Hunter's Lodge, which will help stimulate the Kenyan economy. Be praying for the wood carvers...they're amazing people and last year I befriended several of them. Pray for their salvation, for God's provision and protection. I know they look forward to our team visiting every year, because historically we tend to buy a lot! :o)

After this morning's final shopping session they piled into the van for the 3-hour trip back to Nairobi (Langata). Robyn said they saw a huge herd of giraffe on the side of the road, and Lisa shared they even did some 4-wheeling on an unfinished section of road! Keep the van drivers in your prayers...it takes amazing skill to drive safely in Kenya! The drivers are typically pastors or men who are involved with the CMIA ministry, and act as chaperones to the team. Keep them and their families in your prayers; they are integral parts of the CMIA ministry. Pray for their protection and provision, and that the Lord would increase their territory...that He would bless their boundaries and cause them to stretch further and wider than they ever dreamed possible. Pray that He would plant a BIG dream in their hearts, and that they would pursue their dreams for God's Kingdom with tireless enthusiasm! Also pray that the CMIA ministry would be blessed because of their tireless service; that the dream God planted in the Hatleys' hearts would blossom and bloom to even larger territories than the Hatleys ever thought possible. Pray for wisdom, discernment, and that the Hatleys and their ministry team would follow God's leading diligently.

Robyn also shared that they got multiple photos of Mt. Kilimanjaro on the way back. For anyone who knows me, I have a small (read: majorly huge) love affair with Kilimanjaro. Last year we didn't get to see it once, as there was always a cloud cover when we would've been positioned to see it. However, this year it sounds like there were clear blue skies, and the team blessed me tremendously by taking photos so I could travel to Africa vicariously through their experiences. Thank you, everyone - you bless me by your love for me!

Back to the blog...When the team arrives back at the GCC Langata grounds they will be spending the rest of the afternoon with the kids there, both boys and girls. Pray for amazing times of ministry and divine appointments, pray that the team would be Jesus' hands and feet to the kids. Pray for the kids, that they would feel Jesus' love for THEM individually through the team members. Pray also for the amazing house mums and house dads who act as parents to these precious children...pray that they would be refreshed, and that the Lord would greatly encourage them in their ministries and give them the strength and love they need to be mum or dad to the many children in their care. Tonight, the team will be having pizza with David and Jennifer Hatley, which will be a welcome treat - a little taste of home!

Tomorrow the team will be spending the day in Langata with the children again. Pray for their energy levels, that they would all get plenty of good quality sleep tonight so they can lavish these amazing kids with love. Pray their hearts would be blessed as they give so freely of themselves to these kids, who are so eager to love and be loved! Pray especially for the AIDS children, that God would speak to their hearts of their preciousness to Him! Pray that they would each have amazing ministries of their own as they reach out to their friends and even their countrymen, for no one is too young to have an amazing impact for the Kingdom of God.

And now, dear friends, please pray especially for Robyn, as she is called to be the leader of this team. Pray that God would speak clearly to her during this time, that she would follow His voice unswervingly and uncompromisingly. Pray for a Spirit of Wisdom to descend on her, and that God would lift her up during her quiet times with Him. Pray for wisdom, for guidance, for protection, and that God would abundantly lavish her with favor for her faithfulness to the CMIA children and mission. This is her 5th year serving with CMIA as a team leader, and I know CMIA has been blessed abundantly through her dedicated service. Pray for her daughter, Nasia, her in the States, for safety and protection while her mom is in Kenya. Pray for Nasia's heart to already be filling with a special dream God has planted, that He will show her His vision for her life even now. Pray that she will be set apart to serve Him all the days of her life, and that she will grow in grace and favor as she follows Him and lifts high His Name.

Heavenly Father, You Who know everything, we bring these requests before Your throne of grace humbly and with one voice, and we ask You boldly to do all this and more, according to Your excellent love for us. Jesus, we pray YOUR will be done, Your purposes for this team be accomplished. We will hold them high before Your throne day and night, precious Lord Jesus. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Saturday, July 17 - Robyn's voice mail this morning was very positive and upbeat...she said the team had a wonderful day yesterday on the drive to Makindu, and their first day in Makindu was eventful and full of amazing opportunities to spread God's love. The team arrived in Makindu around mid-afternoon, checked in to their hotel (Hunter's Lodge) and got settled. Then they drove over to the Girls' Home, picked up all of the girls, and took them to the hospital where they were able to pay off multiple hospital bills (both children and even some adults!) with the extra money that was raised for this trip. This is a really important ministry because in Kenya, if you can't pay your hospital bill, you're not allowed to leave the hospital grounds. So this is a tangible way the team is able to show Christ's love, and the theme of the trip this year just happens to be "Putting your faith into action". The GCC (Grace Childrens' Centre) girls were able to put their faith into action today by serving their countrymen and women in desperate need.

A side note: When I say "hospital", remember this is a third world hospital. They are as clean as possible, but nothing like our hospitals in America. The smell is not aseptic - when you are in a Kenya hospital, you seemingly are surrounded by every unpleasant organic smell under the sun. This experience is a huge time of stretching and growing for the team, as it is an opportunity to "do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me"...to do things in His strength, not in their own human ability or strength. Praise the Lord that it was such a positive experience for the GCC girls and for the team!

The team walked through the hospital, visiting the childrens' burn unit, where some children have been recovering who were severely burned by cooking fires. Last year (as well as this year from the sounds of it) we were also able to tour the remainder of the hospital, visiting the maternity ward as well as the men's ward and the HIV ward. As they toured the hospital this year, one young boy touched the team's hearts in particular and they were able to help him by paying off his bill, playing with him and doing collages, and helping in some other tangible ways. Robyn said he is an orphan, trying to care for his younger brother. I wasn't clear whether the older or younger brother is in the hospital, but Robyn promised more detail when we speak in person tonight.

Tomorrow the team will be going to church in Makindu with the girls, and are looking forward to worshipping God in Africa. Church in Africa is one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. It lasts for at least three hours, and no one looks at their watches. Even the little kids are listening with rapt attention to the Pastor, or whomever is speaking, singing, or ministering in any way at the moment. Compared to many churches in America who have their set schedules and their exacting time frames, it is a huge breath of fresh air. It feels led by the Holy Spirit, which is the way church should be. It's just one of the many reasons I love Africa. Let's pray that God would minister to each precious heart in attendance, that no one would be the same leaving as they were when they arrived.

Please continue to pray for good health and plenty of quality sleep at night for the team. Tomorrow they will be spending more time with the girls. Pray for unity of heart and Spirit for the team, and that they will be able to minister to the girls, who are all pre-teen to teenage level. Pray for protection, and for amazing Divine appointments for everyone there. Pray that the kids will see Christ in action through the team.

Until next time, standing with you in solidarity on behalf of our beloved team,

Tara

PRAYERS ALREADY BEING ANSWERED!!

Friday, July 16 - PRAISE THE LORD!! Prayers are already being answered! Robyn called me this morning (Kenya is 10 hours ahead, so for her it was Friday night) to share that they had arrived safely in Kenya, and spent the day in Langata at the Grace Children's Centre. She said it was wonderful to be back among the children and that they'd all had fun with the kids, but that no one really got quality sleep on the flight from Ethiopia to Kenya so the team is even more tired than the last post. However, in my last post I shared that Ethiopia Airlines wanted to charge the team extra per carryon bag to check them into the cargo hold. God answered our prayers in a huge way...Ethiopia Air ended up only charging them $150 for ONE bag, rather than $150 for SIX bags...PRAISE THE LORD!!

Please keep the team in your prayers, as they're all operating on jet lag and little sleep. And trust me, they hit the ground running (literally!) and won't stop til Safari at the end of the trip, so there's no room for jet lag. Pray that God's supernatural energy would flood their minds, bodies and spirit, to be able to be His hands and feet to these precious kids and all the people they come in contact with.

Pray for their continued safety, and that God would open their hearts even more for His moving in their lives as they pour out to the precious people of Kenya. They're settling in for a good night's sleep tonight, and pray for much refreshing and revival of their physical and emotional needs. Tomorrow they journey three hours by van to Makindu, straight in to territory currently occupied by the enemy. Pray for REVIVAL in Makindu, that God would TAKE BACK this ground for His Kingdom! Pray for the hearts of the people in Makindu to be open to God and closed to the witch doctors, voo doo priests, and spirit of Islam that currently set themselves up against the Spirit of the Living God in Makindu. Pray for the safety of the girls in Makindu, that God would keep them sheltered under His protection. For she ''who dwells in the shelter of the Most High shall rest in the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1). Pray that the girls would impact their town and their country in MIGHTY ways for the Kingdom of God. Pray also for their precious hearts...some of these girls have been severely wounded before they came to Christian Ministries in Africa's Grace Children's Centres, and need the miraculous healing touch of Jesus.

Oh, how my heart longs to be in Kenya with the team! Thanks be to God, we can be joined with them in unity though they're in Africa and we're continents away!

If anyone has any questions, you can reach me at 206-406-9604. Til tomorrow's post, God bless you and your loved ones as you hold high HIS Name.

Tara