The Trip - Day 8

Another day in paradise; anytime we are where God is we are in paradise no matter where we are physically. Today was our last day of formal ministry here. The men wound things up at the construction site. The youth and men moved 70 tons of rock, 40 tons of dirt and 30 tons of hard pack fill into the foundation of the school over the last week. We made over 1000 shims for leveling the form for the second floor slab and cut the timber (in Kenya wood is timber not wood) for the form. We also cut hundreds of mathange poles to support the second floor slab. We said goodbye to Dr. John who had to return to the states today. The medical clinics saw over 500 patients in three days. The clinics will help the local church continue building a relationship with their Somali neighbors along with helping the patients with their health. The youth attended revival meetings every night, conducted sports clinics, conducted services at local schools and services at local colleges. The services conducted by the youth provided encouragement to the local church and started relationships with the young Somalis in the area. As a team we have been very, very busy and the work has been hard but satisfying. We will attend church at the local Agape Fellowship tomorrow and return to Nairobi on Monday. Our time here has provided us with memories and friendships that will last a life time but I think we will all be happy to leave the heat behind (remember I told you how it was hot here, I wasn’t kidding). Please continue to pray for us as we move back to Nairobi and the remainder of our trip. We love you all and pray that God is blessing all those at we have waiting for us at home.

A few words from Jon Jarosinski:

Sooooo…where do I start? What an amazing experience this has been thus far! You know you are doing things right when you can feel God next to you every step of the way. I have enjoyed every single day in Northern Kenya thus far. I have been leading the teens in doing ministry in the afternoon and doing construction in the mornings. Ohhh the construction is brutal, but awesome! Hauling wheel barrow after wheel barrow, up and down wooden ramps, across layers of rock, and don’t forget to avoid the sledge hammer swinging guys on the way over. It’s almost like a trip to grandma’s house in the winter. Now do that 50 times over, and another 50 times, and guess what you get to do tomorrow? Wheel barrows! But all in all, it is good hard work that we have all enjoyed. Though it is hot and the work is difficult, the guys here, including the teenagers, have stepped up and surpassed any expectation we had for them. I cannot be prouder, I’ve never seen a group of people work this hard and not speak a single complaint. And don’t forget that it’s HOT. It’s funny, the last few trips I have been on have been teaching me how not to complain about cold showers and to not take hot showers for granted, I believe God is teaching me here to be thankful for cold water too! Cold showers have never been a bigger blessing. And the ministry we have been doing is just as amazing. We have been able to connect with so many people and share our stories. At first we were told that we have to be careful who we share Christ with, but God has allowed us to go to places where we didn’t have those restrictions. Mike LeClaire has been preaching and bringing the awesome word that he always does, and the teens have been performing the dramas spot on. This being my third trip, I’ve never worked with such a willing and powerful group of teenagers as this group. They have ministered to me so much; I am so blessed to have been part of the leadership of that group. This morning we had the chance to play soccer (or football, here) with a club which consists of muslims and Christians. I got dominated, but had a blast! The Kenyans are all super athletic and have natural abilities to play soccer. There was a child who must have been only ten years old who was already professional in my eyes. It was awesome. There is so much to talk about and share about this trip, God has been all over every single step we have taken. What an incredible journey and plan God has for all of us and the people of Kenya. I hope to continue to be a part of this changing country, and I thank every single person who has been praying for us and especially to those who donated generously to send us here. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Know that God has been blessing us and our ministry here. I am looking forward though to a good slice of pepperoni pizza and a cup of ice J. God Bless. – Jon Jarosinski

The Trip - Day 6

Today was similar to yesterday for the youth team. We started off this morning helping the construction team again. It’s very rewarding to do this kind of service work. I love seeing how the young guys work until their faces turn red, and without complaint. It blesses me every day. After that, we went to another school to perform dramas and share testimonies; you know, the typical mission thing. This was another place we were able to share a gospel message. There is only one disappointing thing about this ministry. We go places and share with the people, but we have to leave to go to the next place while in the middle of making connections with them. It can be frustrating at times, but you learn to give it to God because He’s ultimately in control. And for tonight, revival service again. Tonight, some of the medical team came to the service. It was nice to be able to do things with them. When you prepare as a team and split when you enter your line of service, you learn to treasure the times when you can serve together. They end up being the most memorable. - Andy

Yesterday, the medical clinic was set up in the middle of a small village, a 20 minute drive from town, and we saw a group of 200 people change from being afraid of us to, at the end of the day, being open and playing and laughing with us. Today was a different. The medical clinic was at the fairgrounds in town, and the people had to walk farther to reach us. We didn’t have lines of mothers and their children waiting to receive care, which had given us a chance to spend time with them. Today I had what I felt was a less important job than yesterday, and I didn’t get much of a chance to converse with any of the patients. However, God still taught me a lot today. My favorite moment was when our first patient after lunch showed up—a Muslim woman with 4 children. She spoke very little English, and I speak very little Swahili, but in a half hour, I felt as if we had become close friends. She even honored me with letting me take her picture with two of her sons, something almost unheard of in their culture. God showed me today that although we think of miracles being things like healing the sick and feeding five thousand people, they can also be as small as the connection between a Somali mother and a young American girl. - Hannah

Today was similar to yesterday for the youth team. We started off this morning helping the construction team again. It’s very rewarding to do this kind of service work. I love seeing how the young guys work until their faces turn red, and without complaint. It blesses me every day. After that, we went to another school to perform dramas and share testimonies; you know, the typical mission thing. This was another place we were able to share a gospel message. There is only one disappointing thing about this ministry. We go places and share with the people, but we have to leave to go to the next place while in the middle of making connections with them. It can be frustrating at times, but you learn to give it to God because He’s ultimately in control. And for tonight, revival service again. Tonight, some of the medical team came to the service. It was nice to be able to do things with them. When you prepare as a team and split when you enter your line of service, you learn to treasure the times when you can serve together. They end up being the most memorable. Andy Deckert

Yesterday, the medical clinic was set up in the middle of a small village, a 20 minute drive from town, and we saw a group of 200 people change from being afraid of us to, at the end of the day, being open and playing and laughing with us. Today was a different. The medical clinic was at the fairgrounds in town, and the people had to walk farther to reach us. We didn’t have lines of mothers and their children waiting to receive care, which had given us a chance to spend time with them. Today I had what I felt was a less important job than yesterday, and I didn’t get much of a chance to converse with any of the patients. However, God still taught me a lot today. My favorite moment was when our first patient after lunch showed up—a Muslim woman with 4 children. She spoke very little English, and I speak very little Swahili, but in a half hour, I felt as if we had become close friends. She even honored me with letting me take her picture with two of her sons, something almost unheard of in their culture. God showed me today that although we think of miracles being things like healing the sick and feeding five thousand people, they can also be as small as the connection between a Somali mother and a young American girl. Hannah Smith

The Trip - Day 5

Today was the second day of business for the Living Hope Garissa Dirt and Stone Company. You dig it we’ll move it – or we’ll dig it and move it – or we’ll dig it, crush it and then move it – or whatever. The youth came and worked on the construction site for the morning. The big jobs today were backfilling the foundation with dirt and hard core. Hard core is a weird type of rock. It looks like really hard mud. When you backfill with hard core it has to be compacted. That is a fancy word for broken with a sledge hammer so the smaller pieces will pack together. The male teens came and moved dirt and broke hard core all morning. Those guys worked as hard as anyone on the site and made me feel every one of my years. All the parents should be proud because those guys really know how to get it done. Guys, my hat’s off to you. God has certainly blessed us by putting you with us on this trip.

The team conducted the first medical clinic today. They saw over 200 people today at a small village outside of Garissa. The chief of the village had been asking for medical for some time and was very happy to have a doctor come see his people.

The youth ministry group was very active today. They started off helping out the construction team in the morning, doing all the hard manual labor that was too much for the old guys (just kidding, but not really J). After being out in the hot sun and sweating so much you felt like you were swimming, the team traveled to do a sports clinic in a town just outside of Garissa. This sports ministry was very rewarding for us all. We were able to play soccer (football) and volleyball with the students there. We also had a great time socializing with some of the Muslim students. Coming to their level and doing things they enjoy doing really seemed to minister to them and to us in incredible ways. After spending a couple hours there, we still had more to accomplish for the day. We attended a revival service at a local church here in Garissa. It was amazing to be a part of this service. This church is located across the street from a mosque in a town where Muslim is the main religion and they frown upon Christians. These people have a boldness that I think we can all learn from. - Andy

I just read Tony’s post and realized that we are on different days; pretty weird considering we are on the same trip. I am not counting the travel days so my day four really is day six. As I read Tony’s post I was smiling and holding back tears at the same time. It really was an amazing service and the Pastor, Peter Kaunda, is an awesome, humble man of God. When you meet Peter you are automatically drawn to him by the spirit pouring out through him.

And the bridge, it really was that bad. Tony, Mike L., Joel and I all rode over in a van. When Tony and I walked across it I felt it sag under my weight. Tony and I both could only laugh and thank God that the driver didn’t try driving across it again.

We spent our first day working in Garissa today. Part of the team was preparing for the medical clinics, the youth went to a school and ministered along with the youth from AFC

Madaraka and AFC Garissa. The rest of the men went to work on the school. We cut muthangi posts to use as supports for the roof. We built wooden forms for the concrete ring beam, and we moved dirt. Now don’t get me wrong, the Kenyans moved a lot more dirt than we did but we moved our fair share one wheelbarrow load at a time. Tony and I decided to shovel for a while to take a break from driving the wheelbarrows. Peter, a mzhee(elder man) from AFC Madaraka, came over so we could fill his wheelbarrow. Tony and I shoveled until we were both out of breath. We stopped and mzhee Peter frowned at us and waved his hand saying “more.” It is pretty humbling to be outworked by someone who is probably 15 – 20 years older than you and quite a bit smaller.

God continues to bless us. We made real progress on the construction project, have everything set for the first medical clinic tomorrow and the youth were able to share at a local school. When the youth were preparing to perform a drama at the school several Somali children left. A few minutes later they came back and were peeking into the room. Eventually several of the children came back in and watched the remaining dramas. This is what this trip is all about. We are here to make relationships with the people who live in this area and the youth were able to take the first step in making a new relationship today. When we were planning for the trip Dan told Tim and I that sometimes we harvest and sometimes we must till the soil. This trip is definitely about tilling the soil – and not just the dirt we moved on the building site today. Someday a great harvest will come in Northeastern Kenya from the soil we are preparing to plant now. I am thankful to the Father that we can come be part of what he is doing to further his kingdom.

Please continue to pray for us. It is hot here but we are doing well. God has blessed us in so many ways. We need to continue to receive the blessing and guidance of our Father. We love and miss you but we are also proud to be here serving as your hands and feet.

Tonys Entry Africa Day 6

We are here in Africa, I am in a room filled with people from all over the world. There are 70 who have come together for this trip.
The joyfull love that I am so attracted to in those we serve is every bit as strong with the people of Nairobi. I had the privilege to go to church on Sunday with Mike Waldropp in a poor area. The ride to the church was an incredible adventure. We drove in a van where I wouldn't drive my 4 wheel drive truck. We crossed a bridge not fit to walk across. In fact the local driver would not come back and get us unless we hiked out to the main road as he was afraid of the bridge a second time. We jumped across a stream of sewage and garbage and entered a church so humble, in the US we would not enter for fear it would colapse. It was a wooden frame pieced together from 3 foot pieces of old, old lumber. It was covered in rusty pieces of steel filled with holes. The floor was dirt, rocks and gravel, with a pit in the corner where you could see out side.
As we entered the service worship was going on and I was pulled back to the first time entering a worship service at a camp for people with disabilities. It was such a genuine out pouring of joy and thanks to God, I was moved to tears. They allowed each visitor to come to the pulpit to greet the church, introduce themselves, tell of their family and what God is doing in their lives. The sound system crackled and popped but could not have sounded more beautiful. I was asked to greet the church and shared about how we minister to people with disabilities. Mike preached an amazing sermon about unity and how we aqre bothers and sisters in Christ. It ended with a Pastor Peter sharing a "coke and biscuits" with Mike and I and a dozen kids that he lovingly hugged and introduced to us to. We then walked back the half mile or so to the main road through the town. It was a gain amazing as kids ran up to us to see the "fat white guys"!
I will never be the same after attending that service. I have learned so much about being doorkeepers and worshippers of our king in a just few hours on a Sunday morning here. I can
end only by simply saying I am thouroughly humbled and ask for your continued prayer as God lights our path each moment here. Also I ask for your prayer for Tim as he leads us, there much pressure and responsility on him and he has been up to the task at every turn. Leadership is hard, but the rewards are great so pray for him please
Tony

The Trip - Day 3

We travelled to NE Kenya today. The trip took about six hours. We arrived at the guest house around 7:00 PM. We had to unload all our luggage and tools, get everyone setup for dinner and greet the Bethany interns who will be working with us, or maybe we will be working with them, while we are here. There are eight interns five months into a sixteen month internship here. The interns will be with us the enitre time we are here. This brings the total size of the team to ariund 70. This includes the Living Hope team, AFC Madaraka's team, AFC Garissa's team and Bethany's team. We are hoping to hit the ground running tomorrow, especially on the construction project. God has been good to us throughout this trip and continued to bless us on our journey today. Everyone is here, safe and sound. We will try to write more tomorrow. God bless.

I know I promised more pictures but we have been very busy and didn't have time today. We will post some new pictures as soon as we can.

The Trip - Day 2

We had another awesome day today. The team split into three groups and each group attended service at a different church. Mike L. and Joel went to church at Githurai. The Agape Fellowship Center Githurai church was the first church AFC planted outside the main church at Madaraka. The team from Living Hope that travelled to Kenya in 1999 helped plant the church and participated in the first service at Githurai. Mike W. and Tony went to AFC Kasarani to attend services. The Living Hope team that came to Kenya in 2005 helped plant the church at Kasarani. It was good to go back to the places we helped get off the ground to visit with our other families and renew our relationships. Attending services at Githurai and Kasarani also allowed us to see how the churches are doing and what we might be able to do on future trips to help our children along. I referred to the churches at Githurai and Kasarani as our children because when a church in Kenya plants another church they refer to the new church as their child. We helped with planting the churches so they are our children too. You probably didn’t know we had children in Kenya but now you do. The remainder of the team attended services at the main AFC church in Madaraka. A group from AFC Madaraka will be travelling with us for the remainder of the trip. Bishop Kabachia conducted a commissioning service for the combined team from Living Hope and AFC Madaraka. Everyone is excited to be travelling and working together. The Bible tells us we are called to be one body just as there is one God, one Spirit, on hope and one salvation. Working alongside Kenyans to build relationships and reach out to the unreached people of Kenya is an awesome example of how the unity in Christ can impact the world and our community at home. We are all excited for the remainder of the trip.

Following church services we all met at the guest house for lunch and some relaxation. Church services here in Kenya are three hours or more. The teams were very involved in the services in all three locations. We spoke, held Bible studies, met with the youth, men’s and women’s groups and performed the sermons at the main service. It felt good to rest in the presence of the Lord after such a busy morning. The team, our team and the Madaraka , had dinner and a time of fellowship at AFC Madaraka this evening. From the number and volume of conversations and laughing during and after the meal I would say the dinner was a great experience for everyone. This is a great opportunity to begin to form the friendships that will grow over the next week as we serve together.

Everyone here is happy and healthy. We, along with the churches here, are praying for all of you. Please continue to pray for us. God has already done so much to bless us but there is still much work to do. With your prayers and God’s blessing I know we can accomplish what would seem impossible to us. We love you and pray that God will keep you and bless you until we are together again.

The Trip - Day 1

We arrived in Kenya at 9:50 PM on Friday, that is 1:50 PM in Green Bay. Everyone made it safe and sound and so did all the luggage, a miracle in itself. Everyone made it through immigration, got their visa, collected all the luggage and made it through customs without incident. After loading the gear and the people on the vehicles we were off for the guest house. The staff at the guest housegreeted us and served us a meal. What a great way to start the trip! We made it to bed around 1:30 AM.

Tim and Mike got an early start by meeting with Dan and taking care of some last minute preparations for the rest of our time here in Kenya. Mike went with Major Maina to get the medical supplies we need for the clinics. The rest of the team got some much needed rest after the long trip and spent the morning at the guest house. Dan and Tim did a Kenya orientation for the team right before lunch and we all learned what some common cultural mistakes to avoid. For instance, in Kenya trousers are pants and pants are undergarments. Complimenting someone on the dress pants has a slightly different meaning in this culture.

We spent the afternoon doing some shopping here in Nairobi. After supper we had a brief team meeting to discuss the following days plans and then called it a night. Tomorrow we will be splitting up and attending church at three differenct locations – Githurai, Kasarani and Madaraka. Keep praying for us because the work really starts tomorrow and moves up from there as we travel up-country on Monday. God has blesses us in many ways already and with continued prayer we are sure He will continue to smile on us.

Gone!

Zzzzz......

Seriously though, we have arrived at Brussels, the half-way point on our journey to Nairobi. God has blessed us with smooth travelling so far. The flights have been on time and there have been no issues with getting through the airports. Some of the team got a chance to experience an up-close and personal security check but otherwise pretty uneventful. When they say no liquids beyond this point they may mean no liquids and water is a liquid.

All the team members were able to raise the funds they needed for the trip and we received the funds needed for the construction project. Funds were coming in right up to the last minute but God has provided what we were hoping for to allow us to proceed with the trip and the project. Our God is a God of miracles.

Thank you for your prayers. We greatly appreciate it. We definitely need your prayers as we embark on this mission. Pray for us as we not only adjust to a new environment, a new culture, but also as our bodies also adjust to a new climate, and the effects of jet lag go into kick in. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us and lead us. Pray that we will be sensitive to His leading and to be cross cultural servants that serve and interact with humility and go in to this not with our own agendas and ideas of how things ought to be but going in with the willingness to be taught, to learn and to be true servants at heart.

Thank you to all our parents and family and church body for their sacrifices to make this trip happen for us! We love you and appreciate you!

Well, time to sign off for now. We'll be in touch! God Bless!

Going, Going...

In just a few short days we will be in Kenya! Just think, we get to fly 30 hours (give or take a few), pass through three airports, go through customs and spend two weeks in a strange land among a strange people (strange in that they are culturally different from us not strange as in weird). We will get to eat exotic delicacies like cabbage, githeri, mukimo, sukuma wiki, ugi, chapaties and everyone’s favorite ugali (if you’re wondering what ugali is remember Google is your friend). We will have chai tea for breakfast lunch and dinner (where kind I find a good cup of coffee??). We will learn new phrases like jambo, hodi, hbari yako, mzuri sana, kuribu and asante. And have you checked the weather? It is hot where we are going. Daytime highs are in the mid to upper 90’s and night time lows are in the mid 70’s (and it is winter??).

We will also get to meet and work with an amazing group of people. People who will adopt us into their families, make us feel welcome and take us into their hearts. People who demonstrate the love of God in the way they reach out to us and everyone they encounter. We will have a chance to build relationships with people who desperately need to know God and feel the Father’s love. God will take us on this incredible journey and allow us to be part of the amazing work He is doing with and through our brothers and sisters in Christ. This truly is the opportunity of a lifetime. Whether you are going on the trip or supporting the team with your prayers know that you are in fact going to be in Kenya, doing the Father’s work and making a difference in the lives of people in ways we may never know or understand. We are all connected as one body. Some of us are the hands and feet while others are the heart and eyes. Wherever one part of the body goes, the entire body must also go because we are all connected. We will all have a connection to Kenya as a result of this trip just as we are all connected through our love of the King and our Living Hope Family.

Speaking of connected, did you know that the area of Kenya we will be working in is populated predominately by Somalis? Did you know the largest population of Somali people in the US is located in Minneapolis? Did you know that there are Somalis living right here in Green Bay? Many of the Somalis in our area come from, or have families in, the same area we will be working in. It is very possible that someone we meet in Kenya next week could turn up in our community in the future. As I thought about this possibility I was reminded that we are all connected through God the creator, and by serving and following Him we can make an impact on our community and the world no matter where we go. I am constantly amazed that God chooses to work out His plan through us (well me anyway, the rest of the team is very capable) in ways we could never have imagined. It truly is amazing what our God can do and he invites us be a part of it all.

We will be updating the blog while we are on the trip as often as we can. If you want to keep tabs on what “you” are up to in Kenya follow the blog. It will be an awesome story!

Tony's Entry: Step Four: Pray

As I enter into the final stage of preparations for our trip to Africa I have changed how I pray and think about the trip. I am going because I know this is what God has urged me to do. Once I made the fearful decision of, yes, I will go, God has shown in every step that this is the right thing to do. He has shown the same to my wife and family. He has provided the funds through His faithful givers, (even more than I needed!). He has given me the small things; such as a perfect brand new backpack from Goodwill for just $10 that had a $20 bill I found in one of the pockets after I got home!! He has helped us accomplish so much at Camp Daniel through the extended nice weather of late winter, spring and early summer. I go with no doubts, no regrets and with anticipation of having my heart broken for Him. I began this process asking if should go, how can I go, and why should I go? I pray now asking how will my heart be changed and for the courage to follow where He leads in submission to our teams leadership, to His direction, and to what He will unfold in our midst. I am uncomfortable, because I know without any doubt, me heart will be broken, my life will change, and I will never be able to go back to the way it was before I left.

Much of the Christian life is about the willingness to move into the hard situations, relationships and opportunities God provides in order to become more like Him. I am at a place in my life where I know to disregard my my flesh and it's selfish reasoning in order to move towards where God is working. (not to say I don't wine...alot... about what my flesh wants!) So my spirit leaps and is joyful for all God will do to change our team and thrill us with His love, His caring, and all He will take us through on this journey. There are few things as exciting as the moments before beginning another hike with God, knowing He will be walking the path, leading us up the mountain, through the valleys and into a place to experience Him in a whole new way.

While we still need resources as a team to do the work we are committed to, what we need most over the next two weeks before we leave is prayer. Pray for us to have courage to follow and submit. Pray for us to be humble and loving. Pray for us accept what will change in our hearts and lives on this journey and pray for our return as we come back different than we left.

Tony

3 Weeks and Counting!

Team drama training weekend completed successfully - check
Weekly deposits accounted for and submitted - check
Airfare final balance paid - check
Passports received and turned in - check
Passports copied - one to take with and one to keep here - check
International travel insurance ordered - check
Compiling important documents folder for Donna (passports copies, airfare info, insurance, and emergency contact numbers) - ongoing
Devotional books/journals ordered for the team - check
Budget reviewed and in order - check
Finalizing itinerary schedule and budget expenses - check
Shopping for last minute stuff - ongoing
Brat fry and booyah missions sale - Sunday
Final immunizations and vaccinations administered - Sunday
Communications with Dan - ongoing
Caregiver plans for children remaining - ongoing
Phone calls, emails, communication with parents/teens - ongoing
Rummage sale - next Saturday
Finalizing bus arrangements - ongoing
Preparing for Camp Daniel camps and organizing my responsiblities for the kitchen - ongoing
**(I need kitchen help wk 1 and 3 - any volunteers??!! ;)
Communication with additional team members - 2 from Canada, 1 from North Dakota
Shopping for items to bring for the Germos and coordinating other people's involvment in the process - Thanks Living Hope Church for your generous giving!!! - ongoing
Upkeep of the day to day stuff - like laundry, cleaning - definately ongoing!
Giving our dog multiple baths after he decided to befriend Pepe' Le Peux (aka Mr. Skunk who decided to reside in our backyard!!!) Definately NOT in my schedule to do! Dumb dog!
Taking time for my kids, hubby and going for walks - try to do!!
Shopping for totes - to do
Packing totes - to do
Purchasing supplies - to do
Raising building funds - to do
Celebrating son Tommy's birthday - June 1st
Pay bills in advance - to do


Whew....that list hopefuly is geting smaller....lots to do yet! I'm sure there will be more to add in the next 3 weeks! Just the way it works

One thing I realized earlier in the week that, if I don't take the time to stop and breathe and to continually keep in check the things that need to be a priority, I find out very quickly how easy it is to become overwhelmed by it all. Circumstances seem to get the best of me and very quickly worry, fear and anxiety can come in like a flood.

Last week, I received the news that my doctor wanted me to come back in to re-evalute my mamogram that had been that week. Needless to say, it was the last thing I wanted to hear....and I found myself becoming fearful. As the weekend progressed, I realized that I had the opportunity to reflect Christ in that situation and to respond in the way the God wanted me to.

Last fall, in the Bible study I was doing, the author was talking about how she deals with fear. She will say "So, if this is _______ then ________" . No matter how many negative scenariors she came up with, the end result was that, if that did happen....what remained at the end was that God would be there. God would be there from the beginning to the very end.

I found the peace began to flow as I "played out" the scenario in my mind. "So if this is cancer, then God will be there with me through it all." The thoughts never fully left me, but the peace of God was stronger than the fears and that was all I needed!

May the God of all Peace fill you through and through whatever circumstances you may be going through! Remember to "Be still and know that I AM God"!!!

God Bless

"Giving should Hurt"

I heard that statement about a year ago and have not forgotten it since. It really made me stop and thing about how I give towards others. I see the importance and know the value of giving as my husband and I financially support several other missionaries monthly and who ourselves are missionaries and are being supported by the generosity and gifts of others who have committed to give to us and support us in what God has called us to do.

I was convicted by that statement a year ago, because in the past, we often gave based on what we could afford to give to others. In essence, it was easy to give out of our abundance but not so easy when times were tough and the check book and income coming in was nto there. We justified our lack of giving as that we just couldn't afford too.

What we have come to realize is that we can't afford NOT to give. You see, it should cost us something. It should hurt our pocketbooks to give. Otherwise I think we loose a blessing that comes from sacrificial giving. What we gain from giving sacrificially goes beyond material blessings and dividends.......when we give out of what we "don't'" have....God multiplys uses it in great and might ways- much like those loaves and fishes! Besides, what we will one day see in heaven how our sacrificial giving has blessed others and furthered God's kingdom will go beyond our wildest imaginations! I know it will boggle our minds when we see what God did with our giving.

God gave his only Son for us. It cost Him the life of His son for our redemption. What greater sacrifice is there than that....and He gave what cost Him the most, He gave it up for us. So that we would benefit eternally from it.

This is not intended to produce guilt in anyways. However, we do have a need and want to give you an opportunity to be apart of the blessing that comes from giving. We as the LHC missions team have a need and our need is for your financial gifts towards what God has called us to do. There is a mighty work being done in NE Kenya. There are villages of people who do not know that God gave His Son for them so that they may have life.

The project that we are working on is to build a school for girls so that they can receive an education and learn to read and learn about God's love for them. In our culture, we face very little gender biases. Certainly education is one that is highly promoted and equality of learning is mandatory. This is not so in many third world cultures. Here in the area we are going to, girls will not receive an education because they are not seen as equal or seen as valuable.

We have partnered with Bethany Church and Agape Church in Kenya to become a three stranded cord that is not easy broken. Bethany team went to NE Kenya in February and they were able to begin building the foundation of the school for girls. They were also able to introduce literacy training and begin educating not only girls but families in learning how to read and write in their own language. What a God ordained opportunity!!!!! Agape Church is now raising funds and working on putting up the columns for future walls to be built upon and when we arrive, it should be ready for us to come and put the roof on.

What does a project like this cost? Well, more than what we have that's for sure. On top of raising $84,000 just for our team to get there and be there (airfare, lodging, transport, food ) we need to raise an additional $25,000 just to do our part and complete the building. That's a huge amount of money! Most of that expense is just to buy the tools and materials that we will be bringing with us....so that we won't have to purchase it in Kenya. The cost of tools and materials is 2-3 times more.

Why couldn't we just send the check and have some locals do it? Because in all reality....it wouldn't happen. This is such an awesome opportunity for you to be apart of what God is doing and to enable His servants to be willing vessels, to be God's hands and feet in showing Christ's love in a very practical way.

Our challenge is for you to pray, to commit and then to give and then wait with eager anticipation on how God will use and it to further His Kingdom and I guarantee your socks will be blessed off!!!!

Checks can be made out and sent to Living Hope Church 1840 W Mason St Green Bay WI 54303 Attn: Tim Kelly and labeled NE Kenya building funds.

Thank you for giving! We can't wait to see how God will pull this one off!!

God Bless

Continuity, Context, Comfort and Jesus Christ

To say life has been busy....is a mild understatement....ok....so It's not been mild and its been Insanely busy for Tim and I, all within the context of what is about to transpire in just 38 days. The rings, the dongs, the pings, the tinkle-tinkle of my Blackberry has infiltrated my days more times than I can count within these past 30 days. Some days, over 30 messages and calls have come across my phone in just a matter of a few hours!!! Isn't life supposed to be simpler with all these modern conveniences ??!!

Questions ranging from "what do I pack" to "HELP" my teenager is not telling me anything and I don't understand why we are not getting along!"........"Will we get water everyday???!!!" I never thought my developing micro managing skills that have been honed in the Camp Daniel kitchen would eventually begin to pay off. :) You just never know!!!

Some days, I can't seem to determine which end is up and keeping up with all the details and before I know it, very quickly my day becomes a twister in the process and I strive to keep the flow of continuity going in the intended direction.

After having planned and organized 8 trips over the last 14 years, one would think that it would get easier in planning and anticipating all the details and organization that each trip involves. Just as technology evolves over time, so does the details and valuable info that you work with changes too. Believe it or not, its not so textbook standard. As the world we live in and our own "worlds" change , we must strive to change our way of thinking and press forward to take on the context of the trip in that which we will be participating. Our goal is to press the team to strive and be ready ready for change and to change.

What I am coming to learn is that even though I tend to see change or stressful situations as hard and uncomfortable and disruptions to my life, its not the right "context" into how I should be seeing it. My way of "contextualizing" the difficulty is not the right way to go.

You see our nature is to go back to what is familiar , to what is comfortable for us or the context we know so well in order to handle our circumstances, situations, processes, however you want to word it.

Instead, we ARE to take on the mind of Christ in ALL things! Easy to say, hard to do! But the truth of it is, that when we take on the "context" of Christ and His ways, all the stresses of life, all the discomforts that forces us to look hard at what we must do to change our attitudes, our perspectives, our way of handling things.....is what frees us to be Christlike and to take on His nature and to operate in His strength, His leading and to see the world through His Eyes. We are filled with compassion for those who are lost and we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as He leads and directs us.

One of those contexts that we tend to try to bring with us in when we go on a trip is our way of thinking of how we should feel. Comfort is one such area that we see as a luxury that we assume is our right and our prerogative. Regardless of the environment, we see that is a necessity. Not always willing to forgo or let go of in order to fully submit to allow ourselves to crossover and flow in the context in which we are entering....we hang on to what we know best. What I fail to remember or recognize that when I chose to follow Christ, I lay down what is my rights, my prerogative, my comfort to take up the cross and follow Christ.

This past week, my son Tommy was preparing for a week long "field trip' he is taking with his class at school this week at a camp north of Crivitz. They will be spending 5 days and 4 nights at this campground. One of my son's comforts is a fan. He depends on that fan to cool him down, to provide a "white sound" soothing effect that helps him to fall asleep. He cannot sleep without it. And he cannot take it with him for the week. So needless to say, we've had many discussions on how he will have to try to get along without it. It was no easy task to work him through it. We prayed about it and talked about him turning to God at the times when he needs that "comfort" most of all. I pray that it will become something he learns to depend on the "God of all comfort" in those times he needs to be comforted.

Yesterday, Little Tony was discussing his desire to have enough toilet paper on this trip. He spent a few hrs researching which brand of toilet paper would provide the most TP and would weigh the least. In fact, he was willing to pay into the funds for the building, for anybody to carry an extra roll for him!!!!!
That, piece of necessity I am assuming is one of his areas of "comfort" that will mean much to him on this trip. I'm sure he will learn to live without that comfort if need be and maybe it will be an area that he will find that he can be very thrifty with what he is given or provided with and will learn to live within the context of each situation he steps into. Can you "spare a square" Tony???!!!!! :)

My husband just told me this morning that as long as I am snoring next to him in bed that is all he needs to fall asleep at nights- especially in new surrounding. Thanks Hon!!! Glad to help you out there! Fair warning to any female bunk mates I may have on this trip....bring ear plugs - I can snore with the best of them!!! :) I'm sure there must be some spiritual contextual significance to the latter two illustrations...just can't think of it any.

All that to say, Its okay to enjoy things that bring us comfort, but above all.....lets not forget who our greatest comforter is. Lets remember to keep a Christ centered context as we prepare and go out to share the "Comforter" with those who have not seen, nor ears have heard of the Love of Christ, and who has come that they might have life!! And most all lets let go of our contexts, comforts and step into this trip with open hearts and a readiness to serve!

Thank You

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who participated in the Great Commission Auction and Feast. Thanks to all of you who came to the dinner and bid on items in the auction. This is the single largest fund raiser for the mission trip. We couldn’t do what we do on the trip without the support we receive from all of you. I also want to thank all the people who worked behind the scenes to make the dinner and auction a success.The night wouldn’t be possible without all the people who give their time and talents. Cooking, serving and cleaning up after a meal for 18o people is no small task. I would like to thank all those who organized and set up for the auction. Thanks to Tim and Chris for overseeing the entire event and organizing all the work. I would like to say a special thanks to Richard, Nick and Brian for all their help in cleaning up all day, and all night. Those three guys work harder than anybody I know, doing things nobody else wants to do and they do it all without complaining. So, to all of you, the people who attended and bid at the auction, the people who helped with cooking and serving the meal, the folks who organized the items for auction and tracked the bids and payments to all who helped clean up after – THANK YOU!

The night was a great success. Everyone who is involved in the trip, from the supporters to the people who are going, come together to create a successful event. In many ways the night is a model of the entire trip. Everyone has a part to play, and when the parts come together completing something that none of us could do by ourselves. I hope that the excitement will continue to build for this trip because I believe God is going to do something amazing in our church and in our lives.

Growth Through Missions

I want to direct everyone at LHC to Becky Mandich's blog (www.beckymandich.blogspot.com). Becky is one of our own, a child of LHC. Through her experiences on the mission field, God is doing an incredible work in her life, growing her into a warrior for Him.

I know for some it is hard to understand why we would travel 8,000 miles to do ministry, but this is one of the big reasons. To travel 8,000 miles to see, live, and experience the things God wants you to see, live and experience is priceless. It very often takes being out of our comfort zone, in place where God can get a hold of us for us to be able to wade through the noise of our world to hear from him. Becky is taking the next steps of acting on all she is hearing from God, and that is called growth. The fruit of that growth and the next step of growth for her will be translating the many things God has changed in her, into her life at home and in church.

We should be proud of Becky and her family for the sacrifice of getting Becky to Kenya. Tim and Zach will be traveling to join Becky with the LHC team this June. Following God's call takes sacrifice, encourage this family when you them. God is working in them as they have stepped into missions! Again make sure to check out Becky's blog, you will be blessed.

Going...

In just two short months, give or take a day, we will be starting our trip to Kenya. We still have a lot to do: planning, fund raising, shopping, packing, immunizations and all the other tasks that need to be done before we leave. This is the time when the struggles and battles will start, anything to make us doubt ourselves and the ability of our God to see us through. During this hectic time of making final preparation we need to pray more than ever. We need to pray for the trip, for the team, for the people we will meet and serve with. Most of all we need to pray for the leaders. Every time I have been on one of these trips it seems that problems start popping out of the wood work. The closer the start of the trip gets the more things seems to get in the way. This is especially true for Tim and Chris. They have to prepare themselves and do all the planning and preparing for us. The enemy knows if Tim and Chris get distracted or discouraged it will have an impact on all of us. I can only imagine all the obstacles that must come their way given the things I have to deal with. We need to pray that God will protect them and give them guidance and strength. We also need to pray that God will protect them and help them find favor with everyone they need to deal with as they finalize the preparations for the trip. We need to do everything we can to help them by listening to their instruction and being good followers.

I am truly excited about this trip and what we will see, do and learn. So far nothing about this trip has been like any of the trips I have gone on before. It is exciting to see how the trip is unfolding as each day passes and we haven’t even left yet. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the team and our church as we move forward.

Tony's Entry Step 3 - A Question of Where and not If...

Following God down any road we have never been on is always scary. It shouldn't be, yet we, as fallen humans tend not to trust. I have found that almost always, my confirmations of what to do come after I take steps to follow Him. If God is not leading as I walk, it is quickly evident and when I am taking steps behind Him the signs come and prove that quickly too! I want to share a few evidences of my walk down the road to Kenya, as God has been gracious in making clear that I am on the right track.

I am a full time missionary, always raising support, everyone I know has ben hit upon to give and serve in our ministry. I came into this trip scratching my head as to how to ask, and who to ask, for money to make this trip happen finically. While this concern is not big enough to stop me from going, it is something I will have to fully rely on God to make happen. 2 days after I fully committed to Mike that I was going, I happened upon a belt pack to hold a camera and other things I thought would be great for the trip, so I brought it home. As I unzipped the many pockets the pack had, in the back, in the smallest pocket, was a $20 bill! I was overwhelmed to ay the least. I knew at that moment to stop thinking and strategizing, and to start walking faster. The next day in the mail came a note and a check for $100 for the trip from friends I would not have asked, I was overwhelmed once again. From there I began to pray about who I should send letters to, and found it easy to make a list. Along the way, several family members asked if I had sent them letters and I had not, so they requested I do, and they have helped! Last weekend I sat down and prayed and thought about if there where any other letters I ought to send. I made decision to send out 4 more. I went to church Sunday and 2 of the people I had decided to send a letter to came up to me and asked if they would be getting a letter from me because they wanted to help... again overwhelming.

Lastly, as I wrote down my list of those who I should ask for help, I put down dollar amount I felt strongly that each would give, and each person that has given so far, has given that exact amount... that is overwhelming!

So I am now moving ahead quickly down the path following God. Not to say I don't still carry a fanny pack full of fears, (I am still still a man who's flesh wants control of me!). But now I am focused more on where God is leading instead of wondering if He is leading and that is 90% of the battle. It sound's utterly ridiculous to write on paper that there ever could be a question about if He is leading... but again I am a man to often controlled by flesh that fears, hurts, and wants to feel good above all else.

So I proceed with joy, knowing that this trip is already a victory in my life as my flesh has been weakened just a little bit. I look forward to God's working to bring me closer to Him as we continue to move, even if I have those fleshly fears of the unknown!

Make a Difference

I have always wanted to make a difference. I want to know that the things I do make an impact and, hopefully, make a difference in someone’s life even for a moment. I think most people feel this way. Must be something God designed into all of us. The problem is not with the desire but the how. How does someone make difference and have an impact on the people and the world around them? I used to think I could make a difference by working harder and trying to get ahead. I think a lot of people fall into this kind of thinking. Possessions, job titles and the size of your bank account become ways of measuring the difference you are making. But no matter how well I did at work, or how many toys I could afford, I never felt like my life was having the impact that it should. Through a series of encounters with God I realized that He was the only person who could really make a difference in people’s lives, the kind of difference that brings hope, peace and life. That’s what this trip is all about. Being involved in what God is doing to make a difference in the lives of people in Kenya. I get asked by people all the time, “Why do you like going to Kenya?” There are many reasons I get excited about going to Kenya. When we are way outside our comfort zones and all our security blankets are thousands of miles away, we have to rely on God in a whole new way. When I come back and everything seems familiar I only have to think of the experiences I had on the trip to realize that the same God I rely on in Kenya is helping me here. The people in Kenya are open, accepting and seem to love everyone they meet and do everything they can to make sure you feel loved. Who wouldn’t be excited about that kind of acceptance? But the biggest reason I get excited about going to Kenya is that I get to be part of what God is doing to make a difference in the lives of people. Not just the people of Kenya but the people who go on the trip, the people who support the trip, the people of Living Hope Church – by going on the trip we have a chance to be part of what God is doing in all their lives. I also get excited about what God will do in my life. Every time we encounter God and take part in the work He has planned for us he will make a difference in us.
So, whether you are going on the trip, supporting someone who is going or just following along be prepared to make a difference because God will make a difference in you.

Don't Worry

Pastor Jerry's sermon this week really hit home for me and my thoughts and prayers about our upcoming trip to Kenya. There were many points that spoke directly to those going on the trip and all those who are supporting and encouraging the team. Just as Jerry said in his sermon, we are called to be salt to all the people around us. Salt serves two purposes that apply to those of us going on the trip. One purpose is to bring out the flavor of foods, the point Jerry focused on. The other purpose is to act as one of the ingredients in preserving food. I think both of these purposes speak directly to the reasons we, as a church body, reach out and get involved in missions. Life can be tough and people can easily get bogged down in the day to day grind of trying to make it work. Without God people lose focus on the good things in life, those experiences they should savor, and get lost in the day to day. By acting as an agent we can show people the love of God and introduce them to a new relationship and someone who can bring them into a whole new world. At the same time we can act as one part of their preservation by introducing people to their only real hope and salvation.

The other part of the sermon that stood out to me was Philipians 4:6-7. "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." We have spent some time talking about all the things we need to do to prepare for the trip. Our families and friends are asking more questions about what we will be doing, where we will be going, were will we stay, etc. All this while most of us are still working or going to school and trying to deal with all the normal ins and outs of everyday life. What can we do? We need to pray just as we are told by the verse in Philipians. The people who are going on the trip and those who are supporting us need to remember to pray about the trip everyday. We need to pray for the people who are going on the trip, the travel and all the physical aspects of going and getting home. We also need to pray for the people we will encounter on the trip and the people we will serve while we are there. We need to pray for the church in Kenya and all the people who will be working with us. We need to pray about whatever concerns, needs or anxious thoughts we have about the trip. If we are faithful to take our requests to God he will give us peace to guard our hearts and our thoughts.

One quick personal example, the first time I went to Kenya I knew we would spend part of the trip staying with a host family. I don't really like being a guest of someone else (stubborn and independent but God is working on me). I was really uncomfortable about being a guest in the house of someone from another culture that I had never met. I prayed, thought God will never give me more than I can handle and prepared for the worst. When I go to my host family I found that the father of the family loved playing guitar, one of my hobbies, and had a job that was almost identical to mine. We had so many things in common that we stayed up late into the night discussing music, family and our work. I couldn't have been more comfortable. Why did I waste time worrying. I should have known God would take care of me. So, I encourage all of you to pray and see what God will do.

P.S. The last thing I would like to ask for is a little encouragement from all of you. It is difficult to tell who is reading the blog if you don't sign up as a follower. Creating an account is easy and, my favorite, it is free. If you create an account and sign up as follower you can get notified when the blog is updated, post comments and we can see who is reading. Thanks.

The Journey

As I read Chrissy and Tony's posts tonight, my excitement for the upcoming trip to Kenya kicked up another notch. I was also reminded of how much goes into a trip like this. Eveyone who goes on a trip like this will struggle with something. We need to prepare for this struggle while we are here, otherwise we will deal with it in Kenya. My biggest struggle is the fear that I will find myself in a position where God has given me an opportunity and I will find myself unqualified or unequal to the task. Praying, reading the word, and reflecting on all that God has done to help me grow as a person and a Christian helps me to deal with this issue. I believe all our life is a journey and God uses each step to make us into what He intended us to be and to prepare us for the opportunities He provides us. I don't know what challenges you will face as we prepare and go, but I know you will be challenged - and changed - by God. Preparing for this trip, the trip itself and the challenges we will face are steps in the journey of becoming who God intended us to be. That we will be able to go through this adventure with God and each other is the exciting part. We will build relationships with people and build on our relationship with God each step of the way.

" Before you pack your bags, prepare your heart"

Chronicles from Chrissy:

Someone once asked me, "What exactly goes into preparing for a trip this size and how do you go about doing it?" I would have to say that in preparing for any kind of trip, most people spend an extraordinary amount of time planning, laying out, researching and committing to going on a trip. Whether it is a vacation with your family, a business trip, a personal get-away or a missions trip, we all will go through the process of preparing to go. Some of us may even have our bags packed way in advanced (guilty :)) and anticipation and excitement about the journey we are about to embark on.

Planning and preparing for a missions trip is no different. The biggest difference is that most often the strategies begins a year or more in advance with a more concentrated push that jumps to the next level 5-6 months prior to the actual date of departure. What many people don't see is the behind the scenes of many, many emails, phone calls, hours spent on the computer researching, and searching out everything that will enable us to plan accordingly, utilize the funds wisely and to make sure that all aspects of the trip is covered and thought about and taken into account for. One of the biggest component of a missions trip is in the details that lie in it before and during the trip. From getting passports, immunizations, visas, medical insurance, travel accommodations to and during trip, to arranging lodging, food and water and all ministry related activities.

When it comes to spending money....I am a bargain shopper at heart and I get very excited when I save money. For instance, when it came time to search out for airline tickets, I spent a lot of time working with several airline travel agents in searching for the best deal, and was insistent and persistent in looking for the best rate that would benefit and save our team money. One of the agents recently, complimented me on my "due diligence" and "perseverance". I bring that mentality into planning a missions trip with a heightened sense of responsibility that this is not just about saving money but is more importantly, being a wise steward of the funds and resources that God has entrusted us to use. (A big thanks to Mary Deckert for her assistance in our airfare travel this year...she connected us with the right people and spent hours mediating for us in getting to meet our airfare budget).

Often times, in the course of the preparation journey, I find myself getting quickly sidetracked and focused in on the organization end of it and while we can develop the game plan, carry out the ministry and travel logistics and what it is we will do; we, myself included, fail to prepare our hearts for what God wants to do in and through us. The challenge is to prepare our hearts so that we can:

1. serve in the most God-honoring way
2. to go as a humble servant
3. to go with basic cross cultural sensitivity
4. to go ready to be a team player
5. to go expecting God to change you.

I asked several of our team members to comment on what God is "preparing" them or showing them about this trip and what He is and wanting to do with them through the process. I will add a few comments each time I blog so that we all can get a sense of what God is doing through each and every one of us.

Here is an excerpt from Becky Mandich, who is currently serving in Kenya on a 10 month internship with Agape Church:

"... God is doing such a mighty work. I feel honored to be a part of it. I am learning and changing through my experiences so much. I just got back from Northern Kenya with the Bethany Church team. It was awesome, exhausting and wonderful trip. I was a part of the adult literacy team. I spent several hours each morning learning Somali and then the afternoons went out into the marketplace with alphabet charts teaching strangers the Somali alphabet. We got very mixed reactions. Almost all were suspicious, some did not want to have anything to do with us. One particular day, we rode to an outlying village and to do literacy. We had gotten permission the day before to come and teach....but once we arrived, we were told to leave and that we were not wanted there. We rode home broken hearted and hurt. As I looked out my window, I kept thinking about how dry spiritually this place was. I prayed to God and said...if you are here among this place moving give me a sign. Before I went to bed that night, I was praying that God would pour out His Holy Spirit like rain among those people. The next morning I woke up and it started to pour out rain in the middle of our hot season in the desert!!!! There was my sign, it was also a sign that God is softening the ground and preparing the soil for the seed that we are spreading!" The next day, we were invited back to that same village and allowed to begin to teach literacy. God is so awesome!!!!".

Mike Waldrop and Tim both challenged the whole team when we met last, to prepare our hearts. To prepare ourselves to go and ready to give God our very best. We will face obstacles, we will face spiritual warfare. We will battle against our flesh. The call has gone out....now, we know that before we pack our bags, We must prepare our hearts to go!!!"

God Bless!
Chrissy K.

Tony's Entry Step 2 - The first battles of the war

I am now fully committed to going to Africa as Tim and Chrissy have bought the plane tickets and the team is in place! I have begun getting shots, my passport, etc...I am excited, yet now the reality of it all is hitting me. Over the last 6 months as I prayed, thought and wrestled with the decision to go, my main apprehension has been the Camp Daniel Team and all the needed prep time for putting on four weeks of summer camp and hosting well over 500 people during those weeks. I know I have set myself up for a grueling summer... We head to Minnesota to work at a camp for people for disabilities for a week at the end of May. I fly to Chicago from there to go to a 3 day family wedding and two days after that leave for Kenya. Ten days after getting home we start of 4 weeks of camp interrupted by a week of hosting a missions group of 30 coming from Chicago to stay and work here on the grounds with us. it will be a hard 9 week run to say the least. It has forced me already,to change, to get organized and get well ahead of things I usually do not!

Since I have known Tim, we have talked often of the reality of how we find ourselves attacked as we work where God is working. We both have faced the reality of ministry, and the obstacles that come in stepping out in faith. I have extreme faith in his leadership, as God's hand is on him and he is battle scarred because of it! Please pray for him as the one marching in the front bears the brunt of the attack.

I know that the devil will attack our ministry and the Camp Daniel Team, to try and interrupt this time of growth God has for us. In fact, it really began hitting us six months ago as I even began praying about going. Our Camp Daniel team has encountered hard issues, we have struggled, and been stretched. I have faced things as a leader I did not think I could get through. Yet,one thing I have learned through 15 years of ministry is that very often the harder the fight, the bigger the blessing, the more we encounter road blocks, the greater our growth will be on the other side.

As Tim and Mike took us through our Kenya Team Meeting yesterday, God confirmed in my heart that He is working and that I am on the right path. They spoke about the battle we will encounter, the obstacles that will come. Scott wrote a devotional that was handed out on the armor of God, for our preparation for this battle. I began reading it last night and finished this morning. It struck me how, really, the trip has already begun for us, as the battle has started, going on the trip is just part of this campaign.

At this moment I am torn, as my flesh does not want to face the fight at hand. The bad voice inside says, " It would surely have been easier for everyone if you had not have decided to do this!" But my heart says "bring it on" So I will follow what I know is right in my heart, growing closer to God, depending more on Him, and lifting the cross he has given a little higher, so I can follow Him.

So as you read this I ask for your prayer for our team, but most importantly for Tim, Chrissy, and Mike as they lead us in this battle. There are over 20 people right now who have jumped out of the foxhole and are charging the enemy behind them, many of them young, and taking a step onto the battle field for the first time. So if you see some battle worn soldiers in the halls of LHC, stop them, pray and offer encouragement, because we are in the midst of the war!