Lots O Love in Kenya, standing here at the pulpit with a Great Lover of God, Sam
Wow! What can I say of how wonderful God has been! What can I say of His Goodness! One man said that To have God over having a home or food or lover is the Best the man can get in this world.
I have seen men with Less that give Praise, Honor, and Glory to God! Why should I not do so as well.
I Love being apart of the world forgotten. Their is a joy not seen anywhere else! I fear going back home and losing the wonder God has placed in my heart for the world. By August 4th I have to decide If I want to travel through Europe for awhile or Go Home. I love to Travel and see God's Creation. I still have no Idea what God has for me as far as ministry or Job.
I would like to join a ministry somewhere in the world, but I don't know where. If anyone has some suggestions on where to stay in Europe I am more than welcome to receive them. As well as Good Ministries to be apart of.
Thanks and here is a video of our good time in Kenya that I made just before me Mac was taken. Thank You and God Bless Yall!
Oh yeah, I also still need $2,110 so if God is leading you to give that would be a wonderful Blessing! Thank you and God Bless.
Average
day for some people, but maybe not for everyone:
Everyday
is a struggle. You wake up wondering how your going to make it through the day,
let alone the next hour before work. You notice after 30 minutes of cleaning up
and having breakfast that the all your cloths are in need of cleaning, except
for one shirt and a pair of pants. You sit down to eat your favorite cereal,
Meow!!! Aaah!! man the cat runs across the table and spills coffee on the last
clean shirt you have. You scream out to God, Why is this happening to me!!! I
am living from paycheck to paycheck and now mom called last night and father
needs money for his surgery. You want to cry and go back to bed, but notice you
need to leave or you'll be stuck in seemingly nonstop traffic. As you get into
your car you turn the radio to 93X, one of your favorites comes on, okay, you
think every thing is going to be fine. Then 15 minutes into the ride a song
comes up that reminds you of your x-girlfriend who left you well over a year
ago, the relationship lasted four years. It reminds you of how lonely you feel
and how its been nearly two years since you felt a soft hand or looked into
eyes that at the time loved you. You wipe tears from your eyes and then
remember how your dad said that real men don't cry, and wonder what a real man
is. The rest the drive you hold it all in and wonder if there is something more
than living for money, status, and possible romance. There has got to be more.
There has to be. Is this really what God wants for my life.
Translator Bestone and Me After going Door to Door
We
who formerly treasured money and possessions more than anything else now hand
over everything we have to a treasury for all and share it with everyone who
needs it. We who formerly hated and murdered one another now live together and
share the same table. We pray for our enemies and try to win those who hate us.
- Justin Martyr
I, Cary, and Cathrine Getting Ready to Share Jesus sitting on Sweet Tiny Chairs
I
have had my most valuable possessions taken from me, a laptop, camera, pictures
and video that can't be replaced. Yet I have been praying and thinking. What am
I living for? Why am I here on this earth? Is a romantic relationship,
marriage/girlfriend ever going to complete me?Yes I am on a mission trip sharing the Gospel, yes this is as God has
commanded me and us, but I have soon realized that there is more. How can there
be more than giving up your worldly belongings, job, and friends back home,
David?
How
bout everything, I mean everything: First lets take the "American
Dream". The Dream consists of making enough "Money" to were your
secure and never need the assistants of another human being, then it involves
"Status", wether that's a job you enjoy or it fulfills your dream or
people look up to you for what you do, then there is a "Romantic Relationship"
where you finally meet your "soulmate."
Men Hold Hands as a sign Of Friendship / Peter and His Family
What
if God is asking for even this. The early church lived for each other,
"One for all and all for one" is their battle cry. The world is
making disciples of us, but are we making disciples for the kingdom. I never
noticed how the world wants us to live like them, go to school, get a job, get
married and die. What does Jesus ask of us? Go to His school were the teacher
is the Holy Spirit. Be involved in making disciples who will follow Jesus and
"His Way" not just believers who know God and prayed to receive
Jesus, but people who actually follow Jesus and His teachings, Demons believe
in God and tremble.Lastly, fall in love
with the most loving individual the world has ever know, Jesus, find your completeness
In Jesus and not a person of the opposite sex. Until your content to be by
yourself and enjoy life without the opposite sex in your life, you may find
yourself moving aimlessly from relationship to relationship wondering why that
person can not fill that empty void that only God can fill.
Amanda Enjoying Sharing in the Excitement at a week long crusade
Why
am I saying these things? Am I against following your dreams or having
families? No, these are all good things, but they are not the Best. What God
wants from us is Everything, so He can Give us Everything we need from Him. Don't worry He will replace them with His Holy Spirit, and an Adventure of following Him. As for relationships, we have the biggest family in
the world, the Family of God. He wants us to Follow Him and what He said, not just believe in
who He is or what He has said in the Bible.
We are packed to the brim in a short ride to ministry
"No
one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will
be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
- Matthew 6:24
If
any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take
up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang onto your life, you will lose
it. But if you give up your life for my sake and the sake of the Good News, you
will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your
own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? - Mark 8:34b-37
So
why do you keep calling me "Lord, Lord! when you don't do what I say? I
will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching,
and then follows it.
Luke
6:46-47
Leyna playing with the Kids outside of Church
So
what is it that God is asking us to do?
'And
you must love the LORD your God with all your soul, all your mind, all your
strength'. The second is equally important; 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
no other commandment is greater than these. - Mark 12:30-31
I'l
write more on my feelings and where this will take me in another blog. Let's
just say that losing something valuable can really change your perspective on
Life.
Thank
you and may God bless you as you Follow Jesus and Live for His Kingdom.
This morning has been a very sad morning. Four of my world race friends have had their laptops stolen, including myself. Last night we had a fourth of July party and the the door was not locked. The thief stole five computers. Three hard drives. My camera. And a Friends passport. It has not been a very good day. Most of all my photos from the last 6 months were on my laptop and a some personal info.
Pray the Lord will Lay it on the heart of the thief to return them. Also I we may need to raise support for new laptops and camera, as much of our ministry is to you with photos and blogs.
Pray that no ones financial information was stolen and that the passport is returned or easily replaced.
Pray that this does not affect our continued ministry here in Tanzania.
Pray that I can handle the lost of many memories on photo and video from the past six months.
Pray that my Faith increases as I see God use this to bring the greatest Lost, people's eternal lives, be saved by the grace of God.
Pray that the laptops are found or returned as they are vital to our
ministry. This has been very stressful having my live invaded and
stolen again. Its bad enough having a love one leave then now have memories
stolen from the things God has been doing in my life. at least they
can't take my relationship with God from me.
This all reminds me Of the song by Tree63:
Blessed be the name of the Lord
He Gives and Takes Away,
He Gives and Takes Away,
Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Blessed be Your Name.
Well I Can't wait to see what he Lord is going to do with your Prayers.
There are many kinds of fathers, fathers of inventions like Thomas Edison and the lightbulb. The Founding Fathers of our country who desired to provide a place where an individual has the freedom to worship as he or she sees fit. Then there are those we know most, our own fathers, the ones that were there for all our lives or ones we have never met. Fathers are a unique breed created to care, nurture, and protect those they have born out of Love.
Doesn't Dad look Great
Today I believe most of our problems in America are bound from a lack of healthy Fathers or more to the point the lack of Fathers, good or otherwise. Why are fathers so essential to the nurturing of an individual? I have seen around the world that woman seem to have a healthy grasp on caring for children, so why do we need Fathers?
Its my Grandson and I love Him -John
From my own experience I have learned that without a Father One can lose ones drive for life. Without a Father to drive a child on to greatness and to believe in their child's innate strengths and abilities they will soon begin to slide into depression. Or if a father is not present the child will look to others for that care and nurturing. Boys will, either depending on their temperament, draw within and become recluse or they will get in as much trouble as possible to prove to someone anyone that they are men. Girls will begin to have low unhealthy views of their beauty inside and out and may act out in various ways such as filling their lives with boys or they will become recluse and draw within.
My Dad and Uncle Rick Love to Joke Around
So Fathers are very important to the Health of individuals and to even Nations. I made this Video to Show my Father how much I care for Him and to just have a little fun showing him all the work I and the guys did in Thailand.
Here's to You Dad the Inventor of me, Praise God
So props to you Dad. Thank you for everything you have given me and continue to give even now on this race. I would not be here without you.
2 John 1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus
Christ "the Son of the Father" will continue to be with us who live in
truth and love.
Its been one of the most Challenging and Joyful months. In Kenya I had assumed that the people were cold, but after getting to know several bothers in Christ here in Kenya. I have changed my mind. For the two weeks we were there I met Antony and Paul. Two men who had come to be disciples Of Jesus. They were with us just to learn with us and to learn from pastor Jackson how to be affective followers of Christ. Antony for example had left his village for up to four months and plans to go back to his people and be an evangelist to his friends and neighbors. He has a great love for music as well and wants to come to America to share his Love for the Lord by playing music.
Dirty Dusty But Happy Kids
I have learned much from my African Brothers. They have little, they share all they have. They Love to worship God and have no shame in sharing Christ with anyone. They love those who reject the message of Christ just as much as those who receive Him with all their heart. I have learned to not be ashamed of sharing the gospel, we plant seeds and let God move in an individuals heart. Sometimes I have never shared the gospel, because I don't want to be offensive. I mean I am asking people to give up their way of living to follow a Man who calls Himself God, to turn from a life they have been living for some odd years for themselves; Logically this does not make sense from a human viewpoint. Serve an invisible God who shows Himself mostly through The Bible and Creation. Its going to take faith to believe some Mazungoos (White People) Who came from a far country to Tell them of this God who calls Himself Love.
Preaching Door to Door
Encouraging Fellow Kenya Brother and Sisters in Christ
The Maasai are an interesting group. They still practice multiple Partners, that mostly being multiple wives. The sad part is that a girl can be married at ten years old. So there was a very large Cultural gap between us. Yet the power of God Has moved in these people when we share our hearts and Gods word with them. One good thing is that they are, or my experience is, they are very receptive to listening to the Gospel, with a few exceptions. They also need of much prayer as many of them only know God via head knowledge instead of a proper relationship with Jesus.
The Maasai Will Jump High to Win their Wives on occasion.
Eager Maasai Ladies listening to Worship Music
Rare Pose By Maasai Man, Majority of men don't like their picture taken
Kenya has been interesting, I have felt more like I was in a foreign country here more than anywhere else. When you step into Narusoora it's like stepping into the past. Everything is foreign. Rarely is there power at night except via Generator. When you see people walking around in robes and wrapped garments its a heart and mind changing experience. To think that people still live like their is no such thing as technology. Except for cell phones, People have no power, but somehow almost everyone had cell phones kinda funny.
My New Maasai Friend, We witnessed to His Family and Friends
I can't believe my experience among these people. We were the only team in Kenya to experience this time with these people. Many on my team struggled greatly during this time as we were without many things, lack of available power, toilets; we had Latrines; mostly the same food everyday, not being able to speak to most of the people, not being able to go around town by ourselves much for safety issues, which caused much cabin fever.
Despite this I somehow received supernatural joy in the midst of my sufferings. I was sick for the first two days, then again the fourth day, then once again on the sixth day. At one time I was advised that I might have Malaria so I went to the Hospital. Praise Go I don't have Malaria. Yet despite all these setbacks, I was have been overwhelmed with Joy.
Here in Kenya We got a taste of home with the opportunity to work along side another American team from Colorado. A team that happens to belong to Megan's church. Its quite an interesting Story. Our Main contact was not ready for us and we were not sure what we as a team were going to do. The day before we were to leave we went to lunch at a local cafe called the Java House. We were almost done with our meal when this older gentleman sat down at the table next to us. Megan was like that looks like Mark who runs a home for those who refused to be married at a young age, such as a family selling there daughter to be a wife to another, in exchange for a cows or sheep, so the family doesn't go hungry. At first we were like No way, that not him. We joked about it for awhile then decided that it wouldn't hurt to ask him if He was that same Mark. Praise God, what did you know it was him. So now here we are almost two weeks later finishing up our ministry with Mark and the wonderful individuals from Megan's Church.
Smile For Me Kenya
The Heart of the church is alive in both short-term ministries and long-term as the world race. Our hearts are concerned for those who do not know the Lord and to provide for those who can not provide for themselves, such as the young girls here.
Soon we will be going to a place for the next two weeks were we will have no power and no way of contacting all you lovely people. We will be working with a Maasia church doing door to door evangelism and holding various church activities like VBS.
Praise Jesus I just checked my Account and THE LORD HAS PROVIDED. This will bring me to a total of only needing $2,200 to raise after this. So Please Give as God Leads, small or great to the wonderful things God is doing in my life. I would Greatly appreciate this and God will bless you richly.
I STILL NEED $200 by July 1st.
The video I'm posting is asking for more so If you want to give toward the remaining $2,200 and make me fully funded to the GLORY of God that would be great.
So here's a video of some of the things God has taught me in the countries I have visited. God Bless You! I hope you will be able to give above and beyond all you are able. You my Family of God are Awesome!
Psalm 34:3 Come let us tell of the Lord's Greatness; let us Exalt His name together.
Its a half way point here on the world race. I have to admit that Africa has never been a place I have wanted to go. I knew God was doing great and mighty works here on this continent, but I just did not want to be here. I have only know the African-Americans from my work and most of them like the white is consumed with being either wealthy or the pursuit of the american dream. Here in Africa its truly different. When I walk through the streets of Nairobi I see many tired and weary people. Not to many smiles cross the faces of the city dweller. Its very sad walking throughout the city. Hope is very distant. I wonder how Kenya rich in the knowledge of Jesus could be so sad. They have the greatest savior to have ever existed come and fill the land with His presence, but still its so sad here.
Doing Some Concrete Work
I guess I could explain the sadness. There is a knowledge of God, but few relationships with Him. Jesus is nothing more than a name with no face. So here in Africa, I will be that Face. I will be the face that Africa has been missing, the Face of Jesus.
Jesus Cared for the lost Sheep
This past month I have been studying I John. The whole Book talks about Fellowship with The Father, Fellowship with The Son, Fellowship with the Spirit, And Fellowship with our Brothers and sisters in Christ. There is an overwhelming push by the Spirit and His word to Love the Brothers and sisters in Christ.
My Brothers in Christ
This month I want to thank my Church from home Highpoint, who gave generously from their Hearts and Sacrificially, Thank you.
As for Giving. By the end of this month I will need $1,350 to get me to a point of needing only $2,000 after that. If you have not given, I pray you would help a Brother in Christ Out. Thank You and God Bless you if you have given and pray for me now or in the past.
Last month was great and being a man was easy with brethren who will stand beside you during good times and hard times. However there are moments that no man can ever be there for you. During those times your tested for what is already present within you. There may be bitterness, unresolved anger, or a number of various emotions coursing through your heart and mind. At first during this time of being alone and tested, there was much anger and a great feeling that I did not deserve to be going through this kind of treatment. I had only been through this much pain only once, maybe twice before and it was usually taken care of within a day or two. I was super healthy, I don't get sick or if I do it only lasts for a short time. The sickness last for a whole seven days and even now, my stomach has not returned to full health. Digestion and the consumption of food no longer are things I look forward to. The whole pallet in my mouth has been changed, what I once saw as an enjoyment in life, eating, is now a necessity. Very discouraging.
Back to the sickness. I decided along with a friend of mine Jedediah, to choose to press into God hard and to change all complaints wether verbal or mental to either never say them or focus on God. This helped extremely well. I had vomited and my stomach did not stop hurting for a week. But God showed up in a strong way. I remember Him telling me something for the girls on my team as well as for me. God's presence was intense.
However during the last days, most of my sickness was being healed and, but my body was very, very weak. I was so weak, I did not read or listen or think much. All I could do was sit in the Fathers arms and wait for Him to heal me. Even now I hope that my stomach can return to normal. As its hard to be fully engaged in much when your desire for food has nearly disappeared.
Well, no pictures this time as sickness is not something enjoyable to look upon. I pray that you will all pray that my stomach will be fully healed and I can be fully engaged in Africa. Yep! I am in Africa. Blog you all later.
This Month has been about getting to bond with our brothers in Christ. A chance to form a unity that is often lacking in American culture. Sadly we have become so obssesed in having a relationship that we miss out on forming lifelong friendships with those whom can understand us better than a woman can, our brothers in Christ.
Brothers in Christ From YWAM
When the world thinks of men, what is the answer that many come up with? Brute strength out of control, pigs. Many men have been taught that they should do whatever their flesh wants to do and forget the consequences. Eat as much as you want, sleep to much, or indulge in sins, sleeping around/ pornography, and substance abuse.
Elephant Riding Warriors
How has man gone so far that he has forgotten to be as God intended for him to be. Men are called to be sober and vigilant, strong warriors that fight for a cause that's worthy enough for them to die for.
Sweet Tigerrrrr!!!!
Meekness comes to mind. Meekness is defined as strength under control. Did you here that, Power Under Control. God has given us strong desires to fight and protect so that we can channel them in to positive successful ventures. Such as protecting the weak, loving those who can't love in return. Sacrificing our very lives in order that another may live.
Elephant King Very Awesome!
So then what does this look like. I believe some examples are those who lift up their brothers and sisters in Christ at the expense of ones time and energy. Others examples are providing a refuge for the the weak and sick and caring for those who can't give in return. What ever the example or cause it all comes down to putting others before ourselves and doing it sacrificially.
Shower in the Rain, Squeaky Clean.
This month I have been asking God what will be my vision or cause that I can lay my life down for. As of now He has showed me it has something to do with people and media. Whether that's going to film school or a school for media production is uncertain. All I know is that He has given me a passion for the media and I want to use this for His Glory.
Farmers For Christ
In the end whatever He has for me to do at the end of the world race I want to do it with meekness. I want to do it for the eternal. I want to do it with a story that leads people to Christ.
How interesting to build a building with absolutely no experience. As a team we needed to build a house for a widow. To be more precise we had to build two walls and replace a roof. At first we had help and there were Param and Beu to help us, then the humbleness set itself in, the next day no one helped us out. We got frustrated and tempers roared if only silently. We got to see each other under pressure and I am proud of our team. We worked together very well. We got the job done, even though we had to work late into our dinner hour and our stomachs were growling.
Taking a Break after working on the Walls
Take care of the widows and orphans says the bible. In the Philippines it was taking care of the orphan, this month the widow. Never got her name, but we did get her son's name, Beu, a very diligent and hard working young man.
Playing Games at a Youth Gathering
Beside building we were asked to teach english. Haha this was an interesting occasion. No clue as to what to do. No teacher there, but many willing students eager to master the english language. My first day God gave me a wonderful subject for english. I was walking back from breakfast, we have to walk a mile both ways to get our meals on occasion, when I was singing a song and It was about what makes you smile. The thing was I was nervous, but decided to have a good attitude and trusted that God would give me something to talk about before I met the students. Haha He provided that and more. We Talked about what makes us smile, laughter, friends, parties, the beach, or bodies of water, food, animals.
Teaching English
It was fun. I did better than I ever thought I would, God gave me confidence and I even sang a song about the things that make us smile and led the rest of the class in the song I made up.
Our Students Reading English
Cambodia Has been Hot and a challenge to what and why I am here on the race. Trusting God when your exhausted and learning that everything we do is for God and His glory and to let His love be know by word and Deed.
Finished House With Walls Roof Finally Placed
Pray for us this next Month we are in Thailand and we are Just together as Men. The Girls are elsewhere. Pray we as men will bond with each other and grow in our relationship with God. Thank You and God Bless
