Another thing that impressed us was the sense of community these children displayed. This is something else we as Americans need to learn. To be solid Christians we can’t live as individuals. We need the love and encouragement of other Christians. Together, as one, we can do so much more than one standing alone.
Finally, we learned about joy and hope from these beautiful children. Though they have grown up in extreme poverty, all we seemed to see was beautiful smiles. Their joy wasn’t based on circumstances, but on Christ. Through all their worship and praise you could see and feel the love for God in the room. Without God these kids would have little or no hope for tomorrow, but with faith in Jesus Christ they know that He will be with them through any situation, no matter how hard it gets. And the hope they had in Jesus made it more bearable for us to leave them today, though the tears still flowed freely.
As we leave Nairobi tomorrow, and move on to the rural area of Mwingi, we know that the seeds planted in the students will be nourished by all of the godly leaders that has been placed at the Youth Center (Pastor Wambua, Principal Moses, teachers, etc.). Our prayer is that large group of students would grow to become sold-out disciples of Jesus who are used by God to bring change to their community, nation, and world!
It’s only been 2 days and we’ve had many incredible adventures. We wonder what awaits us in the next 8 days. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Thanks, too, for the encouraging comments that have been posted. We read them as a group every day. We love you all! Yesu ni bwana (Jesus is Lord)!
Love,
Jessica and Aron
P.S. Praise the Lord, that Leah is feeling some better and that Daryl’s luggage finally arrived! We hope you enjoy these pictures of the trip:
\
Thank you so much Paul, Jessica and Aron for sharing your experience so far. I can not tell you how much it means for us back home to hear from you and be able to have a small glympse of what is happening in your lives and those of the Kenyan children. We love each of you and are praying continually for you.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Someone please give Leah a hug from her mama :)
Mrs.D'Ann
We were SO excited to see the posts and especially the pictures. We are so glad that the team arrived safely (We tracked your flight and have a story of our own to tell, we may not track your return flight home, it was way to stressful). We are also glad that you have already been able to share the love of God with so many children who physically have so little, but through Jesus Christ have Hope and Joy as you described. We continue to pray for each of you and the mission you are doing. We look forward to hearing and seeing all of the stories you'll have to share, that includes you, ZACH. We love each of you.
ReplyDeleteBobby and Sophia
I am so glad that not only the students have learned during VBS, but also yall. I am SO glad that Leah is feeling better, and Daryl got his luggage. I prayed that she would get better and his luggage would come EXTRA hard. I was so worried about my Leah Bug, I am glad that she is feeling better (that makes my heart happy.)
ReplyDeleteI hope that God shows yall SO many more of His wonderful works, so you can learn from them and that you can come back and tell me about them.
-Joy
P.S. thanks for the pictures!
"Their joy wasn't based on circumstances, but on Christ." SUCH a true statement, one that we ALL should embrace! I'm so very glad that y'all are seeing these beautiful Kenyan faces through the eyes of Christ, because the truth IS simple . . . it's not about what we have, where we live, etc., it's about WHO we know. True JOY is made complete in Him!
ReplyDeleteSO glad Leah is feeling better . . . you ROCK, gal! And, Daryl, well, what can I say? Glad your luggage finally decided to make its way to you! Have you "broke out" the Toto ringtone yet? ;-)
Thank you for keeping us here at home up-to-date on your adventures . . . keep your heart open for even more!!
I love you guys!!
Ms. Julia
P. S. I ran across these verses in my Bible reading last night and remembered they were from our "Amazing Race" last year . . . Hebrews 12:-12 . . . seemed appropriate for now, as well!
Continuing to pray for you all-for good health, the right spirit and open hearts. Glad you all are having a good time as well as letting God use you for His service. We love you Jessica. Hugs from everyone at home.
ReplyDelete--Michael, Joy, Mikayla, Alex & Nanny
First of all I want to say that I am so jealous of all of you (in the most Godly way possible) because I want to be right there beside all of you serving and reaching others with the Gospel. Obviously, I couldn't be there this time and that's cool because God doesn't make mistakes so I'm here (in Eastman) for a reason. Make each day useful. There are no days that God intends for us to do nothing. We are to make the most of our time ALL the time.
ReplyDeleteTo all of my little brothers and sisters in Christ (AKA all the youth): From the few posts I've seen so far, all of you seem to be growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). Continue to grow everyday by seeking God and knowing Him more. I'm so excited for each and every one of you because you're making an impact so big that we can't even imagine the changes that are going to take place through this right now. Even here, people are being rocked by the fact that 10 teenagers are going halfway around the world to make a difference in the lives of people who desperately need so much things, and the most basic need is Jesus. He is what we need (and what those Kenyans and every other person in the history of forever) need much more than anything else. A brother has no greater joy than to see his brothers and sisters doing great things. Be faithful to our Lord. Stay fully devoted to Him. Even though the work is hard and the days are long, spend time in the Word of the only Living God because that is where we get our strength and find our rest. I can't wait until ya'll get back so we can go reach people together. Write in your journals daily so you can remember that God has done great things in and through ya'll during this trip. We're a people that easily forgets the blessings that have been poured out upon us.
To Daryl, Arnold, and Paige: Ya'll have impacted me tremendously. We need leaders like ya'll to guide us. Not many are living it out and following our Lord these days. Youth, children, and young adults don't have many people they can look up to for a solid example of what it means to follow Jesus. Ya'll are great examples of what it means to be fully devoted to God. Keep being those solid examples that we need. Ya'll are making a difference not only in the lives of those in Kenya, but in the lives of 10 teenagers that are with ya'll looking up to each of you for a solid example. Ya'll have made an impact on so many people and truly know what it means to make disciples. Keep pressing on! I love each of you and ya'll have meant so much to me in my walk with the Lord.
PS: Daryl, I know this is the last thing on your mind right now, but everything here is going well. Outreach last night was a success and surprisingly we had about 10 students there! Everything else has gone pretty good so far and we have a solid group of people here who watch over me to make sure I don't mess the place up too much!
Love, your brother in Christ,
Jordan
I am so excited for you guys! I know that God is using you all in a mighty way! I keep thinking of the song, "Mighty to Save"... Savior, You can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save, mighty to save".... I am praying for you you all and that God will plant seeds. Love each and every one of you muchly!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mrs. Amy. :)
Wow what an exciting few days. I see so many familiar faces (especially the pic with Anna). I am blessed by the pictures (God let me see an updated pic of my sweet Faith, Monica, Catherine, Anne). There are so many that I miss, but I'm glad that you were there to love them, hug them, and speak about our precious Savior. Leah I hope you feel better, believe me I've been there girl and its no fun. You begin to appreciate American toilets and trash cans that don't have holes in them. Stay strong, work together, and remember there is no limit to the amazing things that God can do through you. I'm so glad you are being doers of the word (James 1:22)
ReplyDelete"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching, and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Col 3:16 Praying for you all Lori
Thanks so much for the daily updates and pictures. It’s wonderful to be able to get a peek into what you all are experiencing. You will be coming home with so many memories and stories to share. More importantly though, you will come back knowing God in a more personal and very special way, like never before, as He makes Himself so real to you. Praying that God will continue to keep you safe and healthy and give you strength and courage.
ReplyDeletePersonal note to Joshua: Your mama, daddy and Hannah love you so very much. I have put you in God’s hands and I have left you there.
(:Celeste:)
Jessica and Aron did a great job describing their reaction to the children's joy in the midst of poverty. I know that was one of the most amazing things to me and Zack when we were there. We loved those beautiful smiles!! We continue to lift you all up in our prayers. Paige, I am especially praying for you as the only female adult. You will be the mother of the group and what a responsibility that is. But God has graced all of you for the tasks that lie ahead. Run with endurance, team members, even when you feel tired and cranky. The joy of the Lord is your strength. "Do not lack diligence, be fervant in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistant in prayer." Romans 12: 11-12 Can't wait to see more pictures! Daryl, wonder if anyone will pull a Luke Carter and hang like a monkey from the trees at Karina guest house?
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Ok This is the third time I have tried to post. satan you will not win this battle! What a MIGHTY God we serve!
ReplyDeleteI see our Heavenly Father at work not only though you, but through His people in Africa. Although I am not physically on the journey with you, I am spiritually. God has already taught me some amazing yet humbling things. These people have so little. The things they have mostly are things we would not even consider donating to Goodwill. However, they have the richcest treasure anyone can have-the word of God! O how they TRUELY treasure His word! They believe and claim His promises He has given us in His word! They have the faith of a mustard seed! How humbling! Often times we let material posessions/things get in the way of our relationship with God! Many of us do not truely treasure God's word like these people do! I am one of them. What rich blessings you all have been to not only the people of Africa, but to those of us at home as well. However, I believe the richest of all the blessings from this journey are the ones you receive from these people of God! You all are conitniously in our thoughts and prayers! I am so ready to see my babies Jacob and Anna! Daddy and I love and miss you so very much! Enjoy your time there and keep your heart open and receptive to God's blessings and lessons! Love to all. Thank you for giving of yourselves so sacraficially so others may know Him! To God be ALL the Glory!
P.S. I need the team to do me a HUGE favor...PLEASE make sure Anna does not fall in the squatty potty. She does after all have her mother's blonde pollock genes! Daryl, I am sho nuf glad you got your clothes. Don't know how much more of your muskiness the others could stand. hehehe
I thank God for this team every moment of the day. Yall have been a great example to me and I'm sure yall have been to anyone else yall have talked to. I'm SO glad that Leah bug is feeling better! I'm also thankful that Daryl's luggage came in nice and safely.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to hear about what God has shown all of yall and what He has done in your lives.
I know that God has shown and will continue to show His mighty ways throughout this trip. Keep plantin' those seeds!
I LOVE all of yall!
- Leanna
We are very excited to read these post and see the pictures you have posted .Just seeing the smiling faces on the kids makes it worth the time we are away from our loved ones .Everyone here is praying for all of you . Aron & Jess , Becca said to remind you, do not forget about the monkey.:) we love you all . Robert ,Amanda ,TJ and Becca
ReplyDeleteloved to see Jason laughing and that little angel tickling you in the spot.
ReplyDeleteMiss you but am so grateful you have this
wonderful opportunity
I love you,and you and the team are in the of God. Nana God is good..............
trying to say I love you, and you and the team
ReplyDeleteare in the hands of God. God is good.
LOve and prayers, Jasons Nana
Hey there FBC Mission Team,
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed all of the photographs you have taken and posted, but I just loved the one of the two children with the balloon between their faces. Something so simple as a balloon provided such joy and fun for them. I am so grateful God has opened this door to share the Truth with the people of Nairobi and moving on to Mwingi. I know it is hard to believe there are people in the world who have never heard the Gospel. I pray that through all of you, the people there would experience God's deep love and compassion He has for them and He would flood your hearts and minds with the Glory of His Grace. I pray Satan would be bound from anything that distracts anyone from hearing God's voice and for divine appointments in Mwingi as well as while you are traveling. I pray you all have spiritual and physical strength daily and quick adjustments are made to time and cultural changes.
You guys are the hands and feet of Jesus and may be the only Jesus the people see today. Thank you for being laborers for the Lord and going into the field to work!
Dahl and I look forward to taking our family on the journey to Kenya someday. Just know you have lots of support back home and we look forward to hearing all about it!Love you all! Romans 10:12-15
Love in the Lord, Melissa McDermitt