Monday, August 24, 2009

Catalog Party

We've viewed and catalogued about 6 hours of footage so far and we're discussing and praying about footage and interviews we still need here in America. We're realizing the difficulty of taking a journey that impacted us so deeply and making a film that is informative as well as emotionally engaging for people who have never been to Africa-- it's harder than it seems. We're seeking God and finding the heart of this film's power will be in the juxtiposition (seeing side-by-side) of Kenyan and American life. So please keep praying for us, and let us know if you'd like to help! We have a lot of work ahead. Pray for Hannah as she moves off to college in Oregon, for Alex and Ariel as they begin leading small groups on a monthly basis. Rachael has just returned from Minessota, where she was a midwife for a missionary friend of hers. Esther and Briana are faithful and a blessing as usual, helping dream for the documentary. Russ is back into the rythm of life and work, and Grace is moving forward with some micro-financing dreams through Agape. Pray for her endeavours there. Amanda is back to work at Rody Chiropractic and North is praying for the right fulltime job.
We will continue with this project as God provides the guidance and the means, and we ask any readers here to join us: comment on this blog, contact a Field Team Member, Anything you can do to be a part of the big things God is doing in Kenya and around the world.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

We're Still Moving

Hello again Joy of Life Kenya supporters. It's been a few weeks, but we're still on the move. Last night we performed the human video in Pioneer Park. Many people stopped and watched. We're computer shopping and starting to catalog footage . Please pray for us to assemble this film in an effective and emotionally engaging way. Pray that the passion will help us to persevere. Thankyou so much. Also remind others to keep checking up on this blog!

Friday, July 17, 2009















WE ARE HOME ! ! !

We are back in the USA! Jet-lagged and culture-shocked, we're back. Parents greated us at the baggage claim at SeaTac and we went our seperate ways- to our clean sheets, our hot showers and soft green grass lawns. We've returned to our well-lit homes, our garbageless streets and quick meals from those magical ice-boxes in our kitchens! I (north) woke up at 6:30 am the day after our return and had Spaghetti-Os, Tomato-Basil Wheat-Thins and ice-water for breakfast.

It feels so strange to be here. Amanda and I wanted to go grocery shopping this morning, so all before 10am we hopped in our luxurious '93 honda accord (with cd player and AC!!!), drove down smooth-paved streets, looked at a Carpeted apartment, visited the Chiropractor and ran to Walmart. I feel like I woke up in heaven this morning, surrounded by extravegant comfort and Utopian landscaping.
Please continue to follow this blog as we will continue to update it. There is still a lot of work left to do. Here are some memories we'll never forget















Thursday, July 16, 2009

On Our Way Home

We're here in London/Heathrow airport for another 4 hours, waiting for flight 939 to board and take us home to the US. We all miss milkshakes and cheeseburgers. But our entire second mission lies ahead of us once we touchdown in Washington. We have evangelized and God has blessed that ministry abundantly. People are being discipled and encouraged in Kenya. We've made and impact in Eldoret, Bungoma, Matete, Amagoro, Mwamba and even Masailand. Now we set our sights on the pacific northwest:

TO INSPIRE.
That is our next and equally great task. We need all the prayer and support to continue. It has carried us this far and is even carrying us home, but the mission is incomplete. Thankyou, and please, to quit on us now. Even after we land and take showers and sleep and eat BBQ and thank God for saved souls and clean sheets-- even then...

IT IS NOT OVER!!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Our Last Week In Eldoret

Daily trips to the market, Interviews with Teachers, French Toast for Breakfast, we often find ourselves talking about movies and food from home, but I think when the day comes for us to return, it will be the hardest part. Please remember to pray for each of us.

Briana: Been feeling sick off and on (like all of us- the food). Preached wonderfully, even though people laughed at her introduction because "Briana" is the name of a Tribe. She's been teaching in the school and refreshing each of us with her gentle nature.

Alex: Serenading us nightly on the Acoustic Guitar, passionately playing the part of Jesus during our daily crusades. He's also enjoyed teaching in the school and learning to wash clothes by hand.

Esther: A stern teacher to 7th Graders, she plays with the children and reads "The Silver Chair" during Matatu rides.

Hannah: God is really challenging her, and using her in the Crusades, as the main "tempter" in the alcohol scene. She has also enjoyed teaching in the school and shopping with "Mama" Rachael Sarara.

Rachael: She has been so bold to try different things and stepping far out of her comfort zone. We refer to it as sky-diving in accordance with a prophetic word from our prayer meeting before departure.

Ariel: She always seems to have a child on her lap, or else she and Hannah are teaching kids how to play thumb-war. She seems at home here and predicts a tearful return to America.

Grace and Russ: Constantly serving, with the cameras, the bags and preaching powerfully, they deserve extra appreciation for being a parental presence on this trip. Grace is constantly in awe of this beautiful country and Russ asks the best questions.

Amanda and North: Learning and growing and finding joy in the experience of our team members. This trip will certainly exceed our expectations of the impact it will have on the lives of our team, kenyans and americans as well.

Thankyou for your prayers. We need them more than anything.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Bungoma Outreach

We've just returned to Eldoret from a long and fast-paced week of evangelism in Bungoma. Here are some pictures:
Rachael with a girl from the Bungoma Church

Grace and Russ in our Hotel room in Bungoma

Hands raised for salvation





Alex crucified in front of a crowd










Pastor Moses' Children











Ariel preaching away the rain and leading nearly 100 people to Christ on our first night.