The Mission of the Mission!

I greet you all with a smile in my heart, in the name of Jesus! Thankful for all He provided, and all He accomplished through us, on this mission.

As I expressed in the earlier blog, my disappointment for not being completely and totally prepared to be used by God on this mission. Not being in tune to the overall objective of the team, (through no fault of anyone but myself, I have made piece and pray for another opportunity to bless, and be blessed)

All in all I believe we accomplished everything we set out to do and more!!

Obviously our number one and primary goal, (as I understood it) was to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. (To a people starving for the truth, eager and enthusiastic to receive it) On the contrary; with so many other religions and cults in the area, this enthusiasm can also leave them vulnerable and susceptible to the enemy. (Something I will continue to pray about) We wanted to focus on the gospel based solely on what the Word of God says, concluding, "the most effective way to spread the Word of God is with the Word of God." Therefore, we (with the financial help of many back home) we were able to provide many with the Word of God, published in "Kisii", their native language.

It was both gratifying and humbling to deliver the Word of God to such a content and loving people. Compared to Americans, these children have nothing. Yet to see the pure joy on the faces of those kids as we passed out bibles, brought out the emotions in my heart. It was quite a touching moment for me. Notice in the foreground and background, you see sewing machine tables with no sewing machine. And on the back wall, you see old newspaper. The newspapers were used as a practice tool in that they ran out of material to sew with. (That's right, they were learning to sew using old newspapers) Thanks to DuPont Registry, (A story in itself and for another blog) we were able to provide bolts and bolts, yards and yards of material and again, from the gracious hearts of our church family back home, we also provided new sewing machines which will teach many young people, a trade and will soon (Lord willing) provide an income which in turn will put food on the table. (The primary focus on the minds of most everyone in this area)

From America, we brought toys and games, frizzbe, jump rope, soccer balls, and volley ball. It was like Christmas and they all played together for hours. Smiling from ear to ear, no arguing over the rules, no disputes about the score, no boys against girls, no team against team, no competition, just pure unadulterated fun and fellowship. (I think it will be like this in heaven)

In the openness of the compound, we fenced in an area for live stock.

Also on the property of the orphanage, we help to construct and supply materials to put a roof over the heads or the animals.

Then we built a place to house the animals.

Then like Noah's Arc, God provided the animals. Thanks to the giving hearts of those who supported this effort monetarily and to all who prayed for it's success, we were able to provide two pregnant milking cows. (Four, for the price of two) Can't beat that! (Double cream for me please!)

We purchased thirty some chickens, which will in turn provide who knows how many countless eggs to both sell and sustain them. (can you say "two over easy?")

And if the cows don't produce, we can always milk the goats. (I'm hear to tell you there was nothing better to start your morning than a hot cup of goats milk, with a scoop of instant coffee and a heapin helpin spoon full of raw cane sugar to get you going!) God is good! (Who need Starbucks!)

And at the close of each day, we would lock them in their new pens.. close the gate on the fence, and praise God for His prevision, His grace, His love, and for His Son Jesus, and all He accomplished through us.

Amen??

Amen!! What an awesome trip, and how good it makes the heart feel to GIVE!

Thanks to all who made it possible!

Kisii 2011

I greet you all my brothers and sisters from both America and Africa. I give praise to my Father for the safety He provided the team during this trip. This trip for me, has allowed new friendships to develop, it has revealed the awesome creative hand of or Lord, (which can be witnessed in the attached photos) and, most importantly, it has confirmed in my own heart that Jesus is still the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and even more so, my Lord and Savior.

I for one being very skeptical as to my roll on this mission, have come away changed, with a renewed purpose and with a new song in my heart. Though I continually questioned my intentions as to why I was involved, I tried hard to have no preconceived ideas, no expectations, and at the same time I tied to keep my motives clear. (Although I wasn't sure what they were.) Though my first response when asked to consider being part of the team was, "my heart was not into missions" I tried to have an open mind. I was told (COME) and God will change my heart when I get there.

I went, I saw and I experienced what everyone else did, yet I had no idea what to expect before hand, no idea what was in store, and therefore, I neglected to prepare myself properly. My heart, my soul and my mind was left open and vulnerable. We were repeatedly told as a team to bathe ourselves in prayer and stay in the Word. Being my first and only mission trip, I somehow failed to realize the importance of this monumental task. My deepest regret and my biggest disappointment was that I somehow let the others down. I disappointed my team, my family and most of all, the very one I was there to serve, Jesus. Looking back, there were many missed opportunities that God placed before me. A door was opened,! A door that God may have prepared months in advance, and I, on several occasions, neglected to walk through it. There was one specific occasion, though unexpected and somewhat feeling put on the spot, I was given the opportunity to introduce my family and profess my faith, and I said nothing. I gave the name of my wife and daughter and then sat down. Even the Pastor/interpreter looked at me in question and said, "is that all, you have nothing more to say??" Afterward I felt like Peter saying, "I don't know the man". And how ironic that every morning as the sun came up, I was reminded of this incident when the rooster sounded the morning alarm. Jesus said, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, to him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

Mat 10:32

On several occasions I have asked myself, "was I there to minister to others, or to be ministered to?" In so many different ways, God spoke to me, even through the ones I respect the most. Being told several times by a fellow team mate that I was lacking in faith, and that I worry too much, I have since ask God to make me a stronger Christian, and to boldly seize any and all opportunities to profess the name of Jesus without reservation.

Again, being my first mission trip, you have a unique chance to be with and witness people (the people you see every Sunday), on a more up close and personal level. There were times I'm sure when we all were on edge and short tempered. And just as I showed some sides of my personality that I'm sure some questioned, I hope I have left parts of me with those we visited that will be remembered as loving, caring, and that which may reflect the heart of Jesus himself. I am convinced I will be stronger in my faith and in my walk because of this trip.

I know that if I ever have the opportunity to experience this type of thing again, or if one reading this note can take one thing away from my experience, it would be this; Never underestimate the power of prayer. Get involved. DO NOT GO Unprepared or un-prayed. Take time to make time, know what's happening, know what the goal is, and pray without ceasing that you attain what you set out to do! (if you sit on the sidelines and just go with the flow, you will feel out of touch, and unused) Make every effort to be in tune to the opportunities God may put before you. Do not (like me) let God and others down by not being filled and completely in tune to what the Spirit may be telling you. Do not be the second string quarterback and wait for someone to call your name. They should be calling your name to ask what the next play is. You will never get a second chance to make a first impression.

On to the awesome and creative hand of Jesus: These pictures makes me wonder what Noah must have thought when he gathered each specie together. Each one in its own splendor, there is some type of reverence that overtakes you when you see these animals for the first time in their own habitat. God is so good!!

Blessings!

jon

Thanks be to Jesus for the opportunity to witness His creation first hand and to experience it along side such a loving people and a beautiful country. More to follow on the true "mission of the mission". Our accomplishments at the orphanage, and our efforts to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!

These are just some of what we saw in the few hours we were there.