Good morning and happy first day of April from Kenya!
We started our trip with a 15-hour flight from Dallas, Texas
to Dubai, UAE. When we landed in Dubai, we got to spend 22 hours exploring the
city and sleeping in a wonderful hotel room. We visited a mosque just in time
to hear one of the daily calls to prayer. It was a weighty moment, but gave us
opportunity to pray for a people group that does not know the truth and beauty
of the gospel and to engage in gospel-centered conversations with Will and Layla.
We also got to see the fountain show in front of the Burj Khalifa and eat
delicious food. The Lord was so kind to us in our time in Dubai.
From there, we hopped on a 5-hour flight to Nairobi. It’s
amazing how quick that flight felt after a 15-hour flight! Landing in Nairobi
was a very different experience than Dubai. Going through security and customs
took a very long time. The kids and our team were exhausted.
We had heard about how tricky it can be to get out of the
airport due to “customs” officers going through your bags and taxing you
heavily for any American items you bring into the country. Our bags were filled
with all of the supplies we were using to teach and entertain 50 kids for 4
days. That’s a lot of toys, treats, craft supplies, books and equipment. We
were also carrying several bags to our missionaries in Kenya that were filled
with over 100 audio Bibles in several tribal languages spoken here, batteries
and feeding supplies for deaf and cleft palate children.
That morning, I had emailed our elders and staff asking for
prayer that God would make us “unseen” by anyone seeking to take advantage of
us or harm us. And through out our flight and time in the airport, the Lord
placed that same prayer on the hearts of our team members, without any of us
speaking to one another.
Friends, my God hears and responds to the prayers of His
children!
After exchanging a very large amount of cash right in front
of the “customs” officer area and with 30 bags and two small, very American
looking children, we literally walked straight through the airport without
being stopped. Not a single bag was opened. We had every reason to be stopped –
we were the last people to get through security and we walked by the checkpoint
when it was empty. But we were literally unseen and protected.
After resting and more travel, we arrived at the conference
center yesterday to set-up and begin teaching. It was overwhelmingly beautiful
to watch these precious friends and teammates teach the gospel to these little
hearts. There was joy, laughter, yummy snacks and shouts of “Praise the Lord”
and “God Made Everything” that echoed throughout the retreat center last night
as we taught the Creation narrative and about the power of the word of God as
He spoke creation into being.
The presence of the Lord is here. I have been on the verge
of tears for the last 3 days as I have seen Him generously pour out His Spirit
over our team and this country. But there is also a presence of darkness and
deceit that our team is battling. Bad dreams, fear and doubt are trying to
sneak in. Will you pray against the attack of the enemy with us today?
This morning, we will teach narrative of The Fall. We will
reveal how deceptive and sneaky the enemy is to the children. But, we will also
proclaim the goodness and generosity of God who disciplines in HOLINESS,
protects in LOVE, and promises a Savior to rescue us from sin and give us HOPE.
Will you ask the Lord to move in power, to save, to encourage and to protect?
Thank you for your love and support. The Lord is so faithful
and good! I have so many more stories to share over the next few days and as we
get home.
