GO OUT THAT GATE…

As I opened the drapes this morning of our cottage in Nairobi Kenya I went up the steps and opened our front gate.  This is the sight I saw. 

I sense this is a picture of our time here in Kenya. It is not about this cozy cottage and how much I’m enjoying it. It is about “going out that gate” to the people God has sent us to minister to here in Kenya.

It is nice to enjoy this lovely home, the birds singing, the cool breeze blowing. It is beautiful here. I will miss this cottage when we are out in the villages, but our call is to “go out that gate” to those God has called us to serve! This cottage is a place God has blessed us with to refresh us before “going out” next!

Don made it back late Thursday night (Thursday morning in the US) yea!!! It is so good to have him back with me. Words can never express how much all your prayers mean to us! Our prayer partners have been working overtime between Don’s rushed trip back to Texas for Suzanne’s funeral and my remaining here in Kenya to get our home in order. Thank you, thank you!

Come this Saturday morning (after Don gets two whole nights in his own bed!) we leave at 5:00 am for 10 days in the coastal city of Malindi on the Indian Ocean. It will take us about 11-12 hours of hard driving to get there. Please pray for our safety and that our vehicle functions properly. We are going with Kelly Johnson, Founder and President of Biblical Life Ministries and the author of the “Bible School in a Briefcase” (BSIAB) a 10 week course of study for village pastors.

Monday through Friday Don and I will attend the last week of the Bible school as students. Please pray that we will be alert and attentive and able to participate fully in the classes. On Saturday we will assist the Johnsons with the graduation ceremony. I’m in charge of getting all their names spelled correctly on their certificates!

The new graduates are to be commended for completing this course over the last year. We were in Malindi in 2009 when the Johnsons held the first meetings with the candidates. We are so privileged to be returning to see them graduate! We ask that you pray for these pastors as they return to their village churches better prepared to preach the Word of God, walk as Godly followers of Christ, disciple their congregations and evangelize their communities.

Now that is a reason to GO OUT THAT GATE!

Don & Becky

Suzanne Graduates as We Arrive In Kenya

Last Saturday as we were leaving Suzanne’s bedside, she grabbed my arm tightly and said so very softly, “I can’t wait to hear what miracles God is going to do through the two of you in Kenya” and “I’m so glad you are going to be with the Johnsons.” She definitely believes in what we are doing and she released us go. Before we landed in Kenya Wednesday night, Suzanne had graduated to Heaven! We celebrate her life though we miss her dearly.

We got the message the afternoon of our first full day here. Upon getting the news, we both knew Don needed to return. By that time it wasn’t possible to get a flight out that night, so we emailed our travel agent in the US and he found a ticket for Don to return the next night (Thank you Eldon from Golden Rule Travel!!). So after two nights in Kenya, Don is on his way back to the US to be with his family. He is due to land in Dallas at 2:00 pm Saturday. Suzanne’s visitation is 6-9 Saturday and the service will be at 2:30 on Sunday at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rockwall, TX. 

Thank you to all who have prayed for us and the entire family. We do not always know why God does what He does but we know that His will is perfect! This extra round trip was not in our budget, however we know Don needed to be home. 

Our first morning here we signed a three month lease on our cottage and purchased cell phones and household items.

On Friday morning before Don left we were able to secure a rental car that will be able to carry us and our equipment into the bush. The neatest thing is it has air conditioning. I never dreamed we could get that luxury! We hired a driver to get us around town. (They drive “on the wrong side of the road” here and it will take Don some time to master that and the traffic!) I'll give more details on him later.

Thanks goes to Melissa and Robbie Gross for getting us to the airport! You two are great! We also want to thank those who are ministering to Don’s family through bringing food and offering prayers!  I also want to thank all of our friends and family for making it possible for us to be here to help reach Kenya for Christ. It is an honor and a privilege just to be here.

It is so wonderful to be in God’s family!

Your missionaries in Kenya,

Becky & Don

Proceeding as Planned

Don and I visited with Suzanne today. She has improved and is way more alert. She is scheduled to be discharged from the hospital on Friday. When we left today Suzanne told Don that she will be here when he gets back from Kenya and she will be praying for us. Our pastor, Brad Howard, called this afternoon and told Don that our departure on Tuesday bore witness with his spirit. He plans to pray for us at the end of first service on Sunday at LakeShore Church before we leave for our 3 month term on the mission field.

We originally thought of postponing our departure, however we have both been in prayer and we agree that we need to proceed as God directs. We appreciate our friends that have been praying and for those who visited Suzanne this week. Please continue to keep her and Dan in your prayers.

We leave for Kenya on Tuesday, September 14th! We covet your prayers for us and the work God has put before us!

Don & Becky

Urgent - Please Pray For Suzanne

We just returned from the hospital where Don's sister, Suzanne Mosley, was admitted because she was having difficulty breathing.  Suzanne has been battling breast cancer for three years.  The cancer has spread to several organs and her bones.  Please pray for her, her husband Dan, daughter Jennifer Russell, son Chris Cameron and our entire family.

We trust in God.  We do not fear.  We know God wants the best for His children and we are His children.  We do not understand but we fully trust in our God.  Nothing can separate us from God's love.

Don & Becky

18 Days & Counting

Here it is, 18 days before we leave for Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, for 3 months! Our excitement is growing as we see God blessing our efforts to serve where He has called us.

Over the last few weeks we have been "stepping down" from our roles as Bible teacher, women's Bible study facilitator, nursery volunteer, ushers and church greeters. It is a bitter sweet time for us. We have loved serving in our home church. We appreciate all the encouragement we have received from our friends and family.

God has truly blessed us with family and friends that believe in us and what we are going to be doing in Kenya. It is very humbling to receive donations from family and friends who want to be a part of God's work. We are also thankful most of all for those who have committed to PRAY for us! Prayer changes things and we NEED your prayers. Not everyone can go, not everyone can give, but EVERYONE can pray. Prayer is our most URGENT need.

Don's niece and her family will live in our home and care for our 2 dogs (Bear & Scout), 2 cats, horses and cows. We will pay all utilities, animal feed and upkeep while away. Wal-Mart has given Don a leave of absence from his pharmacy manager position. He is using his remaining vacation time for 2010 and all of 2011. That will leave seven weeks of unpaid leave. This is a step of faith and we know God will provide as only He can! God is so good, all the time!

Please pray we will follow all the way He leads us!

WHY ARE YOU GOING???

We’ve got to do more!

Those words have changed our lives. Actually God is changing our lives.

Some of you may be wondering why on earth a couple who has been married 40 years (August 22nd!), worked in pharmacy, and assisted with ministry support would decide to up and leave for Kenya, East Africa - for three months.  Well here is a little insight into why we are doing what we are doing! 

In the last 5 years Don and I have gone on short term mission trips to Romania, South Africa, twice to India and three times to Kenya. I (Becky) have worked the last 11 years for mission organizations (Evangel Bible Translators and Christ for India) and Don has served on the mission council at our home church, LakeShore, in Rockwall.

During our first 2 week trip to Kenya to work with Kathy and Kelly Johnson of Biblical Life Ministries, (Don represents them on the LakeShore mission council) Don volunteered to represent BLM at a missions conference in Florida. While there he was challenged “to do more”. He called from the conference in tears saying, “We have to do more - we have to do more for missions!”

Well, on our second visit in the summer of 2009, we found a place “to do more”. The Johnsons asked us to come and help them with their work in Kenya. Don will teach follow up pastors’ conferences and help Kelly. I will work in the BLM office and travel with Don to minister to the women.

As time draws near to go (29 days and counting) we wanted to share our heart for the call we are answering.  The call to "do more".

I'll be posting regularly between now and when we depart on September 14th.  I'll share more about how God has guided our steps and confirmed His call.  I look forward to sharing with our friends and family our journey leading up to our decision to go and how God has encouraged us all along the way.

I have committed to posting once a week; I'll do more if time allows!  I will have photos to share along the way also!

Check out our web page on the Biblical Life Ministries website. Just click on the link on the right side of this page.

Here are photos of some of the ministry we have done in Kenya over the last three years.  We will return to Kitui and follow up with the graduates of BLM's "Bible School in a Briefcase" as well as follow up with Eunice's ministry to the needest children in her village.

Children from outrech in Kitui, Kenya

Preaching in Kitui, Kenya

Getting Ready

We are getting ready and more excited by the day! In 37 days, we leave for three months in Kenya, serving alongside Kelly and Kathy Johnson with Biblical Life Ministries.