School Visits

The team has had a great day! It is so exciting to already see God moving in their hearts, and toward their Kenyan brothers and sisters. 

We had a very full day today, filled with visiting both schools in Vipingo and Bomani.  We were greeted right outside our bus, by hundreds of singing children.  Our students have worked so hard, and poured so much into being here, that the emotions were overwhelming. 

We were treated to programs that the students of Bomani and Vipingo, have spent months preparing for us. They had songs, dances, drama skits, choir performances, and Bible stories to share with us.  Getting just a little glimpse into their heart and culture today, was such a blessing to us. 

The students and team were given many opportunites to interact with the students and staff of both schools.  In Vipingo, we got to serve the kiddos their lunch and play with them in the courtyard of their school.  The students did an amazing job jumping right in with the Kenyan students, and showing them the love of Christ. In Bomani, we were given the opportunity to play their favorite game with them, volleyball.  Our team won 1 game, while the Kenya's won 2! The Kenyans take volleyball very seriously, and it was very fun to get to share in that with them! 

Please pray for us tomorrow, as we have Community Outreach Day, in Vipingo.  We are partnering with the staff of Vipingo, to reach over 3,000 people in the name of Jesus. Pray that lives are changed, and our team would continue to glorify God with all that we do! 

Thank you all so much for your support and prayers, we are so thankful for you!

Pastor's Conference

The Vipingo Pastor's Conference officially began on Monday night with a meal and opening session. 170 pastors checked in and enjoyed their first night together. They all sleep in the Bible Institute building. It's wall to wall mattresses during these 4 days! These men enjoy the time to learn, to fellowship and be encouraged.

2015 Pastor's Conference Theme: Leading with Vision

2015 Pastor's Conference Theme: Leading with Vision

170 pastors

170 pastors

Guy teaching on vision.

Guy teaching on vision.

I spent the day preparing for the team and getting caught up in Vipingo. I enjoyed having lunch with the teachers, meeting with James, the head teacher, and sharing a Bible study time with the teachers at the end of the day. We gave our pastor in Bomani, Abraham, a ride home and we enjoyed a delightful conversation about what he was learning at the conference. He said the highlights were Guy speaking on vision for the church and another speaking who talked about the vision squasher of anger.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Bill and Guy will both be teaching at the conference. The men enjoy the small group discussions after the sessions as well as the panel discussion time where they can ask questions of all the speakers.

A special thank you to Fox River for making this conference possible. The pastors who have gathered are so thankful to have the opportunity to grow and be encouraged. Please continue to pray for these last 2 days.

As I write this, the Fox River Kenya team is in their final preparations for departure. They will gather at the Waukesha campus at 1 am Thursday morning to begin their journey. Please pray for this special group of teens and adults as they travel and serve God in Kenya.

Preparation Days

Crossroads Fellowship Church, Mombasa

Crossroads Fellowship Church, Mombasa

Sunday we enjoyed the worship, teaching and friends at our sister church, Crossroads Fellowship Church in Mombasa. That evening we had the opportunity to meet with the youth staff to prepare for the 3 events we have planned with teens from our group and Crossroads. It was fun to see the excitement grow as the final plans developed.

Bill and O'Neal mapping out one of the activities for the teen outreach on August 1.

Bill and O'Neal mapping out one of the activities for the teen outreach on August 1.

Monday Bill was able to visit both of our centers. It was fun to show him around and introduce him to our partners there. He even had a bit of time to have some of Anne's tea and chapatti. Guy and Bill had lunch with the Crossroads pastoral staff. In the afternoon Bill and the youth staff headed to the Butterfly Park to map out one of the activities for the teen outreach on August 1.

We ended the day with a delicious meal at the Horne's looking forward to the pastor's conference to begin on Tuesday.

Arrived in Mombasa

Bill, Guy and I arrived in Mombasa at 3:30am. One piece of luggage was lost so it took some time to fill out the paperwork. It was one of the bags of books for the pastors conference. I'm confident it will be found and retrieved before we need them on Thursday.

We arrived at our hotel at 5am and are ready for a few hours of rest before we go to church at Crossroads Fellowship. Thank you for praying for a safe journey!

Denise

 

Early Departure

Pastor Bill, Denise & Pastor Guy depart this evening for Kenya. We arrive in Mombasa very early on Sunday morning Kenya time which is 8 hours ahead of CDT. Sunday we will attend Crossroads Fellowship Church to worship and reconnect with friends and partners in Mombasa. Monday is a preparation day for the pastor's conference that begins that night in Vipingo. Both Guy and Bill will be teaching and interacting with about 200 pastors from the coastal region of Kenya. The conference ends on Thursday afternoon with the Bible Institute graduation.

I will be preparing for the team and working in our schools. Thank you for praying for our journey to Kenya and for the opportunity we have to pour into church leaders in Kenya!

Denise