Introduction to New Life Academy in Bomani

Our day began with visiting a government school. The school has 1800 students. Classes have 80 - 120 students with 1 teacher. They welcomed us in Kenyan style with songs and recitations. We presented them with a gift of much needed water tanks followed by a tour of the campus. We have enjoyed a good relationship with the school over the years. I am personally challenged by this community that works so hard, with few resources, to make a better life for their children.

Traditional Dances

Singing

Planting a tree

Precious children!

The children at New Life Academy welcomed us by singing us onto the property before making their presentations of songs and recitations. After the children ate lunch, we enjoyed a special lunch prepared for us with traditional Kenyan dishes. It's my favorite meal of the year! We enjoyed visiting with the teachers while we ate and afterward, enjoyed some fun and games with all the staff.

Unwrapping hidden treasure

Teamwork to transfer balls

Depicting the Garden of Eden

Gifts for staff

So much laughter! So much joy! We walked today in the spirit of partnership. Partners across the world to reach this community with the Gospel and change the trajectory of hundreds of lives. 

Delicious lunch

Ginger brought chips and salsa for the Kenyans to try. It was a hit!

I had the joy of spending time with one special young lady today. Her sponsor is my friend and that connection brought her into my life too. One year ago she told me between sobs that her father passed away suddenly. We shared some moments of tears and and encouraging hugs. She wanted her sponsor to know so for just a little while I got to stand in the place of my friend to comfort her. Today, when we saw each other again, it was a joy fulled reunion until the tears flowed again. She misses her father terribly. He was the breadwinner of the family and the mother is not well. Older siblings are trying to help fill in the gaps, but food is often scarce and life is hard. We are helping this family get back on their feet in several ways, but the journey into loss and self sufficiency is hard.

So we share their burdens and joy, successes and failures with them. We cry with them, hug them, pray for them and love them with all the love God flows through us. We are humbled to be a part of this and so very grateful to act as Fox River's representatives in this part of the world.

Please know that you are making a HUGE difference in the lives of so very many people! Thank you!

The Team Has Arrived

The team has arrived!

Hear from Jessie:

After 26ish hrs of traveling we all made it- all of our bags maybe not so much but 18 out of 20 is not too bad of odds! 
After a much needed shower and laying down for a few moments- we went off to sort all of the supply bags and prepare for our activities today at Crossroads Vipingo.


Jenna and O’Neal came to do our orientation and help us know what to expect for the next week as we serve with our partners here in Kenya. This trip is not an experience but an opportunity to be part of something. O’Neal challenged us to journal and ask ourself three questions:

1. What has God placed on your heart today?
2. How did you see God work today?

3. What is one thing you can take to heaven with you? Other people! 

Denise shares:

We hit the ground running after the team came in today. We came back to the hotel to shower and get set for the day. The day started with an orientation meeting with our missionary’s, O’Neal and Jenna Nyanje; learning about Kenyan culture, their experiences here, what God is doing in Kenya and how Fox River is making an impact.

The afternoon was spent at Vipingo where we watched our kids sing, got to know the staff and learn about the center. It was a great time of team building and getting to know our Kenyan partners. Then we made our way over to Life Spring where we got to show God’s love to all the little blessings in the center.

The team hung in there until about 5pm when we left Vipingo. It was down hill for most of them after that. We made a stop at Tuskys (Kenyan Walmart) to pick up a few things. It was probably the fastest we have ever had a team in and out! They all headed to bed early tonight. Pray that they all get a good night's sleep and their body clocks change over quickly.

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Kenya 2018

The rest of the team is on the way to join Pastor Rob, Leigh, Denise and Tony who have already arrived in Kenya!  They left for the airport yesterday around 4:30pm and then took off on their first flight around 9:30pm.  

It sounds like they were able to get some good rest on the first flight!  They have a layover in Istanbul, where they seem to be enjoying some Turkish delights as they wait to hop on the last flight to Kenya around 12:30pm (our time)! 

Will you pray with us as they travel for: 

• Safety
• Health
• Luggage

And then will you pray over their week with us? For:

• Energy
• Health
• Life-change
• Relationships
• That they can see God in all that    they do
• The people they will work with and those who they come in contact with

We pray that many will hear the name of Jesus this week and that our team can share His love in new ways!  

Follow along this week here on the blog as well as on our Facebook and Instagram pages!  

Sending Out the Kenya Team

This past weekend, we as a church, prayed over and sent out the Kenya team to represent Fox River in our mission works in the villages of Bomani and Vipingo. 

Will you join us in praying for this team? On Friday, four depart to prepare for the team's arrival. The main group departs on Sunday. Pray for safety and health as we seek to bless, encourage and serve all that God puts in our path!

In Honor

You have followed along with us this last week as we sent off Mark to take on the Swim Extreme and as we eagerly awaited the arrival of baby Denise.

Today with very heavy hearts we share with you that sweet baby Denise has passed away.

What we know is that she was born with complications.  Thursday we got word that Denise was here and weighed 9lbs, she seemed healthy, but as hours passed doctors realized her lungs were not expanding enough for her to breathe on her own.  They gave her oxygen at first and then put her on a breathing machine.  Saturday morning Pastor Denis was told by the doctor’s that it did not look hopeful and just a few hours later Denise passed away.  

Oh how we prayed for a different outcome for this family and we know you prayed right alongside us for that miracle.  We thank you for this!  Many of you haven't even met them personally and have been pouring prayers over them for the last few days.  We are so grateful for the Fox River family and the way you have shown love to these very important people!

Although this is not the outcome our hearts wanted we believe that God has better plans than us.  As We wept with our families here for our family there I asked God to make His presence known, to reveal a small piece of His plan so that peace can come.  

I was standing in church Saturday night and honestly there were moments when the words of the songs were too heavy, they meant something new in that moment than they have in the past.  We were singing 'Who You Say I Am' and God was reminding us, (all of us, even baby Denise) are His.  But, he was also telling me, He has her and has saved her from this world of pain and suffering... 

 "Who the Son sets free... Oh is free indeed... I'm a child of God...Yes I am... In my Father's house....There's a place for me... I'm a child of God...Yes I am"  

She is so free!  And she has a place!  Today as our hearts hurt because that place isn’t in the arms of Karen and Denis, we rest in knowing that our God is still good and He promises to never leave us.  I share this knowing that Pastor Denis and Karen believe the same.  We believe this, but this doesn't take away the pain they are feeling now for the loss of their child.  So I ask you to pray for them with me.  Pray that they feel God's presence, that they lean into His strength, that they have people surround them to show them God's love when it's hard to see for themselves.   

As all of this was unfolding Mark was jumping into the water Saturday morning to make his swim around Key West, Florida.  A swim that is fueled with pure passion and Jesus!  Mark wasn't swimming for fun (I mean who swims 12 miles in open water for fun) or for himself, but for other people.  Some he knows personally and many he will never know.  The entire time he was swimming he was praying over Denise, Karen and baby Denise.

Mark was swimming to raise funds to help a local family in a trying time and for funding for improvements in the clinic in La Esmeralda.  

Two major areas the funds will go towards in the clinic. Improving the grounds surrounding the clinic to make for a more sterile and clean atmosphere for healthcare.  This will include paving around the entire facility.  And there is a desperate need for a birthing center in the clinic.  Right now, women have to give birth in a room which is not an optimal spot to be bringing new life into the world. 

Oh, how a safe place for mothers to be cared for throughout their pregnancy, during birth, and for mom and baby after birth weighed heavily on him yesterday as he swam knowing Denise was fighting for her life.  

He finished his swim in the top 10 and placed 2nd in his age group.  That is what swimming with a purpose looks like right there!  Way to go Mark!!!  

Even though his swim is over there is still time to join in on the the purpose behind it.   Today we ask that you pray about giving in honor of baby Denise.  Give knowing that your gift WILL make a difference for not just one life, but for many!  

To read more about the why and to give check out SwimExtreme.

Thank you for praying with us this week! 

Pastor Denis y Karen... Te Amamos!   Sé que nuestros corazones están ahí contigo

Bebé Fuentes

This week we welcome the newest Fuentes into the world and we couldn’t be more excited! 

Yesterday we got word that Pastor Denis and Karen headed to the hospital to make sure they were able to make it in safely for their c-section which was scheduled for today.  They made it safely and with lots of nerves for the coming hours, days, and weeks ahead. Because of some of Karen’s health concerns they had a very scary birth with their first baby and that was weighing heavy on them.  And if that was not enough the country being in the state of turmoil that it is, it makes bringing a baby into it scarier than usual. Not to mention the fact that this is not Karen’s normal hospital or doctor. 

Karen was in a lot of pain so the doctor decided he would go ahead and do the surgery right away.  Soon after, we got news that baby Denise was born and weighed in at 9lbs and that Mom (Karen) was doing well. 

After a few hours we were getting updates that baby was taken to the NICU for oxygen and because her sugars had dropped. 

Karen is struggling with pain.  We aren’t sure what all is going on, but we know that in order to enjoy her baby she needs some relief.  

This morning we got news that baby Denise is not breathing on her own because her lungs are not expanding enough.  Even though she was a good weight her organs are still developing. This calls for prayer!

 Would you pray for baby Denise as she still has some developing to do? Pray that she would become strong enough to start breathing on her own. Pray for Karen and Denis as they watch their baby fight. For them to have an overwhelming sense of Gods peace and love around them. For Karen to have continued healing. And would you also pray for their son Jonathan as he is with his Grandma in La Esmeralda?  

Not there, but here

Here I am.  My plan was to be standing with my team in Nicaragua right now, getting ready to see my friends, my family.  My heart has gone and yet I am still here.  As much as I want to be there I know that God is at work and has asked us to stay instead of go this time. 

You know those moments, the ones you realize after the fact that God was using it to prepare you for another?  Yeah?  If not, I pray for a moment like that for you because as the next unfolds you are amazed at the way God works.  It leaves me in awe every time.  Only a God who loves and cares about you works in one day to prepare you for another.

Last year in Nicaragua on our last full evening in La Esmeralda I was standing out in the front of the church watching the team take in the last moments of being there.  Tears were streaming down my face (which just doesn't happen often for me) as I stood in a place that brings so much peace and joy.  A friend asked me what I was thinking about, and I told them the future of this place and the fact that I wasn't ready to leave.  In that moment I had no idea that I wouldn't get to go back this summer, in that moment I could only walk away thinking I would be back.  And today I know that God was using that moment to prepare me for this year.  He was whispering so softly that evening... "Abbey, I hold this place!  I have BIG plans!  I am building here!  Watch Me!  Go and Be Still!"  The tears have returned today, and the promises He has made are still true and I am watching them unfold everyday!

Have you heard the song 'Yes and Amen'?  This song is on repeat in my heart in these moments.  It goes like this...

"Faithful, You are.  Faithful, forever You will be.  Faithful, You are.  All Your promises are Yes and Amen....

I will rest in Your promises.  My Confidence is Your faithfulness..."

As I stay this year I have decided to spend the 10 days praying very specific things over Nicaragua.  

The place we love, the place our friends call home is still being destroyed by darkness.  Things have continued to get worse and people are hurting all across Nicaragua.   My heart is broken for this place and people that hold so much of my heart.

 This is my prayer list for 10 days... 

1. The churches as they pour into their communities
2. Our Missionaries and partners
3. Heart change
4. The violence to stop
5. The hurting families
6. Protection
7. Provision
8. Hope
9. The future of Nicaragua
10. Pastor Denis and Karen are about to welcome their baby girl.   

• That they can travel safely to and from the hospital

• That Karen and baby are healthy for the remainder of the pregnancy and things go smoothly for the c-section  

• Healthy Baby

• Recovery for Karen

• For Pastor Denis for wisdom and strength as he makes decisions for his family

• For Jonathan (big brother) that he adapts well to the changes that baby will bring

(Be watching because we will celebrate with them when baby arrives!!!)

God hears our cries and as I wait for the next time we will get to go and be in this place again I will cry out for hope, change, growth, forgiveness, love, peace, Jesus!   Join me?

Rest in His promises!  He is faithful! 

Music For Change

Coming up in June and July we have a very important festival happening at Crossroads Academy- Reginal Schools Music Feativals.

In the past, our student choir has made it all the way to nationals and brought back trophies as well as MUCH honor to the school and the educators that have poured a into them.

The lead : Anacletus Mallombe, we call him teacher Daniel.

Teacher Daniel grew up in a family of 11 and found ways outside of school to be taught how to sing. Now he takes that same passion for singing and makes sure it’s found in school and the efforts are obvious.

Practice in session

Going the extra mile - Teacher Daniel watches the grades of the students in his hand picked choir. He often takes children who may be struggling academically and then mentors them in singing until they are strong enough to lead practice while he is working with individuals. He has tackled a concept that we hope spreads like wildfire, for it has given confidence to students who don’t always find it through academics.

At a past competition   

Our school has become known for our choir and beautiful harmonies with songs ranging from old hymns to traditional African music.

At the national Level in Nairobi. 

It is beautiful and the festival has begun this week starting with sub-county level competitions. Which we are fortunate to be hosting at our school!

A visit to the National Stadium in Nairobi 

There’s so much more gained than just learning music. There’s team work, mentorship and the chance to travel to areas of the country that they otherwise would not be able to see. This exposure is a gift and it’s conduit is music.

Keep praying for the team as they Prepare for great opportunities to learn new songs and be good competitors.

-O’Neal Nyanje  

Hearts Broken

You pray and give so our teams can go to far away places to share the love of God with people in need.  You follow along as we do through this blog.  You are important to us and we want to share some important information with you.  Today, with heavy hearts, we share with you, our supporters and partners, that we have had to cancel our 2018 Nicaragua Summer Mission Trip.  Fox River leadership made this decision after much prayer and many conversations with our partners in Nicaragua.  This decision was made for the safety of our Fox River team as well as our Nicaragua team.

The why behind our decision... Nicaragua is in a scary state of turmoil and destruction.

In April, a new law was issued that caused concern with the Nicaraguan population. What began with peaceful protests and marches, has escalated to violence, causing the destruction of property, personal injury and death. Over 100 lives have been lost and 1000's of people injured.  

Things are worsening in Nicaragua.  There are road blockades causing transportation of food and fuel to be nearly impossible.  For small communities this has quickly become a problem because supplies were already limited. Prices have skyrocketed for the little they have left on shelves.  This leaves many in dire circumstances.

This country is near and dear to our hearts and we hate seeing the destruction happening, the darkness winning, and the people hurting. Our hearts are broken for this country we love.

We do, however, know and believe that God is working in the midst of this chaos.  Many people have come to know who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for them.  Churches are standing strong and making Jesus known in this darkness.  

As much as we are disappointed about not being able to go and join our partners this summer, we are even more heart broken about the devastation that is happening to their home.  Because of this, we ask that you join us in praying for them and for Fox River as we seek to support and help where we can.

Here are some specifics we are praying...

• Wisdom for our missionaries in the decisions they have to make daily for their ministries, friends, family and personal safety
• Safety and provision for our partners in La Esmeralda, as well as their families across the country
• Change of heart for this country and their leaders
• For the families of those who have lost their lives
• For God to be known and felt in mighty ways
• For the church to be ready and equipped to welcome in those who are hurting and searching

Our partners in Nicaragua are praying at three specific times each day and we want to join them as they do. For our time zone it will be...

1. 9am
2. 3pm
3. 9pm

---

We know that this may bring up some questions and we are ready to answer them.  Please ask! Here is one we want to answer right away. 

What happens to the funds raised to be used during this trip?

We know many of you have given and supported us through the Run for Love and the hygiene packs.  We want to share with you that the money raised has been sent over to help stock the Medical Clinic for the weeks and months to come as they prepare for the worst.  This will be such a blessing.  Thank you for joining us in this way!

If you would like to contribute to the aid we are sending to Nicaragua during this crisis, please do! You can click here and give toward the hygiene packs. Any funds given through this link will be sent for relief aid connected to the clinic in La Esmeralda. 

Thank you for showing God's love and making a difference in the lives of thousands of people! 

When One Wins We All Win

The school for primary school teachers in Mombasa 

In today’s society, education is the key to a better life. Here in Kenya, education is the only way out of poverty and other social ills. I write this with a great deal of pride for we have a graduate in our midst!

The lady of the day, Nicole Opiyo

This is Nicole Opiyo, one of our grade 1 teachers, who graduated after further studies  in Early Child Development. This means she adds another accolade to her industrious and selfless love for the Children.

A smile of great achievement  

A graduation is a pivotal point in anyone’s life and for us, this is our success for when one wins we all win.  

Teacher Nicole was the first teacher that Crossroads Academy hired. She walked with the administration into the community we serve to find the first class of students. 

Head Teacher, James, and Jenna were present to celebrate Nikole’s success

She is dedicated to the school’s success and the students who have graduated from our school have come back whith joy to sit and talk with her. She is a mother to all and a teacher to those fortunate to land in her class. 

Nicole’s family and colleagues 

We thank you for your servants heart, Nicole - and once again, congratulations!