My heart bursts with thanksgiving!

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;  In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.  -Psalm 5:3

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him.   -Lamentations 3:25

Two weeks ago, I was in tears, discouraged because we didn't even have enough money to pay for the gas we needed to make the 18 hour trip north to spend (potentially our last) Christmas with our family.

I was questioning if we should stay home, but Michael encouraged me that God would provide, and we left for our trip in faith.

I am overwhelmed by God's provision during our trip. It seemed that everywhere we turned, people were giving us money to help out with gas! We were amazed by His provision and so blessed and touched by the generosity and obedience of those whom God asked to give.  We feel so blessed and are overwhelmed by His goodness.

Secondly, we were trying to take advantage of our time away from the daily grind to seek God's timing for us. Can we really make it there by July? We've still got quite a ways to go in our support raising. We still need to take the required courses. The clock is ticking. Where will we live if we have to wait until October to go? Lots of questions and not quite sure of the answers...

Well, I think God was trying to speak to us today. We had $1,000 in support checks waiting for us in the mail when we got home! I received another unexpected financial blessing this morning from a dear sister. Then we got a phone call from dad that someone had contacted him wanting to support us! Then within 10 minutes of that phone call, we received word online of another substantial donation! I was more and more choked up with each report to Michael, who by the end was responding with "No way....Are you serious?"

With hearts full of thanksgiving and overwhelmed by God's goodness, we gathered together as a family tonight to praise God for His provision. We told the kids, "We have been asking God about when He wants us to go and I think He might be trying to give us an answer!" :) No, we're not totally certain that we'll be able to go in July, but He is definitely encouraging our hearts that He is making a way.

The most beautiful part of this testimony is that the last two generous donations we were surprised by today were from people that we have not even told about our call to Africa! They just somehow found their way to us. I know my Father and I know He worked it out this way on purpose... to remind us once again that this is His work. We are not raising the funds. He is.

But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me.   -Psalm 9:10

Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions

I'm always looking for new traditions that our family can enjoy to make the holidays meaningful and memorable. Here are some that our family enjoy. Wanted to share incase you're looking for new ideas like me :)

Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions

1. “What God wants for Christmas” activity/nativity (by FamilyLife)

•  It’s so  easy to use and the kids love it! 

2. Advent wreath/devotionals 

• light a candle and share a brief devotional each of the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas.
  

 

3. The Jesse Tree is a centuries-old family Advent devotion that helps kids (and adults) follow the faithfulness of God throughout history, eventually leading us to Christ's birth on Christmas Day. You hang a symbolic ornament on your tree and read a corresponding Scripture passage each of the 28 days of Advent.

• Here’s a great link to get you started: Jesse Tree Devotions and symbols.

Our Jesse Tree... thanks to Kathy and Lois Wills!

And a close-up

4. Schedule a night to cozy up as a family to watch a movie that tells the Christmas story.

• Greatest Heroes and Legends of the Bible –The Nativity is a good cartoon video for preschoolers 

5. Serve as a family

• Fill OperationChristmas shoeboxes for needy children around the world

• Bake a holiday treat to share with a neighbor or someone who might need a little extra love around the holiday

• Visit a nursing home - sing Christmas carols and hand out candy canes to the residents. (They love seeing the kids!)

This was actually caroling to my parents' neighbors in Chicopee last year.

• Invite someone to celebrate the holiday with you who may not have family in town

6. As you receive Christmas cards, place them in a basket near your dining room table. Each night at dinner you can read one card and pray for that family. If you want to go the extra mile you can even email or facebook that person to let them know your family prayed for them that night.

   7. Host an outreach for your neighbors

• party, cookie exchange, anything… the point is to show you care and to build relationships. 

 
8. Make a gingerbread house together and teach them about the different “homes” of Jesus and the home He’s preparing for us in Heaven. (Use this “Gingerbreadgospel” as a guide.)

From 2009

           

    9. In the beginning of the season wrap a bunch of children Christmas books in Christmas paper and place them in a basket. Each night let a child unwrap one Christmas book to read together by the Christmas Tree.

   10. Let the kids help bake and decorate a birthday cake for Jesus and encourage them to make cards/special gifts to celebrate His birthday.

Last year's birthday party

11.  Each time you turn on a light during Advent say, “Christ is  
      Welcome in our home.”

• When you turn on your tree lights say, “Jesus is the Light of the World!” 

• Children love the repetition and learn valuable truths. (Tyler, age 2 now, remembers this from last year and yells it out on his own every time we see Christmas tree lights or lights outside. :)

   12. We put a “pregnant Mary” on display with our Willow Tree nativity set until Christmas Eve. Then after the kids go to bed, we replace her with the original Mary so that when they come down on Christmas morning, they see that she is no longer pregnant but now holds baby Jesus in her arms.     

This is what the kids see Christmas Eve when they go to bed...

..And this is what they see when they wake up! :)

   
   13. Dress in cozy jammies and drive around as a family looking for Christmas lights and listening to/singing Christmas carols. As you admire the lights you can discuss the symbolism of Christmas lights. (see the Symbolism of Christmas Traditions post)

   14. Label some gifts under the tree:  “To                        . With love, Jesus”

• “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” (James 1:17)

I love new great ideas, so please don't hold back if you have some!! 

What to do with this anxious heart?

LORD,

I do not think it's possible for us to have everything in order by July. The weeks and months are flying by. And daily responsibilities and relationships are still requiring my time and attention. I'm having trouble finding all the extra time needed to write support letters, thank yous, read the required books, design prayer cards, fill in forms, complete the required course work, etc...

As you can see, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Of course Christmas, traveling, and financial stresses are also in the mix right now.

LORD, calm my racing heart. I want You to relieve this pressure, this seemingly impossible deadline. To relieve the stress that I'm carrying.

But, I have a sneaking suspicion that's not Your plan. Michael's perspective further confirms that suspicion.

You know me...I like a plan. I like a time table. I like to be in control. I like to make things happen. I try to find my peace in being on top of things.

I think that instead of relieving it, you are asking me to live in this tension... to struggle through it. To press into You, to seek You daily as I prioritize what you would have me to do TODAY.. this hour... this moment. To realize and accept that I cannot make this happen by July. To leave room for Your glory, if this does all somehow come together by July. To find rest and peace in You amidst the unknown, amidst the undone.

Because I know Your Word, there are a few things I know with certainty that you want from me right now...

You want me to keep my eyes fixed on You, the author and perfecter of my faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

You want me to find rest and refuge in You, where I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6)

You want me to come to You with my concerns and trade in my anxiety for Your peace that transcends all understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7)

You want me to seek You above all and trust You to work everthing else out. You want me to stop worrying about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6:33-34)

You want me to trust the plans that You have for our family and trust You to bring them to fruition in Your timing. (Jeremiah 29:11)

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in You." (Isaiah 26:3)

Jesus, help me to trust You with all of my heart instead of leaning on my own understanding or perception. Help me to acknowledge You in all my ways and trust You to direct our path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Hmmm. I'm not feeling so anxious anymore... :)

I'll keep plugging away, one day at a time. Just show me how to use the time that You have given me today... I'll be asking you again, tomorrow.

Marriage Retreat -Practical Tools

Here are some practical communication tools that we were excited to learn about at our marriage retreat at Deer Run this weekend. We wanted to share with you with hopes that it might be helpful for your marriage as well.

I. There are five levels of communication.

Sharing Cliches   (surface level)
Sharing Facts
Sharing Opinions
Sharing Feelings
Sharing Needs     (deepest level)
                     
Sharing opinions is where conflict occurs and a lot of couples get stuck there. We are striving, obviously, to get to the place where we feel safe enough to share our needs with each other.

II.  According to the book, The Voice of the Heart, there are 8 feeling words we can learn to use to communicate to each other about where our heart is at any given time. There is also the impaired version.We want to read the book and teach our children, so we can start learning to identify and communicate how we feel and learn to better understand each other.

Authentic                    Impaired
Sad                             Self-pity
Lonely                        Apathy
Anger                         Depression, Pride
Fear                           Rage, Anxiety
Hurt                           Resentment
Guilt                           Pride, Toxic shame
Shame                       Toxic shame, Shamelessness
Glad                           Lust, Entertainment


 III.  M.C.I. is a method of active listening that we learned about this weekend and also have been practicing in our marriage counseling. The object is for the talker to feel genuinely heard by their spouse. It is helpful to try to implement this method when discussing an area of conflict.

M - Mirroring -The talker shares small pieces of communication at a time. After each segment, the listener says back (mirrors) what (s)he heard word for word.

C - Clarifying - The listener asks, "Did I get that right?" or asks for clarification if necessary.

I - Inviting - Once the talker and listener feel satisfied that what was said was heard, the listener asks, "Is there more?"

My disclaimer here is that this looks a lot easier on paper than when you try to put it into practice. It's good to have a third party to help in the beginning stages, especially when talking about a sensitive topic.


IV. A daily check-in for spouses. Each spouse communicates 3 things while the partner listens. This should just take a few minutes to do.

    1. Feelings - Share your feelings (not your thoughts).
    2. Affirmation - Share something positive about your spouse.
    3. Needs - Ask for something you need.

This helps you to become present with each other and it cuts to that deepest level of communication, even if you don't have a lot of time. Be careful to "stay on your side of the street" for these, or it can qickly explode. This isn't a conversation. Just an opportunity for one spouse to share while the other listens.


Our teachers, Bob and Heidi Elder were so real and vulnerable. They were such a blessing and encouragement to us! It's really refreshing when people are genuine and don't feel the need to pretend that they don't have any issues in their lives. I'm finding that those are the kind of people that encourage me most.  Michael and I are striving to be real and to be genuinely known by others. God is revealing to us that we would love to be used by Him to intentionally minister to married couples.We pray that, by His grace, our marriage will be a testimony to His greatness and an accurate reflection to others of His great love for His Bride, the Church.

Marriage Retreat -Jill's reflections

 Allow me to set the stage for this entry...

I am lounging on a leather love seat, next to my husband. Chocolate fondue on my plate. The fire crackling beside me. Unfortunately, the cover of night is hiding the beautiful view of the trees and hills surrounding this cozy lodge.

God has given us a special gift this weekend! A gift he dropped into our laps out of the blue two weeks ago. I'm tempted to go into detail because it's such a great story! For now I'll just say that within 36 hours I came across an ad in parent magazine, applied for, mailed in and was granted a significant scholarship, and found generous friends to care for our children so we could attend a marriage retreat at Deer Run Retreat, just 20 minutes from our home. If you live within 10 hours driving distance, you should start saving to attend next year! It is a-mazing!! We tried to come with open hearts because God clearly flung the door open for us to be here this weekend!

I would like to share some things that God has revealed to me this weekend. I also want to share a bunch of practical tools we have learned, but I'll save that for my next entry.

1.) The greatest lie that men believe is... "I'm not enough."
God has shown me this before, but He has shown me again very clearly this weekend that, more often than not, I allow Satan to use me to reinforce this lie to Michael.  I criticize the way he spends his time, I point out areas he could improve in, I "challenge" him to step it up in certain areas, all the while reinforcing the lie he already struggles not to believe..."You're not enough! Not enough for me. Not enough for our family."

Ugh! Dagger in my heart! LORD, please forgive me. Michael, please forgive me.

May I be an instrument of God instead of an instrument of the enemy. May I be used to speak truth into my husband's life. "You are a gift. You are so special. I believe in you." That is what he needs to hear. That is TRUTH! It is my prayer that  I will be a wife that "brings her husband good, not harm, all the days of her life." (Prov. 31)

2.) Shame. It is not healthy or helpful. And I'm guilty! I shame my children.
"Why did you do that?!"
"How many times do I have to tell you?!"

I shame my husband with the tone of my voice or rolling my eyes as I walk away. I'm definitely condescending at times. Evidently, it's a way I try to control... to bring about a change I think needs to happen.

Instead I need to be curious, to try to understand what's going on in the heart... not so I can judge, shame, or control.  Simply, because I care.

"Every marriage moves either toward enhancing one another's glory or toward degrading each other" (from our workbook). If I'm honest about which one most accurately represents me lately, I'd have to admit to degrading. And that gives me shame. BUT I also learned this weekend that everytime you share with others, it cuts your shame in half. So now, I have half the shame. :)

3.) This one's a little bit more positive. But it starts with a confession. Since being appointed as a missionary, I have definitely experienced some spiritual attacks. A recurring battle is Satan whispering into my ear (at very strategic times) that we're not good enough. That we're too messed up to be missionaries. What do we have to offer? We can't even figure our own junk out. What kind of testimony do we think we are going to be?

Most of the time, God's grace allows me to squelch those fiery darts as soon as I see them coming. At discouraging times, however, I actually start to buy into the lies. "Who DO we think we are?! What good CAN we do? Maybe we're NOT worth investing in. There's no way we can do this."

Yesterday, God assured me of His truth through a low ropes course element! There are two wire cables about 20 inches off the ground, connected by cables to trees. They start off really close together at the first tree and gradually spread further apart until they're about 5-6 feet apart. The obstacle is about 35 feet long and has some trees thrown into the mix. The object is to work with your partner to get from the beginning to the end without falling off the wire cables.

We did fairly well our first attempt but fell off before we reached the end. We let everyone else take their turn attempting the feat. No one made it all the way across. When it was time to move on to the next element, Michael and I turned to each other and said at the same time, "We can do this!" We asked the facilitator if it would be okay if we stayed behind and attempted it again, while the rest of the group moved along to snack time (We didn't want to hold the group up.) He graciously let us try again, and we glided across those cables from beginning to end! (Okay, so there were a few grunts on my part along the way.) Right after this victory, I felt a very strong assurance from God that we ARE ready, that we CAN do this. He will not lead us where His hand will not provide for us. It WILL be challenging, without a doubt. But I now know with confidence that He has equipped us with what we need to accomplish the task He has set before us... thanks to this low ropes course element!:)

All in all, this retreat was a beautiful time of renewal and reconnecting for me and Michael. It exceeded our expectations, which if you know me is hard to do! We are so thankful for this precious gift from the LORD and the ways He encouraged our hearts. He is so good to us.

Confessions of a Missionary -#3

Preparing for missions isn't just about raising support and taking missions classes. The greatest preparation is (or at least should be) taking place in our hearts. I used to have this preconceived notion that missionaries are more spiritual than most or that they have it all together. They certainly don't struggle with sin in their life!


Well, since being appointed as missionaries, we can now confidently assure you that none of that is true! And to prove it, I'm going to be a little vulnerable and put my sinful heart out there for you to see. Why? To encourage you that we are all struggling along this life journey together and hopefully to share in the victories that God WILL bring along our journeys. And, lastly, to keep this new missionary humble!

October 25, 2011

I had a break through last night!

I had just had this emotional experience, which was challenging, BUT I felt this deep sense that God was with me. I was trying to describe it to Michael.

"I feel like God is with me. I feel His comfort. His protection. His love.
I feel like I'm good enough."

"Good enough for what?" asks Michael.

"I just feel like I'm good enough."

I start crying a little and Michael suggests, "Maybe that's your core fear" (something I've been trying to figure out lately.)

I nod and agree, crying harder now.

So, that's the break through! I can finally pinpoint a long-time struggle in my life. From the outside it looks like I'm driven and motivated. The truth is, I strive like crazy to prove to myself and to others that I'm good enough. I seek affirmation from others and feel hurt, disappointed, and even frustrated when I don't get what I'm looking for from them.

It doesn't matter what others think of me or even what I think of myself, for that matter.

The truth is... I am good enough, just as I am.

In all my wretched sin and imperfections, Christ considered me good enough to give up His life for. What a blessed truth! How freeing! I am free to enjoy my walk with Christ, apart from the burden of constantly striving to prove myself!

Of course, I hope that with God's grace and power working in me I will continue to grow and mature in godliness, as a wife, as a mother, as a friend, as a missionary, as a home manager, etc...

But the beautiful truth I can rest in is that even if, for some reason, I never grow or mature past this point...

I'm good enough!

I always have been.
I always will be.
Jesus says so.

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:5,8)

Confessions of a Missionary -#2

Preparing for missions isn't just about raising support and taking missions classes. The greatest preparation is (or at least should be) taking place in our hearts. I used to have this preconceived notion that missionaries are more spiritual than most or that they have it all together. They certainly don't struggle with sin in their life!


Well, since being appointed as missionaries, we can now confidently assure you that none of that is true! And to prove it, I'm going to be a little vulnerable and put my sinful heart out there for you to see. Why? To encourage you that we are all struggling along this life journey together and hopefully to share in the victories that God WILL bring along our journeys. And, lastly, to keep this new missionary humble!

September 10, 2011

Finally. My very own blog. The opportunity I've been waiting for to share my ideas... my wisdom with the world. You lucky readers! Your lives will never be the same!

Barf.

Do you notice a recurring theme in that paragraph? Me... My... I... My...
It sounds as if I want this blog to be all about MY ideas and for MY glory.

Confession time.

LORD, you know better than anyone (myself included) that I feel this need to prove my worth to others. That I feed off of others' approval of me.

My great and jealous God. You will have no other gods in Your place. (Exodus 20:3). You will allow none to take from Your Glory.

Thank You for allowing me to see the sinful motivations of my heart.

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what His deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Sweet Jesus, this blog is for YOU and for YOUR Glory.
This missions work in Africa is for YOU and for YOUR Glory.
This life is for YOU and for YOUR Glory.

[You] must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30)

Confessions of a Missionary -#1

 Preparing for missions isn't just about raising support and taking missions classes. The greatest preparation is (or at least should be) taking place in our hearts. I used to have this preconceived notion that missionaries are more spiritual than most or that they have it all together. They certainly don't struggle with sin in their life!


Well, since being appointed as missionaries, we can now confidently assure you that none of that is true! And to prove it, I'm going to be a little vulnerable and put my sinful heart out there for you to see. Why? To encourage you that we are all struggling along this life journey together and hopefully to share in the victories that God WILL bring along our journeys. And, lastly, to keep this new missionary humble!

September 10, 2011

God doesn't care what color or font we use on our website. He doesn't care which family picture we post.

He cares about our hearts. About a deep, growing relationship with Him.

Confession time.

Which do you think has been occupying the majority of my thoughts and time lately?
...You guessed it.

My LORD, please forgive me for losing sight of what matters most to You.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

Father, You are the vine; I am a branch. If I remain in You, I will bear much fruit; apart from You, I can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Thank You for reminding me in Your Word,
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit -fruit that will last." (John 15:16)

LORD, I am unworthy of Your calling. I have nothing good to offer in and of myself, except that which You have given me. But, LORD, I am willing and eager. If You can...if You will, use me to accomplish Your purposes here on Earth that Your Holy Name may be glorified among all men.

Amen.

A True Account of an RVA student

I wanted to get a student's story, a student's perspective, during my visit to RVA ...just for my own understanding of the ministry we are about to enter. I am thankful to have had the privilege of speaking with an outstanding Senior girl on the last day of my visit. I was so blessed and enlightened by what she shared that I now want to share it with you!


For the protection of her family, I can not use my new friend's real name, so I will call her "Penelope..."  Okay, how about "Anna"?


Twenty-five years ago, Anna's parents moved to a small village in the middle of the bush in Eastern Kenya that had no electricity, no running water, no internet, no phone... and was a 12 hour drive to the city, where they could purchase groceries. Why? Because they felt called by God to minister to the Muslim people in this village and so they willingly made the sacrifice.


Anna and her 3 siblings were raised in this village. They consider it home and consider these Muslim people their family. Anna's mother is a registered nurse and works day and night to serve the people in their village. Because of cultural differences, she is not able to carve out and protect "school time" to properly home school her children. Alternatively, they were schooled by American teachers who would volunteer 1-2 years at a time and serve this missionary family by teaching their children.


Unlike American culture, every Muslim child is not allowed the opportunity for an education. Traditionally, once a Muslim child reaches the age of five, the father decides his child's fate:
1. To stay at home to work (typical fate of the first born female),
2. To become a herdsman, or
3. to attend school


Kenyan law (loosely) requires students to complete eighth grade; at which point the students take a test to determine whether they will go on to secondary school (boarding). In this particular village, the girls typically marry anywhere between the ages of 12-18. It is not unusual for a man to have 2 or 3 wives and for each wife to bear 10-12 kids! A little different than what we are used to! :) Anna told me,

 "I don't view this as my parents' mission,

but as MY mission, too."

Following in her mother's footsteps, she aspires to earn a medical degree in America and then return to Africa to minister to Muslims, a culture she already knows. (Sidenote: I am learning that many missionary kids (MK's) grow up to become missionaries themselves! Very cool!)

We all know that medical programs in the States are competitive. Her parents had to choose which of four educational options would best equip Anna for her God-designed future and suit their family.
         Option 1: Continue to home school with limited resources for computer and science lab work.
         Option 2: Send her a world away to attend boarding school in the States.
         Option 3: Leave the mission field and their home and move back to the States so Anna could get an American education.
         Option 4: Send her to RVA which is in their same country (Kenya) and offers a great education and preparation for university and medical school.


We already know which one they chose. While not denying that it was a challenging transition at first (including culture shock), Anna claims that she has loved her experience at RVA and is so thankful her parents chose RVA for her education. She has enjoyed and taken full advantage of the opportunities there to learn, to play sports, and to interact with other cultures, becoming more diverse herself. She is currently applying to several ivy league schools in the States and I have no doubt that God is going to use her in mighty ways to share His love and expand His Kingdom.


I'll leave you with something she said that was very challenging and convicting to me.

Islam is a lifestyle... its own culture. You will know a Muslim by the way they live.

I wish Christianity was more like that.

Food for thought from a Senior missionary kid at RVA.

We stand in awe of the ocean

The thunderstorm,

The sunset,

The mountains;

But we pass by

A human being

Without notice

Even though

The person

Is God's most

Magnificent

Creation.

-Augustine

God speaking- Jill's trip to Kenya

"When we see the differences of others, we may well be seeing more of God. He cannot be contained in or explained from only one cultural perspective. Thus, culture shock may be a means whereby we see God more clearly in all His glorious diversity."

(taken from Cross-Cultural Connections by Duane Elmer) 

I read this quote in one of my required reading books on the plane ride here and it has been the perfect perspective for me as I try to take in this new culture we may be coming to live in.


I feel like my understanding of who God is is expanding as I am exposed to new aspects of His beauty in the different animal life, plant life, language, traditions, and people groups.


This morning, my Bible study teacher quoted during the lecture:

There are around 256 names for God in the Bible...   He's infinitely beyond what one name can express.

Thank You, LORD, for revealing more of yourself to me. Please help us all to see you more clearly in all Your glorious diversity.

Some Perspective

My trip to Kenya is already coming to an end. I have spent the past week observing, experiencing, and asking lots of questions.

Here are some comparisons I have made in my time here. These are, indeed, broad generalizations and are not intended to offend Americans, just to give some perspective. (With that disclaimer... :)

-We (Americans) complain about an hour long commute in our comfortable climate-controlled cars.

-They (Kenyans) WALK, rain or shine, in their flimsy shoes an hour to and from work each day.

-We get annoyed if our shower takes a couple of minutes to get hot.

-They buy and fetch water so their whole family can bathe in it.

-We wish we had more space in our 3-bedroom homes.

-Their whole entire family lives in a house as big as my master bedroom.

-Our kids own 50 different toys (and we buy them more.)

-Their kids don’t even have a ball they can play football (soccer) with.

-We complain that our office isn’t big enough.

-My Kenyan friend’s tailor “shop” consists of a tarp for a roof, his sewing machine and a Tupperware container.

-We are disappointed when the produce at the grocery store is looking a couple of days old.

-They can’t eat the crops they are growing because they don’t have enough water to keep them alive.

-We don’t give much above 10% of our income because we can’t “afford” to.

-They give sacrificially even though their children don’t have shoes on their feet.

Again, my intent is not to attack or offend Americas. It is simply:

1.    To draw attention to the stark differences between the way we live in America and the way they live in Kenya.

2.    To give some perspective.

3.    To challenge us to be thankful for the comforts and luxuries we enjoy.

4.    To ponder how we can lessen the gap between how much we have and how little they have.

Jill's trip to Kenya

I am writing this post from the home of Michael's aunt and uncle at Rift Valley Academy (RVA) in Kijabe Kenya! They have been serving here at RVA for over 20 years! They are the ones who are largely responsible for us coming out to RVA, as they first started recruiting us when we were engaged 9 years ago!


And here I sit in their home in Kenya, checking out the campus (and the continent for that matter) as an appointed missionary with Africa Inland Mission (AIM) to come serve full-time at RVA! I can barely wrap my mind around it! (I just realized that I have ended every sentence so far with an exclamation mark :) )


Over a year ago, Michael and I talked to our former church in Raleigh, North Carolina, Providence Baptist Church, about our interest in serving in Africa and asked them if they would consider supporting us. The missions pastor strongly emphasized the importance of going to check out a place before moving there full-time and offered to buy my ticket! Too bad Michael had visited with his grandparents when he was 16, so he missed out on the free ticket deal! :)


Here is the progression of my thoughts and feelings about RVA to date:


1.) Pre-trip: I was feeling pretty confident that God was calling us to RVA and trusting Him and Michael's family members who had been to RVA and assured me that we'd be great here.


2.) Early into trip: I kept singing the song from "Annie"... "I think I'm gonna like it here." But I was also feeling a little apprehensive about the realities of living in Africa.


3.) Mid-trip: (present) We were made to be here... It would be really hard for me to stay in the states after seeing what God has for us out here, even knowing the challenges we will face.


4.) Post-trip:  stay tuned...

Just The Facts -Short and Sweet

Who we are:  Just an ordinary American family -Michael & Jillian Wills and our kids Noah (6), Madison (4), and Tyler (2)

Where we're going:   Rift Valley Academy (RVA) in Kijabe, Kenya (Africa)


When:  We are aiming to depart in July 2012 and are committing to a 4-year term, possibly longer.


Why: To use our gifts to serve the greater mission of bringing the light of Jesus to the ends of the earth.


What we will be doing: Teaching and discipling kids of missionaries serving all over Africa as well as serving the African community around us.


How you can be a part: Partner with us! This is a group effort. We are but one link in the chain.

More about RVA- the school we'll be serving at

RVA is a Christian boarding school located in central Kenya. The academy, a branch of Africa Inland Mission International, exists to provide a quality education in a nurturing environment for the children of missionaries serving in Africa. 

With over 100 years of rich history, RVA has played an instrumental role in the lives of countless MKs (missionary kids). The current student body of about 490 includes more than 20 different nationalities. 


The families these students represent serve with 80 mission organizations in over 20 African countries!!


Here are some pictures of the campus from my recent visit there.

Here are some of the high school...

This is the biology lab (where Michael may be teaching?)

This is the metal tree where the students hang their mugs.

At 10am everyday, the whole student body gets to come outside, grab their mug off the tree and enjoy their chai break.

The girls basketball team praying before the game against a Kenyan boarding school in Nairobi (the capital city of Kenya... over an hours drive away).

And here's some of "Titchie," the elementary school...

Don't you love all the different flags? :)

Michael's Aunt Carolyn has so much fun in her first grade classroom!

The fun outer walls where evidently the kids park their bikes.

Why are we going to Africa? -the big picture

To serve and teach at Rift Valley Academy (RVA), a boarding school for children of missionaries serving all over the continent of Africa. Why?


"Today over 900 African people groups are still unreached, with NO VIABLE WITNESS to the transforming power of Jesus Christ!" *

Or here's another way to look at it:

                 Each dot of light represents 25,000 believers. Notice the dark areas remaining in Africa, especially Northern Africa, which is predominantly Muslim.

"'Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.'

How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can they preach unless they are sent?"
Romans 10:13-15


"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the LORD of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves."
Luke 10:2-3


"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the LORD Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
Acts 20:24

Why go?

• Because there are people in Africa who deserve to hear the gospel of God's grace. 
• There are missionaries who have been called to bring the good news of God's love to them. 
• Some of these missionaries are in need of a safe, supportive, God-centered, missions-focused educational option in Africa for their children.
• RVA was established to meet this need for missionaries called to serve in Africa.
• We have gifts, skills, and passions that are needed at RVA. 
• We are willing to go and humbly serve as this link in the chain in obedience to Jesus' command to "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19) 

Will you consider partnering with us as another link in the chain to reach the over 900 unreached people groups in Africa with the transforming love of Jesus?