Current Praises
- The blessing of being SETTLED, back into our home and routine at R.V.A. :)
- True joy in the work God has given us to do here.
- Tyler loves Kindergarten and has adjusted well. Mom has adjusted well to the extra time and freedom in this season of her life :)
- We see God working in our students' lives... giving them a desire for more of God, for helping each other to grow, for the unreached people groups to receive salvation! God is at work!
- AIM missionaries shared that two Muslims have recently surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ in a hard to reach nation in Africa! :) He's at work all over this continent!
- The blessing of being SETTLED, back into our home and routine at R.V.A. :)
- True joy in the work God has given us to do here.
- Tyler loves Kindergarten and has adjusted well. Mom has adjusted well to the extra time and freedom in this season of her life :)
- We see God working in our students' lives... giving them a desire for more of God, for helping each other to grow, for the unreached people groups to receive salvation! God is at work!
- AIM missionaries shared that two Muslims have recently surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ in a hard to reach nation in Africa! :) He's at work all over this continent!
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| The Kindergarten - 2nd grade students made cards and brought treats to show our appreciation to our national cafeteria staff! |
Current Requests
- Being so busy and balancing so many different responsibilities has caused a strain on our marriage lately. Please pray that we will make time to love and serve each other first.
- We are starting to shop for a vehicle! Pray that we choose wisely. We have a history of lemons! We'd love to find something before the end of November so we can go on a family camping trip with other families over our school break.
- I (Jill) am looking for an updated curriculum to use with our Sunday School class about Biblical womanhood, required for all 9th grade girls. Pray for the Spirit to lead in this.
- Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW) is coming up October 15-19th. Last year during SEW, over 100 RVA students committed their lives to Christ! :) Please join us in praying for every student and staff to hear something specific from the LORD through this year's speaker, Eugene Cho.
- Pray for the ebola outbreak in West Africa to come to an end. Pray for every soul that is lost and that God would use this to point people's thoughts towards eternity, and ultimately to a saving knowledge of Christ as the only way to eternity with God in Heaven.
UPDATED: October 08, 2014
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Praises
-Both Maddie & Tyler surrendered their lives to Jesus this summer, securing their salvation for eternity :)
-God's goodness, grace, and sustenance throughout our Home Assignment.
-God met our need for 35 new supporters at $35/month (a few pending).
-God has done above and beyond by providing funds to purchase our very own vehicle in Kenya!
-God's watch care over RVA amidst the political unrest in Kenya.
-Both Maddie & Tyler surrendered their lives to Jesus this summer, securing their salvation for eternity :)
-God's goodness, grace, and sustenance throughout our Home Assignment. -God met our need for 35 new supporters at $35/month (a few pending). -God has done above and beyond by providing funds to purchase our very own vehicle in Kenya! -God's watch care over RVA amidst the political unrest in Kenya. |
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| Our display table we set up at churches where we had the opportunity to share what God is doing in Africa |
Prayer Requests
-Energy, focus, and grace these last couple days as we prepare for departure
-Travel and transition back to Kenya on Friday, Aug. 15th
-Tyler as he begins half-day Kindergarten (my baby!)
-Renewed passion as we resume our ministry at Rift Valley Academy (RVA)
-Salvation & spiritual growth in our students' lives
-Faithfulness in our students’ families, spreading the gospel across Africa
-Christ at the center of our lives always
-Energy, focus, and grace these last couple days as we prepare for departure
-Travel and transition back to Kenya on Friday, Aug. 15th -Tyler as he begins half-day Kindergarten (my baby!) -Renewed passion as we resume our ministry at Rift Valley Academy (RVA) -Salvation & spiritual growth in our students' lives -Faithfulness in our students’ families, spreading the gospel across Africa -Christ at the center of our lives always |
UPDATED: August 13, 2014
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Current Requests
- Pray against my anxious tendencies, which are triggered by big situations like this (packing up house, planning for Home Assignment, still doing full-time ministry in the meantime, preparing our family to transition to a new culture, etc...)
- That we will find our security and stability in Christ alone as we cross cultures and spend an intense 4.5 months traveling around to visit family, friends, and supporters without our normal routine or our own space to live in.
- For the Spirit's leading in what to share with whom about the work God is doing in Kenya. To be sensitive to the needs of those we come into contact with in the States, to be used by God to encourage each one in a relevant way.
- To trust God in the logistics and scheduling as we try to connect with family, friends, and supporters while home.
- For God to be working in hearts to prepare new supporters to partner with us in our ministry. We are praying specifically for 35 new supporters at $35/month in order to meet our financial needs. That seems a little overwhelming!
- To have intentional closure during our last couple weeks before we leave R.V.A., especially with those who will no longer be here when we return in August.
- For God's grace to cover our travels. We leave Nairobi Mon, March 31 and arrive in Boston the next day.
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| Saying good-bye to our home in Africa for 4.5 months :( |
Current Praises
- God's abundant provision of a car to use; gracious hosts along our journey.
- God's demonstrations of love to our family through very personal gifts to enjoy while we're home...generous scholarships to camps, extravagant provisions for little getaways here and there, etc...
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Your prayers are vital to this ministry. Thank you for partnering with us in this way!Current Praises
- Answered prayer for Becky's salvation! (see requests from previous entry) Praise the LORD!!
- Plus the salvation of over 100 other RVA students during Spiritual Emphasis Week! -also in answer to our specific prayers
- Answered prayer for a sustainable pace this term -no burnout!
- Blessing of having family here for Christmas
- God's grace on our marriage & the opportunity to get away during break
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| Tyler with Pappy during his first visit to Africa for Christmas this year |
Current Requests
- To finish this next term strong before we leave for furlough in April
- God's leading in the logistics of our travel/furlough plans (April-August 2014)
- Time management during term -prioritize time with the Lord and family devos; discernment about how much to take on, ministry wise
- The students as they transition from home this weekend to begin a new term at RVA
- Wisdom as we pray through a new possible position to fill at RVA next year
- For God to provide funds for a vehicle in His time. For contentment as we wait on Him.
- A close and intentional group of friends on staff.
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Your prayers are vital to this ministry!! Thank you for partnering with us in this way!
Current Praises
- God's protection of our family and the larger RVA family during the recent terrorist attacks at a mall we frequent in Nairobi, about an hours drive away.
- Noah's smooth transition to 3rd grade. He started the year off in 2nd grade, but a couple weeks in we made the prayerful decision to bump him up to third grade.
- God's grace and strength which enabled Jill to climb Mt. Kenya over mid-term last weekend!
- Becky, a girl Jill mentored last year, has been struggling with major doubts about God and her faith. He has definitely been softening her heart these last few weeks, but please continue to pray that she will surrender her heart completely to Jesus.
- Leading Koinonia this year has been such a blessing to us. We are encouraged to see these ten student leaders seeking the LORD before they speak at the weekly meetings and to see the ways the Spirit is speaking through them to their peers.
Current Requests
- Spiritual Emphasis Week (S.E.W.) is going on right now (Oct. 16-20). Speakers and worship leaders have flown in from the States to lead this annual event at RVA. There are sessions every morning and every night. Please join us in praying for the Spirit to leave no heart unchanged, for salvation among our students who have not surrendered their hearts to Jesus, and specifically for salvation in one of the girls Jill mentored last year.
- Continued wisdom to lead the Koinonia student leaders well and not to be discouraged by our time constraints with these students.
- We just learned that we will most likely be returning to the States for home assignment from April - July 2014. Please pray for traveling funds, details, logistics, schedules, packing, etc...
- Wisdom as we intentionally invest in students through teaching, Sunday School, leading Koinonia, Caring Community, and mentoring relationships. That the Spirit would guide our time together and the LORD's light would shine through us to draw these students' closet to Him.
- For God to provide funds for a vehicle in His time. For contentment as we wait on Him.
- To continue to grow as encouragers and servants to each other in our marriage.
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Your prayers are vital to this ministry!! Thank you for partnering with us in this way!Current Praises
- Ten years of marriage and the evidence of God's grace throughout it all.
- Noah's strong conviction and testimony when he was baptized in June.
- The meeting for women staff about "Building Strong Families in Full-time Ministry" that Jill organized seemed to be inspiring and encouraging to those who attended.
- Relationships with students are going deeper. Jill is getting to go deeper into God's Word with one of the students she mentors.
- God is answering our prayers about bringing to light the students at RVA who are struggling so that we can offer extra support and encouragement to them.
- Opportunity to take over Koinonia this year... a ministry by a select group of student leaders to put on a weekly fellowship hour for the student body.
- Michael's students performed well on the AP exams. His hard work paid off.
Current Requests
- Discernment and time management to live out our priorities and not to overcommit this term.
- Strengthening of our marriage.
- Intentional discipleship of our kids.
- Wisdom to lead the Koinonia student leaders well.
- Struggling students to know and trust God.
- Strengthening of RVA families and our students' families serving around the continent.
- For God to provide funds for a vehicle in His time.
- UPDATED: August 11, 2013
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Your prayers are vital to this ministry!! Thank you for partnering with us in this way!Current Praises
- How far the LORD has brought us in the past year since we started posting prayer requests and praises on this blog (I just read through them all and am overwhelmed by His faithfulness!)
- We have successfully completed our first full school term (3 months) at RVA!
- The marriage and intimacy panel Jill organized for staff wives went really well... a good turn-out, lots of laughter, inspiration, questions answered, hearts shared, and prayers prayed.
- Relationships with students beginning to go deeper. A tenth grade girl just asked Jill if she would start mentoring her. :)
- God's grace for Jill to get up at 6:00 am (don't laugh -that's a HUGE challenge for me!) to lead an exercise class for the lady staff on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Michael was able to cover all the material for A.P. Biology before the students take their A.P. exams in May. (He wasn't sure he'd be able to fit it all in!)
- Michael praises God for the opportunity to play indoor soccer with the staff once a week (which will increase to two times/week over vacation) and the changes in his body as a result. :)
- Peaceful elections in Kenya so far.
Current Requests
- Please pray for rest and renewal over this vacation.
- Discernment about how much to take on.
- God has inspired Jill to start organizing date nights for staff couples during our breaks. Please pray for the Spirit to direct in the details and use these dates to strengthen marriages.
- RVA still needs an English and Spanish teacher for next year.
- The students' safety as they travel home and for renewal and connection with their families over the month long term break.
- A new president has been elected in Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta. However, he has not been sworn in, because his opponent, Raila Odinga, has filed a case with the Supreme Court accusing the IEBC (the election commission) of rigging the election results. The verdict will be announced next Friday, March 29th. Please pray for wisdom and continued peace.
- UPDATED: March 21, 2013
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Current Praises
- We are humbled and privileged that God has us to be a part of what He is doing here at RVA and in Kenya and to raise our family in this amazing community!
- We praise God for the work we see Him doing in our childrens' hearts. Noah and Madison have both expressed a desire to be baptized :)
- Jill was so blessed by the Women's Retreat for AIM missionaries last weekend. Here is what God spoke to me during that time.
- God laid it on Jill's heart to get a prayer group going for the women staff... and He has raised up three "Bonding Our Heart Through Prayer" groups so far! That time before the throne with sisters in Christ has been so refreshing!
- Michael is loving his classes and his students and the opportunities to help teach the 9th and 10th grade boys how to become "men" through the Sunday School Curriculum. More on that here.
- This may seem silly, but we are so thankful for the opportunity to play indoor soccer together with the staff every Thursday night. It's our date and exercise all in one :)
- We cease to be amazed at God's provision for our family. We recently opened a vehicle fund, and God led 2 families to contribute significantly to the fund BEFORE we even told anyone about it! Astounding.
Current Requests
- Please pray against pride in my (Jill's) heart when God uses me to do something good here. I find myself wanting to take some of the glory for myself. yuck.
- Protection and intentionality in our child-raising and in our marriage. It's a request for many staff families here.
- God has inspired Jill with some visions/ideas to provide support and build community among staff members. Please pray for the Spirit to direct in the details of these things.
- Please pray for the overall health on campus. There is a LOT of sickness going around and the RVA schedule doesn't really allow for sickness, according to the students :)
- Please pray for personal struggles among missionaries. Insecurities, loneliness, marriage struggles, purity struggles, conflict, distractedness, etc...
- Please pray for the upcoming elections on March 4th. The last elections (5 years ago) resulted in horrible violence -almost to the point of Civil War. A lot of precautions are being taken, but the whole nation fears and is hoping and praying against a repeat of the post-election violence they endured last time.
- UPDATED: February 4, 2013
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Current Praises
- We are filled with peace, joy, and contentment as we enjoy the blessing of living and serving in a ministry that we feel God created us for!
- We are thankful for a very easy and smooth transition to life in Africa (so far at least!) :)
- We are grateful for the great friendships our children have developed since being here.
- We are so thankful for the community here at RVA -something our hearts have longed for!
- We are thankful for the opportunities God has given us to use our gifts and passions to serve the staff and students here:
- For Jill: fitness classes for the female staff, helping coach the girls soccer team, starting up a prayer group for female staff, serving the local community, planning activities to build community on campus
- For Michael: teaching Bio, teaching 10th grade Sunday School, planning a camping trip for 9-10th grade boys, using his tech skills to help others
- The support we receive every month which allows us to live and serve here!
Current Requests
- Discipline to protect our time with the LORD and with our family amidst the busy and demanding schedule at RVA -the same for all families here on staff.
- For God to reveal to us the students who are struggling- who especially need His Truth and Love shown in tangible ways.
- God's comfort and Presence for students and their families who have just said hard goodbyes after spending 5 weeks together over break.
- The Spirit to lead in the prayer ministry we are starting on campus-we have already felt the Enemy's opposition as we try to get this going, so we know it's going to be powerful!
- The students' families serving all over this continent and the people groups they are trying to reach with the gospel.
- To live intentionally -prayerfully seek out opportunities each moment of each day to share God's Truth and Love with whoever we come into contact with.
UPDATED: January 6, 2013
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Current Praises
- In the past five days, God has added 12 new supporters to our team! We have gone from and 83% to 96% of our monthly support!! We are blown away by God's provision! :)
- Michael no longer has to balance a busy work schedule on top of missions prep... He gave his 35-day notice on Monday and they let him go on Tuesday.
- Already God has provided extra money to cover our (Lord-willing) last month's rent. :)
- The Holy Spirit has given me (Jill) more insight regarding the issue of "freedom" and where I put my trust. Hopefully, I can blog about it soon...
- We are praising God for another opportunity to trust Him even more. He is so worthy of our trust!
Current Requests
- Please pray for grace-filled and effective communication between Michael and Jill.
- Please pray for God to show us the best way to earn some income over these next 6 weeks, as Michael is no longer employed (5 weeks earlier than we expected.)
- Please pray for Madison as she begins Kindergarten next week.
- Please pray for our remaining $200/month to come in before Sept. 2nd.
- Please pray for continued time management, keeping our priorities in check.
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Current Praises
- We enjoyed an exhausting, yet very fun and productive trip visiting families, friends, and churches this summer!
- Tyler (our youngest) is.... drum roll please.... POTTY TRAINED!! :) ...40 accidents later!
- God has recently added new supporters to our team and provided 83% of our monthly support so far!! Exciting and encouraging! :)
- Michael returns tomorrow from a 5 day camping adventure with 4 of his high school students! :)
- In light of our travels, we are really thankful for our own space and routine!
Current Requests
- We are at a critical point in our journey. We are asking God to make His timing clear by providing pledges equaling at least 95% of our monthly support by this time next week (August 16th) as confirmation that we are supposed to give Michael's 30 day notice to work. (That would be an additional $570 in monthly pledges between now and then... which is a lot to ask!) Pray for clarity and peaceful acceptance either way.
- I (Jill) sense that God is trying to reveal something major to me regarding "freedom." He is challenging my claims regarding what/Whom I put my trust and hope in. Pray that I will humbly listen and learn whatever He is trying to teach me.
- This is sure to be a crazy week as Michael returns from a week in the woods, begins a new school year, works to keep up with our missions requirements, and waits for God to reveal His timing for us! Please pray for peace, discernment, time management, and extra measures of grace.
- Please pray for God's help as we try to train our children to be peace-makers (especially with each other!:)) and to give thanks in all circumstances.
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Current Praises
- We now have a new counselor! She is a great fit for us - She just gets us and we get her. Our sessions are very productive, helpful, and encouraging. We are so thankful to give this update!!
- We are so thankful for the LORD's grace and protection over our marriage! We are growing stronger and stronger- connecting, supporting, and encouraging one another.
- After thinking we may have to wait an extra year, God seems to be opening the doors for us to depart this October instead!
- He is giving daily victories in Jill's battles against anxiety. I'm even thankful for the realization that God isn't going to take away this "thorn in my flesh" because it keeps me humble and desperately dependent on Him and His Word. And I get to praise Him daily when He brings me victory!
Current Requests
- Continued strength and victories in battles against anxiety
- God's timing in raising the remaining portions of our monthly support
- TRUST HIM rather than taking it upon ourselves to "get us to Africa"
- Grace and patience with our family members as the stress mounts
- Quality time as we visit and say good-byes on our annual 5 week trip north.
- Boundaries to protect our time with the LORD, each other, and our children (and maybe even a little sleep!) as we share with churches and individuals about our ministry and visit with as many people as we possibly can, while we can, during this trip.
updated: June 22, 2012
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CURRENT PRAISES
• We recently took a step back to stop & really seek God's will for us- which led to confirmation from Him regarding our call to serve at Rift Valley Academy and to do our part to be ready to go this July!• God has already provided 98% of our Outgoing Support (to cover one-time expenses to get there)!
• God has been helping me (Jill) peel back the layers of my heart and is speaking truth and bringing love and healing to areas I didn't even know needed His touch. :)
• God has blessed us with a lavish gift..a vacation in Florida with Michael's parents, who are taking the kids on special "adventures" while we get some missionary work done! In fact I'm typing this from our sunny porch. Here's the view...
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| Our view as I type this! |
CURRENT REQUESTS
• peace as we trust God amidst so many unknowns
• productive and Spirit-led counseling sessions
• discernment and discipline to manage our time according to God's priorities for us
• the ministries of hundreds of missionary families represented at Rift Valley Academy (RVA)
• sustenance and strength for the faculty and staff at RVA
UPDATED: 3/25/12
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