rogerthoman’s posterous

We had just welcomed the Congolese leaders to Kenya and the hotel where they were to stay when the building next door exploded into a fireball.  We do not know the cause of this explosion yet.

It was quite a riot on the streets and a miracle that we got out before the hotel we were in began to burn.  THIS was the start of our time with these leaders who traveled for three days to be with us!

OBVIOUSLY,  we appreciate your ongoing prayers for us and for this leadership team.

(This picture was taken by my phone and does not really capture the magnitude of the damage that was done by the initial explosion)

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We have been drawn to the city of Kitale as a hub for our work in Kenya not realizing that it is destined to become a center for sending missionaries throughout Kenya and even Africa.  Prophetic words have been spoken over this city to this end.  Additionally, in the last few years Kenyans from Kitale have moved to many cities throughout Kenya to start churches or ministries.  We have personally met some amazing Kenyans from Kitale who are being sent to do missions work in some of the most difficult countries of Africa such as Southern Sudan.

So, having learned this, we should not be surprised that the leaders we are working with have hearts to plant churches in many different regions of Kenya as well as surrounding nations.  I must tell you that this is very, very gratifying.

Two of the leaders we are working with will be sent out very soon to two different cities in Kenya.  Other churches are starting locally.  Still another family is doing a new work in a Muslim village in the Mombasa area.  And... two leaders from Uganda are visiting this week's conference with a desire to see more churches planted in their region.  For this growing group of leaders, this type of activity is becoming routine.  We feel privileged to be involved in what is becoming a true mission-sending base.  I hope that you also feel blessed with us since you are a part of what God is doing here!

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Benjamin, a Kenyan who is ministering in Southern Sudan, shared with us his very first trip there five years ago.  He was dropped off in a village by cargo plane and discovered there was not even a road in or out of this place.  The desert there is so dry that when he asked for water to bathe in they brought it to him in a cup.

He immediately became severely ill from the contaminated water he drank.  I must mention to you that the water in Kenya is highly contaminated by our standards so you can only imagine what this Sudanese water was like.  He nearly died because this village had received no medicines for nearly two years and he had no way to get out for medical treatment until the next cargo plane flew in.  He did finally make it home where he swore to his wife that he would never return to the Sudan.  But, it was only a short time before he felt God stir him.  He said he felt as though his body had come home, but his spirit was still with the Sudanese.  He knew he had to return to do God's work there.  In the past five years he has started churches and schools, and helped train pastors and new missionaries there!

So, on those days when Brooks and I think we are making sacrifices by traveling and staying in Kenya, we remind ourselves that it could be the Sudan!!!!

Men From a Sudanese Village (did I mention it's desert?)

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Brooks would like to learn how to do this.  I remain skeptical...

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Today begins two weeks of nearly continuous, day-and-night meetings with three different groups of leaders.  I am not looking for pity (although why turn it down if it's available), but I am asking for you to pray with us:

• That God will encourage and equip these leaders to be fruitful in their fields.
• That we will remain fresh, alert, and tuned into what the Spirit of God is doing and saying.
• That the logistics of those who are traveling to be with us will go smoothly.
• That we will have discernment in the strategizing that takes place with these leaders
• Etc

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There ARE creatures here, living just outside our door, that really DO enjoy the heat:

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I appreciate a prayer for Brooks who has, we hope, only a touch of flu. Hopefully no more than a 24-hour type bug. But, health is needed and we so appreciate specific prayer on this.

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