Serving The Lord in Kenya

We have a family at Calvary Chapel Mercer County that has been serving in Ongata Rongai, Kenya for 5 years now.  Every year we send various numbers of people from our church to help them with their ministry.
They are serving at Calvary Chapel Ongata Rongai through Potters Field Ministries.  The family of four work with children to teach them about the Lord but to also make sure they are receiving an education.
Like most places outside the USA, Kenya is a country where public school education is not free.  So Geoff, Linda, Christian, and Faith pick out children that are in the most need of receiving funding for basic education.  They run a school that goes up to 4th grade and they work with teenagers who are in danger of not getting funding.  The catch is that they must maintain good grades in order to be sponsored.  Last year as a family we decided to sponsor a student in desperate need.  He had to move into an orphanage so that his dues where paid.  The crazy thing is that he has a mom.  When Linda and Geoff mentioned that him being sponsored will allow him to move back home, well that was a no-brainer for me.
They come home to visit every summer and we enjoy connecting with them again.  This past summer they were encouraging us to come to visit them.  So, when I heard that CCMC was going to be sending a team to come alongside the family, I felt as if the Lord said that this was our time.  Unfortunately, we were not all able to go.  My youngest two and I were able to travel the 18-24 hours to help.
We were a team of 11 4 adult males, 1 adult female (me), 6 teens (3 girls and 3 boys).  Needless to say I became the team mom.  Not that I minded.
We took about 60 Kenyan teens along with 4 Kenyan leaders plus our group on a teen retreat.  The retreat center we stayed at was 3 hours by bus.  Located in Nakura, Kenya.  The facility was very nice.  Dorm style rooms, with leader rooms located at the end of the hallway.  Plus the use of the owners guest house.
There are so many words I can use here to describe the time we had those 4 days on the retreat.  The best way to sum it up is this:  God used all the talents of our team so well, that it was such affirmation and confirmation that we were meant to be there then.
After the retreat we were able to have a thanksgiving meal with 29 of us.  Such sweet memories from that celebration.
We culminated our time with Kid's Club.  A program that serves 250+ children around CCOR.  At Kid's Club they receive Chai and lunch as well as many songs about Jesus and of course a bible teaching.  We were able to bring a craft with us for them to enhance the story of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist found in Mark 1:1-11.  The ages that attend go from 2 years to 17 years.  Such a huge under taking but so very rewarding.  It was an honor to be a part of the team.

Here is a photo of our team with the Simpson Family

Honors

My children really do like to achieve.  It makes me happy to see them desire to learn and earn good grades.  Great 1st marking period grades.  Abs with High Honors and Josh 1st time on Honor Roll.

Birthday

This guy is no longer a teenager.  AHHHHHH. Happy 20th to an amazing young man.  My heart sings when I think of you.  Love you much.

Clean Healthy Eating

Life as we know it has changed around here.  Due to some medical diagnosis we have changed our eating ways.  While we heard lots of comments from people how we would hate it, or that we would miss some foods, I have to say we were able to change things and don't miss any of the old foods that put us medically in a bad way.  

We went through the Whole30 program and had no problems.  So now we are choosing to live a more 90/10 Paleo-type lifestyle.  Basically, we are not eating grains, sugar (refined), dairy, and beans.  But here is the great part - there are so many good foods out there that you can use that you don't miss anything.  

Here is a photo of our breakfast this morning. 

Sweet Potato hash, no sugar bacon, almond flour pancakes, and eggs.  

Can you say yum.

So good. And good for you!!!

Stay healthy friends!

Forgive me, Sir

This morning I took the dog with me as I walked the kids to the bus stop.  After the bus left, I decided to walk around the block with Maxx.  Thankfully I remembered to grab a bag as I thought he might have a poop in him.   Well 1/4 of the way around he needed to take a dump.  I had the trusty bag ready to clean it up.  Lucky me, as it is also trash day.  After I cleaned it up, I proceeded to throw the wrapped poop bag into the nearest trash can.  

The lid had not even shut when a man came storming out of his house telling me I needed to take the bag out of his garbage.  WHAT?!?!?  I was utterly confused and astonished.  I asked how it was wrong but received no answer to my question just that I had a garbage can at my house I could use.  I took the poop bag out and asked for his forgiveness.  Said it would not happen again.  To which he replied he would be watching.  

My first thought upon walking away was - he will get his.

My second thought was  - he must be a miserable man with a sad life.

My third thought was - he needs prayer.

I am not proud of the fact that it wasn't my first thought but thankful nonetheless for the lesson God taught me.

I did right by asking for forgiveness and now it is on him to be forgiving.  While I don't think I did anything wrong, I know asking was the correct thing to do.  It is so difficult for us to not seek out support from others when we feel we have be wronged.  We want validation for our actions.  Want people to side with us over the wrong committed.  However, the more I thought about the interaction the more I recognized the need to pray for this man.  So I did.  Now I ask God to help me not have such a vengeful heart.

Surf Camp 2016

Urban Surf Ministries is something my young ones looked forward to year after year.  It was Abi's 3rd time and Josh's 2nd.  If we could live at the beach in the summer, we would.  Here are some highlights from their time at LBI - Harvey Cedars.

I am so very grateful to all those who volunteer their time to teach those who attend, not only about surfing, but also about our Lord, Jesus Christ.  

Every year they come home closer to God, and with new brothers and sisters in Christ.

New School Year

And so begins Jr year for Abs and Freshman year for Josh.