Of One Accord

 

Philippians 2:1-3 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. [NKJV]

Neil and Francis began the intensive interviews of Outfitters for Adventure's ROCK children and their caregivers, whose financial support for food, clothing, shelter, and education is provided by USA sponsors. ROCK began in 2004 after Neil's first visit to the Kisii District when one of the pastors asked, "Is there anything that you can do to help our street children?" So many adults had died of AIDS in Africa, that the children were wandering the streets hoping to get handouts, but the remote villagers were very poor with little room to take in and feed additional children. Neil shared pictures and stories with the church Neil pastored in Morris when he returned. Jan Nieland, one of our members, felt God calling her to take on the task of overseeing that need. 

Jan named the outreach, ROCK (Reach Out to the Children of Kenya), and soon had brochures to hand out. She asked to be interviewed on radio stations and some of the area newspapers even ran full front-page articles. Jan spoke in every area church and civic organization who would give her a mic and a spot on their program. It was Jan who built ROCK from zero to 84 destitute Kenyan children being sponsored. What made ROCK even more attractive for sponsors, was that 100% of the money contributed was devoted to the children's needs. Jan would not accept a salary, and the publication and other expenses were covered through the Outfitters for Adventure's general fund from other donors. Ruth and Neil asked Jan each year if the work was getting to be too much. Jan never complained, but in 2011 she mentioned that it would be nice to have more time with their grandchildren, and agreed to turn the work over to Ruth. We can never thank Jan enough for getting ROCK off the ground on such a solid footing. She even made a trip to Kenya with Neil and a support team, meeting those sponsored by ROCK. Our Kenyan friends there still call her "Mama Jan." 

Sometimes people ask after we tell how ROCK began, "But where did Outfitters for Adventure come from? Is it a large missions organization?" Well, Neil and his friends at our church in Morris, along with several of the young college students Neil was mentoring read a Bible passage and they took it literally. These are the last recorded words that Jesus spoke right before he was lifted off the earth as his astonished disciples watch him ascend: 

Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." [NIV]

People were invited to attend monthly or quarterly meetings in our little Morris church with special missions speakers. God sent us amazing speakers including one of the International Directors for Youth With a Mission, a co-director of Nehemiah International in Germany who sent teams to teach new Christians to become church planters into the former Soviet Union when Communism fell in 1990, a missionary with Salaam International working among Muslims in the Middle East, and many other amazing missions leaders. How God put us in touch with missions leaders of that calibre is in itself miraculous! Our young people, and some not-so-young, joined Outfitters for Adventure's missions teams, as well as other missions organizations. It was as if Jesus' words in Acts 1:8 were burned in their hearts, and they picked them up and ran with them! 

Many of the current and former college students who had been mentored and attended our Summer Institute of Ministry Training came together to be inspired by those speakers. Neil's missions group came up with the name, Outfitters for Adventure. As they were able, those being trained in missions joined Neil on missions trips to Mexico, Siberia, Ukraine, the Republic of Georgia, Mongolia, Ireland, Spain, and Japan. They also deepened relationships by making annual canoe trips to the Quetico wilderness area just north of Minnesota, and some even planted churches in Minnesota and North Dakota. Although none of the churches are still in operation, the people attending those churches grew in understanding of the Bible, of Jesus, and of what it takes to build lasting relationships to the glory of God. Much was learned through successes, and even more was learned through failures, but we all experienced spiritual growth through the things we suffered.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch --- Today in Sengera, Neil and Francis interviewed all of the ROCK children in that immediate vicinity with only 1 ROCK child left to interview in Henry's church, and 2 ROCK children left at Alice's Hilltop church. Alice, who is pictured above, in addition to being a pastor, is one of our ROCK caregivers. People here in the USA have wondered if God calls women to be pastors. In Kenya, where so many men have died of AIDS and so many other men are alcoholics, or are infected by the "Big Man" virus, women often far surpass them in truly caring for the sheep in their churches. The "Big Man" virus is what Neil calls the tendency for pastors to gain wealth, build large houses, and drive cars to gain influence and prestige. Alice is a humble woman with a delightful personality whose objective is teaching others about Jesus and helping them find ways to meet the needs of their families.

In addition to all the interviews today, Neil gathered the pastors in the Kisii District for their annual meeting. This is the 22nd year of meeting with area pastors on Neil's annual visits. They have gone through many relational, financial, and health challenges, but through it all they have been learning to distrust outward appearances and look for ways to come together "in one accord" as they focus on the things that really matter to Jesus.

Tomorrow morning, Neil and Francis will have one more church service in Sengera before moving on to Christopher's and Rosemary's churches to continue the ROCK interviews. Each child has a worksheet with their story and picture, along with items of concern highlighted, and interview questions Ruth prepared in a looseleaf ring binder for Neil. The child gives Neil a copy of their school record and then Neil takes a picture of the child with the caregiver. After Neil returns home to Morris, Ruth updates their stories from Neil's notes and send off reports with updated pictures to the child's ROCK sponsor. It takes awhile, and many of their stories bring Ruth to tears as she prays through their responses.

Neil finds practical ways to help the Kenyans. This year some of the women in The Church in the Pines brought Neil some bags filled with tooth brushes to give the Kenyan children. Some years Neil fills large suitcases with lightly used clothing. Another way of helping Kenyans is to purchase coffee beans. Coffee is raised and the beans dried in the region. Neil's friend Atkinson located coffee beans for Neil's personal home use. If the beans are good quality, Neil will help their local coffee business benefit by paying a better price than they normally receive. The beans must be partially roasted to bring them through customs, and Neil cannot bring them into the USA for resale. We made friends with the Go Set Ready Coffee business in Benson, who complete the roasting for us. Neil began bringing home coffee beans to help local growers when he visited the indigenous mountain villages in Southern Mexico in the 1980's. By finding ways to purchase products, the dignity of the local people is preserved. 

Over the many years of our involvement in short-term missions trips, we have sometimes been criticized for hurting the poor by making them dependent on our gifts. Someone gave us an excellent book addressing that concern, teaching how to help without hurting others. If we step in and try to satisfy all of another person's needs, we make them dependent upon us. What happens if we are unable to continue to help or even die? What happens if our nations break off international relations and we are no longer allowed to travel there or send money or goods to people in that nation? They would be suddenly cut off without means to fill the void. Therefore, we have been careful to help the needy without supplying all they need to exist. They learn to trust God for their daily needs, He is with them 24/7, and God never runs short of anything in his storehouse.

Local communities and churches also are resources, and their Kenyan relatives and neighbors do begin to follow our example. God loves cheerful givers, so we try to avoid making anyone feel obligated to give. But there can be joy from the Lord when we share with others. It has also been our personal experience that when the Lord prompts us to give, He increases our ability to share when we obey Him. Please understand that I am not making an appeal for you to give. Look at Alice's picture at the top of this post. She gives from a joyful heart, even though she has little means to provide her own needs. An attitude of generosity is a wonderful thing. We have Jesus as our highest example. He gave His very life so that all who trust Him as their Savior can come to his house and enjoy what He has prepared for all eternity!

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for Cynthia, the young girl who carried Neil's bag during the rain in the hillcountry at George's church. She asked if you could all pray for her family who are undergoing financial hardship and other challenges.
• Pray for Esther's children who met with Neil today. Esther is the one whose funeral is on Tuesday. Thank God that Esther's oldest daughter in her early 20's will become her little brother Paul's caregiver now that Esther is gone.
• Pray for Esther's second daughter who had a child out of wedlock and has no support. We are now looking for a ROCK sponsor for her child.
• Neil and Francis appreciate your prayers for strength, energy, and insight as they continue the ROCK interviews.
• Please also pray for God's grace for those who attend Esther's funeral on Tuesday. Esther's relatives are not of one accord. 

Love,
Ruth

Helping Outfitters for Adventure's Kenyan Missions

Outfitters for Adventure Web Site

Precious in His Sight

 

Picture from 2016

Psalm 116:15

Precious in the sight of the Lord

    is the death of his faithful servants. [NIV]

Just before Neil's flight to Kenya we learned that one of his dear friends in Sengera had died. It is amazing that the T-shirt she is wearing in our picture of her from 2016 has the word, "LIFE," on the front, when she spent a large portion of her life struggling with the dreaded AIDS disease her husband had given her before he died. Several years ago, when Neil's sister Beth joined Neil on one of his annual trips to Kenya, this friend was very near death. Beth, a healthcare professional, quickly recognized the seriousness of her condition, and brought her to a clinic for emergency care where her life was restored. This year, Neil will attend her funeral. Her family is busy making preparations for the funeral which will be held on Tuesday. It would be an even sadder event, except for the commitment of her life to serving Jesus. Yes, how precious in God's sight is her death, knowing she will be in His presence for eternity!

Thank you to all who prayed for Neil's and Francis' safety yesterday when the rain began pouring down in the hill country. I must confess that I was rather concerned when there were no further messages. But this morning around 8:30, Neil called. He and Francis spent the night in the hill country at George's house. This morning they conducted the interviews of the ROCK children and their caregivers from George's church. The rain had been heavy and the wind had blown down a tree right next to George's church, but as people here at home prayed the rain stopped as suddenly as it had begun. They were able to travel to Sengera today with no delays. Praise the Lord!

Neil has been sending several messages that are floating around in cyber space unable to reach me. He wants you to know he is not a man of few words on this trip. In the Kisii District, WIFI is more reliable, so he hopes that even their pictures might begin reaching us. 

When they arrived in Sengera, Neil and Francis settled into Hellen Aberi's house. Then they drove to Sengera to have a coke with Atkinson who has helped on occasion with transportation. Back at Hellen's, they enjoyed tea and chapati, a Kenyan version of pocket bread. Hellen's friend Rosemary joined them for dinner at Hellen's house. Hellen is pictured below with Benjamin, the ROCK child she cares for in her home.

Hellen is trained as a healthcare worker for HIV/AIDS patients to help them get medication and make trips to clinics and hospitals. She leads a group of several adults who gather weekly for Bible teaching, and she has served as pastor of a church in Sengera. Her secular job is working for the chief. 

Neil and Francis were looking forward to bucket baths before heading off to bed. We take electricity, running water, and flush toilets for granted, but many of our Kenyan friends would think they had entered heaven just stepping into our most humble homes.

Prayer items:

• Praise God for hearing our prayers to stop the rain yesterday, giving our guys safe travel today.
• Pray for the funeral to bring joy in the midst of sorrow as friends and family realize their loved one is free at last from AIDS, and that whoever has given their heart to Jesus will have eternity to share their lives.
• Pray that the ROCK children and caregivers will be able to come for their interviews.
• Thank God for supplying their ROCK sponsors here in the USA. 

Love,

Ruth

Helping Outfitters for Adventure's Kenyan Missions

Outfitters for Adventure Web Site

To the Ends of the Earth

 

Acts 13:47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” [NIV]

Francis and Neil were off to an early start Tuesday morning, leaving Martin's church north of Kitale on the Ugandan border, to head southwest toward the Kisii District. Using a shortcut to Kitale, the road was so bad that they encountered 2 overturned trucks. They were able to drive around the first truck, and then discovered why there was no other traffic. It was a mud road. They were able to make it to pavement. The rest of their trip to Geoge's church, although beautiful, was uneventful.

George's second church, about half an hour from his house is in the Nyamira District in the hill country 50 kilometers north of Nyamira. Last year our friends contributed funds to provide the steel roofing for this new church. On a previous visit, Neil had carved a heart into a log with the words, "Neil plus Ruth." When George's new church was built, they fashioned a window frame from the log saving Neil's carving. 

A new favorite passtime of the youth in George's church is worshipping Jesus! The sound system provided by other friends, and installed in January, has already been put to good use with a youth worship team. Young people hang out at the church to learn to play the keyboard and sing.

While they were at George's church, the rain began falling in sheets during a torrential downpour. A tree was blown over next to the church. They made their way a long way down a treacherously slippery muddy path for a sumptuous meal. A young girl, more sure of her footing, carried Neil's pack. Neil and Francis were not looking forward to climbing 1/4 mile back to the higher ground where their vehicle was parked. 

When Ruth read that text message, she immediately sent out an urgent prayer request email for their safety. Torrential rain in the hill country can cause flash floods, and makes travel on backroads very dangerous. Then, just in case he didn't have his card with him, Ruth sent Neil their Emergency Assistance Plus policy number and international phone number to call for arranging emergency medical services, lodging, and evacuation for you and your traveling companion when injured in accidents anywhere in the world. But the very best emergency assistance is what God can provide when we call Him in prayer! Thank you to all who saw Ruth's message this morning and prayed for Neil and Francis.

Neil and Francis will spend most of this week interviewing the destitute children supported by Outfitters for Adventure's ROCK sponsors. As of this post, Ruth does not have an update on how travel progressed from George's church. She will notify you when she hears from Neil. Hopefully, Neil was safely sleeping by 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. Minnesota time.

Prayer Requests:

• Continue to pray for rain to stop and good roads for travel.
• Please pray that all of the ROCK children and their caregivers can make it to their interviews.
• You might want to pray for good weather here at home as well, with snow forecast for our region of up to 15 inches.

Love,

Ruth

Helping Outfitters for Adventure's Kenyan Missions

Outfitters for Adventure Web Site

For This Reason

John 12:26-28 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” [NIV]

________________________________

Neil finds his purpose in serving Jesus, and he is enjoying God's blessing on this trip. This morning, Neil spoke to a leader's group, this afternoon to Martin's pastoral training class. They also visited an elementary school where about 500 students prayed to dedicate their lives to Jesus. In Kenya, Christian Religious Education is taught in the public schools. Their schools are fertile ground for sharing the Gospel. However, learning about Jesus does not guarantee a personal commitment to serve Him or to know Him. Even praying a prayer is not a guarantee. So we pray that the Holy Spirit will enter each life who prayed to receive Jesus today, and that their hearts will be forever available and willing to serve Jesus.

Tim is one of the students from Martin's pastoral training class, and is now serving as a leader in their church. He is pictured holding his copy of our Book. He sent special thanks to Ruth, for her words in the book, adding that the book has equipped them as a church. The students highly appreciate it, and the book has already made a difference. The church gave Ruth a gift, which Neil displayed for a photo to send her.

Through gifts from our friends Neil was able to give a widow with 6 children who attends Martin's church the funds she needed to replace her roof that had become broken down. 

As Ruth looked at the pictures, her heart was overwhelmed with love for the Kenyan people. How she would love to travel with Neil to meet them, but her allergies to smoke from their indoor cook fires, diesel fuel, and burning rubber from outdoor fires, have prevented her from going there. Those odors send Ruth to emergency rooms, which are not readily available in the remote villages Neil viists. Meeting the Kenyan villagers and being able to speak the same language is one of those special treats Ruth looks forward to in heaven. God has many riches stored up for us there. Death, where is your sting, and grave where is your victory? In heaven we will never need to say, "Goodbye."

This evening Neil and Francis were at at a crusade. Martin's church seems to be especially gifted in evangelism. There is such joy in witnessing Christ coming to live in the hearts of others!

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for the 500 students who gave their lives to Jesus at the school Neil and Francis spoke to today.
• Pray for the widow's roof to be completed soon.
• Thank God for the leaders Martin is training, and pray that they will remain faithful to serving Jesus.
• Pray for safety for Neil and Francis as they travel to George's church at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning Kenya time (10:00 p.m. Monday evening Minnesota time).

God hears each and every prayer, and He is so faithful in answering them.

Love,

Ruth

Helping Outfitters for Adventure's Kenyan Missions

Outfitters for Adventure Web Site

 

Martin's Conference

 

The view of Mt. Eglon is in plain view from Martin's village where Neil and Francis are teaching at the Riverside Ministries church leaders training conference. They will be leaving for George's church on Tuesday morning. The Kenya/Uganda border is right across the top of Mt. Eglon where there is a national park with hiking trails. There are resorts in the park offering safari rides. When asked if Neil ever goes on a safari, he explains that for the price of a safari, we can support several Kenyan families for a year. 

Neil finds pleasure in God's creation while in Kenya. Star gazing is delightful, because there is very little light polution so far from large cities, and the number of hours of daylight versus nighttime are equal on the equator. When he gets up during the night to make his way outside to use the loo, the sky is filled with stars. So far, he has enjoyed Orion, the constellation that can be seen in the northern hemispher in winter and the southern hemisphere in summer. It actually straddles the celestial equator, so in Kenya Orion can be seen all year around. But one constellation that surprised Neil is the Big Dipper, which is partially visible now in March in Kenya. 

Martin's conference began last night after Neil and Francis arrived. It is already 3:00 a.m. Kenya time (7:00 p.m. Minnesota time). Martin is one of the pastors who received a sound system in March through gifts to Outfitters for Adventure. Martin's people were filled with awe that people here in the USA who have never met, would give them such a wonderful gift. Their joy sent their worship of Jesus to a higher level. 

Neil was invited to speak in Martin's church, because Martin has been using Neil's book, "Navigating Life: A Mentoring Toolkit," as a training manual. Although not all of Neil's jokes made it through the cultural differences to create laughter, Vincent, one of Martin's students, wants Neil to mentor him. Neil is wonderring how that can work when there is no internet for Zoom conversations. Vincent and his wife Annette process and sell honey to support their family, so they work very hard. Another man in the church by the name of Tim, has also appreciated Neil's book. Even our friend Joe in Nairobi requested 2 copies of our book for his school. Thankfully, we had 500 copies published in Kenya a couple of years ago, so there is an abundant supply.

This year, the Holy Spirit has been inspiring Neil with messages during the worship. The prepared messages Neil brought with him have been pushed aside as Neil lets the Holy Spirit take over. Much excitement took place today with 2 children dedicating their lives to serving Jesus during Sunday School, and 3 more conversions during a crusade the church members were conducting down the street from the church. Neil told Martin to prepare a place for baptisms after church. Martin found a pool in a little creek nearby where 16 believers gave their testimonies and were dipped by the person who was most influential in leading them to Jesus. Martin was kept rather busy baptizing about half of the group. Martin overcame a drinking habit when he became a Christian, and that has inspired others to do the same. Martin's wife Sarah and his daughter Ruth have helped Martin in his ministry. 

The other person chosen by popular demand to baptize the children was a leader in the Sunday School. The creek has rather steep 4-feet banks covered with slippery mud. The Sunday School leader had difficuly, slipping back down the bank into the water. Francis is tall enough to reach her, but she is rather poofy, and he couldn't get enough traction to pull her out until Neil and the others anchored Francis to the higher ground pulling both Francis and the woman out of the muck and the mire. Her Sunday best was in disarray, but her delight in completion of the baptisms was in no way dampened. That minor mishap will help make the day more memorable as the story is retold.

Neil and Francis have tried to send pictures, but there is no internet in Martin's village. Hopefully as they head into the Kisii District, their pictures and text messages will come through with no difficulty.

Prayer Requests: 

• For Martin's training of pastors to help young leaders to become well founded in their love of Jesus and in their love of the Bible. 
• For the Holy Spirit to intensify the teaching tomorrow that Jesus will be imprinted on the hearts and minds of those attending, and not forgotten as they head back home to their busy lives.
• For continued good rest for Neil and Francis when it is available.
• For safe travel.
• For good health, not only for Neil and Francis, but for the Kenyans they are visiting.

Love,

Ruth

Helping Outfitters for Adventure's Kenyan Missions

Outfitters for Adventure Web Site

Journey Begins

 

Neil and Francis' journey began driving from Nairobi this morning at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning Kenya time (midnight Friday Minnesota time). In Nakuru, a city with an urban population of 570,600, they stopped for lunch. Just after 2:00 p.m. Kenya time (6:00 a.m. Minnesota time), they crossed the equator. 

Neil said there is no longer evidence of the flooding along the road they traveled, so we can thank God for clearing their path. All of the fresh growth is beautifully green after the rains. While in Nakuru, they purchased fresh veggies for the conference: potatoes, carrots, green peppers, onions, etc. The pastors are poor, so conference speakers are expected to provide food, and sometimes also help with travel and lodging expenses for attendees.

At 7:00 p.m. Kenya time (11:00 a.m. Minnesota time), they arrived at Martin's church. Although Neil didn't give the name of Martin's city which does not appear on the map, it is about an hour north of Kitale, which you can find near the top of the map, a little left of center. Neil says the location is "out there." They have had electricity for only 5 years. Martin's home for his family with 6 children has dirt floors. He is building a new concrete house. 

Martin is a pastor who met Neil at one of Cosmas Solamba's Riverside Ministries conferences last year. He began using our book, "Navigating Life: A Mentoring Toolbox" for his pastoral training school. Martin refers to the book as Christianity 101. Neil and Francis went right into the evening conference session with Neil teaching on the Prodigal Son. They turned in for sleep around 11:00 p.m. Kenya time (3:00 p.m. Minnesota time). Neil was up early. It is chilly. He hopes to get a little more sleep before their day begins. 

Prayer Items:

• Good sleep for Neil and Francis. Francis does most of the translation as well as driving. 
• For Neil and Francis to be filled with energy for the teaching sessions.
• For both teachers and attendees to be in tune with what the Holy Spirit is saying.
• For prayer times to be Spirit led with miracles of healing, deliverance, and provision. 

Thank you for being part of Neil's prayer team. He always mentions that he can tell people are praying, because the presence of God is so evident.

Love,

Ruth

Helping Outfitters for Adventure's Kenyan Missions

Outfitters for Adventure Web Site

 

Excellent or Praiseworthy

As I was waking at 5:30 this morning, I was praying for the Kenyan people Neil will be visiting. In the picture above from a few years ago, Neil had the honor of holding a brand newborn baby. In the midst of a world in turmoil, if we take time to get off the Merry-Go-Around, God will allow us to touch the lives of His precious ones. This was my morning quiet time passage today:

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)

Now, may I introduce you to our son, Joe, who God gave us through a prophetic word many years ago? Our friend, Keith Hazel from Canda, prophesied that although our children were unable to live, the Lord had filled Neil's quiver with arrows that would be shot to distant places around the globe, and that in coming years we would visit them to encourage and strengthen them in ministry. Joe is one of those arrows.

When Joe arrived at the University of Minnesota, Morris in the early 1980's to earn his B.A. in theatre, Joe was suffering from depression and confused by drugs and alcohol. As I helped him figure out how his transfer credits fit our degree requirements, I looked into his empty eyes and it was as if no one was home. Neil was also completing his degree. Neil and I would meet for lunch and read a chapter in the Bible to each other and pray. We didn't notice at first, but there were students who began sitting in the tables near ours so they could hear the Bible readings. Then students began asking if they could join us at our table. Joe was one of those students. I hardly recognized Joe, his countenance had changed so much! Joe had a radient smile and such tenderness and grace. Jesus gave Joe a servant's heart. He met a group of elderly ladies at a cafe who were caring for their mothers at home. Joe soon was taking turns sleeping on the floor of a mother's room to carry the mother to the toilet during the night, allowing the daughter one good night of sleep a week.  

Joe had given his heart to Jesus, having made friends with some of the Christian students. Joe heard that we had a weekly Bible study at our house in the country and asked if students could join us. Soon cars met us on Friday afternoons outside my office building and followed us home where Neil sent me upstairs for a quick nap, while Neil and students put our house in order and made dinner. They enjoyed petting our horses and even conversing with our pigs and chickens before the study began. When we moved to Morris in 1983, the students gathered there several times a week, bringing instruments, playing games, and discussing the Bible. As Neil and I headed to bed, we would ask the students to turn the lights out as they left. Our door was always open, and the keys were in our car in case anyone needed it. My how times have changed. We lock everything now.

Just before Joe completed his degree, he brought the students to our house for one last night of singing and prayer. That was the first group of our college students. Joe and his friend Dave, who had become the worship leader at our church, were graduating. I cried all evening. Joe came over and put his head right in front of mine begging me not to cry. He wanted to remember me happy, but I couldn't stop. I told him I might never see him again until heaven! Then as I made my way up to bed, the Holy Spirit comforted me, "There, there now, Mother Hen. It's time for your chicks to leave the nest and go out to lay their own eggs!" By the time I reached the top of the stairs, I was laughing, but Joe didn't get to see that.

About two years passed. It was summer. I was crossing the campus mall on my way home for lunch as I saw a head of someone coming up the steps from the Science Building parking lot. Then the shoulders, and a tall lanky frame of a young man stood at the top of the stairs slowly gazing at the campus from one side to the other -- as our eyes met -- it was my Joe! Of all the children the Lord gave me from my 34 years working on the Morris campus, Joe is the one in whom we have stayed in closest touch. Whenever he was home for itineration, he spent time with us as he and Karin performed some of their teaching skits in our church. We missed the funeral for Joe's dad, but were able to attend his mother's funeral with his dear college friend, Dave.

Joe joined Covenant Players soon after graduation using his theatre skills to share the gospel. It was while he was practically hitch-hiking in a team of 4 all the way from Nigeria across the African continent to Kenya, praying in provision for travel, sleeping accommodations, and food, that he met his wife Karin. Joe thought he would remain single, but God had better plans. Then the year Joe was turning 50, he called to ask if Neil and I would agree to become the American grandparents of their children. That was their way of announcing they were about to have a baby. Of course, we said, "Yes!" Then Neil and I realized we needed to begin visiting Joe and Karin.

We have visited them in Germany and in Australia as their children have grown. When Joe and Karin completed the years they covenanted with Covenant Players, they accepted a training position to become leaders of the Nairobi base for a ministry training Christians how to reach their Muslim neighbors for Jesus through hospitality. The German founders of that ministry mentored Joe and Karin for a few years before turning the leadership over into their capable hands. 

Joe and Karin will be in Minnesota soon, from May 23 - July 27. If you would like them to come to your church to teach on ministry to your Muslim neighbors:

• send a text to Ruth at 701-729-5697
• or send her an email at thielkeruth@yahoo.com. 

Ruth will help you get in touch with Joe. When Joe heard about the Somalians in Joe's hometown of Minneapolis, Joe began looking forward to meeting them. The war in Somalia has sent many Somalians into Kenya. Our Minnesota tax dollars have funded some of the major building projects in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, where large skyscrapers have been raised in the last few years. 

We can be upset about so many Somalians in Minnesota, or we can see their presence as an opportunity from God to introduce them to Jesus. We get to choose whose eyes we use to see them, because Jesus is sharing His eyes for us to gain a heavenly perspective. There is a saying that goes something like this, "When you are given a basket of lemons, make lemonade." But Ruth, you may be thinking, isn't that going a bit too far? Don't you think Jesus thought that, also, when he asked his Father three times in the garden, "If you are willing, remove this cup from me"? Where would we be if the Father had replied, "Yeah, Jesus, that is asking bit too much. I was just kidding." Why do you think our Father said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him."

When Neil began in ministry, he asked the Lord to send him where no one else wanted to go. There have been times after Neil arrives at a new location, he isn't so sure he wants to go there either. But then the tears come as he sees Jesus making a home in their hearts.

Prayer & Practical Needs:

Joe and his family need:

• a vehicle to accommodate a family of 4 tall people and their luggage from May 23-July 27.
• speaking engagements & accommodations
• help funding Christian education for their two girls that is now over $20,000 a year at the West Nairobi School.

Joe hopes to meet the new principal for the West Nairobi School who is from right here in Minnesota attending Grace Life Church in Marshall, and will soon be moving his family to Kenya. Their new high school principal has borrowed Neil's canoes and canoe trailer to take young people from Marshall on canoe trips to the Canadian Quetico wilderness just across the northern border of Minnesota. Karin has helped teach at the West Nairobi School, so they can help the new principal learn what to expect once he arrives in Kenya. God weaves such beautiful tapestries as he intertwines the lives of his children from various locations around the world.

Pray also for Neil who is hoping to win at least one game of Cribbage before he says farewell to Joe's family and heads into his 3 weeks of ministry. [Tongue in cheek]

• On a serious note, pray for Neil and Francis as they begin their ministry. Francis is picking Neil up at Joe's house at 8:00 a.m on Saturday morning (Friday at midnight Minnesota time). 

Helping Outfitters for Adventure's Kenyan Missions

Outfitters for Adventure Web Site