Thursday, January 24, 2008

Attention Prayer Warriors

Ok, all you prayer warriors out there...here's a few requests that could keep you on your knees for a few days...Please ask the Lord to work his perfect will in these issues over the next days.

1) Many of you know that we've had a container of medical equipment and supplies for Sister Freda's Cottage Hospital and shoes for the prisoners at Kitale Prison being held up in Mombasa customs for quite some time...we and our Kenyan partners have not been willing to take part in the proposed 'quick fix' approach of paying off the right person. Corruption, even in the name of doing good, is still corruption. Well, the short version is that with all the chaos of the last weeks since the elections...Mombasa Port is impossibly backed up and officials are trying to clear all they can immediately.It appears they are now willing to back away from their previous position and let us get the container out of the port and over to Kitale...still a ton of issues, like safe, secure transport, but that's where you guys come in...
Please pray for a miracle on this...that the stuff get's cleared and that we are able to get it safely through El Doret, which is presently like Dodge City...and through to Kitale.


2)Matt and Misha McGill are in mid-stream of the adoption process for Baby Moses (pictured above), a child abandoned to die near Freda's place. Ask Dan and Kathleen about all the red tape that comes with Kenya adoption and they can fill your evening with intrigue-filled stories...short version...the paperwork appears to be done...things are very close to resolution...I'm meeting with the attorney in the next couple days, but ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN...wacky stuff just crops here...so, again..even if you don't know exactly WHAT to pray for. Ask the Lord Himself to guide this to a successful conclusion and to get Moses home with Mat, Misha, Max, Mark, and Morgan. Anyone lacking wisdom? Re-Read James 1.

3) I have to make a decision in the next few hours of which way I'm going to Kitale...Each has their own unique challenges, which I won't go into here. But please pray for God-given discernment for which path to take...road or by plane onto the Kitale airstrip.The pilot is having second thoughts about the flight, but we had a good conversation moments ago and I think he is willing to try it tomorrow, if the Kofi Annon/Raila Odinga/Pres. Kibaki summit doesn't explode tonight. Stonic says he has a 'back roads' route that can get us to Kitaleno problem...but I'd just soon avoid the 13 hours of road trip adventure...my kidneys are still bleeding from our last trip to Norok. Please pray.

I've spoken with almost everyone in Kitale and everyone is safe. 5 folks were murdered yesterday in Endebess, if you remeber the team where Mike and Michele Robison met LUCY for the first time...that's Endebess...where Katie and Allison and others painted murals on the walls of the school for handicapped kids.

Gotta go but will have more tomorrow...looking forward to seeing how God answers YOUR prayers. (Don't you love how I so subtly I shifted the responsibility!!)
Steve

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." NIV

9 comments:

  1. Hey Team: God is Awesome and will deliver you where you need to be at the right time. It is not always the way we think it should be as I learn so quickly on my mission travels. When I try to control it, it seems to go the wrong way but when I trust God it really works out for his glory. We will keep you in our prayers and wish we were there with you guys. Love the Schusters.

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  2. Hi Pastor Steve, This blog thingy is great! Just know that we are & will continue to pray for you & Stonic's trip, the issues that crop up, and the situation in Kenya. In Ps 32:8 the Lord says "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you". Be encouraged, and be blessed Pastor Steve and thanx for your servants heart! Jj

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  3. Pastor Steve, thank you for the update. Those of us who are familiar with the container stuck on the dock at Mombasa are thrilled that it may finally be released, and that the goods inside, including the X-ray machine for Sister Freda, may finally reach it's destination.

    We fervently pray for your wisdom in making travel choices, and for your safety. May God keep you in His care.

    Milly Thomas
    2004 Team 2

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  4. Pastor Steve, thanks for taking the time to write (and Megan, thanks for posting!). I'm praying for a miracle on the container, on the adoption, and on the Giving Children Hope medical supplies we discussed this weekend. I am also praying that God grants you and Stonic supernatural wisdom and discernment about how to get to Kitale, and that He dispatches his angels to keep you all safe on your travels!

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  5. Hi Steve, We are praying for your safety and for the Lord to guide the decisions that need to be made. As you know Sister Freda is also in our hearts and prayers. Please say hello to her and Richard when you see them. We are also praying for the Lord to guide the government leaders to resolve the tribal conflict damaging that beautiful country. Love, The Luffs

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  6. Oh my gosh Steve...just got my new computer up and running and with that I was able to read your Blog updates. And tears of course! SURPRISE...NOT! :-)Thanks so much for your updates.
    I am praying for safety for you and all our friends in Kenya. We feel SO connected to our brothers and sisters there. I got an e-mail from Freda yesterday which greatly comforted my spirit! Give her a hug for me...cause I'm believing that you are getting through to them! What a glorious report that the container may be released! We serve a Miracle working God and He is ABLE. Jim and I went to Independencia, Mexico on Saturday and talked with Rich about that very subject, so this is GREAT news! ALL things are possible with God!

    I'm praying Psalm 91 over all of you...that He will hide you in the shelter of His MIGHTY wings and cover you with His feathers of protection!

    Blessings and love from Gigi & Jim

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  7. Hey Steve....I wish I were there too! I was just remembering the day we loaded that container...can you believe it was almost 2 years ago? How happy the Oasis of Hope scouts would be to finally get their sleeping bags. I don't hold out much hope for the cases of vitamins...I'm sure they have long ago dissolved in the steamy Mombasa heat. It is good to remember that God can use even the most seemingly dismal of situations for his glory. I pray that the container will be "set free" soon.

    Take care of yourself...
    Lydia (Mama Oasis)

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  8. Steve...we continue to pray and keep you and our brothers and sisters in Kenya in our prayers.
    I pray that the Lord God, the GREAT I AM, will continue to keep you hidden in the shadow of His MIGHTY wings and protect all of you as you seek to help the precious people of Kenya. Lord God, we ask for MERCY...PLEASE!
    AND yes, Stonic is the MAN and so are you! Blessings abounding...Gigi

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  9. FROM MANILA, RP: "Praying for your team daily and have been telling people here what's happening. May God's strong hand of protection rest on each of you. It's exciting to be able to keep touch half-way round the world. Meeting with OMF Literature (publisher) about D's book about Freda tomorrow. With our love... Harold and Darlene Sala

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