HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Thank you so much to those who have supported us throughout the process of coming to Kenya and during our on going ministry!  It's been a tremendous experience so far and we've seen our Lord move in miraculous ways!  It's going to be such an exciting year in 2012 and we are really looking forward to the start tomorrow!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Matching Donation Opportunity!

We are so excited that preparations for construction on the permanent GOGCP facility are moving rapidly!  This is a picture of a similarly designed orphanage.  An anonymous donor has agreed to match up to $20,000 in donations towards the construction of the new home!  If you feel led to help with this ministry, now is the time.  A builder has been selected, plans are being drawn up, and materials are already being purchased!

www.graceofgodchildren.org    OR
Grace of God Children's Project
521 Reed Street
Damascus, VA 24236

Merry Christmas

Thank you to everyone who is supporting us through prayers and financial contributions.  Especially to those who have given towards a vehicle, we have a wonderful Christmas present to the whole Medlin family as well as the children's home - A NEWLY PURCHASED TOYOTA 4WD TRUCK!!!

Old Truck        -        New Truck

Christmas Letter 2011

December 24, 2011                                                                     

Dear Friends & Family:                                                               

What an amazing year this has been for us!  We began 2011 with a 2 week mission trip in January to Kenya.  Now we find ourselves about to celebrate our first Christmas in Kaptagat, Kenya and begin a New Year of longer term ministry.

Michael and the boys have been here about 6 weeks, and the dust has not yet settled from the time their feet hit the ground.  Michael has been working on improving the living conditions at the children’s home, establishing a community children’s ministry, developing a youth soccer league ministry, partnering with local church ministry teams, making numerous missionary contacts, coordinating plans for the short term missionaries coming to serve in 2012, as well as arranging all the personal family matters relating to living in a foreign country. 

Kellie is keeping busy with the children and supporting Michael.  She’s grateful that homeschooling is off to a good start, and loves our new home.  She’s enjoying getting to know the children at the orphanage and developing relationships with the women in our area.  She’s had a lesson in washing clothes by hand, but thinks it will be quite a while before she gets them as clean as the Kenyans do.

Gabriel, Christina, Jacob, and Abigail are enjoying the freedom of pickup truck rides, playing with new friends, experiencing a bit of farm life, and buying treats with their shillings.  God is already using them to develop relationships and share His Word.  We are blessed to have each of them with us during these days, and so proud of their good attitudes towards the cultural differences they are facing!

Currently, David Cheromei, the Founder of the Grace of God Children’s Project (GOGCP), is visiting with us, and is helping us make huge steps towards:  moving the children’s home to the new property before the beginning of the January school term, raising funds for the ministry and beginning construction of the new facility, setting up ongoing policies of operation for the orphanage, and locating our personal transportation.  God is opening doors as only He can do, to accomplish all that needs to be done!  Bwana Asifiwe!

We are so fortunate to have been invited to serve the Lord in this place.  God is teaching us that a willing heart is all He needs.  His power is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9)  Along with that, as life has been a bit less comfortable as of late, it’s caused us to reflect all the more on Christ’s sacrifice for us.  Not only did He leave His Father and a perfect Heaven to be crucified for our sins, which He didn’t commit, He spent over 33 years on earth living in some pretty tough conditions!  We are praying that He will give us His kind of love for others as we learn to peel our eyes off of ourselves and onto our Sovereign Lord.

We hope this note finds each of you well and walking closely with the Savior of the world.  Thank you so much for all of your prayers, acts of kindness as we prepared to leave, words of encouragement, and financial support.  God has and is using you to demonstrate to us, that He’s got us in His hands, and He’s going to take care of it all.  Thank you for your partnership in what God is doing in Kenya.  We love you and hope to hear from you soon and continue to pray for you daily. 

Love in our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ,

Michael, Kellie, Gabriel, Christina, Jacob, & Abigail

Kid's Ministry - Movie Night #3

The Word is spreading as evidenced by our 3rd wednesday evening Movie Night!  The children's attendance has grown to 131 as we both entertain as well as teach the children about the Bible and God's love.  This week, we introduced them to the hand puppets and it was a big hit.  We are blessed to have a youth missions team here from Nairobi to play the parts.

131 Children In Attendance Tonight !

The Puppet Ministry is a HUGE Hit !

Missions Day #2

Another great day in the Lord today as we had a full day of missions!  As I walked the rough roads of Kenya in the morning going door to door witnessing to the community, my body grew weary from the hot sun, high altitude, and tired legs but it was all for the sake of the Gospel  Finally at my last stop, I encountered a young woman named Antonina which the Spirit had already arrived to soften her heart so that she was ready then to receive Christ.  Praise the Lord that He never grows tired and weary!


Isaiah 40:30-31  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.  But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.

Local Mission Day #1

It was day one with the missions team of high-schoolers from Nairobi.  These 8 individuals are extremely confident, eager, and aggressive in their desire to share the gospel with the local community.  In this first day out, we broke into 5 teams of 2 and spent the morning blanketing the homes closest to the church.  In all, we witnessed 15 individuals pray for salvation during our visits!  Praise the Lord for moving in His Spirit!

New Meanings

We came to Africa with the mission of helping the orphaned & needy children and surrounding communities.  After all, we’re the ones who have it all figured out, right?  However, it became apparent very early on, that we are all in critical need of each other's strengths to offset our own weaknesses.  (Thank you Jane for carrying Jacob on the long walk home from church!)

New Friends

The Medlin children have really (I mean really) enjoyed spending time with the Grace of God children.  The GOG kids range from 14 down to 4, and our kids are between 11 and 4 so they have easily found that commonality of friendship that cannot be separated by continents or cultures.  (This is Abigail’s new friend Brenda Kiptoo.) 

Praises and Prayer Requests

Bwana Asifiwe (Praise the Lord!) for our first week of ministry all together as a family in Kenya.  The kids are very excited and playing key roles in relationship building and church services.  Also, God has provided comfortable housing, a guitar for worship ministry, and reliable internet access.  

Some prayer requests include: Our Director, David Cheromei, is flying over Friday to visit and meet concerning immediate construction decisions.  Please pray for his safe travel and Godly wisdom in decision making.  Secondly, please pray for God's provision and wisdom in our search for a suitable means of transportation.  Finally, we will be participating with a mission team from Nairobi, Tues - Sunday in our local area.  Please pray for open hearts and fruitful results from the evangelism efforts.

Movie Night #2

We enjoyed the opportunity of showing Max Lucado's Milo and the Mantis who Couldn't Pray to the children at the Christ Restoration Church, 96 in all!  We taught them a song, served popcorn, and Gabriel told the story of Daniel and the Lions' Den.  It was such a blessing to us to get to share with them about their Father who always hears their prayers! 

Afterwards, our family and many from the GOGCP loaded up in the truck we are currently borrowing to go to the GOGCP home for dinner!  Jacob is back there somewhere, too!

Gabriel turns 11 (Nov 17th)

Pastor Peter baked a vanilla cake in a pot over the fire and it was so good.

Apparently cake is always celebrated by feeding it by hand to everyone.

The Grace of God Children's Home Family

Lake Victoria

I found the dojo in Kenya...

They're serious about football here - shoes or not.

Ministry time after the game.

Lunch at Lake Victoria - fish & ugali - loved it!

Pics of the new property...

Visitors Guest House

Hand Crank Well Pump

The Girls Made It !

Thank you for all the prayers you provided as Kellie and the girls traveled to Nairobi.  We're all safe and sound and ready to head out to the children's home on Tuesday morning.

The reason we're here after all...

Yesterday we spent the day traveling to the shores of Lake Victoria to a small village where we were to observe the youth playing a soccer game and so that we could lift their spirits and enjoy fellowship with the community.  This all went very well, but it was a small thing that happened that made the biggest impact.  In the midst of the crowd, the local children always surround us and laugh at us and try and touch our skin and our hair, all at their enjoyment of a new discovery of a white man.  We always have great patience with this and it never bothers me although often it is a distraction.  However, it never fails that a small child will slink up beside me without drawing attention and will gently grab my hand and hold on.  Usually the child will never speak but only wants the silent unspoken word of love. 

This is the reason we're here - to share a love with others just as Christ has for each of us.

Thanksgiving

Wow, thanksgiving in Kenya!  It's not like home:)  We had a huge travel day coming from the Lake Victoria area coming all the way across the country to Nairobi.  Traveling on a hot bus for 7 hours with two young boys can be difficult but the Lord continues to bring us through.

After arriving in Nairobi we went in search of dinner.  After our friend and guide, Pastor Titus Toroitich took us to the usually place for chapati and beef, we forcefully redirected him to what our taste buds were after - PIZZA !  And we found it too, and it was so so good.  We gorged ourselves and even the 3 Kenyans that were with us seemed to really enjoy it also.  I also introduced Titus to my favorite soda, Mountain Dew and he loved it and ordered a second one.  Good times and our spirits have been greatly lifted after a long day.

We've made it to Kenya!

The guys have made it to Kenya!  We're settling in and are adjusting to the changes.  The kids at the children's home are very well and are extremely excited for us to finally be here with them.

Our internet connection is not fully established yet but we hope to have full access in the next few days and we should be able to post pictures soon.


Please continue to pray for us and we know that the Lord is helping us!

Michael

Africa is a huge place

It’s a small BIG world.  As followers of Christ, is it honestly possible for any of us to argue against leaving the U.S. to evangelize the lost?  Isn't the final instruction from our Lord to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15)?  If we as Americans, the most heavily populated Christian nation in the world, will not go to the unreached, then who will?  Is it the responsibility of someone else?

Lesson in Obedience

Pushing Against the Rock

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.
This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing it with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Noticing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man’s weary mind. “You have been pushing against this rock for a long time, and it hasn’t budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it.” Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These troubling thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. “Why kill myself over this?” I’ll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough.
And that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his thoughts to the Lord. “Lord” he said, “I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even been able to budge that rock. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”
The Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, When I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so?”
“Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven’t moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock.”
At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is simple obedience and Faith in Him…
By all means exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves them.
- Author Unknown

A Simple Adjustment

While we live in Kenya, we want to live out the example that Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 9:22 - "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."  In that effort there are going to be many seemingly simple adjustments in our preferences that we must make in order to adapt to the Kenyan culture. 

One of these that will hit us squarely in the face (and mouth) on day 1 is the drinking of Kenyan chai.  I can't stand the taste of the warm, sweet, milky tea that they enjoy every day and share in abundance.  Some Americans have come to love it and I know that I must also.  Bottoms up...

Chai Recipe

Heat together in a 3 to 4 quart saucepan:
1 cup water
1 1/2 tsp tea leaves (or 1 tea bag)

Boil 10 minutes. Add:
1 cup milk

Heating near boiling.  Add to taste:
2 to 4 teaspoons sugar

Serves 2.

"Guy Time"

Just had an inspiration this morning of another ministry activity while in Kenya (could be done anywhere for that matter).  I'm thinking of taking the middle-aged boys out in the bush country for a week of "guy time" during one of their school breaks.  Kind of like a scout week here in the U.S.  Building a shelter, learning to tie knots, preparing meals, learning how to navigate, and spending "guy time" as we dig deeper into God's Word and talk personally of how the Spirit is working in our lives.  Building work ethic and an emphasis on leadership, personal development, teamwork, and personal standards.  I can't wait for Kenya...

Blessings from our family at Grace Life Baptist

  

Wow, what an outpouring of love we received from our home church on Sunday evening!  Thank you to our family at Grace Life Baptist for coming out to hear from us and for the wonderful reception afterwards.  The response was truly humbling to us and we know that you will be behind us as we go...

Look at all those kids!

The Grace of God Children along with some others from the community.

Here am I. Send me!

kumbe kumbe

It's "kumbe kumbe" season in Kenya.  The time that flying termites emerge from their underground homes.  

How does a termite become a snack? After being caught, a kumbe kumbe can be enjoyed a couple of ways: some prefer eating them fresh and alive on occasion but most prefer cooking them up in a skillet with some salt and hot cooking oil. At this point they can eaten hot or set aside to cool until they are dry and crisp, crunchy and salty, a bit like a french fry.  http://lessigsinafrica.wordpress.com/

Unfortunately, I'm going to miss this treat by a few weeks, but there's always next year...

Always a good reminder...

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:28-34

Scores burn to death in Kenya gas fire

Monday Sept 12th - "A leaking gasoline pipeline in Kenya's capital exploded on Monday, turning part of a slum into an inferno in which at least 75 people were killed and more than 100 hurt." 

Why does God allow bad things to happen if he loves us?  Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44483186/ns/world_news-africa/

Tickets Have Been Purchased

Well, our tickets to Kenya have been purchased and our departure dates are set!  The guys will leave on Nov 12th and the girls will follow on Dec 3rd.  Thank you Lord for working out the details.
"Go your ways; behold, I send you out as lambs in the mdst of wolves." Luke 10:3

Daily Living

Wonder what would happen if we treated our BIBLE like we treat our CELL PHONE? We CARRIED it. We flipped through it throughout the day. We went home to get it if we FORGOT it. We RECEIVED messages from the text. We COULDN'T live WITHOUT it. We GAVE it to KIDS as gifts. We used it in case of… emergency. One more thing, it would NEVER be disconnected. JESUS has already paid the bill.

Will someone pray?

As we encounter a new morning, I'm disappointed by the fact that we don't have any prayer ministry partners over the next 4 days.  In fact, there are 9 days throughout the month which remain vacant.  Is there another brother or sister or family in Christ that would be willing to commit to pray with us as we serve the Lord in Kenya?

If you would bless us in this way, please contact us...
http://medlinsinkenya.blogspot.com/p/give.html

Let your light shine ?

I've been studying a bit recently on the Lord's directive to be His witness which is most clearly written out in what we refer to as the "Great Commission" of Matthew 28:19-20.  A statement by David Watson says "Our lives should be so ministry-filled that people see what we do and give God glory". 

I have realized a more tangible reality from the sermon on the Mount where Jesus said,”You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

As a Christian (little Christ) I must be obvious, conspicuous, noticeable, prominent, and readily seen in this world we live.

Growth

Look at all of the corn that's growing on the GOGCP property!  It's a fertile land, one that I trust the Lord will use to grow the hearts of many people.

Mark chapter 4: ²⁶ And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; ²⁷ and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows-how, he himself does not know. ²⁸ The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. ²⁹ But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

Giving

Many people have generously asked us how they can participate with us on this mission by providing for our financial needs.  We are so thankful for these partners and are blessed to know them.  There is a tab at the top of our website with instructions on how to contribute financially.  All donations are tax-deductible and receiptable through the Grace of God Children's Project organization. 

Here is a high-level budget of the expenses we expect to realize:

Medlin Family Cost of Living - $16,000 annually

Ongoing Orphan Care - $35/month per child

Ministry Supplies - $500 annually

Construction Projects -  $65,000

    Homes for Children

    Kitchen

    Dining Hall/Worship Center

    Playground

The Lord Provides

Three months from now, we will begin our journey to Kenya!  Praise the Lord for the divine ways in which He has orchestrated so many pieces to bring this all together.  We continue to be blessed for sure.

One of the blessings has been the provision of a house for us to move directly into.  Our dear friend in Kenya, Pastor Titus has an elder in his church who has moved his family into the city for his work, thereby leaving his home in Kaptagat vacant.  He has followed the Lord's leading and offered to allow us to stay in his home for as long as we need.  What an incredible blessing!

What a blessing!

FCAE team & my new 29er!

Our local FCA Endurance team got together last weekend at the Webb's house for fellowship and food.  All of a sudden, they roll out a brand new Trek 29'er mountain bike as a gift to me to take to Kenya.  I was truly speechless!  Thanks so much everyone for contributing and for supporting us in our mission overseas.  I certainly won't forget you all as I bomb down those hills and travel across Africa!

Departure Date

All indications lead us to believe we will be able to leave for Kenya on November 13th, 2011.  Believing on faith in the Lord that our house will be sold or other arrangments will be finalized by then, our journey should begin!

What to Take?

Updated Aug 23rd

Many people have asked us how they can help provide for the needs of our ministry in Kenya.  In the past, everyone has been incredibly generous in donating new and used items.  We continue to run into the problem of high costs for freight shipping.  Depending on the total mass of items we have donated, we will decide on the best method of delivery.  In addition, we would welcome to receive cash donations towards these items and then we will be able to purchase remaining items within Kenya.

This list is a sampling of the ministry items we would like to ship over or purchase in-country:


Sports Equipment                          School Supplies

Soccer Balls                                    Crayons Basket Balls                                    Pens

Long & Short Jump Ropes                 Pencils

Frisbees                                          Erasers

Yo Yo's                                            Notebook Paper

Athletic Clothing                               Rulers Team Jerseys/Shorts                        Colored Pencils Basketball Goal/Backboard               Coloring Books  Soccer Goal Posts                           Sketch Books Kickballs                                          Text Books Tennis Balls                                     Craft Supplies  Literature DVD's of Children's Bible Stories DVD's of Children's Cartoons DVD's for Christian Adults Christian Music CD's Children's Music CD's Childrens Textbooks Music Books and Hymnals Children's Story Books Bible Story Books Self-Help Books Bible Study Materials Devotional Books Bibles Coloring Books Business Education Books Gardening Education Books

Electronics Digital Cameras Video Camera Video Projector Sound System (PA System) Large Speakers Microphones & Cords Desktop Computers Laptop Computers Printers Surge Protectors LED Flashlights & Lanterns Batteries Musical Equipment Hand Drums Drum Set Guitars (Acustic & Electric) Electric Keyboards Ukuleles Tamborines Cymbols Rattlers (noise makers) Electric Amps Other Ministry Items Puppets Craft Supplies Playground Equipment Playground Slides Playground Swings Clothing Items Lightweight Jackets Sweaters & Sweatshirts Athletic Apparel Shoes in Good Condition New Socks & Underwear Warm Hats & Gloves Skirts & Dresses Children's Shorts Longsleeved Shirts Construction Supplies Shovels Hoes Post Hole Diggers Rakes Hand Tools Hand Saws Wrench Sets Socket Sets

Fast Cow Run

FAST 5K COW RUN

JULY 16TH, 2011

VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL, ABINGDON, VA

Race for charity to buy a cow which will provide milk to the children at GOGCP Children’s Ministries
http://www.graceofgodchildren.org/Train_with_Kenyans/Races.html

progress...

Progress is being made on the new Kenya property.  A hand-dug well has been completed.  It is around 50 feet deep.  I can't imagine being that far down. 

Next up, it's time to start building !!!

the former things...

Isaiah 42:9  See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.

For nearly twelve years, the Lord has provided financially for our family as I've worked for Tetra in Blacksburg, Virginia.  It's truly been a wonderful place to work and a wonderful group of colleagues.  In God's timing, our Finance department is being disbanded and we are all off in a new direction.  Lifelong friends will not be forgotten.

Did you know?

Mission to Unreached People

Headband wearing, guitar playing, hippies...

School's Out!

Our last stint in public school for awhile has ended.  Gabriel is moving on to the 6th Grade, Christina will enter 3rd Grade while Jacob begins 1st Grade.

Jacob's 6th Birthday!

This may have been the last time we get to spend time with Chucky Cheese.  I'm not sure he's around in Kenya.

The Joy of Childhood

Jacob & Abigail are really enjoying the spring weather while their big brother and sister are still in school.  They're really going to miss the trampoline in Kenya! 

Prayer Support

We strongly believe in the power of prayer and are looking for partners who will commit to stand alongside us and intercede for the Lord's ministry and our family while in Kenya.  If you are willing, please pick a day of the month and pray for us on that day every month.  Not only are we encouraged to know that you are praying for us on that day, but we will in turn pray for you as well.  Please check our blog for ministry and family updates and recent prayer requests and praises.

Click here to view the calendar.

Kitendawili? Tega!

When someone says in Swahili kitendawili (riddle), you'd better adjust your thinking and respond with a hearty tega! loosely meaning go ahead – just try to trap me in your literary snare!

Nina askari wanne,
Mmoja wao akiondoka hao
Wengine hawafanyi kazi.

I have four soldiers,
If one of them leaves,
the rest cannot work.

What am I?

The Word is Out!

It's official!  The word is out that we're moving to Kenya.  Praise the Lord for such enthusiastic response and approval from family and friends.  Our desire is that others would grab hold of the passion and spirit and also feel led by the Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim Christ to others.

"go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"  Matthew 28:19

Chapatis

Here's the recipe that we've used for the "Africa Meal".

Chapatis

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoons oil
7/8 cup very warm water (if multiply the recipe, use only enough water to make a stiff dough)

Mix flour and salt. Stir in oil and mix in warm water. Dough should be soft, but not too wet or sticky.
Knead on floured board for 5 minutes.

Cover dough and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

Divide dough into golf ball size pieces. Roll each ball into a “snake” shape.

Then wrap the dough into the shape of a cinnamon roll. Place on floured surface and roll each piece into a circle.

Cook on hot greased griddle until browned on both sides (maybe 3 minutes total).
Cover with a cloth and keep warm until ready to serve.
This recipe makes thin, pliable chapatis.

Substitutes

We continue to divest ourselves of the material possessions we've accumulated over many years of living selfishly.  One of those "gotta have" items is my triathlon racing bike.  I'll be trading in a lightweight, carbon fiber racing machine for something a little more modest...