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...



Gotta get things done

As the time grows short until we leave for Kenya, Kellie and I have lots and lots to do.  We're trying to remodel our house and sell off many of our unnecessary possessions that we've accumulated over the years.

• install vinyl siding on the rental house
• new shingles on our house
• complete remodel of our kitchen
• new carpet throughout
• build a new room in the basement
• repair ceiling cracks throughout
• paint all rooms
• get rid of everything in the house
• sell both houses