March Report 2014

 March 2014

ABA Media

Bible Institute Project  

              We have put a lot of focus on the ABA Media Bible Institute Project this month. The planning, organizing, and coordinating of teachers and classes has taken a lot of effort but we still believe it will be very profitable. Brother Hopper and Brother Eddie Williams have been instrumental in making this month a success with this project.

              Dub (Jonathan West) was able to film five different classes this month; one in Turkana on Missions, one in Nairobi on 1 Corinthians, and three here at the coast on Bible Doctrines, the Tabernacle, and Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Dub has a lot of raw film and is working on editing. Lord willing, by the end of April we will have all the classes ready for use. Please continue to pray for the success of this project!

Family Matters Matter

                  As we shared last month my dad was able to come and visit us for a few weeks and we really had a good time with him. It was a bit of a juggling act trying to have Bible Institute classes and everything else going on as well as taking time to make memories with dad. We are so glad that dad was able to come, and it was a good chance for him to build a relationship with our kids.

              Kenya and I are recognizing more and more that we are entering a new phase of life as a family and with our families. Kenya’s Dad was hospitalized this month and her grandfather is not expected to live more than a few days as I write this report. We love our families and we would ask you to pray for us as we face these challenges from the other side of the world. We know this is part of the cost to serve overseas and count it a privilege to be called by the Master.

 

Texarkana Baptist

Children’s Home

      We were blessed to have Heather Thompson bring Kari, Camilla, and Samuel who are all three high school seniors at the Texarkana Baptist Children’s Home this year along with Kristi Lee one of the relief house parents to work with us this month. We enjoyed so much serving with this team and they did amazing. Camilla and Kari taught classes several times, Samuel presented devotions several times, and Kristi and Heather taught two ladies seminars. We also helped with a building project in Jimba and left some sweat, blood, and maybe even a few tears in the rocks and dirt we moved. 

      This was the fruition of a desire that Heather has had for the Children’s Home to expose the kids to other cultures and experience how God is working all over the world.  Kari, Camilla, and Samuel all three will be making big life decisions at the end of this year that will impact their futures and launch them into the adult world. We are so grateful for the opportunity to invest in them and we expect great things from them. The Children’s Home motto is “Changing Legacies…” and we are grateful for being a part of helping that happen.

 

James Taylor PO Box 811 Malindi, Kenya 80200

Phone 011-254-713289014 missionarytaylor@gmail.com

 

Taylor Tribe

 

We had two birthdays this month!  Samuel turned 6 on March 8^th.  He requested a Lego birthday party.  He is a very high spirited and energetic little guy and we sure do love him.  Sarah was reborn on March 18.  It was the sweetest thing when she told me.  They had been learning about Moses and how so many of the children of Israel didn’t get to go into the Promised Land.  She said, “Mama, I don’t want to be like those people and not go to heaven with the rest of my family.”  So we had a nice, long chat and she asked Jesus to come into her heart that night before bed.  Praise God!

We really enjoyed having Heather and the TBCH team here.  Heather is such a great friend and I know she has a heart for the kids at TBCH.  I had a great time with Kristi as well and feel I have made a new friend.  One of my favorite things to do is just share our life with guests in hopes that they will see we are just normal people who have answered God’s call on our life.  I loved getting to know Camilla, Kari, and Samuel and just hanging out with them.  They are sweet kids.  It was a joy to see all of them step out of their comfort zones to teach a Bible lesson, eat unfamiliar foods, and sleep on a cement floor with no power.  I really hope this trip expanded their worldview, gave them new appreciation for God’s blessings, and most of all brought them closer to Him.  Of course, it was awesome getting to translate for everyone especially Heather and Kristi.  When I translate it pushes me to work on my grammar and find varied ways to communicate.  Thank you to everyone who helped these kiddos make the trip.  I believe you made an excellent investment. 

On a more personal level, this month has been a little heavy for me emotionally.  When we surrendered to come to Kenya, I knew there would be family issues and events we would miss out on.  But you can never really know how you will react until something actually happens.  Last year when my sister was going through chemo, it was difficult.  This month, my dad was hospitalized with internal bleeding and still is being treated for it.  My maternal grandfather is also nearing death.  When it all sort of happens at once, I admit, it’s a bit overwhelming.  The desire to be there and yet still knowing I am right where God wants me, is a bit hard to bear at times.  Paul said I am in a straight betwixt two.  Of course he was talking about Heaven and Earth, but I feel this month I have been in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to be with my family, nevertheless staying here where I am called is at this moment more needful.  I am thankful that I serve a God whose grace is sufficient. 

Thanks for reading and praying.

February 2014 Monthly Report

February 2014

Highlights

Malindi

         We continue to do well at First LBC Malindi. We baptized two this month and the church is continuing to take more and more responsibility for the ministry. We started a Saturday afternoon fellowship and the church chose Peter Wande to lead it. Nicholas continues to teach SS and it is translated into Swahili or English depending on which he uses. I am praying diligently about the pastorate in Malindi. I pray the Lord will make clear His will. There is so much to do among the other churches but pastoring Malindi limits what I can do.

Singuaya

            The Singuaya church has put up the shell of a building and has requested help putting on a roof. I have been working on a budget for it and will be talking with the church more about it next month. They have done everything so far themselves, and I am excited to join hands with them to help them get into a building before the rains come. I think we will be looking at nearly a thousand dollars for the roof but the church has already put in nearly five hundred into the building and land. I love to see the faith of the people growing as they allow God to work through them.

Dad   

            My dad came in this month to visit with us for three weeks. This was his first time to leave the country; and he went big, coming all the way to Africa! We have been enjoying time with him and showing him the work that we do. This is the first time that someone from our family has visited us since Kenya’s mama came 11 years ago when Abigail was born. Dad will be with us until March 20; please pray that he will have a great trip.

Dub, Joni, Chloe, Adalynn West

ABA Media Project  

     Dub (Jonathan) West is continuing to film and work on getting Bible Institute classes on digital media. He has filmed several classes already as well as working on video projects for Eddie Williams, Ernie Hopper, and Macedonian Medical teams. Pray for the continuation of this project. We will be doing classes every week until Dub and his family’s departure in April.

Newest East Kenya Missions

Team Member

         We are very excited to announce that Ashley Johnston has been officially endorsed by her church Greenacres MBC, Bossier City, LA as a short term missionary to work with us here in Kenya. She will be primarily teaching our children home school but she will also be involved in the ministry work as well. Ashley is planning to join us on the field the second week of July and staying with us for the entire school year. Please pray for this one-year commitment that God will use her greatly and show her what He wants for her in the future. Also pray for Ashley, her family, and her church as they step out in faith.

         We would highly recommend and would ask churches to consider supporting Ashley as she joins our ministry team. If you would like to help Ashley with her travel expenses, living expenses, and ministry expenses. Funds can be sent to: Greenacres MBC, 4802 Benton Rd, Bossier City, LA 71111.

Pastor Monroe Mercer mgmer@hotmail.com 

Ashley Johnston ashleyjteacher@gmail.com 

You may also contact the church or Ashley if you have any questions or would like more information.

 

James Taylor PO Box 811 Malindi, Kenya 80200

Phone 011-254-713289014 missionarytaylor@gmail.com

 Taylor Tribe

 

Wow, time sure does fly when you are having fun.  This month has gone quicker than I expected.  I thought with Sadie here teaching the kids, I might find myself bored with nothing to do.  As if....Somehow I have still managed to fill my days running errands, actually planning my meals instead of throwing them together, studying and all sorts of things.  I am truly grateful that Sadie is here, because it has given me time to really dig into God's word. Right now I am preparing for 3 classes that I will be teaching in the near future.  I am very excited about these opportunities.  We also started up the English Bible Study again with some ladies here in Malindi.

     The Lord has really blessed me in not having to homeschool.   I don't feel near as stressed and can enjoy my time as just mama.  We are entering a new phase of life I believe with the children and just life in general.  The kids are growing up so fast.  Josiah will be a teenager in June and Samuel, our youngest, is now 6.  No more toddlers or preschoolers, just adolescents and teenagers.  Wow and Yikes!  I must admit I am really enjoying it.  The kids are showing such growth in maturity, both physically and spiritually.  I love our conversations around the dinner table.  We have real life conversations about God's word and how it applies to our life.  And even getting to share our struggles together has been so sweet.  I am reminded of Proverbs  29:17 “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” I pray that God will continue to give us wisdom as we enjoy each new phase with our family.  

     Everyone has enjoyed having James’ dad here.  I think he is enjoying his time as well, just walking to the beach and even took a trip to the game park.  He’s a pretty good handy man, so he’s also been keeping busy working on small projects around the house.  So far he tore out two cabinets and built a shelf, fixed several door locks, fixed a toilet, installed a fan, a light fixture, and two instant heat showerheads.  We teased him that he could get a job as a fundi here.  

     Sadie is doing a great job with the kids.  They are doing much better in school.  She works diligently to plan their lessons and stay organized.  And she is just a joy to be around.  She and I have good laughs together everyday.  We all love her.  Thank you to all who helped with this ministry.  

      We are looking forward to Ashley Johnston coming as well.  She will be able to get our homeschool done all the way to furlough.  Please pray and consider supporting her. 

Thanks for reading and praying.

Texarkana Baptist Children's Home Team

March 26-April 3
The Texarkana team had a great time in the Game Park on Tuesday and I was able to get some work done in the office to stay on top of everything. Wednesday March 26 I loaded up with the Texarkana group and we went to Jimba to help prepare things for their building. They are planning to mud the walls this rain season. We were able to carry rocks from one location to the church with the Land Rover and trailer that will be put in the walls. A few of us stayed and dug what will be a toilet later and put the dirt in the church that will be the mud. A couple others carried water to the church from a well and put it in a 50 gallon barrel so there would be water to use for the walls in the church.
    We worked in Jimba until around 2 then went to Timboni to have lunch at a local place. Lunch was great and all the work we did was awesome but the heat was not. We were all zapped after working in the crazy heat all day so we tried to recover in the evening.
    On Thursday I took the group out to Marafa’s Hell’s Kitchen for a little one hour hike. We ate lunch in Marafa and took a drive out in the bush. I wanted to show the group the area we work in out in Singuaya as well as let them see how people live in the village. It was a great day.

    We got back and worked on getting things ready for our two days in Miritini and Bokole. I had to get my notes together as well as make sure we had a vehicle rented since the van was still in the shop. When we checked on the van there was a little hope that it could possibly be repaired. I had to get my notes together for the Bible Institute Classes and we had to get all the mattresses, water, and everything loaded for our over night stay.
    Went to Bible study in Malindi and Samuel Cross from the Texarkana Baptist Children’s home did an awesome devotion while I translated. After some Shukarani supper we finished up our prep work.
    Thursday we were on the road by 6am with the Land Rover loaded down and the rented safari van loaded with people. It was a  long drive in to Miritini but we made it and got set up for classes. The preachers met with me in one area and the ladies in another area. Heather Thompson and Christy Lee taught the ladies while Kenya translated. Samuel got the men started with a devotion then we jumped right into our lessons on the Holy Spirit. We had lunch and continued with classes into the evening.
    Our team loaded up and went to dinner in Mombasa to escape the heat for a little while before we went out to sleep in the class room we had used for teachings. The church meets in a  orphanage and the orphanage allowed us to stay in the open room for the night. It was  a sweaty night but we managed.

    On Friday Texarkana team with Kenya, Sadie and the kids loaded up and headed to Bokole to teach the children and Ladies while I continued with the preachers. Heather and Christy taught their lessons to the ladies, Camilla and Kari taught the kids, and Samuel brought two devotions to start the sessions. Everyone did a great job from what Kenya told me. The preachers and I had a great time in Miritini finishing up our lessons and having lunch together. We ended up teaching all the way up until after two then breaking for lunch.
    Kenya and everyone finished at Bokole around 3:30 then came by to pick me up by the main road. We said our goodbyes and headed to Mombasa for supper. We had an amazing Java House dinner with plenty of coffee for the plane ride home. Everyone loved Java House and it was a great treat after the hot day. While in Miritini I got an email from John Strader about coming over this month for a final survey trip. He and his family will be with us April 15-28. Pray for this trip that the Straders will be able to finalize their plans and see all they need to for their prepartions.
    Sunday we attended services in Malindi. We had to have two Tuk Tuks come to the house to get everyone that would not fit into the Land Rover but we all managed to make it for church. Camilla and Kari taught Sunday School for the kids. We had an awesome worship service and I preached in English and Swahili so everyone would be able to here.
    We had Shukarani for lunch and Kenya took a crew shopping while the kids and I ran on home. We had a Good Bad and Ugly service in the evening  for the sake of the group. Ryan always does this type of service for the 516 Missions Teams and it is always good. Everyone gives a good about the trip a Bad and an Ugly. It was a lot of fun. It was great to hear how the trip had impacted everyone.
    Monday morning there was a small shopping excursion for a few of the Texarkana folks then we went to the Osteria for one last cream puff and coffee before the airport. Heather and Christy brought over a great group of young people and they did an awesome job. We appreciate the Texarkana Baptist Children’s Home for allowing their kids to serve with us for a week. We hope this will become a regular occurrence.
    Monday after the team left we just crashed for the rest of the day and even Tuesday. Tuesday we had a “snow day” for Sadie and the kids. We all vegetated all day. We got news on Tuesday that Kenya’s Grandpa was not well and that he was not expected to last through the week. Please pray for Kenya’s mama she has been taking care of him for the past few years and his death is going to be hard on her.
    Wednesday April 2 we found out that it we were going to need to put another transmission in our van $$$ Booyah 1800 bucks just like that. We are planning to buy another van to replace our current van but this one has to last us a little longer and we can’t sell it if it is not fixed… so we are having to swallow hard and fork out the dough. Pray for us to find another van quickly.
    I was also able to meet with the immigrations agent about Clayton’s work permit. He said it was approved all we have left is to pay and then endorse his passport. Lord willing by next week we will have Clayton all sorted out on his work permit and he will come in ready to go in June.
    I worked on finances and reports also on Wednesday and also today. We have been working on a trip to Masai country and Nairobi for next week. Unfortunately everything is in the air since the van is still not fixed. Lord willing it will be fixed by tomorrow evening and we will be on the road again with both vehicles. This evening I will finalize the Masai trip with Karate at Bible study.