IMR 2014 Caesarea Megiddo Armageddon Nazareth Cana Sea of Galilee

Saturday August 30th:

▪ Depart Tel Aviv.

▪ Visit Caesarea – Herod’s City and the home of Pontius Pilate (Theatre, Praetorium,

Hippodrome)

▪ Visit Tel Megiddo and lookout over the Valley of Armageddon.

▪ Travel to Nazareth to visit the Latin Church of the Annunciation, the site of one of the

earliest recorded churches in history.

▪ The site of Jesus’ first miracle in Cana of Galilee

▪ Overnight & Dinner: Sea of Galilee, Scots Hotel

Caesarea – Herod’s City and the home of Pontius Pilate (Theatre, Praetorium,Hippodrome)

Tel Megiddo and lookout over the Valley of Armageddon

Nazareth to visit the Latin Church of the Annunciation, the site of one of the

earliest recorded churches in history.

The Site of Jesus’ first miracle in Cana of Galilee

Overnight & Dinner: Sea of Galilee, Scots Hotel

IMR 2014 Tel Aviv Mediterranean Sea Joppa

Friday August 28
Arrival to Tel Aviv which is near the ancient remains of Biblical Joppa. We stayed at the Carlton Hotel overlooking Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Sea. We were able to take a swim, ride bikes on the boardwalk, and some of us squeezed in a McDonald's visit before our
Shabbat dinner at the hotel.

 

International Missionary Retreat (IMR) Israel 2014 3-2-1 Take off

     This year our family, Ashley Johnston, Clayton, and Lindsey all were able to attend the International Missionary Retreat (IMR) put on by Lynn and Brenda Raburn. The retreat was held in Israel this year so it was an amazing opportunity. Before the retreat started we did the pre-retreat tours before arriving in Jerusalem for the retreat itself.
     Lynn and Brenda brought a team with them to minister to the 20 plus missionary families. Jack Story with MTL Travel worked out all the logistics of the trip. He lined up the shuttles, hotels, tours, everything and he did an amazing job and truly made it an unforgettable trip.  Shawn and Alison Crane lead the worship services and taught the teen class. Jeanean, Jamie, and Heather came from Faith BC, NLR and taught the kids' classes and took care of the younger children during the evening worship services. Brother John Malancon taught the men's sessions during the day covering the history of Jerusalem. Kenya, Dr. Debb, and Brenda taught the ladies classes and Lynn preached the evening services.
     The fellowship that we had with the other missionary families was awesome! Our kids connected with the other missionary kids and we saw them so happy.  That alone would have made the trip a success. We saw so much while we were in Israel and we will never be the same. I thought it would be best to just share the pictures and the places rather than explaining everything and everywhere. You can see it with us get ready for several updates with lots of pictures! 3-2-1 take off...

Classes Burn Hiccup Birthdays

August 20-27

     We had an awesome four days of study with the folks in Singwaya. The guys watched classes from Kenyan missionary to Sudan John Wanyonyi on missions and we had a lot of discussion on missions. Brother Mike brought some lessons in the mornings on the sin cycle in the book of Judges. We also had several discussions on various topics. It was awesome how the Lord opened the door for us to speak to the guys on some things I have been wanting to bring up but had not gotten the opportunity. For example the men asked why John did not say praise the Lord and Hallelujah during his teachings and it opened up some intense and great conversation about worship and prayer time.

    On Wednesday while Mike and I were in Singwaya and everyone else was in school, Kenya ran down to Bokole to pick up Juma's daughter Neema to take her to the hospital to have her burns looked at. Juma had sent us pictures and I had talked with him about the burns.  He was super concerned and worried about her not being able to get the care she needed in the village. Kenya spent the day and evening getting Neema back to Gede and having her seen by two different clinics before she got the treatment she needed. Kenya had to help hold Neema down and talk to her while the doctor scraped all the dead burnt flesh off of her leg. Thank the Lord it did not have any infection, yet and the doctor said it looked good. He gave Juma and Mercy medicine to put on the wound and told them to return the next day for another cleaning.
     Kenya picked them up again on Thursday and took Neema to have the doctor clean the wound while we were in Singwaya. Juma and Mercy were very very thankful for the help and the wound was already looking better after a day of being cleaned properly and having medication to apply.
    Kenya came out to Singwaya on Friday with brother Mike and I and taught the ladies. She continued with lessons she started a few months back, there was a great turn out. On Saturday we return with Kenya, Ashley, Christy, and the Vickers children for a half day of teachings. Kenya, Ashley, and Christy all three taught the ladies while Mike and I continued with the men. Again it was a very profitable four days.

     The trips out to Singwaya were a big test on the Land Rover also. We just got it back the week prior but had not really abused it yet to test the new engine. We had a smooth trip out on the first day to Singwaya. We were driving a little slow because Mike and I were talking quite a bit as we traveled. Mike mentioned to me that he noticed some oil at the house on the ground and at the church but when we looked it did not seem like too much and the Land Rover seemed to be running good so we wrote it off. When classes were over on Wednesday and we started home there was an obvious issue with the Land Rover.... it had no power. I was pushing the peddle to the floor and there was no torque. It was not over heating so that was good and it sounded fine but again it just would not go. We finally decided to stop and check the oil and see if there was an obvious issue. When we opened the hood there was an obvious issue with the oil. It was everywhere! There was a hose going into the oil pump that had come completely off so oil had gushed out at some point. We were able to tighten the hose back on and get the vehicle back to Garashi where we bought 7 litters of oil to put in the engine. It did not explain the loss of power but we knew no matter what it needed oil since it was not even showing up on the dip stick. We put 6 litters of oil in and made sure there were no more leaks then got back on the road.
    We still did not have any power so I finally pulled over and called Fritz from the garage where we had the engine overhauled.  I asked him what he recommended because I did not want to damage the new engine. He was perplexed. I told him it seemed like a fuel issue because the engine sounded great but it just was not reving up. Then I remembered a time when we had trouble with our throttle cable and asked if that could be it, his response was that they put a new one on. Brother Mike looked at the cable still while we were on the phone and that was it. We tightened up the throttle cable and we were back up to speed and on our way to Malindi. We were praising the Lord for the throttle cable because had we not lacked the power we would not have stopped and found the oil issue until the vehicle overheated or worse. Even though in the moment it did not seem like a blessing we knew God had looked out for us. So maybe it was what my friend Bill White would call a God wink.
     After the hiccup on Wednesday the Land Rover ran great the rest of the week so it seems that the engine overhaul was a success.
    On Sunday after the four days of teaching in Singwaya Brother Mike and I prepared and planned to be with Jimba on Sunday for a full day of teachings. Daniel had invited us to come to the services to teach on some special topics that he gave us and we thought that is what we would be doing. When we arrived the plan was a little different as it is many times. The church had not planned a meal nor to stay for the full day of teachings rather Daniel wanted to start the teachings and plan a special day for later. I preached on prayer and we had a small meeting with the church before calling it a day and heading back to Malindi.

     It worked out anyhow because we were able to get back to the house for Lydia's birthday party. She turned 10 on Saturday but she wanted to have friends over after church for her party so we pushed it until Sunday. It was a good time celebrating and playing. I was glad that the Lord worked it out so I could be back for the party.
     We spent Monday through Wednesday preparing for our departure for IMR (the International Missionary Retreat) that was to be held in Israel this year. I also spent some time talking to Mike and Christy about what they would be doing while we were gone as well as asking them to do some writing and reading. Clayton and Lindsy also arrived on Monday to go to IMR with our family and Ashley.  We all celebrated Sarah's eighth birthday on Wednesday.  Sarah had a great birthday party followed by pedicures and a make up session from all the girls.

      Lindsey helped Kenya with Sarah's cake because Kenya had to make a wedding cake for one of the young ladies that used to be a member in Malindi named Beatrice. We baptized Beatrice and her sister Margaret several years ago, we have watched them continue to mature and serve the Lord, so it was a great honor to have a part in her wedding. We were only sorry that we missed getting to attend since it was taking place while we were going to be gone. However we left the cake so it could be taken to the wedding by Mama Cedrik.

      

August Monthly Report 2014

“Our vision is to be a ministry of eternal significance that impacts the cause of Christ through the advancement and multiplication of His churches.”

August 2014

Teaching and Training

         It was a great month of teaching and training. We had multiple opportunities this month to be in the churches and to have Bible Institute classes. It has been good to be among the individual churches on Sundays, to encourage them, and address specific questions.  We also have had the opportunity to spend time with several of the pastors one on one to talk about how they are doing and talk about future plans.

         Mike Vickers and his family are continuing with us doing their internship clarifying what God has called them to do. We have enjoyed spending much time with them sharing experiences and trying to invest in them as God continues to work in their lives. Mike has been a big help with various projects and teaching opportunities. Pray for them as we continue to coach them during their internship.

Ladies Classes

       Kenya has been able to do several ladies classes this month as a result of having missionary helper Ashley Johnston here teaching the children. I know that the ladies have benefited greatly from Kenya sharing with them.  They have been so encouraged. This is an area of ministry that the churches need as they continue to mature. Sunday School is another area where we need to invest our efforts.

       Kenya, Ashley, and Christy taught one day out in Singwaya and it was a huge blessing. Having a team of ladies to train the ladies in matters of the home and Sunday School would be such a blessing. Ashley is preparing herself to do more ministries on the weekends with the churches by working with Gertrude doing Swahili classes. Pray for her and Kenya both as they invest themselves in the ladies and children in the churches.

Land Rover Replacement…

          It was an expensive month with Land Rover repairs. We had to cancel a trip to the Masai as a result of yet another major breakdown with the Land Rover. The Lord was gracious to spare us a breakdown in the bush; and we were able to get the Land Rover in to our regular shop for a complete engine overhaul, with new pistons, rings, rocker arms, valves, everything…we even had a new clutch and pressure plate put in. Over the past few months we have also replaced the steering box, fuel pump, bushings, and had it painted. Pretty much it is a refurbished vehicle at this point. All that being said, we need to start raising funds to purchase a newer Land Rover especially as our ministry needs continue to grow. We estimate a newer Land Rover will cost close to $40,000. Please pray about this as we start setting aside funds. 

Survey Trip Scheduled

                  We are excited to share that the Fishers family from Life Point BC in Washington, PA, are planning a survey trip here to the coast the end of December. We have been corresponding with the Fishers Family about the ministry here along with the needs of the churches; and they feel that God may be leading them to partner with us. The Fishers, Ryan Copico (our associate pastor), and I were able to have a “face to face” meeting this month via Zoom Cloud Meeting. The focus of the meeting was setting up a time for a survey trip and answering a few questions. Pray for the Fishers as they seek the Lord’s will; and if you would like to help with their survey trip, you can send funds to their church: Life Point Baptist Church, P O Box 1137, Washington, PA 15301.

 

Eyes on Christ

  The Eyes on Christ ministry is planning to be with us the end of December through the first week of January. We are excited about the opportunity to serve once again with Sister Julie Schoeff and minister to physical and spiritual needs in several of the villages where we work. Please pray for this trip and for the details of the trip. If you would like to help with this trip, funds should be sent directly to the Eyes on Christ Ministry at 1924 W. Cross, Anderson, IN. For more information on the trip, please contact Sister Julie Shoeff at 812-603-6233.
 

James Taylor PO Box 811 Malindi, Kenya 80200

Phone 011-254-713289014 missionarytaylor@gmail.com

Taylor Tribe

 

We started the month off with a Back to School Bash.  The kids were excited for school after seeing all the work Ashley did in the school room.  She reorganized the shelves, painted, and even rearranged the desks.  We spent the day with the Vickers, playing games, swimming, and cooking out.  We had a great summer and are ready to get back into some routine.  Already the kids are progressing well.  I am thankful for Ashley; she is putting a love for learning back into our kids.  Thank you to all those who have made it possible for her to teach them. 

            Lydia and Sarah both had birthdays this month.  Lydia turned 10 years old.  It’s hard to believe that we have 3 kids in the double digits.  We celebrated her birthday with a smiley face cake and she invited a couple of friends over.  Lydia is such a sweet, helpful, and quiet spirited girl.  We thank God for her gentle spirit.  Sarah is our happy, chatty gal.  No doubt she inherited the gift of gab from her mama.  We thank God for the joy she brings to our family. She turned 8.  She had a Fancy Nancy party, which is totally her personality.  She still says she wants to be a princess when she grows up.   Oh, yes, I turned, ahem, 35 this month.  The kids were so sweet. Ashley helped them make me a cake. 

            Juma’s little girl got badly burned while she was at Juma’s mama’s house.  The doctor’s were striking at the time, so I went to Bokole to get her and bring her back to Malindi to a good doctor.  When I got there, they had done nothing to the wound.  It was her whole upper leg and a small spot on her stomach.  I felt so bad for her.  When we got to the doctor, he was frustrated that they hadn’t done anything to it in the two days since the burn.  Juma, Mercy, and grandma all had to leave the room because they couldn’t bear watching and hearing sweet little Neema cry.  So I helped the doctor hold her down while he scrubbed her leg.  I asked him to give her something for the pain, but he said no.  So I just held her down doing my best to console her till it was over.  It looked so much better, though.  If she had stayed in the village, she would have gotten a terrible infection for sure; and being as small as she is (2 years old) she could have even died.  They have had it cleaned every day since and she is now getting better.  She only has to go every 3 days now.  I thank the Lord that her burn wasn’t worse. 

            James scheduled ladies classes in Singwaya for me this month.  I truly love getting to fellowship with those ladies.  They are so joyful and kind.  I love how they are truly desirous to know God’s word.  They are never shy to help me relate things culturally as well as ask questions.  That has been a struggle at the other churches.  I am thankful that these ladies out of a love for God and the Bible want to do whatever they can to learn.  And every time we go there, I am humbled at their kindness to send gifts of corn and vegetables with me as I leave.   

            Thanks for reading and praying!