September Montly Report

“Our vision is to be a ministry of eternal significance that impacts the cause of Christ through the 

advancement and multiplication of His churches.”

September 2014

IMR Israel

            ISRAEL! This month our family and actually our entire ground team attended the International Missionary Retreat in Israel put on by World Missions Ministry, Lynn and Brenda Raburn. Brother Lynn and Brenda with their entire team did an amazing job this year. The ladies from Faith BC, North Little Rock, with Shawn and Alison Crane made VBX an awesome time for our kids. Jack Story with MTL outdid himself on all the logistics and putting together tours.  We learned so much about Israel during our classes with Brother Lynn and Brother John Malancon as well as from our tour guides. 

 

We made some great memories in Israel. Our team was refreshed and encouraged by the fellowship with fellow missionaries. To see all the places that we have read about and know that we were in the Promised Land was just awesome. We appreciate our church, Pauline Baptist Church, for sending our family and the Howells to this retreat. We are also grateful to Brother Lynn and Brenda for raising funds for our accommodations during the retreat as well as to the churches that gave. This retreat is a highlight of our year and is always a time of revival.

Bible Institute Extension

     This month we made a decision to try and use technology to expand our ability to have classes for the Bible Institute. I had a meeting with Elli in Mombasa about using a mini pocket projector and speaker to have classes in Miritini each week under his leadership. He said that he was willing to lead and coordinate the classes. I will meet Elli every 4-6 weeks to give him new notes and video files for the project. I will also collect the attendance and grades for the completed class. We will be using old teaching videos, the new ABA Media project videos we did a few months ago, and new videos we are making. We will continue to have classes together, but this will allow the students to continue throughout the month with classes multiplying our efforts. 

 

     Brother Mercer, Brother Mike, and I carried the pocket projector, batteries, speaker, and notes to Miritini while we were there this month for classes. I taught the men how to use the projector and gave a few instructions on notes and Scripture memory. Pray for this attempt to multiply our efforts. If it works in Miritini I would like to try it in other areas as well.

 

     We were so blessed to have Ashley’s pastor, Brother Monroe Mercer from Green Acres BC, Bossier City, LA with us this month. Brother Mercer came and spent two weeks with us visiting Ashley and ministering among the churches. We had him teach Bible Institute classes in Malindi and in Miritini. He also was able to preach in two of the churches and visit all the others. It was such a blessing to have Brother Monroe with us and to see his desire to take care of his missionary. It is obvious that he is very proud of Ashley and her committing herself to the Lord’s work here on the Coast of Kenya. Brother Mercer said that Green Acres Church misses Ashley, but they are excited for how God is using her. 

 

James Taylor PO Box 811 Malindi, Kenya 80200

Phone 011-254-713289014 missionarytaylor@gmail.com

Taylor Tribe

We started out the month in Israel at the International Missions Retreat with Lynn and Brenda Raburn and a whole host of other missionary friends.  We are so grateful every year for the opportunity to attend the retreat.  It is always a much needed reprieve and time to relax away from our fields of labor.  Thank you so much, Pauline Baptist Church, for sending us to this each year.  God has given us a great sending church; they love us and take such great care of us.  Also thank you to all the churches and individuals who give to Lynn and Brenda and their ministry.  They have done so much for missionaries around the world.  For our family, their help through the years has been invaluable.  

            And let me just say, Wow!  Seeing Israel first hand was amazing.  We went on a whirlwind tour just before the retreat began and it really brings the Bible to life.  Seeing and walking in the very places Jesus saw and walked was life changing.  I still don't think we have processed all that we took in.  One of my favorite parts was having a worship service on the Sea of Galilee.  Thinking about Jesus and how he had to get in a boat to get away from the crowds only to find that when he crossed over they were there waiting on him.  And yet, he had compassion on the multitudes.  We don't face anything like the crowds Jesus did, yet I still find myself at times wanting to retreat; and some days that compassion that Jesus had isn't so easy to come by for me.  Oh that I could see the needs of people as Jesus does and always be tenderhearted to care for them.  

            Another favorite part for me was teaching two of the ladies’ classes.  Brenda asked me several months back if I would be willing to teach.  The Lord has really been dealing with me about who I am in Christ and daily obedience to Him.  My pastor Brother Chad Graves always says to teach out of the overflow of what God is teaching you.  So when she asked, I knew what I was going to speak on.  I am so humbled that the Lord would use me, and I thank Him for teaching me and using me to encourage other missionary wives.  It was truly my great joy and honor to share from my heart with fellow missionary wives.

            The kids absolutely love the VBX that Jeanean Wilson and the team from Faith NLR do for the MKs.  Jeanean is such a loving, Christian woman with a heart for missionaries and their families.  We love her so much and thank God for all the hard work she puts into ministering to all the MKs each year.  She always comes with a team of helpers who are equally as eager to minister.  This year Jamie and Heather came and were awesome.  Shawn and Alison Crane always do a wonderful job with the teens as well as the worship services.  We are thankful for Faith BC sending them to be a part of this ministry.  

            After the retreat it was back to school and trying to re-establish a routine. The kids are doing well with Ashley.  They really seem to love school.  We have also been enjoying our time with the Vickers family during their internship.   

            Thanks so much for reading and praying.  

Ashley's Pastor trip and Good-Byes

September 26-October 7

9/26-27

We had Bible Institute classes for two days here in Malindi. Brother Monroe Mercer from Green Acres MBC, Bossier, LA  taught for us while I translated. Brother Mercer did awesome.  We had good attendance. Brother Mercer taught on Hebrews chapter 11 the first day and part of the Beatitudes on the second day. The men loved the teaching, Brother Mercer left his notes so they could continue to study what remained.

9/28   
    Sunday Kenya and the kids went to church in Malindi while the Vickers, Ashley, Brother Mercer, and I headed down to Jimba for a special service. Daniel had asked us to come to continue teachings Mike and I started last month on some specific topics. Mike taught on church discipline, I taught on missions, and Brother Monroe taught on false teachers. We had four different sessions with a small break for some cookies and juice to sustain us all until lunch. The attendance was good.  All went very well.

    For lunch we went to Gede and had some amazing burgers. They were seriously good. Juma joined us also for lunch so that he and I could go to a meeting afterwards. I rode the motor bike so I could remain behind with Juma for a meeting in Jimba Gede where a family has welcomed Juma to start having Bible studies. After lunch Everyone else headed back to Malindi. Juma and I went interior to Jimba Gede.
    We drove back up into Jimba Gede quite a ways when we ran out of gas in the motorcycle! I forgot to fill up while we were in Gede so we had to call one of Juma’s buddies to come bring us some gas. It gave Juma and I a good chance to hang out under a shade tree and visit. Once we got the fuel we continued on and had a good meeting with one of the brothers, the mama of the boma, and one of the wives of the mama’s son. They all professed salvation and seemed excited that Juma was planning to start a Bible study. We did not see any churches near by so it would be a great location to try and start one.
    Juma has had this area on his heart for a long time so it was good to finally take a step forward. Pray for Juma as he seeks the Lord in this endeavor. Juma has been helping out in Magangani but it is really a loss for his talents to not be used in leadership. He and his wife Mercy are very gifted and I have great confidence that when they start meeting in an area they are going to do a great work. Juma is so connected, I do not think that he understands the influence that he has with people. Pray for me as I try to mentor Juma, I really want to pour into him. He is getting his computer shop up and going and is putting himself in a position that he can sustain his family and be free to minister.
    After Juma and I had our meeting I dropped him off at his shop and started home. As I got ready to leave Gede the motorbike started to spit and sputter so I thought I better fill up before I leave Gede to head to Malindi. When I pulled at the gas station the attendant noticed that gas was pouring out my motorcycle. I pulled off to the side and sure enough the fuel was gushing out of the overflow. I checked for any loose connections or bolts but everything looked good. I even called Brother Mike to ask him if he had any thoughts. We concluded there must have been some dirt or something keeping the carburetor from functioning. I tried a few more things but finally had to call and ask Brother Mike and Brother Mercer to come and get me. They had to take out two of the seats in the van so we could but the bike in the van because the Land Rover was in the shop getting a power steering pump put on.
    Needless to say it was a crazy day but a good one. We got back in time to celebrate Chaelann’s Birthday!

9/29
    We spent the day out on the ocean Monday. Our family, the Vickers, Ashley, and Brother Monroe all went snorkeling for a full day. It was lots of fun and we had a really good seafood lunch on the boat. The only bad side of the day was all the sun burns! I am very grateful that I was not burnt but Josiah, Abigail, Kenya, and Brother Mercer all got “some” sun. Josiah especially got torched.

9/30
    Brother Mike, Brother Mercer, and I went out to Singwaya on Tuesday to show Brother Mercer the area. We went by the Singwaya church building and Furaha came by to greet us. He was doing some work near by trying to raise the funds to go back to school on Monday. We had a good visit with Furaha and Brother Mercer really “enjoyed” the ride out.; ) 

Ok so that was as far as I got with keeping a daily writing… LOL I do best just looking back over the week and just go with the time I have to write. We appreciate so much those that read these updates and are patient to get them. It really is a good exercise for me to write them, so I can see what the Lord has done. Sometimes it is so busy that I miss the blessing.  Sharing things in these updates keep me in tune with all God is doing around us and though the ministry here. I use these updates many times to write my monthly reports.
    Let me finish out the update for this week. Brother Mercer, Ashley and Kenya went to the game park on Wednesday last week and I was the substitute teacher for the kids. The kids did really well and I had a good time with them. I also agreed to make dinner if Kenya would go on the safari instead of me. Some might wonder why I would not want to go on the safari since safaris are so fun. Well for those who have driven to the Game park and endured the trip it is pretty tough. The animals are cool but the trip is so rough, not to mention that we have been to the game park so many times. I made a gourmet meal, at least it is at our house, of spam and potatoes. There were three different “flavors” one with salt and pepper, one with Toni’s seasoning, and the last with French Fry seasoning. It was ready when Brother Mercer, Kenya, and Ashley returned.
    They said they had a good safari and only one breakdown… one of the radiator hoses on the Land Rover busted and they leaked out all the water. They had to baby the Land Rover all the way across the park to a lodge to get some water since they did not have any water with them. At least it gave them a good story and experience. They did see seven lions under a tree so that was a bonus!

    Brother Mercer, Brother Mike, and I all went down to Miritini for two days to teach Bible Institute classes. Ok actually brother Mercer taught, Mike and I got to listen. The men in Miritini have good English so I did not have to translate. Brother Mercer did an awesome job teaching the Beatitudes. Brother Mercer is a great teacher and we all were feed well.  I took a little time in the morning also to teach the men how to use a mini pocket projector for classes they will be doing throughout the month with Elli supervising. The projector and speaker will allow the men to watch video classes that we have so they can get more studies in between my classes with them. We are going test this method out with the Miritini group and if it is successful we will look at implementing it in other areas as well.

 After class on Friday we got a room in Miritini and ran out to Bokole to greet Juma’s family and to show Brother Mercer the church. We also got to see Juma’s daughter Neema, her leg has healed up nicely. You may remember that we asked prayer for her last month when she was burned. Praise the Lord she has no deep scaring and is all healed up!

    Elly found the hotel that we stayed at so we would not have to go back into Mombasa to find a place to stay that would be expensive. Bed and Breakfast cost us $12 a piece. I was not sure what type of place we were in for but I am always up for an adventure. Kenya had her doubts about a $12 room but it turned out to be an awesome place. It was clean, had hot showers, ceiling fans, and secure parking. Breakfast was also great in the morning. It was a home run as far as I was concerned.
    On Saturday while we were in class Kenya and Christy came to Mombasa with the kids and took them to Wild Waters. It is a water park that is super fun! This was one last chance for the kids all be together for a special time before the Vickers were to leave. They had a great time and we all met back up in Malindi in the evening.

    Sunday we attended services in Malindi. Brother Mike taught Sunday School and Brother Mercer preached the morning message. At the end of services Nicholas called up the Vickers family and brother Mercer to pray for their travels on Monday back to the states. In the afternoon the Vickers and brother Mercer finished up all their packing.

    Yesterday was a day of Good-byes. We had a special brunch meal for everyone before we loaded up to take the Vickers to the airport followed by Brother Mercer later in the afternoon. We had a great trip with Brother Mercer, Ashley’s pastor, and we are so glad that he showed his support of Ashley by coming. He did an amazing job teaching and preaching. We will look forward to having him back in the future.

    The Vickers also left us after a three month internship. They came to work along side our family to confirm and clarify what God was calling them to do. They concluded that full time ministry in Kenya was not what God had for their family at this time. Please pray for the Vickers as they return to the states that the Lord will help them as they continue to seek his direction for their future. We had a great time working with Brother Mike, Christy, and the kids. We will miss them and we appreciate all that they did while they were here and we look forward to seeing them on short term trips in the future.
    Today is my administrative day.  I have worked on this update, finances, and am going to finish our monthly report as well. It really quiet around here with just our family and Ashley on the ground now. Lord willing the Straders will be here next month and the Howells will return from language school. Then we will all begin working together. Pray for Clayton and Lindsey as well as Ashley as they all work on Language learning. Ashley did not leave to go to language school but she is working with Getrude for about 8 hours a week. It will be so awesome when everyone is able to speak Swahili! Our ability to minister will be exponentially greater!