February Monthly Report 2015

February 2015

 

Admin and Maintenance

      December and January were awesome ministry months full of activity and being in the field. The result is a lot of administrative work, things to repair around the house, and maintenance on the vehicles. Once the last of our guests left at the end of January, we tried to catch our breath a little and even get caught up on some office work.

     Clayton and I did some renovations on the mission compound this month. The big one was putting in a 2000 liter water tank so we can ease our water issues we keep having. We quadrupled our water on site. We also plumbed in another washer so there are two washers on the compound for our families and all the groups that come over.

    I spent a lot of hours in the office working on updates and preparing for the five classes and three sermons that I have for the World Missions Seminar and Pulse Conference in March. Kenya also spent many hours preparing for four classes that she will be teaching the missionary wives. We are looking forward to teaching, being taught, and the fellowship with all the other missionaries in March.

VEHICLE WOES

     No month would be complete these days without some vehicle issues to work out. The A/C went out on the van so it went into the shop, and we had to take the Land Rover in because it was blowing oil everywhere. Thankfully, the motor bike was running fine; so Clayton and I could run into the villages and still get work done. The van was not too hard of a fix; but the Land Rover, well let’s just say the shop is redoing the rebuild they did. Lord willing, we will get it all sorted soon.

             On a side note to the vehicles, Clayton and I went and looked at an off road buggy that we are considering purchasing for our trips to town and out to Singwaya. The buggy is a 2013 model, street legal, and will do 100 KPH. The suspension is crazy awesome. We are considering purchasing one to save on the wear and tear of our vehicles especially to Singwaya. We once used the motorbike for trips like this, but the roads have gotten so bad and the sand traps are incredibly dangerous. The buggies cost about $8000, but we are confident that they will pay for themselves in what they save us in wear and tear on vehicles and our bodies. 

 

World Missions Ministry Partnership

 

             We are very excited about partnering with Lynn and Brenda Raburn in the World Missions Ministry.  I thought it wise to let everyone know that this does not mean we are leaving Kenya to pursue this ministry. We are dedicated to the work in Kenya and excited about all that the Lord is doing on the coast and the regions beyond. God is continuing to add to the team and we are gearing up for future ministry among unreached people groups to the North. 

      We are starting a transition time over the next four or five years where Kenya and I will begin to take on more and more responsibilities from Lynn and Brenda until we are leading the ministry. Kenya and I are doing much in preparation including continuing education. God has and continues to allow us to pour into others from the things he is teaching us on this journey of faith. We are excited to share in this new ministry to help future missionaries be successful. We have benefited from the World Missions Ministry and God has used Lynn and Brenda as well as all the other instructors that participate in the World Missions Seminar to help mold and shape us into missionaries.  

     Honestly, we do not know what this will all look like in four or five years; but we know that until Jesus comes we want to be about the Master’s work.

PO Box 299, Monticello, AR 71657

James Taylor PO Box 811 Malindi, Kenya 80200

Phone 011-254-713289014 missionarytaylor@gmail.com

Taylor Tribe

This month it was nice to take a break from some of the busyness of December and January.  The kids worked very hard on getting as much schoolwork as possible done before spring break.  The trip to the states for the seminar will be their spring break.  They are doing very well in school and seem to be on track for our goal of being self-learners.  Ashley does so well with them.  She lets them pace themselves giving them timelines and goals to use as they work.  My goal when I started homeschooling was to have self disciplined, self-learners by 6^th grade.  Josiah, Abigail, and Lydia are good at working independently.  Sarah and Samuel still have work to do to get there, but we have a few years to keep working at it.  The kids focused really hard on their Destination Imagination project.  While we are in the states the kids will have the opportunity to participate as an exhibition team in the Louisiana DI competition.  They are excited and nervous.  James and I know nothing about the project because no one is allowed to help them.  Ashley is their coach and she is only allowed to give them instructions, rules, and ask provoking questions that might get them to use their imagination to solve potential problems.  We are excited for this first time experience for them. 

            Ever since the kids were small we haven’t really had babysitters for Valentine’s Day while on the field so I have always made it a family affair.  The kids make Valentines in school, then we have a school party, and then in the evening we pass out our Valentines and have a fancy dinner.  Sometimes we all dress up and go to a nicer restaurant in town, or I make dinner and dress the table with formal place settings.  We have always enjoyed it, so this year was no different.  We decided to do a fancy dinner here at the house.  The kids had their school party, we traded Valentines, and had a nice dinner of lasagna, salad, and garlic bread.  Ashley even made us a Valentines Day Love Music playlist.  It was a fun evening. 

            James and I worked really hard doing research and studying for our classes for the World Missions Seminar.  I am super excited about the opportunity to share with other ladies our experience on the field and see how God can use it to help others.  This ministry has been a huge blessing to us through the years.  Nearly everything I know I have learned from Lynn and Brenda Raburn, and Ernie and Cissy Hopper as they have poured into us during our 12 years on the field.  I’m so grateful that they have let God use them to share their experiences.  We have also learned much just by life experience.  I pray that God will speak through us as we make ourselves available to be used in this area of ministry. 

          Thanks for reading and praying.

 

Pre Seminar Time

February 18-March 2

Our entire ground team (except the Straders who are still in Tanzania) headed to the states the third week of February. Ashley came to the States for the birth of her first niece, Clayton and Lindsey to see family and our church, and our family to teach at the World Missions Seminar. We all flew as far as Dallas together then went our separate ways.
     Our family flew on to Little Rock where Ben (our close friend, member or our church, and chariman of our EKM Committee) came to pick us up in the church van. We drove to Monticello to the Holiday INN where the church put us up for the weekend. Our normal place to stay with Mr. Richard and Mrs. Doris Akin was taken by Ryan & Rebecca Copico and company. I guess it was ok since Rebeka is the Akin's Granddaughter and they are building a house... I suppose it would have been awkard to ask them to leave for our sake. : ) We did miss staying with the Akin's but the two rooms at the Holiday Inn were nice and the Akin's came and had breakfast with us our first morning in Monticello. It was a great surprise!

     Lydia and Sarah got to go to D-now as soon as we got to Monticello. It was their first time to get to go to an event like it and they were super excited. We were not sure if they would be up for D-Now with jetlag and all but they were super excited. Everyone that worked at putting the D-now on did amazing. The girls had a great time and it was good to see them making friends.

     We had a great weekend with our church family. The church had a special time of celebration for Clayton and Lindsey in the AM service. Ryan did an interview with Clayton and Lindsey as a part of the worship service which gave the church a chance to hear how they are doing and where they are up to this point. Brother Chad also challenged the church to raise the remaining $10,000 for Clayton and Lindsey's Land Rover funds to send back with them. The church did raise the funds and even a little extra! It was so awesome to see Clayton and Lindsey on the stage together and know all that God has done. They are an amazing couple.

      We were also so surprised to have Ben and Anne Fisher in services as well. They came down to Arkansas for the World Missions Seminar and decided to visit Pauline while they were in. They are seeking the Lord and taking steps to pursue the Lord's call on their lives. Please continue to pray for them as they make preparations.
     In the evening service Brother Chad had Clayton and I give an over all report of where the work is and our future plans. It was a great first Sunday! We love our church, they are so amazing. Our family loved getting to just be in the worship services and be fed.
     While we were in Monticello we also did some shopping for some warmer clothes. Thankfully Stage had a 50% off of the 50% winter clearance and we got an additional 30% off coupon from one of the ladies from church. We bought nearly all the winter clothes we needed for a little bit of money. Our pastor Brother Chad and Mrs. Julie bought everyone winter coats so we were ready when the snow and ice hit later in the week.

     Monday we headed to Little Rock to stay with Mike and Jeanean Wilson. The weather was horrible. It was icy and snowing so we had to take it easy all the way to Little Rock. Thankfully we made it with no problem to Mike and Jeanean's. Mike and Jeanean are always so good to our family and take care of us anytime we are passing through. Jeanean spoils us all and especially the kids! We are always at home with them!

     The kids loved all the snow and ice and spent a lot of time out in it while it lasted. Jeanean managed to get some sleds and snow gear that made the snow fun even better. The kids made a snowman and everything. We did not expect to see snow in Little Rock but we were glad that we did!

     Kenya and I spent the rest of the week working along side Lynn and Brenda to get the final details of the World Missions Seminar put together. We came in a week before the seminar specifically to see how everything is done and assist in anyway we could. Lynn and Brenda really have an amazing team. Jamie, Cheri, Jeanean, Jeff, Walter, Mrs. Mattie, and the entire staff at Faith have the seminar and Pulse down to a science. We jumped in where we could and tried to take it all in. Lynn and Brenda shared with us all the details and where things were. It was good to see the process and flow of things.

     While we were in Little Rock Ms. Sadie came to see us also! She drove up one afternoon all the way from Arkadelphia to have supper with us and visit. We love Sadie and miss having her with us. We enjoyed catching up with her and hearing how things were going for her. 
     At the end of the week we headed back to Monticello for the weekend to be with our church. Brother Chad asked me to preach both services and there was an afternoon Fish Fry Fellowship in our honor. The service was awesome and the fellowship dinner was amazing. During the Fish Fry Fellowship Brother Chad had me share a little then we had special prayer for the churches, all the EKM missionaries, the unreached people groups we are focusing on, and our family. It was a sweet time of prayer as each table of Pauliners was praying for a specific area of the ministry. We were blessed above measure. Our cup was overflowing when we left the church on Sunday!
    

Administrative Necessities

January 23-February 17


       It has been three weeks since the last update. Once the last of our guests left we tried to catch our breath a little and even get caught up on some office work. December and January were awesome ministry months full of activity and being in the field. The result is a lot of administrative work, things to repair around the house, maintenance on the vehicles, and a little rest also.
     I have spent most of the past three weeks in the office working on updates and preparing for the five classes and three sermons that I have for the World Missions Seminar. Kenya and I are super excited to be partnering with Lynn and Brenda Raburn and helping the new missionaries that are preparing for the field. We are looking forward to teaching, being taught, and the fellowship with all the missionaries.

     We also have had some vehicle issues to work out. Thankfully the Motor Bike was running fine. (Clayton is Crazy!)The A/C went out on the van and we had to take the Land Rover in because it was blowing oil everywhere. The initial diagnosis of the Land Rover was that the brand new Turbo Charger we just put in six months ago was shot. That would have been bad news since it is a $1000 part. Thankfully the shop sent it off to be tested by the supplier and they said that the Turbo is fine so the issue is something else. The shop is going to open the engine and see what is going on. They are the ones that rebuilt the engine so they will stand behind the rebuild. We also had to replace the fuel pump. I feel like Land Rove is a money pit but it will have to due until we get to the states on furlough in August so we can share the need with the churches.

     On a side note to the vehicles, Clayton and I went and tested a buggy out the other day that we are considering purchasing for our trips to town and out to Singuaya. The off road buggy's are 2013 models, street leagal, and will do 100 KPH. We went and test drove one and it was amazing. The suspension is crazy awesome. The British fella selling them took us out for a spin and ran us over some terrible roads at insane speeds and the little buggy road smoothly. We are considering purchasing one to save on the wear and tear of the vehicles for quick trips out. We used to use the Motor bike for trips like this but the roads have gotten so bad not to mention the sand traps that are incredibly dangerous. The buggy's coast about $8000 so they are no toy but we are confident that they will pay for themselves in what they save us in wear and tear on vehicles and our bodies.

     We had several household things that we had to do also after all the rush. Replacing shower heads, cleaning up, and making some improvements. After having so many on the compound at one time along with our families it became apparent that one washer was just not enough so we purchased another washer. This will be extremely helpful when teams are here not to mention our growing team. We also installed a 2000 liter tank to help alleviate our water issues in the future. This gives us four times more water on hand and should allow us to function normally even if the water is out for three days at a time and this year that has been a regular occurrence.We tried to do some work on the roof with our other water tanks also, as you can see it was real safe...
     We got some documentation sent off for John's work permit and for Lindsy's dependent's pass. Pray for these documents to go through without any problems. The government is getting a little more strict with permits and their requirements.

     We took one weekend and went to Mombasa to fellowship with some other missionary families. Josh and Maggie Grist have started a Taco lunch and are inviting missionaries to come in to fellowship. We went in and spent the weekend and had a great time. The kids were able to play with other missionary kids and we all had a good time just relaxing. With our kids we are recognizing more and more that they need fellowship opportunities like this from time to time as they are getting older.
     Please pray for the churches and the pastors. There are several things that need to be addressed after we return from the states. Lynn and Brenda Raburn will be with us the months of April and May. I know Lynn will be a big help with some of the things we need to help the churches and pastors with. Pray also for us as we start making trips to the North surveying and making preparations to launch out next year. Our family would appreciate your prayers while we are in the States for the World Missions Seminar. Pray that we will be a blessing and be used by the Lord to help and encourage the missionaries that will be attending.
     Oh I can't forget to mention our Valentines banquet with the kids!

January 2015 Monthly Report

January 2015

 

Ministry in a Ministry

         The past two months we spent a lot of time on the ministry within the ministry while doing the ministry. What I mean is that we have spent much time in working with and helping all our team members get situated. (PRAISE THE LORD!) The Howells came in from language school the end of November; then the Straders arrived right after.  They all had need of orientation to Malindi and where to buy what, as well as getting phones set up, PO boxes, government documents in process or checking on the progress of paper work. We set up language class schedules and ministry schedules for the past two months all the while continuing to meet with the churches on the weekends.

         We took the month of December as we reported last month and visited all the churches. This helped everyone to meet the churches and get the chance to be with all the people we are currently working with. We have had multiple meetings talking about finances, language, culture, short-term goals, long term goals, vision, team, and being missionaries. It has been awesome but again it has been a ministry in the ministry while doing the ministry.

Wageni Wengi

(Many Visitors)

We finished up the Eyes on Christ clinics the first week of the month with Julie Shoeff and Tami Jo Rayle. As we reported last month it was a complete success. We are so grateful for the Eyes on Christ ministry and would highly recommend them to other missionaries and for support by the churches. eyesonchrist@lbclife.com

            Immediately following the Eyes on Christ departure we moved right into the Fisher Family survey trip. Ben, Anne, Noah, Annabelle, and Rianne are members of Life Point BC Washington, PA. We have been talking with the Fishers since Anne came on the 516 missions trip this past summer. God is moving in their hearts, and they are seeking His calling for them as a family. They came to Kenya as a family this month feeling that God could be calling them to join East Kenya Missions and the work God is doing here. We had a great time with the Fishers during their survey trip and while they were part of the Eyes on Christ Team. 

 

The survey trip went very well, I think that Ben and Anne were able to get answers to a lot of the questions that they had as well as get a picture of the vision for the work here. Clayton, John, and I had several meetings together with Ben and Anne talking over different aspects of the ministry and things they might consider if God is indeed calling them to work with us. Please pray for Ben and Anne, their church, Life Point BC, and pastor Aaron Johnson as they seek God’s will.

         Our last visitor was our long time friend Greg Simo. This was not his first time to Kenya or even the coast. However, this was his first time to come for his ministry Tech Fundi. Greg has sent over some equipment already and brought some equipment this trip to help pastors set up businesses to support their families. The Lord has blessed him with contacts that have donated old laptops and projectors that he has turned into blessings and avenues to preach the gospel.  I appreciate Greg letting the Lord use him and trusting Him to supply. God made Greg’s trip possible in every way and blessed his obedience. I know those Greg worked with and blessed will use the opportunity for God’s glory. 

Language School Tanzania

            We were sorry to see the Straders leave this month, but we are glad to see them taking the next step in their journey. Clayton and I traveled with John, Amber, and Ellanora to Morogoro, Tanzania to help them get set up at their language school. Pray for them as they study over the next four months.

PO Box 299 Monticello, AR 71657

James Taylor PO Box 811 Malindi, Kenya 80200

Phone 011-254-713289014 missionarytaylor@gmail.com

 

Taylor Tribe

 

This month was busy for sure, but God has definitely been working.  We always try hard to let our kids know that they can be part of the ministry that we do anytime or in any way they feel God wants them to.  One thing that has been very helpful for them to engage is Swahili classes.  When our kids were small we didn't speak Swahili to them for fear that they would be confused and never even learn to speak English.  We now know that we were wrong.  Kids have an amazing ability to learn many languages up to the age of 4 or 5 without even being taught in a classroom setting.  Once we moved to the coast we started Swahili classes with the kids.  So now the older ones are fluent and the younger ones are getting there.  Josiah has no problems speaking, reading, and translating Swahili; he loves to talk.  Abigail, however, has never been confident in speaking Swahili.  She is fluent in her understanding of Swahili, but she doesn't like being laughed at when she speaks and makes a mistake.  So she has always held back.  This year, though, she has gained confidence in many areas including Swahili.  She translated some this summer with the 516 groups.  This month she translated for Ms. Tami Jo and really enjoyed it.  I started out translating, then she began to help at the end of the first day.  On the second day she said, "It's okay Mama, I got it from here."  Abigail is growing and changing so much.  I know these next couple of years she is going to blossom into a great young lady, which she already has.  Lydia, Sarah, and Samuel are quickly becoming fluent as well.  Not too long ago a man was teasing Samuel as we were taking a walk and Samuel said something to him in Swahili.  I didn’t know one of the words.  When I asked Samuel about it, he said he called him an avocado.  He had learned the word for avocado, which is not a commonly used Swahili word, they just say avocado.  He is quite a firecracker even in Swahili.

        We also had a first this month.  The Fishers’ youngest child is 6 like Samuel.  She and Samuel were like two peas in a pod while they were here. When we were in the villages, I don’t know who got dirtier. They were for sure perfect test models for laundry detergents claiming to fight tough stains.  One day one of the kids came to tattle on Samuel for kissing Rianne on the cheek.  I quickly went to find out what was going on, fully intending to let Samuel know that he should save all of his kisses for his future wife.  I told him to go sit under a tree, and I would talk to him.  When I began to ask him about it, I had to hold back my smile because upon further interrogation, he said with the sweetest heart, "Well she's just so much fun to play with and I like her except right now she's not being very nice."  It was the cutest thing.  And they were quite a pair, playing happily one minute, and then next you could see Rianne giving him a piece of her mind while Samuel sat there digging in piles of dirt most likely tuning her out.  We had a very nice talk about other ways to let Rianne know how much he likes playing with her. Samuel is very rough and tough, yet somewhere in there is a real sweetheart.

        The biggest, probably happiest news, well for Josiah at least, is that he got his braces off this month.  He is a very happy young man with a beautiful smile.

God has blessed us with some sweet kids.  I pray that He will keep their hearts pure and sensitive towards all that He has for them.

Thanks for reading and praying.