often times the seemingly mundane can provide a great deal of insight

1.27.2007

In Kenya... I am.



Jambo!


I didn't think I would be able to update this site until returning from Kenya, but through a rather strange series of events, I have been given the blessing of haviing this opportunity to do a little something. I am safe and in good health, very optimistic about this time of ministry, and extremely impressed by how friendly so many of the Kenyans are. We have had the opportunity to spend some time with students from the Kenya, Athi River Discipleship Training School. Very great people. They will be heading over to Uganda this Sunday as part of their outreach. It will be sad to see them go, as many of us have already established strong connections with them over this short amount of time. God is moving in the youth of Kenya, and I am excited to see what will come from this generation. Our schedule will become more solid within the next few days, and there are many different opportunities here. Thank you all for your love and support. I am excited to see how God will move during this time. Amani na upendo. (peace and love - swahili )


-=Andreu=- (swahili-ish)

1.22.2007

Next entry will be from Kenya...

Dear Loved Ones,

I know I just updated the site, but I wanted to be able to write one last time before I left. So here I am, writing. As I explained in my last blog, we have a number of possibilities for a variety of different ministries that we may be able to help. The base we are staying at will be quite rugged and challenging for most of the team. The first few days we will be sleeping in tents outside the base because it will be full do to the conference they are having. After those few days we will be able to stay inside the base, which will be a nice change... although I really like camping. The base has no running water, so we will be using the outdoor latrine to do our business and we will be taking bucket showers to clean off. The base has no electricity, so it has to run a generator for three hours every night. Internet? Don't expect updates as often as I have been giving them, this has been an amazing blessing to have internet access the way I have. Updates might require a 45 min. bus ride into town, I'll do what I can though. We were prayed over by the base today, and I was given a word: to "always have my sword ready". So, I will be ready and try to be prepared for some spiritual warfare in Kenya. I am still praying as well about post-Africa plans. It is very likely that my return to Minnesota will be postponed. As soon as I know details, I will update the site. Please be praying for guidance in that area. Thank you all for your support, please keep praying for us as we head into some difficult areas. This is not a game. Peace and love.


-=Andrew=-

1.19.2007

Kenya... almost time.



Dear Loved Ones,




Since returning from Limon, we have been helping out a local ministry known as La Roca or "The Rock". We taught a Vacation Bible School and also helped out with some construction projects around the community. We will leave Costa Rica at 8:30am January 23rd, fly to Miami, then London and finally... arrive in Nairobi Kenya at 9:20pm on the 24th. For the first few days, we will be serving at an East African conference that the YWAM base is hosting. We are going to have the opportunity to serve over 80 pastors and missionaries from all over East Africa. Then, our days will be filled with ministering in local hospitals, AIDS homes, orphanages, schools, rural villages, on the streets, and whatever else God has for us. We will return to Costa Rica on February 22nd. After Africa is still somewhat unclear, and I am hesitant to write out plans until I know for sure what I will be doing. Please continue to be praying for guidance in that area. Once again, thank you all for your prayers and support and please continue to intercede on our behalf. Peace and Love.




-=Andrew=-

1.10.2007

We were greeted with muddy cheeks...




When our big white JuCUM bus rolled into town and one of the local boys on the soccer field, covered from head to toe in mud, greeted us with a muddy moon, I knew this was going to be an interesting time of ministry. Our group made it back safely from Limon2000, a very rough area in Costa Rica. We spent the majority of our time working with a new church in the area and helping out with several church services for youth and adults, and spending time with the children of the community... all of the children... so many children. Although it was a more dangerous area, we were kept safe during our entire time there. Praise God. In talking with some of the guys in the area, I found out about the rise in violence of the area, and the high crime rate. I was told stories of how rival gangs have been killing one another recently, and the hopelessness that is felt in this place. Another problem in the area is the division between churches. there are about 6 within the area, all a couple blocks away from each other, but the churches are afraid to go out into the streets and it appears they are reluctant to unite in order to make a difference. This was a broken community, and a very tough area. We spent almost our entire time there with the kids, not always by our choice. they were always around, from when we woke up to when we went back to sleep. many of them had problems with discipline and authority. They were all very needy for attention and would do what they could to get it, positively or negatively, they just wanted attention. The community does not have a place where the kids can go and better themselves. There is not discipleship, or a youth program where the kids can spend their time. For this reason they search for things to do, many times those things are the things they should not be doing. The fotos are from a game of mud-ball that we played, it started out as just soccer until someone... got the idea to pick up the ball and slide headfirst through the mud and into the goal, then the game just turned crazy, mud everywhere and on everyone. it was amazing. We were able to impact the lives of these kids, if only for a short time, and keep them out of trouble and off the streets. We spent a lot of time with the kids and had several children ministry services allowing us to teach them different biblical truths through dramas and lessons. That was a very difficult area to be in, but we are now back in Heredia and continuing in ministry until we leave for Africa on the 23rd. I will keep updating this site as the ministry continues. Thank you all for your prayer and support. Blessings and Peace.
-=Andrew=-