MISSIONARIES

The children at the Lemoru orphanage are beautiful. They rarely see white people so they are fascinated with us. They love to sing. When they sing they do so with their whole body and their souls light up ... you can see it. They don't know that they are orphans ... I guess no one has told them that they are living in sub-standard conditions and that most of what they have to live with would cause the average American kid to say, "Ew, disgusting." OR "I'm not going to wear THAT." But someone forgot to tell these kids ... they think they are rich.

I'm sitting at a little internet cafe in El Doret, Kenya. El Doret is the small town about an hour away from the orphanage. When I walked in a little girl (3 or 4 yeas old) walked up to me, held my hand, and couldn't stop giggling. She giggled with her whole heart. You would think she had just seen Santa Claus. I felt a little like Santa Claus when her mother apologized and explained that her little girl had never seen a white person before. I didn't even know I was white!

I don't know when I'll get to write again. Just know that we are busy, busy, busy doing as much as we can in the little time we have here. James, one of the Kenyan board of directors for the home tells me that white people rarely come to this part of Kenya. They stay around the big cities. So the people are extremely open and fascinated with anything we have to say. I asked him, "What are your biggest needs at the home and in the community." He said, "Construcion, agriculture, medical, and educational." They have two elementary schoools (one right next to the orphanage) with 600 children in each school, and their teachers are not trained. They would love for educators to come and do training with their teachers. We have set up an impromptu training with some of the educators who came on this trip. They really are not prepared but they are doing it anyway. I'm so proud of our missionaries.

A big part of our understanding of what it means to BECOME is that EVERY MEMBER of our church IS A MISSIONARY. We have an incrdible group of missionaries on this trip. They have taught, carried, run, walked, talked, hugged, held, radiated God's love, packed, hauled, fed, and worked like champions. Your prayers are giving them the strength to do it.

God is using every little gift they have. You would be amazed at how God will use the things you never dreamed of. What is it that you do? What are you good at? I now believe that whatever it is (and I really mean WHATEVER it is) God can use it in Kenya to make a difference. I've seen him do it this week. He is using every one of us ... from little Andrew (2 yrs. old) to each adult ... God is taking our weaknesses and our frail gifts and turning them into something absolutely beautiful. It is a pleasure to watch. These missionaries have given everything the last few days. I am so proud to be their pastor ... and yours ...

blessings,

pastor ellis

Comments

[FLOR COX]

looking forward to this blog each day to see Africa through all of you,
we continue praying for all and hope and wish we were there it sounds so beautiful and so exciting to be able to see how God's wonders work, people who know so little yet love God so much and here we are with all the knowledge that we need and there are still some that do not belive.

praying for all ,

flor cox

[Chelan Williams]

Technology is just wonderful! - Thank for taking the time out of your busy schedule to journal & send photos. I am sitting here at my desk at McAllen Medical taking a lunch break.
Wayne & I have & will continue to pray for you.
Love in Christ Jesus, Chelan

[Bonnie Miller]

Remembering everyone, enjoying all the pictures and posts.

[Warren Reed]

Awesome Blog, Ellis. Tell Krista that I love her and miss her terribly!!!!

[Palmira Carrier]

Pastor Ellis,

We sure miss everyone, and we are praying for you and everyone else.
I wish I could of been there helping out with the kids and all. I know I missed out!
I wanted to share this scripture with you.
1Timothy 3:13
Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Remembering you (and all) in our prayers.
In Christ,
Palmira

[Neil Etter]

Ellis, Pastor,

Thanks for your insight to the way another part of the world lives. We need that insight and perspective.

There are so many things (materially) we take for granted. Running water, electricity, our computer will turn on to the right home page, etc.

Most of these things serve as distractions to who we are, what we believe, what we do, how to live our lives.

Your gift of description has helped me (and I hope those who read it) put expectations of lifestyle in proper perspective. My prayer is that we continue to seek spiritual action, not material comfort.

your friend and fellow brother in Christ,

Neil Etter

[Bonnie Miller]

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will walk and not be weary, they will run and not faint...."...May God take care of you all...."in every way - thru every day!" Hugs, B

[Matt Hebbard]

We are truly blessed to call you pastor. Thanks for sharing your heart and vision with us. We are all with you and the team. May God continue to bless you all as you follow the Spirit and meet the need of the moment. You all remind us that this is the way we need to live back here in the Valley!