Tuesday 30 September 2014

All clear

Today, I finally received the all clear from my doctor here in Nairobi.

It is such a relief to put all that behind me. God carried me through it all.

Today was a busy one. I started early this morning leading the devotions at Elyon High School at Dagoretti Corner for the entire students and staff.  What an honour it is have them keep asking me back to share a from God's Word.

The rest of the day soon filled with sorting IT issues for CCP, investigating some new ideas to help the CCP office in the future and of course travelling to visit to the doctor.
Thanks to Pastor William Erik a from Dagoretti Corner for the provision of car. May God continue to bless you as you serve Him.

All in all, a great day. Thank you Lord.

God is good!

Saturday 27 September 2014

The desires of your heart

Psalm 37:4 NIV
[4] Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

This Bible verse appeared on my phone today and it reminded me how many people I know who misunderstand this wonderful verse and abuse its intention.

It is not saying that if we delight in God then he will grant our selfish wants. Yes, God does promise to provide for our needs but this verse in not even speaking of that characteristic of God.

It is saying if we surrender to God and delight in what He delights in, then He will change us and our desires will conform to His Will.

In the context of the rest of this Psalm we can see that it was written by someone who has learnt throughout life to trust and totally depend upon God; to delight in God's ways and wait for Him to show blessing.

If you are game, ask God to fill your heart with His desires and then watch the transformation in your life.

We serve a mighty, mighty God!

Settling back down

WOW!
What a start to this trip. During my time in hospital I learnt so much about myself and trusting God completely.
Since leaving hospital on Wednesday I have tried to settle back down into what I came here to do. I have spent the last two days (albeit shorter days) in the CCP office fixing a few IT issues and preparing for the staff training sessions that I will be commencing next week. With the down time during my illness it means I will need to spend a fair bit of time this weekend getting up to speed ready to conduct the training sessions - presentations, assignments & exams to compile.

I still need to visit the hospital on Sunday for a follow up blood test and then a doctor's appointment on Monday. Please pray for continued healing and health.

Oh, and I still have no word on my lost luggage.

Have the events of this past week weakened my desire to be here?
No! I do truly believe this is the time and place that I am meant to be.

This is the scripture that keeps resounding in my head........
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV
[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. [8] We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; [9] persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Monday 22 September 2014

Getting on

It should never be a surprise that the plans we think we have turn out not to be what actually happens. Only God knows the full picture. My journey to Kenya on this trip have been one of those times. Originally following one plan, details changed along the way but never the clear call that the coming and timing was right.

Spending a week or so in a Nairobi hospital was never in my plans but God has used even this time to strengthen and prepare me and to solidify the relationships I have with new and old friends, colleagues and partners in the Gospel here in Kenya.

As I write this, I am still in Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi and maybe for a few more days while the doctors ensure that I am 100% recovered before discharging me. I praise God for the diligence of the staff here. It is no coincidence that I am in this place for I know that He cares for me.

Once I am released, I will return to the work I was sent here to do. I do not claim to have the answers. I am not here to solve problems on my own. I am here offering my God given talents and skills to assist where ever I am needed, always guided by my local partners.

My main involvement on this trip is with Chosen Children of Promise http://ccpkenya.org. I am working with the admin team (specifically with IT), training teachers to work with the new Kenyan IT curriculum and I have now also been asked to support the spiritual aspects of the ministry through a mentoring role.

As time permits, I have also again been asked to continue my ongoing ministry relationship with Elyon High School at Dagoretti Corner and particularly when possible to be involved in their morning devotions. This is one of many relationships that has grown over the last 6 years of travelling to Kenya, one that I am keen to continue nuturing.

I have been overwhelmed by the level of support (prayer and financial) that I am receiving from so many people, here in Kenya, from home in Australia but also from many other places around the world. God is truly at work!

Please continue to pray for my full recovery and for the ongoing ministry here and may it all be to God's glory and honour!

His jar of clay, declaring His glory,
Rob




Saturday 20 September 2014

All for a purpose

I cannot deny that this week has been extremely hard but I am learning total dependence on God.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10,15 NIV
[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. [8] We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; [9] persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. [10] We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. [15] All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

My health is now improving and I am hoping to be released from hospital within a few days. Even during these times of struggle I have so clearly seen the hand of God at work in and through me. He alone has guided my steps. He has raised an army of prayer supporters from around the world for His work through me here in Kenya. I give Him the honour, glory and praise. He alone is worthy of it all.

Thank you all for following my journey, for your prayers and support.

Friday 19 September 2014

Current state of affairs

With all that happening currently in my life, I thought I would simply post this to describe my current state of affairs and frame of mind.

A new depth

There is a local saying here....
God is good, all the time (to which people reply) All the time, God is good and that is His nature.



God is so good. Obey Him & trust in Him. He NEVER fails.
God said come to Kenya, so I came in obedience. Now I am learning a new depth of trusting Him
I am truly blessed!

Sunday 14 September 2014

A very pointed message

On Sunday I attended a local Kenyan church. One that I have been to a number of times during trips here. As always, it was extremely welcoming and vibrant. But the thing that really hit me was the message. At first it seemed a strange Scripture to be preaching on -  Proverbs 6:6-11 but then I remembered 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
[16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The main point the preacher raised was that like the ant we all need to do our bit in the church family, not leaving it to a few people. My choice of passages for that point would have been Paul's description of the Church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12. But God used this preacher and passage to clearly speak to the hearts of people, including mine. They also stressed that trying to do it alone is not in God's plans.

To say that I was convicted would be an understatement. My greatest fault has always been pride; my "I can do it myself attitude". Even my name, Robert means "bright fame", "bright with glory" or "proud".

I knew that this trip was going to be a time of learning; a time when God was going to continue to shape & remould me. I committed to this trip in obedience to God truly believing that it is His plan for me to be here in Kenya right now. Due to my lost luggage and my current illness, my budget for this trip has been totally blown out of the water. Yes, travel insurance will cover my medical bills and my luggage if it is declared lost. They are currently calling it delayed! But I am paying these extra expenses from my food and accommodation budget. I cannot even lodge the insurance claims until each event is resolved.

So, it is time for me to swallow my pride and admit that I cannot do it myself. I am therefore asking my Christian family to pray, asking God if they should join me in this ministry time in Kenya. I am not asking you to come to Kenya but rather to consider helping to support me financially. Those who know me well will know that this is a huge step for me. I am trusting that God will provide. Maybe it will be through your support. Do not make a decision lightly. Pray hard for God's leading.

Proverbs 3:5-8 NIV
[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. [8] This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.


If you are in Australia and you want to help financially, please email me or private message me on Facebook for bank details.
If you are not in Australia or you want to use Credit Card/PayPal, use the button below.




Trust God with me.
Rob

A Taste of Local Reality

I have always said that trusting God in our western world was easy since we have so many safety nets. Here, it requires a lot more faith.

My budget for this trip was always going to be tight. However, truly believing God has me here at this time for His purpose, I came in faith that He will provide. With my luggage still missing, I have needed to buy a few clothes & personal items. Local reality struck when I started thinking in terms of the cost of my daily food. Those few items have cost me two weeks of meals. I had already only budgeted for two meals a day. On top of that, my luggage contained my daily medication; enough for the whole trip. Now buying that here will cost me three days of food for every two weeks of tablets.

I have never had my faith stretched so far! But this is the reality for many locals here. They must daily trust God for their next meal.

On the up side, my initial meetings to discuss and prepare for what I am here to do have only strengthened my belief that this where God wants me, here & now.

An old song rattles through my head........

Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, His Grace is sufficient for me, for me, for me.
Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, His Grace is sufficient for me, for me, for me.
My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory.
He gives His angels charge over me.
Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me.
Jehovah Jireh cares for me.

Please pray that my faith will be strengthened and that I will truly trust in God, my Provider.

Friday 12 September 2014

What am I doing here this time.

Here's a very brief summation of what I am doing this time - my 7th time in Kenya.
I am helping CCP with ICT implementation.

CCP is Chosen Children of Promise http://ccpkenya.org - a wonderful organisation working with orphaned and abandoned children in the Kawangware and N'gando slums areas of Nairobi.
Information, Communication & Technology (ICT) has been added as a subject in the schools here. Earlier this year CCP added a school to their long list of ministries and my task is to bring the teachers at CCP Academy up to speed so that they can teach this subject effectively.


The first few days.

This trip is full of mixed emotions. The first few days have been a time of adjustment.
I do miss my wife and especially our afternoon sharing of the days events. Sure, we can Skype but it is not the same as being together.
While it has only been about 7 months since I was last here, in many ways it seems so long ago. It takes time to adjust to the different pace of life and being the fish in the bowl. In the area where I am staying and spending most of my time here there are not many muzungu (white people) so there is always the feeling that you are being watched. There is a shopping mall near my accommodation that is frequented my muzungu so I can retreat there sometimes to feel a little less conspicuous.

I arrived here on Tuesday afternoon but as yet (Friday morning) there is no sign of my luggage. I do get a phone call from the airline daily informing me that it was not on today's flight...... Maybe tomorrow.

Yesterday I spent my first day in the CCP office after reviewing curriculum documents over the last few days, it was time to draft up a training schedule for the CCP Academy teachers. That is one of my main task for this trip, to prepare the teachers ready to deliver the ICT curriculum.

This morning I have been invited to join (read speak at) the morning devotions at Elyon High School. After that I will catch a matatu to the CCP office for continue preparations.

For those of you who saw my video of the multi bed room that was waiting for me on Tuesday, I have now moved to a small room.

Until next time........

Rob

Monday 8 September 2014

The long haul begins!


I am sitting at Sydney airport waiting to board the first flight - Sydney to Melbourne. I will then change planes and fly to Abu Dhabi and then change again for the flight to Nairobi. All up from take off in Sydney until touchdown in Nairobi it will be about 33 hours.
Thanks to all the friends and family who have said that they will be praying for me and also praying for Linda as I leave her at home while I am in Kenya for the next 3 months.

Trusting in God's provision for everything!