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.

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.
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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.