'Go' with One Mind and Voice - Kenya Trip Itinerary

Jambo!

Several of you have promised us as Kenya team members that you will be praying diligently for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Likewise, several have requested the opportunity to pray speficically for us daily. With that treasured request in mind, I'm sharing with you our daily itinerary. Please pray that the spirit of our mission passage - Romans 15:5-6 - would permeate every aspect of our journey for God's glory!

Tuesday, July 19 - Depart US to Kenya

Wednesday, July 20 - Arrive in Nairobi

Thursday, July 21 - Supply shopping in Nairobi, Drive to Kakamega, Visit Rift Valley, Lunch in Nakuru, Dinner at Gold Hotel (Kakamega)

Friday, July 22 - Shisasari school visit & introductions, Kakamega Rain Forest, Crying Stone

Saturday, July 23 - House-to-House visits, Evangelism

Sunday, July 24 - Church in Shisasari, Evangelism

Monday, July 25 - Thursday, July 28 - Medical outreach, Spring protection project, House-to-House, Vacation Bible School, Evangelism Crusade (nightly)

Friday, July 29 - Visit Kisumu, Spring protection project, Pastor's Meeting, Drama rehearsal, Evangelism crusade

Saturday, July 30 - Orphans Party (big meal, distribution of dresses, shorts, & Bibles), Drama presentation

Sunday, July 31 - Church in Shisasari, Baptism service (river), Evangelism crusade

Monday, August 1 - Lake Nakuru, Travel to Nairobi, Dinner at Carnivore Restaurant

Tuesday, August 2 - Souvenir shopping in Nairobi, Depart for the US

Wednesday, August 3 - Arrive in San Francisco

Thank you to all of you from Florida to California who sewed dresses and shorts for orphans, sent generous donations, shared words of encouragement, prayed, and donated your time and resources to this worthy cause to help the 'least of these'. We're taking each of you to Africa in our hearts.


Mungu Awabariki! (God Bless You)

Pastor's Perspective - Getting What She Deserved

She’s not getting what she deserves!

I’ve heard that animated sentiment a lot the last few days regarding the ‘not guilty’ verdict handed down to Casey Anthony. If you’re one of three people in America unfamiliar with her case, she is a young Florida mother accused of taking her young daughter’s life in 2008. Through a lot of circumstantial evidence and unusual behavior on Casey’s part after the child went missing, we all thought her guilt was a slam-dunk. However, the judicial system ran its course and twelve jurors acquitted her of the severest charges against her. Casey Anthony will be released within the next couple of weeks.

Personally, as a current events junkie, I was shocked by the verdict. I had been following the trial diligently and truly believed that the prosecution had a strong case. Since I’ve never met anyone connected to the case, all I really know is what I’ve seen and read. Like most of you, I believe that she was directly involved in what happened to her daughter. Therefore, the thought that someone blessed and entrusted to love and protect an innocent child, harmed that child and somehow got away with it is simply unsettling. As a Christian, in times like this, I can rest in and trust a more accurate and thorough judicial process is at work. Absolutely nothing escapes God.

Justice and the desire for it are qualities we share with our Creator. Without ever being taught to appreciate justice, we all have an innate desire to promote it, police it and protect it. Therefore, when someone appears to elude it, we frenzy. In other words, it is angering and scandalous for the clearly guilty to be declared ‘not guilty’.

Grace is scandalous.

The cross is scandalous.

Though the name Casey Anthony will always spark a visceral debate regarding her possible or probable guilt, there is one thing proven beyond a shadow of a doubt - I’m guilty!

I’m a murderer.

Jesus said to be maliciously angry with a brother is to invite divine judgment (Matthew 5:22)

I’m an adulterer.

Jesus said to look at a woman lustfully is to commit adultery with her in my heart (Matthew 5:28).

I’ve stolen, lied, and broken the lion’s share of God’s clearly identified commandments.

Simply put, I’m not sure if Casey is guilty or not, but I know I am.

Yet, in and through God’s grace offered to all of us through the completed redemptive work of Christ’s crucifixion, I’ve been declared ‘Not Guilty’; not by my good works but by His!

“Casey is not getting what she deserves.”

Maybe not.

Scandalously, I didn’t get what I deserved.

That, dear friends, is the beauty of the gospel.