What a few weeks we’ve had…  they are going much too fast!

I had a chance to sneak away to the mountains with a dear friend.  Stopped and spent a little time with my very special Aunt & Uncle and cousin! The weather was crisp, the leaves were colorful and the time was refreshing. OH I am blessed. Sometimes I find myself catching my breath as God graciously unfolds His Love upon me!

Our Missions Class is wrapping up.  WOW – that has been a huge blessing, both in confirming and in teaching & equipping us.  I must say tho – the most impacting thing I have taken away from this class is this…  CHRISTIANS…. we are all missionaries and ought to keep that mindset in our daily pressing on!

We had an amazing bunch of friends come last weekend and work all day to help us knock a slew of projects off the daunting list.  I will confess it was hard to accept all the gracious gifts of time and effort and resources – very humbling and very overwhelming to receive such love.

I had my last official act as Women’s Leader.  I am so excited for what God has in store for the women of CCPH.  I know God is raising up, filling up and pouring out upon the precious, wonderful, loving women of this fellowship.  I pray much that God will continue to show Himself, to reveal Himself, to draw unto Himself, and to be glorified and lifted up in the ministry and lives in this little church.  I will miss my sisters so very very much!

This weekend was packed!  Started off with sweet early morning prayer with the ladies.  Then we headed to Johnny’s last baseball game.  But first we had Saturday morning breakfast at the park across the street!!!  That was wonderful and the weather was perfect.

Yesterday the whole brood headed out to the park after church and a quick lunch.  Just a few family pics…  I am sure we were a challenge but we sure had fun on this side of the camera…

Last night was one of the loveliest wedding showers I have ever attended.  It was small, intimate and just beautiful. A young woman I have watched grow from a little girl is getting married mid January. She has been a good friend to my daughter and her family has been close friends for many many years.  As one of the hostesses shared scripture and encouragement – my heart swelled.  We had opportunity to pray for Amy and while I am so disappointed I will not be here – I am filled with excitement for this wonderful celebration.  I am praying for my friends as they give the hand… and heart… of their little girl, and I am praying for that little girl as she walks down that aisle – a woman of grace and beauty.

We still have lots to do, lots to gather, lots of things to tend to…  but we are working on it and pressing on.  Still not real sure beyond stepping on the plane – but I am trusting the ONE Who knows it well and put it together long before.

We are still praying for regular supporters as well as those to help get the work moving.  If you feel led to be a part of this work…  a part of the outreach in Kenya…  please join us.  We know the Lord will bring many together to accomplish this plan of His — what amazes me — what astounds me in His allowing us to be a part — is the very fact He doesn’t need a single one of us!  OH PRAISE HIM!!!

IF you want to financially support this ministry – you can currently give online through    http://www.ccpalmharbor.org/apps/donations/   BE SURE TO MARK IT MISSIONS!

So conversations are including more and more…  discussion of plans.  Vacations, arrivals of babies, business ventures, birthdays, ministry plans…  and the thing is….  they now go beyond January 3rd.  <<DEEP DEEP BREATH>>

I’ve been reading in Acts and the many times that God gives direction with just the first step or two.  I see how when those directions were obeyed – God did amazing and powerful things.  I see entire nations and peoples changed by the initial obedience of one man.  I don’t know what God is planning entirely, I really don’t know His plan much beyond getting on that plane – but He seems to be reminding me with every turn — He has a plan, He is in control and that He is faithful!

We have been so blessed by our Missions Class.  We have learned an awful lot and have been encouraged to see that God has already led us in the very steps that are recommended.

Our care team is forming.  The website is being worked on.  We will be purchasing tickets this week.  We are packing up and working on the house.  We are thinking of the things we need to take with us, and that which we will get there.  We are crossing things off the once long and daunting “to do” list.

God is lining up our PRAYER SUPPORT.  That is exciting to watch. As people commit to pray for us, I find myself filled with anticipation.  Especially as I read through Acts and see all that our Lord did with and through men and women who were simply available.  Our Home Fellowship is in Ephesians right now, I see that the very power that raised Jesus from the dead – is at work in me!  In Esther on Wednesday nights, we see God used a young Jewish woman’s circumstance and her obedience to save a nation. In Matthew on Sunday mornings, and as my son taught this weekend, I was reminded “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

I see all these reminders of GOD’s faithfulness and I find that in my deep breaths, that God is pulling me in closer and that I am growing more and more excited to see what HE has planned!

The countdown continues….

Randy and I along with – Jorge, Jacob, Derrick, Andrew & Chase…

An extra blessing….

Randy & I have been blessed through the years by the other children God has passed through our home, sat at our dinner table, joined in the SAULGOOD conversations….

Even as our own kids have grown and moved on to have their own dinner tables… God continues to give us young people that touch our hearts with their sweet love.  Over a year ago we met a young man who’s parents actually came by the church to check us out as their son was moving to Clearwater, had been signed on with Toronto Blue Jays (SPORTS-an INSTANT SaulGood connection) and they were do just what I would have done – look for and praying for “family” connections.

OH what a blessing Jacob has been, he and his buddies.  We’ve had feta burger days, lasagna nites, fish bowl competitions, music class…  they’ve been a part of our worship and fellowship at church, they have blessed us much.

Well, in their position – they are always aware they can be moved or reassigned at any time.  Last night that happen to Derrick.  Derrick is a young man who recently really gave his life to Jesus.  He has grown much this year as the baseball guys along with Andrew from CCPH discipled and encouraged him.  He’s been Jacob’s roommate and he has a smile that makes you smile yourself.

Last night – we got a call around 10:00 that Derrick was being sent home to rehab an injury….  TODAY!  One thing he had wanted to do but has been delayed because of his injury – was to be baptized.  Soooo…  the first thing he did when he got the news was call Andrew (the Worship leader at CCPH that lives with us) to come and do the honors).  Randy, Kasi and I jump at the chance and followed.

May I just say that God’s blessings pour and pour and pour…  please join me in praying for Derrick as he returns home to Iowa a CHANGED MAN.  Pray that God will open the eyes of his understanding and pour out wisdom, knowledge and the revelation of just how much his Savior loves him!!!!

Hey… SECOND POST in TWO DAYS!!!!

OCTOBER!!!!!!  What????

When I was a kid I learned the days of the week and the months and the seasons of the year on a wall calendar that I can vividly recall.  I just remember that when we moved to the column that started with OCTOBER – that we were soon sliding into the holidays and into a new year…..   THE CHANGE OF SEASON…..

THIS October came with a breathtaking evening.  Last Monday we gathered with our “CARE TEAM”.  We had invited all from our church to be a part of this team that will commit to support this mission through prayer, logistics, giving and encouragement.  NOT just the part of the team that is traveling to Kenya – but the entire team that will seek GOD in every detail along the way.  These have committed to fervently pray for the mission, the people, the provision, for protection, equipping and anything else God impresses on their heart.

While we are beyond HUMBLED that over 50 people attended and made this commitment, we are moved to see how many that God is inviting to be a part of this work.

We are working on a website now that will serve as our primary communication.  We are continuing to meet on the financial budgeting and will post those specific needs soon.  We have begun collecting for the mission through CC Palm Harbor.  This will switch to Shepherd Staff in late December.  If you feel led to give, please go to CCPalmHarbor.com to give online or drop your offering in the box at church.  Either way be sure to mark it KENYA 2013.

We are currently shopping for our flights.  <<GASP>>  While it is actually cheaper to purchase round trip tickets – we know that in essence – we are booking ONE WAY tickets. Our return date will be pushed out as far as possible so that we can change them to possible use for a trip home the end of the year.  I am still checking on how that works and making sure it wont effect our VISA applications.

We are soaking up as much family time as possible.  We had a great weekend starting with SATURDAY MORNING BREAKFAST.  I think it may have been the first one in a while that EVERYONE was present!  Then the guys did some work on the dreaded TO DO BEFORE THANKSGIVING list.  Then we all headed out in hopes of catching our grandson’s first baseball game.  Unfortunately it was canceled.  Too bad — Johnny had quite the band of fans lined up.  Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncle, Brothers, Sister, Parents….  yep….  we are serious fans and were armed with signs!

Sunday, after a wonderful time of worship and fellowship, we celebrated Ryan’s 30th Birthday.  YIKES!  And then last night we had a nice dinner with two of our girls.

We are so blessed.  Honestly – God is faithful to HIS Word and to HIS Promise to bless us and do exceedingly abundantly beyond anything we can think or imagine.

WOW — How is it possible that when we made this decision in the beginning of June we were looking at 30 weeks — and now we are 1/3 of the way closer to the move to Kenya.

We had a GREAT meeting today with our precious church family.  I am overwhelmed by those who came to hear more of what God is doing and how they can be a part.

As our “sending church” – Calvary Chapel Palm Harbor will be the base of our care team, providing support in the form of prayer, encouragement, logistics and financial. We will continue under the leadership and authority of our pastor – Brett Robinson.  Our support, however, will go eventually through Shepherd Staff and will be credited to our account for the mission and for our support in this mission.

We are currently working on the budget that will address

• the immediate needs (expenses prior to the trip)
• the initial needs (one time expenses for set up)
• the training needs (our six months in language and cultural school in Nairobi)
• the mission need (ongoing expenses for the training program and for the orphanage)
• the personal monthly need (ongoing monthly expense of living).

We will have this available for those who are interested by early September.

Our BIGGEST and most IMPORTANT need remains….  the aligning up of those who will commit to diligent and fervent prayer for our steps ahead, for the ground before us, for the hearts we will meet and for HIS Hand of grace and mercy with each detail.

While we still don’t know WHY God would allow us to serve Him in this manner, we know it isn’t because HE NEEDS US.  By His grace He is allowing us to be used by Him and that it so so very humbling.

With that said – we understand that as He calls us to “go” on this mission – He will also call others as “senders” on this mission.  Together we will seek to obey, seeing HIS Truth taken to those He is calling us to.

I will be uploading information from our meeting tomorrow or Tuesday.  In the mean time – please continue to keep us in prayer.

If you would like to participate in the preparations (some training and travel to visit some churches to share the mission) you can make donations through CCPH – and mark your giving “KENYA”.  When we are completely set up with Shepherd Staff – we will let you know.

Thanks again for being a part of this journey along with us!

Keeping my eyes on Christ…
Kari

PART ONE – the beginning

In 2008 I went on a short-term Mission trip to Peru with a team from Calvary Chapel Palm Harbor led by the one and only Jim Nelson. It was a great trip and we accomplished great things. We met some wonderful people and had some really strange meals. All in all we were truly blessed. Upon returning to the states I began to think that how cool would it be to get involved with a Mission that you could truly become part of people’s lives. I remember praying almost in a joking way “God if you ever wanted to use me in mission work— I’ll do it!” That was four years ago!

In the meantime God has sent me three times to Kisii, Kenya. The first time by myself with no real plan except to encourage 2 young Pastor’s that I met through Bible Senders. I told them about my Church and how we study the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Nothing more! They were intrigued and wanted some guidance. Two more visits with Inductive Bible Studies and Discipleship and I’m thinking this is cool. This is what I had in mind. A trip to Kenya every year to encourage and help how I could (and maybe a Safari or two). I was thinking God answered my prayer. I built a few relationships and all was good…. Then, this past trip in the midst of Inductive Bible Study with 8 Pastors and leaders we had a session in which I was just watching these guys digging into the word and having great conversation about the text we were studying when an overwhelming feeling came over me. It was like nothing I’ve ever felt. Excitement and emotion all at once. I literally began to sob uncontrollably (if you know me you shouldn’t be surprised since I cry  at McDonald’s commercials ). All of a sudden it got real quiet and these guys were looking at me like I was crazy! I felt crazy! The next Saturday at Story Time with about 20 village kids it happened again. I knew then that the Holy Spirit was prompting something more… a lot more…. One morning I was taking my morning walk The Lord spoke to me as never before, not audibly, but his voice clear. He was telling me that in order to accomplish what He has for me to do it will take more than a few weeks or months each year. He reminded me of the prayer I said “jokingly” four years ago. How could I argue? Be careful what you PRAY for…Right??!!!

So here we are— 24 weeks from heading to Kenya for who knows how long. Pray for us, it will be hard leaving behind family and friends but I must tell you – God has given us an AMAZING peace going forward.

The tables have turned a little. Instead of going to Kisii to visit for a couple of months a year, God willing, we’ll be coming home to visit. Pray for us in all of this.

Next up – PART TWO – the mission

MY HOPE….

Well the update is later than hoped…

We had a great VBS last week at church and while I had NO RESPONSIBILITIES with it, I still felt the drain.  The kids were loud, excited and full of joy with at least 3 decisions for Christ by these little ones.  PRAISE GOD!!!  Pray that God will preserve their little hearts, protect them and give opportunity for them to grow and grow.  Pray for their families as well.

We continue to press onward.  This week we are set with a skype call with Pastor Jeff Jackson with Shepherd Staff – the Mission’s Facilitator Group we are praying to align with.  We are meeting with Art Dykstra, the Missions Pastor at CC St Pete.  We are working on a budget for our first year in Kenya.  We are making contacts as God opens doors. And, we are continuing to hide our face in HIS WORD and in HIS lap.

I will be very honest here and tell you that I continue to gasp for breath as we continue to walk in faith. It’s been a couple of weeks filled with emotion and fervent seeking of HIM.

So it would be that in my current study of “God’s Way” a study I am currently doing with about 40 women from CCPH – I would be in verses that remind me… that HE will guide me and teach me in the way I should go… That with HIS counsel, He will guide me and then He promises to receive me into HIS glory!!!  I’m resting in the promise that HE is near, HE is my refuge, HE is my strength, HE will sustain me.  HE will bring me comfort, rest, and help in the time of need.

We need God’s wisdom on some decisions and that is what I would ask for prayer tonight.  We have reconsidered the sale of our house but are seeking HIS direction.

I would also just ask your prayers as we seek to honor and to obey our LORD.  The reality of this is setting in and while we do not question His call for one moment, the expected waves are crashing in.  Pray that we will stay fixed on HIM.  That we will be still and KNOW He is God and that we will have ears to hear HIS voice.  Pray that in our desire to be obedient, He will comfort our hearts and the hearts of our family.

The song below captures my heart so clearly. I heard it just as I returned from Kenya with a clear hearing of HIS calling.  It has wrapped my heart in HIS LOVE. Andrew & Jenn did it beautifully this morning for worship.  I pray it touches you!

Be blessed this week!