That’s a question I have heard so many times over the past few weeks! Yes, I did go to Kenya. Yes, I am back. And, yes, I plan to return to Africa (as the Lord wills)!
What I am doing now? I am teaching preschool two days a week in Katy, subbing occasionally, and spending a lot of time studying!
What is next? Glad you asked….because I covet your prayers!! I am going to Richmond, Virginia on TUESDAY (Oct. 2nd) for the IMB Matching Conference. That is the time where I will possibly be matched with a specific job with the IMB (International Mission Board of the Baptist Convention). It is still my prayer that the Lord will provide me with a job in Kenya, although there are no qualifying jobs on the official board at this time. If it is His will for me to be there working with the IMB, He can do amazing things and work out all of the details. Regardless, I pray that I will be open to His will above my own selfish desires!
So here is my prayer request: that the Lord clearly show me His plan for me in this season. I pray that my eyes will be open to where HE is leading, and that if He wants me to serve somewhere other than Kenya, that He will give me a desire and a calling for wherever He is leading. I claim Isaiah 30:21: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” May I clearly hear His voice above all else.
If it is not the Lord’s will for me to serve with the IMB, I pray that He make that abundantly clear to me, as well. I know that He will guide and protect me in all circumstances, as I submit my will to His.
Thank you to so many of you who have been asking about me, and to those who have been faithful to pray! It has meant more to me than you’ll ever know! I could certainly use your prayers in the next week and a half!!!
In addition to the Philippians 1:6 verse that I posted about earlier this week, these are a few verses I am praying and claiming now… (I may have posted some of them at other times in the past few weeks.)
“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.” (Psalm 138:8)
“Many are the plans in man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (II Thessalonians 1:11-12)
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you may abound in every good work.” (II Corinthians 9:8)
“May the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.” (Hebrews 13:21)
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Galveston...
it may not have the most beautiful beaches, but it's still fun!
and it has beautiful sunsets and sunrises!
and it has beautiful sunsets and sunrises!
Philippians 1:6
Kris and her mom and I spent this weekend in 
th the Lord, sitting in His presence and basking in awe of His creation, enjoying His handiwork that He so freely displays! From sunrise to sunset, He shows Himself to us through the beauty of the earth.
began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” How wonderful! He is not finished with me, and He will not abandon the works of His hands! (Psalm 138:8) Isn’t it great to know that wherever we are in life, God’s work in us is not complete…but He IS working – working in us, through us, and around us! A verse that we may say so often, but sometimes fail to realize its great and eternal promise!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Mwengela!!!!
Another update!! If you read this blog in July, you might remember me naming three people who the Lord had laid on my heart: Daniel, Mwengela, and Tom. Well...
I received a text message from Mwengela today..."HeyTrena. Habari gani? We r fine here in Kenya. At last I am SAVED! Asante for telling. When r you coming back? We miss u. Lala salama. From Baba Sharon. (Brother Musila)"
(Habari gani? - How are things?)
(Asante - thanks)
(Lala salama - sleep well, or goodnight)
(Baba Sharon - Sharon's dad)
Praise the LORD!! Isn't God AMAZING?!? This was a long time in the works; seeds planted and watered by many. I thank God for allowing me to be a part of it, and to see the positive outcome! Mwengela's brother is Musila, my friend who works for Tina & Mutua. Musila has been wanting Mwengela "to come to be a Christian" for so long! It was so sweet and refreshing to hear Musila's passion for his brother! I know he is rejoicing as well.
God continues to work in the lives of Kenyans. As for Daniel, read below. As for Tom, please continue to pray and believe in God's restoration for him.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Daniel
An update on Daniel. He is the Maasai guy that Judy and I witnessed to and prayed wit
h in the Maasai Mara. He came up to me while I was reading my Bible and journaling one day. He asked if that was a Bible I was reading and what I was writing about. God t
otally opened that door wide open! I began to share with him that I was reading about God's amazing creation and how He allows us to worship Him as we enjoy what He has created. I asked if He believed in God, which he did. I asked if he knew Jesus, to which he replied, "I'm not supposed to. I'm Maasai." (Maasai believe in God, but not Jesus.) I could tell that seeds had been planted and he was open. As it turns out, we learned that seeds had been planted by one of his own...a Maasai who also worked at the resort, named Joseph.
h in the Maasai Mara. He came up to me while I was reading my Bible and journaling one day. He asked if that was a Bible I was reading and what I was writing about. God t
otally opened that door wide open! I began to share with him that I was reading about God's amazing creation and how He allows us to worship Him as we enjoy what He has created. I asked if He believed in God, which he did. I asked if he knew Jesus, to which he replied, "I'm not supposed to. I'm Maasai." (Maasai believe in God, but not Jesus.) I could tell that seeds had been planted and he was open. As it turns out, we learned that seeds had been planted by one of his own...a Maasai who also worked at the resort, named Joseph.Judy and I continued to talk with Daniel. Judy also became good friends with Grace, another 
Believer who works there. Grace found a Bible for Daniel. (He asked for one!) We shared it with him and prayed with him. Over the next few days, Judy and I met with Daniel, Joseph an
d Grace. As Daniel continues to grow in his faith, he already has a framework of support in Believers who are there to disciple him!
Believer who works there. Grace found a Bible for Daniel. (He asked for one!) We shared it with him and prayed with him. Over the next few days, Judy and I met with Daniel, Joseph an
d Grace. As Daniel continues to grow in his faith, he already has a framework of support in Believers who are there to disciple him!As we were leaving, we were concerned about Daniel's decision. Did he really know and understand what he had prayed? Well, I believe he wants to know. To the best of his understanding at this point, he did.
Since we left, I have talked to Daniel several times. He calls and/or texts me every couple of days. He last
told me that he is meeting with Joseph and Joseph is teaching him "more about Jesus and the new Bible." (New Testament) And, Grace has emailed positive comments to Judy. I am trusting that God is continuing to do a work in Daniel. He is hungry. I do believe that he is truly seeking the Truth.
told me that he is meeting with Joseph and Joseph is teaching him "more about Jesus and the new Bible." (New Testament) And, Grace has emailed positive comments to Judy. I am trusting that God is continuing to do a work in Daniel. He is hungry. I do believe that he is truly seeking the Truth. (This is Daniel listening to Beth Moore on an IPOD!!!)
Many people in Africa tend to grab on to Americans in hopes of getting something out of them...money, a trip to America, whatever. That does not at all seem to be the case with Daniel! Believe me, I do have contacts still communicating with me for other reasons and alterior motives! I ask that you please pray for Daniel....and for all the people all over the world who are introduced to Christ through short-term missionaries. Pray that the Lord will place people in their paths to foster, disciple and encourage them in their new found knowledge of God's saving grace through Christ!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Bread Crumbs
That's what Kris calls them. As I am here, waiting on the Lord, He continues to show Himself to me and remind me that He has a plan for me. Just when I need one, He drops a bread crumb in front of me.
Back in April, when I first felt permission for God to go forward in pursuing full-time missionary service, He spoke to me through Isaiah 30:21, saying, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice in your ear saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'" I have continued to claim that verse at each cross-roads I experience.
I think God continues to speak as that voice in my ear through the "little things," the bread crumbs in my path. Last week, just as I was thanking Him for meeting my personal needs of friendship and social support while in Kenya this summer, and praying that He would continue to bless and cultivate those relationship, I checked my email and had FOUR emails from Kenyan friends, and these were not the regular people that I correspond with.
Then, I sent some pictures to CVS to be developed. When I went to pick them up, I heard the photo guy talking to customer in an African accent. It sounded just like a Kenyan accent!! But, I didn't want to be the stereotypical American and assume it was, so I wasn't going to say anything. But, as I stepped up and told him I needed to pick up pictures, he said, "for Trena." Hmmm. Then, he brought them back and said, "You were in Kenya?" I said, "Yes! Where are you from?" "Nakuru." (a town northwest of Nairobi) What a blessing! I had been considering doing the international student ministry that was introduced in our Sunday school class a few weeks ago, but I think God just gave me one specifically saved for me. He is a student at UofH. He told me about a group of Kenyan friends that get together periodically and said that he would call the next time they do. That was just this weekend, so I will look forward to seeing what kid of doors the Lord opens through this. I have been praying about opportunities to learn more Kiswahili before returning.
On Wednesday, I started the Chronological Bible Storying class at the church. I have heard about the program being used in rural Kenya, Sudan, and Zambia. (It's used all over, but I had heard of it through those places.) Anyway, when I went in, I met (re-met) Peter Swann and another couple (I forgot their names) who all served with the IMB! Peter knew all of the missionaries I knew in Kenya! It was a great encouragement! As we talked about the ISC process and ministry placements, he totally understood my thought processes and desires. Again, another bread crumb of encouragement.
God continues to bless me each and every day. I am now LOVING being at home and enjoying the opportunities He is giving me! I will have to update on that later. This post is too long already! :-)
Back in April, when I first felt permission for God to go forward in pursuing full-time missionary service, He spoke to me through Isaiah 30:21, saying, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice in your ear saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'" I have continued to claim that verse at each cross-roads I experience.
I think God continues to speak as that voice in my ear through the "little things," the bread crumbs in my path. Last week, just as I was thanking Him for meeting my personal needs of friendship and social support while in Kenya this summer, and praying that He would continue to bless and cultivate those relationship, I checked my email and had FOUR emails from Kenyan friends, and these were not the regular people that I correspond with.
Then, I sent some pictures to CVS to be developed. When I went to pick them up, I heard the photo guy talking to customer in an African accent. It sounded just like a Kenyan accent!! But, I didn't want to be the stereotypical American and assume it was, so I wasn't going to say anything. But, as I stepped up and told him I needed to pick up pictures, he said, "for Trena." Hmmm. Then, he brought them back and said, "You were in Kenya?" I said, "Yes! Where are you from?" "Nakuru." (a town northwest of Nairobi) What a blessing! I had been considering doing the international student ministry that was introduced in our Sunday school class a few weeks ago, but I think God just gave me one specifically saved for me. He is a student at UofH. He told me about a group of Kenyan friends that get together periodically and said that he would call the next time they do. That was just this weekend, so I will look forward to seeing what kid of doors the Lord opens through this. I have been praying about opportunities to learn more Kiswahili before returning.
On Wednesday, I started the Chronological Bible Storying class at the church. I have heard about the program being used in rural Kenya, Sudan, and Zambia. (It's used all over, but I had heard of it through those places.) Anyway, when I went in, I met (re-met) Peter Swann and another couple (I forgot their names) who all served with the IMB! Peter knew all of the missionaries I knew in Kenya! It was a great encouragement! As we talked about the ISC process and ministry placements, he totally understood my thought processes and desires. Again, another bread crumb of encouragement.
God continues to bless me each and every day. I am now LOVING being at home and enjoying the opportunities He is giving me! I will have to update on that later. This post is too long already! :-)
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