Friday, February 27, 2009

Support



Friends and family, 

We thank you for your continued prayers and support as our family makes this exciting transition to Nairobi, Kenya. There are ways you can help and partake in the Lord's work as our family serves Living Water Christian Fellowship. As our family prepares to move we ask that you consider supporting our family prayerfully and financially. Missionaries rely on God as the provider but God uses His people to partake in the support of missionaries. What does this mean? Missionaries receive their funding from people like you! I know that it is often times assumed that the church cuts a check to the missionaries to keep them out on the field. Although the church may provide some sort of financial assistance, missionaries stay on the field by individual givers. We ask that you would pray and see if God would impress on your heart to pledge monthly support for our family. It is important that we have pledged support coming in before we leave to assure we will have enough once we get out there and to stay out there. If you are not in a position to give financially, we ask that you would consider keeping our family in LOTS and LOTS of prayer. As we move forward in this process the enemy is throwing lots of opposition our way. 
Ways you can pray:
Peace for our children, they haven't been sleeping well at night, causing lots of spiritual warfare my way. When I'm really tired at night, it's always a sure way the enemy attacks.
Rest for Jonathan and I, again needing sleep...
That we would trust and rely on the Lord in all things and spend time with Him daily
For a new Jr. High pastor to replace Jonathan.
For God to give us continued peace about our move and that our plans would be His.
Also, I (Adrienne) have picked up my guitar again and am taking guitar lessons. Please pray that I would be diligent and focused on finally getting this instrument down and using it for the glory of God!

Financial End:
Of the $4,030/mo. we need in Kenya, we currently have 5% committed. Our goal is 160 supporters who can give $25/mo.

We currently have 2% donated of the $35,069 needed to start up. Here is the breakdown for our start up costs:

Plane tickets: $7,000 (for our family of four)
Language School: $3,275 (6 months preparation in Kenya for language and culture)
Entrance Visas: $200
Vaccinations for the kids: $550
Car: $10,000-20,000 depending on many factors. Unfortunately cars are all imported and so there is a high tax on the vehicles there. We need something with good suspension as the roads in Kenya are very rough.  
Rent deposit, (first, last and one month): $2,658
Cooker: $570 (This is for a basic range and oven)
Fridge: $570 (Medium size)
Hot Pot: $38
Water Filter: $127
Pans: $127
Dishes: $127
Linens (Towels, sheets, blankets and such): $304
Basic Household Supplies: $228 (Mops, brooms and cleaners)
Water Storage Tanks: $51 (200 liters for when the water is off)
Mobile phones: $254 (A higher end phone with GPS navigation and an inexpensive phone)
Furniture: $1,140
Drapes: $444 (Most homes do not come with them and these will be needed for security)
Voltage Regulator: $228 (Needed to maintain appliances. This is for three)
Small Generator: $127 (This is for a 1kv generator to run lights, computer and maybe a television. It is not enough for the whole house but will allow for some sanity in prolonged power outages to study, communicate and cook.)
Kerosene Lanterns: $51 (Needed for power outages. This will supply three)

We know that these numbers can seem daunting, but we know that our God moves mountains. 

Please send financial support to the following address:
Shepherd's Staff
P.O. Box 53640
Albuquerque, NM 87153
PLEASE MARK ACCT. #5509 ON THE MEMO SECTION OF YOUR CHECK
To give online and/or automatic debit, please visit the website: 
www.shepsstaff.org/give.aspx

Bless you as you serve Him, 

Jonathan, Adrienne, Josiah (2 yrs.)and Christopher (1 year in April)


Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Living Water Christian Fellowship


We are excited to announce that our family has had a change of plans concerning ministry in Kenya. Our family will be working with a church in Nairobi known as Living Water Christian Fellowship. We are so thrilled to come alongside Robbie and Elizabeth Gorden (Senior pastor) to serve at this precious church.

How did this happen? 

A dear friend of ours, Rick Deam, passed away in December here in the states while he was on furlough (picture above). Rick was an amazing man of God and served in a wide capacity at the church. As we grieved the loss of our friend, a need presented itself. We prayed and sought counsel as we desired to do whatever God wanted us to do. As we proceeded in this direction, doors just flew wide open. There's an overwhelming peace and comfort from our Lord for this new direction.  We are making a three-year (verbal) commitment to the church. 

We are also still looking forward to visiting Disciple Support Ministries while in Kenya. Which, comes to mind, please be in prayer for the Coopman Family (Bill, Brooke, little Ruby and Jonathan out of Calvary Chapel Beachside in HB) who will be moving to Nairobi, Kenya May 31st. 

So when's the big day? 

We had planned a short trip to Nairobi in June which is now not going to happen. Our move to Kenya will come at the end of August. Please pray as we are raising financial support and as we get our young boys ready for shots, passports and everything else.

History:
When Jonathan and I went to Nairobi on our first trip back in 2005 we met Robbie and Elizabeth Gorden. Back then, Robbie had a radio show that featured teachings through the Bible by Chuck Smith. It was amazing to see the message go out and hear the response from the people. We also got the chance to visit Living Water and meet the people. Elizabeth teaches the Bible to a group of Maasai Ladies and help with their crafts. 

In 2006 Robbie and Elizabeth welcomed Jonathan and I into their home for two weeks as we took our "vision tour". Our hearts were knit to the Gordens as we saw their daily lives and how they loved each other as well as the people of Kenya.  On this second trip, Jonathan again got to visit the radio show Robbie was hosting, and help answer some of the questions people called and texted in. Jonathan also had an opportunity to teach at Living Water.

We are so thrilled at this new direction and we ask that you stand and pray with us as we have many things to do between now and August. Please pray for Ruth Deam as she moves forward in ministry and life without her beloved Rick. We love you guys and thanks for praying!

Jonathan and Adrienne

Saturday, February 7, 2009

More to come....

Last night I was reading in Mark Ch. 2 where these men come and bring their friend to Jesus to heal him: 
" A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was laying on. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.' "

What faith! They didn't bring their friend all the way there, get there and turn around and go home. They could've walked away thinking, "I guess it wasn't God's will to heal our friend." But they knew their God. They had faith that Jesus was willing to heal him. It's so encouraging that my God honors the faith of a few and doesn't "zap" them. Why do we think God does that? We can be so afraid to step out of the will of God at times because we don't want God to forsake us or be angry. That's not God! He honors the faith of the men and forgives them. How does this tie in to our leaving? More to come....tune in next week for the "big announcement". 

Adrienne for the Ferg Four