Monthly Email Update

(Here is my monthly email update that I just sent out. If you are not on my email list and want to be, please leave me a message in the comments or email me at spacie19@hotmail.com)


Jambo!

I made it to Kenya! Thank you for your prayers. My flights went smoothly and all my luggage arrived. After 43 hours of traveling, I arrived in Kisumu, Kenya. I was so exhausted by the traveling, I slept for 15 hours!

Now that I have been here for a week and a half, I am starting to settle in. For the first week, I couldn't shake being tired all the time, but I am finally adjusting to the time difference. For now, I am staying with George's parents. While there, I hope learn many of the skills I will need to live in Africa such as cooking their foods, starting fires, washing clothes by hand and speaking their language. Already I have learned to wash clothes by hand....it's hard work! Starting next week, I will be starting three times a week Kiswahili lessons with a tutor. I am looking forward to learning that language since it is spoken in Kenya, Tanzania and other East African countries. I see these next few months as the cultural foundation for the rest of my time here. I want to learn as much as I can now so when George and I find our long term calling, the transition will go as smoothly as possible.

Speaking of long term calling, George and I are praying about serving with Africa Harvest of Hope. They have children's home in Korogwe, Tanzania. Lord willing, there will be other expansions such as a school, medical clinic, and a processing plant for a product for malnourished children. Among the work we would do would be mentoring the kids at the home, leading Bible studies and assisting with logistics. We have a trip scheduled to go to Tanzania on October 10th. While there we will be getting to know Pastor Herbert who heads up the children's home, meet the kids and check out the living situation there. We also want God to speak to us loudly while we are there to confirm this is where He wants us.

While in Kisumu, we are working with Trinity Fellowship, a nondenominational ministry seeking to share the gospel with high school and college students. Yesterday, we went to our first school, Covenant High School where George shared about God's love with 150 kids, all orphans. He taught from 1 John 3:1-3 and gave a message of hope. We will be going to the next school on Sunday.

We would appreciate your prayers for the following items:

1. Wisdom about the timing of marriage between George and me.
2. Safety as we travel by bus to Tanzania and confirmation of God's will for our lives.
3. Smooth transition for me into African culture and quick learning of the language.
4. Effectiveness as we reach out to high schoolers

I will be sending an update once a month and as needed for special prayer requests. The best place for more frequent updates is my blog: http://www.thisisstaciesblog.blogspot.com/ Although the internet is off and on here, I try to post blogs every few days. On there is also information on how to donate for those who feel God leading them to join our finanical support team. George and I have to raise 100% of the funds needed to live and work here and we would very much appreciate your help.

Thanks so much for your prayers. We couldn't do this without you. Feeling a bit homesick is to be expected, but hearing from you helps so much. Don't be afraid to email me. I will email you back as soon as I can.

Kwaheri!

---Stacie

1 John 3: 1-3 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him. Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.