Allie Pohlmeier - Adventures In Missions -

from rivals to co-laborers

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thursday was a monumental day on the journey to end the violence that has plagued Kenya since December's announcement of Kibaki as the president. On Thursday an agreement was made between Kibaki and Odinga.

THE AGREEMENT

"Under the agreement, Odinga will become prime minister and have the power to "coordinate and supervise" the government -- more authority than Kibaki wanted to yield.

Odinga said: "We on our side are completely committed in ensuring that this agreement will succeed. The ball has moved partially from the hands of the negotiators and ourselves to the court of parliament."

Kibaki said that his government "will fully support implementation of the agreement reached under the national dialogue and reconciliation process until we achieve the results we all want."

CNN reported that "The agreement calls for an act of parliament within two weeks that would change the country's constitution, creating the position of prime minister to "coordinate and supervise" the government and its ministries. Odinga will assume that position. The National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008 establishes that the president, vice president, prime minister and other ministers will form the government's cabinet -- with the addition of two deputy prime ministers who will be appointed by the president. The act also stipulates that ministers cannot be fired without written permission from their party."

HEALING AND RESTORATION

Now is the time where healing begins. I was reading of several accounts where Kenyan's were screaming with joy, "Happy New Year!" Since their celebrations of the new year never surfaced, instead they got violence and bloodshed. This signing of the agreement brings so much hope. I have read many accounts of some Kenyans saying they just want to move forward and forgive. Other don't know how they can forgive their neighbors who killed one of their loved ones. All would agree that they are tired of the violence. The displaced want to go home. CNN reported, "despite the trauma of the past and the fear for the future, and while it may be true that it will take generations for these people to forget, everyone I meet is full of hope -- for peace, for a better life."

OUR LATEST RESPONSE VIA THE RELIEF FUND

- One ministry that many of the AIM staff have been involved with is helping teach at a Pastor's Training School that Pastor Timothy runs. We sent the Pastor's Training School money to be distributed to each of the pastors.

- Food vouchers were purchased for a woman's bible study that AIM has been involved with in the past

- We also gave food vouchers to every single student at New Adventures School, the school AIM funds and helps run.

Our relief fund is running low and we want to keep helping and being involved in the aftermath of the elections. If you are interested in giving please check out http://www.adventures.org/opps/kenya2008.asp . You can even pass this link on to friends and invite them to participate in the restoration efforts.

Jeff has been found

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This update serves two purposes:

1. News on Kenya

2. News from Eburru

1. Kenya:

CNN reported today, "Kenya's opposition party says it will embark on a "mass civil disobedience campaign next week" if its demands aren't met in the intensive negotiations aimed at defusing the political crisis in the tense East African nation. The lawmakers are calling for the prime minister's job and proportional sharing of powers in any new government. If the demands aren't met, the movement pledges to start its civil disobedience by Wednesday and will employ such tactics as work slowdowns to apply pressure in the talks."

Both sides have agreed to talksnow it is a matter of waiting until Monday to found out the outcome and if the rest of Kenya will comply.

CNN continued"If there is any community in Kenya unwilling to co-exist with other Kenyans in a manner that reflects the popular will of Kenyans; then that community is at liberty to exercise the principle of self-determination as is well-enunciated in the U.N. Charter and other international legal instruments..."

Kenya this week has been relatively calm this week. There were a few killingsthough deep down I wish I could say there was peace. I can't imagine what it is like to live in the tension our friends in Kenya are feeling.

Quick Allie thought.

I have been learning much about hope this last week. And I realized I can't put my hope in the negotiators in Kenya or that Odinga or Kibaki will choose reconciliation. But, we can hope in Jesus. And we can hope that He will enable reconciliation. That is what He is all about, isn't it! I often misplace hope.

2. Eburru:

I spoke with Pastor Steve this morning. Many of you have been praying for Jeff, the elder from the Eburru church that has been missing. JEFF HAS BEEN FOUND! Jeff was found in Nairobi. Pastor Steve said he was a little unclear of the details. Pastor Steve explained that Jeff is not talking about it. Jeff seems coherent in all other areas of his life, his just silent about his last few weeks. The good new isJeff is home and safe. Pray for his healing and the restoration of his family.

Right now there are 172 displaced people living in Eburru. It seems to Pastor Steve that the numbers keep increasing. Every Tuesday the church in Eburru distributes rice, sugar and other needed supplies. They are also offering counseling to the displaced.

Pastor Steve asked that we pray for him.

First, that we pray for the Morgan House. This is land and house that he recently purchased with the help of many. There seems to be some controversy over the land. As there seems to be much controversy over land in Kenya in general right now.

Second, He wanted us to praise the Lord together. The church has steadily grown this last month. Amen! There was a transformer put in Eburru close to the dispensary (hospital) that they built. (Now we need to pray in the wires and all other needed supplies). The government has installed pipes for water. How cool is that?!?

Pastor Steve said, "God is good and he is so thankful. The devil always tries to discourage us, but we will prevail and continue to hope for the best."

May the hope of God hope through us.

Thanks for joining us in prayer and support.

Jeff

Thu, 7 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

My first time in a town called Eburru was in 2005. Eburru is a town in the mountains, filled with Kikuyus, with no running water and electricity. We helped put up a church which really just consisted of tarps tied together. But they served their purpose well.

On our first night we held a church service and shared the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A man named Jeff was inside the church. He heard the Message of Hope, but at that moment, did nothing. Hours later, at 2 am, Jeff found his way to Pastor Steve's house. Jeff explained to Pastor Steve that he couldn't wait any longer to ask Jesus to forgive his sins and begin a relationship with him and wanted Pastor Steve's help.

That was in 2005. This summer I was back in Eburru. The church is still growing strong, and is still using those tarps to keep out the rain and wind. Between 2005 until now Jeff became and elder and leader at the church. Wow!

Just today I spoke with Pastor Steve. Pastor Steve explained that they have about 120 displaced people in Eburru. He said it is not directly affecting them, but indirectly. Most of the congregation has little to no money, and now they have extra mouths to feed.

Please pray for the provision of food and supplies for the beautiful, mountainous town of Eburru.

More heavy on my heart today is the next item of prayer Pastor Steve asked forJeff is missing. He has been missing since last week. People have been searching for him, but no leads have been made.

Please hope and pray with us for the return of Jeff.

Dominic

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

An MP (Member of Parliament), Were, belonging to the ODM party and Luo which is Raila Odinga's tribe was killed earlier this week as he was entering his home near Kibera. This caused riots in the city and many other towns in Western Kenya. Kibera was a no go zone for an entire day. Several people were killed and some homes were torched. According to the press they counted up to 9 bodies in Kibera alone, though there could be more.

One of our hostel boys (this is a ministry that provides housing and education for street boys through a church we work with) Dominic Mutua was attacked in those skirmishes but was rescued by the police. He is now at the KenyattaHospitalundergoing treatment. Please continue to pray for him.

It was reported that close to Pastor Timothy's church, The Blue House, someone was killed.

Today another man for the ODM party, David Too, was shot dead in the city of Eldoret. He was the second person this week to be assassinated. "The opposition leader, Raila Odinga, said the killing was part of a plan to reduce the number of opposition members of parliament. A government spokesmen did not immediately respond to a request for comment."

CNN reported that "violence has killed at least 863 people and forced 261,000 out of their homes. The violence is not stopping," a spokesman for the Kenyan Red Cross, Anthony Mwangi, told CNN on Thursday. "It could reach a point where it is difficult to reverse."

A U.S. diplomat has described what is happening in Kenya as "ethnic cleansing."

The gravity and reality of death is increasing. "In one town in the vast Rift Valley of western Kenya, members of one tribe poked out the eye of a young man from the rival tribe and then hacked his body and burned him to death, residents told CNN."

Pray for resolution. Kofi Annan is still in Kenya meeting with Kibaki and Odinga.

The peace of God is powerful. Even more powerful than what is happening to beloved Kenya.

We still have a relief fund set up. And each week help different people from different places in Kenya. This gits are making a world of a difference. If anything, besides the comfort of our prayers, they are helping giving hope. Check out: http://www.adventures.org/opps/kenya2008.asp

and the violence continues...

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Violence continues to reign in Kenya. I wish with all my heart that I could give you an update of a peaceful weekend. But life in Kenya seems to have gone from worse to horrible.

Just today around 2,000 people from rival tribes faced off on a main road amidst a once quiet tourist town, divided only by a handful of police who fired into the air to force their retreat.

One newspaper reported people from opposing tribes shouting"This is Kikuyu land!" was the cry in Naivasha from one side, which called for revenge against the rival Luo tribe. Others shouted, "We want peace, but we (also) want to fight them," said Peter Mwangi. "We don't want Luos here."

Over the weekend there was a reported around 100 dead in the Rift Valley town of Nakuru and Naivasha. "Groups from rival communities have been fighting each other with machetes, clubs, and bows and arrows in both towns, famous for their lakes teeming with wildlife. In the worst incident of the latest flare-up, 19 people were burned to death locked inside a house in Naivasha on Sunday, police officer Grace Kakai told Reuters."

It is now said that the nationwide death toll is now more than 800.

"What is alarming about the last few days is that there are evidently hidden hands organizing it now. Militias are appearing ... the targeting is very specific," Britain's Africa minister Mark Malloch Brown said on a visit to Kenya.

May the hope of God, hope through us for the people and the nation of Kenya.

Today we are sending out another amount of money from the relief fund. Thank you for making that possible.

helping the displaced

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

2 Corinthians 1:10 says, "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us as you help us by your prayers."

As you pray for Kenya and maybe even people you have come to love in Kenya remember that your prayers are helpingdon't lose hope.

Amy Carmichael often said, "Hope of God, hope through me." May the hope of God hope through us as we pray for peace and rest and resolution in Kenya.

Here is a quick update as to how are funds for the Kenya Relief Fund have been distributed.

Kibera

We have already sent a sum of money to 3 pastors that we work with. That money was used to purchase food vouchers that those pastors passed out to their congregations. This was especially special to us, because these are the 3 churches that countless teams have built into in the past and now we are able to continue serving alongside them. Every time we talk to one of these pastors they are overflowing with thanks.

Rift Valley

The next batch of money we sent over went to another pastor we work with, Pastor Simon. Pastor Simon has been organizing relief work in the Rift Valley area. He has been working with refuges from Eldoret. This is that area where a church, full of people, was burnt. He has organized people to either drive or fly people out of western Kenya to two specific towns. He has a "relief camp" established in these two towns.

In one town there are about 90 families who have nothing. Pastor Simon describes this as a little bit overwhelming. So the money going to that area is helping with food, blankets, shelter, shoesand then hopefully schooling for the kids.

Currently there are 30 families trapped in Eldoret. Pastor Simon is working to get a truck there to get them out.

kenya relief fund

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Many of you have given to our Kenya Relief Fund in response to the unrest and violence that has plagued Kenya these last few weeks. I have heard violence described there as "reason, no longer rules" and some described the slums "as a terrifying place at the best of timesthis is the worst of times."

In Kibera we work with 3 local pastors. It is to these Pastors that we have sent the Relief Money we have received. These local pastors will receive food vouchers to a local grocery store now open. This grocery is huge and has everything from food, gas, water, and blankets. The pastors will hand out the vouchers to their congregation. What an amazing way to let them know that they are not alone and that we are fighting battles not only by giving financially, but in prayer for them.

Thanks again for your gifts. Love abounds. Amy Carmichael, a famous missionary once said, "Suffering, hunger, poverty, baffling circumstance cannot of themselves make anything but confusion. But if there be the touch of the Hand, all these things work together for the good, not for ill, not for discord, but for something like the harmony of music."

Your gifts are very much appreciated. And they have helped much. Yet, there is still more to be done. The more we give; the more families we can reach. If you haven't already checked out our relief fund page on the AIM website, we encourage you to browse. http://www.adventures.org/opps/kenya2008.asp

garbage dump

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

yesterday i had one of those moments, where i know the truth that God is everywhere, but i thought, man oh man, jesus would have been sitting in the filth with the gypsy people.

i went with a young missionary woman to this garbage dump behind a shopping center, and all of the sudden there were a ton of house like structures and garbage. and among all that people. lots of kids.

kate and i taught a simple math lesson...i mostly just hugged and smiled at them. they gave kate and i each a woolly mammoth statue. probably now one of my favorite keep sakes.

i am still wrecked over that visit still today. the kids were under dressed for this cold weather and uneducated. and i am thinking today what in the world am i to do next? how do i respond...there is so much in the world to respond to...

i held this little baby with the cutest cheeks ever and just prayed for her. her sister who was probably around 10 kept giving her to me to hold and the mom would take her away and then some how i would get her back. she was precious.

i left on the bus at 6 this morning and came back to sarajevo.

tonight we have the normal meeting with the campus crusade people. i am excited to see that and see if anyone from the english workshops from last week come tonight.

tomorrow we are having a party for the english workshop people and then i go home on friday early afternoon.

god is doing great and marvelous things here...just at a different pace than i have ever seen. cool to trust god for things that might not happen in the near future...but you know deep down that he is working...

love god.
love people.
allie

mostar

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

today i arrived by bus to a town about 3 hours away from sarajevo. i felt like i could have taken 1000 pictures and that still would not have been enough to capture the beauty of the land. my bus ride went from towns of snow to fall green and orange. it was breathtaking.

on the way here i had this strange feeling of helplessness. just not knowing the language and what i am getting myself into...felt this cool reliance on the Lord and it has been sweet.

i am staying with two girls, one from england and the other from croatia, for two days in a town called mostar. in just a little bit i am heading to a drama club meeting, then to a girl's biblestudy, and then to play pool.

Tomorrow we are spending time with gypsy children and then hanging out at this youth club.

It is so neat to see the lord moving.

just a minute ago i was listening to jessica, the croatian, play her guitar and worship our savior it was beautiful.

keep pressing on as we wait upon His return.
allie

500

Fri, 9 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Wow. Our week is almost up. Last night we finished our last of three total conversational English camps. It was intense. At the very end a man asked if he could ask a question. He was Muslim. He asked something along the lines Can I ask you a question. Why are you alluring students to come by saying you are having an English workshop but then try to convert them?

It was interesting because the girls I was sitting with told us not to take his comment personally. And that comment sparked great conversations and heart checks on our team. But also it was a taste of reality for Christianity here.

This has been a hard week. It is sobering to think that there are about 500 Christians in all of Sarajevo, a town of 400,000 and 500,0000. And some churches go years before someone accepts Christ. They dont even have the word martyr in their vocabulary.

Still lots to processbut the team is doing great. I have been feeling nauseated. Someone said it was because of all the cigarette smoke.

I dont have this like amazing story to share or one thought running through my headjust that there seem to be so much opportunity for more ministryI cant even wrap my hands around it. Completely relational.

I met with a Pastor this morning. He was sharing needs their church has and needs he has. It was another sobering conversation, but also full of hope. The needs he has are tangible and strategic.and I see great things happening in that church.

More soon

arrival

Sun, 4 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hello Friends and Family,

We have arrived in Bosnia. It is quite rainy and cold. But so excited to be here. Today we went to church and than out to lunch with the campus crusade staff. In the afternoon Courtney and I walked in the turkish area. We met a little boy whose eyes just captivate you. We giggled with him for a little bit as he taught us the word for dog in bosnian. Then we walked a little further and met a little named Diane. She wanted money for medicine for her child. This threw me off, i wasn't expecting for some reason to be asked for money. So we are going to meet her tomorrow at 4. I am excited to see her again.

I met these people on the plane whose son who just does peace-making here...crazy...he teaches about this. there is a spirit of dissention.....hmm....

We passed a beautiful mosque today as it was blaring the call to prayers.

Tomorrow we start handing out flyers for the English camps. Yeah!

Hopefully, write more soon.

out of love

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Keep yourself in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 21

I feel like in the context of my life right now I am going through some major character building times. (I don't really know how to put it.) All around me seems to be out of place and me being this weird people pleaser and peace makerI feel this uneasiness.

And I confess that some of that is healthy and some of that is out of proportion. And it is good and I am fumbling and learning through it. And I know we will never arrive on this side of heaven and sometimes on this side it is a step by step journey. And none of us is to weak to be made more than a conquerors. "But they (those who are more than conquerors) won through, step by step; by little acts of will, little denials of self, little inward victories; by faithfulness in very little things they became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps, they only see the accomplishments; but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph, no spiritual maturity that is the work of a moment." AC

More importantly what the Lord has been driving home in my heart is that everything He does is out of love. So all the sticky stuff in life is somehow out of love. It is just radically changing me head and heart.

"Let us be content with our Lord's will, and tell Him so, and not disappoint Him by wishing for anything He does not give.

Final Days...

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Greetings from the other side of the ocean. Today is our last full day here in Kenya. It always seems that whatever amount of time I pass on these soils, it always flashes by full of goodness and questions and answers and laughter and frustrations and joy and love. All these things that seem to be mutually exclusive are wrapped up in to one chapter in the story the Lord is writing of my life.

We just got home from a Muslim wedding. It was beautiful. They are from the Nubian tribe and I just looked around and soaked it all in. Lots of music, and shrills, and beautiful colors.

Many little things have transpired over the course of the last few days. (Oooppsss I was just side-tracked by a visitor. She shared from her heart her struggles, and while trying to keep one ear to the Father, the Lord began showing me lies that she was listening to. It is moments like this that make me love being here even more.) We continue to move a little each day. This has been a semi-daunting task. We are moving out of Kibera to a safer area of time, yet still doing all our ministry here. This morning I had a hard, but necessary conversation with one of our orphans that needed to happen; many tears were shed on her part. I feared that I hurt her feelings, but I know I spoke truth. Just now I saw her at the wedding and she grabbed my hand and talked much to methis made my heart at rest.

Yesterday I awoke to a frog in my bathroom. (Really it was a toad, but I would like to pretend it was my frog prince.) Then there was some rioting on our road. Muslims tore and burnt a church. The police came and gun shots were fired. We could hear it all the way down where we stay. I dropped food off at one of my favorite Kenyan women's house and the look on her face was priceless. Then I had to go to the dentist to get a food particle removed from in-between my teeth. I laughed the whole time. Then a Kenyan woman came over and it was great for her to vent how she was feeling. These days are full, but I miss it.

I have been really praying about coming back in January. I would like so much for you all to join in with me on that. I don't have any clear direction as of yet.

I was reading in 2 Chronicles 14 today. In verse 11 Asa says, "Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God: do not let man prevail against us." And if you read farther it explains how the Lord struck down and crushed the opposing army because He had fallen upon them. The Asa and the army plundered the villages because there was so much booty there.

And I thought to myself, this is beautiful. The Lord responded to Asa's cry for help and He not only responded, but in HUGE waysso much so that the plunder overflowed. And somehow I think this is how the Lord still works with us. When the Lord and His glory and power falls on us, we prevail by just trusting. Yet we try so hard to do things, when in reality, maybe all we need to do is trust. Maybe trust is the hardest thing for us to do?

I want to live in the Lord's plunderdaily.

This past month has been fabulous and there are far too many things to share, but I am gearing up to return back to the states. This morning I got a pedicure to get all the dirt out of my toes. The most exciting thing about it, I felt no pain when she was massaging my right foot, which is a huge step. I had a moment at the salon with the Lord of thanksgiving.

Amy Carmichael said this morning, "We are never staying in the valley or the rough waters; we are always only passing through them, just as the bride in Song of Songs is seen coming up from the wilderness learning on her Beloved. So whatever the valley is, or however rough the waters are, we won't fear. Leaning on our Beloved we shall come up from the wilderness and, as Psalms 84.6 says, even use the valley as a well, make it a well. We shall find the living waters there and drink from them."

May you all find living waters, whether you are in a valley or a mountain top.

Thanks for being part of my story.

so this is life

Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Wow. What great, wonderful, and full times in Kibera. We have been super busy cleaning and moving things around. I have been praying this prayer during these busy days, "What wouldest thou that I should do for thee? My Lord, my Savior, pour Thy Love through me. As mountain river when its streams run dry. So, but for Thee, Fountain of Love am I. If there be hindrance, sweep it all away. O Love Eternal, pour through me, I pray." Amy Carmichael.

On Sunday instead of going to church, I decided to bring church to my friend (in a covert manner). We had a wonderful visit over the biggest plate of rice that I have eaten in my entire life. At the end of our visit, she actually let me pray with her which was a beautiful thing. She also almost cried, which those of that religion, don't share personal things, nor show much emotion. Please pray for he

I have been spending time with the wonderful, Eva, who we are leaving to look over the orphanage. It has been great to love on her and empower her. Yesterday we created a rules system, made a schedule for the kids, made a schedule for Eva, made a sign out-sheet, and a behavior system, and we made some posters and tonight we are having a "family" meeting with all the children. This has been super fun for me to create. I feel like my years of teaching have helped for such an occasion as this.

The other day I was walking down our road after visiting with someone. The crazy man, influenced by narcotics of some sorts who dwells on our corner, escorted me home. I think he is harmless and hilarious. He asked me how my foot was, which shocked me because I didn't really think he knew me apart from all the other folk that are here. I told him it was doing good and that each day Jesus is healing it. He was then quick to jump in and say we aren't talking about Jesus. I told him I could not deny that Jesus is a part of healing my foot. He then asked me to talk about nature and not about Jesus. I giggled and we walked on.

The other night I had a steady stream of visitors. Which I also enjoy. One woman, Charity, and I dreamt for awhile about a woman's ministry here. I told her that I would love to call it "Order of the Fervent Heart". I read that in an Amy Carmichael book once, "I should like to think that we all belong to the Order of the Fervent Heart. If we are anywhere but in the Love of God, we drift apart. If any have been cooling, drifting, if any are not warm in love towards one another, will they not find time for drawing near once more, first to their Lord, then, as His love rekindles them, to one another." So fun to see Charity's imagination go wild and hear her share her dreams. Wow. Put my measly dreams to shame. Charity kept talking about peace amidst all the suffering and financial struggles. And I think that sometimes (though we might think it is unfortunate) that there is no way to bring God's best out in us, but through suffering.

Tomorrow we head to a town in the mountains called Kijabe, to drop off some things and visit some friends. I feel like my time here is quickly coming to an end, I do feel like I have unfinished "business" hereso just praying through what that means for me. Thank you again for all your prayers. There is still much to be done in these next 10 days. Rock on!

Eburru

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This past weekend we went to a mountain town called Eburru. My first time there was in 2005. I enjoyed just observing and soaking in the evolution of ministry there.

One night at two in the morning in 2005, a man, Jeff, found his way to Pastor Steve and said that he had heard what the team shared about Jesus and he couldn't wait any longer to receive Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior.

This weekend I observed Jeff, now an elder, active in the church. It was beautiful.

There is also a clinic and a discipleship training school in progress of being built.

All this has happened over the past two years and I was overwhelmed with how the Lord works making something wonderful out of nothing.

I helped the ladies one afternoon make this food which is a mixture of potatoes, corn, and spinach. We were stirring it and mashing it together. I had my wooden spoon taken away from me because I kept spilling potatoes over the side. It was just wonderful to be with women there.

More to come soon.

thanks for praying

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Last night something so extremely exciting happened. My heart is still bursting.

I decided to call my friend I asked you all to pray for yesterday. I wasn't able up to that point to get a hold of her. Much to my surprise she answered.

Today I spent the entire morning with her. Our time was beautiful. I learned so many new things about babies and tradition in her faith. She is pregnant. I learned that the father of the baby's family names the baby after 7 days. At 40 days there is a celebration where a sheep, goat, or camel is killed. When taking the insides out, no bones can be broken and the meat is divided into thirds. One portion goes to the family of the baby, the other to the celebration, another to the poor. The unbroken bones are then placed back in the skin of the animal and buried. When the end times come, that animal will come back to life and carry the child to the front of the judgment line. Our whole conversation was entirely fascinating. Thanks again for being a part of making today possible.

More to follow soon.

allie

update

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The team of thirty that I have had the privilege of walking with these last 10 days departed last night. I still feel like this team was different from any other team I have led.

The participants were from the ages of 16-49. One of my favorite things to do was just watch the beautiful, eldest woman interact with Kenyans. Almost all the Kenyans called her mama and even asked if she could be their spiritual mom.

We spent the beginning of the week in Kibera working at our school and visiting an AIDS baby orphanage. After this we headed out into the bush and spent some time with a Masai tribe in the Rift Valley. I was able to visit this said town when I came in April. It was great to go back and see familiar faces.

Amy Carmichael said, "But I shall ask that the greater the difficulty, the more abundant the supply of love may be, so that you will love your way through all, prove conquering power of love-eternal love."

Throughout this week, while listening to this team of 30 and to the Kenyans, I was reminded that everyone really does have a story to tell and some of the moments I have treasured this past week were just listening. And how while listening, realizing, that the Lord truly does supply love to conquer all situations.

At one point during the week I was not feeling so well, I was super frustrated about that. The Lord reminded me that "He has sent forth strength for our day's life, so we will go forth into our day in the strength of the Lord." And am still learning even more to tap into the Lord's strength.

Before I left for Kenya, my liver was inflamed and I was having reoccurring fevers once again. I was put on new TB medicine and my body did not like that one either. (I think it is because the TB has left my system! J ) Please continue praying for my health. It has been wonderful the last week to finally feel whole and healthy.

With the team leaving, the schedule slows down quite a bit with is rad. I enjoy just being here and really being with people. There is quite a bit of things to take care of to close up the base for the summer. Today we cleaned out the houses just a bit.

I still have not seen my Muslim friend. I am praying to run into her. Since her marriage, she has not been out much. Please pray that we can find each other and that Jesus' love would find a way into her heart.

While being here, I feel a certain release from the Lord to really press into Christ for direction. I haven't prayed in a long time for specific direction, and my heart and head feel ready to finally receive that. I do feel like some for of change is going to happen in January. I fear sharing that, but we will see what the Lord does.

Thank you for all your prayers. Please keep me informed so I can be praying for you all.

reflections...

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

So today was the day I was to leave Beautiful Kenya. But my plane ticket has been changed to leave next Tuesday. I felt like there were a few more things that I wanted to do and people to see.

God has done so much work in my heart.

We went to this town in the mountains over the weekend. It's called Eburru. Steve and Mary Njenga are "missionaries" there. They have started a church and are running a dispensary.

Mary saw patients on Saturday so I sat in the grass with the women while they waited to do in. This was wonderful. They asked me about my foot and I explained that it was hurt. And I felt like at that moment I identified with them. I was in their circle and just sat for hours laughing and talking with them.

Another man Francis told me that my heart was beautiful. And I felt like for some parts of my time here, because of much responsibility, people rarely saw my heart. There was so much healing in those words.

This morning, you can see in-between my second and third toe. This is great! And has not happened in a really long time!

My Muslim friend has been gone and came back yesterday and so I am excited to pass more time with her. This weekend we are traveling to a Maasai village that I went to last year and I thrilled to fellowship with them again.

Thanks for your prayers and for your encouragement.

God's love abounds

Sun, 8 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Last night was wonderful. We gathered all the orphans and I shared about how important it was that they start reading the word at an early age. And I spoke to them just a little bit about journaling.

Then I shared how my church in Georgia had sent gifts because though they were across the ocean, it is how the wanted to express their love.

The kids loved all the Bibles. It was beautiful. I was so proud of the kids at Lakewood.

One girl, Janet, came up to me and said she had given her only Bible to her brother and had been praying for a Bible, and now she had a new one. God cares for her!

Another girl, Effy, stated putting up the picture of the youth group at Lakewood.

Little Kevin began to preach with his new Bible.

Wow! So great to be back.

Happy Easter to all! Today I was reading in John about how Jesus was in the midst of the two thieves on the cross. And I was encouraged that Jesus is in the midst of all our suffering.

Praise God!

I see beauty everywhere, in the clouds, in the kids, in the smilesgreat to be back.

Thank you for your prayers.

I gave a digital camera to a Muslim man last night. He was thrilled. He asked me to pray for him. I told Him the only person I will pray to on his behalf is Jesus. I pray that the Love of God touches him in might ways.

Reunion...

Sat, 7 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hello Friends and Family,

God has been so good and faithful. This morning I asked the Lord what He wanted me to do with my morning and I felt like He wanted me to encourage someone with Scripture. So I ventured out!

I found a dear friend Consolada. She told me that she has nothing in her hands to give me, but she has heart. And so we just shared verses. It was a beautiful time.

She said that in so many ways she can see God. Because she is a believer, she just has to believe.

She shared two stories about God's faithfulness and protection and in both instances; it could have only been God. One story goes as follows

Consolada was at an overnight prayer meeting. At 3 o'clock in the morning they were praying for Consoalda's store that she runs and for her family.

At 3 o'clock, unbeknownst, to her there were thieves that broke into her store. While the thieves were inside some other man happened' to be passing by. Those other men stopped the thieves. Usually in Kibera that would not have happened. It was by the grace of God. There are no police, so that was huge.

It was the same time there was prayer. Consalda said she felt loved and cared for. It was a beautiful morning.

Yesterday I saw my Muslim friend. We spent the afternoon together. She has gone to Uganda for the week, so I felt so blessed to have seen her and just share how special she is to my heart. It was wonderful.

There are so many things I just deeply love here. The clouds, the music, the way the kids dance, the smiles, and the friendship. I am overwhelmed.

Tonight we are giving the gifts that my church in Georgia sent. I will report soon about that.

Thank you for your prayers. It has been great to say hello and then now be able to say good-bye well.

My heart overflows. Amy Carmichael said, "And yet I cannot fear, for I shall soar. Thy love shall wing me, blessed Savior; so I answer, I adore, I love Thee, trust Thee, praise Thee."

It is great to be back in Kenya.

Thu, 5 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The plane ride here was wonderful and I felt so cared for. Both flights I had the entire row to myself, which was completely the grace of God.

I walked around today and just saw beauty in the surroundings and in dear friends.

Last night I could not fall asleep, and I just listened to the noises that fill the Kibera nights. I just smiled and prayed.

More to come! Thanks for all your prayers all luggage is here. The Lord's favor was all over that flight. What a great good God we serve.

strange ashes

Tue, 3 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I just finished a book this morning by Elisabeth Elliot called These Strange Ashes. It's all about her first year as a missionary in Ecuador. She quoted Amy Carmichael, "But these strange ashes, Lord, this nothingness, This baffling sense of loss? Son, was the anguish of my stripping less Upon the torturing of the cross?" Elisabeth says, "Each separate experience of individual striping we may learn to accept as a fragment of the suffering Christ bore when He took it all."

Katherine von Schlegel wrote:

"Be still me soul: they best, they heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still me soul: they God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

I love the ending, "now mysterious shall be bright at last." When we have strange ashes scattered about, we have a God who gathers. And I know God takes ashes and turns them into beauty. When i left Kenya i felt so scattered. Zephaniah says, "I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. At that time i will gather you: at that time I will bring you home. Whatever we are struggling with, our souls can be still...God will undertake and he will gather and he will bring us home.

bootiful

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

"Yes, He has humbled me and shown me what I am, revealing Himself as a present, a very present help in time of trouble. And though He does not deprive me me of feeling in my trial, He enables me to sing, "Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Now I am happy in my Savior's love. I can thank Him for all, even the most painful experiences of the past, and trust Him without fear for all that is to come." Hudson Taylor.

A dear friend this week told me " how bootiful are the feet that bring good news." I wrote this in my journal later on. "Heaven really is a dream that is reality. I am learning the lesson of the weaned child. I am learning to do without. (Referring to the walking cast) What I once saw as I looked at my boot, ugliness, constriction, loss of freedom, pain, I now see as beauty, God's glory, strength, and stability. Oh how when we see with Your eyes how our perspectives change. In your fullness, you will fill all that is taken away and that is completely, mysteriously awesome!"

baffled

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I am sitting now on the deck overlooking (at a distance) a beautiful lake and the sun descending and the light reflecting off the lake is perfect. It has been a rough day in my walk with the Lord. If one could hit any kind of pit, I think I landed in one today.

At the doctor's office yesterday, he told me he was baffled about my foot and wanted to hand me back to my primary care physician. I kept hearing in my head, "take heart" and "God is my rock and I will yield" But man oh man, this journey that I have been on this last year, I feel like there are these rocks constantly thrown at me, trying to make my tumble into the pit. These rocks have written on them sickness, foot pains, TB,.

And today, I got sick and tired of having rocks thrown at me. I wept. I wept like I have always imagined Mary weeping in the Bible when she wiped Jesus feet. And when I was weeping I pictures Jesus' strong feet and that's the feet I want.

Today a man looked at my walking cast and said, "that is of satan." And I refuse to believe that I have been walking around with Satan for these last couple of months. I do believe as Christ followers, we are always at war, God vs. Satan. But I am convinced that my God is victorious. And by His Blood we have overcome.

So I came out here on the deck just to be and to listen and to hear the crickets chirping and to soak up my Father's love. I read in Isaiah a little bit. It says, "You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction you have put all my sins behind your back..The livingthey praise you as I am doing todayThe Lord will save meand we will sing.It's all about Hezekiah sickness and recovery. I think it was Isaiah 37 ish. But "WE WILL SING"!

How cool is it that no matter what we can always find promises in the Lord's Word. And because of His Word He gives us the strength to climb out of the pit and sometimes even carries us out of the pit.

I head to an orthopedic doctor early Monday morning. Please pray that God is glorified, just like His glory shines now with the pink sky, but also that something would be revealed about my foot. I am so glad there is always an end. And I am ready for my foot to be whole.

New Orleans

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This week has been phenomenal! I am currently "leading/hosting" a team in New Orleans. It has been great just being with a team again and watching them love Jesus. For many of these college students it is their first missions trip. It is just awesome to see them experience how we can love Jesus here in New Orleans and back home.

We have spent either the afternoon or the morning just praying and asking what God wants us to do and then doing it. Phew. I stayed back many of these times and rested and it was beauitful just hearning their testimonies when they returned.

This morning we spent time at a homeless shelter. I sat by a man name Monte. We became friends because he said he liked my shoes.

I told him thanks, but they make my feet smell. He said he wanted to smell them. So I handed him my shoe, and he said they didn't smell so bad.

He said his shoes smelled worse. I told him I wanted to smell his shoes, so he took them off. And I smelt them. And from there I was able to try and love him like Jesus was right inside of him.

It was awesome to hear his story and share about this God that I am madly in love with.

Another man came up to me and asked me to French braid his hair. My first thought was, "his hair is so greasy", and I asked the Lord to forgive me, and brushed his hair with all the love I had in me and then I braided his hair. I asked a girl on the team to help becuase i was so nervous braiding a man's hair and it was great to have her hands helping as well.

He told me in three more months his hair will be long enough to donate for cancer patients. It was a beautiful moment, here is a homeless man, literally giving all he had left to give.

Love God. Love People. Love the Nations.

New Orleans on the Porch: Damian needed love

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Last week in New Orleans we stayed at this house in the "inner city" near the projects. I found myself outside one day just sitting and talking to people as they passed by. I talked to these great older women one day.

Amanda, my friend came down and we all had a great conversation. Then they left and this little boy, Damian came by. He sat down. Damian said he wasn't feeling good. I deduced that his tummy was hungry. Amanda ran and got him a snack from inside. And we talked to Damian for awhile. Then I asked him if he wanted a ride home because the van had just pulled up with the college group. So the college group leader and I drove Damian home.

And while we were riding in the car. I realized that Damian's stomach never hungered. He was so hungry to be loved. We finally got to his house, after driving through this dilapidated, yet beautiful neighborhood, and nobody was home. My heart broke as he looked back at us from his doorstep. He came running out and asked if we could drive him to his grandma's. By the time we got to his grandma's his stomach problems were over. All around us people are so in need of love.

The Same Sun

It is amazing to me that we always have the presence of Jesus with us. Today I was thinking that when I look up at the sun or the moon, it is the same sun or moon that Jesus saw when he was on this earth. Is that not amazing!

Healing

Amy Carmichael, again, taught me so much yesterday. I really thought the Lord was going to heal me in New Orleans. Twice I was anointed with oil and prayed over many times for healing. Amy said, "I have known lovers of our Lord who in their spiritual youth were sure beyond a doubt that healing would always follow the prayer of faith and the anointing of oil in the name of the Lord. But those same dear lovers, in their beautiful maturity, passed through illness, unrelieved by any healing. And when I looked in wonder remembering all that they had held and taught in other yeas. I found them utterly at rest. The secret of their Lord was with them. He had said to them, their own beloved Lord had said it. "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid". Do their hearts were not troubled or afraid and their song was always of the loving-kindness of the Lord. "As for God, His way is perfect," they said, "We need no explanation."

crumble

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This morning I passed this like stone monument that was broken and crumbling. And I felt like the Lord was whispering, "That is you."

But the thought that immediately came into my mind was that how it looked today was much more beautiful than before (it had recently crumbled a little).

Then I was thinking that maybe deep within I want to be this put together leader or Christian or missionary (just like the monument was) and Jesus just whispered, "some of the best leaders are the broken ones."

It was a strangely profound moment this morning. Then I was thinking about the monument more and about community. And how community is a bunch of broken people coming together. And how beautiful that is to the Lord. And how when we stop desiring community and just loving people, naturally community happens.

All this because of a cumbling work of art.

3 simple things

Wed, 6 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I have been struck lately with this simple concept that all we have to do is love God, love people, and love the nations. I find myself at different moments of the day asking how I can do one of those three things and it is blowing my mind. If at every moment, whether in Kenya or Mexico or Chicago or Gainesville, if I could just see the hurting all around in that moment and love. Wow.

For instance, at Publix the other day i paused and asked God how He wanted me to love Him, love people, and love the nations. He pushed me to talk to the woman in front of me. She was buying a whole bunch of magazines. I began conversing with her and she let me know that she buys magazine's for the crossword puzzles becuase she is lonely. My heart felt pain. The world around us is hurting and if for a moment i could just get over myself and be in the moment God has put before me. Oh sweet goodness.

only the Lord

Fri, 6 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

It all started this morning as I was out jogging, trying to finish before the rain poured. Then as I was in the Word later on, the Lord helped me remember. His Word came alive. While in Kenya, the last village I had the privilege of spending time in with a youth group was called Mussul. It was way in the middle of nowhere, living with the Masai Tribe. It hadn't rained there for 2 years. Two years! All the animals had gone in search for water, as well as husbands, and women would walk for hours to get water at a well. We would cry out for rain as we stood in the dust and watched people walk for water, and continued to pray as we watched rain clouds come in and rain in the valley, but they never touched where we were.

And this morning I was reminded also of living through that horrible drought that even reached Nairobi, and how many of you prayed through that for rain, believing that our all powerful God could form a cloud with His hands and fill it with water. And I remembered what it was like to look up and see rain clouds and knowing deep down in my soul, that there was no rain on the ground to fill up those clouds. Those clouds could have only been formed by God. It was beautiful. Listen to what Isaiah said in Chapter 41....

17 "The poor and needy search for water,
       but there is none;
       their tongues are parched with thirst.
       But I the LORD will answer them;
       I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
       and springs within the valleys.
       I will turn the desert into pools of water,
       and the parched ground into springs.

19 I will put in the desert
       the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
       I will set pines in the wasteland,
       the fir and the cypress together,

20 so that people may see and know,
       may consider and understand,
       that the hand of the LORD has done this,
       that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Hmmm...may the people of all nations, of every tribe and tongue, know and consider and understand that the hand of the Holy One, the Lord, He has done it! All praise to the Mighty God we serve.

I am overcome these days with God's grace-filled, redemptive, Calvary love.

what victor wrote

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This is what a going into college student wrote on the trip i just led, and i wantedt o share it with you all. Thank you so much for your prayers.

"My time here has helped me to see that, here in Kenya, where food and water is scarce, God's love for the people is plentiful. Before I leave, I want to share with you what God has been showing me and telling me through a poem that I wrote while I was listening to God.

Mountains upon mountains
Your beauty glistens
Silently a gentle breeze
You sepak, I listen
The sun shines across the valley
Scattered trees bare shade for Your people
Birds soar below the cover of blue
While we, Your children
Sing beloved songs for Thine ears to hear
Stars act as candles for our faith to see
Where doubt was shattered
It is now seen in the beauty of Your creation, Lord.
I know You are my Father, my God."