Back to Africa

A little over 2 years ago God began a work in our family that we never thought would lead us to where we are today.

It didn't seem like a big deal at the time.  It just seemed like a way to do something for someone else.  We started sponsoring 2 children in Kenya, Africa.  We sent money monthly, wrote the occasional letter, sent Christmas and birthday gifts, prayed for the children each night.  Didn't seem like a major deal, but God was using this simple act of obedience to care for the orphan and oppressed to plant a seed in our lives.

                                                  Rita                                                             Micheal



That summer we took a family missions trip to Pikeville, Kentucky.  It was a wonderful experience to serve others as a family.  The seed began to get watered.

Friends of ours had gone to Africa and shared their experiences with us...roots began to form.  When they returned we started to help them with small projects while they were there and support their trips...a little sprout grew.  Rob went to Africa with Equip 1 ministries in March of 2013...sprout grew larger.

We felt God nudging us to step out of our comfort zone and take another family missions trip.  This time to Mexico...more growth.

Rob and I, after much prayer, travelled to Uganda in October with Hope Grafted In.  We visited the same orphanage Rob went to in March...deeper roots.

We feel the next natural step for our family is to travel to Uganda, together.  So that is what we are doing!  We are taking a spring break missions trip as a family.  Just the four of us.  We could not be more excited!  The kids ask everyday when we are going.  They can't wait to play with all the kids at Ebenezer.  Rob and I are so excited to take them to a place we love and to meet our family in Africa!

 

Carys says, "I am most excited about meeting Evelyn and Georgie and all the children at Ebenezer.  I am really looking forward to jumping rope with Evelyn and playing catch with Georgie.
I am not nervous or worried about anything."  (Gotta love child-like faith!)  We sent Evelyn a locket necklace fore Christmas, Carys has the same one with Evelyn's picture.  She is excited to wear it and show Eveyln that they have matching necklaces!  Such a girl.

Broderick says, "I am most excited about finally seeing Georgie and all the children at Ebenezer.  I would like to teach some of the kids some basic karate moves!  (Oh my...the joy in my heart right now!)  I am a little nervous about the time difference and adjusting to sleeping on a different schedule."

Every time I think about my kids meeting and playing with the children they have prayed for and sent letters and gifts to, I get a ginormous grin on my face!  This is going to be GREAT!!!

There is much work to be done at Ebenezer.  A few things we will be working on while there are...
-Planning and discussing construction of school and dorm on their new land.

-Possible construction and working on the new school if donations come in.
-Assessing and meeting needs at the current location of Ebenezer. (food, temporary school structures, possible malaria prevention, and whatever else God reveals while we are on the ground.)

-Visiting and speaking to a few local schools about the importance of education and staying in school.

-Encouraging current Ebenezer staff on loving and nurturing the children.
-Visiting families in their homes in the village around Ebenezer.



-Possible discussions around discipleship.
-And, of course, loving on A LOT of children!!!!!!

If you would like to help us here is what you can do...

-We REALLY need your prayers.  I read some of these things above and literally laugh because I have NO idea how or why God would allow me to do some of this work.  Please pray over each thing.  Also pray we would be sensitive to the Lord's prompting for whatever else he has in store for us.  Prayer is the number one most important piece to this trip.  I know from going before it is what gets us through.  More than anything, prayer is the key to His work.

-Help financially support our trip or donate money to the work we will be doing while on the ground you can email me at robnamy2000@gmail.com and I will give you an address to mail it to.  Or you can go to Equip 1 website ( http://equip1.org/donate/) and donate and enter Ebenezer in the project line.

-Donate items for us to take with us to give to the children at Ebenezer.  (More info on this to come or you can email me for more details.)

 

And to think...this all started with sponsorship!