child at heart

We have hit our first “snag” on the getting ready side of Africa. The travel agency we are using for plane tickets got us a GREAT price to save a seat on the plane for only $2000! That’s about $700 less than we had to pay for seats last year. The problem – it had to be paid by today to get that price. So, Bella does not have that money just sitting around so I called Dr. Trull and talked to him about it today. They will save a seat for me on the same plane but I will end up paying more for my seats than the others will since I cannot pay them today. Stink! Plus I have to get that money in to them ASAP to ensure a seat on the same plane.

Plus, I have lost my passport and have to wait until I get $100 to apply for a new one. I have started off preperations with a couple thinks against me but its ok. It will all work out.

It does look like I will be able to go to M-Fuge with the church this year. The dates work out that I will be home from Africa for about 3 days and then Fuge leaves. I think I am up for it. :)

Here is the letter I FINALLY finished writing, just know most of you reading this will get a hard copy of this anyway but here is the copy if you want to pass it along to your friends for prayer reasons and what not.

Dear Friends and Family,

I pray this letter finds you in God’s blessings. As you may already know, I am planning on returning to Kenya in June and July of 2009. I will be one of many from Faulkner University who will be going to assist the local churches and mission areas chosen by churches there and the missionaries who are already following the Lord’s will. Throughout the 4 weeks we are there we will be teaching classes designed for strictly men or strictly women, planning and conducting children’s Bible Schools similar to our VBS, and planning and conducting youth meetings. We are also planning on working at the Kambakia Training Center again where they are already preparing and conducting Bible courses and new areas of vocational training. We will also be helping in construction needs at the KTC. Each day we will be visiting with the new churches and villages in the remote areas of Africa to teach and encourage the Christians there. Our mission team will be working with local leaders and those who have spent countless years in Kenya as a missionary.

The Lord has already worked great things in my heart in ways I never imagined from this trip last year. I pray the Lord will continue to break me and use me however He has willed. Please pray for my prideful spirit to be broken and for Christ to grab hold of me at my very core.

I am humbly writing this letter to you to ask for your prayers, your godly guidance and wisdom, and if the Lord leads, your financial support as I go on this trip. The cost of my plane ticket and all my living expenses will amount to around $3,600. Any amount remaining will be given to the mission effort in assisting the churches and missionaries with the work there, as well as their continuing education on how to do missions, and the experience of becoming a missionary. I pray that through your help this mission trip will be a reality again for me, and that the believers in Kenya will have the resources needed to do the Kingdom work year round.

I have been struggling with whether or not I should pursue this trip further because of financial reasons and whether or not I am going because the Lord has called me to go again or because it is my desire to go back.  I am clinging to the scriptures and much needed prayer and trust in the Lord’s will. Please pray that no matter what I will follow the Lord’s lead in my life. Whatever may happen I cling to Him knowing that I am following His plan for me, whether in going a second time, or just by spreading Africa’s needs to those here at home.

I thank each and every one of you right now for all you are doing in my life and ultimately for the Kingdom of Christ. I can’t wait to keep each of you involved and informed about this trip and pray there will be much to rejoice about when the trip is over. If you feel led, you may send any contributions, mission advice, and scripture to me. Anything given is greatly appreciated, even if it is just a scripture passage or a prayer. Friendship shares its love in prayers. Please continue to remember and pray for the believers in Merutown, Abongeri, Tamao Farmers, Samburu and in the Massai Lands.

 Following Him,

Bella Epps

  “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”   -Matthew 9:36-38