A Concert, A Banquet and Auction and a Rummage Sale!!

We have some exciting fundraisers coming up!! We hope you will join us in any of these great events!

Saturday, April 13th

A Great Night of Worship!!

(You’ll not want to miss this! )  

Singer/songwriter Peder Eide is coming to

Living Hope Church, 1840 W Mason Street, Green Bay WI

A Missions Benefit Concert

Saturday, APRIL 13th

Doors open at 6:30, Concert starts at 7:00

Tickets cost:  $5.00 at the door

Our good friend Peder, has graciously offered to give a concert on our behalf to help us in our efforts to raise support and start up funds for what God has called our family to do, to go to Kenya, Africa.

"For nearly 1/3 of his life he has led Christ-centered praise and worship for youth conferences, festivals, camps, churches and any other venues students and their families have gathered. His passion filled and creative approach to helping his audience "draw closer to God and closer together" through worship and experience been called "refreshing" and "heartfelt". It's more than just being a great musician or speaker. For Peder it's about being an effective communicator"

Here’s a promo video on his newest album release:

Come and be blessed!   Hope to see you there!!

Saturday, May 11th

MISSIONS BANQUET AND AUCTION

Benefit for the Kelly Family to Kenya

(Delicious Food and lots of Fun)

Special Guest Speaker:  

Jason Witt 
Bethany International Missionary to Kenya, Africa

Join us for a fun filled night, served with great food, fellowship and hear about what God is doing in Kenya Africa.

More Details to follow

Saturday, May 25th

NEIGHBORHOOD RUMMAGE SALE  

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE KELLY FAMILY FUNDRAISER

More Details to follow

"Can You Guess the Cost?" - part two

Two weeks ago, we posted a "Can you Guess the cost" contest. We have two winners. One person guessed very close and the other one was, well just a bit off...but because they guessed and the only ones who guessed, they get a prize!! :)  

Here are the answers to the cost of items. (KSH = Kenyan Schillings)

Item #1: 385 g coffee
775 KSH = $9.12 US

Item #2 2012 Toyota Prado
8.5 million KSH = $101,190 US

Item # 3  1/2 gallon of milk
220 KSH = $ 2.58 US

Item # 4 1996 Toyota Forerunner 

1.092 million KSH = $13,300 US

Item #5  Family Size Box of Rice Krispies Cereal
925 KSH = $ 10.88 US

Item #6  2007 Hard Top Land Rover Cruiser
6 million KSH = $71,428 US

Item #7  18 cubic feet LG Refrigerator
77,995 KSH = $ 917.58 US

Item #8  A generic brand 2 slot Toaster
5,900 KSH = $69.50 US

One of the common questions we are asked is, "Can you get....?" or "Do they have....?" It is amazing that in what seems like such a short period of time, how much Kenya has changed. Things such as washers/dryers, clothing, electronic products, vehicles, many westernized amenities have become more readily available. You pretty much can get everything. I like to tell people that "Yes, everything is available, it's just what are you willing to pay for it." 

In the U.S.A, we have many resources available to us. Readily accessible items helps keep the cost of goods down for the consumer. For Kenya, most of what is available to the consumer, is imported in from other countries. They do not have many manufacturing plants or resources within the country to make items that help keep the cost of goods down. So with everything imported, such as vehicles, comes a hefty import tax which then makes it very expensive. Another example of this would be fuel/gas. In Kenya, a gallon of gas is about $7 U.S. !! I've never paid that in my life!! Have you ?

Of course, everything is relevant, especially for where you live. Here's another example. I was walking in a market and saw a bouquet of roses. They were $3 U.S. for a dozen. Then, I walked into a Apple products store and saw a 32 GB iPhone 5. It was $1,845 U.S. Just another example of import and export contrasts. Roses are grown in Kenya and exported out of the country. Electronics are not made in Kenya, therefore have to be imported. 

So you buy what is needed and you don't purchase the things that are out of your budget. Not so much different than the U.S. just with different parameters. Our family loves cereal for breakfast, but at almost $11 for a box, that is one of the things that we will adapt and change our priorities to fit our means. I see a lot of oatmeal or toast in our future. :)

Some have wondered why our support funds amounts are so high. It is relevant to the cost of living in Kenya. Our hope is by sharing examples and picture(s) of what daily life will look like for us, that will bring an understand of why we must raise the amounts that we have projected. Here is a basic idea of the things we have to put in our budget.

Our Set Up expenses involve what it takes to re-locate our family and to Set Up our home.  

*Airfare travel to Kenya

* 2 months rent deposit and last month rent

* visas for our family to live in Kenya

* vehicles for family use and ministry use

* language school tuition

* kids schooling enrollment fees

* insurance for vehicles, health  

* all basic furnishings for our home: beds, stove, fridge, washer/dryer, dining room table, chairs, dressers, desks, sofa

* internet service/phone set-up costs 

Our Monthly Support (not included in the set up costs)

* monthly utilities such as water tank fill-up - 1 x a month, electric, sewer, gas for cooking

* rent, security/guard monthly fees

* fuel for transportation for both personal and ministry use

* Kids monthly schooling fees and school supplies

* Technology fees

* Medical expenses

* Food

* House hold supplies and toiletries

* Clothing

* Ministry expenses, donor care, hospitality

* Home assignment (funds to travel back to the US for furlough)

* Emergency fund

As daunting as the numbers seem to us, we believe that when God calls, He always promises to be with and to provide a way to do what He calls you to do. God is inviting all of us to be apart of His amazing work in Kenya.  

Will you consider joining with us in this? We can't do this on our own. 

We need your help!!

If you feel impressed to donate towards our SET UP or to commit to become a MONTHLY Partner, there are several ways to do so. On the left side of the blog is two thermometers and underneath is a Donate online link. You can also go to the tab at the top of the blog that says Online Giving...and that will direct you to the ways you can give.

Thank You!!

Fear, Faith, God’s Power

One of the first days we were in Nairobi, we attended a funeral of a Christian brother who was martyred for his faith.  During the funeral service for this man, I began to ponder what the purpose was for his life and why it ended so soon.  Why was his life taken and the life of the man with him, spared.  The more I thought about the reality of what it means to follow Christ began to sink in.  Would our life be required of me/us?  It could.  

Christ told his disciples to “take up their cross and follow Him”.  This man, knew the cost of his faith would be his life.  Yet he lived by faith daily and through God’s power was able to accomplish great things for God’s kingdom and had a great impact on the community in which he lived in.  He did not hide away in fear for his life, nor did he hide that fact that he was a christian and lived out his faith daily with great risk to his and his family’s lives.  He lived for God knowing the cost for his faith would mean his life.   God’s power was evident in his life, despite persecution, and through the lives changed because of his faithfulness.   

I wondered if I would see God’s power in the midst of our lives as we step out of faith.  Ironically, it was through one common sight, that was one example to me of God’s power in such an ordinary, yet slightly humorous way.

In Nairobi, a common form of transportation is a mini van /taxi/local transportation called a “Matatu”.  Generally, you will see them packed to the hilt with people jammed in there and sometimes even hanging out the sides as the catch a ride to wherever they are going.  The fun part is looking to see what the name will be plastered on the side of each matatu.  Each matatu has a “name”.

Throughout the course of the two weeks, one matutu keep reappearing in my line of vision with the name of “God’s Power”.  I joking commented on how often I was seeing God’s power.  But in all seriousness, I believe God was speaking to my heart, reassuring me of not only His presence in the midst of an emotional rollercoaster, but reminding that His power is not just for momentary times or in great crisis, but that His power is and will be present in the everyday details of our life, big and small.   

The truth is, the life God is calling us to is not without obstacles, difficulties, challenges, and fearful situations that will threaten our will, emotions, commitments and desire to serve.  His word says, “In this world you will have troubles, but take heart I have overcome it”.  What that says to me, that no matter what each day brings, God’s power is with us!  There is no room for fear, yet, fear will try to make room, in fact consume, grip. take hold of our hearts and minds and will seek to overwhelm us and devour in the process.

I wouldn’t be honest in saying I have no fear.  I have lots of fears.  But what God keeps whispering to my heart is that when I seek Him, I will find him.  Perfect love casts out all fears.   For He has not put a spirit of fear, but of love and of a sound mind.

Knowing that God is with us, brings great reassurance.  Knowing that His power resides in us brings great peace!   

CAN YOU GUESS HOW MUCH IT COSTS?

We thought it would be fun to have a little contest for you the reader.   We have posted several pictures of things from Nairobi that are similar to what can be purchased in the USA.  The difference is the cost of the following items which are relative to availability and resources of the country of Kenya.

The winner(s) who is closest to the actual cost of any of the items will receive a small prize from us.   We will disclose the winner(s) several weeks from now.

Oh yeah, this competition excludes those who currently live in Kenya (aka: missionaries, former missionaries, students/interns) or those who have may have visited Kenya past or present.   :)

Item #1:

Coffee

Item #2

2012 Toyota Prado

Item # 3

1/2 gallon of milk

Item # 4

1996 Toyota Forerunner

Item #5

Family Size Box of Rice Krispies Cereal

Item #6

2007 Hard Top Land Cruiser

Item #7

18 cubic feet LG Refrigerator


Item #8

A generic brand 2 slot Toaster

You may submit your guesses in the comment section below this post.

Happy Guessing!!

Home!!

We arrived home safe and sound!!  All flights went very well!!   We are glad to be back home and reunited with our kids who missed us but did just fine in our absence!  Thank you to all who were praying for our family!   We will post more later, but for now...time to go to bed!!  Its been a LONG day!  :)  

Greetings from Sunny Kenya

We are doing well!   We want to give a brief update on what we have been doing over these last six days.

First of all, we have been enjoying the warm sunny weather here in Kenya.  It has been averaging about 70-75 deg every day.  A very welcome break from the winter and cold.  That’s been nice!

All our travel/flights to Kenya went very well.  It was actually very relaxing traveling with only ourselves and not 20+ other people!  :)

Upon arrival, we were met at the airport by Dan Germo and Jason Witt, our future team leader and colleague.  After gathering our belongings we headed to the Germo home where we will be their houseguest for the next two weeks.

Much of what we have done throughout each day involves time and traveling.  The time to do either the errands, kids school and activity pickups/dropoffs, groceries, meetings with various individuals, or just getting from place to place takes time.  Interestingly enough, what would really irritate us in the states - like having to wait for things which then seems like such an inconvenience.  But here in Kenya, you really come to expect and accept that is just the way of life here and you either go with it and be flexible or you will become an extremely irritated person.

The positive of that is that it has afforded us many opportunities to talk, to share, to ask questions and to work through the schedule of topics that we have and helping us to prepare for our life changing move to Kenya.

So far, we have had the opportunity tour the school our kids will be attending next fall and to meet with staff and start the enrollment process for our kids, “window shopping” and price comparison for vehicles, furnishings, and basic setup necessities, eating multicultural foods such as Chinese, Ethiopian, Australian, and Kenyan, attending church service at Madaraka (and yes Tim and I were asked to give a customary greeting from our church), attended an international Mom’s in Touch meeting,  and many more day to day stuff.

We’ve also had several meetings to specifically discuss topics everything from how to shop/cook, care for a family, to immediate arrival set up details, expectations, culture shock and adaptation for our family, balance in personal expectations and for us as a family, to safety protocols.  Tonight we will have our first official team meeting where we will all get the opportunity to get to know each other and to begin building that dynamic and function as a team!  Later this week we hope to walk through a few houses to get an idea of where we want to live and what would fit the needs of our family.

The realization that life will dramatically change for us in so many ways has hit us in so many ways and at various times.  Our emotions are varied and rise and dip in waves, as I’m sure that this is just only the beginning.  Our emotions and feelings will change on a consistent basis and fail us every time.  But one thing has not changed and that is the knowledge that we are EXACTLY where God wants us to be.   And that God will remain FAITHFUL to us.  He promises do what He says He will do and for that we will cling to and trust Him at all times!!

We are extremely grateful for the Germo’s, the Witts and the rest of our team for the wisdom they are and will continue to impart, modeling grace, living by example, and sharing their life and ministry experiences, good and bad with us.  We know that they will be there to help us through the adjustment, through the mistakes we make all the while also allowing us to grow and learn at the same time too!   

Thank you our prayer and financial support team for enabling us to do this!!  We cannot even begin to do this on our own!!  We know and feel your prayers and so greatly appreciate your support and encouragement!  Keep it up!!!

Please also continue to keep us in your prayers as this next year will be full of many changes, challenges, and victories.

 Our next post will be fun for you the reader!   So, keep checking in and hopefully you all will enjoy the little “competition” we have coming up!

Blessings!!

“Up, Up and Away!!”

Tomorrow, Tim and I will be getting on a plane and flying to Kenya!! We are embarking on a two week survey trip to prepare for our family to move to Kenya, come this summer, Lord willing!    

Some things we hope to accomplish are: looking for a potential home to rent, “window shopping” for furnishings, necessities to set up a home, looking at vehicle options, visiting the school in which our kids will be attending (West Nairobi School) and meeting teachers, staff and getting them enrolled for the upcoming school year. We will also spend time with our team leaders, Dan and Nancy Germo defining and developing our ministry plan, finalizing our budget and beginning to orient our lives for when we hit the ground and begin ministering and living in Kenya. We will post throughout our trip over the next two weeks, and maybe even a few pictures too!   

Several prayer requests during this time would be:

1. For our children as they remain back here in the states, under the care of several friends and their grandmother.  Please keep our kids in your prayers.  Specifically for their physical protection and health, peace while mom and dad are gone, no fear or worries, harmony amongst each other, and God would begin to fill them with dreams, ideas and to reveal His plan for their lives.   
 
2. For us as we "see" Kenya through different eyes, this time around.   It is definitely won’t be the type of trips we have taken previously over these past 13 years. We believe and are confident that God is preparing the way for us, every step of the way.  

3. We covet your prayers as we continue to make important decisions, especially in regards to our new life there. We want God’s wisdom, His direction, His leading, His guidance and to be filled and equipped to do what He has called us to do!   


Thank you for your faithful prayers and support!  We are blessed by you!   

Blessings!