This Is It!

On the plane as I looked at all my boys sleeping I thought, "This is it"! Not because the Michael Jackson movie was available for viewing, but because this is what the Lord has been preparing for us our entire lives! And even though there were tears and heavy hearts as we departed Tulsa, I knew without a shadow of a doubt we were in the direct will of God! I also believe that if each one of my boys knew what an adventure these next 2 years would hold they would have chosen it for themselves as well!

We had a sweet time in Nairobi with Uncle Marv and Aunt Jan. They are such servants! Highlights include: Jan's gourmet cooking; spending almost an entire day in the immigration office going from window to window not knowing what in the world was going on; going to a Chinese restaurant where we sat outside where there were tons of toys, a playground, a jupiter jump (complete with an employee whose sole purpose was to take off and put on the kids shoes every time their little hearts desire was to get on and off) and petting a real life cheetah!

We flew into Eldoret (2 hours away) and were greeted by our friend, Christina, who is the OB/GYN post resident in Kapsowar! She drove up in the hospital ambulance! She escorted us to town to buy an internet modem and then onto a grocery store to shop for food for a month (talk about meal planning)! She then took us on a tour of the hospital and introduced us to many of the people that work at the hospital as well as the sweet kids that live around here.

So I seriously have the backyard of my dreams! The view is incredible-no picture could do it justice! I also have the neighborhood I always wanted for my boys. I was unpacking and looked out back and saw a crowd of new friends for the kids to play with. Complete with amazing smiles and much laughter! Hudson even taught the kids the game of "tag". And Jude began telling each of them "And my name is Jude" as he shook their hand.

We had a lovely dinner at the Rhodes home. It is a welcoming environment with warm people. We have spent the day unpacking our 16 bags. Lauren is now on her way to the operating room to witness a c-section and the boys are waking up from their naps. Hudson and Jude will be waiting for all of their new friends to come home from school so they can play in the freedom of their new yard where everyone wants to play!

Praises:
~Our luggage arrived safely
~Sweet friendships with grown ups as well as children
~A beautiful 3 bedroom home
~Peace that we are in God's perfect place for us
~Good quality time for Kyle and I
~Lauren arrived safely and is a huge help
~We found our camera charger

Prayer requests:
~Good sleep for all: Hudson has been waking up with "growing pains" and Isaac is up quite often thru the night (looks like he is getting 3 teeth)
~My dad is getting surgery today on his eyes. May he read this blog tonight and be comforted by the Lord's provision and His healing hand! Love you dad!
~God would open our hearts and eyes to each ministry He wants us to be a part of

We love you all and thank you for your friendship and constant support!

We're having some trouble with loading pictures, but we will get some up as soon as possible.

Safe Arrival

Kyle and Vanessa called this afternoon to tell us that they arrived safely in Nairobi. Praise the Lord! Other praises include the fact that ALL of their luggage made it and the boys did wonderful on all the flights.

Pray they all get rest tonight.

They asked that we continue to pray for Hudson who got sad and cried frequently on the flights when he thought about leaving his cousins. Jude also asked for Grammy frequently. Continue to pray for them.

Lauryn, a 16 year old from TBC, planned to travel with them and help them for the first month while in Kenya. Her flights were changed and delayed numerous times and she has yet to make it to Kenya. Pray for the rest of her travel and safe arrival.

They will be in Nairobi until Tuesday and then travel on to Kapsowar.

~Kelly

Up Up and Away!

Praying at the airport

Today is departure day! We are on our way to Kenya!

This is our itinerary:

Tulsa to Minneapolis - Northwest Airlines Flight 5087

Departs 11:40 AM Arrives 1:47 PM

Minneapolis to Amsterdam - Northwest Airlines Flight 258

Departs 3:25 PM Arrives 6:40 AM

Amsterdam to Nairobi - Northwest Airlines Flight 8565

Departs 10:20 AM Arrives 8:25 PM

HERE is a link to a flight tracker sight where you can enter our airline and flight number and find out the progress of our trip.

Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you!

Pictures from Kelly at the airport...

Isaac is pretty sure he can take on the world right now.

Jude's got a plan. He's going places.

Hudson is a little nervous but excited.

Pray for Hudson especially since he really felt the weight of leaving his cousins and friends for two years. He was very sad this morning.

The Goodbyes Have Begun

Well there is a constant "pit" in my stomach these days. Almost every time we see someone it will be our last now. This week we went to an In His Image/Family Medical Christmas party and hugged and said goodbye to so many sweet, sweet friends. We truly felt loved as they prayed for us. We know that they will be with us when we go.

Friday was Hudson and Jude's last day at Victory Mom's Day Out. Almost 4 years ago Hudson started going there. He learned his ABCs and 123s and shapes and colors. He learned the fruits of the spirit. He learned the lesson to turn to the Lord and pray the minute there is pain or a friend who is hurting. Jude learned to say "No thank you" to even the unpleasant things. He learned to take turns and wait in lines and have fun! Each time I had peace and knew they were loved and cared for. So, we said goodbye to the beautiful aquariums filled with exotic fish. We said goodbye to the larger than life giraffe that is sporting some beautiful holiday ball "bling". We rode the carousel for the last time. And we hugged our teachers a little tighter at the end of the day.

So thank you...Ms. Christine, Ms. Donna, Ms. Brooke, Ms. Niesha, Ms. Megan, Ms. Carissa and Ms. Linda. You have planted seeds that will last a lifetime. We will be praying for you in Kenya and looking forward to sharing our stories when we return!

And lastly, tonight we got together with my sweet, lifelong friends. We have been friends for over half my life. It began in high school as Shannon and I were in student government together and then off to college to live and learn about life as freshmen. Natasha came into our lives and "spiced" it up as she came to know Jesus and loved Him with great abandon. We grew more in our walks with the Lord then we ever expected. We learned how to love and serve and cook and we had so much fun! We watched each other cry and fall in love and have babies. I watched Shannon and Greg follow the Lord to India and serve Him faithfully there. My life is richer because they are in it. They are beautiful women who inspire me more then they'll ever know. They have amazing husbands and the most adorable children. My heart aches to think it will be at least 2 years before we'll kneel and pray and cry together again! They are my sisters for eternity!

Desires of the Heart

Where we've been...

Kyle went to a conference in Florida called ECHO for a week. It's purpose is to help fight world hunger. He left feeling inspired and more equipped for our work in Kenya. Lord conquer the world that lives in a strong cycle of poverty. May they come to know You and know what it means to never hunger or thirst again.

We then had our annual missions conference where we were featured missionaries. Kyle and I were able to host a "Meet the Missionary" room. We were able to speak about our passion for the work we will be doing in Kenya. I'm so thankful to attend a church that longs to spread the Gospel to all nations. Lord may we proclaim the message of your truth until representatives from every, tribe, tongue and nation will bow down and worship You.

Isaac Henry Jones was dedicated to the Lord on October 25. The blessing and charge from our new pastor, Jim Johnston was this: "Isaac was the son of the promise and his name means laughter. Henry comes from the German and it means ruler of the household. Isaac Henry may your life bring Christ's joy to many as you serve the household of faith." What a special time with our eternal family! Children truly are a heritage from the Lord.

And lastly, Grandpa Jones went to be with the Lord on October 31st. We were able to be there when he took his final breath. What a moment. We were in the presence of glory. We don't know exactly how it happens...if the spirit flies up, or angels come and escort, etc. but we do know our sweet grandpa, a faithful servant of Jesus was ushered into the presence of the Holy of Holies and we were present when he left for his glorious home. Kyle's dad and his siblings officiated the service. The church was full of people that were touched by the life of Dr. Ray and were undoubtedly given the grace and truth of God. What a heritage we've been given. We sat down for dinner after the service and Hudson looked at the people sitting next to him and said, "Do you know Jesus?" May we faithfully share the message we've been given. May our children be faithful to the calling that their great-grandfather strived to proclaim as the sole purpose of his life. I long for the day when death will have no sting. When it will be conquered. When we will be reunited at the wedding feast!

Just in Case...

I ever forget the power of the body of Christ. Or that God cares about the details of my life. Or that the Lord wants us to be in Kenya. I want to record the beauty of the Lord's goodness and provision this last month.

~We sold our house with just a "For Sale by Owner" sign and only 1 open house. All in 1 month.

~We had to replace the roof and fix the windows, but with the insurance it was completely covered.

~We needed a house to stay in by September 12 and the Lord provided an amazing missionary house for us that opened up on September 2. Which is right across the neighborhood from Kyle's parents.

~Our dear friends the Humphreys provided a moving van, movers and storage for our furniture.

~The Duinincks are allowing us to keep our furniture in their basement during out time in Kapsowar.

~Leah came over and worked like crazy to help me sort, throw and pack my house. I couldn't have done it without her!

~My precious neighbor, Marceta, watched my boys countless times so that I could accomplish such a task in such a short time. All with joy.

~My mother in law, Marlene, came over and let the boys spend the night at her house so we could work into the late hours of the night. Never once complaining or letting on how tired she was. And then watched them the next week while we went to WMM orientation.

~The profit from our house was within $100 of the repayment of my student loans!

Praise the Lord with us! Remind me if I ever question God's amazing power and love.

We are now settled for a few months here in Broken Arrow! Things are coming along. Thanks for all who are following and supporting us in this journey!

P.S.

Good report from Isaac's cardiologist. He had no concerns about us leaving for Kenya. EKG looks good. Still a murmur which indicates the holes have not closed yet. Next appointment in November. Keep praying with us that the holes will close on their own.

And Jude had a really fun 2-year-old birthday party with Diego in our new house.

Kapsowar Video

Hey Everyone,

Check out this cool video. It is from the missionary family that was formerly at Kapsowar Hospital, the place where we are going. Anyone want to come and visit?!

http://www.aimint.org/can/video/kapsowar_hospital.html