• On-Field Media
• the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
• Lesa’s first choir concert
• Robbie’s video from the top of Mt Kenya
• Avery’s broken arm
• Sydney cute as ever
• and our need for year-end donations

Robbie, Sydney, Avery on Christmas Eve

Holiday Greetings from Africa! We hope you all have had a joyful Christmas holiday and are able to spend this time slowing down, enjoying friends and family, and celebrating the incarnation of God into our world. We have certainly been using this past week to unwind and take a deep breath – our lives have literally slowed down to a halt the past few days, which has been quite lovely. Its been a full semester of activities and ministry for the whole family and we wanted to fill you in on what’s been going on with us and what is coming up. We thought we’d give more details than usual, just in case you’re interested/have some time to read! We really wanted to give you a picture of our everyday lives here in Kenya!

Andy and Lesa

Just when we think our ministry here in Kenya couldn’t be better, He refines it even further to fit who we are.

As you all well know, we tend live life at a high level of activity. Over time, we’ve begun to understand that this is how God has uniquely made us and called us to serve His people. So we don’t feel overwhelmed at all that God has us doing right now, in fact we see everything as opportunities to serve with the gifts, experience and passion that has all come from Him. Just when we think our ministry here in Kenya couldn’t be better, He refines it even further to fit who we are. Of course, it is always our challenge to balance ministry, family, and time to just BE. We see that challenge as part of His calling for our life and we look to Him for the grace and strength to fulfill our calling. So, here’s what He’s been doing in with us:

Andy on location in Madagascar

OFM: It’s been a busy semester for Andy, with a production trip to Madagascar, a 2 week trip to the US for a film festival in DC, and our latest short film that gathered more than 25,000 views and international news coverage. It’s quite humbling and occasionally frightening to be breaking new ground in frontier mission work with our films. But we trust strongly in God’s plan, and are thrilled to be entrusted with such a role in His kingdom. If you haven’t seen or heard of this latest film, please email me and I’d be glad to share it with you.

Andy and Lesa leading worship at ICF

CHURCH: Lesa and I continue to lead worship and coordinate the other worship teams at our church, International Christian Fellowship, which continues to grow and has reached our seating capacity. Please pray for Andy as an elder, as we seek how to shepherd an increasing number of new people, and how to either add a service or a second campus to our entirely volunteer-led church.

LESA’S WORK: My job changed a bit this year: I now am the Director of Music (choral and worship) and Theatre for the high school and I am helping to lead all the Fine Arts at the school (we have 8 Fine Arts teachers total for K-12).

Lesa directs "I Go To The Rock" - click to watch!

This semester the high school Drama Department put on the play, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and the Vocal Music Department had two concerts in which I directed Rosslyn Singers (our auditioned choral ensemble of 35 high school students). I taught two other classes this semester as well: Introduction to Theatre and Worship 2 class, and directed the chapel Worship Teams and a new Drama Ministry Team, which devises its own student-written material for chapel. Next semester we will produce The Sound of Music in April, will have 3 choir concerts, and I’ll be teaching an Acting class and Worship 1 class.

It would all mean nothing of course if it weren’t in the context of discipling teens in their faith and mentoring them as artists and leaders.

In two weeks I’ll be leading, along with two other sponsors, a group of 18 amazing seniors to Olepishet, the Maasai village where Andy and I do development work. This will be my third time taking a high school group there and I know it will be a great experience for them. Be watching for photos and an update on the trip, what work projects we’ll be doing there, and the changed lives of students as a result of the relationships they will build with this incredible community. This is my 4th year at the school, and so have built some strong relationships with the students, walking with them through hard times, and building lots of great memories together. This is an everyday privilege and I sometimes have to pinch myself – its a dream come true!

Enjoying the view from our Land Cruiser roofrack

HOME: It’s important to both of us to leave work at work – so our work days are quite full and then we come home, switch hats, and keep going! Thankfully, so much of what Lesa does in drama and music actually includes Andy and the kids, so the productions and concerts are often a family affair! As you will read below, we have three great kids and being mom to them is a joy and an adventure! As you’ll see, we’re reaching the phase of life where our kids’ activities are increasing, so we’re finding out a bit about the whole taxi-ing thing from one activity to the next. Thankfully, most of their activities all take place on the school campus – as they attend the same school where Lesa teaches.  We are also learning about being the parents of a teenager now. Of course, we’re in denial about the fact that we’re even old enough to have a teenage child, though! As you probably know, we are in our 6th house in Kenya and have been working on making it a home (though somewhat tentatively, because we never know when we’ll have to move again). We do love our newest home, though. God has provided abundantly. We are within walking distance of the school and have neighbors who are great friends.

GRAD SCHOOL: Finally, I (Lesa) am two semesters away from finishing my Master’s degree in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado. I’ve learned so much about theatre AND teaching and I can’t imagine how I taught anything before I took these classes! I will be working on my thesis over the next year and hopefully will graduate in December 2012! My thesis will focus on drama programs in the international school context. Maybe, if its good enough I’ll post it on our website… just in case you were bored and wanted a little light reading! We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us financially with the school bills. You have truly made a difference in my life and the lives of my students who I’m training for a lifetime of using their gifts and serving throughout the world.

Robbie

Robbie vs the Volcano - click to watch!

Robbie is 13 years old now, in 7th grade and is really starting to shine in his gifts and interests, which are many. He is quite a talented trombone player. He’s first chair in the 7th/8th grade band and will play as one of two trombone players for the high school production of The Sound of Music in April! He is taking private trombone lessons from a man who has his master’s degree from Juliard and obviously we are thrilled for this opportunity out here in Kenya! He ran track this year for the first time and had a few track meets around Nairobi and one overnight meet out in Kenya somewhere! He has been learning to do tech for various events in the theatre – running the spotlight for our last high school play and for the recent all-school talent show. He has six different roles in the upcoming middle school play, 30 Reasons Not to be in a Play.He is the Publicity Crew Manager for the play, as well, and has plans for some videos he’ll be making to advertise the play. He does very well in school and is very disciplined to do his homework and practice his trombone every day (we’re not exactly sure where he got this self-discipline – certainly not from us!). His biggest interest right now, though, is in writing. He is typically found in our household either with his nose in a book or on the computer, writing on one of a few novels he is currently working on. He’s quite serious about it and we’re excited to see how God will use all of these creative and technical talents in the future! Finally, he and Andy took an epic trip last week – climbing Mt. Kenya, a 16,500 foot peak. It was a few months late – a sort of “rite of passage” for his 13th birthday. Check out the video Robbie made about the climb!

Avery

Avery and his first cast in 2 years

Avery is turning 10 soon, is in 4th grade, and, as you may have heard, has another broken arm. Yes, it’s his 4th broken arm! How did he do it this time, you are probably wondering?! Answer: doing a back-flip off a swing at recess, surrounded by the entire 5th grade class shouting, “Jump! Jump! Jump!”You never know when you wake up in the morning that you’ll end up at the hospital that day with another kid with a broken bone, that’s what Andy and I always say! This is the 8th break between the two boys! It was the worst break yet, so it has actually slowed him down a bit… but not too much. This boy is like his brother in that he is very creative, but in a different way. Avery is constantly building something. Often it’s Legos, but more often than that it is with junk that he has found around the house or outside. It is a normal sound to hear him hammering outside or dragging pieces of wood around the yard. He usually is making something with a function, so he is now the family engineer. When Robbie had a recent science project for which he was to build a catapult, we were talking about it at the dinner table. Avery was silent for a moment and then said, “I know how you can build it!” He proceeded to launch into a five-minute, detailed description of exactly how to make a  catapult out of found objects. We all sat there with our jaws on the floor… the kid is smart! He does very well with his studies and finds it quite easy. He has a fantastic teacher (who happens to be married to Sydney’s teacher!) and loves school. He is very observant and helpful: cooking with me in the kitchen, finding lost stuff, helping Sydney with whatever she is trying to do, helping a babysitter know what to do, etc. Avery takes piano lessons and also plays inter-mural sports every chance he gets. So far this year he has participated in soccer (football, as its called here!) and softball. His favorite sport, though, is running. The most important day of the year for him is Sports Day, which is coming up on January 21st. Last year he won every running event he was in! Watch for the video of this year’s event (and pray that his cast is off by then!!) He full of energy and is truly a joy!

Sydney

Sydney, cute as ever

Sydney is 7 years old and in 1st grade. We can hardly believe how big she is getting – she was only 2 when we moved to Kenya! Her strongest characteristic is still her personality. I often hear, “Oh, you’re Sydney’s mom!” from people who have taught her in Sunday School or substituted in her class. She is friendly, active, enthusiastic, bubbly, and bright. She thinks she owns all of my students, and therefore pretty much knows every high school student on campus – and they, of course, know her. She’s starting to read more and more (took her a while, because socializing was always more important!) and loves her class and her teacher. She is also beginning to shine in her gifts and interests. Last year she took ballet from one of my students and really loved it. All summer she fervently prayed for a ballet teacher to come, since my student had graduated. Not surprisingly, in answer to her prayer, an official ballet studio (The Royal Ballet Academy!) was opened up in August near our house, and so she has begun “official” ballet classes. This is in the British system of dance, so at the end of each term they have to do an exam in order to move on to the next level. This next term will be the first time she will do an exam. We are amazed this opportunity has come up because we really wanted her to take dance but had figured it just wouldn’t happen here in Nairobi. It is a constant reminder that God is a big God and can do anything! She is also taking piano lessons and is really starting to take off with it. She has begun to do a lot of playing worship songs by ear, which thrills her parents, of course!

Year-End Giving and Support Status

Reminder:

Dec 31st postmark

for 2011 tax deduction

Give here:

It is always part of the challenge of living in Africa as missionaries that we have to trust God for our finances. Though sometimes we let ourselves get worried, He shows us over and over again that He will provide. We have no doubt that He will do so again. The world economy, as you know, has been crazy. The rising costs of fuel, food, and utilities affect us just like it does you. It is hard for us to have to ask our supporters to continue to give and to consider giving more, when we know that you are also tightening your belts. Nevertheless, we know that it is part of how God does His kingdom work and we trust that if He calls you to give to missions, He will also provide for you abundantly. We are currently very under-supported and our funds our dwindling. We need new monthly supporters and we need large gifts in order to continue our work here. We have a furlough next summer (see below) where we will hopefully gain new supporters and churches. For now, we are asking if you would prayerfully consider giving a year-end gift (post-marked by December 31st for your own tax purposes) and/or beginning to support us monthly in 2012, if you aren’t already. It is solely through friends and family like you that we are able to stay here and continue the work God has for us. It is a sacrifice for you, we know, and we are so humbled and grateful for all of you that give so faithfully. OH, in case you didn’t know, our mission has moved its head-quarters to Peachtree City, Georgia.

Next Summer

We are currently working on our schedule for next summer, when we’ll be in the States for furlough. We plan on visiting all of our churches and trying to see as many of our individual supporters as possible. We’ll let you know the specifics as soon as we know it, but at this point the rough plan is to start in Virginia, travel our way south, and then over to the mid-West. We’ll end up in Michigan at the end of July for a wedding. Then, back to Kenya for the start of the school year at the beginning of August!

In Christ,

Andy, Lesa, Robbie, Avery, and Sydney

Robbie narrates his journey with dad to the highest mountain in Kenya, and the 2nd highest point in Africa: Mt Kenya.

That said, we have a huge amount to be thankful for. We are among the wealthy. We don’t have to miss meals because we don’t have food, like the million Somalis in refugee camps here. We don’t have school fees. The dollar is trading very strongly here. We have a huge blessing of a house. We run out of money by the end of each month, but we’re still able to generously give to those who need. And we have not a few people in the US and Canada who are sacrificing financially every month because they want to be a part of God’s kingdom work through us.

We are a bit low in our monthly support, though, and having to raise our support rate now to combat inflation. If you or your church would like to participate in our ministry financially, either regularly or with a one-time gift, you can do so here. And prayers are free, so please continue praying for us!

That said, we must be the craziest people on earth. In the past month we’ve moved houses, entertained Andy’s parents for 2 weeks, brought bibles and a vehicle to our Maasai community, safaried across the Mara plains, made a movie, and sent Lesa to graduate school in Colorado. And the summer’s only half spent…

So where are we now?

Andy and the kids are settled in the new house in Nairobi, and Lesa is at the University of Northern Colorado finishing her final on-campus course requirements for her Masters in Theater Education.

If you live in Denver, please come hear Lesa speak at GracePoint Community Church in Littleton on July 24. She will be speaking during the Sunday School hour at 9:15, and singing and briefly sharing in the worship service at 10:30.

If you live in Northern Virginia, Lesa will be having two dessert nights while she’s there in order to see everyone and share details/answer questions about what’s been going on in Kenya with our family – complete with photos, videos, etc. If you can come to either one, that would be wonderful! Please contact the host if you plan on coming and if you want to help provide a dessert!

Wednesday, July 27: Brad and Amy Russell’s – dessert night. RSVP 703-327-4952

Saturday, July 30: Bruce and Cindy Lang’s – dessert night RSVP 703-435-6115

Sunday, July 31: Lesa will be sharing during Dulles Community Church’s worship service at 10:30.

Meanwhile, Andy has been hard at work on a 20 minute documentary that you’ll never hear/see us talk about publicly. An inspiring story, but a highly sensitive one. We hope to release it soon, and pray it makes waves across the internet in both the Christian and, uh, “non-Christian” communities. It just won’t have our names on it, for our own safety and for the safety of the more than 20 volunteers and extras who have helped to make this film possible.

If you know us personally, and would like to hear more about this film when it is released, please send us an email. And please pray for this production, for it to bear fruit for God’s kingdom in mighty and miraculous ways!

Thank you all for your love and prayers and financial support. We hope you understand the important part that you are playing in God’s kingdom by helping us to serve here in Africa. We are constantly humbled by God’s grace extending to us through you. Thank you!

God bless you all,
Andy and Lesa and kids

Life is a test. Of this we can be certain. A test of our heart, our character, our works. The bible speaks many times about God testing us, testing our hearts, trying us, refining us. We should rejoice in these tests (James 1) and stand in God’s strength to endure.

Since returning to Kenya after the weddings last summer, we’ve felt tested on multiple fronts. Not the kind of testing you want to run away from, but the kind of testing where you know you have to see it through, to see what God is up to.

We’ve been tested financially, to see if we could trust God to provide in the face of an impending support shortage. God answered our prayers with what we needed, through both friends and our supporting churches. Now there’s the test on the other side of the equation, if we can be good stewards, when we have what we need.

We’ve been tested in our church leadership. Coming back from this summer with a conviction about church structure and governance, we’ve been a part of transitioning our informal church into a simple, but biblically obedient structure, with Andy being ordained as an elder late last year. We’ve seen God’s hand moving powerfully in our church, as a result, we believe, in taking a step in obedience.

We’ve been tested in our ministries, with ever expanding scope and responsibility, and we’re trying to be resourceful and creative and obedient to the opportunities that God has placed in our spheres of influence. Those of you who know us well aren’t suprised by this. We’re busy people. We have super busy periods, and then we crash and recover and do it all again. For us, the worst thing would be to do the same thing every day. We’d rather have big projects to look forward to, that don’t last forever. Maybe it’s the creative mindset. Maybe it’s ADD. But most likely, it’s just how God wired us both.

Our prayer is that our ministry would stand the test. That it would be found to be built with things that last, and not on ourselves or our skills or talents.

Each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 1 Cor 3:13

And we’re continually tested as a family. How we will spend our family time. How we raise our kids to know and fear the Lord. Constantly tweaking our tactics so that our family’s spiritual walk doesn’t become a routine, but striving for a holistic walk.

I know you’re being tested as well. We all are, and it’s a good thing. May you see it as something to not run from, but to embrace. To know this is how God keeps us from being set in our ways, from being complacent, and on the path to transforming our minds.

In Christ,

Andy and Lesa and kids.

Snoozing on the overnight to London

A few weeks ago we were sitting trying to analyze our feeling of unsettledness about going back to the US for furlough this summer. We had been planning on it, since it will have been 2 years since our last furlough. And Lesa has a required 3 weeks of graduate school in Colorado she has to attend. Yet, there were some problems with this plan. We had just been in the US last summer for a pair of weddings. We are losing our house in Nairobi and are required to move out this summer. The 3 weeks of graduate school was going to wreak havoc on our travel schedule.

6 months ago we were certain we’d need to be furloughing this coming summer just to be able to raise money to remain on the field. Since then we’ve seen God’s mighty hand of blessing provide enough for us to remain here without running out of money in the near future.

So, we’ve decided to delay our furlough until summer of 2012, which solves many problems for us. It allows us to be able to move into our next house when it opens up, rather than having to move our entire household into temporary storage in May, and then into a house when we would have returned from furlough. It allows us to have a much less distracted and busy furlough in 2012, without having to squeeze 3 weeks of grad school into our 8 week furlough. And most importantly, it allows us to actually have some down time this summer, as we’ll have the entire month of June together without school, living in our own home, without pressure of having to travel. It’s hard to describe how exhausting and disruptive the trans-world traveling is on a family, and how a furlough is anything but a vacation. We were just really needing a summer off.

Lesa still has 3 weeks of grad school she’ll have to attend, and we’re going to build in some time (short, but intense) on either side of that for her to see our supporting churches that we didn’t get a chance to see last summer. Hopefully that will fill the gap until we can have a longer and more personal time with each of you in the summer of 2012.

Merry Christmas! We hope that you all are having a blessed time of celebrating Christ’s birth this week. We’ve been hearing of the cold and snow back in the States and suppose we shouldn’t mention the sunny 90 degree weather we’ve been having!? As we are winding up 2010, we look back and are so amazed at what God has done in our lives. The biggest piece of news we wanted to tell you is that we had an incredible response to our last update about our financial support needs. Thanks to many of you, we are able to stay on the field through the end of this term (May 2011) when we will be returning for our second “home assignment.” We look forward to hopefully seeing each of you in June or July when we visit our churches and families. As you can see in the video, we just got back from a short trip to Olepishet this week. We’ll tell you more about the cool things happening there in our next update! For now, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love in Christ,
Andy, Lesa, Robbie, Avery, and Sydney

…it looks much crazier and dangerous at 8x speed!

In summary, we do have some significant and immediate prayer requests:

• We have been $450/month short on support for long enough that we have exhausted our work funds and are in danger of not having enough to live on next month. Click here for specifics and to get involved.
• Tomorrow Andy is heading to Tanzania, to the islands in Lake Victoria. Pray for safe travel and for Lesa and the kids at home.
• A lot is happening with Lesa and our kids and school: broken arms, field trips, drama production at the end of this month. Click here for specifics.
• We are actively pursuing a medical project vehicle for Olepishet. Click here to read more about Olepishet and how to get involved.
• Andy is potentially going to be installed as an elder at our church, International Christian Fellowship.

Lastly, if you haven’t checked out Andy’s latest video, AIM Identity, watch it here!