Well, we are
back home! This is becoming more
and more a statement that I'm not completely sure of as when I am in Kenya I
feel at home with my family there, almost as much as when I return to
California.
I am amazed
continually and humbled at the Father's choice to choose me to be an instrument
of love in another nation, on the other side of the world.
Who knew
when I was born; in a home for unwed mothers that today I would be a world
travelor and minister. My mother being a single woman who was expecting a child
had left her parents home and sought refuge in this home. In those days having
a child out of marriage was not accepted as it is today. I was born; supposedly
to be adopted out but my mother decided to keep me after she saw me. She was a
godly woman all her life and faced this challenge like she did so many, head on
with courage.
Who was to
know that my husband who was born in a tiny town In Tennessee and never lived
in any place but one town for 21 years would be ministering with an interpreter
in Africa! That we found each other and both turned to God and started on this
adventure that has brought us to today was a total miracle!!
God is truly
amazing and He will always do something with the nothing you have and make it
turn out to give him glory and birth the kingdom of God in your lives.
Now as we
look towards the future, almost like beginning again, we know it is Him that
guides each step we take and we can without hesitation obey his every
suggestion trusting that He knows so much better than us what we can do.
This trip to
Kenya was miraculous. Not only did we see the hand of the Father over and over
but we were also delivered from evil many times this trip. As the enemy is no match for our
Father; we always come out triumphant and knowing that the opposition, when
mixed with our praise will be the very thing that thrusts us into the next
victory.
So I will
try to tell a bit about our adventure, but feel led to let you know that it is
not only the outward miracles, and manifestations of God, it is also the quiet
times, the struggling times, when you don't think it will work out, that are
also miracles that are bringing you the very strength and Grace you need to see
your vision birthed.
The
prophetic conference at prayer mountain was miraculous, with a multitude of
people that spilled out to the yard, under the eating tent and often times
standing in the pouring rain listening to us as we shared with them how to live
a prophetic life.
We had an
impartation service the last day. People came from all over the mountain,
having heard the messages from the loud speakers that broadcast all through the
valley around the mt. and coming to hear more and have hands laid on them.
We
prophesied and laid hands on them all. Many pastors were ministered to and
strengthened.
The people
are hungry for what God has for them and open to impartation.
We
ministered to the widows and orphans on the mountain as well. Many of them do
not know of the love of the Father and have only the religious law that condemns
them in their mindsets, so hesitate to come to the services but little by
little that is breaking away and they are showing up.
We then
headed to our home in Kisii and our children's home, Shining Star Children's
Home. The walls are up, ready for the stucco and doors and windows to be put in
place.
We met with
the children who will call Shining Star their home and showered them with
"kid gifts" I so want them to be able to be children who have fun and
are carefree. Watching them play with their new little treasures always excites
me. The adults in the area don't seem to understand the importance but I know
the Father wants us to be carefree in Him, so the children should be able to be
carefree as they are children as well. Are we not instructed to become as a
little child?
Oh did I
tell you the roof is on? And it's blue!!!!! Another little detail that is in my
heart, I intend to paint a Shining Star on the roof to show the whole mountain
that these children are shining stars for JESUS!!
We expect
the completion of the home to be in October if the weather is agreeable with
our plans. While we were there it rained every day so not much was being done
and we had to walk everywhere.
This trip we
visited the homes of the villagers! And as soon as one found out we would go,
share a meal and bless and pray for them, they all wanted us to come. I felt
like we were in Acts going from house to house, all dirt huts, no power, no
water, no toilet and most of them, no road to their house. We had to hike to
many of them. I lost count at the
12th home we visited, but it was really stretching for me, who last year had a
challenge going to one house because of the night and the mosquitoes. :)
There are
many stories I could tell, but I will share later in more detail. One that I will share is about Beliah.
Beliah is a girl who when she was 11 started helping me walk down the mt when I
came and was always there each trip to take my hand and walk with me. She is
almost 14 now and has now learned English so well I called her up at one of the
children's meetings (as the adults seem to disappear when we minister to the
children), and I needed someone to interpret for me. Well, she had learned
English so well; she flowed with me better than any of the pastor translators
or anyone else. I commented on it and they had her come and interpret for me
during the pastors’
conference and the youth meeting we had. She has officially become my
interpreter!! Such a blessing since part of our vision is to let the people of
Kenya see that their children can be used of the Father now and not just when
they grow up and finish university.
Now we have
a living example!!!!
God is so
good!!
Some of our children....We are beginning in July to support the children. I have 26 children that will begin looking to us for their food, clothes and school and in a couple of months their home as well.
We need
35.00 per month for each child. I believe that many of you reading this will
respond by support in one or more. We will, in future be supplying you with the
names, ages and a little about the child you support, so you can pray for them,
communicate with them, and even visit them.
We ask
that this support be in addition to the regular or occasional support you make
to the ministry as we will still be building additions to the home, furthering
the school, and operating the ministry so our needs will be even greater as we
go forward.
If you can
do a monthly support of one or more of our children, please go to our donation
button on our blog, (if you are not there) openheavenmissions.blogspot.com
or our Open Heaven Missions/ Shining Star Children’s Home facebook page
donation button.
Follow
through the prompts on Paypal to make a monthly donation by checking the box
that says (Donation amount Make This Recurring (Monthly)) and we will keep
you updated as to how many children we have taken care of and how many more we
have to go.
The 26
children that we are starting with are only the beginning. We have 75 more that
will be following them as we build the additional homes on the land. Note, if
you don't know, we have chosen to build smaller homes instead of dormitories to
create a family atmosphere for the children.
We pray Gods
blessing over you all as we go on this journey together.
You are
never alone and you are never too small or insignificant to make a difference.
We love you
all!!!
Pastor Debbi
