Update for Tom and Cheryl Rees in Thika, Kenya                              8-5-11

“Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds,

by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him.  A father of the fatherless, a

defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.”  Psalm 68:4-5

Pray for Priscilla

Someone told Tom about a woman needing help. Tom met Priscilla and

Her 4 year old daughter after they had just returned from a trip to Uganda

Where Priscilla heard about a job.  When she arrived in Uganda she was

told there was no job, so she returned to Kenya.  Priscilla needed a place

to stay temporarily. Priscilla’s husband committed suicide in April after

finding that he had passed the Aids virus to his wife.  Tom made

arrangements for temporary lodging and food. Pray for Priscilla and her

daughter to have a home and provisions.

Test Results for Cheryl

The doctor called with results of the capsule endoscopy and said everything

was good and recommended a neurologist for further testing. I will be having

an MRI on Saturday, August 6^th for the yearly check up on the tumor removed

two years ago. Pray for a good outcome of this MRI. I see a nutritionist on

August 15^th to assist with celiac symptoms and bone density issues.

Nigerian Neighbor

A young man showed up at the door of Nick and Sara’s house where I am

staying. His name is Boco and he recently arrived from Nigeria. He is living

with his mother in the neighborhood. It has taken her 7 years to get her son

to America. He was raised as a Christian, reading his Bible every morning

and every night. He has been disillusioned because he can’t find a job. He

told someone staying with another neighbor that Jesus is really the devil. I

was able to speak with Boco and share with him. He doesn’t understand

about having a personal relationship withJesus.  Boco knows what the

Scripture says, but has not accepted Christ. Pray forGod to move in his life

in a special way this week.

Let your light shine so all can see Jesus this week, Tom & Cheryl

Weekly Update for Tom and Cheryl Rees in Thika, Kenya                                     7-15-11

"Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the
olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
and there be no herd in the stalls---Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of
my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make me walk on my high hills."
Habbakkuk 3:17-19

The Doors are Open

While Tom and I have been letting the people know about the church over the past
year we never were able to give them a definite date as to the opening, consequently
no one knows we are open. Tom is telling people we are now open.  We would
like to be able to put up a sign across the street because there is a big row of bushes
in front of the building. Tom is excited about getting started and knows that he must
wait on the Lord daily for God to draw the people. We are hoping as people begin to
come we can encourage them to love and serve each other and thereby be a blessing
to all the new comers.

Medical Testing

In June I (Cheryl) came back to the states for medical testing. So far we have not
been able to find the problem. On Wednesday I will be doing a procedure where
I will swallow a large capsule which is a camera that will travel throughout my
system taking pictures. I go in at 7:00am leave to go home and return at 3:30 in
the afternoon. We are praying that they can locate the problem.

Thank You for all the Prayers

Tom and I have gone through many physical trials, but we are trusting the Lord
to work everything out for His glory. Thank you to everyone for praying for
Calvary Thika and for Tom and I as we seek to hear the Lord's voice and move
according to his direction. Currently, I don't know how long I will be in the states
for testing and healing, so please keep Tom in prayer to be protected from the
enemy and to go forth in the peace while I am away.

Rejoice in the Lord Always, Tom & Cheryl

Weekly Update for Tom and Cheryl Rees in Thika, Kenya           6-25-2011

"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living
 and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season
and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."
II Timothy 4:1-2

Joseph Receives Jesus

I (Cheryl) was walking down our street to go to the market on the corner when I passed
Joseph who repairs shoes. As I walked by Joseph said to me, "I want to be a Christian." I
wanted to make sure Joseph understood, so I asked him if Jesus lived in his heart and he
 said, "No." He said he needed to speak in Swahili so I saw Fatima, my muslim friend,
standing across the street. I asked her if she would translate, so I could tell Joseph how
to accept Jesus and she said, "Yes." Fatima repeated the prayer and then Joseph. After
we were finished Fatima said something to Joseph and I asked her what she said. She
told Joseph to go and sin no more.


Prayer for God Appointments

After praying about my health situation the Lord made it clear I needed to return to the states for
treatment. On my travel back God led me to several people who needed prayer.
Frieda was on her way to Washington DC to take classes for her masters degree and knows
Jesus. Billy came from England to work as a teacher in Kenya, she attends chapel everyday,
but is not saved. Lynn and Steve who sat next to me on the plane are a middle aged couple,
Lynn is unable to walk and uses a wheel chair. Lynn said she was not interested in accepting
Jesus because Christians are a minority and she has to follow the way of the world. I met
Lori also middle aged who works for a Catholic NGO. She was very concerned about her
daughter going off to college. As we prayed together she was very emotional and needed
the touch of God to bring her peace and comfort. Please pray for all of these precious people,
Frieda to do well in her class and salvation for Billy, Lynn, Steve and comfort for Lori.

Trip to Nairobi

After I arrived in the states, Tom was able to make the trip to Nairobi and spend the day
getting his permit. The church will be opening next Sunday. We have many needs and trust
the Lord to provide according to His perfect will. We need a translator who is devoted to
Jesus and will be faithful. Also we need whoever God will send to lead worship and do
children's ministry. We will be having lunch time bible studies during the week.

Pray for Doctors

I now have Kaiser insurance which has been a great blessing. I am continuing with tests
to find the problem. So far they have told me it looks like I have celiac disease and will
need to be on a gluten free diet. I will be seeing Dr. Phen (a gastrointestinal doctor) on
July 11th to look further into the problem and confirm the diagnosis. Pray for me as I
make adjustments to my diet using trial and error to see which foods I can eat. Just because
foods are labeled gluten free does not mean I will be able to eat them. The doctor wants
to see if my symptoms lesson with the diet.

Prayer Requests: Pray for Tom and I as we are apart and Tom works to get the church
started. Pray for my Mom as she is not working at this time and needs healing of her
left eye that is seeing double.

Agape, Tom & Cheryl

Weekly Update for Tom and Cheryl Rees in Thika , Kenya                           6-5-11

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born

of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In

this the love God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son

into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God,

but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if

God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” I John 4:7-10

Madaraka Day

Madaraka Day is celebrated on June 1^st as the first national holiday in Kenya .

Kenyans all over the world remember and honor past and present heroes as they

celebrate their selfgoverning rule from the British in 1963. Fatima closed her shop

and would be staying home for the day. I called her and we got together for lunch.

She asked me to pray and then she prayed in Arabic a blessing and thankfulness for

the food. I shared with her about the last days. She was grateful to have someone to

spend time with on this holiday.

Reading Ruth

Iina and I got together on Thursday. Magna stayed home from school and so we

all played Phase 10 together. I asked Iina if we could read the book of Ruth and she

said yes. Magna and I took turns reading, then we talked about it. Iina said it was a

little hard for her to understand, but she would discuss further with Magna as they

speak Hindi. Iina was very humble and glad for our time together. Magna was eager

to share about the bible as she has learned so much at her school.

Tuesday Prayer

Tuesday prayer has been such a great blessing. The presence of the Lord is so

powerful and gives us much encouragement. I am asking the Lord to pour out

His Spirit on our neighborhood. The Lord is having us continue to wait upon Him

for the opening of the church. We are hoping to go to Nairobi next week for the

permit. In the meantime the Lord is teaching us some important lessons about how

to love and serve the people here.

Prayer Request: Prayer for the ladies on the road as I share with them on

Thursdays and continued strength for Tom and I as we deal with our

health issues. Blessings for our granddaughter Rose for her first birthday.

Blessings as you love and serve everyone around you this week,

Tom & Cheryl

Weekly Update for Tom and Cheryl Rees in Thika , Kenya                    5-30-11

“Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? She takes her

stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet, she cries

out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors; to you ,

O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men,” Proverbs 8:1-4

Memorial Day

A special thanks to God for all who have served and are serving in the armed

forces. May their families have the joy and peace of knowing Jesus. Pray for

David Shepardson who is currently serving in Afghanistan , God has opened

doors for him to share the Word with his fellow soldiers. He would like to serve

in Africa with his family after his term of service.

Isaac and Permit

Tom talked to Isaac two weeks ago when Isaac said we needed three signatures

and then our permit would be ready. He said not to call, but he would call us.

Since it had been a couple of weeks Tom decided to give Isaac a call. Isaac said

he tried to call, but couldn’t get through on our phone. We actually received the

permit around the time we anointed the church with oil. Thank you Jesus! Now

we need to plan a trip to Nairobi . Pray for God’s wisdom, protection, provision

and timing to go to Nairobi .

Fasting and Prayer

Tuesday is prayer day for the church. It was an amazing time of meeting with

 the Lord, I can hardly wait for this Tuesday! The Lord brought people and various

needs to my attention. For me He has continued to minister to me through the

week to clean out any areas of my life that I am holding onto. One would be my

comfort zone. I should only have one comfort zone and that is Jesus. I want more

and more of Jesus.

Feet Washing and Phase 10

On Wednesday I made arrangements to see Fatima (she is Muslim) on her lunch

break. We went to her place for lunch and to wash and massage her feet.

When we first entered her place she said she must pray in her room for 5 minutes,

so I sat in her living room and prayed for her while she prayed. Then we had lunch

and I soaked her feet in olive oil, Epsom salts and lavender. As I massaged her feet

she commented how nice it was. Pray for Fatima this week to know Jesus and for

God’s timing when we shall meet again.

On Thursday I met Iina (our Indian neighbor) upstairs for a game of Phase 10 (a card

game). Earlier that morning I saw her as she came through the gate of our flat and

the Lord led me to share about receiving Jesus. She said she understands. Iina said I

can read the Scriptures to her the next time we meet. We are planning to meet

this Thursday.

Ladies in Waiting

There is a group of ladies who stand out on the street near our flat waiting

for work. Sheila led some of the ladies to the Lord during the time she was

here. On Thursday I went out to read from Proverbs 8 and pray for the ladies.

I am praying for the opportunity to share with the ladies at the church on

Thursday mornings. We want to be a blessing to them and be considerate of

their time as they need to find work.

Prayer Requests: Thank you to all who have been praying for my recovery,

 I am doing much better, but still having some issues. I have now finished my

antibiotics, so please continue to pray for complete healing. When I shared with

the ladies on the street a young man with a fruit stand translated for me. Later we

learned that his fruit stand had been stolen by the robbers. Please continue to pray

for safety in our neighborhood.

May you share the wisdom of God this week with those who enter the gates of

your city.

Tom & Cheryl

Weekly Update for Tom and Cheryl Rees in Thika , Kenya                        5-22-11

“There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel that will

stand. Prov. 19:21

Robberies Continue

We were walking on the road by our flats and our neighbor was upset because someone had climbed up to the third story and stolen her family’s shoes from the balcony. Then we were told that someone had the battery stolen from their car. The dentist who lives across from us had all of his electronics stolen. Our manager wanted to see about hiring a security guard, but is unable to talk to the owner because his wife just passed away. One of the neighbors recommended we all get together and hire a security guard. Pray that all the neighbors can get together at one time so we can make a decision on security.

Visit to Dr. Chunge

On Wednesday I went to Nairobi to see Dr. Chunge about my health issues. He found the problem right away. He said the problem was in the small intestine and sent me for an ultrasound and lab work. The ultrasound showed that my small intestine was inflamed. He said the cause was a bacteria that I had picked up through something I had eaten. He put me on two antibiotics and I am doing better. I am able to eat now without getting sick. The doctor and his wife (she did the lab work) were very kind and helpful. Many blessings to the doctor and his wife and to everyone who prayed, thank you Jesus!

Giving away Bibles

Tom is excited to be able to share some of the Bibles that have been donated. Our tuk tuk driver said he needed a Bible in English and was very excited when Tom gave him a Bible. Tom has given away four Bibles so far and everyone who has received one has treated it as a most cherished gift. It is humbling to come before the Lord with a heart of thanksgiving for blessing us with access to His Word. Tom and I are filled with joy for the honor and privilege of sharing His Word with others.

May God fill you joy as He reveals His plans for you this week.

Tom & Cheryl

Weekly Update for Tom and Cheryl Rees in Thika , Kenya                               5-15-11

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a

living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And so not be

conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Rom. 12:1-2

Calvary Thika Update

Yesterday Tom and I went to the church and anointed it with oil and prayed for God to pour our His Spirit and be glorified in this place. We had a time of worship and teaching

in the book of Galatians. We had a wonderful time in the presence of the Lord. We are asking the Lord to hopefully open the doors next week. We talked to Isaac last week and the situation with our permit is that we have it, but 3 more signatures are necessary. Isaac asked us to wait until we hear from him. We know that all is in the Lord’s hands and we trust that God will work everything according to His perfect will.

Discipleship with Amos and Margaret

Tom will be spending time with Amos, as Amos wants to show Tom his workshop and what he has been doing lately. Tom will be spending a good part of the day with him, pray for a wonderful time of fellowship and discipleship. Also I will be spending time with Margaret, she has found a new church in her village. We are going over scriptures together from Self- Confrontation manual for discipleship.

Doctor Visit on Wednesday

On Wednesday I (Cheryl) will be visiting a tropical doctor and having some lab tests done to try and diagnose exactly what is going on physically. I have improved as I am able to eat more now and not be on medications for acid all the time. God is using this time to teach me to trust Him physically. This has been a difficult issue for me because I am not usually sick. The Lord is challenging me to grow in dependence on Him, being a living sacrifice, trusting that He is in control and leading me according to His will.

Prayer Requests: Healing for my mother who fainted and hit her head, she is doing ok.

Pray for strength as she continues driving and working several miles from home.

Pray for my brother, Craig, for wisdom and strength in the days ahead and as he helps my mother with car repairs and replacement of items in her home.

Pray for Margaret’s husband to return to the family.

Pray for Candice who needs to commit her life to Christ and walk away from the sin of this world. And for her ex-husband, Dan, as he cares for their children. Pray for a beautiful life in Jesus for all.

May this week find you in service as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.

Tom & Cheryl