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