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