A Letter To Emma

Emma,

Yesterday you turned one! I cannot believe how fast this past year has gone.  People always said the first year would feel like a blink and it sure has.  It has been so fun watching you grow.  I still remember when your dad handed you to me to hold for the first time.  I felt overwhelmed with love.  You were this tiny little person with big blue eyes!  

My prayer ever since you were born was that you would embrace you middle name, Hadassah.  You are named after Esther in the Bible.  She was a very strong woman who loved God and stood up for what she believed in.  She was compassionate towards her people and followed God to help them.  You, miss Emma, are such a sweet and compassionate little girl.  You love to give hugs and kisses to anyone that will let you. You smile and wave at people, cars, mailboxes, trees, pretty much anything you see.  You always like to talk with the child who is playing alone or sitting alone. You like for everyone to be included. I am excited to see how you grow in this over the years.

I love that you are already falling in love with Africa.  You love to watch safari shows on TV.  You are fascinated with the animals. At the zoo you love to see the elephants.  You wave and talk to them and then get mad when they walk away from you :)

 Your favorite word is 'Yeah.' You say it all the time.  Our conversations throughout the day sound something like this:

Me: Emma are you hungry?
You: Yeah!
Me: Emma do you want to play outside?
You: Yeah!
Me: Emma do you want to ride an elephant?
You: Yeah!
Me: Emma did you grumpy (poop)?
You: Yeah!
Me: Emma do you want to take a nap?
You: Yeah!

It's gonna be rough when you replace that word for 'no.'

You have taught me so much over this past year.  I have learned that living in the moment is often better than trying to get a picture.  It is in those moments that God has really spoken to me.  He has used you to to teach me more about His love for us.  An example of this is when you want to play with something you cannot have, such as a large sharp stick.  I see the result of what could happen if you were to play with the stick before you even get it in your hand and because I love you, I want to protect you from falling on the stick, poking your eye with the stick, or anything else.  But since you do not see the big picture you proceed to cry and throw yourself on the floor. This is a lot like life baby girl. God can see the big picture and sometimes He will take away some thing we think we want or need.  During these moments we will want to cry and throw ourselves on the floor, but He will be there to lovingly pick us up and direct us towards a safer path.

It is such a joy to be your mama! I love everything about you.  I might be biased but I think you are a genius.  You bring so much laughter to our family.  Our days are definitely brighter with you in them. I am excited to watch you grow over this next year.

We had a big birthday party for you.  Some people thought I was crazy to have a big party because you will not remember it, but it might be the only one (for a while) that extended family and friends are able to come to.  You enjoyed playing in the water, playing with cousins and friends, and eating the icing on your cake!

 I love you baby girl, thank you for making me a mama :)

Free To Give

It took us two years, down sizing apartments, selling a car, tightening our budget, lots of discipline, saying 'no' to things, and moving in with my parents but we finally did it.

We are debt FREE! 

We waited so long for this moment.  We got serious about being debt free after we knew the Lord was leading us to Kenya, which gave us a deadline.  It became a desire for us.  We had the goal to have our debt paid off before we start living off of support salary. It wasn't easy.  We were newlyweds and wanted to play. Fun road-trips, exciting dates, yummy restaurants, and lots more were at our finger tips.  Why pay off debt when you can take a weekend getaway to the beach? Deep down inside, we knew if we paid it off, then we could do so much more. Now, there were times when we got our tax return back and wanted to use that money for a fun vacation (we obviously like to travel :) but knew we needed to use it to pay off a loan or credit card. It was hard. 

Then we got pregnant.  Having a baby always makes it easier to pay off debt right?! Ha, no. Thankfully, we were blessed by so many with diapers, wipes, formula, and everything our baby girl would need for the first several months.  The Lord was gracious during this time.  We became a one-income family, meaning we lived even tighter. Luckily, when you have a new baby, you don't really do anything extra anyways.  

We had to trust the Lord a lot during this season.  There were times we did not think we would be able to pay it all off in time.  More hospital bills would show up or something unexpected would happen. I found encouragement as I read in Matthew 6:25-26, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air! They do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Jesus said He would provide for us.  He said we would be taken care of just like He cares for the birds of the air. When I look back on the past two years, I can see those moments when Jesus showed up. When I quite my job, Mark and I were a little worried about caring for ourselves and our new baby.  Little did I know, the Lord had brought a business into my path the year before that grew faster than I realized.  It helped to supplement what I was making working part-time. The Lord provided.

 In Romans 13:7-8  we read, "Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." We see in scripture that we are to be debt free.  The only debt we are to continually have is to love one another.

I believe it honors the Lord when we strive to pay off our debt.  "The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives," (Psalms 37:21). When we are free of debt, it allows us to freely and graciously give more. We can share our blessings and be a blessing to others.  If you are feeling overwhelmed with debt or have been trying to be debt free, I want to encourage you to keep going.  The Lord sees you.  He sees the desire you have and I promise if you continue on, He will provide what you need. May we be content in Him, may He receive all the glory, and may we not be bound by the chains of debt. 

Carry the Jerry

This past weekend we had the chance to participate in a water walk to help raise money for a well in Rwanda.  We learned they were trying to raise $5,000 for the well.  This event was put on by a small group of college students who are eager to help make a difference in the lives of a few people who they have never met.  It was inspiring.

When we got there, we were greeted kindly and handed a jerry can to carry to a near by pond where we would fill it up.  The walk was nice. We were on a paved track, some trees helped to provide shade, we had our tennis shoes on, and it only took us fifteen minutes to reach the pond. We all gathered and filled up our jerry cans. We had the option to fill it to the top or half way.  Whatever would be easiest for us. It said on the side of our can that it was the equivalent of 2.5 flushes.  Mark choose to fill it up all the way and we were on our way back to the where we started.

The walk back took a little longer since we were now carrying a very heavy jerry can.  We joked that we could take Emma out of her stroller, hold her, and push the can.  But we continued on!

In Africa, most women and children go and fetch the water.  They walk 2, 5, 7 miles multiple times a day.  I honestly don't know how they do it.  I tried carrying that jerry can and it was really heavy so Mark ended up carrying it most of the way :)

On our twenty minute walk back, we talked a lot about how different our walk was compared to the walk these women and children take. We had sunglasses on, socks and shoes on, we were walking on pavement, we got to push our baby and not wear her on our back, and we had our water bottles to help hydrate us. We were reminded, in our tired and sweaty state, of the many who still need access to water.

Just think about it, if the children spend most of their day walking to fetch water, there is no time for school.  The time that the women spend fetching water could be spent in more care for their family and with other necessary tasks. They walk so far just to fetch contaminated water, sometimes leading to sickness and death.  It just breaks my heart.  We are to be His hands and feet in the world. If we follow Jesus, then we will love those in need.  If a physical need is clean water, shouldn't we help the locals provide it?

We are told to "carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galations 6:2).  When we join God's family, we join the family business and that is a life of serving others.  Jesus set the example for us throughout scripture.  As Good Friday approaches, I can't help but think about how Jesus died on that cross carrying my burdens and your burdens.  He did it because He LOVES us.  And if He can do that for us, I think we can take His request to heart and look after each other, help build each other up, and love each other in a way that makes us lay ourselves down at the feet of the cross daily.

Will you carry the jerry for someone today? 

Living a Lifestyle of Discipleship

When we think about how God has been at work in and through us, the times in our lives in which discipleship was abundant come quickly to mind.  This includes both receiving discipleship and discipling others.

What is discipleship?  In our experiences, and as briefly described during a recent training at The Mission Society, discipleship involves followers of Jesus experiencing transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit and enabling others to do the same.  The lifestyle of discipleship directs all aspects of our life for His glory and purpose in the world.

The model of discipleship is clearly seen through the life and ministry of Jesus.  He invested in a core group of followers and commissioned them to do likewise.  It is key for how the Body of Christ joins Jesus in His mission today of bringing redemption and reconciliation to the world.  As individuals and as the family of God, we never stop learning and never ‘graduate’ from being a disciple.  Jesus is constantly changing us and using us as agents of change in the world.    By grace, we have the privilege of working with King Jesus and intentionally for His Kingdom on earth as in heaven.

I (Mark) have great memories of discipleship while in college, especially with the student ministry organizations of Cru and Bridges International.  It seemed that my days were fueled by both the regular time spent being discipled and discipling others.  It was a blessing to be able to pour into the lives of new believers (including a few roommates).  It was a time of encouragement when things were rough, teaching as foundational truths of the faith were sought, coaching to naturally share the Good News of our Lord Jesus with friends, and simply a loving and growing community.

While serving Christ in Mexico a few years ago, I (Kenzi) had the opportunity to disciple five young girls.  It was a time for them to ask questions, seek prayer, and be encouraged by someone they trusted.  Through this experience, I learned how much God desires to truly have a personal relationship with us all.  Currently, I am being discipled by someone who I trust and admire in the faith.  It has been such a blessing to me, as our family is on a journey of becoming cross-cultural witnesses in Kenya.  Our time together encourages me and provides accountability in my prayer life.

God has amazed me (Mark), by showing how much He has been and is at work.  During my short 18 months at my last job, great relationships with co-workers from Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian backgrounds were formed.  Our true friendship allowed me to better listen to and learn from their perspectives and respond to their questions on who Jesus is, what He is doing, and how we can be a part of it all.   It was simply following Jesus and praying that the Holy Spirit would work through that time together.  God is currently working in lives all around us in different ways, and in that setting, He opened doors for trust to be made and Jesus to be explored.  

Discipleship looks different from one relationship to the next.  It can simply be having coffee with someone and investing into their life for the glory of God.  The opportunities to be a part of discipleship are all around us and in all aspects of our everyday lives.  We have been sent into the world, both near and far, to make disciples.  Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will continually lead and transform you, and in your daily life, use you to draw others closer to Him and to each other.

Where is God working around you today?  How can you be a part of it?  Will you accept the challenge of seeking discipleship and offering discipleship in a Christ-centered, relational, intentional, transformative, and self-replicating way?

To that, we say Amen - may it be so.

GIVING TUESDAY!!!

Today is GIVING TUESDAY!

Consider giving a ONE TIME GIFT this Christmas or a REOCCURRING PLEDGE that will help spread the GOOD NEWS and LOVE of Christ to the unreached tribes of northern Kenya! Your gift will help provide clean water, orphan care, and discipleship to a community in Kenya! THANK YOU and have a blessed day!!

#GivingTuesday #JamaaYamMungu #FamilyOfGod #FoglemansToKenya

CLICK HERE TO GIVE --->>> Click to GIVE today!!

I belong to Christ

I want to start by saying I have debated on writing this post for a couple weeks now but finally decided to in hopes that it might help and encourage someone else :)

 The past couple months that we have lived in Oklahoma have been a whirlwind!  We were all so excited about how we would be close to family and friends, get to be home (for me, Kenzi) for holidays and loved ones birthdays, and we were really looking forward to sharing with everyone the vision the Lord had laid on our heart about the work God is doing in northern Kenya.

Our first two months back were not as I had expected.  I envisioned fun dinners with family, lots of laughter, eating with friends at some of our favorite Oklahoma restaurants, and to be busy.  Now, all of that DID happen.  But for starters, I did not expect to be sick with allergies all the time.  I am not sure if this season was the worst ever but it sure felt like it for me.  I would wake up sneezing, eat lunch sneezing, hang out with the family sneezing, eat dinner sneezing, and go to bed sneezing. I felt like I could not catch a break.  Even with taking medicine, it was never ending. I actually thought about moving just so I could feel better.

On top of that, I felt like my body was falling apart to which I blamed having a baby on. One day my back would hurt--WHY?--because I had a baby, next day my foot would hurt--WHY?--because I had a baby, next day my arm would hurt--WHY?--because I had a baby.  I had convinced myself that all women who had babies had the same problem and that it was probably normal.

While I was BEYOND excited to hang out and see family and friends, I had become so stressed out with making sure I spent enough time with everyone and that I was of service to them whenever they might need help.  All of this because I kept hearing this little voice saying, "you are only here a short time so you better make sure you spend as much time with everyone as possible because you are choosing to leave them and move to Kenya."

Speaking of Kenya, I had to find time to share with people this great vision God has given us.  We were so excited to share with everyone but I was beginning to feel stressed and doubted that anything good was going to come of it.

Needless to say, I WAS OVERWHELMED! At night I would cry and talk with Mark about it in hopes that he would somehow fix it and make everything better.  But we didn't feel connected, our weekly prayer time (as a family) wasn't happening, and we both felt like we were carrying the others weight.

Finally, one week I decided to challenge myself to go on prayer walks everyday.  This was a time I knew Emma would be entertained by nature and I could just walk, pray, and share my thoughts with God.

It was on one of those walks that I felt God telling me that I had let Satan get into my thoughts and that is what was causing all my stress.  I was distracted and not focused on the ONE who had called Mark and I in the first place.  I was believing all these lies of how I needed to make everyone happy, that Mark and I did not need to go on date nights because we would be together in Kenya, and no one  will want to partner with us in going to Kenya because I was too scared to talk to people.

It was at that moment I decided to start praying through the lies and start saying what I knew was true:

 I BELONG TO CHRIST. 

In John 16: 33 Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I had been so focused on taking matters into my own hands or expecting my husband to fix everything that I forgot to TRUST GOD.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"- Proverbs 3:5

I then began to recite that I am a child of God, He is the one who created me, He is my protector and provider, He will never let me fall from His hand, He is my healer.  To my surprise, I then started to feel all my stress be lifted off of me.  Believe it or not, that week I started to feel better and my body did not hurt anymore.

Sometimes LIFE can feel very overwhelming.  We might feel out of control, stressed, and burdened, and seek others to help fix what is going on.  But the truth is ONLY CHRIST CAN.  I want to encourage any of you who might be feeling something similar to this to try praying and casting your cares upon the one who cares more for us than anyone else. 1 Peter 5:7 says,

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

HE CARES FOR US! How amazing is that! Thank you Jesus! Something that I have learned is when we let Christ lead and direct our lives things tend to work out a lot more smoothly than when we take control.  For that, I am so thankful! 

I pray this has helped bless and encourage you today!

Blessings,

Kenzi

Living Water

You have probably seen them.  The staggering statistics of so many children that die every day around the world due to the lack of clean water are all over the place.  Sometimes I (Mark) look up the numbers and become overwhelmed by how large the issue is and how it impacts so many aspects of community life such as health, jobs, and education.  Other times, I even see them and forget that each represents an amazing and wonderfully made child of God.

Lately it seems that I have been surrounded by this information. I'm not going to lay out for you all that I have learned, but to know that by the time you finish reading this, the probability that a child has needlessly died because they have little or no access to clean water is enough of a reason for me to try and help make a difference.

This last weekend, I had an amazing opportunity to be a part of a manual well drilling training.  After moving to Oklahoma a few months ago, multiple friends and family told me about a local organization called Water4.  I of course, with a passion of working in Kenya to help out with this global crisis, jumped at the chance of joining the guys for a weekend of being in the field and learning from those that have been doing it for years.

Water4 has an inspiring process of working to empower locals to start their own businesses with the equipment, training, and resources to help bring clean water to their own communities.  A manual well drilling team and process uses a variety of augers, drill bits, percussion instruments, ropes, pulleys, and locally made pumps allows for a more sustainable way of working for those in need.

The training I received covered the global need for such work, their strategic solution and process.  We covered a basic overview of what to consider in the drilling process such as community communication, site selection, soil and rock types, hydrology, etc.

Here are a few pictures from my time there:

The picture above shows how the auger is used to drill down section by section. 

Once a hard rock layer is reached, ropes, pulleys, and heavy percussion tools are necessary to make headway.  And of course, don't forget the hard effort it takes to lift it all and work as a team.

This final picture is an example of heating pvc pipe to make different connections and build our own pump on site.

I unfortunately was not able to attend the final two days of the training to see the finished product, but that is a taste of what I was able to see and be a part of.  I know that I didn't do justice to sharing with you the process and work that goes into it all, but please check out their web site to learn more at www.water4.org.  They have some pretty interesting videos that you would probably enjoy as well. 

Not only did I love that chance to learn and practice these techniques, but greatly enjoyed the company.  The other men that were a part of the training are headed all over the world with desires to follow Jesus and serve those in need through empowerment and well drilling.  Not only do we have a common passion of serving our brothers and sisters with a physical need, but also to share that whoever drinks of the water Jesus gives, will never be thirsty again (John 4:14). Seeing more of the bigger picture of how God is continuously working around the world is pretty cool.

Connecting back to what I started with, I feel privileged to have learned more about one way that I and others can help make a difference.  So if you ever get overwhelmed hearing about the most recent statistics and feel that it is impossible to do anything about it, maybe try to remember that God is still in control and that each number represents a single and real child we have the opportunity to love.  We may not be able to change the whole world for all children, but we can try to help the life of one child. 

Have a blessed day and thanks for reading!