A Word from Kari....

Less than 2 weeks to go! Can you believe it???

I've found myself recently struggling with the fact that the trip is almost here and my anxieties are starting to surpress my excitement! I find myself wondering through so many "what if's"- What if something happens to one of the kids? What if they don't believe my visa pictures are really me and they won't let me in the country? What if there is a yellow fever outbreak and I'm stuck in Kenya? As I find myself feeling anxious about these and so many other things like feeling inadequate, I've begun to realize that these are all tools that Satan is using to discourage me. He knows that God is going to work in a mighty way in and through each one of us while we are in Kenya. We each have so much to give, and I think we'll be surprised at how much we get from the kids.
We are in the final stretch and Satan is going to be throwing so many things in our way to bring us down.
Be praying against these spiritual attacks and any physical ailments that he's going to throw in our paths. The Bible talks about this in Ephesians
6:10-18 (see below). We need to take up the Shield of Faith to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one! I encourage you to study this passage and pray through it when you're feeling discouraged! Call your prayer partner and talk through things too.

Kari

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."