Our African Adventure!

Dear Friends, When we began our life together nearly six years ago, we created a vision for our life. As part of that vision, we dreamed of serving the Lord together in the capacity of medical missions. We have had several opportunities to fulfill this calling in our life, however, it seems that with each opportunity that has presented itself, Sara has ended up pregnant, and we have not been able to go. In fact, we've joked that perhaps we misunderstood our calling and we're just supposed to be fruitful and multiply. Earlier this year, Chris was presented with an incredible opportunity by to accompany his Family Medicine Program Director, Dr. Richard Sams, to Nairobi, Kenya on a medical mission trip through the month of January 2010. It was not even a possibility in the beginning that Sara would be able to go with him, so you can imagine her surprise when he came home one day and announced he had purchased her ticket to go with him for the entire 3-1/2 week mission! With great emotion, he said that "We can finally begin our ministry together." What a blessing! We have prayed for this opportunity for years. We will be going through the organization, World Hope (http://www.weareworldhope.com/). While we are there, we will be working in an outpatient setting at small medical clinics in remote areas of Nairobi. Chris will be seeing hundreds of patients, many of whom have not seen a doctor in years, if ever. Sara will be taking vitals, working the pharmacy, and helping wherever else she may be needed. It is with this purpose in mind that we write to you - our dear family and friends - and ask that you partner with us by keeping us in your prayers through the upcoming months. Please pray... * That we would be prepared mentally & Spiritually for the things that we will encounter medically. * That Chris would be given the gift of healing. To God be the GLORY! * That the medical team (3 physicians, 2 family members) would be protected physically from the diseases in the area, including HIV, malaria, and various tropical fevers that he can't spell. * That we would have many opportunities to present the Gospel of Christ boldly to those with whom we come into contact. * That Grant and Mason will be safe, healthy and secure, and not miss their parents too much. * That we (especially Sara) won't be distracted by missing our children. * That God would show us His heart for His people and we would not return home unchanged. * That we are able to come up with the $6000.00 it will cost for us both to serve our Lord in this way. We cannot do this without you, the Body of Christ. We are so thankful for you - for your prayers, and for partnering with us on our first medical mission trip. I cannot wait to see how the Lord will work in our lives, and the lives of the many patients we come in contact with during the month of January. Serving Him together, Chris and Sara "...Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest." John 4:35