Adele's Update | July 2008

In this issue
1) Silas Sifuna is sober and saved!
2) Update on my studies
3) My car is no longer with us
4) Looking ahead at plans for 2008
5) Q&A – answering some frequently-asked questions

In the months since my last general update, life and ministry looked rather differently than it usually does. In fact, "life as usual" in Kenya simply wasn't usual. When I last wrote, things were still rather volatile in Kenya. Since then, a peace agreement had been signed. Opposition leader Raila Odinga was sworn in as Prime Minister, a new position created as part of the way to peace and stability in Kenya.

ELI suspended teams during this time, and very few teams are coming to serve this summer. This is simply so that we can be certain that things are truly safe enough for visitors. We're all
looking forward to guests returning!

Thank you!

A great big thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every person who is a part of God's work here in Kenya through your prayers, encouragement, and financial support.

It is a joy to know that there is an crowd of supporters behind me. I do not ever take your support for granted.

Sifuna Family Breakthrough
Many of you know the Sifunas by now. They're the family in Ilula whom God brought into our world last July. For months, colleagues and I dug out egg sacs from the children's feet. We saw the children heal physically. But with a dad who consistently came home drunk and their mom still living elsewhere as a prostitute, the children had less-than-ideal circumstances to which to go home.

In March, however, their dad, Silas, agreed to join ELI's alcohol rehabilitation program. Today, he is not only sober; he also accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. And yesterday, he was baptized! Silas publicly asked his children for forgiveness for how he had neglected them. He now works part-time at ELI's training center at Ilula. Life is still not without struggles, but things are far better now that Silas is sober, the kids are healthy and they’re in school.

The children are enjoying school immensely and are doing well. A neighbor from Ilula, Mama Chiri, has been working with the kids daily. With your support, she has been cooking them one meal a day. They receive a snack and lunch at school, too. Mama Chiri prays with them daily and teaches them the Word. They also receive Bible teaching at school.


I am still looking for a suitable place where we can relocate the family, and am praying that Silas will find a full-time job.

I love being a witness to how God has transformed their lives in every way! I'm praying that God would reveal himself to their mother, too, that her life may be transformed and that she may return home to her children and husband.

I am looking forward to seeing them when I visit Ilula later this month.

Studies
I was recently was in the US, primarily to attend the next class in the D.Min. program, which I started earlier this year. In February, I had the joy of attending my first class in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Studying again has been challenging, but not overwhelming. I'm not used to the intensive reading and paper-writing anymore, but am starting to get back into the rhythm. (It provides for plenty to do on quiet evenings in Kenya!)

My first paper was an overview of ELI's ministry in Kipkaren, looking specifically at how we are taking on some of the challenges in our community and bringing Hope. The reading I got to do for the class was very insightful in terms of some of the history of issues in Kenya as well as the history of missions in Africa.

The class that I attended in Seattle was on various aspects of transformational leadership. It has opened my eyes to a number of things that I want to do differently in the ministry to which I am called. For my class paper, I will look at what the Bible teaches about women in ministry, and venture into what I believe my dissertation might cover.

One of the things I like most about this program is that it is customizable. Students are able to choose classes that will best equip them in their ministry. Since my Master’s degree was not in Theology, however, I am required to take some extra classes. My next class will be Old Testament, New Testament and Hermeneutics. I believe it will be a tremendous asset to have some formal Bible training.

In March, I got very good news: My classes and textbooks are covered in full by a scholarship from my school, Bakke Graduate University. That's a tremendous blessing for which I'm infinitely thankful. None of my support money will have to be applied to my studies!

Got wheels?
Soon after receiving the news about my scholarship, I also got not-so-good news. During my time away, my car was involved in an accident and had been written off.

I praise God that no one was injured in the accident and that no other vehicles were involved. Since I was not the one driving, my insurance does not cover the accident.

I am currently without transport in Kenya. Not having transport is challenging and limits ministry. But God knows why the accident happened. Rather than asking “Why?” I am learning to ask, “God, what can I learn about your character that I could not have learned in any other circumstances?”

I praise God that he has helped me deal with the situation.

Eventually, I will need to replace the vehicle. God will have to guide the way and provide the finances, though. God has been reminding me that He is indeed my Provider and my Protector.

Looking Ahead
I am truly excited about what’s lying ahead for the remainder of this year. My goal is to focus more on transformational leadership development within our community.

One specific thought from one of our class sessions in Seattle has stuck with me. It supports my premise for doing leadership development among Christian leaders. It’s not just leadership development for the sake of improving individuals. Far from it. My goal with my journey with our ministry leaders (and others whom God may bring across my path) is to encourage them to let GOD reveal to them (and to me) the areas where he desires to bring about change in our own lives and to teach us so that we, in turn, can be transformational leaders, instrumental in bringing about positive, God-ward change in our communities.

To be a transformational leader means to be a follower: a follower of Jesus.

Questions and Answers
During my time in the US, I discovered that some questions came up repeatedly during a number of meetings with supporters and friends.

Where do you live? Ilula? Or Kipkaren?

When I first moved to Kenya, I lived at ELI’s center at Ilula. Last year, I split my time between our two bases (Ilula and Kipkaren) for a while, but moved to Kipkaren full-time last August. That way, I could focus all my energy in one area. I chose to move to Kipkaren since this center has a greater variety of full-time ministries (a Training Center, Sustainable Agriculture & Community Development Program, Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Program, Clinic, Home-based Care Program, Children’s Home, and an Elementary School). There are also other missionaries here, which helps a little with cross-cultural living.

What do you actually do?

My role at ELI encompasses various facets. My primary passion is leadership development. Currently, more of this is happening informally through working side by side with key leaders in the ministry, though some of the trainings have been formal, classroom trainings. My goal for the rest of 2008, however, is to do more formal training.

Another focus of my work here is communications. I take photos for ELI at various events, write updates for the children’s sponsors, and stories about what God is doing through our ministry. In order to better tell the stories of lives that are being transformed (like Hannah’s story last year), or simply because God brings people into my world and asks me to share his love with them (like the kids at the children’s homes, or the Sifunas), I sometimes get more involved with other aspects of the ministry which is not necessarily part of my formal job description.

The last facet of my work takes a lot of energy during the summer months: working with visiting teams. I work with teams while they are at our center in Kipkaren. Though teams come to bless and serve our community, their time spent here is often a time when God opens their eyes to his heart for the poor and reveals areas in their own lives where he desires to bring some transformation or renewal. It’s an honor to walk the journey with the teams while they’re at our base.

How long do you plan to stay in Kenya?

I’ll be here for as long as God directs. I have no specific time frame in mind. By September, I will have been here for 3 years.

Why are you pursuing a Doctoral degree?

My passion is to teach, and a doctoral degree in ministry will better equip me to do formal teaching both in our village and in other arenas.

What will you do about your car?

I will be selling the wreck as is to the highest bidder. It would be beneficial for both ELI and myself if I could purchase another second-hand vehicle that’s in good shape and can handle our roads during the rainy season. I am trusting God for guidance in this regard as well as for finances.

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