POWER OF GOING

Met a young missionary from CA today. He is a 5yr old Christ follower who is on his third 2 month trip to Africa. The light in his eyes, excitement in his voice fueled the fire in mine and Rodney's hearts. He shared about the power of "going". A recent college grad who is enrolled in med school for the fall, our friend traveled to Kenya to serve Africa Inland Mission projects. He journeyed to a small village in northern Kenya to do whatever they needed. What he told us next demonstrates the power of going.

"I came with no real expertise, no medical training," BUT GOD is using him in a big way. Hearing the needs for a community medical center our friend offered to help. Soon he found himself re-designing the building floor plans, making suggestions and offering to raise funds in the states. Then the village chief informed him that gov't assistance was available to pay for 50% of the project budget. He believes God will raise the rest. Our friend is changing the world by simply going in faith.

Learning to embrace Divine Delays

We had borrowed a car from a friend to use while it's owner is overseas. It has been great to use, but often wouldn't start. Well, Sunday when Lewis dropped off Rodney at the airport, the car died for the last time. If Lewis had left as planned, I would have been challenged to know what to do. Lewis determined the problem and it will have to be towed. I am just glad this didn't happen while he was away...

The coolest thing is when Lewis called Monday morning with energy in his voice. "God is amazing" he tells me. "The lap top ordered for the trip arrived and Nick is available this morning to get it running before I leave today." He could now do interview, business and blog in Kenya. I got off the phone and told John it was a miracle to be delayed in order to get the laptop and have Nick available to get it going within hours before departure. Several minutes later, John said, " mom, I know lots of people don't believe God does miracles, but we see Him do miracles a lot." WOW... I love it when God shows Himself in undeniable ways...

Trusting Him,

Melody

Editors note... what was also a "God thing" about this is I got to help Lewis and didn't miss a beat at work. I was able to help him and honor my employer. Nick

DIVINE DELAYS

I missed my flight on Sunday. Forgot to get my passport out of bank safe deposit box on Saturday. Rodney left without me trusting God is in control (trusting God for MY memory is a real act of faith).

Casually checked mail Monday morning and was surprised to find the mini-laptop (2# w/9” screen) ordered for this trip. HP recently gave me the bad news that it was backordered till June 9th. Now I can blog from Kenya. With my Kenya cell phone I can get a wireless laptop connection from anywhere in Kenya. So I give thanks for cool technology (feel like I’m in a James Bond movie) and divine delays.

Getting thru security at LR airport was comical. I have attachments strapped all over my body. Backpack, doc kit attached, waist pack, video camera strapped over shoulder. Checked bags (four packed over 50# limit all for orphan homes) have no room for personal belongings. Rodney and I agreed to stuff one backpack each for our 2 week stay.

Getting thru security started with removing liquids. I filled up two plastic bags with sanitizers, bug sprays, bug wipes, bug cream, shampoo, contact solution…and sunscreen. Next I filled tubs on scanner belt with laptop, shoes, wallet, phone and two bags of liquids. Rushing to gather stuff on other side of scanner…I left my phone.

Fortunately my flight is delayed two hours…enough time to remember my phone.

Another divine delay!

Lewis and Rodney Davidson leave for Kenya Sunday and Monday June 1st and 2nd

…. We hope to post their writings and photos from the field. Please pray for their safety and their meetings with orphan ministry leaders in Kenya.

Africa photo gallery

Many have asked to see photos from our time in Kenya. We have compiled a photo gallery for you to Go Near the beautiful faces in Africa. ( See in links section) We have highlighted two orphan ministries :The Nest and Uzimatele Children’s Home. We also have photos from our time with the Masai tribe and everyday life around us. Enjoy as you GO NEAR…..in Africa !

GO NEAR WITH US

God is good! God is in control! And God has made it clear that He brought us back home to continue what He started in Kenya and with orphan care ministry three years ago. Go Near Ministry will remain whole heartedly commited to orphan care ministry by leading others to life-changing relationships caring for orphans and widows worldwide.

These Go Near Ministry programs are under construction:

• Sponsoring a child
• Humanitarian aid
• Sponsoring a Mama
• Orphan care assistance
• Visiting orphans
• School and church fundraisers

Today God has opened doors for us to collaborate with Buckner Int'l who we will work with this summer in both Kenya and Guatemala. I will spend 2-3 weeks in June traveling in Kenya with Buckner. Melody and our home church, Fellowship Bible Church will help give leadership for a teen girls conference at Casa Aleluya orphan home in Guatemala. Anna will join Lee Smith to help lead a team of students to serve a Buckner home in Guatemala. Go Near Ministry 3yr plan and budget will be available on request by end of July.
Your investment keeps hope alive for George Odesino and Pastor Karithi. These men are national leaders committed to care for orphans in Kenya.

Stay tuned to our new blog for postings from Kenya. We fly to Africa June 1st.

Lewis

COMING HOME

Leaving Kenya was hard. So hard, that it has been difficult to put it into words. I felt so alive there, so used by God. Every day brought new challenges and purpose. I questioned, how could we leave, yet it was clear to Lewis that staying as a family, on our own in the time of uncertainty was not what God wanted. It was a HUGE step of faith to leave what God had started. We weren’t certain where we would live with our home being rented. All our furnishings and household goods had been sold. BUT GOD amazes us again and again. We are renting a quiet country home from missionaries over seas that has everything we need until our old home is available. This has been great for us allowing us to begin the process of reconnecting with our friends and getting our children reengaged in school life. We are energized and my heart is now soaring as we invest our lives in orphan ministry in ways that have even greater impact than before. Melody