joyful beginnings

...new mercies everyday...

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up;

do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43: 18-19

2012 is here! I honestly can't believe it.

highlights of 2011-

...first job out of college, working at Airrosti Rehab Centers

...moved to Kenya to work with BlueSky

...safari in the Maasai Mara

...coast of the Indian Ocean in Mombasa

...new friends in Kenya and meaningful relationships

...opportunity to lead Covenant groups with middle school and high school students in Nairobi

...growth in my relationship with Christ- His mercies are new every day. Praise Jesus!

This past weekend some of my best friends came to San Antonio to visit and ring in the New Year! We went to a country concert, hung out at the house, power walked through the neighborhood, worshiped at Oak Hills Church Sunday morning, adventured to Enchanted Rock to explore, watched countless YouTube videos as Darby, Heather and Lauren quoted Nacho Libre, and laughed the entire weekend. What a good way to start a new year!

Being home has reminded me how blessed I am by family and friends- it is good to my soul! These girls really do sharpen me, encourage me, make me want to be a better person, bring so much joy and laughter into my life, and point me to the Lord. So thankful!

we went on our own nature walk.. check out "neature walk" on YouTube. haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm3JodBR-v

dis here is a cactus, you can that it's a cactus by the way it is. how neat is dat??

I'm going back to Kenya tomorrow.

I'm so thankful for my time to be home, and looking forward to going back!

We have so much to be thankful for...

...new beginnings

...old and new friends

...family

...opportunities for growth

...unconditional love

...God's amazing grace

...communication with our Heavenly Father who hears us through prayer

Perseverance in the Fight

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

James 1:2-4

As many of you know, the past month or so has been filled with trials and testing personally and for our team. I am writing this post so that you can join us in prayer! I would not be in Kenya without the support and love of each of you. I'm blessed beyond measure by the community that has surrounded me in these efforts for the city of Nairobi!

So, here is the lowdown on what's been happening:

-I am currently at home in Texas! It's been wonderful to be home with family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas. My family went out to our deer lease for Thanksgiving- I got to go hunting with my brothers, and it was wonderful to relax and explore the outdoors in the beautiful hill country! However, it was hard to come home because of circumstances with my work permit. I still have not received approval for it, and was rejected an extension. So, I'm home for the time being, and am planning on going back at the beginning of January. Please pray for my work permit to be approved!

-One of our team members was riding in a car that flipped. Thankfully everyone was ok, but her purse that contained credit cards and other important items was stolen by the mob that resulted from the accident. We are very thankful she is fine, but are still praying for her as she recovers from the accident.
-This same team member still has not received her work permit forcing her to leave the country this past week. There is a chance that she will not be let back in the country. We are praying for a breakthrough and would appreciate your prayers as well.
-Our Director of Operations is back in the States currently because his mom is not doing well. She is currently on assisted living. We would appreciate your prayers for him and his family.
-Another team member has a sick family member and would appreciate prayer.
- One of our cars was stolen from outside our office. The police and security were less than helpful. The police are currently refusing to give us the paperwork needed to file with our insurance.
-Teammates working on the Rock Gym have been involved in a very very hard decision regarding the construction and building process. We are directly coming up against government corruption. Please pray for wisdom, revelation, and guidance as they continue to seek the Lord in this hard decision.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend some time with one of my best friends. It was so great to catch up with her...but as we were talking about life, I was explaining all of this to her, and she spoke graciously words of Wisdom over me. She said, "Daley, if Satan did not consider you and the team a real threat, these things would not be happening." It is difficult to "consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds" as Paul commands in the book of James. But, I am learning how to do that! I am positive and confident that God is working and on the move in the midst of this whole situation.

The One who has called us is FAITHFUL and He will provide!

Please join us in prayer for these specific instances, and for unity among our team as we walk through the fire. Pray that we would trust God and that we would have the opportunity to boldly and couragesously tell people about the work He is doing so we can give him glory and make his name famous in the city of Nairobi. We are praying daily for our team, the rock gym, student ministries, and for the country of Kenya. We ask that you would join us!

In the midst of all this, we remain hopeful and joyful because of the saving work of Jesus Christ!

As Christmas is approaching, I am reminded even more about the JOY and PEACE we have because of Christ:

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2: 8-14

We have a lively hope in Jesus Christ who came to bring joy and peace for all people! What an amazing God we serve- the great King who came humbly, born in a manger.

Tiwi Beach

Michelle, Lexi, Krystal and I just got back from 3 days at the coast. It was a wonderful and relaxing trip- I'm so thankful for this community of girls and how we sharpen and push one another in our walks with the Lord. The coast was absolutely breathtaking!

roomies

Abdul, with fresh coconuts

Doouranamo!

Hakunah Matata!

coral under the water

crabs walking along the banks

all the colorful kongas waving in the wind

fishing, boy had straight up skills.

Sunday sunrise

Coast of the Indian Ocean

Blue starfish!

Our friend, Tumaini

Women working hard to catch fish for their families

We rode camels. My camel's name was Abdul.

This is Hassan, one of our Kenyan friends who lives in Mombasa. He is one of the most joyful people I have ever met. He recently came to know Christ, and is a new believer! Praise God!

The whole week we were at the coast Hassan had helped us buy fish for dinner, go to the caves to explore, and we had a bonfire one night. Hassan's eagerness and hunger to know Christ more was so encouraging! Every time we talked to him he had questions about the Bible, about church, and about Christ. It was humbling to talk to him and get to share my faith and beliefs with him. I was encouraged to see how God had used our team in his life, by this time spent with him, and previously when we had spent time at Tiwi.

Sunday morning the girls woke up early to watch the sunrise and we had communion on the beach. We invited Hassan to join us. He had taken communion before, but we got to explain to him the meaning of the bread, the wine, and read scripture and prayed with him. We also gave him a devotional book to where he could grow spiritually in his personal relationship with the Lord. It was such a sweet time to pray and encourage one another. Christ literally was the only common denominator in our friendship with Hassan, but that is all we needed. He is our brother! (: God is so good, and it was a beautiful reminder that he is working and moving in the lives of all people in every nation, every city, neighborhood, and every heart. Please join us in praying for Hassan as he ministers to his friends who live on the beach with him, and as he grows in his walk with Christ.