KENYA TRIP AND UPCOMING STAFF CONFERENCE

A short time after our trip to Zambia, Malawi, and Uganda, we made a five day trip to Webuye, Kenya to attend a conference and visit an orphanage. We drove to Nairobi, flew to Elderet, and drove to Webuye (a long day). While in Kenya, we saw the devastation that was caused from the violence after the recent Presidential election. Many people were killed, hundreds of homes and businesses were burned and hundreds of people are still living in refuge camps. It is so sad to see how enthusiasm for an election can turn violent and affect a whole nation, which was seen as one of the most progressive in all of Africa. Many people who had been peaceful friends and neighbors woke up one day and faced each other as enemies. It makes us more aware, each day, of the need for Christ in the lives of people. It seems to have started much like some of the violence that has taken place at the Republican convention in the US. We need to continuously lift up our nation in prayer. There is no way that we can say that "this can never happen to us" unless we totally forget the influence that Satan has in this world. We saw some, extremely poor, areas in Kenya that are very similar to what we hear that Obama's brother lives in. We were privileged to be able to visit with orphans, their care takers, many pastors and a few bishops from several denominations. We have been blessed that God has put so many wonderful, Spirit filled, Christians in our lives. Every time we travel, we get a real opportunity to see how God wants to use all of us for HIS glory.

There will be a huge "Here's Life" staff conference in Arusha, beginning Oct. 6. Several board members will be here, as well as some other speakers and individuals from the US. All of the team leaders, associates and their wives will be here, from Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Congo, Rwanda, Malawi and Zambia, to attend the conference. It is the one time each year when the whole "Here's Life family" gets together and many have to travel for several days by bus, over bad roads. Please keep all of them, and the conference in your prayers. It will be great to reunite with friends from the US and East African countries. Some will stay in our home, so pray that we will be gracious hosts. We can hardly wait.

We want each of you to know that we could never face the hardships and feel the joys without you "standing in the gap" for us. Thanks for your prayers. it is great to be a part of the body of Christ.