Meet Mary Jane Amos

I first met Mary Jane, along with her husband Chuck in their early days at River Cities Community Church, because it is polite to introduce yourself to the newbies. Then I had the privilege of getting to know them through a Discovery Series. I appreciate their willingness to jump in and do what needs to be done. MJA brings her love for Jesus, as well as experience in nursing and other short term mission trips. Here is Mary Jane's explanation on how she came to join the team.

"Africa...the dark continent! Land of mystery and wonder!

The first time that I heard that there was going to be a mission trip to Africa, my heart leaped in my chest! I had always wanted to go to Africa one day, but little did I realize that it would be God sending me there. I do not know what He has planned for me while I am there, but I am willing to be a "Jane of all trades" for Him. I have done two previous mission trips to Mexico in the past and God always plugged me in where He wanted me to be.

That is part of the excitement of a mission trip. What will God have you do?

I have learned to listen for that "still, small voice", which is sometimes a leaping heart and sometimes take you out of your comfort zone. I am excited to go to Into Abba's Arms and meet the children and see that God can do through me to further their lives in His kingdom. And to see what God will do through the children to further MY life in His kingdom!

 Please pray for our safety and that God will work in a mighty way through us."

UP DATES ON HOW TO PRAY!

1. Items are being packed little by little. We have made the cardboard clipboards for VBS participants to use for their lessons and artwork. Many pencils are sharpened. Step three of making nametags will finish that project. Curriculum has been ordered for two years of Sunday services. Pray that we don't miss the purchasing that needs to be done on this side of the ocean. Once we are there certain items are not available or very expensive.
2.  The VBS lessons need to get out of my head and resource materials and onto Power Point. Pray for the concepts we want to communicate to be presented in ways the kids will comprehend and apply for the rest of their lives.
3. We need to be spiritually prepared. I have ordered materials to help our team members be properly prepared for a short term trip. Pray for our hearts to be open to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. Curriculum can only take us so far.
4. We will be guests of Into Abba's Arms. We will be visitors in Kenya. We are called to be servants of Christ. Pray for us to walk in humility and know what Swahili words we need to use and when. :)

Kwa heri for now! (See, I am such a novice I put English in wherever I am short on Swahili. So you will hear mostly English and some WV English.)

It is Time to Catch Up!

During the month of April, I have to confess that Kenya was on my mind, but I could not give it much attention as we had Easter; Dave's birthday; and I was working on the River Cities Ladies Retreat. We had special group of singing nuns for our entertainment on Sat. night. Yes we had a grand time!

Then there was Mother's Day Weekend. What a great time in Pinehurst, NC with my precious 90 year old mother. Kemble and I stayed with my sister and husband, Mary-Stewart and Andrew.

Thoughts about our trip to Kenya:

1. We praise the Lord for the generous provision of finances. Please pray for me as I work on cost of our Cinn. departure and return; curriculum materials; VBS supplies.
2. I am so thankful for the wonderful people who comprise our team. They love Jesus and are willing to do whatever the situation demands. Please pray for our spiritual, mental, and physical preparation.
3. We are in the process of hammering out the details of our VBS. Please pray that it will be all the Lord wants it to be, and that we will be flexible with the unexpected when we are at Into Abba's Arms.
4. You will catch a sense of the hearts of our orphanage kids when you see the new blog entry at http://www.intoabbasarms.org/. It is exciting. 

A Little Prep for Easter!

When I watched this I got the Holy Ghost Goosebumps. I pray you will be encouraged by the message and its presentation. Just like the shoes were empty, so was the grave of Jesus Christ!

Thanks to the folks at Second Baptist of Houston.

Thanks for the Great Support!



HOPE TO SEE YOU!
Please pray for the success of this sale!



Did you know that rummage sales can be an expression of the Body of Christ? Well ours was! We had people giving us items to sell with great determination to raise money for Mission:Kenya. I am always amazed at how much "stuff" comes through the doors and ends up on our display tables, ... under the tables, ... against the walls, ... hanging from a cable suspended between the volleyball poles.

But suppport of our Family of believers was also experienced in the getting items from the original bags and boxes onto the display tables. I so deeply appreciate those many hands that made the work lighter.

I was very proud of the organization and presentation of our "marketing department". It was simply gorgeous.

And then there was the deluge of buyers on Saturday morning. Mission:Kenyan teammates had to enter a secret door in order to get in without being stampeeded. Outfitted in our bright orange team shirts we greeted folks; made up prices; took their money; assisted people in getting their purchases to their cars; cleaned up afterwards!

All in all I think Jesus was proud of His Family serving Him through serving others.

Many thanks to all of you who helped pray and play a strategic part in a successful sale. Praise the Lord for the generous outpouring of love and financial gifts. 

Need Something? It could be here!

HOPE TO SEE YOU!
Please pray for the success of this sale!

Thanks for the Prayers

The Lord gave us a wonderful Missions Conference. It was a time of encouragement as we heard testimonies highlighting God's around our area, the USA, and the world. It was instructional as we examined the Scriptures gleaning new insights. May each of us act on what the Holy Spirit has convinced us to so as a response.

I am also thankful for the Lord's provision of money for materials needed for our mission trip as well as commentaries for seminary students in Uganda.

PRAISE THE LORD AND MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED!!

Answering the Call

Meet my friend Sandy Carroll. Actually I should have met her over two decades ago when Dave was in a prayer/study partnership with her husband Mike. I missed many years of fun by not spending time with her earlier in my life. Here is her story about joining the Mission:Kenya.

For many years, I have been involved in mission in one way or another.Mike and I have welcomed missionary students into our home, worked on mission projects and offered support whenever needed.  We love hearing all about how God is working in their lives and the lives of people they reach.  I have always wanted to do a short term missions trip on foreign land, but the timing never seemed right.

In February 2010I read a wonderful book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. In June, my church family was challenged to read "Radical" by David Platt.  The more I read and studied God's word, I knew that someday I would go and share the gospel with others in a foreign country.  After finishing my Radical study, Beth Calvert mentioned going to Kenya to minister to orphans at Into Abba's Arms.  I knew this was where God wanted me to go.

Col. 1.6 declares,  "This same Good News that came to you is going out all over ther world.  It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace."
Please remember to pray for our team as we deliver the Good News in Kenya.

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for River Cities Missions Conference 3/20-23. We will be raising money for the mission project which includes materials for the Mission:Kenya Vacation Bible School; curriculum needs for the Children's Chapel on Sunday mornings which reach out to the community; materials for Saturday Bible studies for Into Abba's Arms children.