Perseverance!

We arrived on this beautiful continent 8 months ago. WOW! Wow. Here are 10 little insights into our world:

Becoming a missionary pilot takes time and perseverance. Praise report! Joel passed the extremely difficult KCAA (Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority) pilot exam first try! He has one last check ride with AIM AIR's chief pilot before being operational. That should happen sometime this week or next.

Joel recently flew his first operational flight to Northern Kenya. It was an incredible reminder as to why we are here. The full story is on our blog with pictures. Click here to read.

The warm hearts of our African neighbors continue to delight us and make us feel welcome when our knowledge of Swahili is kidogo (small) and we question if we fit in. “Pole pole,” they kindly say with a genuine smile (“Slowly by slowly”). Our language classes with Doreen are officially over, but they provided a platform to continue learning.

Speaking of Doreen, we were blessed with 25 free, men’s shirts that were packed into our crate last minute at JAARS in North Carolina. For months we wondered why, since they’re multiple sizes. Last week we donated them to Doreen who’s starting her own designer dress business. Proceeds from selling those shirts will give her money for fabric. God thinks of everything, seamlessly knitting together relationships for His perfect purposes and timing. It’s exciting to encourage her in the Lord and see His hand working in her life, family and business.

Mango season has arrived! Perfectly sweet tree-ripened mangos for 25 cents each! Mango/banana smoothies are a great start to the day. It’s our version of “spring” since our seasons are hot, kind of hot, and rainy.

Rainy season (which we’ve just entered into) translates into a pretty reliable downpour at 5:00 when Joel is heading home on his motorbike. The only thing better than playing “Frogger” in traffic is “Frogger in the Rain!” (Additional small lakes in the road bring the skill level up a notch).

Matatu (taxi bus) drivers are not likely to change their crazy and dangerous ways despite our prayers…*sigh*.

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness. Playing our part in lives being transformed by the freeing power of Jesus. One friend was astounded, “The nightmares just stopped. After we prayed, they just stopped.” She had been tormented for years by nightmares that had left her afraid to close her eyes at night. After we addressed and renounced areas of spiritual darkness in her life, we invited Biblical Truth and God’s will to be accomplished in her life. She is experiencing the “life to the full” of John 10:10. Love, love, LOVE!

West Nairobi School has been a great experience for Renee and Ian, but we will homeschool next year to provide flexibility in our schedules to move (if the Lord leads us in that direction) and to visit outpost locations as a family. We are all looking forward to homeschool next year! Please pray for the Lord’s guidance as we choose curriculum.

We’re looking into a short vacation to the coast in April during Spring Break. Hopefully the rainy season will be done and we’ll have some relaxing beach time before we start researching outpost locations.

Thank you for your continued prayers. As East Africa continues to be unstable politically, please pray for God’s plan to come to fruition as we continue to get His Word to remote locations where darkness reigns. Please also pray for the safety and unity of the AIM AIR team as they work together with nationals to accomplish His divine will for the souls of our African brothers and sisters. This is why we’re here. Pray for perseverance to finish the race set before us.

We continually Praise God for our prayer and financial team. If God has laid on your heart to be a part of this and what He is doing in Africa through us, please respond to this email with your interest. Or simply visit Kingsinafrica. There are always needs to operate in a 3rd world country and unexpected expenses that arise. We would love to share these specific needs with you.