Their Gone

For those of you who are interested, the Kenyan Crew have left the country. I actually talked with my brother, Josh, right before they were to get on a plane headed for London. They will arrive in London at 10:20pm our time, 6:20am London time. They then leave for Nairobi, Kenya at 2:20am our time, 10:20am London time. Arriving in Kenya at 10:45am our time Friday, 8:45pm Nairobi time. (They will be 10 hours a head of us in Eldoret.)

Saying goodbye was hard, but this will be a year of purpose there and here. I have no fear that when we are all together again the rejoicing will be greater than the sorrow.

Triumphing in the Midst of Pain

For all of you who have been praying for the Crow family, I pass this on to you. Be encouraged and challenged. This family is amazing to me. They have truly had to fight the good fight on more levels than most of us have ever experienced. Be blessed by the words of a mother who has just lost her child.

And if you did not know, Zayden Crow went to be with the Lord after his family decided it would be best to remove him from live support.

Tanya's words:

Hello everybody,
I was really struggling with sending an e-mail (it would be impossible to talk to so many any other way), but the Lord firmly spoke to me about not letting the enemy have any ground that the Lord has shed his blood for, victory is ours. I know that we are to share the victory of Jesus Christ(Jeremiah and I, with what we have just walked through, but I feel that it is important for all of River City to share that as well, and to know just what that victory is, and that it is for all of us to share as a body, you have all been so faithfull to press into what God has for us) we have walked through soo much, trusting that God is in control, that he has always known what is best for us all, and about facing death, I have not had a family member die, not one of my own. In just days Jesus has walked me through fear of death and dying and an understanding of just what death really is. I realize that there is more fear in letting go and trusting God than there really is of death. I have come to a place in my heart that wasn't there before now, our prize is to be with our King, why should we mourn such a pleasure. Isn't that why we believe? God has been soo faithfull with his love and mercy to our family. Thank you al for being so faithfull to lift us up.
We were all praying that God would heal Zayden's body and trust me nobody wanted that more than I did. In 13 days of my beautiful sons life, God healed soo much more than just Zayden,( his healing is to live in eternity with the Savior, our reward is to praise God for the healing that has taken place in a family that has been broken for 5 years.) When Jeremiah and I split up, his parents, his sisters, his nana, aunt Linda, and his uncle Gus all pretended that I did't exist any more, they stopped treating me like family. We have not shared a holiday, or a birthday since 9-11.
I have asked God when the time would come and how would the healing take place. They all have been here, even Gus. The night that Zayden died was the firts time that Gus had been here, and he stayed so that we would know that he loved us. Every relationship that was broken has been restored, EVERY RELATIONSHIP. What the enemy meant for bad, God meant for good. I know that there is soo much more, that we don't see yet, or that is even yet to come. We want the rewards that we will recieve from trusting God, soo we are going to choose to walk it out in faith knowing that we are loved by the Creator.
We will be home Wednesday sometime, we will want some time to get used to being home, we have been gone for almost a month. We would really love prayer for our boys, Tevan is having a hard time. I'm not sure about Isaac but please pray anyways. We are soo thankfull for all of our family at River City thank you for walking this out with us. We have never felt alone. You all are soo faithfull. We love you and will see you all soon.
Faithfully being held by the Father, Tanya and Jeremiah

Pam Kelly's New Granddaughter

Pam & Mike Kelly were blessed with their 6th Granddaughter, Roslynn Noelle Movius. She was born September 19th at 7:13 PM to Travis (Pam's son) & Ange Movius. She is getting lots of love & attention from her older sister Ysabelle, 3 ½ years. Ros-lynn was 7 lbs. 7 ½ oz. and 19 ½" long.

Thank Heavens for Little Girls!!

Horace in Eldoret

I spoke with my Father yesterday afternoon. It was so good to hear his voice. He woke up at 1:00am his time to call our family when he knew we would all be at my house. If you did not know, my family gets together every Sunday around 1:00pm to have lunch and pray. This is when my Dad called.

I have to admit that I hung up on him at first. I am terrible about seeing a number that looks like a telemarketing number and just hanging up. The minute I did it I knew I should have waited a moment longer. Thankfully, he called back.

If you have never called anyone overseas, you have never experienced the "delay". It makes conversation very challenging.

The first thing Dad asked was what we had for lunch. I thought this was very entertaining. I understand he is missing American food right now. I asked him what he had for lunch and he told me minced beef (basically hamburger) with a can of pork and beans dumped over the top and cornbread muffins on the side. Not sure what I think about that meal. Doesn't sound too appetizing. Although my brother, Josh, thought it sounded good.

Dad took time to talk with all of us. He asked each of us about the important issues in our lives and answered any questions we had. It was not long enough, but after three weeks, it was just good to talk with him.

As I am sure you all know, the rest of the family leave very early Saturday morning. It you would like to hear Mom's view on these proceedings go to Leister's Kenyan Life. Let my mom know you are thinking about them by leaving a comment. Remember you are just as much a part of this as they are. They would never have been able to do it without you.

Training - September 29th

Just a reminder.

We will be having another training this coming Saturday.

If you know someone who is interested, please invite them.

The cost is only $10 and the training is invaluable.

Also, if you would like to come and be refreshed, we would love to see you.

It will begin at 9:30 with worship.

We hope to see you and many others there.

Horace Leister Begins the Journey

I guess I am able to take some liberties and write things that none of the rest of you are able to. Actually, at any time some would like to add something to the blog, please contact me.

This little blip is about my dad. He left today. From what Mom told me, God orchestrated it. It was quick and simple not long and tear-filled.

So he begins his journey and we will all reap the benefits. I know that doors are being opened right now that were closed because of my father's obedience. And I believe you will all benefit as I will. So be looking. Look for the doors that may open for you.

This is not just about Africa. This about obedience. Follow Dad's example and when God asks - GO! Don't hesitate. Don't question. Just go.

I am also including some family pictures we took on Sunday. If you are not a family who does family pictures, then you are missing out. Or maybe you are just missing out, because you do not have eight children and five grandchildren.