Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Back HOME in Kenya!


November 7, 2012
"The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:8

Yes, we truly do feel that we are back home in Kenya now after the past 8 months of Home Ministry Assignment in USA and give thanks for the Lord watching over our coming and going. 
Our "other home" church in Loveland, Colorado blessed us with a re-commissioning for our mission service on Sunday, October 21st.


Our flight out of Denver on October 24th was delayed for 3 hours to allow snow removal from the wings and de-icing…so maybe it was time for us to head back to a warmer climate!

We are so grateful for everyone pulling together with us (HARAMBEE!) to allow us to return on schedule -- through financial support, prayer support, housing, meals, packing, moving our belongings to storage, transportation, and so much more. We have been blessed with "Harambee!" in Kenya as well as in the USA.
Here are just a few glimpses of some of you assisting us. We regret that we cannot share photos of everyone, who so graciously assisted us:

Art & Jan were our gracious hosts for many months in Loveland, CO


   Dave & Jeannie generously loaned us their car for 8 months










 



Terry, Barb and Helen helped with packing





Art & Roger helped move items to storage






Pastor Wesley, Patrick and Peter greeted us and our luggage in Nairobi








We rejoice that every piece of luggage arrived on schedule and with no items damaged or lost!

After our arrival in Kenya, we did take a couple of personal days to once again appreciate God's beautiful creation in the Maasai Mara, which is only 2 hours from Tenwek Hospital.
  















We are unpacking our stored and shipped belongings and feeling more and more at home as we listen to the bird songs and the waterfalls near our apartment. We again celebrate the annual "purple snow" from the jacaranda trees, as we did in our arrival at Tenwek Hospital 3 years ago in October 2009.

Jacaranda blossoms - "Purple snow"

We are not so slowly getting back into our ministry and service activities -- 
Alene has already had 4 informal meetings about the correctional ministry activities here in Kenya.
Steve will be meeting at Tenwek Hospital with esophageal cancer researchers from USA and resuming his medical work next week.




The chaplain students appreciated the books donated to their library









We give thanks for guardian angels protecting us on Wednesday, November 7th. Our car suddenly stopped as we neared the top of the curvy, narrow road ("the escarpment") up from the Rift Valley to Nairobi. By the grace of God, there was just enough momentum (or angel power!) to get the car barely off the road between the edge of the road and the steep drop-off down to the Rift Valley below. The battery had shifted, rubbed against the fan belt and had begun to leak. The Nairobi car repair team came and installed a new battery and we were back on our way with only a 2-hour, scenic delay. We praise God! Thanks for always keeping us in your prayers.


Our narrow escape near the Rift Valley's "3rd World View Point"

Please join us in giving thanks to the Lord:
+ For our safe journeys throughout USA, across the ocean, and within Kenya.
+ For healing of Steve's back, which had been very stiff, just as we were beginning to pack up in USA.
+ For continued good health for both of us.
+ For so many loving brothers and sisters in Christ, who have helped us leave USA well and be warmly welcomed back to Kenya.

Please join as we lift up prayers:
+ For smooth re-entries into our ministry and service involvements and that we may clearly know the Lord's desired roles for us.
+ For guidance as we purchase apartment furnishings, now that we are considered "career missionaries."
+ For provision for the needs of the local Kenyan people in this region, who have lost essentially all of their corn (maize) crop due to a virus called "Maize Lethal Necrosis." (Maize provides the staple grain for their diet.)

We give thanks for your partnership with us. Please feel free to post or forward this email to others. Others are welcome to check out updates and prior newsletters on this blog:

May the Lord bless you and your involvement in your own personal "mission field," wherever that may be. 
In Christ,
Steve & Alene Burgert

Donations online: http://www.wgm.org/burgert
Donations also can be made out to: "World Gospel Mission - Burgert Ministry"  and mailed to:
World Gospel Mission
PO Box 948
Marion, IN 46952-0948




Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Thanksgiving in October!


October 14, 2012 - Thanksgiving!
"Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
2 Corinthians 1:12

Dear friends and partners,
We are writing to thank the Lord with you for His gracious favor in answer to your prayers and support.

First, let's give thanks for Steve's preparations over the last few months and successful presentation this weekend at the missionary medicine conference here at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina - also known as the Billy Graham Training Center. He was able to inform and encourage many, both about his gastroenterology topics and the mission at Tenwek hospital. (See picture above.) It has been a good opportunity to network, renew relationships, and enjoy spiritual "re-fueling" before we finish our Home Ministry Assignment…. Which brings us to our second point…

Second, we thank the Lord that we have been officially released by World Gospel Mission to return to Kenya!  We are grateful for every prayer and every penny, which has been committed on our behalf. HOWEVER - we needed to commit our own personal funds to make up the gap which still remains. We have made that pledge in faith, trusting that others will continue to send pledges and help make up the difference.

Lord willing, we will be departing from the US on Wednesday, October 24th from Denver.  We are ready and eager to return to our Kenyan family, friends, and work, and we are thankful beyond words for the opportunity, which the Lord is giving us again because of our faithful partners. 

Thank you for standing (and kneeling) with us.

In His service, 
Steve & Alene Burgert

Donations online: http://www.wgm.org/burgert
Donations also be made out to: "World Gospel Mission - Burgert Ministry"  and mailed to:
World Gospel Mission
PO Box 948
Marion, IN 46952-0948