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
