As I (Sue) was cleaning up the two banana peels left by the monkey who continues to steal bananas from our kitchen, it reminded me of the various visitors we have hosted over the past two years. Though at times having visitors in our home is a stretch for us introverts, we have come to see how much our lives have been enriched by the interesting and diversified guests we have had the privilege of hosting and ministering with. We have had friends and family from Claremont to Washington State, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, Louisiana, Washington DC, the UK and Wales. We have learned much from each other and value the richness of new friendships.
It has been too long since we have posted, but it seems like we just hit the ground running upon our return from the states.
We left for Thika for the AVC Pastor’s Conference the first of June. It was a gathering of pastors and their wives from the Vineyards in East Africa. Doug and I continue to experience “firsts” as we did a workshop for the conference “Pastors and their Wives and their Congregations”. It was the first time we had actually done a teaching/workshop together as a couple. . . we continue to be challenged to new things!
VFE Update - We have been asking for prayer and support for VFE (Vineyard Financial Empowerment), and we have a PRAISE REPORT. The AVC Kenya leadership has come to an agreement with Faulu (meaning ‘Succeed’ in Swahili) to partner together. Faulu, associated with Food for the Hungry, will be our funding resource for micro credit, savings programs and group loan programs. VFE will provide the business training and will interview and select participants for the program.
The goal is to make a presentation at the upcoming National Conference in August to give people the opportunity to learn about the program and begin the process of gathering people from their congregations who may benefit from VFE.
We are off to Israel in a few days. Doug and his dad are leading a tour of the Holy Land. There will be some from Kenya and some from the US, including our son Matt and his wife Bekah, Doug’s sister Julie and her family and various other extended family members. We are excited to have our two worlds meet in this way!
Thank you for your continued prayer and support. Your love and commitment means so much, and we are privileged to have you as partners in this Kingdom work.
Doug and Sue
