Harambee

something that i appreciate in kenyan culture is how everyone came together to help each other out in times of need, whether that was a hospital bill, getting married, a new baby, etc. i experienced the reality of carrying each others burdens. a harambee means "all joined together" in swahili and it could be an informal get together or an event that carried over for a few days. my mom jokingly said that we should pass a basket at Chris and Eli's birthday... to fund raise african style, since africa is where we are desiring to go.

i am really having a hard time. chris is the one who came up with the idea of taking a family missions trip to africa to see where God might have us in the future and to serve Him in radical ways now. we are also wanting to adopt from africa and this would just spur on the desire to care for orphans.

i know that the Lord is in control, even when i feel like everything is spinning out of control
i know that He would not have closed many many many job opportunities for no reason
i know that His timing is perfect
i know that He is the Great Provider
i know that i have experienced many God ordained an orchestrated appointments this week
i know that my 5 years in waiting for this point and time is not in vain
i know that i can trust Him
i know that even in my sadness He is still good, all the time

our trip to africa for vision/direction/serving/loving/being faithful/encouragement/reuniting/friendship/obedience/worship/refreshment/renewed priorities/and many a more is on the line... we cannot financially front this deep desire and calling to go to africa all by ourselves. we made a decision to not put it on a credit card... so we do not have tickets, because we do not have enough support. i am still trusting, still waiting, still praying, still hoping, still dreaming of africa

twins

these babies are so close to my heart... i wish i could just scoop them up right now! their mother is on her death bed dying from AID's and TB while they laid malnourished, negelected, and uncared for because their mother does not even have the strength to take care of herself, let alone these precious little ones. The boys and I will get to love on Eli and Ellie in Uganda when we visit Rachel & Mandie in a month!

Uganda & Kenya

Steyne Family Missions Update

My heartstrings have always been tied to Africa…they say once you have been you never really leave! The time has come for my family to see my passion for Africa come to life. From the overflow of my heart, Eli, has caught the desire for Africa (if only in theory)- with every airplane he says “I go to Africa on BIG airplane to get baby girl. I want to bring her to me house for a bath and shoes”. Although we will not be bringing a baby home on THIS trip (because it is just not that easy, legally), however, adoption is in the VERY near future and we would appreciate your prayers as we begin the journey. James 1:27 “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” Our worldview is the way that we perceive and look at the world around us and we want to make sure that our children know the realities around the world. Reality makes it hard for me to sleep at night-

· 163 million children are orphaned
· ½ the World’s population live on less than $2 a day = cup of sweet tea
· 40% of the World have NEVER heard the Gospel

These statistics are more than just statistics to me because I know names, faces and children who make up the enormous number of orphaned, poverty, and lost without Jesus. In James 2:17 it says, “Faith without deeds is dead.”

So as a family we are taking action, stepping out in faith, looking at the bigger picture… there is more to life than the day in and day out stuff that consumes us. We are on a journey to live out Jesus in all that we say and do. We are seeking His face in the next chapter of our lives. This October & November we are taking a step back from our daily grind in Columbia, SC and boarding planes headed to Uganda & Kenya.

Our plans are not set in stone, but being the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ is our purpose. Eli (3 years), Levi (17 months), Christen (friend since middle school) and I will be spending 10 days in Masindi, Uganda where we will:

· Encourage and come alongside of Rachel & Mandie, who are training Ugandan nurses to run a hospital.

· Spend time at Family Spirit orphanage, especially with the 5 month olds twins who Rachel and Mandie are caring for in their home.

· Teach about nutrition, prevention & hygiene

From there Christen will return home; Rachel, the boys and I will take a bus ride to Kenya and spend a few days together. Then Rachel will return to Uganda and Chris will arrive in Kenya where we will be spending time at:

· Kings Kids Village (orphanage where I did my internship for Intercultural Studies degree from Columbia Int. University)

· Mattaw Orphanage in Kitale, helping to finish the construction of their third house for orphans

· Visit professors and friends from Scott Theological College (Bible college I attended my sophomore year

· I hope to introduce my family to my dearest brother Solomon (we knew him when we lived in South Africa 14 years ago)

· Visit the coast for a time of rest, relaxation, reflection and prayer, before returning to the chaos of life.

Part of why I need Africa is to slow down and become intentional in my relationships, instead of being consumed by the busyness of our lives and culture. I find it much easier to fall face down on the dirt before my Lord in prayer, even over the smallest things and I need to get back to this place in my life. We need to be reminded that there is more to life than the life we have been living.

So we ask for your prayers:

· That He will break our hearts for what breaks His heart

· For the Lord to use us as a family to live out Christ to everyone we meet & to be intentional in our conversations

· That the Lord will show us His plans for our lives

· Traveling mercies, especially with Eli & Levi

· For the funds to make it possible. We have both been working side jobs, but have fallen a bit short and time is drawing near. I am selling necklaces made by Ugandan women, and if you would like one please let me know, they will make great Christmas presents!


Thank you for praying for us and for walking through life with us. We love and appreciate you!

Chris, Keely, Eli & Levi