Influence

Fellowship with Missionaries

Mark and Sue Stanley, missionaries from the Middle East and PLC attendees, will be in Cedar Falls at the farm of Larry and Sue Rittgers (30757 120th Street) on Wednesday, May 30th.

A time of fellowship and dessert will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Come and learn more about how they INFLUENCE THE WORLD!

Remembering What God Did in Kenya

Kyle Thomas, High School Coordinator in Kenya during our March 2012 trip.

“The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings will glory you; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.” Isaiah 62:2

When they left for Kenya, they went as Diana Mescher, Kyle and Jill Thomas, Shane Fuller, Jarred Herring, Sara Strawhacker, and Raven Snyder.

They returned as Njoki, Muriithi and Mumbi, Karioki, Gikuyu, Nyakio and Gakenia; the people of Kwambekenya honored the seven with Kikuyu names that represented them to the community.

“God ushered our entire team into an intimacy of the heart. When we got there, two men had passed away and we were ushered into a grieving community and talked about issues in the community. The final day we were preaching to youth and digging a grave for one of them who passed away. The women in our group were working alongside those in the community. A symbol of that intimacy was the community gave every single team member names they saw in us,” said Kyle Thomas, PLC's high school coordinator, whose name was Muriithi, meaning shepherd and pastor.

Diana Mescher, PLC Influence and College coordinator, led the latest mission trip to Kenya, designed for college students and those younger than 25.

“The amazing thing was each of our names represented what God was teaching each person. It was such an honor to be blessed with the gift of a Kenyan name,” said Diana, also known as Njoki, which means “one who comes back.”

Mescher and her team went to Kwambekenya in March to build sustainable classrooms with community members. Instead of doing the work for them, the team worked with them, as well as teaching virtues such as teamwork, cooperation, perseverance and persistence; things they can use in the future.

Kyle and his wife Jill, who had been on mission trips before, were in awe of what God did for the team on this trip.

“My experience on mission trips has been you leave the trip and leave with a sense of 'If only I did more,' or of unresolved tensions, such as 'I didn't get to say good-bye to my friend and we didn't get to finish my project.' It wasn't tied in a neat little bow and I was totally expecting that,” Kyle said. “That wasn't my experience at all this time. With this trip, when we left for home, I felt like God just lavished me, my wife, the team and any of the things I saw him start on the trip. I saw him finish in phenomenally amazing ways. It was an openness of seeing what God was up to.”

One example of God's lavishness, Kyle said, was the four people with whom God brought him close: John, a fifth-grader; 22-year-old Zabrone; Aaron, a youth pastor and Moses, an older man who was a part-time pastor and mason.

“Throughout the week, I had multiple interactions with these men, connected with them and continued to develop relationships. Every single one of these relationships was one-on-one. God really went above and beyond, using me as I was able to connect with others,” said Kyle. “Then as we got ready to leave the community, God provided the perfect opportunities to bring closure to those four relationships; I had a good-bye, personal interaction time with every one of them. I didn't expect to be able to say good-bye to them.”

Kyle, Shane and Jarrod, whose fathers are all pastors, also met with about 25 Kenyan pastors during the week.

“God was definitely up to something when he put together the team; all three of us guys, connecting with the community and with their pastors. God gave us an in of commonality, a platform, the same mission and reaching the lost. It was neat to be a part of that. I stayed all day with the men and the pastors. That was an incredible experience for me,” he said. “That God would bring our team so intimately into the hearts and lives of others, is humbling. Would I go back? In a heartbeat.”

August Kenya Trip

We are headed back to our 410 Bridge Community Kwambekenya, Kenya August 2-11, 2012!

In Kenya, we will spend our 10 days in Prairie Lakes Church’s community, Kwambekenya working on different service projects including the construction of a mountain stream water project. Days will also be spent in the primary school teaching Bible stories, arts and crafts, and recess activities.

If you want to be a part of what God is doing in this community, start praying now and check out your next steps below.

--Eligibility--

• be a Christ follower
• healthy physical condition
• all ages
• if 18 or younger mush be accompanied by a legal guardian

--How do I join the team?--

1. APPLY. Fill out the Kenya August 2-11, 2012 Trip Application. Click HERE to download a copy of the application.

2. SUBMIT. Return your application to PLC no later than Tuesday May 1, 2012.

3. PHONE INTERVIEW. You will be contacted for a brief phone interview the week of May 1, 2012.

4. ANSWER. You will be notified of acceptance decision by May 9, 2012.

--What to Expect--

410 BRIDGE. The 410 Bridge is a reputable organization PLC has partnered with for over five years. To learn more about the organization visit 410bridge.org.

CLIMATE. Kwambekenya is a rural community in Kenya, Africa that sits at the base of the lush Aberdare mountains. Temperatures range between 50°-68°F during the day and colder at night! Rain is a common occurrence.

LODGING. The team will stay at a hotel 30 minutes away from the community. The hotel is a safe place the 410 Bridge has used for over six years.

FOOD. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided each day. The food in the hotels is American friendly with limited options. Snacks will also be provided.

TRANSPORTATION. The flight to Kenya will take 18-20 hours. It is split into two flights with a layover in Europe. In Kenya we will ride in a bus that is driven by certified 410 Bridge personnel.

COST. $3,500 will cover your air fare, transportation , lodging and meals while in Kenya. This fee also includes a safari trip our last day. Additional costs may include: money for souvenirs and miscellaneous items. After acceptance, a $200 non-refundable deposit will hold your place on the team.

TEAM MEETINGS. We will be having team meetings every other week starting in May to prepare for our departure.

DEADLINES:

Application deadline: May 1, 2012
Deposit deadline: May 11, 2012
Half balance due: June 4, 2012
Remaining balance due: July 3, 2012

Questions :: Contact influence@prairielakeschurch.org

Freedom Week

Freedom Week 2012 For many of us, freedom is something we take for granted. But for those living in slavery, freedom is just a hope and a dream.

According to the United Nation's Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, “an estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labor, including sexual exploitation, at any given time, as a result of trafficking.”

Human trafficking affects mostly people 18 to 24 years old; an estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked every year. While the majority (1.4 million) reside in Asia and the Pacific, nearly 300,000 victims live in the United States. Worldwide, human trafficking is a $31.6 billion industry; in the United States, that number is $15.5 billion (www.globalimpact.org).

To address this worldwide issue, The University of Northern Iowa recently hosted Freedom Week, March 25 through 29. Sponsored by Prairie Lakes' theRiver college ministry, St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC) and partially funded by the Northern Iowa Student Government, the event's goal was to raise awareness of human trafficking and to seek ways to restore justice both locally and globally.

Carl Carey, PLC's urban minister at the Waterloo campus, kicked off the event by speaking to students about the global slave trade.

“As far as I am concerned, and as far as God is concerned, even one is too many,” he said. “The question on the floor is never 'does God care about this?' Of course he does. When it comes to injustice, God is on the scene.”

The week's event included a panel discussion with local, state and national speakers and an experiential exhibit. More than 1,000 students walked through the exhibit and at the end, could write, on flags, a message to a survivor, a prayer or their commitment to freedom. By the end of the event, the Freedom Market was covered in flags. Some UNI professors also gave students extra credit going through the exhibit.

Many volunteers made the event possible, including theRiver student and adult volunteers, who painted, transported, set up and tore down the exhibit; greeted and spoke with exhibit visitors, which included Muslim and atheist students.

“The goal of the exhibit was to inform others about the reality of slavery in our world and how everyone plays a part in this problem,” said Diana Mescher, PLC Influence and College coordinator. “God opened up an amazing door for us to go to the heart of campus. As we made ourselves available with open hearts, God choose to use us in His story of pursuing His children.”

Lavish Love

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in Hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” -Romans 12: 10-13 (ESV)

God allowed us the privilege of being messengers of His Love & Truth today.

This morning we had the opportunity to go back and visit the homes of the grieving families. God had provided funds for us to bless each family with 50 bottles of soda and 60 loaves of bread. This was a very big blessing for each family because food is scarce and during a Kenyan funeral it is standard for the grieving family to provide meals for all of the company that comes to help prepare for the funeral and mourn. This can be upwards of hundreds of guests.

The men were able to stay at the home of one of the families and help the local men dig the grave. This was a huge honor for our team, and more than that it served as a large expression of love and support for the family. One of the widows told us that the scripture that we read to her on our first visit has been the only thing that has given her peace and hope during these last few days. Praise God! God is at work and He has chosen to use us as vehicles of His love & hope in these families lives.

The women headed off to the primary school to spend the day cooking and talking with all of the teachers. One of our goals this week was to build relationships with & encourage the local teachers. Teachers in Kenya work very, very hard every day with little resources and little support. They are managing classrooms of 50+ students every day and most get paid meager wages. We were able to honor them by providing a lavish meal we all shared together. The afternoon was full of learning to cook, sharing stories of the heart and talking about the differences in our cultures.

All of the teachers were sure to share their thanks with us and Praire Lakes church as they were humbled and honored by the gesture. What a gift to watch God empower and encourage a group of people right before our eyes. They all walked away from lunch a little bit taller and their smiles were a little bit bigger. What a gift to be able to honor these teachers.

After the lunch the school had prepared an assembly for all of us. It was full of songs from the students and lots of group dancing! A perfect way to end our time in the community. Celebrating together as we remember all that God has done and allowed us to be a part of.

As the bus was pulling out of Kwambekenya for the last time every Muzungu (white person) was hanging out of the bus talking with the children as they followed along. Chants of “Mungu anakupenda” (God Loves You) and “Mungu akubariki” (God Bless You) could be heard from American and Kenyan alike. God has given this team much favor in the lives of these children.

As we come to the end of our time in Kwambekenya God keeps reminding me that He is alive and moving in this community. He allowed us the privilege of peering into the work He is already doing in the community and join Him as He makes all things new.

Let’s continue to live out Romans 12: 10-13

Beautiful Day

*thank you for your patience with the Kenyan internet! Due to a cloudy day we were not able to connect. Here is the post from our Wednesday Adventures.

What a day filled with hope and and reminders of God’s ever-present pursuing love. God is surely at work in this community and we had the privilege of noticing it today.

Our men were invited to spend the day with the local pastors as they met for their first ever pastors gathering. What an honor for them to sit in on history in the making. This room was full of humble men hungry to better reach their community for the Kingdom of God.

They spent the day talking about how to better reach the men of the community. They brainstormed through many things and were able to land a few great next steps. The most exciting one is that they are now planning to meet once a month to continue planning and implementing their ideas!

The women were able to finish their time at the baby class encouraging the teacher, Mrs. Margret and teaching the kids that God made me, God Loves me. Chants of this phrase could be heard across the playground as the ladies taught. Each of the women have countless stories of children who have taken big steps over the week!

In the afternoon we all headed back to the primary school to teach class 7 & 8 the truth I can trust Jesus with my whole life because He is always with me. For one of our art projects we traced the feet of each child onto their paper to remind them that wherever their feet go, God goes. The privilege to kneel at the feet of these children tracing their foot and looking in each’s eye was truly a treasure. We were reminded of the gift it is to love someone else . The light of Christ shines so brightly from their eyes.

Before we headed home, we were able to visit the home of a local woman named Virginia who had been spending a lot of time with our team over the week. Virginia is a local widow who lost her husband five years ago and is need of land to purchase for her remaining family to live. She is an amazing woman who loves the Lord with all that she has in her and has this amazing way of communicating love in extravagant ways, even thought the language barrier is strong. God allowed us to bless her with some much needed encouragement and food.

As we pulled out of the community big, fluffy clouds filled the sky, rain is coming! We can feel it. Keep praying friends.

What a day full of beautiful glimpses of God’s love.

Even now, as I write this post, most of the team is laughing over a long competitive game of cards on the porch of the Panorama Hotel with the sun setting softly in the background! What a peaceful, joy-filled end to a beautiful day.

As our Kenyan friends say, “God is good, all of the time, because that is his nature!”

Prayers for Kwambekenya

Want to encourage you to pray with us!

Pray for Local Pastors

Today in the community there is local pastors meeting. At this meeting they are going to come to the agreement that Kwambekenya is one body of believers and that all of the churches are working together. They will talk about how going to one church over another is not bad, God has just asked each church to look after a specific part of the big group.

They are also going to talk about what the spiritual needs, problems and obstacles are in the community. They are going to be talking about possible solutions to reach these problem. This is the ground laying conversation that will hopefully spark an great ideas and next step in reaching the lost here.

Such a beautiful thing to watch these local leaders come together to use the unique gifts God's given to build up the Church of Jesus Christ! From the glimpses God's given us into many local pastors hearts they are eager and ready for today! 

Pray for Rain 

Kwambekenya is SO dry. The rain has been delayed and the effects of this are obvious.   This community is very dry this means there has been no crops. No crops means no food to eat and no food to sell for income. This has slowed down the ability for them to continue funding the projects that community has self started and self funded without any or full 410 financial support. This is very taxing on students and on parents.

Please pray for Rain for Kwambekenya. Pray that God would continue to grow in this community a new level of dependence on Him. Pray that when the rains come they would be reminded of God's grace and goodness. The people have already planted seeds in hope of rain soon. If it doesn't come they will have lost those seeds. 

A New Road... A New Journey

 A road: a clear path from one place to another with a start and an end.

Today the team journeyed down a road we’ve never driven on before, not knowing what was in store for us on the other end. It was a small rock infested road that took us into the heart of the Kwambekenya community. Little did we know God was about to open up amazing opportunities in the lives and hearts of the people of Kwambekenya.

We started the morning at the local primary (elementary) school. We were greeted by the deputy teacher who was so thankful for our willingness to come invest in His students. After a bit of mutual encouragement was exchanged we headed out into the school yard.

The ladies went to teach in the baby class (preschool). They spent the morning singing in Swahili, and reminding the children that they can trust Jesus because He loves them and is always with them!

The men were off to help with the construction of the new 3-classroom school building that A Better Story Campaign helped fund. They were able to rub shoulders with the local men in the community, most dads of school children, who had volunteered their time to help build this building.

It was a morning full of investment. An unexpected joy at the end of this road.

Then we then got word last night two men in the community had unexpectedly passed away. One man was in his 70’s and passed away in his cabbage field suddenly. The other man was 40 and had bad chest pain last night and didn’t wake up in the morning.

Another new road opened up before us.

In the Kenyan culture, the week of a death, family and friends all gather at the grieving home to sit with and support the family. Meals are shared and chores are done for the family as a way to show support. At the end of the week there is a large funeral event lasting all day and night. It is a great sign of respect to visit the grieving family’s home to show your compassion and support.

We had the opportunity to do just that. Our afternoon was spent meeting, serving and encouraging the families in truth. We sat in the homes of these newly widowed women, shared tea and stories and were able to wash all of the dishes for one family. To be welcomed into this intimate part of community life was a huge honor. It was a humbling and awe invoking afternoon for my team.

God reminded us all today that this life is not the end. We as believers are all on a road where we know what’s waiting for us at the end. It’s a road that leads to life. Life forever, in perfect union with our God and Savior in heaven. A place where their is no more sorrow, no more sadness, no more brokenness. A place where we will be face to face with our Lord Jesus. There is a place at the end of the road for us filled with hope and inexplicable joy.

Let’s continue to let Christ lead us down the unknown roads in life. Choosing to surrender and trust Him to lead us each step of the way, knowing ultimately we end with Him, forever.

 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” -Revelation 21:4

-Diana

A day of NEW

We've arrived safe and sound!     

The team got a refreshing rest last night after 30+ hours of travel and woke up this morning eager and excited to meet the community of Kwambeykenya!

It's been an amazing day of NEW! New sights, new smells, new people, new feelings. 

We started out the morning driving through the country to arrive at Kwambekenya. The bus was full of buzz about this new culture. Every where they looked there were donkeys pulling carts, run down market places on the side of the roads, crazy looking trees and more!

Once we arrived in the community the team jumped right into two local churches were they were able to dance and worship along side the people. They were welcomed with open arms as the community was grateful for their arrival and willingness to serve the Lord as they invest in the youth of their community.

Then is was off to the medical clinic for an afternoon of play with the local children. The boys were able to dust off their soccer skills and take on the local elementary age boy in an intense match filled with lots of laughter! The ladies spent the time dancing, giggling and braiding hair as they taught each other a new language.

A wonderful day of new as the team was introduced to this beautiful country and community!

I can’t help but think of how God is consistently making all things new. All of the time he takes the broken and the tired and restores. He take the forgotten and establishes. He takes the discouraged and gives purpose. All around today lives were being made new by the love of God. Here are a few of them:

•   a local pastor was encourage to reach the twenty year olds in his community because he was inspires by the live, contagious faith of our young team 
• the once barren, forgotten land in Kwambekenya is now being cultivated by the community to provide much needed food, and timber for all 
• hope and laughter were brought to a sweet girls this afternoon who arrived tired and sad 
• hearts were awakened in church as Kenyans and Americans alike realized the unity God’s love brings 

God is making ALL things NEW by His great power and love. Let’s remember on this day of new that God is at work in mighty ways, always.

  Relevation 21:5, “ He who was seated on the throne said:. “I am making everything new!”

--Diana

the journey begins!

The journey begins! We've made it to Detroit and are halfway through our six hour layover. The last hour has been spent preparing for our time teaching in the Kenyan schools. It's hard to believe in mear hours the 900 students of Kwambekeny will hear truth I can trust Jesus with my whole life.