It snowed last night!

I woke up this morning, looked out the window and this is what I saw!














I have now completed my first full day of this 3 week training. The name of the training is SPLICE, which is an acronym for Spiritual, Personal, Lifestyles, Interpersonal, Cultural, Endurance/Enjoyment. As you can tell by the name, it is a comprehensive course designed to truly prepare us for the mission field.

This first shot is of part of the "Turkey Team" - yep, they are going to Turkey! with the Navigators.

This second shot includes Melanie, the first person I met while waiting in the van for several others to arrive at the airport. Seated with her is Kelly and Victoria.














Matthew, who is not pictured, took this shot of me - see the snow in the background!?


Robin, our facilitator is from South Africa, but he has lived all over the world and I detect some Canadian and some Australian in his awesome accent.

Another staff member yesterday reminded us that we are not together by accident...this particular group is here for a reason...I say God hand-picked each one of us for this 'suspended moment in time'...I am excited to see what He is up to here!

First Day at Mission Training International

After an uneventful flight from Orange County to Colorado Springs I was picked up, along with 7 other missionaries, by Paula from Mission Training International (MTI). While waiting for the others to arrive, I was delighted to chat with my new friend Melanie from Spokane, WA and Matthew from Oregon. They are both going to Guatemala, although not together as they just met yesterday as well!

Then Charles and Janet joined us with their precocious 9 year old daughter Grace. Once the other two arrived we headed for the MTI grounds. We did make two stops - at McDonalds and Taco Bell - to pick up lunches for those of us who had not eaten since early morning. Thank you Paula!

We had a short orientation yesterday, dinner and excellent fellowship where I met Dan and Ryan, Victoria and Tara and Autumn, among others. Melanie kept me up until after 9...she was concerned that if we went to bed too early we would be up to early in the morning. Little does she know that I am up early regardless! But - we did take a quick self guided tour of the building before retiring to our respective rooms...speaking of which...

This is my room - quite nice, don't you think? If you look closely you can see a Hot Pot on the night stand...yup - for my instant coffee in the morning!

Prayers for Kenya

Please join me as we join the people of Kenya in praying for their nation. Following is a series of prayers I received via email this morning:

PLEASE LET US PRAY TOGETHER, WE NEED IT . THANKS
Please participate in a prayer action for our land.

PRAY TOGETHER:
1. Heavenly Father we pray for mighty repentance.
2. Father we pray for forgiveness for our every sin.
3. We pray that YOUR people’s spiritual eyes and ears will be opened.
4. We pray that YOUR people in Kenya will be obedient and that you will bless them.
5. We THANK YOU for rain that has already fallen and that you will send enough rain in places that still need it.
6. Also that YOU may protect all innocent Kenyans from all the violence in our country.
7. And for a positive change in Kenya.We pray this in the name of JESUS. Amen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let us pray.
Our father who art in heaven, you are the creator of heaven and earth. Lord you created us in your own image and likeness, and you put love and care in our hearts that we should appreciate each other just the way we are. Forgive us our sins , dear lord - the pain, the hatred towards each other, the thefts etc that we have committed. Our Lord Jesus Christ is an advocate that represent s us before the father. In quietness and trust, we will keep trusting you. We pray dear Lord that you give us peace in Kenya that shall surpass all human understanding, because you are the prince of peace.

Dear Lord, please give our leaders ears that can hear the cries of the people and the voices of reason and eyes that can see the wanton destructions that have so tainted the beautiful image of our Beloved Kenya. Lord, Kenya is in your hands and we , like King Jehoshaphat and King David, shall be still and know that you are the Lord, the Lord mighty in battle, the battle is not ours, it is the yours.

We are safe in your hands dear Lord. No one dear Lord chose to be the tribe he or she is, all of us were born in accordance to your own plan and you have destined all of us for a greater future. Help us to love one another unconditionally. We pray all th i s in JESUS NAME. AMEN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heavenly Father God: Thank You for the privilege of prayer and for this availability whereby we several people together can pray in unison and be in agreement. Two can put 10,000 to flight. We thank You Most High God that You are there for us, that Your eyes are on the nation of Kenya. May they know for a surety that You love them. May we unite in love, for Christ Jesus Who is LORD and for Kenya.

May the people of Kenya see the manifestation of Almighty God Himself -- whether by The Holy Spirit, by angelic visitations, by signs and wonders of Your choice, Most High, by a Word from The Lord, by healings and miracles and/or by divine intervention through any means which You might choose. May You be released in Kenya to move and to act upon their behalf in a fashion which only God Himself could minister. May peope recognize and realize that it is The Most High God Who has intervened on their behalf. May You be glorified.

Thank You for Your attention to this beautiful, beloved nation and its wonderful people. Thank You for allowing them to know that You love them -- that they are truly a loved peope, a people who are not forgotten. May they, and may we, all remember our benefits -- Your Word says, "Forget not your benefits". May we remember You, always -- night and day -- in all of our activites and remember at all times to give You thanks for each and everything which You have done for us -- which You are now doing and for that which You are about to do. Past, present and future.

May You have Your will, on earth -- in Kenya -- even as it is in Heaven. May people through this planet pray for Kenya and pray for their peace and for their awknowledgement of Jesus Christ as LORD. May Your son, Chirst Y-Shua, Jesus receive praise, glory and honor for all that You do, in Jesus' Name.

We thank You for hearing our prayer. We give You glory, honor and praise at all times.
Amen and Amen.
via Roberta Chandler
Anaheim, California USA