In 1984 Robert and Lois
joined a team of missionaries working in
Uganda with World Harvest Mission. The
Carrs served there from 1985-1991 doing
church planting.
In 1997 the Carrs began
serving in Kenya training African church
planters in the Africa Evangelical
Presbyterian Church. Churches are being
planted among Africans (as well as
various unreached Indians) both in the
capital of Nairobi and rural areas of
the country. Lois helps disciple ladies
in the Indian church and uses her
nursing skills to help with the medical
needs of children in the slums.
Robert leads a team that
includes two other families, George and
Martha Mixon and Guy and Susan Rainsford.
Robert also serves as the East Africa
Director for WHM.
November 2008
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Kenya where "Obamamania" has struck! Obama is
on the lips of almost everyone in the streets and yesterday
was declared a public holiday all over the country! Obama's
relatives have been seen on the local news beside themselves
with glee. Some say the new president of the U.S.A. will
build an international airport near his "home town" so that
he can easily jet in and out! T.V. programs are replete
with discussions about how Kenya is going to profit from
their "home boy" being the president of the most powerful
country on earth. Please pray for us as we try to contain
our unbelief and graciously receive their enthusiasm. Of
course we are glad that everyone here is so positive about
America but we are praying for our president-elect as he
faces such huge challenges.
In this update we want to focus on giving thanks for the
work that our three interns have been doing. Even though
they have only been with us for about a month so far, we are
thankful for the boost they have been to the team and the
church in Nairobi. Their loving enthusiasm is
contagious. The interns are now completing four weeks of
Swahili study, but have had quite a few opportunities to
practice their new language in areas of ministry.
Rachel is a physicians' assistant with a specialty in
emergency department. Abby and Karis come to Kenya as good
college friends; Abby being a dental hygienist and Karis has
her degree in sociology and youth ministry. The three are
staying in an apartment on a busy street where they easily
can walk to the shopping center or hop a bus to all areas of
the city.
In these busy first weeks they have fit in well with the
youth group at New City Fellowship for Bible study and
football (soccer) games, met with a few of the young women
seeking to be discipled as new believers, walked two hours
through the maze-like slums to the home of a new friend and
began to assist the children's Sunday school with their
Christmas program. They have gone with a small network of
medical missionaries to a struggling orphanage and to a camp
where 800 former Internally Displaced People (IDPs) have
bought land together and are rebuilding their family lives.
Every Monday they have been serving at Overcomers By Grace,
by working one-on-one with a mentally and/or physically
challenged young person. All of these situations give
opportunity to use their skills, education and spiritual
gifts and share the gospel with Kenyan and Indian friends
and co-workers.
Prayer
Please pray that their little apartment will be both
a hub for hospitality and a haven of rest as they head home
each evening from days full of outreach. Anyone visiting
them can taste their love of missed family in the many
photos displayed around, as well as their love for a culture
new to them by the beautifully colorful African fabrics
decorating the bland furnishings.
Abby asks prayer for her as she begins working
part-time as a dental hygienist at a nearby hospital. Pray
also for as she volunteers at Overcomers By Grace ministry
to the handicapped in Nairobi. Pray that God would give her
love for the students. She has been feeling inadequate for
all of the needs she sees around her in each of these
ministries.
Pray for Rachael as she helps Kimberly Tipton finish
what she needs to do with Kianga Kids before she leaves for
HMA in February of 2009. She asks that God would continuing
restoring her passion for Jesus as she goes through a dry
spell. Pray for Rachael and Kimberly as they visit the rural
area of Mwingi to continue assessing what Kianga Kids might
be able to do there in the future.
Driving the ladies there will be our team member George
Mixon. Pray for him as he holds another training seminar
in Bible storying this coming week. Ask God to use this
training to take the gospel to many.
Karis asks prayer for her progress in Swahili
and her increasing involvement with the New City youth
group- especially as she develops relationships with the
young women.
Pray for Robert & Lois as they prepare to receive the
New Life Dresher team from November 15 - 24. Ask God to
minister the love of Christ through them as they work in
Ongata Rongai visiting AIDS patients and Mukuru slums where
they will build playground equipment and minister to
children and in Nakuru where they will bring the hope of the
gospel to an IDP camp.
Continue to pray for our growing deficit. We need to
see and additional $2700 in regular monthly support begin
coming in at a time of financial uncertainty for all of us.
In the Strong Arms of Christ,
Robert & Lois Carr
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