A Disappointing Day
January 29, 2008
You may have read that there has been a lot of tribal conflict here in Kenya. Apparently long standing animosity between several of the different tribes has been ignited since the election here a month ago.Last night some of that conflict spilled over into the hospital where we are working. Some hospital employees from one particular tribe were threatened by an anonymous phone call. So today, these precious people and their families were loaded into two trucks and driven out by two Americans to an airstrip about 45 minutes away and flown to safety.
The missionary wives met to pray and I (Jenn) was honored they invited me to join. Not only did we pray for their safe arrival to the airstrip but just for the livelihood of these families, who may never be able to return to their homes.
Please pray for these people who have had to flee their homes, for the friends left behind, the missionaries and the hospital. Pray for an end to the conflict and fighting. Pray for peace to once more return to Kenya.
We are safe and do not feel threatened at this point. We do not plan on traveling outside the compound and have cancelled a trip we had planned to another city, so be assured we are taking precautions and using wisdom. We covet your prayers and will keep you posted to the situation.
~Paul and Jenn
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name form the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:14-17
“Keep me safe My God for in You I take refuge.” Psalm 16:1
Jenn and Paul, what a blessing to get a call from Ruth in Dodie’s office to learn of your mission trip. Then to see the photos showing how Jenn and your children are enjoying the trip added to the blessing. And Paul, the photos of you back in your “element” in the OR was a particular treat! I have only one question: what is the procedure code for arrow extraction?
Recently the Lord prompted me to pray for you and now I know why! God’s richest blessing and hedge of protection for you all!
Ken P
Sorry to hear of the disappointing day. Larry and I were praying for you this morning. Your blog helps us to know how to pray more specifically, keep us updated. Miss you.
Pr. 17:17,
Les
Dearest Jenn,
Thank you so very much for the “updates”. Psm. 23 is what immediately came to me. (My good ol’ Baptist upbringing.) Please know we are praying for you and all the ones over there daily. Our home group is praying continually.
We love you and miss yall.
G&N
God is directing you down His already prepared path. You are safe in Him! Thank you for the update so I will know where to target my prayers. I have prayed specifically for the kiddos to have sweet sleep : – )
“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a MIGHTY savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful song.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
We love y’all and are praying daily,
Shelly & Meagan
Hello Mrs. Jennifer, Pastor Paul and Children,
I am so proud of you all and your mission. I know your hearts are leading you in your ministries there. Ms. Buela told me about your blog and sends her love and prayers. I will pray for you daily. It is a delight to see the photos of the children and hear about the lives they are touching. I love Jackson’s spirit and pray that the girls are also sleeping as soundly now. Please give him a hug. I was looking for a scripture and found this one, Psalm 138:7-8: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.” All the people’s faces are so happy and smiling (in the photos) and I know that you are bringing them hope and healing! God bless you! Mary Jane
Dr. Paul / Jen and Kiddos….
Linda and I are following your progress and enjoy reading about your experiences. It touched us to hear of the orphanage and the work that two committed Christians can do by God’s grace. You all are in our prayers. God Bless Each of You and the Work you are Doing.
God Bless You. Randy and Linda
Jen, I told John last night that I felt burdened for your safety, we prayed then and I found myself praying for you all day today. I am thankful that God has given Paul wisdom and I know you two will ask the Lord for his guidance. We will be praying for you and trusting our Lord to keep you safe. Rest in Him. We love you so much! We will pray for you and check your blog from a internet cafe in Honduras.
I love you friend,
Mary Ann
Paul and Jen,
Thank you for letting us know you are in Kenya. I wondered why the Lord prompted me several weeks ago to pay attention to that country and now know why! We are praying for you protection and that God’s mercies be upon you and those with you. May your strength increase, Paul, so that your hands can serve our Lord at anytime of the day or night to perform His healing miracles.
Steve, Lori, Madelon, Thomas, and Jackson Roser – Boise, ID
Dr. Paul, Jennifer, Georgia, Olivia, Sophia and Jacson,
It is amazing to do what God had put in your hearts! Even if there are situations like this one… knowing that you are in the will of God, you have the assurance that He takes care of every detail in your lives. You are an example of obediencie and courage to go and be His witnesses in that remote area. We have been praying for joy in every day. When we sit down in a confortable chair, turn on the tv, eat the food we want… we think about you and pray that you can enjoy this time, we can’t even imagine how is to be there… Keep on doing His plan, He will sustain you. You will see His presence so close to you in little, thiny things and in huge miracles! We love you precious family of God :) Manuel, Claudia & Luisa
Dear Dr. Paul, Jennifer & kids,
We want to let you know how these updates have been a true blessing to us. It is wonderful to know that there are GREAT people like you guys who have such a compassionate heart for those in need of care. Keith and I have and will continue to pray for your protection physically & spiritually. Jennifer, you are a genuine example of a godly woman. Dr. Paul you are a mighty man of God keep standing in FAITH. Psalm 140:4 – Keep me safe, LORD, from hands of the wicked, protect me from the violent.
We Love you guys!!! Keith and Alicia Otto. : )
Hi Jen and Paul,
Thanks for letting us know what is going on in your area. I am so proud of all of you and am keeping you in my prayers. May God give you peace and security as you serve him and His children. You are my heroes! I love you.
Norman
Dear Osteen Family,
We are so grateful you are able to stay in touch. We are praying without ceasing…..
Love,
The Worbington Family
Wow! What a good feeling to know that there are still people willing to leave their comfort zones to care for others. I thank God everyday for all missionaries but more especially for you since I have seen you here in Lakewood in the service of the Lord. My prayers are that God will keep you and guide you. I also pray that God will use you mightily for His glory. He will provide for every need while you serve Him. God bless you and all members of your family. Thank you all.
Outstanding work! Thank you fro helping others. I look forward to your presentation at church, when you all return safely.
Jennifer,
We are praying for you guys daily and are so glad that you and your family are safe! We love the pictures and blogs that you all post. They help remind us of what we are praying for and let us see the great things going on there! We will continue to pay for you all! May God richly bless you and the others at the hospital with peace and safety!
Love,
The Reinkes
dear osteen,
hope you are safe in kenya.we really miss you!!!!!
we love you very much!!!!!!!!!
with love,
alexandra osteen olivia(2)
doing a great job osteen family
wanted u to also know that i enjoy everything has been done with lakewood church and reaching out with others sharon aiken south carolina
I have been to Africa many times and love the country and its good godly people.
There are bad apples in every bowl…like Kenya such a shame, however this too
will pass. Love all you and your church are doing,,,,keep up the fantastic work and
sharing. our bible study leader is going to the Phillipines to preach and pray. May
god go with her and have His word spread..
Being a native of Kenya residing in the USA, i pray not only for your saftey but that of my family members who still reside in Kenya. Thank you for the good work and for leaving your comfort in the US to help those in need. Regards to all your family members.
Be Blessed and stay safe. “Mungu Awabariki”…..AMEN
thank you for sharing
Dear Dr. Paul and Family,…. (we all have disappointing times….but He is still in control):
Hello. Thanks a lot for sharing with us on your mission . Something came up months before and with your recent mission, I felt to share it with you and hope you don’t mind.
I am extremely busy, but I try to listen/watch to your sermons and I do enjoy it. In fact, I have learned a whole life from you and your sister Lisa as a new believer and an immigrant alone ….( mostly by watching your online programs on Wednesdays nights).
When I got saved, I was bombard from everywhere by the critics and nay saying who were dragging me down . I was so overwhelmed , disappointed and I gave it up and tried to sit back and be truly speechless about my beliefs and my new life in Christ. I have been at the business of medicine for a while… I am not at the same place you are, neither want to compare it….but if one day I have to give up my job, that would the worst day of my life and I cant even think about it. I love to serve the Lord with all of my heart and mind, but I always ask Him to use my talent to take His good news around the world.
It happened several times to hear critics were talking behind you and were saying: “Paul has given up practicing medicine because preaching has more money…or something like that….” This was making me feel so sad and upset. Until, this last summer when some told me the same thing …I felt so bad, because and as if he was reminding me on what those critics were saying about me!!! I wanted to talk him back….only to ease my pain!!..or to find out why he was thinking that way….because I felt I might find some answers for my own questions!! but I prayed over it and dropped the matter. I prayed God to give me the encouragement to stand strong against those critics and to help me out to understand what I should do in my carrier and my life, especially when I face those critics. At that time, I felt it would be the best to bury those nay sayings inside me and turn it over to God…which I did. But now and when I saw your mission to Kenya and with this website, I couldn’t stop sharing this with you. As if the Lord is responding me and making it clear for me to keep doing the good job and no matter what. Even if you were not there when those critics were talking behind you, now GOD is talking on your behalf. Thank you(whole your family) for living sacrificially for His purpose. Your way of life cleared my doubts and gave me a good direction to keep believing and going no matter what. Thanks and keep ROCKING!
Blessings and stay safe!
Alpha