Connecting with people
January 30, 2008
Paul has remained very busy in surgery. I know he has wanted to give you an update but he literally has not had enough time. Most of his cases are conflict related, he continues to see arrow wounds, gunshots and severe beatings. I know that God has guided Paul’s hands and given him supernatural wisdom in more than one case. The staff and Paul pray before every surgery and invite the Great Physician to scrub in.
As I have rounded a few times with Paul on his patients I am still amazed at his uncanny ability to ‘connect’ with people, even here with a language barrier and under less than the greatest circumstances. I know they feel the sincere compassion and love of Christ coming through, not to mention great medical care! By the way, the surgery floor has two to a bed right now. Can you imagine? They don’t seem to mind at all- they are just grateful for the care.
Jackson knows everyone on the compound by name and every one knows Jackson! He tries to play soccer with Kenyan boys twice his size (who, by the way, are unbelievable soccer players) and they are amazingly patient and so kind to him. It is one of the sweetest things to see him sitting talking to these boys, asking them questions about their lives, where they live and boy stuff.
The girls are doing wonderful and sleeping very well! Thank you for your prayers.
All three girls are in one room (with a bunk bed and an extra twin) and I hear them at night reading over scripture to each other, giggling and talking. Memories I will never forget. They continue to be industrious and creative with ways to have fun and be a blessing to those around us.
~Jennifer
Dr. Paul and Jennifer,
We missed you at church tonight. Lisa did well, but we miss you guys!
All your pictures look great and we are all proud of your family!
We will keep praying for you!
Love ya!
Larry & Lesli
Dear Paul & Jenn
I am glad that all is going well. The children seem to be fitting right in with the locals. What a time to be there. I know that lives are being saved because of your presence. It has been awhile since you have done surgeries, but I have been praying and have a word for you. ALL THINGS REMEMBERED. I have been keeping track of time as you are 9 hours ahead of us, envisioning what you might be doing. Thanks for the pictures it helps put us with you as we see your environment. Tell the good people of Kenya that we are praying for them and there country. I plead the blood of Jesus over you all and your friends, and give thanks to Father for the angels encamped about you. Read Psalm 91.
Have fun
Dave Vice
Dearest Jenn,
What a wonderful report. Memories, yes you will have, but you and your children will forever be changed. There’s nothing like “God’s Business”, you are right there in the midst of “His Business”. Thank you for being so faithful to “post” things for us. We love yall so much and are praying continuously.
Gary and Nancy
Psm. 25:14 LB
Dear Dr. and Mrs.,
I just got the latest e-mail from Joel Osteen Ministries and saw your link. I was very interested in what you were doing and where you are in Kenya. You see, I am an independent missionary. I have done several short-term mission trips in the past, but God has called me to Kenya for long-term work. I have been to Nakuru, Kenya twice before. I was just there in Oct. 07 for 2 weeks. I want to give at least one year of my life to the mission field of Kenya. I have been seeking sponsors and funding to make this possible. Since the crisis there now, I feel I can help even more now and very anxious to get there. I have already got a round-trip plane ticket and in the process of having a yard sale to sell everything I own for funds. To tell you a little about myself, I’m single white female, 48yrs. old, healthy, educated with a BA in Theology, non-denominational, have been a jail and prison minister, work with substance abuse, always been a leader in church, many short-term mission trips. I also have a medical background. I’m an EMT, CNT, Pharmacy Technician. One of my hobbies is backpacking and I have all my own gear. You see, I am more than qualified for the mission field and know what I am getting into. But, more than that, I am called by God to do this. My biggest problem is the funding. I am free to go, called to go, trained to go. I have some friends that are willing to help sponsor me on a monthly basis, between $20.00 to $100.00 a month and a couple of very small churches, but not nearly enough yet. Do you have any suggestions or know of anything else I should do or anyone willing to help me? I would love to help you while you are there. I do have some friends in Nakuru that I can help also. I am for real. This is not any scam and I can supply referrals from my pastor and many other ministers. In the mean time, I will be praying for you, your family and your safety along with the beautiful people in Kenya during this terrible conflict there. I look forward to hearing back from you and will be praying for peace in Kenya.
Forever His servant & yours,
Teresa June Webb
Huntsville, Alabama
e-mail: teresajwebb@yahoo.com
Jennifer, my husband, John, was Paul’s surgical partner when you lived here in Little Rock. We are followers of Joel’s ministries and looked forward to seeing you both in the audience on TV. We are fascinated that Paul has returned to surgery in Kenya. Our daughter is in Africa, joining the Peace Corps after college. She is in Togo, so we know the challenges and rewards of life in Africa. John is preparing for a mission trip of surgery in Guademala in May. We will be in Africa in 2009. Will you still be in Kenya then? Would love to communicate. Will pray for your family and your continued safety and health. Julie Jones, Little Rock, AR
Dr. Paul, Jennifer and Family,
We just wanted you all to know that we have made it a priority to pray for you all every day. We talk about your postings, look at the pictures and pray over you each night at dinner. Thank you for sharing the love of our Savior with those in need. You are each blessed with so many talents to share with others. Maybe someday we can be there with you all. (We would have a small team!)
Blessings, Ted, Lorie, Emily, Hailey, Olivia, Trey & Rawlin Terry
Dr. Paul and Family,
Always remember that with every arrow and every bullet you remove you are transforming a nation. With every turn of a page in the Bible for Bible study Jen, you are transforming a nation. With every trip you girls take to the creek, you are transforming a nation. With every kick of the soccer ball Jackson, you are transforming a nation. You are also transforming Lakewood Church and our lives. You are forever in our prayers and our hearts. Thanks for being Jesus with skin on. Girls and Jackson, we miss you in the bookstore. The new Web-Kins are lonely.
God Bless You as His angles take charge over you and your surroundings.
Lame Joke for Dr. Paul:
A painter was always trying to making extra money where he could. So he would often thin down his paint to make it go a little further. He got away with this for some time. Soon, a local Church decided to do a big restoration job on their church.
The painter put in a painting bid, and because his price was so competitive, he got the job. He began to set up the scaffold, put up the planks and buy paint which he thinned down with paint thinner.
While he was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly done, suddenly there was a terrible clap of thunder. The sky opened up, rain poured down, and washed the thin paint off the church and knocked the painter off the scaffold and on to the lawn.
Now, this painter was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he fell on his knees and cried, “Oh, God! Forgive me! What should I do?”
From the thunder, a mighty voice spoke: “Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!”
Paul and Jenn,
Dad (Clarence Dalrymple) sent us the link and we’re so thrilled and proud of you guys. This is what we’ve been doing with our 2 girls for the last few years and to be on the other side watching you guys do this….well, it just brings tears to our eyes. Thank you so much for filling in for doctors, being there to bless long term missionaries with your sincere hearts and your excellent babysitting skills. You all are a gift to them.
We’re praying for you in Oregon!!!!!!
Vance, Stacey, MacKenna and Emily Rogers
Dear Dr. Paul & Jennifer, Georgia, Sophia, Olivia & Jackson:
It is so good to be able to read these updates about each of you and the people you were sent to. These “snapshots” of your lives are like tiny seed being planted within our hearts. Thank you for taking time to include us in this way.
May His grace and peace be multiplied to you!
Isaiah 55:10-15
non other can repay for the blessed work you are doing for my country except God alone. I and my family pray for you since God has ordained He will sustain you and see you thru’ . God bless
Dear Dr. Paul and Jenn,
You are in our hearts daily. Know that you are loved and prayed for daily.
We miss you here- but so excited to see God using you in so many ways.
Just your presence in this country is a blessing as you bring about His love and peace.
Blessings,
Joyce K.
Hello Mrs. Jennifer, Pastor Paul, Georgia, Olivia, Sophie and Jackson!
Your report today brought tears of joy! You and Dr. Paul are shining examples to all of us and remind me of the Parable of the Talents in Matt 25 as you serve the people of Kenya. No doubt God is smiling and thinking, “well done, good and faithful servants. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us; I am touched by Kenya’s people as I see them through your eyes and continue to pray daily for them and all of you. The Bilble ladies are inspiring when I read that they walk such a distance to study God’s word! At my job, we have a Foundation that has affiliations with several elementary schools to encourage the children to read and write. They submit their writings and art work for publication in our Youth Scoop Section, and so I have a couple of jokes they’ve submitted for the little ones: Why did the boy throw the butter out of the window? Because he wanted to see a butterfly! What do you get if you cross a shark with a snowman? A frost bite! God bless you and keep you safe. Please let Dr. Paul know that I miss his teaching, and look forward to hearing him teach again soon. Ms. Buela wants you to know that while working in the prayer room, she prays ifor you in the Spirit throughout the day, between taking calls. Mary Jane
Hi Osteen Family!
Thanks so much for your “Christmas report” we receive each year at the clinic. (Surgical Clinic of Central Arkansas). I really look forward to and enjoy this. I don’t know if you, Dr. Osteen, remember me but I worked at the clinic. Anyway, that doesn’t matter at all. What matters is the work you and your family are doing. I so enjoy the pictures and journal entries from all family members.
Your family is such a blessing to my family. My older sister has turned her life around and she is a faithful watcher of Lakewood from her home in St. Louis, MO. She is looking for a church home there but has not found one yet. We have been to see Joel when you guys were in Little Rock and St. Louis last year. What a blessing. It was good to see you speak as well.
I just wanted to drop you guys a line to let you know I am praying for you and your work there in Africa. My favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 and I pray this scripture over your family and your work there every day. Thank you so much for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed.
Laura Burrows
Bryant, AR
Hello Everyone! i just wanted to write and say thank you for keeping us updated! it is a joy and honor to be linked up in prayer with everyone here on your behalf! I know God is using each of you in a very special way to touch the hearts and lives of every precious one there. I just wanted to say hi as well to the girls! Kidslife is just not the same without your smiles and stories! i miss you all so much! But i am SO very proud of you! i know you will have so many wonderful stories to tell the Karate Girl group!! You are all such a blessing! Thank you for keeping us in the know of what God is doing in Kenya. I will continue to lift you all up in my prayers as you continue loving on the Children of God!! Love you guys! Be so very blessed!!
Sunni Miles
Kidslife Intern!!
Dr. Paul and family,
You have all been so heavy on my heart. My wife and children have adopted you all and your ministry there. We are reading up on the country and conflicts that continue around you. We have prayed a fortress of angels to surround you daily and that He would grant you all supernatural strength and wisdom to continue your work in good health and sound mind and body.
We love you,
Ted Terry and family
Duet. 31:6
Thank you for keeping us posted. Wish I was there with you guys doing surgery and being the hands and feet of Jesus! Holding your arms up in prayer….Psalm 16
Allison
It’s been a dream to be a part of a missions trip but something I never thought I’d get to be a part of. It’s a joy and a blessing to play a small part in your trip. Your regular postings and pictures help me almost feel like I’m there with you. God bless you “abundantly and overflowingly”!
Dear Jen I Have been triing to send a note to you .It won’t go through. I am praying for you all the time. Love and kisses Aunt Kalah
Jen and Paul,
Looking forward to hearing from you soon! We are praying for you!
Steve and Holly
What a blessing to be able to share God’s blessing in another country. I will pray for you and your families safe return back to the US. Keep up the good work.
This is a message for Laura Burrows out of Arkansa– Hi Laura, It’s Meg Daly! We are planning the reunion for AHS and I need your updated address. I did a google search on you and found this.. the address I have from AHS has you living in New Mexico?