post from ELI blog

This is copied from the Empowering Lives International blog:

The team's all here
Late this afternoon, as the sun was turning the sky red, Tom Hamick and Jim Mann arrived at Ilula. Tom's been coming to Kenya for the past nine years. For Jim, it's his first time to Africa. (The same can be said for Kevin Robertson, who arrived yesterday.) I love watching newcomers as they are greeted by our 90 singing children! After the welcome and a tree-planting ceremony, we had a great time of visiting over dinner. People shared stories over a welcome plate of chicken and chips. Note: This is not your typical Kenyan meal, but the team will most likely subsist on ramen noodles, granola bars and peanut butter for the next week! And water. Lots of water, since it's very, very hot. (One Kenyan staff member shared tonight that in Africa, we never say how hot it is in terms of degrees. It's either hot, or VERY hot. Sudan is very, very hot.)And then we broke out in song, worshiping together, praying, and Philip Rutto (one of the parents, who is also a pastor) commissioned the team.
As the rest of us left, the team stayed for a meeting.We're having breakfast early and then they'll head for the domestic airport, where they'll board a chartered plane. It's a 90-minute flight to the border, where they have to land to clear customs. Then it's another hour flight to Padak, where they'll be met by Steven Reech, who is heading up the ELI base in Sudan.The team will be going to LOOK, LISTEN and LEARN for the next week.

Please pray:
For God to graciously break their hearts for Sudan, but more than that, for them to extend Hope
For every single encounter the team has with Sudanese, for God to speak to and through the team
For wisdom for Juli (our Nurse Practitioner) to know how to treat patients despite limited medical resources. Also pray for vision for the future of the health ministry.
For the team to be filled with GOD's love for every single person they encounter, regardless of who they are, as well as for GOD's confidence in every situation.
For safety during travels as well as good health.

Psalm 56:3-4 What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You. By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?

Joshua 1:9Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.