Answered prayers

Well, I've been trying to get on my blog for a day or so now. Nothing comes easily when internet is in and out, so bear with me. In my last blog post I had asked for prayer specifically for a vehicle. This might seem like a simple thing to find, but life looks a bit different here. Car shopping in the States looks like used car lots, newspaper ads or even asking around for something reliable. It's a whole other thing when those car lots and newspapers don't exist, and you don't have enough contacts to even begin looking. When that is the case for every single item we need life can feel a bit overwhelming. We, as Americans, don't realize how much we depend on our relationships or even google to find the things we need, and when we don't have that we are left wholly dependent on God's mercy.

This place of dependence is a good place to be, but it definitely feels like a vulnerable one. And so we reached out to our community and asked for you to lift us up. I know you have been because this answer came quickly!

Coming into Monrovia the first day we knew we needed some help, and so we again began to pray. Not just for a vehicle, but for someone who would be a person of peace for us in the car world. This “person of peace” is from the story in Luke 10 where Jesus sends out the 70, two by two, into the towns ahead of him. He tells them to take nothing with them but to look for a house where a son of peace lives and to remain there with him. Praying for a person of peace has always been our way of starting out in a new community, and it has proven to be an effective one! God has brought these helpers into our lives in every place we've lived, and although not always believers, they have been the ones to introduce us to life in new places, often inviting us into their homes and families.

Monday, after shopping for groceries, we left the store to find a land cruiser parked right beside us with a FOR SALE sign in the window. It was the exact car we'd been looking for, and so Kenneth went back inside to find the owner. After walking the aisles asking everyone if they owned a white land cruiser, he finally found him. He was as surprised as we were to find someone interested in his car since he had just decided that morning to sell it. It was definitely not a chance meeting, and as Kenneth continued to talk to him he discovered that he also owns a 4x4 mechanic shop! When you live in a country that is hard on cars, this is the equivalent of discovering gold! Not only was he selling the car we were looking for at a good price, he offered a guarantee to fix the car if any problems should come up. Kenneth took his number, and we left, thanking God for his provision.

Everything has gone smoothly with the purchase ( thank you to everyone who gave towards this need! We have been given just enough money!!), and we pick up our new-to-us 2013 land cruiser in the morning. We couldn't be more excited to have a vehicle AND to soon be heading to our new home! God is so good to us! We continue to be amazed by the prayers that are answered when we not only take the time to ask but invite our community to join us in praying. It's a powerful thing to come to the Lord together in prayer.

​In other news, we have had an incredible trip so far! We had great flights to Morocco and spent four full days touring and getting lost in the markets of Casablanca. We sampled street food, listened to the calls to prayer multiple times a day, walked the winding alleyways while shopping for fresh croissants and dates, and bought pairs of knock-off dunks from street stalls full of shoes. Our kids practiced their bartering skills and often disappeared for stretches of time while they haggled with shopkeepers over a few dollars. Moroccan tea has now become a family favorite, and one pot is often not enough with Jireh asking for seconds and thirds. Morocco was a great introduction to Africa for the kids who haven't experienced it, and we all want to return someday.

Our time in Liberia has been productive and restful so far other than a few lost suitcases. The guesthouse we are staying at (run by African Bible Colleges) is right on the beach, and I'm writing this on the front porch while listening to the sound of waves in the distance. It's the most beautiful view I could ask for, even if the temperature is 90 with 100% humidity! The kids are swimming like fish after days in the water, and they routinely spend hours figuring out how to knock coconuts out of trees and open them. They have begun joining the little school on our compound for pick-up soccer during their lunch break and already know several kids here by name. Although we are enjoying our time here, we are looking forward to getting settled in our new home in Yekepa as soon as it is ready, hopefully by the end of this week.

Praises:
-We found a vehicle that is everything we needed and asked for!
-Kids are adjusting well other than a few sad moments now and then
-Rikot landed safely in Uganda today!!
-Our lost luggage was recovered today minus the few items that were stolen. Sorry, Izzy :(

Prayer Requests:
-Kenneth starts teaching two classes Monday.
-Our house is not quite ready, but WE are ready to get there and get settled!
-Kenneth's back is still bothering him off and on. Pray that it heals completely!

We love you all and are so thankful to have you following our journey. If you'd like to see more of our day to day life follow us on Instagram or Facebook. Thank you for praying and supporting us!

Kristi IG: @karamojagirl
Kenneth IG: @kennethlovescoffee