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On Sunday I had the privilege to preach at Mwein, Kenya. It was quite a trek, which took close to four hours, to travel the 55 miles (as a crow flies) to Mwein: 2 motorcycle taxis, 1 shuttle (van with assigned seating that does not leave until all the seats are full) and 1 matatu (overstuffed van with the motto there is always room for one more that has its own schedule of often and varied length stops). But God was quite gracious once I arrived and the pastor—one of my students—was so excited to have me speak at his church. Praise God for His grace at Mwein (and that I left early).

One of the best things about most Kenyan churches is their enthusiasm in worship. Below is a link to a short video of some of the worship.

On Friday I start teaching apologetics. Your prayers for this class would be appreciated.

(Just in case the above picture with the link has difficulties the video can be viewed at: cox-net.com/mwein.html)

Other than teaching my classes my work on my dissertation has continued with reckless abandon. By God’s grace I have finished the last chapter of my dissertation. Now the process of editing starts. Currently my advisor has started the process of reviewing all 400 plus pages to see what changes are needed and it is out of my hands for now (and all the things I have been ignoring will start getting attention—like better communication with friends and supporters). Praise be to God that the writing is over. Pray that the editing goes smoothly.
I have completed teaching Pauline Epistles and Theology II (man, sin & salvation). Most of my students in these two classes you recently saw in the videos (cox-net.com/nt_bib_theo_2018.html and cox-net.com/apologetics_class_2018a.html). There are a few new students I will try to introduce to you next time. Praise God that these classes went well and pray that the lessons will be internalized and implemented in ministry.
The next few days I am visiting friends in Nairobi and Naivasha.
Below is a picture with some of my students after class.

Currently I am at Dallas/Fort Worth airport waiting for my first flight on my way to Kenya. I will be in Kenya for two months to teach Pauline Epistles, Theology II and Apologetics at Africa Theological Seminary. Your prayers for my travels, classes, students and family staying in the US would be greatly appreciated.

The last two months I have thrown myself with reckless abandon at my dissertation. I have written two and one thirds chapters; my goal was to write three. I have one and two thirds chapters until my dissertation is complete. If I can finish my dissertation soon, I can graduate in May (review process once I finish writing can take up to six months) and the hard deadline to finish is end of January. Please pray for completion.

Grace and Peace — Paul

After a quick trip to visit friends and supporters in New Mexico, I am on my way to Kenya to teach three classes: Apologetics, New Testament Biblical Theology and Elements of Greek. I think this is the most disorganized and ill-prepared I have been for international travel. Your prayers for my family who are holding down the USA home front, for my travel and for my classes would be greatly appreciated.

In addition to my disorganized travel, I had a major set back on my PhD. One of the principle sources for chapter 5 was Andreas Köstenberger’s commentary on John written in 2004. Until October of 2017, this was considered one of the best evangelical commentaries on John. Very unfortunately late last year Köstenberger announced “that there are some unacknowledged similarities between my John commentary … and DA Carson’s Pillar commentary” (Köstenberger’s Statement). In short, Köstenberger plagiarized Carson and his commentary is marked “out of print” by the publisher. What all of this means for me is that I cannot have Köstenberger as a principle source and have to start over on chapter 5. This has been discouraging and demotivating. Pray for my attitude and motivation.

Grace & Peace — Paul

The Cox Family would like to invite you to a house blessing.

While there may still be some dust from the remodel, not all the boxes are unpacked and some pictures still need to be hung, Paul and Donna could wait no longer to have a house blessing. Please join them for an informal, come and go time to thank God for His incredibly gracious provision of a wonderful home and pray it will be used for His glory.

Light refreshments will be served

If for some reason you cannot make it on Sunday, there is also an open house on Saturday April 21. The open house is geared toward neighbors and friends who may not be comfortable praying.

It has taken us a while to “arrive” enough to write a long overdue newsletter. In it you will find the latest updates, praises and prayer request for the Cox Family. Below is the link to the newsletter

 April Newsletter

This Christmas the Cox family had the wonderful blessing of once again being together and enjoying some family activities (like watching Star Wars). Donna, Paul and Miriam start their transition to the USA and would appreciate your prayers.
For those of you who have missed the news about the Cox family move to the USA, in short we will keep teaching at Africa Theological Seminary, but be based in the USA. Here is a link to our November e-Newsletter with the details. If you support the Cox family your continued support would be appreciated.

Once we are a bit more settled, more details will be sent.

After prayer and discussions with family, friends, and International Christian Ministries (ICM), Paul and Donna will be moving to the USA. After discussing options with myself and more discussions with the International Coordinator of ICM Africa, Rev. Stephen Mairori, it was decided that Paul and Donna will remain with ICM.

They will continue as teaching staff for Africa Theological Seminary (ATS) but based in the USA. This means they will travel to Africa in order to fulfill their obligations of teaching courses at the seminary.  While in the US they will also write and focus on raising scholarships for the many students needing assistance.

Being in the USA will enable Paul and Donna to help their children make the transition to college and university.  Growing up in Africa has been a blessing for the kids, but transitions are always difficult.  They will also be near their parents to assist them as they face the challenges of aging.

Both Donna and Paul play an important role in helping ATS move forward as a regional seminary committed to discipling leaders across denominations.  Your continued support for them and their family will enable them to carry on with their calling.  After 14 years on the field the transition to USA living will be a challenge so please remember them in your prayers as they make this transition and continue serving God both in the USA and in Africa.

If you are currently supporting Paul and Donna please continue to do so. If you are not supporting them please take a few minutes and ask the Lord how you might become part of their team!

Support Paul and Donna

Yours in grace,

Phil Walker
President of ICM

Moving to the USA

About a year ago I was at a small women’s retreat with my church in Kenya.  I was introduced to the song Take Courage: He’s in the Waiting (see lyrics below).  I remember praying then “How long God will we be waiting for work permits? Help our family to stay steadfast until You answer.” So often I would sing this song especially verse one and the chorus.  Fast track a year and it became clear a time frame was needed for a decision since there had not been any positive progress on the permits.  We are confident that God has answered! The Cox family is moving to the USA.  As I type this bittersweet tears are flowing. We will miss our beloved Africa!  At the same time we welcome this season to be near our adulting children and our aging parents.  We are at peace! Now I am singing verse two!

What does this move look like?  There are still many unknowns but the plan is for us to return to Kenya  to say goodbyes and sell all of our belongings. We will return to the USA late November.  By the end of November Miriam will have enough credits to graduate from RVA. We are hoping to continue working with International Christian Ministries and Africa Theological Seminary being based in the USA. We would continue raising support and probably be based in Texas. The details are being worked out and we will let you know the plan in the near future. Paul flies to Kenya in a few days and I return to Kenya at the end of the month.

Blessings, Donna

Take Courage: He’s in the Waiting

Click to Watch Video

Summer is rapidly coming to a close and there has been no word on our work permits. As you remember from the last prayer blog, if our work permits are not granted by the end of summer, we will explore other options of working with ICM and ATS. God may be closing the door in Kenya as a means for us to be closer to aging parents and kids transitioning to adulthood or He may grant the permits in the ninth hour. Donna and I remain at peace about wherever God is going to take us.

Nehemiah starts a new job with Ford Audio Visual next week installing A/V systems. He is pretty excited about the new job. Micah Joy has settled into university life at Oklahoma State University and is doing well. Miriam is back in Kenya and has started her senior year at Rift Valley Academy.

Donna and I remain in the USA. I have been able to find all the remaining literature for my PhD while Donna has supported Micah Joy settling in and has visited universities with Miriam. We both have been able to spend some time with our families. I will head back to Kenya in a couple of weeks and Donna will return in about a month. We will either be returning to continue teaching or to pack up.

Thanks in advance for your prayers concerning our future.

Grace & Peace — Paul