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We praise God that the meeting happened. It was significantly delayed and at one point we thought that it was not going to happen. We are thankful that the meeting had a very positive tone and we were warmly received. We also thank God that Donna’s work permit renewal is at a good place. We had hoped that the work permit process could have been fast tracked, but alas it is going to take some more time. Pray that God speeds the process.

I am to teach a class later this month. Since my work permit is not ready, I am applying for a Special Pass (it is a three month temporary work permit that allows me to teach without violating immigration laws). Pray that it is granted in time for me to teach.

On Tuesday morning, June 13 (Monday night in the US) Donna and I have a meeting with Kenyan Immigration about our work permits. As many of your know, my work permit application has been quite a process and Donna’s current work permit expires on Friday (June 16). Pray that we will find favor.

There have been a number of things on hold depending on the outcome with immigration (like figuring out who is taking Micah Joy back to the States to start university). So in addition to praying for favor with immigration pray for clarity on how we need to proceed with all the things that have been on hold.

On another topic, I have fallen behind on my work on my PhD. Pray for God’s grace in getting caught up and for the administrative steps required to do this.

Lastly, there are a couple of things for which we praise God. First, last weekend we had a great time with our girls and all the kids for whom we are guardians. Second, we have a college senior, Gracie, spending five weeks with us experiencing life and Kenya with us. It has been wonderful to have Gracie with us. Below is a picture of our girls, guardian kids, Gracie and me.

Grace & Peace — Paul

Donna’s Dad has been put on Hospice. Donna is heading back to the USA for five weeks to spend some time with her dad and help her mom. She will continue her part time work on a Sunday School curriculum while there.

If Paul’s work permit is not granted in the next few days he will have to leave Kenya early next week for at least a couple of weeks. Hence it is possible that both Paul and Donna could be in the USA for a time.

Please pray for Donna and her family as they deal with her dad’s earthly life coming to a close. Pray for the situation with Paul’s work permit and the timing of when it is issued.

Donna with her parents and siblings. Christmas 2012

Below are a couple of two minute videos from my Theology III class. One is a student discussing what we learned. The other is a student whom I have not had before sharing her prayer request. I hope you enjoy them.

What we Learned

If the video above does not work here is a link
2017 ATS Theology III What we Learned

Request

If the video above does not work here is a link
2017 ATS Theology III Request

In the next few days I will be wrapping up Theology III (the study of Christ and the Holy Spirit). My students and I (pictured above) have had a wonderful time looking at these important aspects of Christianity. All but one student (Teresa) were in my Elements of Greek class last year and two Elements of Greek students from last year were not in this class. You can see the 2016 Elements of Greek students and their prayer requests at www.cox-net.com/prayer_blog/?p=605. Hopefully I can do a video with Teresa in the next day or two so you can meet her and hear her prayer requests.

Pray that the truths of who Christ is, who the Holy Spirit is, what They have done, what They are doing and what They will do takes hold. Pray that how my students live and minister will be different based on this. Lastly continue to pray for Nehemiah as he continues to figure out “how to adult” and for my work permit.

 

In 2015 when the Cox family was on furlough I purchased a motorcycle in the US, crated it up and then it was shipped in early 2016. There are many times when having two vehicles would make our lives much simpler (like when I am teaching in Kitale and Donna is in Naivasha). All vehicles here in Kenya are crazy expensive (including motorcycles) and many sellers are less than honest. So the hope was to get a reliable motorcycle more economically by purchasing state side and shipping. Well after 294 days the crate, quite literally, arrived at my doorstep.

The next step is to get the bike reregistered in Kenya. I need a few more documents from the shipper before I can submit the registration. After which, I hope and pray that the registration does not take too long.

A huge shout out goes to the Callisburg team who helped with the crate.

Praise God with us that the crate and its contents arrived safely. Pray for the registration process. Lastly, please continue to pray that my work permit would be approved.

Here is a video of my New Testament Introduction students sharing their prayer request. Below the video you will find the prayer request should you want to skip the video. Thank for praying for them.

Link to the video: 2016 ATS New Testament Introduction

Rev. Anne Jeruto Serves with Anglican Church Pray for finances for masters degree

 

Linet Chebet Agape Fellowship Center Pray that God will help me to offer healing to my community

 

Tabitha Wambui Nurse / Counselor at technical school Pray for behavioral change and Christian movements at school

 

Rev. Vincent Rono African Gospel Church Pray that God would give me wisdom to nurture a young church

 

Pr. Mwangi Ndungu Joe Community Baptist Church & Build the Village Pray that God enables me to convey His message

 

Virginia Webale African Gospel Church Pray that I may be a better vessel as I serve in the church

 

Leah Nyaosi Christ is the Way Ministry Pray that God will help me as I reach to different groups of people

 

Bro. Evans Otwane Church of Christ Pray for our church as we continue serving the Lord

 

Rev. Alfred Kunguro Anglican Church Pray for wisdom, knowledge & understanding as I shepherd God’s flock

 

Mr. Simbolei Sammy Kipkoech Counselor / Teacher YEMIT Boy’s High School Pray that I can develop a counseling service based on God’s word

 

Pr. Julia Karonei Africa Inland Church Pray that God helps me as His vessel to minister the Gospel

Thanks for all your prayers for my meeting today. In short, I would say my day was providential and that the meeting with immigration was OK. Due to my case being entangled with another case, I was able to meet a gentleman who works in advocacy and helping ensure good governance. Really a great guy and I am very thrilled to have met him.

My case was untangled from the other, which was good. There was a missing letter in my file, a few inadvertent mistakes and there were some things with my application that were aggressively questioned. My case will now go to a committee for review. Please continue to pray for this process.

In the mean time, I have two days to get a 90 day extension so I can stay in Kenya. Most of the time, it is pretty easy to get this 90 day extension, especially if one’s case in under review.

If all of this was not enough excitement for one day, another issue that needs our attention surfaced this evening. Pray for wisdom and grace as we work through this.

Grace & Peace — Paul

Thank you for your prayers for last weekend, our kid’s mid-term break. We had a house full and car full of kids. A great time was had by all with a braii (South Africa barbecue), rock climbing, visit to a hot springs, time to hang out, shopping trip to Nairobi and Ethiopian food. The children’s musical at church also went very well. Above is a picture of us all in the car, the children’s musical and rock climbing.

On Monday (13 June) at 10 AM Kenya time (very early Monday morning 1AM CST) I have a meeting with the Kenyan department of immigration about my work permit. What should have been a straight forward renewal has hit some complications and my application has become entangled with another case. It is a bit of a long story. My current work permit expires on Wednesday. The ideal outcome of the meeting on Monday would be the granting of my work permit. There have been cases were work permits are denied and people have to leave. Pray that we will find favor and that my work permit would be granted. Also pray that this other case would be easily resolved and that God would be glorified.

Thanks for your prayers on this.

Grace & Peace — Paul

Those of you who are astute long time readers of my blog will remember L (real name with held for security reasons). While I was in Benin he was one of the key leaders on the TWR team in Benin. L. has remained with TWR and has continued to grow both in faith and ministry responsibilities.

Two things impressed me about L. when I arrived in Benin, one, was his desire to know and apply the truths of Scripture. Two, was his potential to lead. An important factor for both of these things is English. The amount of theological resources in English is significantly greater than the resources in French. In addition, being able to communicate globally in English will be an important skill for L.

For many years it has been my dream to see L. have the chance to study the Bible in English and this year the Lord opened the door for L. to study at Africa Theological Seminary (ATS) here in Kenya. Since ATS works on an in-service model where those in ministry can continue in ministry while attending the seminary L. is able to keep working with TWR in Benin, study the Bible at greater depths and master English.

L. is currently at ATS for a number of intensive classes before he heads back to Benin. Praise God that this opportunity has opened up for L. Pray for L. as he deepens his knowledge of God’s Word and is immersed in English. Lastly thank the Lord for the sweet reunion and ability to reconnect with L. in person.

Paul