We Have Arrived!

Greetings from Kenya!
We have arrived safely.  Our flight over was all smooth sailing.  Aundrae and his son, Joshua, were at the airport ready to transport us to their home, and we arrived there around 9:30 in the evening.  Their home also serves as a mission center where they can house up to 20 visitors.  The section we are staying in is brand new, and we are the first guests to use that part of the facility.  It is amazing.  We had a wonderful time of fellowship and then went off to bed by about 11:30 p.m. their time.  They are eight hours ahead of USA.

Today was filled with preparation for a New Years Even party at their house.  They had invited several missionaries to their home for the celebration.  We all joined in together to clean the house, and Jesse, Brandon and Mark joined Aundrae to go shopping.  The marketplace was busy, and it seemed chaotic, but I guess that's mostly due to the fact that it is not our "normal."  I'm writing this in the middle of the celebration.  We have been having a great time of eating, games and fellowship.  We will all be staying up for the beginning of 2013 and then off to bed, because today will be a full one.

We rise at 7 a.m., and we will be off to a local hospital to minister to 500 children.  We packaged gift bags for the children, and we will be sharing the Gospel with them through skits, puppets, and song.  Aundrae assured us that the children will be very receptive.  Most Kenyans speak English, so the language will not be a barrier, but if needed, we will have an interpreter available as well.

We will be posting pictures tomorrow.  Our schedule is very full, and there may be a day here and there where you will not see a post due to our being away from the technology.  Thanks again to all of you that have supported us, and continue to pray for us as we enjoy God's great adventure for us.

Blessings - Mark, Cynthia, Jesse, Maria and Brandon
 

The Final Countdown

(Please start the video below before you begin reading the rest of this post.)

In minutes, Mark, Cynthia, Jesse, Brandon and Maria (better known as the 5 intrepid travelers) will begin a journey of epic proportions! This adventure will take the poor souls through snowy blizzards, turbulent skies and eventually bring them to the heated plains of Africa. Will they survive, will they get lost, will they get enough food on the airplanes? Who can say; all they know is this is truly the final countdown to a trip unlike any other!

(You can pause the video now if you want to.)

On a more serious note, we seriously are getting ready to leave Lancaster, PA to drive to JFK to catch our flight and everyone is excited! We're not really sure what all this day will hold other than over 20 hours of combined flying and layover time. We'll write again once we land but till then keep us in your prayers. Actually, keep the crew and passangers in your prayers . . . they may not be prepared for us.

We're leaving together
But still it's farewell
And maybe we'll come back
To earth, who can tell?
I guess there is no one to blame
We're leaving ground
Will things ever be the same again?

So Close . . .

The realization that in just a matter of days we (the Corbin family plus Brandon Wilcox) will be standing on African soil is starting to hit us more profoundly. The hustle and bustle of Christmas had kept our minds just enough occupied that our trip remained something yet to come. While there are minor details that still need seen to, there's no more denying it, Kenya is nigh! In fact as I was out walking the streets on Christmas eve, there was a stirring in my ear and I could hear African drums calling me, drawing me to the wild plains of Kenya . . . turns out it was just a musician playing his djembe on the curb, but that is inconsequential; what is important is that this African adventure is so close we can practically taste the airplane food. Today, tomorrow and for the next almost 3 weeks, we would ask that you keep each of us in your prayers and also make space for us in your internet bookmarks; you don't want to miss out on the nuggets of gold that will be popping up on this page in the weeks to come.

Learning from Disappointment!

Well, I didn't finish the race in Harrisburgh in November.  It was my first non-finish out of 13 marathons.  I had developed plantar fascitis four weeks prior to the race, and I had hoped I could manage it and still finish, but at mile 11 it was all over.  The pain had become to great. 

Just prior to the race a dear friend of mine prayed with me before we left for Harrisburg.  She knew I was dealing with plantar fascitis, and she asked God to help me know when I should stop running, if I was experienceing too much pain.  While she prayed I thought, "Wait a second, I don't even want to think about not finishing," but sure enough her prayer came to mind when I was struggling with dropping out, and strangely enough, it brought me comfort when I said enough was enough.

So what have I learned as we are wtihin six days of leaving for Kenya.  I think what God is trying to teach me is to put aside my expectations, and be flexible.  Allow Him to set the agenda, and go with the flow....His flow!  I realize that even though I didn't finish the marathon, I still accomplished what God had for me. The training in itself was worth the effort.  The discipline and commitment one must exercise strengthen spiritual muscles to enable you to be better not just in running, but in all aspects of your life.  The lessons learned will help me in Kenya.  They will help me pick up on the lessons God has for me.

Our family is tingling with excitement as we approach our launch on December 29th from JFK at 4:30 p.m.  We will arrive on December 30th around 10 p.m., and therefore, spend New Years in Kenya.  Amazing.  Everyone has been so supportive, encouraging and generous.  Thanks.  We will be posting pictures, videos and more musings, so check us out.

With Love - Mark

Blessed, Blessed, Blessed!

Cynthia, here!  
Writing blogs is not really my cup of tea (however as I sit here pondering I am enjoying a luscious cup).  I have been so humbled and blessed by the outpouring of support in response to us sharing about God's calling to Kenya that I cannot keep silent! 

I have never doubted that when God calls us to anything, He will provide whatever is needed in some way; working in different ways in different situations.  However, when I am certain it's God-initiated I know I can step out in faith, and that is what we did.  We took one step at a time and finally the doors starting opening -- and then the floodgates burst!

I also know that God doesn't force anyone to do anything, so as support has flowed from sacrificial hearts in response to the Holy Spirit, my heart has been overwhelmed with gratitude over and over by the love that has been extended to us by so many, even ones we did not know.  

We were in Lancaster this past weekend and attended the church of the family where we stay.   After the service I connected with the husband and father of a family from Kenya who worships there.  As we were talking he pulled out his check book and wrote out a check for a substantial amount of money - a sacrificial amount - for a family he doesn't know.  Our connection - we are brothers and sisters in Christ and his spirit was responding to the Spirit of God in the moment!  He didn't have to, but he did!  I cried right there.  

I've cried a lot recently - been stunned - awed - humbled - blessed - filled with joy - all from the generosity of the people in our lives.  First and foremost I praise the Lord for His Goodness and provision.  As well, my heart overflows with appreciation for all who are generously supporting us through their prayers - we can't move forward without them - and those who are helping to make it financially possible to go, plus contribute to the work of God through the Cassell Family. 

May you  be humbled and blessed in incredible ways as you seek the Lord and follow faithfully!  To God be the Glory - great things He is doing!