Hello again, once again it has been awhile since our last update. I’ll try to update you with the what, when and where.
Our June-August schedule was full with short term teams from across the country and Canada. One night in July returning from leading an outreach team I fell asleep standing up on the subway. I fall asleep frequently on the train but this was the first time standing up. Although it was an exhausting summer Naomi and I are reminded of the impact we have not only on the streets but also in the lives of the team members.
Naomi and I are both trusting God for strength and healing each day. Naomi’s headaches are a problem once again but not to the level previously. She was well enough to visit her family in North Carolina this summer. Her neurologist is helping her with adjusting medication and adding a new one. We are very grateful for our provision of healthcare.
My latest lab results and doctor’s visit have shown some improvement to my health. I was able to get away for a week and visit our son Andrew. Upon returning from New Mexico I drove to PA to meet up with Naomi and we enjoyed a few days in our schoolie. I rested there but my body is still in need of quality sleep and restoration.
Because my doctor recommended rest, I have not traveled to Kenya since May. The projects and programs that we are part of continue to move forward while we are away. The tailoring and carpentry programs are moving forward. The current leaders of both programs were students of Naomi and I. This is very rewarding to see things continuing. The church we are a part of is close to having a roof and the construction of the life center in Namanga has reached the 2nd floor level. We are so thankful for modern technology and that we can be in constant communication.
We currently have fewer missions teams in New York City, but they do continue to come. This keeps Naomi working on their schedules and I continue to lead teams out on homeless outreach as well as teaching a class on Urban Evangelism. Our city is in great need as we now have about 100,000 migrants that have recently arrived, along with the 100,000 people that are currently homeless. This continues to give us many opportunities to express God’s love and it finds me on the streets almost daily.
As we look ahead Naomi and I will celebrate 32 years of marriage this month. I am so grateful that she is with me on this journey. Some of our homeless friends remind me how blessed I am and I agree.
October first I will depart for Kenya to follow up on what we have been involved in. Namanga will be my first stop for a check on construction of the life center and finish some cabinet work. Next I will go on to Amagoro (on the Uganda border) for some time with the carpentry students. While there I will check on the well borehole and church construction. Naomi will stay here in NYC until joining me on October 21st. She will continue to invest in the tailoring program.
Naomi and I have both been able to obtain 5 year Kenya visas which is a huge blessing. While in Africa we will be visiting Rwanda. We have been communicating for a couple years about a vocational center there. The building is now finished and we have been asked to help with the starting of the tailoring and carpentry programs.
Lord willing, we will be returning to NYC November 4th in time for NYSUM’S annual Operation Drumstick. We will be helping serve several thousand Thanksgiving dinners around the city.
Thank you for your prayers and continued support.
Blessings,
Paul and Naomi
BLIP 