Hailes on Mission

I recently listened to a podcast.  The realization of the woman who had been following hard after Christ for many years was vastly true of the place I feel we've been for a while now.  She said, "I know I can do it, but I don't know if I want to."   Who would know if we just put life on "cruise control" or "drift" for a while?  Who would care ?  What if we kept up with work and going through the motions of ministry, but didn't "run with endurance" as hard as we usually do? JESUS!  Jesus would know! Hebrews 2:1 warns us to pay attention to what we've heard, lest we "drift" away from it.  That coupled with the many verses about "pressing on toward the goal" (Phil 3:14), "needing endurance that when we've done the will of God we may receive what's promised" (Heb 10:36) and "since we're surrounded by that great cloud of witnesses, laying aside every weight and sin which clings so closely ...

Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV), says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Run with endurance the race that is set before us... Some days are harder than others when it comes to running with endurance; or simply just running at all.  We've officially been back in Nairobi for five weeks and we're sprinting.  Each day is a surrender, trusting God is in control and seeing us through, as we run from one meeting to another.  We're seeking to find moments of retreat, moments focused on the family, and obviously, we would not make it another stride if we weren't finding time in the Word day-by-day!  He who has called us is fai...

  As many of you all know, we have arrived safely at our home in Nairobi.     Our time in the USA was lovely, and we are so thankful for the times we had with so many of you.     We truly enjoyed getting to share what the Lord is doing and how He is at work.     The Lord is good, and we are thankful to be considered worthy to be His servants here.     As we shared and updated you all, we were constantly reminded of our need to be true to our words and stay connected to the Lord.       We are now finished with week one in Nairobi, and we are healthy and ready to get to work.  We don’t just want to tell what God has done, but we want to live in unison with Him as He desires to accomplish new things in and through our lives.  Thus, we are here on the ground, ready to get to work.  Now we are ready, but we also need prayers answered so that we know that we are stepping where the Lord desires us to step...

We serve a mighty God!  Isn't he good? During our time in the states we have been able to do so much!!! We celebrated Phoebe's graduation from Texas A&M, Emma's Social Work penning ceremony, & Phoebe's and Josh's union in marriage.  We were able to see many of you and visit multiple churches to see all that God is doing through the Church here in the States and share how he's moving overseas.  If we didn't get to connect with you this time, we hope to be back in another 2 years.  Maybe we'll catch you then.   As we shared with churches we also tried to train and deepen our partnerships.  We can't thank you enough for your support- both in prayer and in giving- but we hope to see many of you in Kenya working alongside us in the near future.  As countries begin to open up, we are hopeful that our bi-annual trainings will return to in-person meetings, and we'll need your help to come and work alongside us.  If you have any desire to serv...

We are enjoying every minute of our time here in the States.  We’re at about the halfway mark of our time here.  We had a trip to Virginia, where we were able to train new personnel headed to SSA (Sub-Saharan Africa) in person!  From there we took a road trip as a family of 6 to Florida where we made lasting.  We continue to find encouragement from churches who are seeking to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their respective communities.  We’ve been able to give a report of all God is doing in Africa, but are, in turn, truly blessed to hear all he is doing here in the States as well. The day finally arrived.  June 5th.  We gave our daughter’s hand in marriage to Joshua Valdez.  It was a beautiful ceremony.  Adam did a knock-out job, as usual, officiating.  Everything was just as it should’ve been and we believe God has been glorified.  Pray for Phoebe & Josh as they begin this chapter in their lives.  They’ve claimed Colos...

We’ve been in the States for a month now.  What a sweet time we’ve been having!  We are enjoying time with our families, friends and sharing with churches about all God is doing in Africa and beyond. Phoebe & Emma completed their classes for Spring 2021.  River finished 1st grade.  Phoebe graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor’s in Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and we are full-swing in wedding preparations.  Since Baylee must take a semester worth of online courses to complete her sophomore year, she is continuing to press on in her 5 classes.  Pray for her to be motivated and press on.  It’s so hard when everyone else is done. We continue to receive updates and messages on baptisms and trainings taking place in Madagascar.  There are also many coming to Christ in Nairobi.  The Lord is moving.  Here in the States we have also been encouraged by churches and how the Lord is using them to reach out to and love on th...

FULL MONTH OF TRAINING The month of March was FULL of trainings.  We trained new missionaries coming to serve in Sub-Saharan Africa.  We trained current missionaries serving in Sub-Saharan Africa in their first term.  We trained believers in our local church to evangelize and disciple people as they live out their day-to-day lives.  We trained nurturers in the Growing Redemptive Participator Approach (GrPA).  We also started corresponding with missionaries who will be starting their stateside training to come and serve in Sub-Saharan Africa later this year.   Reflecting and writing up that list of trainings makes me tired, but it has been such a sweet time of pouring into others!     Along the way, we have also spent time in local ministry, sharing the gospel and studying together with our disciples.     The hardest part of this month was our vacation that was abruptly cut short.  After our we...