If we’re being honest, the past few months have been hard. If we’re being really honest, the past year and half has been hard at times.
This update is to ask for your prayers.
Don’t get us wrong, ministry with students has been absolutely wonderful and fruitful. There are more Covenant group Bible studies than ever before, and both our high school and middle school youth groups are going great. We absolutely love connecting with students each week and getting a front row seat to see God at work in their hearts.
We ask for prayer for all the other behind the scenes stuff. For the things you don’t see on the websites or our Instagram posts. For the ugly stuff that’s unworthy of photos and leaves us weary.
Many of you know that when we arrived in Kenya in August of 2016, we anticipated working under the leadership of Bluesky and the pastor of International Christian Fellowship Church to lead youth ministry. However, since then a few things have changed.
- The pastor of ICF, George Mixon, stepped down from his role as pastor. (He was already working full-time with another missions organization and realized he was being stretched too thin.) He and his wife Martha continue to meet with and disciple us.
- Dave Preston, Bluesky’s former Director of Operations, had a life-threatening stroke in October 2016. We were looking forward to working under his leadership with Bluesky.
- We transitioned to a family of three in September of 2017. This was a huge blessing, as we love life with our little Levi. Yet, parenthood is a big lifestyle change, and living overseas, far from family, has made that transition hard at times.
- The former Executive Director and Founder of Bluesky, Kim Pace, passed away suddenly in January of this year.
- Our new Camp Bluesky directors, Brett and Bronwyn Stamps were scheduled to move here in February. However, their home in the U.S. burned down days before their departure, along with Brett being hospitalized with burns. (Brett is healing and they are now scheduled to arrive this month! )
These events have left us, along with the majority of Bluesky staff, quite discouraged. In all honesty, it feels as though the Enemy is attacking Bluesky directly.
Satan tends to attack believers in subtle, conniving ways. In Genesis 3, he lies, creates division between Adam and Eve and makes them feel isolated from each other and God. I believe he is using those same tactics to make us feel isolated from God’s care and from each other, as well as tempting us to believe the lie that we aren’t doing enough ministry or we are doing it wrong.
I ask you to pray specifically for:
UNITY. …Within Bluesky, especially as we transition with new leadership in the coming months. Also unity within our marriage, as we serve in ministry together, it’s easy to let the stresses of work enter into our marriage. Pray for healthy boundaries.
FRUITFUL MINISTRY will continue as we disciple and do outreach students. This has been the one constant that confirms the fact God wants us here in Nairobi.
COMMUNITY. That we would feel well connected with friends and our church family, and for them to be a source of accountability, encouragement and family away from family.
DISCIPLE NOW. Is coming up March 16-18. We also are assisting with another Bluesky DNOW the Weekend before. We will be hosting a team of 14 volunteers from the US throughout the week between. Pray that students would grow closer to God and deeper in their faith through the event.
Thank you for reading about our prayer needs and committing to pray, even if it’s just for a minute. The Lord is sovereign and receives glory through it all. Our ultimate prayer above everything is that we would be vessels for his glory.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
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All the Way to Africa 
Thank you for sharing your heart. My mother’s heart aches for you. Just prayed that God would give you a deep love for Him and each other. For wisdom in all you do , pour out His blessings on you, bring just the right people to walk beside you as mentors and friends, and give you a peace that passes all understanding. You are both amazing. Blessings, Marcia Peters
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Praying!! 🙏💪
That Bible passage couldn’t be more appropriate. The Lord has been speaking to me through it a lot this time. So glad to see you’re being comforted through it as well.
Big hug
Dani Maita
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Dear Shanna and Nate,
You guys have been through plenty..…any one of those events would have been hard in the US, but having them piled on one after another in a foreign country is a lot. One advantage I think you do have over having them happen in the US is your support systems of people, activity, etc. are limited. This means you have to wait and trust God more than if you were here. (I realize that is not how it should be , but in reality, most times it is). Waiting and the unknown are challenging , but what an opportunity to hang on and see HIM work in ways you might never dream. He will see you through the hard and difficult. I hope this doesn’t sound harsh, but have been told this exact thing by several different missionaries.
I am praying you see God’s grace in both small and large things all around you and that you will be encouraged. I pray for your marriage, parenting, ministry and relationship as you wait for your new boss and can settle into the changes ahead.
A couple verses have helped me in some recent challenges…. broken foot, blood clot in leg, crutches for 3 months ……… I find myself having to repeat the later verse several times a day! Don’t hesitate to ask for prayer about specific things.
Galatians 6:9 Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, you will reap.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always, pray continually and be thankful in all circumstances.
In Christ, Beth Tharp
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Dear Shanna and Nate, I am praying for you guys…that things will get better and stabilize for you. Keep us posted.
Father God, I ask your blessing on Nate and Shanna as they serve you in Kenya. All of the changes they been through are no surprise to you, but understandably challenging and upsetting for them. I pray this day they will be strengthened, encouraged and comforted. Put things before them to hear, see, smell, feel or taste that send them directly to you so they may see you and your graces. Guide them in their marriage and in parenting as well as ministry to the kids there. Thank you for what you are going to do.
In Christ, Beth Tharp
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
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