Pauline Baptist Church

Let me in brief just speak about the South Africa Trip I know Kenya kept everyone up to date with our progress so I want be redundant. Lydia and I had a great trip and time together. Dr. Wells who did the surgery did a great job and the hospital in Cape Town was first class just like being in the states. We will for sure go to South Africa for anything major in the future especially now with a contact there. Lydia and I had a good time eating McDonalds nearly every meal except one. The entire trip was a complete success and it was even good for me to get away from the work so I could see the work afresh again. We have been so intense recently and under some heavy stress that I believe the Lord used this to refresh me and many other things.

In my absence Moses did a great job handling things. He preached and did the Bible studies and everything here in Malindi. I truly feel that he will be the pastor of this church before too long. He still has some training that he needs but he is a jewel and the people love him and follow him already. I think this was a necessary time of growth for him also because when I am here he holds back and gets nervous.

Let me pick up our regular updates starting with our return to Kenya. Lydia and I arrived back in Nairobi at night in a heavy down pour. It was nice and cool, then we were properly welcomed into the country with a flat tire on our vehicle. So I got Lydia and the luggage out of the pouring rain and went to changing the tire in the rain. I just laughed and said thank you Lord for bringing us back home! I love this place! I was so grateful that no one offered to "help" me with the tire. Usually if you are out and have a flat you will have 20 people wanting to "help" you and most of them are drunk. Remarkably no one tried to "help" and we were ready to go in a flash.

We stopped off, fueled up, and got something to eat before heading brother Hoppers to stay the night. When we got to the Hoppers we visited a little and shared about our trip and called it a night. Brother Hopper is doing good also with his treatments and they continue to do tests to determine the type of hepatitis C he has. He really looked good and his speech is much better. He seemed to me to be back to himself. I told him he may be a new man when this is all over considering he has been living with this in his system for years and years. When they get him all cleaned up, lookout! We love the Hoppers. We will be returning to see them at the end of the month for their son's graduation and to do some business in Nairobi. We traveled on Sunday and made it home in the afternoon. It was so good to be home! We had a good evening just visiting and having our evening services.

I have been working in the office and catching up with Moses on everything for the past three days. I got our finances all in order and a report written. I also was able to get caught up on emails and I think I am dug out of the office mess. I am so happy! I have been away from everyone it seems for so long. With all the craziness last month even when I was with our people I was distracted. I am looking forward to reconnecting and moving forward. Please pray as we seek God's direction and get back in the foxhole ready for the battle!

James Taylor

East Kenya Missions