Brinkley Family Update: Nairobi Kenya


As we enter the week before Christmas, we thought we would give you an update of what is happening with us in Kenya. We just passed our six-month anniversary living here, hard to believe. We have adjusted to many of the changes in life and have settled into our role at Rosslyn Academy and are developing our role on the Nairobi City Team with the IMB. (More on that below)
I (David) have had the opportunity to coach cross country and now I am coaching middle school boys’ basketball. It has given me an opportunity to know more students that I don’t teach and enjoy a different relationship with them. I just finished teaching four Christian Education Classes (Bible) with juniors and seniors. The curriculum is new, so I have had some freedom to develop it. The juniors are learning what a Christian Worldview is and examining where they are in relationship to that. Seniors are looking at how they should engage the world around them as they enter adulthood. Of course, I teach multiple nationalities and we have some students of various faiths or no faiths at all. I have had the opportunity to teach the gospel and dialogue with those students plus those from Christian backgrounds who are wrestling with living out their own faith. Each semester I also have time to speak in chapel and this Spring semester I am excited to start some mentoring with junior and senior guys.
Beth says, “I have loved teaching my first-grade class! I have had the privilege of teaching kids from all over the world...Canada, Japan, Pakistan, Zambia, America, Norway, and, of course, Kenya. They are full of personality and have a thirst for knowledge. Like most years, I am learning as much from this group as I am teaching them. It has been such a fun year already, and I am so blessed to be able to live out my lifelong dream! Your continued prayers are always appreciated.” She also has students from multiple faiths and as always keeps Jesus right in front of them.
We also serve on the Nairobi City Team and our presence at Rosslyn serves as one role as we and influence this diverse Christian community at Rosslyn. Since we have our feet under us this Spring, we will be looking at how I (David) can help with mobilizing teams from the US who come and serve while helping engage people in our community with the ministry our team is doing in the city. Pray for how that will take shape. We look forward to the summer where we hope language study will help us with Kiswahili. We continue to ask for God’s guidance with our involvement in the community around us. In October we had the privilege of going onto a college campus and sharing the gospel, it helped provide the student team with continued contacts in that ministry.
Klever is finishing up exams this week. Although school is taxing and a little more difficult than at his last school, he is doing ok and hanging in there. He has brought his love for video games here and plays with both friends he has made here and those who still live back home. He has settled in his environment but of course misses his friends and some things back home (especially driving😊) Please pray for him as he goes on the IMB MK Camp Dec. 30- Jan. 5 in South Africa. Pray God would guide him to think and live for Him and would bless the relationships he has with some of his classmates.
In late September we were able to purchase a used car for transportation. It is a 2008 Nissan XTrail. It has some miles but after some initial repairs we have enjoyed it. So far it has helped move us around Nairobi and we hope to use it for transportation at times outside of the main city. The gifts given through Kingdom Footprint went directly to this need.
Important Prayer Requests
1. Klever- for the beginning of the second semester and his IMB MK camp (see above)
2. For us as will solidify our role on the Nairobi City team while serving to be ambassadors for the gospel here at Rosslyn.
3. For David’s opportunity to mentor students
4. Pray for the completion of our work permits. The barrels we shipped are sitting in the Kenyan port of Mombasa and collecting a $100/month storage fee…we have been told they are close but pray for that process as we don’t want to have to pay much more. (They arrived November 1).
5. Pray for Noah, that he would seek Jesus as he goes through a difficult time.
6. Pray we are conscious of opportunities to share Jesus and help believers grow in Him.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.
David, Beth and Klever

Comments

  • Ricky Ray on 4/27/2020 10:04:46 AM

    I am praying for you during this pandemic. You’ve got friends all over the world that you haven’t even met, yet.

    Dr. Ricky Ray