Thursday, September 23, 2010
Friends here
Dawn Stamp, me, and Kelly Wright. These are a couple of my good friends here. They also teach at WNS.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Bearded Dreadlock----The mission starts on the way to the mission field!
Minneapolis to Amsterdam-As I sat on the plane waiting for others to board the aircraft, I allowed myself to become a little excited. I heard some other passengers saying that the flight was not full, and thought surely the boarding process was almost over, I was already staking out other pillows and blankets I would use to make a nice bed for myself----The seat next to me was still empty!
Then down the long aisle I saw a tall slender gentle man approaching. He was dressed like a hippie; green hippie shirt, purple hippie pants, orange hippie bag, ---with dreadlocks in his hair and in his beard. His dreadlocked beard hung down to his chin.
He passed several seats. Seats that were empty.
He was heading towards me…yes he was in my row…yes we would have to talk. I asked him where he was going. “To visit my lover,” he said smiling. “Oh, nice,” I said. He was headed to Norway. He had a nice smile. He smelled like incense,--- but it wasn’t too strong.
He asked where I was headed. I explained that I was going to do mission work in Kenya, to work at a school. “Oh, so are you a Christian?” he asked. “Yes,” I said. And so began a lengthy spiritual conversation. He explained that he met his girlfriend in Portland while she was visiting from Norway, and that they had really been able to cultivate and grow their long distance relationship through meditation! Huh, interesting!
He believed in every religion and in everything. He was “born again” at age 14. He said he and his mom were saved at the same time!?! I wondered when he began to walk away from the Lord, or the condition of the soil of his teenager soul when he was “born again”. We talked about Jesus being the only way to heaven. We discussed that one day we would all have to give an account for everything we have done on earth and that only Christ’s blood can cover the terrible things we have done. He didn’t believe in hell. We talked about real evil in the world and the awful things people do. He listened.
He showed me some of his tattoos. We admired the full moon out of the airplane portal, beautiful handy work of God Almighty we both agreed.
I knew out of all the people on the plane he had to sit with me. The Lord wanted it that way. His name was Jonathan.
Then down the long aisle I saw a tall slender gentle man approaching. He was dressed like a hippie; green hippie shirt, purple hippie pants, orange hippie bag, ---with dreadlocks in his hair and in his beard. His dreadlocked beard hung down to his chin.
He passed several seats. Seats that were empty.
He was heading towards me…yes he was in my row…yes we would have to talk. I asked him where he was going. “To visit my lover,” he said smiling. “Oh, nice,” I said. He was headed to Norway. He had a nice smile. He smelled like incense,--- but it wasn’t too strong.
He asked where I was headed. I explained that I was going to do mission work in Kenya, to work at a school. “Oh, so are you a Christian?” he asked. “Yes,” I said. And so began a lengthy spiritual conversation. He explained that he met his girlfriend in Portland while she was visiting from Norway, and that they had really been able to cultivate and grow their long distance relationship through meditation! Huh, interesting!
He believed in every religion and in everything. He was “born again” at age 14. He said he and his mom were saved at the same time!?! I wondered when he began to walk away from the Lord, or the condition of the soil of his teenager soul when he was “born again”. We talked about Jesus being the only way to heaven. We discussed that one day we would all have to give an account for everything we have done on earth and that only Christ’s blood can cover the terrible things we have done. He didn’t believe in hell. We talked about real evil in the world and the awful things people do. He listened.
He showed me some of his tattoos. We admired the full moon out of the airplane portal, beautiful handy work of God Almighty we both agreed.
I knew out of all the people on the plane he had to sit with me. The Lord wanted it that way. His name was Jonathan.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Setting up Office
This is the window of my office. Nice view, huh? Its of the Library. I am at school today starting to get things ready for the school year. So far they are getting my computer set up in office. There are a lot of things to learn and a whole lot to do!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
E- Unharmony….This is not a match!
My second in-country night, and the first night in my new apartment, was sadly not a pleasant night of sleep. Due to jet lag, coupled with an uncomfortable mattress (otherwise known as the “taco-bed”), I was up from 1:30 to 4:30ish in the morning. #1 on the to-do list the next day was… buy a new mattress.
Thanks to a nice gift from a dear friend I was finally able to go back to sleep after listening to some of the Narnia series.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Made it Nairobi!
Hi everyone! Praise the Lord I made it to Kenya fine last night.
We spent the morning at the school so I rearranged my office and now I am moving into my apartment. I am doing well and happy to hear the sounds of Kenya and smell the smells of fire places...and other things burning!
More later.....
We spent the morning at the school so I rearranged my office and now I am moving into my apartment. I am doing well and happy to hear the sounds of Kenya and smell the smells of fire places...and other things burning!
More later.....
Monday, July 19, 2010
Famous TCKs
BIBLICAL HEROES:
Issac
Joseph (Egypt)
Jesus (Earth, Egypt)
Daniel and his buddies
ACTORS:
Keanu Reeves – US actor ( Lebanon )
Reese Witherspoon – US actor ( Germany )
Colin Firth – UK actor ( Nigeria )
Brendan Fraser – US actor ( US, England, Italy )
Uma Thurman – US actor ( India )
Kathleen Turner – US actor ( Canada, Cuba, Venezuela, England )
Viggo Mortensen – US actor ( Venezuela, Argentina, Denmark )
WRITERS:
JRR Tolkien – UK writer ( South Africa ), Pearl S. Buck – US writer ( China ), JG Ballard – UK writer ( China )
Michael Arndt – US screenwriter ( India, Sri Lanka )
POLITICIANS:
Madeline Albright – US politician ( Czech Republic (then a citizen there), Yugoslavia, London, Switzerland )
Barak Obama – US politician ( Indonesia )
John Kerry – US politician ( TCK, Germany )
Dominique de Villepin – French Prime Minister ( Morocco )
OTHERS:
Kobe Bryant – US athlete ( Italy )
Christiane Amanpour – US journalist ( Iran )
Henry Luce – US media mogul ( China )
General Norman Schwarzkopf – US soldier ( Iran )
Rachael Renee Smith – Miss USA 2007 ( Panama )
Issac
Joseph (Egypt)
Jesus (Earth, Egypt)
Daniel and his buddies
ACTORS:
Keanu Reeves – US actor ( Lebanon )
Reese Witherspoon – US actor ( Germany )
Colin Firth – UK actor ( Nigeria )
Brendan Fraser – US actor ( US, England, Italy )
Uma Thurman – US actor ( India )
Kathleen Turner – US actor ( Canada, Cuba, Venezuela, England )
Viggo Mortensen – US actor ( Venezuela, Argentina, Denmark )
WRITERS:
JRR Tolkien – UK writer ( South Africa ), Pearl S. Buck – US writer ( China ), JG Ballard – UK writer ( China )
Michael Arndt – US screenwriter ( India, Sri Lanka )
POLITICIANS:
Madeline Albright – US politician ( Czech Republic (then a citizen there), Yugoslavia, London, Switzerland )
Barak Obama – US politician ( Indonesia )
John Kerry – US politician ( TCK, Germany )
Dominique de Villepin – French Prime Minister ( Morocco )
OTHERS:
Kobe Bryant – US athlete ( Italy )
Christiane Amanpour – US journalist ( Iran )
Henry Luce – US media mogul ( China )
General Norman Schwarzkopf – US soldier ( Iran )
Rachael Renee Smith – Miss USA 2007 ( Panama )
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
10 days!! 10 days from now I will be flying to Kenya! So exciting!
This was my small group at my training! What great/sweet people!Here is my latest updat letter:
Dear Friends,
I spent the past 2 weeks at Pre-Field Orientation (PFO) with the Network of International Christian Schools. During this time the Lord encouraged me, deepened my passion to work with international students, and increased my excitement to move to the field.
While at PFO I was able to talk with the Director of West Nairobi School. We spent time reviewing my job description, and the role I will have at WNS. I learned that I will have a significant role in school admissions and placement of students. Please pray that the Lord will guide me in this. Also while at PFO, it was wonderful to interact with other NICS missionaries headed to 16 different countries. We are a part of the Lord’s army headed all over the globe to share the love of Christ, explaining His plan for salvation, with students and families affiliated with our schools.
I am happy to announce that I plan to leave for Kenya on July 24,2010! I praise God that he has laid it on the hearts of some wonderful people to partner with me in ministry, and I have 50% of the necessary funds for my first year. Your gifts are a priceless part of the Lord’s provision. I am so grateful! I would also like to extend an invitation for others to partner with me through prayer & financial giving. To do this you can write a check out to NICS (with project #003351 in the Memo line and send to the NICS home office) or give at www.nics.org (Click Donate, then Donate securely online, next Missionary projects, then Nairobi, then Lori LeBlanc). My current needs are mainly for on-going monthly support and one-time gifts for a car. The monthly funds needed can be at 100% with just 5 people giving at $50 a month, +10 people giving at $25 a month, and +25 people giving at $10 a month. As I step out in faith I am trusting that God will provide.
— God bless you, Lori
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Jr High Group at Faith Church did a yard sale to contribute to my time in Kenya!
Results from the SOLID yard sale last week! Thank you SO much!
Dawn Waltz says:
"Thanks to everyone who donated, shopped and encouraged the Jr. Higher’s Solid Class Garage Sale!!We had two terrific days of fun and sales with just a tiny bit of rain at the end of our first day!We are pleased to report that we made $94.45 ...for each Lori Leblanc, Nathan Zumbrun, Lydia Zumbrun, and Abigail Zumbrun!! Kudos to some great hard-working and lots of fun young people!! The future looks bright!"
Dawn Waltz
Faith International English Classes Administrator
Dawn Waltz says:
"Thanks to everyone who donated, shopped and encouraged the Jr. Higher’s Solid Class Garage Sale!!We had two terrific days of fun and sales with just a tiny bit of rain at the end of our first day!We are pleased to report that we made $94.45 ...for each Lori Leblanc, Nathan Zumbrun, Lydia Zumbrun, and Abigail Zumbrun!! Kudos to some great hard-working and lots of fun young people!! The future looks bright!"
Dawn Waltz
Faith International English Classes Administrator
Sunday, May 9, 2010
What I shared last week at my Church's Women's Bible Study
Encouragement from the word
Well, in keeping with this morning’s theme of encouragement from the word….I want to share that personally I’ve probably gained the most encouragement from the word, by spending time reading the Psalms.
I love the Psalms. I love how rich they are and how much they reveal about who God is, and how we can relate to Him.
Plus the Psalms are all about emotions and feelings and as a woman and as a counselor ---I can definitely relate to those.
The encouragement I have received from Psalms has come over time as I’ve read it in my quiet times.
For example: I’ll usually read a psalm or two even when I am studying another passage.
Or when I just need a quick word from the Lord I grab a Bible and I read a Psalm.
I even read the Psalms when I don’t really feel like reading my Bible… but I figure at least I can get a couple psalms in. ;)
My enjoyment of the Psalms grew several years ago when I read the Psalms through in just a few weeks, I read some in the morning---right when I woke up ---and I read some at night –right before I fell asleep.
That was such a cool time as I got to start my morning with great Psalms like: Ps 5, where in verse 3, it says: In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
Or,I got to end my day reading a Ps like 16:in verse 7 where it says: “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”—
God’s encouraging words through the Psalms have also taught me how to pray---to come to God with all things, and I’ve learned how to praise him- How to praise him for who he is and what he had done.
I’ve learned how to ask him to provide and to protect me and I’ve learned how to ask Him to deal with the things I can’t control.
Recently, one thing I’ve learned is how to wait on the Lord.
Psalm 40 starts out in saying “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feed on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.”
You see for the past 2 years, since I finished my Master’s Degree in School Counseling, I’ve been so excited to start a job working with students, encouraging them and helping them. But that is not exactly what the Lord had planned for me,-- just yet. Instead, he directed me to work several jobs at 4 different schools, gaining the experience I needed at every school level thus preparing me for the plan that He had for me. To go to Kenya and work with students at a internatinal school that is Kindergarten through -12th grade.
How incredible!, I’m so excited that he is leading me in this way……but-- contrary to psalm 40 –During the waiting I am sad to admit that I really can’t say that I waited patiently for the Lord.
But I did wait with Him….really there’s no one else we should wait with except the one who directs our path.
During this waiting time, some of which was really tough, not knowing what my next job was going to be or if I would be able to provide for myself, or if I would ever get to do the job I wanted to do---the job I felt that the Lord lead me to pursue. Would he find a way for me to work in the lives of students and use my training?
I felt like I should’ve had a more rational and sturdy trust in Him during the waiting but at times I felt like the author of Psalm 102: who says: “Hear my prayer O Lord, let my cry for help come to you. “Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me…quickly.”
Or I felt like David in Psalm 57:1 saying “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in YOU my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”
(Isn’t that a wonderful phrase by the way-- the shadow of your wings….)
Fortunately, some of the encouragement I drew from the word at this time, was that others have also come before the Lord in this way. ----- Earnestly and desperately crying out to Him, ---and he hears the crys of those who know where their help comes from.
During this time, I believe His plan was to draw me even closer to him, and to prepare me so that I can be a School Counselor in Kenya, where he could use ever ounce of my background and experience to work with international students at West Nairobi School.
‘Many are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare.” Ps 40:5
I want to praise Him for what he has done! He has heard me, he has ‘waited’ with me, he has set my feet on a rock and given me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth.
I can say to him with the Psalmist –“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”
I pray that I will continue to stay in the shadow of his wings as I head back to Kenya this July and begin the Job that he has called me to do, I pray that He would continue to provide for me So that I can serve him by ministering to students at West Nairobi School.
If you would like to be a part of the ministry to students in Kenya, you can partner with me by praying for me or with financial gifts….Please let me know if you would like to do this.
Thank you so much for this time to share and fellowship with you.
Well, in keeping with this morning’s theme of encouragement from the word….I want to share that personally I’ve probably gained the most encouragement from the word, by spending time reading the Psalms.
I love the Psalms. I love how rich they are and how much they reveal about who God is, and how we can relate to Him.
Plus the Psalms are all about emotions and feelings and as a woman and as a counselor ---I can definitely relate to those.
The encouragement I have received from Psalms has come over time as I’ve read it in my quiet times.
For example: I’ll usually read a psalm or two even when I am studying another passage.
Or when I just need a quick word from the Lord I grab a Bible and I read a Psalm.
I even read the Psalms when I don’t really feel like reading my Bible… but I figure at least I can get a couple psalms in. ;)
My enjoyment of the Psalms grew several years ago when I read the Psalms through in just a few weeks, I read some in the morning---right when I woke up ---and I read some at night –right before I fell asleep.
That was such a cool time as I got to start my morning with great Psalms like: Ps 5, where in verse 3, it says: In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
Or,I got to end my day reading a Ps like 16:in verse 7 where it says: “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”—
God’s encouraging words through the Psalms have also taught me how to pray---to come to God with all things, and I’ve learned how to praise him- How to praise him for who he is and what he had done.
I’ve learned how to ask him to provide and to protect me and I’ve learned how to ask Him to deal with the things I can’t control.
Recently, one thing I’ve learned is how to wait on the Lord.
Psalm 40 starts out in saying “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feed on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.”
You see for the past 2 years, since I finished my Master’s Degree in School Counseling, I’ve been so excited to start a job working with students, encouraging them and helping them. But that is not exactly what the Lord had planned for me,-- just yet. Instead, he directed me to work several jobs at 4 different schools, gaining the experience I needed at every school level thus preparing me for the plan that He had for me. To go to Kenya and work with students at a internatinal school that is Kindergarten through -12th grade.
How incredible!, I’m so excited that he is leading me in this way……but-- contrary to psalm 40 –During the waiting I am sad to admit that I really can’t say that I waited patiently for the Lord.
But I did wait with Him….really there’s no one else we should wait with except the one who directs our path.
During this waiting time, some of which was really tough, not knowing what my next job was going to be or if I would be able to provide for myself, or if I would ever get to do the job I wanted to do---the job I felt that the Lord lead me to pursue. Would he find a way for me to work in the lives of students and use my training?
I felt like I should’ve had a more rational and sturdy trust in Him during the waiting but at times I felt like the author of Psalm 102: who says: “Hear my prayer O Lord, let my cry for help come to you. “Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me…quickly.”
Or I felt like David in Psalm 57:1 saying “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in YOU my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”
(Isn’t that a wonderful phrase by the way-- the shadow of your wings….)
Fortunately, some of the encouragement I drew from the word at this time, was that others have also come before the Lord in this way. ----- Earnestly and desperately crying out to Him, ---and he hears the crys of those who know where their help comes from.
During this time, I believe His plan was to draw me even closer to him, and to prepare me so that I can be a School Counselor in Kenya, where he could use ever ounce of my background and experience to work with international students at West Nairobi School.
‘Many are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare.” Ps 40:5
I want to praise Him for what he has done! He has heard me, he has ‘waited’ with me, he has set my feet on a rock and given me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth.
I can say to him with the Psalmist –“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”
I pray that I will continue to stay in the shadow of his wings as I head back to Kenya this July and begin the Job that he has called me to do, I pray that He would continue to provide for me So that I can serve him by ministering to students at West Nairobi School.
If you would like to be a part of the ministry to students in Kenya, you can partner with me by praying for me or with financial gifts….Please let me know if you would like to do this.
Thank you so much for this time to share and fellowship with you.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Joining NICS
I am rejoicing with the Psalmist of Psalm 66: “Come and see what God had done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf…Praise our God...I cried out to him with my mouth…God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”
God is so good and so kind! I have seen recently that He does answer the prayers we have for our own lives. He creates and develops specific desires, talents, and gifts in us. He does have an intentional plan to use us for His kingdom purpose. We are His workmanship prepared to do good works for God’s glory!
For several years it has been my desire to be used by God to serve and develop relationships with children and youth. As a result the education and career opportunities I pursued were strongly influenced by this desire and the Lord’s leading. In spite of this, I did not expect that God would open the doors to use me to minister to students in the country where I grew up. I am very excited about this opportunity to return to Kenya with the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS) to work for the Lord as a Guidance Counselor serving the students of West Nairobi School (WNS). WNS is 1 of 20 NICS schools located in 16 different countries worldwide.
The Mission of Network of International Christian Schools (NICS)
The 1st NICS school was opened in Korea for children of missionaries, but because the school believed in “open” enrollment, children from all faiths attended and were exposed to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many students at that Korean school received Christ as their Savior. What started at one small school became a global plan to reach the world. God was bringing the world to the classrooms, and in them Christian staff could literally reach students from many different nations. This gave birth to the philosophy and mission of the Network of international Christian Schools.
God is so good and so kind! I have seen recently that He does answer the prayers we have for our own lives. He creates and develops specific desires, talents, and gifts in us. He does have an intentional plan to use us for His kingdom purpose. We are His workmanship prepared to do good works for God’s glory!
For several years it has been my desire to be used by God to serve and develop relationships with children and youth. As a result the education and career opportunities I pursued were strongly influenced by this desire and the Lord’s leading. In spite of this, I did not expect that God would open the doors to use me to minister to students in the country where I grew up. I am very excited about this opportunity to return to Kenya with the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS) to work for the Lord as a Guidance Counselor serving the students of West Nairobi School (WNS). WNS is 1 of 20 NICS schools located in 16 different countries worldwide.
The Mission of Network of International Christian Schools (NICS)
The 1st NICS school was opened in Korea for children of missionaries, but because the school believed in “open” enrollment, children from all faiths attended and were exposed to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many students at that Korean school received Christ as their Savior. What started at one small school became a global plan to reach the world. God was bringing the world to the classrooms, and in them Christian staff could literally reach students from many different nations. This gave birth to the philosophy and mission of the Network of international Christian Schools.
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