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The Challenge programme has been set up to enable young adults and students meet the challenge of getting the gospel to those who do not yet know Christ. Whether you choose to be part of "Challenge Ireland" or "Challenge International", you will get opportunities to tell others about the redeeming love of Christ

Challenge Kenya - Summer 2004  (Click here for Acrobat pdf version)

The Team

• Ruth is a student at Queen’s University and lives in Belfast. She goes to St. Donard’s Church, Belfast and loves early mornings!
• Diane lives in Newtownbutler and works in the Erne Hospital as a kitchen assistant. She goes to Sallaghy Church in Newtownbutler but unlike Ruth, has a phobia of life before 11am !
• Angus is a baker at Irwin’s and lives in Annaghmore. He goes to St. Francis Church in Annaghmnore and is very excited about a return trip to Kenya in the summer.
• Sara is a student in York, but comes from Bangor and goes to St. Comgall’s Church, Bangor. Although excited about the trip, she is dreading life without peanut butter !
• Jenny Boyd is from Belfast and living and working in Dublin as an artist.
• Leanne is from Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone and is studying primary teaching at Stranmillis University College.
• Kathryn is from Carrickfergus and is a final year student at Stranmillis University College studying primary teaching.
• Jenny Taylor is originally from Co. Leitrim but is living in Belfast now and working as a staff nurse in Belfast City Hospital.
• Andrew is from Finaghy in Belfast and attends All Saints Church. He is in his final year of an HND in Engineering.
• Matthew is from Belfast and studies History at Oxford, where he goes to St. Ebbe’s Church.
• Valerie currently works full time in a Child Protection Team. She is a member of Inishmacsaint Parish Church.
• Katie is from Carrickfergus and has just finished here degree in Stranmillis. She hopes to begin teaching fulltime in September. Katie is the assistant leader.
• Johnny is the long suffering Crosslinks youth worker based in Belfast who will lead the team, he is really looking forward to working with the team in Kenya.

The Challenge

“Nearly 70% of the world’s population does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. And with every day that passes, people are dying without a saving knowledge of Christ. This is ‘the challenge’ that faces us all……………”

The ‘Challenge Programme’ has been set up to enable young adults and students meet the challenge of bringing the gospel to those who do not yet know Christ. The ‘Challenge Kenya’ team will work in the slums of Nairobi teaching children and young people about the saving love of Jesus Christ.

Please pray

Group’s Spiritual Growth: This trip is a great opportunity for the group to get together and encourage each other. While we are away we ask that you would pray for the spiritual growth of the group and that God might use situations to teach us and bring us closer to him.

Kids & People we meet and work with: During the 3 weeks we will be working with children at a Holiday Club and will have opportunities to meet the local people. Therefore we ask that you would pray for all the people that we come into contact with, and that opportunities might arise and that we may have confidence and courage to face these.

God to use experience beyond the 3 weeks: Although this will only be a short-term mission, we ask for your prayers beyond the 3 weeks that what we learn and experience will not be left in Kenya, bit will stay with us. We ask also that you pray for God to use this experience in the future and that it will have a lasting impact on our lives.

Mission Partners: Please pray for Crosslinks Mission partners John & Rea Downing and David & Rachael Williams in their full time ministry in Nairobi and prepare them as they make plans to host the Kenya team.

Group to bond: Please pray that the group will work well together and encourage each other in this challenge ! Pray that members will remain enthusiastic in all conditions.

Health & safety: Please pray as our travel plans are finalised, for safety in travel and for protection from diseases over the 3 weeks, so that the team will remain in good health to serve God.

Team’s adaptation to culture: Please pray that the team will adapt quickly and easily to a new way of life for 3 weeks and will relate well with the local people. Please pray that we would encourage and support the local church, despite cultural differences.

Holiday club: Please pray that we will relate with the kids and find ways to explain the bible’s message simply and clearly. Pray that the kids will have great fun and grow in their understanding of God.

Johnny & Katie: Please pray that God will grant Johnny and Katie wisdom and equip them for the task of leading the team. Please pray both practically and spiritually.