Newsletter August 17 2008

Dear Prayer Partner,

    Major Transitions-We resigned our position with a large mission agency last July.  At that time, we felt we needed to find a mission agency that was better suited for the kind of work we feel called to do here in Kenya.  We thought that we would complete the adoption quickly and return to the U.S.A to accomplish this task.  We do not believe it is God's will for us to return without Ross.  So, we first need to complete his adoption.

    Carolina Adoption Agency recently told us that we will not be allowed to bring Ross back to the U.S.A. until we find employment.  The Kenyan Government will not proceed with the adoption until we have approval from that agency to return with Ross.  So we began to realize that it was not God's will for us the return to the U.S.A. to find employment.   We believe God's answer is for us to become "independent missionaries."

    Independent Missionaries are not employed by a mission organization.   They are directly supported by churches and individuals.  One of the advantages that we will have in being independent missionaries is that we will have a closer working relationship with the churches and individuals who are partnering with us.  Subsequently, those churches and individuals have the opportunity to have more input into our ministry.  This is the kind of relationship that Paul had with the churches that supported him when he went on his missionary journeys.  This is the direction that we feel God is leading us.

  Come Alongside Ministries is a non-profit organization based in the U.S.A. They come along side missionaries to facilitate the work God has called them to do.  We have joined this organization.  Anyone, who is led by God to be a part of our support base, will be able to make tax-deductible donations to our ministry among the Borana People through CAM.

  Evangelical Victory Church is a Kenyan based church.  When we resigned from our previous position we also had to forfeit our work permit.  So for the past year we have been here on a "visitors" status and therefore not permitted to do any "missionary work." E.V.Church has agreed to work with us.  This will enable us to get a missionary work permit.  Therefore we will be able to remain in Kenya and continue the work God has called us to do.  We have applied for this work permit with the Kenya Government and are awaiting its approval.

     Web Site-We have put together a web site to help you as our prayer partner to know and understand what we are doing.  It explains 1) our ministry and vision of the work among the nomadic Borana, 2) The plight of the Borana people, 3) Information about our family and our own circumstances and 4) How you as a prayer partner can be involved. You can follow this link to view our web site. www.byhisgrace.cc/flemingfamily/

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING.

Alan, Leah, Abbey, Connor and Ross Fleming