Dear Friends and Family,

Marlene and I will be heading to Kenya, Africa from March 26th to April 29th, 2008. We are excited about the opportunities we will have to minister there in many different ways. First, we will have the opportunity to visit Marlene’s twin brother Marvin Smith and his wife Jan who have worked in Kenya for the past 30 years with Africa Inland Mission. This will be our first visit with them on the field. Marv has asked us to share at an AIM missionary conference for both adults and teens the first 4 days after we arrive in Kenya. He has asked me to speak to these groups. My topics are still to be determined but I have some ideas! You can be praying for me as I prepare. Marlene will have the opportunity to go with Jan to visit some of the Muslim women she has been trying to minister to for some time. Pray for open hearts and ears as they share Christ with these women.

Then we will be heading to Tenwek Hospital – a World Medical Missions hospital in Bomet, Kenya for the remainder of our time. We will be serving with our son Kyle and his wife Vanessa and two sons Hudson and Jude. Kyle is a resident physician with In His Image Medical group and will be administering medical care to the patients. Vanessa and Marlene will take turns helping in the hospital as well as taking care of Hudson (3) and Jude (6 months). In addition, Marlene and I will be scrubbing the bedpans, cleaning, washing clothes, mopping and if they let me – assisting with any surgeries or procedures they deem okay. I was raised in a home where my dad was a general practice physician, my little brothers are doctors, my son is a physician, my son-in- law is a dentist, and both my mom and sister are nurses, so I figured some of that must have rubbed off on me, right? Well, maybe not. When I wrote that I would be willing to help in those areas, they still accepted me, but said they have restrictions on who can do surgery and assist with medical care – so I guess that’s out for me. Maybe I can clean toilets…at least I know for sure that I am good at that job! Most importantly we are there to serve in any way they need us and we have heard they need helpers that are willing to do whatever – that’s us. They have 300 patients (each personally prayed for daily by the staff and volunteers) in this hospital and we have been invited to be a part of the mission statement of the hospital which states that “Tenwek Hospital is a Christian community committed to excellence in compassionate health care, spiritual ministry and training for service”. We are just excited to be a part of serving as the Lord leads. We can’t wait to be involved in the lives of people and then sharing it with you when we return.

As many of you know, there has been a great deal of civil unrest in the country of Kenya. God has prepared us to go and be a part of what He has for us and we know He will be glorified. We have complete confidence that this is His timing and that God will protect us and use us as He sees fit. We have been reading the book, ‘To Africa with Love’ and ‘Improving your Serve’ as well as other materials on indigenous religions and how to deal with those involved as we prepare to go. We count it a privilege to be a part of God’s kingdom work.

We would appreciate your prayers as we take part in this special trip of service to Kenya and the people God has prepared us to be a part of their lives. Tenwek Hospital is a part of World Medical Missions. If you would like to participate in any way, the address is World Medical Missions, Samaritan’s Purse P.O. Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607 and the project code is 010638.

Thank you for your prayers for God to use us as He sees fit. Our upcoming blog for updates is www.travisandmarlene.blogspot.com

In His Service with Joy

Travis and Marlene Jones
22129 E. 62nd St
Broken Arrow, Ok 74014