So it is 2012! I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season and our latest newsletter with the new prayer card.

We have been back in Uganda for over a month now. Out of all our travels as missionaries, it has been the most difficult adjustment (mostly due to time change and sicknesses).

It has also been the busiest. Let me give you a rundown on the variety of activities we have been involved in within the short time we have been home in Uganda.

Crystal:
Helping a Ugandan friend deliver her third child as a Doula
Driving a neighbor family to the hospital for a burn victim
Caring for two abandoned babies at the same time (3 weeks and 3 months)
Calling a fire truck to bring water to our house
Hosting a 17 year old JAM student in our home for a two month school holiday
Beginning home schooling for Asher
Visiting Jerusalem's grave on her two year anniversary of being with Jesus
Leading praise and worship sessions twice with Matt

Matt:
Preaching three times in the first three weeks in three different churches/denominations
Attending two weddings
Lifting our broken ceiling in the living room
Attending the Juna Amagara Fundraiser Banquet
Repairing electrical, plumbing and vehicle work
Finishing the children's outdoor playhouse
Starting construction for the ABIDE Kabale House (traveling 4 times)
Leading the ABIDE staff team training for four days
Opening the 2012 ABIDE program

That is all on top of the active family/ministry tasks each day that seem to take so much time and energy. We currently have six children in our care. It is a BIG blessing.

God bless,

The Kehn Family - currently Matt, Crystal, Asher, Stephen, Adelynn, Lynate (17 yrs), Simon (3 mths) and Joseph (3 weeks)

We are finally home in Mbarara, Uganda. It was the longest journey, five airports and 2 full days of traveling. It must have aged us a good 5 years!

NOW Listening to the drizzly rain, seeing the beautiful landscape, enjoying the reunion with friends, hearing children laugh and play together, eating the tasty african dishes, trying to catch up on lost sleep.

Our last weeks in the US were spent together in Dallas with Crystal's family. We stayed with Crystal's mom in a two bedroom apartment. And her brother lives in the other room. So Anna moved to the couch and our busy family of five took over her room. Stephen has a daughter that comes to stay throughout the week. There are two dogs and two birds. All of this packed into a small Dallas apartment. Crazy! But fun, and great to spend quality time with family.

For Thanksgiving, we traveled to Longview, TX to celebrate with all of Crystal's extended family at her Grandma's. It was another day of eating great food (I made my now famous mashed potatos) and enjoying time with family while watching some football.

Right after the adults prayed for the big meal Asher, Stephen and Adelynn were sitting around a kid table. They all held hands and Asher told them he was going to pray. "Dear God, we ask for many blessings... and much food... and many decorations. Amen!" Unknown to them, everyone was watching and cherished that unpromted moment.

During one our visits to Crystal's dad, we had a spontaneous worship session. I picked up Dave's guitar and started playing "How He Loves." The boys jumped in singing along to one of their favorite songs. Crystal got her musical talent from her dad. They both led out with great harmonizing vocals. Later that day, Dave called to share how meaningful that time was together. It had a great impact on him.

Overall the time in Dallas was great, our visit to the US productive. We are going to celebrate an early Christmas together and then start the long trip home to Uganda.

It was great visiting with you all in the midwest area. Now happy to be back with Crystal and the kids in Texas. Chicago was a crazy, but good tour. There were times where I had seven different appointments in one day. I enjoyed speaking at the SHYG fall retreat, testifying in churches, partnering with schools, reporting to the US JAM Board, and sharing with many friends and supporters.

We now have great news! God is building incredible momentum around ABIDE. Many people have been inspired by the last four successful years of developing student leaders in ABIDE and are engaged to help our vision continue progressing.

The second ABIDE house in Kabale is already under way. I just received a message today that our staff on the ground are "trying to work hard to put up a store (shed) and dig a latrine pit (outhouse) and plan to finish tomorrow. The Engineer has finished making the construction plans, the remaining part is for the Town Engineer, Planner, Health inspector and Clerk to sign it. We plan to start digging the foundation on Wednesday."

So far, we have raised over $25,000 in gifts and pledges from individuals and churches. One donor gave a $5,000 check. Another has pledged at least $10,000. We have reached half of our $50,000 goal by January 2012. We are praying that the year end appeal will generate the remainder and more. Then I will be able to go home to Uganda with amazing news to the leadership team that God provided before and beyond our expectations.

What part can you have to make that happen? A YEAR END DONATION TO ABIDE would be very helpful. There may be an opportunity for matching donations. Please continue to pray for the ABIDE staff and potential students for 2012.

I strongly believe we can make our deadline by January 2012. God is amazing us again. Thanks for your partnership in the Kingdom work around the world. You are transforming lives and influencing a nation for Christ!

The return on your investment is phenominal. See why here: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

As we continue to enjoy our time in the US, we have been able to schedule many opportunities to share about the work in Uganda with new churches. I will be visiting four churches this week in Arizona and Colorado for the potential partnership with ABIDE and Juna Amagara Ministries. There are also more meetings scheduled in Texas and Chicago for November. Please join with us in prayer that God will annoint these visits and bring about His unity in the body of Christ to partner internationally in what God is doing through ABIDE.

We have also been editing new videos for ABIDE and some fun ones for family. See the two respectively below:



We are still in the US through November. It is our desire to inspire believers to passionately sacrifice and serve to fulfill the Great Commission in the world. It is the most valuable investment that deserves our total treasure. Treasuring Christ means surrending our life for His mission. You just have to take one step at a time following Christ! Join us in Uganda or in your neighborhood.

Great News: we have a US Visa for Stephen! It is amazing how quick everything has come. We depart in 10 days!

Below is our planned itinerary for the time in the states from August 30-December 2. We would love to visit and share with all of you about God's great work in Uganda. Please contact us to set up a time and place around one of our central locations and dates.

Thank you all for your prayers. It is a blessing to breathe in peace as we plan for this visit to the US. Thank you Lord!

Dear Friends and Family Around the World,

It is August. That means we should be able to breathe a little bit. The year has been very active up to now. ABIDE operated two homes successfully and graduated 17 students in July (now a total of 40 equipped youth in four years). There have been many opportunities to love and care for abandoned babies in our home. And we have intentionally strengthened the spiritual nurturing of our own children. It is a joy to watch them grow. In the midst of all this time, we have received mission teams, led worship at team meetings, cooked enough food to feed 40 young men, changed countless diapers, disciplined stubborn little balls of energy, laughed at babies eating messily, kissed plenty of dirty faces (even feet), and survived another day in Uganda.

So the Kehn family is now in preparation for a long journey to the United States for a furlough/home assignment (and more importantly my sister Beth's wedding). The tickets are purchased, plans are set. There is just one major need: Stephen's Visa. There are some complications in our application for renewing the US visa for Stephen. Because our court date to finalize the adoption process was postponed, we are quickly working to get a visitors visa again for Stephen. This means we have to proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will be returning to Uganda... with Stephen. It is a delicate matter with international travel. We need your prayers. We have a meeting on Thursday 9:30am August 11th, 2011 at the US Embassy in Kampala, Uganda (Thursday 1:30am August 11th, 2011 CDT). This determines our ability to travel to the US as a family. Please pray that God's will is done, He is glorified no matter what occurs. But you obviously know what our desire is: that they will grant Stephen a visa immediately! Then we will be able to breathe.

Let's pray now together as your read this and I write it. Then if you feel led to wake up (or if God does that for you), continue to offer our requests to the Lord. Thanks so much for your partnership in our lives, ministry and this matter.

Our website has some fresh new updates and media. Check it all out at here.

God bless you all and hope to see you soon :) We will let you know more details as soon as possible.

Matt and Crystal Kehn
with Juna Amagara Ministries in Uganda

A seed planted can produce at least 20 good seeds. Imagine 40 seeds planted in good soil. In four years, we have graduated (below) 40 students in ABIDE. This year was another effective and transformational program. The last six months have been especially difficult and tiring with expanding to a new site in Kabale and overseeing both homes with two leadership teams.

But the transformation by the end makes it all worth it. It is an incredible journey, to watch a metamorphosis of faith and Christian living in young men be so real. It must glorify God, and it satisfies me and my passion to see Christ exalted in Uganda. It is not the end for them, or ABIDE. Please continue to pray for our growth, dependence and trust in the Lord.

It has been a busy year. But there are moments in the difficult and tiresome days that melt my heart. One moment was caught on video as I came home from a long and good two day ministry opportunity. I received a very warm welcome home. It made my day. You are privileged to be ablt to watch it below.



We recently had another wonderful celebration, Adelynn is now one year old. On August 1st, we celebrated Addy's first birthday with friends at home in Mbarara. It was a wonderful day to remember the joy of a new baby girl in our family and to see how much she has grown. It seems after the one year mark she turned a corner and has become a new girl. She is standing up alone, using more vocabulary, pointing with one finger when asked her age, drinking out of sippy cups and calling for us when she wakes up. My heart melts every time she smiles at me... and that's a lot!

Amidst the expansion of ABIDE and raising our children in Uganda, the previous weeks have been busier in the Kehn home. We have received three different abandoned babies consecutively: Emmanuel, Josiah and Hope.

Hope is still with us. She was left at church on Sunday after a Catholic mass; bystanders took her to the police and then a children's hospital. The police called us to help care for her as they carry on the investigation. During our time of hosting Hope, we have observed some mental disabilities and physical delays in development. We can only guess that she is near 18 months, twice as old as Adelynn but far behind. In the short time we have had her, she has grown tremendously. Hope smiles again, laughs, plays and has started to roll over thanks to the inspiration of Adelynn's free movement. We can only hope that she will settle into a loving family who will be committed to care for her special needs.

Josiah, around a year old jumped right into our home. He loved to laugh and play with our boys (it was crazy having three testosterone balls ruling the house), but showed a deep need to bond in a special way. He was often calling out for mama, who most likely left him at the local government hospital where he was found alone. At first, Josiah would not eat. We tried to feed him a little bit of anything, but failed. Not until Annette simply placed a bowl of food in front of him to eat on his own. It became a messy feast! He would eat with two hands and lick the bowl clean, leaving much of it on his face. He later was transferred to Watoto child care to meet his deep emotional needs.

Emmanuel is a sweet little newborn who loved to cry while in our home. Fresh in this world and already fighting for survival, the baby boy came to our open home for his first weeks of life. We have the privilege to name most of the abandoned babies that we care for. As this new baby was welcomed into our home, Crystal asked Asher what we should call him. He chose Elisha and then went for a nap. Immediately from waking up, as if he had a vision or dream, Asher confidently announced that he had made a mistake and the babies name must be Emmanuel. So that is now his name. He was soon after taken to Ibanda Babies Home.

We are discovering the cost of caring for the precious little children. It is difficult. Each one brings their own challenges according to the stage and personality of the baby. We also realize it affects our own children because it takes time and attention away from them. But it is a blessing to know that we have helped shape the lives of these innocent and helpless victims. It also is a great opportunity for our children to experience serving others and blessing those in need. Our prayer is that God will call them all to himself in a special way to receive love from the Heavenly Father. We need your prayers for strength, wisdom and love in raising our children and caring for abandoned babies. To learn more, visit our Haven of Hope page: www.kehnsjam.com/haven

A boy abandoned, a family blessed. It is exactly three years since Stephen officially came into our home and family. We were given full legal care to foster this new baby boy. We called him Twinomujuni, which means "We have a Savior." And it's true, on that day when everyone had deserted him, he had a savior.

It's now three years later. It has not been easy, but it is good. It was a priviledge to welcome Stephen in our home, to be his rescuer and to point him in the One True Savior, Jesus. We continue to see the hard work of raising him up in the right way. It is a difficult, daily lifelong process. We need more grace.

But now we are finalizing the official adoption, after fulfilling the required three year care in country. It is an exciting moment to finally be done with paperwork even when the reality is that Stephen is our son without them. These three years have bonded us as one family. Recently, Kylie (left) a missionary friend's four year old daughter was amazed when she discovered that Stephen was adopted. When asked where she thought he came from, innocently she replied "from Crystal, like Asher." He obviously fits into our home and our hearts. God has given him to us and we are blessed.

Today is the one year anniversary of Jerusalem running into the arms of Jesus. It is a difficult day, full of tears. Both joy and sorrow. Deep loss for us, great gain for Jerusalem. We continue to walk on the journey of grief. It is hard. Life is hard. Some moments you realize the great importance of making the important things the most important. Then some moments you just want to run away and escape from reality. Every emotion is heightened, both good and bad.

My mom wrote a beautiful message to Jerusalem and sent it to us. We obviously cried as we read the sweet words of a grandmother who never met her own, but longed to. With her consent, we are passing it on to you. It helps us share in the loss and helps you to see our hearts. May it touch you with the love of our Heavenly Father.

Remembering You, Jerusalem

We knew of you in November-a baby girl who needed a mommy and daddy. We saw your photos and rejoiced that you were now a member of our family. We celebrated your life at a dinner at Olive Garden. We cheered your mommy and daddy on in their desire to adopt you and have you in their hearts and their home. We knew you were sick but were encouraged that the medications to treat you were available. Matt and Crystal said that some children with AIDS lived into young adulthood. We thought that just maybe we wouldn’t have to say good-bye so soon. We thought that just maybe we would get to heaven before you and we could welcome you there. We were glad.

But that was not God’s plan. You joined them on January 1, 2010 when they returned to Uganda. They were so tired and so were you. Too tired to eat, too tired to sleep, too tired to smile. They held you and loved you. They sang to you. They introduced you to your big brothers who held you in their arms. Stephen was so excited to have a baby in their home-one who looked like him. They called your name. They had no idea that your time together would be so short. You were loved lavishly because of who you were. You didn’t have to do anything to earn their love. They loved you from the minute they heard of you. You were their daughter and sister. You were my granddaughter.

We followed your life from a distance-a long distance. We knew that you had a hard time eating. Your mommy and daddy took you to the doctor on the next Tuesday thinking that you needed some medicine to make you better. They thought just a little of the right medicine along with their deep love would make you strong, would give you a desire to eat, would give you energy to smile. Instead they had to take you to the hospital where you could get treatment, medicine in a “drip”. They stayed with you in the newborn unit. A glass enclosed room with 15 or more babies and their caregivers, no place to sit, no privacy. Your mommy and daddy’s love for you was evident and the others saw see. They were there as parents who shared the fear and joy with all the others. You shared this time with the Muslim woman who had twins. Her daughter was healthy; her son was very sick. The British doctor and others came to see you, Jerusalem. They ordered medication, they gave you oxygen, they empowered your mommy and daddy to know how best to treat you. Your condition worsened. Matt texted “ “

We were in Los Angles with your great grandma and papa. They were sad. We heard that the doctors said to have you baptized. We knew what this meant-they thought you were getting ready to leave us. Your mommy and daddy arranged this and kind Ugandan pastors came to your bed to do this late one night. Your mommy and daddy took turns caring for you. One was there for the day and the other for the night. On Thursday night Matt called your doctor who said that Crystal should come. A friend came to their home to watch your brothers. They were there with you. At the beginning they were begging you to stay strong, to fight this terrible disease and then they realized that they needed to let you go. You were getting ready to go to Jesus. So as you breathed through your mask, as you were taking the IV drip, as you were almost too week to open your eyes, they talked to you. They released you into the loving arms of Jesus. He would take you to the room He had promised you. Your brother, Asher, said that you ran to Jesus. And early Friday morning you breathed your last breath in this life.

The Muslim woman showed Crystal how to take care of your body. This woman had seen death before-probably many times and knew what to do. May God bless her for this even in the time of sorrow for her sick baby boy. Your mommy and daddy left your sweet little body at the hospital while they went home to tell your brothers, their community of believers who had stood by them. We heard the sad news in the middle of the night when your daddy called us. We wept with him. We offered to come. They made arrangements for your memorial service. They got permission to do all this from those in authority gave consent easily without layers of beaurocracy. Your daddy bought your casket. A reverend would join you and others Saturday morning to say goodbye for a while.

We saw the your memorial your daddy put online. We wept each time we saw it. We wish we could have been there. The place of your service was so Ugandan-a green grassy place with a view to more hills in the distance. They put flowers on your casket and covered it with the soil of your land. They prayed. Your mommy and daddy looked in shock. They were deeply grieving your leaving them. They knew the truth that they would see you again but they missed you now.

The night before you died, your brother had broken his clavicle and a few days later your mommy who was pregnant with your sister, Adelynn, got sick. When I heard of this from Trudy-my faithful friend, I offered to come and they said yes. I left the same day not knowing for sure who would be at the airport for me. I trusted God in this little way.

Your mommy and daddy took me to the hospital so I could see the place that you spent your last days here. We went to the cemetery and put some little flowers on your grave. Your daddy found a flat rock and put your initials on it. I cried. They were beyond tears.

I wish. . .
I could have held you in my arms and called your name, Jerusalem
I could have known you-your expressions, your eyes, your hands
I could have seen you grow up into a young woman who would trust God with her whole life
I could have come to your birthday party
I could have seen you ride a bike
I could have gone to the American Girl store with you
I could have bought a dollie who looked just like you
I could have had a tea party with you and your dollies
I could have spoiled you with gifts
I could have hugged you every day I was with you
I could have been your nurse in the hospital
I could have seen you triumph over this terrible disease
I could have protected Matt and Crystal from such deep pain
I could have talked with you about life-how it seems unfair & is so filled with love & grace
I could have talked with you about the lavish love of God-he knew you from the beginning
I could have talked with you about how our times are in God’s hands
I could have talked with you about how Jesus showed his love for you on the cross
I could have seen you graduate from high school
I could have danced at your wedding

You know all these things and so much more. You are whole. You ran to Jesus who took you in his arms of love. You can smile. You can eat the heavenly feast without your tummy hurting. You have work to do in heaven.

You were a baby here. Maybe you are a girl there. Maybe you are among the greatest. I am glad that you are part of our family. You will always be remembered in my mind and heart. I’ll come to see you soon.

Love,

Grammy

It has been a long season since our last updates on our website. I have strategically taken a cyber sabbatical to focus on other more important issues in our family and ministry. We were even rarely on Facebook, which in today's culture is nearing a sin. It has been helpful not having this responsibility hanging over my head throughout the past few months. Since August, now it is time open our lives to the world again through the internet. We appreciate your understanding and continued participation in our lives and ministry in Uganda.



"We have all heard it before countless times, a beautiful baby peacefully born in an organized manger. It’s precious; the start of an extraordinary and extra important life story that encounters our own. I can understand the need for our cookie cutter picture of a bundle of joy in an adorable baby, especially for the storying of Christmas day to our children, even our own romanticism which glorifies the situation. It is God by the way. Maybe giving birth to Him would have been easy, enjoyable and flawless.

But let’s be honest. We don’t give it an accurate dramatization. If you want the reality of childbirth in a B.C. town with prehistoric medical services and young, immature parents: Christmas is messy! That actually comforts me. I can relate deeply."

An excerpt from our latest newsletter - Christmas Edition. You can now download it HERE [+]

We are back On-Line!

We wanted to share a fun variety of pictures from our enlarged family. Adelynn is fitting in well and growing quick, now almost four weeks. The boys continue to adore their little sister and we are all adjusting to the addition of a new member to our family... again! Click on any picture to see a larger size. Enjoy the photos!

She dangerously threatened in June, due in July but waited till August! She is already African. Adelynn Joy Mbabazi Kehn - born at 2:53 am on August 1, 2010 in Kampala, Uganda. Princess Adelynn is 7 lbs 12 ounces and 19.5 inches long. She is so much bigger than we expected and totally looks like Asher as a newborn. Mommy and baby are both healthy and recovering. We are so happy. Going back home to Mbarara today!


Finally getting some sleep, together, after a long labor of 36 hours (Above: waiting to be discharged). Crystal was so strong through the journey. It has intimately connected us in an even deeper friendship. We love our daughter and are so excited to be holding her! Thank you Lord for such a beautiful girl.

[+] See More Pictures Here

Please pray for us again!

We were packing our bags, ready to go for the long trip to Kampala after the wonderful, bittersweet ABIDE graduation. It was a fantastic celebration and commissioning of the young men who we discipled deeply over the last six months.

Now it was Monday morning. Refreshed by the new found freedom, we were awaken by an international phone call reporting terrorist activity in Kampala the night before. It was during the World Cup final, which Spain won (who I predicted from February 2010 - that's two worldcups in a row), an Islamic Somalian terrorist group known as the Al Shabaab denoted three bombs in public places killing over 74 people. After hearing the news and connecting with local friends, we decided to continue our plans for Kampala as we are expecting the arrival of our sweet baby girl any day.

The long, bumpy journey was peaceful and relaxed. We made it to Kampala in the afternoon and settled into our guest house. One of the bombings took place just down the road at an Ethipian restaraunt. Crowds and spectators were still surrounding the site. Police and security scattered everywhere.

The Al Shabaab have since continued to threaten more attacks if Uganda does not remove peace-keeping troops from Somalia. Suicide vests and bombs have been discovered around the city, thankfully preventing more explosions. One was found on a roadside restaraunt that I passed by on my way to meet the ABIDE leadership team. The road was blocked and civilians were moving out of the area saying there was a bomb. I couldn't believe how close I was, you just never know. We continue to stay in Kampala area, but plan to move on the outskirts of town today for more safety and free housing. We are waiting for Adelynn to come and my parents to arrive next week. Please pray for our safety in Kampala and successful delivery of our baby girl.

[+] Read More Here

Please pray for us!

Thieves tried to break into our home this early morning at 3:00am (May 3, 2010). They were quietly wrenching the front wooden door with a crow bar (it was about to give). Thankfully, Crystal was awake and heard strange noises, woke me up and we went into action.

I shouted at them from the front door in my loudest, strongest and bravest voice. They actually asked me to open the door for them! We called fellow missionaries and neighbors who came in a few minutes and the thieves ran away. Finally, the police arrived to take a report.

It is really quite a scary time for our family. We need the peace and power of Jesus!

We are so thankful to God for His protection and our friends.

Our hopes and dreams for a baby girl have become a 27 week reality. We are naming her Adelynn Joy Kehn (still working on the Ugandan name).

Over the last few days during the ABIDE midterm break, the Kehn family has enjoyed a relaxing break from life and ministry in Mbarara for a trip to Kampala. We stayed in a friendly Baptist Guest House and visited a beautiful pool at the Serena Hotel (one of the best in the country). Our main intention was to meet with Dr. Busingye and also have a 3D ultrasound.

The highlight of this week was spending a few days caring for a darling baby girl, Rosemary, who was abandoned at the local hospital and then being able to hand her into the arms of an adoring adoptive mother who had no children of her own. Rosemary was found in the rain by a trash can on the grounds of the hospital last week sometime. After hours of hearing her crying, patients finally rescued her when they realized no one else was going to. They cared for her in the hospital even as they were being given treatment. Knowing they could be discharged any time and that no one would be left to care for Rosemary (as they named her) they asked for assistance from the hospital social worker, who then called me! After about 20 minutes of being in our home, Rosemary had decided I was "Mama" and she would cry whenever I left her sight. I cannot fathom the fear that she must have of being left again. Each time I held her close and rocked her I felt like her eyes were searching mine for answers to questions like, "Where is my Mama? Why did she leave me? Are you going to love me? Are you going to leave?" I was so relieved when I received another call saying that there was a woman who wanted to adopt her! Not only is she now in a home (rather than an orphanage), but she has a Mama who will love her, cherish and not leave her.

ABIDE has been in full swing for a little over a month now. I am daily encouraged by the stories Matt comes home with about the discussions they are having in classes. Their faith is being stretched as they search the Scriptures for absolute truths and challenge the status quo of "religion" and evaluate traditions of the culture. They have also gone out into the nearby community to encourage people through "Prayer, Care, Share." Already they return home with exciting testimonies of how God is using them to share their faith in a loving relationship with neighbors. This weekend they will be starting a weekly meeting at Juna Amagara, inviting neighbors they have been praying for and sharing with to join in Bible study, praise and fellowship.

Matt and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary last weekend! Dear friends watched the boys for us while we had a romantic 24 hours getaway to a beautiful lodge at Lake Mburo national park (about an hour and half from our home). The food was incredible, the view breathtaking, the whole experience very memorable. We are so thrilled to have made it 5 years after our love has passed through so much, endured the struggles God has allowed (along with our human failures!), and emerged stronger and deeper than when we began this journey together. We are thankful for those who have covered our marriage in prayer from the beginning.

Here's to 50! Click Here to view more pictures from Crystal's facebook page.