Here is a link to download a response form to get our emails or financial support ( Nielsen Pledge Form. ) Please fill out and mail or e-mail to:

Travis and Patti Nielsen
7146 10th Ave.
Jenison, MI 49428

tpnielsen@aimint.net

Patti to the garbage man: “We just sold our house and I was wondering if you would be willing to take some extra things in the next few weeks.”
Garbage man to Patti: “Are you kidding me? Your house sold ALREADY? You just put the sign out there.”
Patti to garbage man: “Yep! It sold in just 3 1/2 weeks!”
Garbage man to Patti: “WOW! I’ve seen houses that have been for sale for 3 YEARS!!”
Patti to garbage man: “I guess it’s all in Who you know!”

Our house was officially put on the market February 10. On March 6, three and a half weeks later, we had a buyer. The clincher was that the buyers’ first baby was due the beginning of April and they wanted to be in the house three weeks later–March 26, which was a Friday. We thought that having less than three weeks to close was pushing it a bit but we also knew that we couldn’t wait until the last minute to move all of our stuff out. We started packing–not knowing where we were moving!

On March 15, many closed doors later, a place for us to live opened up and was basically dropped in our laps. A friend of a friend of a pastor (you get the idea!) needed to be released of a 6 month duplex rental lease and it just so happened that we needed a place for about 6 months! We had no doubts that God had prepared this place for us. It was right in Jenison, close to the kids’ school, and it even came with some furniture so that we could begin the process of selling ours for the big move to Kenya. So we moved out of our house of nine years on March 20 with the best moving crew you could ever imagine! We are so thankful for wonderful friends to lend a hand (or muscle!) when needed.

The emotion of leaving our dear neighbors and the place where we had grown so many memories intensified as the house didn’t close when anticipated and was delayed several times (imagine that, hey!). The day finally came when we would meet the people who we had prayed specifically for over the last TWO years. Our family had prayed often and hard for the people who would buy our house–that they would know the exact time to come. All of us had decided that they needed to be pretty special too!

On April 5 we closed on the house and met the very pregnant and friendly new owners (although she went into labor right after we closed!). We had heard through our realtor that the couple had been searching for a house for quite a while. At one point, we asked them how long they had been looking for a home. Their reply? TWO years!! The tears streamed down our faces as we knew that God had answered our prayers and that He would continue to provide for all of our needs.

Now, for the rest of the story…

On April 7 we received a letter in the mail stating that we must “vacate the premises immediately as this house is in foreclosure.” What? This must be some joke! The landlord had told us that he was selling the house and that the closing would happen on April 1st. We would then be tenants to a new owner who wanted to use the house as rental property also and our lease would just be carried over. He took our money without looking back. We guess that in this economy, “desperate times call for desperate measures.”

After MANY hours on the phone with law offices, mortgage companies, and realtors, Travis learned that the lease we signed was “null and void” as it was signed after the house had gone into foreclosure and that we have 90 days before we are officially “evicted.” Ninety days will take us up to July 8. Maybe you remember that our departure date for Kenya is August 9. The silver lining in it all is that we get to live rent-free for the next three months–and possibly longer if the eviction process gets drawn out.

This journey of living by faith has been a roller coaster ride! It’s been an interesting few months. We cannot wait to see what God has next. We always say that the Nielsen house is NEVER boring! Pray with us for the remaining details to be worked out before August 9:

• That we will be able to stay in our rental unit until we leave if that’s God’s plan for us.

• That we will be able to sell our remaining furniture easily and quickly.

• That God would continue to prepare all of us for the next “leg” of our trip. God definitely knew what He was doing in this temporary transition. The kids have done so well adjusting to a new house and new neighborhood. The good-byes were difficult but we’re all ready to move on!

• That the remainder of our monthly support would come crashing in. We cling to Phil. 4:19, that God will meet all of our NEEDS according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. We don’t know how or when or who He will use, but we KNOW that He will.

We continue to give abundant thanks for you and your “partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in ‘us’ will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

1. What does the Constitution do?
2. How many amendments are there to the Constitution?
3. What is the “rule of law”?
4. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
5. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
6. When was the Constitution written?
7. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of its writers?
8. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

These and 92 other questions are what immigrants need to know before becoming citizens of the United States. Let us know how well you did on this sampling of U.S. civics! Did you pass or do you need to be deported?!

Since half of our family hails from foreign countries, we wondered about the logistics of traveling and living in a different country. We learned that getting U.S. citizenship for Travis was the most efficient way to move about the globe together as a family. In other words, he would lose his permanent resident card if we lived out of the United States any longer than six months. So we filled out the lengthy application and paid the $675 (ouch!) in October. Knowing how long government processes can take (they estimated Travis’ at 10 months), Patti prayed over the application and sent it out on the 12th.

Just to let you know what a mighty God we serve, Travis had his interview and testing on January 5th and passed with flying colors (he says, “Mostly red, white, and blue!”). He was sworn in two weeks later on the 20th at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The whole process only took three months. That’s the power of prayer!!! That’s what faith can do!

Another step in the Nielsen journey has been taken. God knew this had to happen long before we did. And He knows the many steps that have yet to be set forth. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Please pray with us as we seek citizenship for Joshua and Tia. When Travis was looking into getting his citizenship, we learned that they were not granted theirs at the time of adoption. The forms for them were not nearly as lengthy and not quite as expensive but were sent out along with Travis’. The estimated time of processing for their citizenship is 12 months. Our prayer is that we can obtain the certificates of citizenship before we go to Kenya so that we won’t have to return for them to be sworn in.

Representatives from the post office were at Travis’ naturalization ceremony and we were able to apply for his U.S. passport immediately. We should receive his new passport in 4-6 weeks. At that time, we can pursue Kenyan visas (with yet more forms!) for our entire family. Pending the sale of our house and more monthly support, we are praying in faith that we will be on that jumbo jet flying to Kenya on August 8, 2010. We can hardly contain the excitement as the culmination of almost three years of walking in the “desert” will lead us to the “promised land”. We have grown and learned so much and are ready to serve!

Extraordinary thanks to those who have persevered on this journey with us and believe that “faithful is He who calls you who also will do it.” (I Thessalonians 5:24) We are so blessed!

Travis, Patti, Kylea, Joshua, Tia, and Levi Nielsen

Answers:

1. Sets up the government, defines the government, and protects basic rights of Americans
2. 27
3. Everyone must follow the law, leaders must obey the law, government must obey the law, no one is above the law
4. 435
5. John Roberts
6. 1787
7. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Publius
8. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

We are the proud, new dorm parents of these boys–we just haven’t met them yet! They are fifth and sixth graders who attend Rift Valley Academy (RVA) and stay in Davis dorm during the school terms! They arrived at the school on August 28th for the 2009-2010 school year but we weren’t there to welcome them because of our difficulties in raising monthly support. A gracious family has been willing to fill in for us until our arrival. Ben, second from the right in back, is one of nine boys in our dorm (only seven are pictured). His mom writes to us,

Hi Patti!  We have been praying for you all year regarding coming to RVA, especially as you would be our son’s dorm parents for 2 years. SO very glad you are headed back to RVA and please let your supporters know how much we appreciate it! Dorm parents are an integral part of our team and it is an extra blessing and comfort to have seasoned dorm parents! Praying in faith we’ll meet you soon! We need you here!!!

Blessings and love to you,
Margaret

It turns out that Margaret knows Patti from when they served with Africa Inland Mission in different ministries back in 1994-1996. What a truly small world! Now Margaret and her husband Andy are missionaries in Kahunda, Tanzania doing island church planting. They have three children, all who attend RVA. We look forward to hugging on them while they are away from their parents.

We figure that in our journey to reach Kenya from Michigan, we are hovering right above the Atlantic Ocean just past the 30 degree longitudinal line–not quite to the west coast on the continent of Africa! In other words, WE ARE HALFWAY there!! We FINALLY reached the 50% mark for monthly support and are rejoicing! In our enthusiasm to meet our dorm boys in the near future, we continue to consider creative ways that we can make this happen!

We have roughly 300 people/families who receive our updates–many of whom are already supporters. The media constantly inundates us with how tough the economy is right now and how difficult it is to survive in these difficult times. We realize that it may not be feasible for many to come up with $50-$100 that they feel would be necessary to “support” a missionary adequately. As we brainstormed ideas, we started sharing with people that if every family who received our updates would commit to giving $10 per month, we could be at RVA right now (that is taking into account those of you who already give!). We began tossing around the nonessential things that people easily “blow” $10 on in a month (or even a week!).

1 movie ticket (with maybe a soft drink?)
4 Starbucks (or Biggby) coffees
1 24 pack sodas (plus deposit)
1 acrylic nail fill or pedi/manicure
5 Slurpees from 7/11
2 lunches from the drive-thru at McDonald’s
10 music downloads off the internet
4  rented DVDs at Family Video
Impulse buys at the check-out? i.e. magazines, candy bars, gum, mints, sodas
A monthly subscription to Netflix
16 donuts/5 bagels/5 muffins
1 large top sirloin steak
1 round of golf for one (or rental for a golf cart)
Just 1 more shirt, pair of shoes, craft project, tool, or toy to put in with all the rest

It’s tough to compete with Starbucks! As much as we try to crunch the numbers in hopes that we can generate more support to get to RVA, we know that, ultimately, it is up to our heavenly Father to provide for all our needs (Philippians 4:19). What makes us worthy of your “coffee” money? We are NOT worthy but God is SO worthy and, when all is said and done, it ALL belongs to Him.

Your financial support of us enables pastors, doctors, nurses, engineers, relief workers, evangelists, teachers, church planters, and translators from nearly 100 mission organizations from around the world to do the work God has called them to do! It doesn’t take much. Even $10 or less makes a difference. Would you be willing to let Him use YOU for His glory? We have over half of our support now and are so thankful for the faithfulness of those who have come along side us. Who will join our efforts in getting us ALL the way to Kenya? We would love nothing more than to start the year 2010 off with our dorm boys and all the other students at Rift Valley Academy.

Great is HIS faithfulness!

Travis, Patti, Kylea, Joshua, Tia, and Levi

Here is a link to download a response form in PDF format ( Nielsen Pledge Form. ) Please fill out and mail or e-mail to:

Travis and Patti Nielsen
1681 Cotton Drive
Jenison, MI 49428

tpnielsen@aimint.net

We should be stuffing the last of our Earthly belongings in this or that footlocker–hoping it won’t be overweight.

We should be saying good-bye to those things that are so familiar to us right now–our families, our friends, our neighbors, our churches, our school, our house, our “comfortable middle class life”, our stores, our vehicles, our restaurants, etc.

We should be driving the three hour journey to Chicago O’Hare International Airport with four anxious kids in tow.

We should be unloading and checking in our 24 pieces of luggage–not an ounce underweight–in hopes that we won’t have to unpack anything for inspection.

We should be scrambling to get all the shoes back on the correct kids’ feet after passing through security and being stripped of anything metal.

We should be waiting patiently (or–not so patiently!) at the gate with our hearts aflutter in anticipation of the big flight we are about to take.

We should be arguing over who will get window seats and who gets to sit by Dad or Mom.

We should be soaring over the clouds to a destination that we have sought for over two years.

We should be landing in London, maybe riding a double decker bus for a fun memory, all the while enjoying the precise accent of the British and hearing the kids trying to mimic it back.

We should be trying to keep peace amongst four children who haven’t had nearly enough sleep due to the excitement of flying.

We should be boarding the plane for our final flight to Nairobi, Kenya–flying, literally, on nothing but adrenaline, at this point.

We should be more than ready for a good sleep now but unable to find a comfortable position due to a child’s foot that we have lodged in our ear.

We should be feeling a little disheveled and slightly cranky as we near the end of our flight.

We should be renewed with strength as the pilot says that we are due to land in Nairobi in approximately 15 minutes.

We should be feeling the awe and wonder of this spectacular African country as we get close to touching down.

We should be watching the breath-taking view of the Nairobi National Game Park in the distance as the gazelle graze by the landing strips.

We should feel the balmy heat of Nairobi as we exit off the plane into our new world.

We should be respectfully greeting the Kenyans with, “Hamjambo!” as we walk, heavily laden with our luggage, down to passport control.

We should be attempting to find all 24 pieces of our worldly belongings so that we can pass through customs.

We should be taking in the smells, sounds, colors, voices, and ways of Kenya and her beautiful people.

We should be warmly greeting our friends from Rift Valley Academy, who have come to take us to our new home called Davis Dorm.

We should be unpacking our footlockers in anticipation of “Arrival Day”, when we will meet our twelve new fifth and sixth grade dorm boys.

We should be feeling surreal about this time and wondering if we are just dreaming or if we are really here!

We should be… but we aren’t.

We are saddened but we have hope–and a future! We know who holds our future and we trust Him. When the time is perfect, we will be fully supported and we will then be able to experience this–and much more! Until then…

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

–Lyrics by John Waller

Thanking you for your amazing faithfulness in giving and praying on our behalf,
Travis, Patti, Kylea, Joshua, Tia, and Levi

Send an email to tpnielsen@aimint.net

Since our update several weeks ago, we have received a big push out of our 40% hole. Do you remember our “We are stuck!” letter? We have been praying for our monthly support to come in so that we can return to Kenya on August 5, 2009. We were stuck at 40% for sooooo long and we wondered what God was trying to teach us. Soon after we sent out that urgent request for a big push, we received news that two more supporters came on and now we are over 46%! We are more than excited and can start to feel the wheels taking grip instead of spinning. There is finally movement after a LONG dry spell!

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 Pray that our faith would continue to grow as we wait on Him and seek His “pushing” in our lives.

We leave early Father’s Day morning on our journey to Canada (You recall that Travis is from Canada, eh?!) to visit family/friends/supporters; for a 25 year reunion (Eewwww! We’re showing our age now!); and, Lord willing, for many opportunities to share our vision of raising up missionary kids as future spiritual leaders. We’re proud of the seasoned travelers that our kids have become but this will be a true test of their endurance! It will be a 22 hour drive to Regina, Saskatchewan–our longest journey YET (HA HA–we’re waiting for the 16 hour flight to Kenya!). We eagerly anticipate the day when we are completely pushed out of the “mud” and two-trackin’!

Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf! Please pray that God would go before us and prepare the hearts of those who will hear about our ministry and desire to become a part of it–whether through prayer or financial support. Pray for safety as we drive our very old van with very many miles on it! Pray for peace as four young kids set boundaries around THEIR seat in the van and as the six of us travel in such close proximity for so many hours (“Dad, she’s in ‘MySpace‘!”). Pray for special memories with family and friends who we possibly may not see again for four or more years.

P.U.S.H.
Pray Until Something Happens
Please keep on pushing forward with us!

According to Wiktionary (a link off of Wikipedia), “stuck” is defined as: trapped and unable to move; unable to progress. There couldn’t be a better word to describe the Nielsen family right now! Our silence over the last several months is driven (no pun intended!) by our inability to move. We know of many people who are “stuck” right now–maybe it’s a less than ideal job (or no job at all); a stale marriage or relationship; a stagnant walk with the Lord; being unable to pay all the monthly bills that come in; or figuring out what the future holds. We have friends who have been waiting over a year to adopt a precious little boy. After four court dates and several botched legalities, the judge has closed their case indefinitely. What a helpless feeling it is to be stuck! The people of our nation must feel similar as we struggle with the plight of our economy. The amazing thing is that NONE of this takes our Heavenly Father by surprise! He knows the state of each of our lives and as Jeremiah 29:11-13 gently reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Since the new year began, our days have been filled with school, homework, sicknesses, traveling to churches , sicknesses, CBC, AWANA, sicknesses, getting ready to sell our house, more homework, and did we mention sicknesses?! Our family did NOT weather the winter well physically but with 60 fingers traveling to many different classrooms in school and at church (not to forget the workplace!), we have a greater appreciation for spring!

We have not forgotten your faithfulness through these winter months. We couldn’t be more thankful for a group of people who have chosen to be a part of our lives. Thanks for hanging in there with us!

As we spin our wheels in this endeavor of raising support so that we can return to Kenya, we come to you for a big push! It seems that we have been stuck at 40% of our monthly support forever. We never dreamed that part of God’s plans for us would be raising support for 22+ months–and yet we trust Him completely!

Africa Inland Mission has set a departure date of August 5, 2009 for our family to return to Rift Valley Academy to love and educate missionary kids as dorm parents and teachers. Who will roll up their pant legs, sink their feet into the mud of this life, and help push us with all their might toward full support and an August 5th departure? Who will PRAY with us that the mire keeping us from moving forward will miraculously be lifted so that we can cruise into the lives of those who we desire to serve?

–George Mueller

Pushing forward,
Travis, Patti
Kylea, Joshua, Tia, Levi

• Our family of six is not confined to an area of 8 ft. x 9 ft. It is not uncommon in Kenya to see eight to ten people living in an area that small.

• We each have a bed to sleep in at night–with a pillow and sheets and blankets to keep us warm (although Levi, more often than not, seems to think our bed is nicer to sleep in than his own!).

• I have hot and cold running water connected directly to my house (even after four kids have baths there is usually warm water!).

• I don’t have to wash my families’ clothes by hand in a river or a washbasin. I have a washer and dryer right in my basement that work great (most of the time!).

• I have a bathroom in my house; in fact, less than 30 feet away I have a second one (and yet I sometimes grumble about having to clean them BOTH!).

• I have a pantry and refrigerator in my kitchen that is full of food and good things to eat any time of day or night. We have been trying to teach our children that what we eat in one meal is more than most kids in the world eat all day and night. At breakfast we have said, “Imagine what it would be like if you couldn’t eat again until tomorrow morning.” We hope that, in some way, we are preparing them for Kenya. I have seen the starved children begging for food and even had them grab food out of my hands.

• We each have enough clothes in our closets and dresser drawers that we have to CHOOSE what we will wear each day. We actually have a choice! I have seen the kids in Nairobi with their dirty, torn clothes and know that it’s all they have to wear. As a parent, how I ache for them.

• Travis has a wonderful job and his boss has been more than kind in letting him stay until we are fully supported and ready to go to Kenya. They have assured him, “You have a job until you leave!” We praise the Lord for this!

• Travis’ work has given him great benefits, one of the best being affordable health insurance for our family. We cannot help but think of all the people in the world who struggle with doctor and hospital bills or who just struggle with health problems as they cannot afford to see a doctor.

• We have not one, but two vehicles parked in our garage that run without a glitch most days (even though the handles and latches are starting to fall off one by one!). We realize that out of the world’s population, we are, by far, wealthy!

• Our children have books, toys, bikes, a swing set and many other activities to keep them entertained for hours on end. I get quite intolerant when they come to me and say, “I’m bored!” I remind them of the kids in the world who have NOTHING but a rag ball and would trade places with them in a heartbeat.

• We have four terrific, healthy, loving children who bring us joy every day. Three of the four have asked Jesus to come into their lives (our prayer is that Levi, who just turned three, will make that choice one day also!) and we live with the hope that God will do something incredible with each of them.

• In Jenison, Michigan we have wonderful public schools with high ethics and standards and teachers who care about our kids’ education.

• God has given us so many faithful supporters (both prayer and financial) to serve with us in our ministry to missionary kids in Africa. We cannot thank the Lord enough for bringing them into our lives.

• My husband loves me, praises me, and showers me with affection every day. He thanks me constantly for all that I do for our family (even when I don’t deserve it!). How many women in the world can say that?

• My heavenly Father sent His Son to Earth in the form of a baby so that the little baby could grow to be a man and die on a rugged cross for MY sin, as unworthy as I am. He did this because He loves me so much and didn’t want to be separated from me! I cannot fathom that love.

That Sunday evening in church I wanted to stand up and shout, “Anyone who has eaten today, who has a roof over their heads, and has clothes on his back should be standing right now as YOU are extremely blessed!” I didn’t say that but I wished I had. I have often wondered lately why God chose ME to receive these blessings. Why do we, as Americans, have such an abundance and take so much for granted, when others in the world are in such need?

As 2008 quickly comes to an end, sit in the dining room at your house, table laden with food, and think of all the ways that you are “extremely blessed.” In fact, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done (sounds like a good song, hey?! “Count your blessings!”).

On this 29th day of December we should be flying to Kenya. As saddened as we are that our support is not all in and we aren’t able to return to Rift Valley Academy just yet, we are confident that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6)

A Blessed New Year to each of you,

Patti (for all the Nielsens)

P.S. Stand up and share some of your blessings with us and others who read this post! We would love to hear from you.

13 August 2008

It is 5:30 PM at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. We have just checked in our 24 pieces of luggage and managed to make it through security and passport control. Whew! We have boarded the Boeing 747 on British Airways flight 296 and are settled in at the rear of the plane with our four anxious children (their backpacks brimming with assorted activities to keep them busy for the next two eight hour flights). We feel the surge of the turbines shaking the plane as we head down the long concrete runway. We sink back into our seats as the aircraft lifts from the ground. We are ascending into a journey that will change the course of our lives forever. Suddenly the cell phone rings, pulling us out of our dream and back to reality…

The reality is that today is the 13th of August, the day we should be returning to Kenya, and the flight will be leaving without us. God has chosen for us to not be on this flight, for some reason. We are sad that we won’t be able to meet our dorm boys on arrival day and be a part of their lives. Travis is disappointed that he won’t be there for his students as they begin their graphic arts and photography classes. But we trust that God is sovereign and has our best in mind. We sing along with Chris Tomlin in his song, “How Great is Our God” the words in the 2nd verse:

Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End

Chorus:
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great is our God

God is not constrained by time so He is never late! We thank you for your power-filled prayers and faithful giving. Please KEEP praying as we seek God’s perfect time for us to return to Rift Valley Academy. As soon as 100% of our support is in, we will be on that airplane, continuing the journey God has begun in our lives. We look forward to when we can REALLY write about that adventure!

Waiting on Him,
Travis, Patti, Kylea, Joshua, Tia, & Levi