Heartbreak and Blessings
Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,
This letter will be a bit different, a little more personal. How we covet your prayers for our family, as well as for ROCK Ministries, as we partner together in this work that God has called us: to become a source of hope, healing, and restoration for families through the knowledge of Christ’s deep love… Our family has been walking this mission statement out in our own home while taking up the baton to help support ROCK Ministries as the “project managers” and fund raisers. We have become witnesses of the truth spoken
by Jesus to Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:9, “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Recently we suffered a great personal loss. Our foster daughter, Taiden, ended her life on Wednesday morning, September 11th, just three days before our son’s wedding. I found her body and Kyon, along with my brother who wasvisiting for our son’s wedding, performed CPR until the paramedics arrived and confirmed her passing. In our deep grief we have been experiencing the supernatural peace of God as we have had to notify, and comfort, Taiden’s family. Most of them do not have a personal relationship with Christ, and we have experienced miracle upon miracle.
Even during the day of the wedding, the Lord’s presence was so evident as we grieved together our loss and celebrated the joining of Marshall and Abigail in marriage. Taiden was going to be a bridesmaid, so our daughter carried her bouquet down the aisle and placed it on a small table where she would have stood. It was an emotional, but joy-filled event, one that only God could have pulled off.
Taiden was technically our foster daughter; but in our hearts, she was our daughter. In fact, we were about to take guardianship with the possibility of eventually adopting her. As we entered into the world of foster care and adoption, we became keenly aware of the spiritual warfare keeping this family under the weight of alcohol and drug addiction. God began whittling away at our judgmental hearts and uniting us in love with those held in bondage by the lies of the enemy. We said “yes” to Mason in March of 2020 which was the exact same time Kyon and I became more involved with ROCK Ministries following Elaine’s diagnosis of dementia. Then on December 26th of 2022, Taiden (Mason’s biological sister) moved in with us. We don’t see it as a coincidence
that God was using our experiences with Mason, Taiden, and their family to unite our hearts to the mission and vision of ROCK Ministries in such a personal way. And this makes me think of all of YOU, our partners in prayer, in giving, and in spiritual warfare for these children in Kenya at ROCK Ministries International’s children’s home and school. We have such an opportunity here, together!!
Most of the children in ROCK’s home have experienced deep trauma, just like Taiden had experienced. As the staff come alongside them with the power and love of the Holy Spirit, they have the opportunity to experience His grace in their lives. Please join Kyon and me in renewing the commitment to PRAY for these children in the home, the dorm staff, as well as the students in the school, teachers, administrators, and support staff. Our recent traumatic loss has convicted us of the brevity of life and the need to live life with our eyes wide open and our hearts tuned to the Holy Spirit. When we get to Heaven, we will realize the impact of these prayers!!
We are so very thankful to all of ROCK’s donors and supporters who sacrificially pray and give! Some of you have done this for many, many years. It has been miraculous to see what God has accomplished through you. Thank you so much! If you have not yet partnered with us through giving financially, we invite you to prayerfully consider donating monthly towards the general fund and/or giving a one-time gift towards the building campaign. In January we will be adding grade five to Malava Christian Academy continuing our expansion of the school with the goal of reaching grade twelve (form four) in the upcoming years. We need a school
building to continue expanding. You can help us reach this amazing goal! Scan these two QR codes to find out more! In closing, we wanted to mention again how grateful we are for your partnership with us in this calling to care for these children, and their families, in Malava and the surrounding region. We look forward to all God has for the ministry in the future as we add to the ways we shine God’s light in Kenya through the children’s home, school, animal and farm projects, future bakery and clinic. Please pray for our family as we grieve our deep loss, and thank you for your prayers and financial donations on behalf ROCK Ministries!
Grace and peace, Kyon and Cindy Yi